Cyclone days are here.

Today was a high-low of everything. We shall begin in chronological order, starting from a little way past 3 am this morning, when I woke up, turned on my side, and realized it was waaay past 12 midnight; but you didn't mind, baby did you, you rarely do.

So in my state of half-slumber, half-resolution I made the call, said what I wanted to say, put it down, rolled over, and went back to sleep.

It used to be harder. I think, though, that after a while- our bodies build up some strange immunity to goodbyes? ...Oh, you still get a little angry sometimes, yes, and you don't forget the corners and the songs you used to listen to.

But there comes a point where you don't really mind any more, and you realize there is Still Life Out There. New depths of loneliness to plumb, to write poetry to, to be inspired by. New voices on the telephone. New ways of saying the word "love". New kinds of warmth at night, and new kinds of hope in the morning.

And it is good.

...School was a mix.

At the very start, I was pensive and a little grey (no pun intended), especially after the moment of silence they held for him. I spent the most of last night lying awake and staring at the ceiling.

Three years ago; they were our age, and their world revolved around the same things as ours do now. They were boys. I can still see all of us, bustling around MacRitchie- paddles in hand, kayaks weighty on shoulders; and I still remember the awe and respect that the then-little greenhorn me looked upon them with. I can still see them; paddles raised, slicing through water; sleek, sinuous-- deceptively, because I know how they bled for their sport.

And now I keep thinking if I had known, then-- oh, but how could anybody have known, how could anybody have guessed?

--- I should stop thinking so much about Life and Death, and start thinking more about Loci and Binomal Distribution.

Speech Day today was interesting. I was genuinely impressed by a select few candidates. But for some...ah, cripes. The student body isn't interested in voting for worker ants. We want to vote for LEADERS. Like, Inspiring People.

And I don't expect you to be Nelson Mandela or anything...but would it hurt anybody if you actually gave some thought to how you can concretely contribute to the school? This thinking should preferably be done BEFORE you apply for Council. Not when you're on the stage, pinned like a bug on a stick because somebody asked and you couldn't answer.

On the bright side- nobody could say it wasn't entertaining.

Candidate: "...Some of my friends say that I resemble a PENGUIN, but I think that I am more like a WHALE. Because like a WHALE..."

Cara: "Oh, somebody harpoon him please."

Candidate: "Expect nothing of me, short of that I will surprise you."

Lisa: "...Yes. I do expect nothing of you."

That being said, kudos to the candidates who genuinely said their piece today. Best of luck to y'all.

----

Drama today was a riot.

Definitely the highlight.

It was Whitby's Birthday yesterday; so we made sure we put on an extra-good rehearsal to "make an old man smile". (his words!)

...And it was AWESOME. We've put the fun back into Drama again.

Then after that run, we all launched into a rendition of the Birthday Song- slowly, so it would last longer.

Whitby: "Ah...yes. I know that I am ancient, and therefore possibly mentally decrepit. Thank you for reflecting your understanding of that in the pace at which you sang that song."

Whitby, as he's leaving: "...Well; I couldn't go without making a snide comment, could I. That wouldn't quite be in-character!"

After he left; we went through another run.

Only this time, we exaggerated everything full force.

And it was hilarious. We ransacked the bag of bits of costumes that I'd brought; decked the Author out in my black nightgown and geek spectacles, Maudie in black sunhat, (George wouldn't wear my red dress), Jerry in leopard preenz beret, floral scarf, and black sequinned vest (oohlar) and me in one black silk glove. ("...this glove makes me feel like a lesbian!")

Love Daphne's black gloves and killer stilettoes.

The Exaggerated Rehearsal was tres tres fun, too. We laughed so much, and so hard, and I love our cast like unhealthy lots, you bunch of drunken morons.

Dress rehearsal @ ACJC tomorrow!

Bring it.