I just had a fit of insecure late-spring cleaning

and that is why my blog has changed color.

Well, that, and the fact that black is SO last week.

Or, at least, not this week.

So today I was poking around on StumbleUpon (my new favorite website) and I...stumbled upon...a C-span video of Dennis Kucinich submitting a resolution for the impeachment of (name removed to prevent certain Republican persons from hating my guts forever more), containing 35 articles and spanning over 5 hours. (My esteemation of Dennis Kucinich? Now through the roof.)

I know I (and the majority of this country) have been screwed over, but I didn't know that it was this bad. I know he's a politician, so I'm taking Denny's resolution with a grain of salt, but he's still got a teensy, weensy point (ah, but what is his point, you ask. You'll have to watch the video: www.c-spanarchives.org).

I now feel like a jilted girlfriend.

I really HATE politicians.

The SAT is, by all accounts, long, scary, hard, scary and (when factored into the rest of your life) pointless. And scary.

So...

I'd like to take this opportunity to announce that I MADE IT! (!!!) AND IT WASN'T TERRIBLE! (!!!) AND I'M STILL ALIVE! (!!!)

And along the way, I learned that I my little homeschooled self is totally justified in being homeschooled, because the school system (generally) really really really sucks.

Bureaucracy: it's not just for breakfast anymore!

But now, my "Official Academic Year" is OVER and DONE and FINISHED. YEAH.

And I now have a list of Summer requirements (and last year they were all in my scrapbook, so maybe this SAT thing has been a little boost for my ego since I'm kind of publishing them?)

1. Lie by the pool, not thinking, hopefully not getting all red and blistery and maybe even turning a slightly less blinding shade of pale.

2. Really work on the Venture Crew, especially the things that I'm SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, like planning our big summer trip, and getting a roster set up...That can wait until tomorrow...

3. Read a couple good books. Preferably ones that involve crime-fighting in high-heels and other nonsense like that, but I'm not really choosy. As long as they don't make me think too much.

4. Pick lots of flowers.

I have not been writing lately, but I think you noticed that.

Last week I went to Ohio (where it is FREEZING, but there was an ICE CREAM TRUCK, anyone heard the expression COALS to NEWCASTLE??) to see the Arms and Armor of Imperial Austria exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art, and that was extremely cool. My big-little brother was in his element, though with Nana around, he showed nothing but a cool, more-knowledgeable-than-thou disdain.

After that, we went to the Rock'n'Roll Hall of Fame (and I am still very very excited about this, so don't tease me for living such a sheltered life that glow-in-the-dark signatures enthrall me, okay?). There was a 'Paraphernalia Exhibit' (not really, but that's what it ought to be called), kind of a tribute to the history of Rock'n'Roll, with all sorts of stage costumes and pictures and photographs and cars and records.
I must say that Jimi Hendrix was quite the fashion plate. I would love to wear some of the things he had.

On Monday, I had my first of two Duke Days (all the bells and whistles this time, it's my big two-year checkup), and was kind of surprised to see several news crews (say that three times fast!) lining the streets.

It turned out to be Senator Ted Kennedy's paparazzi. That is kind of reassuring, to know that a U.S. Senator chose the best place in America to have his surgery, and it's the place that I went.

Day two wasn't nearly as exciting. Just a pulmonary exam, and Electro Cardiogram, an Audiology exam, and a lumbar puncture (changed from 'spinal tap' after the movie came out).
The LP was pretty cool, though. The docs let me hold a mirror up to see my back , since I'd never actually seen one performed, although I've had several LPs.

And that is all the news I've got. I just wanted to reassure you-all of my eternal devotion. Do not pine away for me, dear hearts! I shall return soon to your arms...