Now, before this blog even starts, I’m 99.9% sure that there have already been multiple blogs covering this topic. While I’m fully aware that I’m exactly being creative here, I think that I’ll still be able to offer some fun ideas. 

With that said, if there’s anything this quarantine has done for me, it’s this: finding the most bizarre but enjoyable ways to kill time.

1. Rearranging my room

I know, I know. Cleaning your room is probably one of the most boring activities that your parents force you to do. I had the exact same thought process as many of you reading this right now. Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve found that moving around the items in my room have brought about many positive changes. Moving my bed from one side of the room to the other (in order to get away from my brother’s yelling) has helped me fall asleep much, much faster. And moving my desk in front of the giant window has allowed me to play video games while soaking in the sun—a 2-for-1 deal that eliminates the need for my daily walk. 

2. Coloring

How cool is this???

Come on—we all love coloring. It’s one of my post-german-test rituals; I grab one of the sheets of my teacher’s desk and scribble away. It’s relaxing, mentally untaxing, and overall a great way to destress. If you want to print out coloring sheets? Fine. But I’ve found that taking an old black-and-white comic book is a far greater vessel for your coloring endeavors. Once you get through the entire book, you’ll have a souvenir from your quarantine days that you can cherish forever.

3. Going on bike/longboard rides. 

While this one isn’t exactly bizarre, it’s probably the most productive one here, at least in terms of health and exercise. If you’re a car-guy like me, you enjoy the thrill of speed and turning sharp corners. While a bike or longboard can’t exactly go 60 miles per hour, flying down a steep hill on a piece of wood with four wheels can be pretty darn scary. And when you aren’t riding down hills, the constant usage of your legs to propel you forward will definitely work out those leg muscles and help you build your summer body. Just be sure to keep a distance of 6 feet apart from other people!

4. Going through your old stuff

This one has taken up the most time out of my day out of any other activity on this list, for good reason too. Whether that’s laughing at your 1st grade english homework, or reevaluating the wacky drawings from middle school art, it’s always a great time to take a break from reality and bask in the warmth of nostalgia. On top of that, there’s always a chance that you find some pretty cool stuff you’ve completely forgotten about. I rediscovered my old GameBoy in my basement—a relic of gaming consoles (worth up to $150 nowadays) and spent a good chunk of my time replaying all the old games I once enjoyed as a kindergartener. 

And that’s about it! Of course, don’t forget the classics of quarantine—reading, playing video games, sleeping in, and catching up on remote learning (which is exactly what I’m doing right now)—but these can be a fun alternative to change up the pace. Stay safe out there!

“Dude. You literally wear the same thing every day.”

Well. That isn’t the first time I’ve heard that phrase. It’s no secret—I practically wear the same thing every day: hoodie, sweatpants, checkerboard vans. Sure, I have about 6 different hoodies and pants, but you get the idea. Compared to most high schoolers, I have no sense of fashion.

But that’s going to change with this blog. I’ve decided that, as a second-semester senior, I have a lot more time on my hands. And when I’m not reading books, doing homework, or taking a nap, I suppose I can find some time and improve my outfit collection before moving onto college. 

Don’t worry—this blog won’t just be a 700-word rant to myself. I’ll be sure to cover a variety of clothing combinations, brands, styles, etc. I’m a newbie at this kind of thing, so stick with me. I can’t guarantee that you’ll learn anything, but it’ll be entertaining at the very least (I hope).

And I know exactly where I should start. Jeans. Fun fact: I’ve actually never owned a pair of jeans before. Why? I’ve always been one for comfort rather than style, and jeans just never seemed to be appealing in the comfort department. 

However, a quick google search seemed to debunk that thought immediately. Somehow (and I honestly have no idea how this could possibly be true), jeans are made from 97% cotton. NINETY-SEVEN. I remember running my fingers across a pair of jeans in H&M, and it wasn’t exactly smooth and soft. But, the internet never lies, and I don’t mind trying out a pair for myself. So let’s take a look at what kind of outfits you can put together with jeans as your centerpiece.

Wearing Jeans with Denim Jacket

Yeah… I don’t know how I feel about this one. Personally, I’m not a fan of denim jackets. They’re heavy, rough, and a little too old school for my taste. Sure, they look amazing on some people, but I can’t see myself in one of those. And the blue on blue with the jeans? Definitely not my thing. 

Boy-Next-Door Style

Okay, now this one is a style I would consider trying out. One thing I hate about dress shirts is how uncomfortable they are, but I have to admit they look pretty fly. This outfit puts a T-shirt under the dress shirt, eliminating its uncomfortable nature and maintaining its professional look. I can’t say I can imagine myself wearing this kind of outfit very often, but it’s definitely one I wouldn’t mind trying. 

Skinny Jeans with Cardigan

Yeah… No.

Not going to lie, I already feel a little more fashionable. But I feel like the website I was just browsing was catered towards older guys that hit up the club. I think it’ll probably be better if I look at a website catered more towards high school guys.

Bleached denim, a tan jersey, a shirt, and red Converse

Much like the boy-next-door outfit, this is something I wouldn’t mind trying. The tan jersey and t-shirt combination looks comfortable, and the bleached color of the jeans doesn’t look particularly bad with the brown top. And I’m sure that substituting red Converse for checkerboard Vans is no big deal.

Navy denim, a striped navy jersey, and ocher boots

I never realized how good blue on blue can look. Navy jersey and navy jeans? Not bad at all. Can’t say I’m the biggest fan of those “ocher boots”, though.

Okay. So I’ve just analyzed 5 (more like 4) solid outfits that I could potentially try out in the future. However, as I continued browsing through Pinterest and other sites, I couldn’t help but think how inflexible this whole thing was. I mean, it’s like jamming the quadratic equation into every math equation you’ll ever see for the rest of your life. Sure, these jean outfits look great, but everything gets old and boring eventually. I want a foundation—some simple concepts that’ll help me construct different outfits for different occasions. 

And, of course, being the clueless person that I am, I decided to consult the internet once more in order to discover this foundation. 

The most important? According to multiple websites, color is the most distinctive aspect of an outfit. And it’s pretty easy, too. Warm colors (red, yellow, orange) should be layered with warm colors, and cold colors (purple, navy, dark green) should be layered with cold colors. Opposing colors (red to blue, green to orange), also go together. Neutral colors, such as black, white, and brown, go with just about anything.

Another good piece I found was that “standing out too much” is a thing. To be more specific, don’t wear pants with flowery designs, a hoodie with 50 logos, a beanie, and rainbow-colored shoes. It’s more appropriate to wear one or two “outstanding” pieces of clothing while leaving the rest to remain neutral and bland.

The list goes on. If you want to go read about it, just google “fashion” tips and you’ll be bombarded with a million search results. 

It’s ironic, really. Initially, I came up with this blog idea to help myself discover a thing or two about fashion. But spending 2 hours researching and writing this topic has made me realize just how much work it is to put together a half-decent outfit.

I think I’ll just stick to my sweatpants and hoodie.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Sources

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/what-to-wear/a14587839/how-to-be-more-stylish/

Men Outfits with Jeans-30 Best Combinations with Jeans for Guys

22 Cool Back To School Outfits For Guys

A Foolproof Guide to Matching Colors in Your Outfits

https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/how-to-match-the-colors-of-your-clothes/#gref

“Wanna take it for a spin?”

I reprocessed the question. Then again. Then for a 3rd time. Finally, I opened my mouth.

“Like… me driving?”

“Yes, you.”

Shaking with disbelief and excitement, I walk to the driver’s side of the car, open the door, and sit in front of the wheel. 

I’m about to drive a Porsche 911. I’m about to drive a Porsche 911, my dream car. I’m about to drive a Porsche 911, my dream car, at a college interview. 

I know, I know. What a great fictional story! In fact, even as I write this blog, I find it quite hard to believe such a bizarre story myself. Me, driving my alumni interviewer’s Porsche at a college interview—that’s so crazy of a scenario that even the greatest screenwriters wouldn’t dare put into a movie.

Except it’s true.

This isn’t the exact car I drove, but it’s the same exact model and color. My rich neighbors happen to have a similar taste in cars to my alumni interviewer.

On November 16th, I was your typical highschooler preparing for an interview—khakis, button-down shirt, combed hair, bright smile, and a little bit of nervousness. All was going according to plan. When I showed up to Dunkin Donuts, the actual conversation went pretty smooth as well. My interviewer and I talked about my future plans, my passions—you know the drill. One hour later, and I left that store with a great feeling in my chest.

As I approached my car, however, I noticed a beautiful gray Porsche 911 parked next to me… and my interviewer with the keys in his hand. Excited, I remark,

“Hey! Nice car there! Porsche 911—that’s my dream vehicle right there.”

My interviewer looks up. 

“Thank you. Do you like cars?”

The rest of the tells itself. 10 minutes later, and I was driving down Westmont’s jagged roads with my alumni interviewer in the passenger, living every 17-year old’s dream. 

Here’s a picture of my car, for those of you wondering. My WRX enjoying a nice sunset

At the time, I couldn’t help but think I’ve redefined the phrase “crazy turn of events.” But in hindsight, I realize that I’ve been in this kind of situation my entire life.

Like the time I was eating at Taco Bell, and found a McDonald’s fountain cup with a free Xbox promotion code on it.

Or the time I accidentally stepped off Eric Chen’s shoe, and created an ongoing war of footsies that happens right after AP Lit every day.

Driving a Porsche 911 at a college interview? That’s the most recent addition to the unexpected events hall of fame.

While most people would be freaking out in these kinds of scenarios, I’ve learned to cherish them. I’m a firm believer that the best moments in our lives occur at the most unexpected times. 

People on the internet seem to agree with my sentiment. After reading a couple of blogs written by total strangers on the internet, I find myself chuckling at these obscure, yet deeply memorable anecdotes.

Barry Darvert from medium.com puts it best. 

“By contrast, I’ll never forget the cheap meal at a burger joint last year. Why? I had to sign the credit card bill with a crayon. The restaurant had lost all of their pens. It was unusual and unexpected. My kids laughed uncontrollably — emotion. That makes it an experience that will remain etched in my memory forever. There’s a randomness to unforgettable moments that you’ll never be able to control or predict.”

Let’s face it. We get bored—fast. TikTok is great for an hour or two, but after that, we’d almost rather do homework. The new Call of Duty game is out, but it’s only fun for a month or two before we begin looking forward to the next one. And we all love a hot slice of pizza, but I can hardly imagine anybody eating that for 3 meals a day, 7 days a week. 

That’s exactly why unexpected moments are the best. They come out of nowhere, slapping us in the face with a refreshingly new experience that sets it apart from any daily routine. They send adrenaline coursing through our veins, blood pumping through our hearts, and leave unforgettable memories ingrained in our minds.

This is how life is sometimes—enjoy it

If you pause for a moment and think back to some of the best moments in your life, I wouldn’t be surprised if most of them were the results of an unexpected moment. 

With that said, I encourage all of you to cherish the heart-dropping, stomach churning thrill of an unexpected moment. But if you’re more of a methodical person who enjoys watching everything go according to plan, I can’t say for sure that unexpected moments can be enjoyed by anyone. 

But I definitely can say this with certainty: unexpected moments take you for one hell of a ride.

This video is unrelated narratively to this blog post; however, I think it proves a great point. Some of the most unexpected moments in the NBA are the most memorable, and definitely leave a giant smile on your face.  

If you think you have a memory of an unexpected moment that tops mine, please share below. 🙂

____________________________________________________________________

Works Cited

https://youtube.com/nba-most-unexpected-moments/

https://medium.com/@Barry.Davret/the-best-moments-are-always-unexpected-88d12b0a567c

We’ve all seen how divorces go down. Lots of screaming, tears, and… blood?

Murder Mystery

The story of ‘Lamb to the Slaughter’ is one of a dysfunctional marriage… with a dark twist. Mary Maloney, the main character, is a pregnant woman married to a detective. Whereas she is strongly attached to her husband, he does not reciprocate her feelings, abruptly ending their marriage within the first scene of the story. 

It goes downhill from here. Shocked and delusional, she grabs the first thing she finds the cellar—a frozen leg of lamb—and kills her husband in one blow. Talk about psycho. 

Throwing the leg of lamb into the oven, she calls the nearby police department in a fake state of frenzy. With some decent acting and a geniusly hidden piece of evidence, the 4 policemen that show up are completely unsuspecting of her crime. 

And the best part? Mary convinces the policemen to help her finish a rather large supper she had made. While they were reluctant at first, they finally agree. Yep. You guessed it. The policemen eat that leg of lamb.

Irony

The irony in this short story is strong. Really strong. In fact, it’s what makes you gasp towards the ending (or laugh if you’re into murder mysteries). 

If you’re not convinced just yet, let me put it this way: a woman kills her significant other with a piece of lamb, then tricks his best friends into consuming it. 

And the last three lines wrap up the story nicely—with a splash of irony of course. It’s the dialogue of the policemen discussing where the murderer’s weapon could be, right as they stuff their faces with lamb. 

I won’t spoil it, but I will say this: it made me smile at 12:45am on a Wednesday night.

I don’t know about you, but I can hardly move my face past midnight. If it can get a reaction out of me, I’m sure it’ll do the same to you.

And that’s exactly what the irony in this story should do for the readers—evoke a reaction. It’s impactful, grabs the reader’s attention, and leaves them with a memorable impression of the story. Dahl builds up the irony sentence after sentence, until he finally ends the story in a way that leaves your palm in your face. 

Dahl… genius or child?

In my opinion, Lamb to the Slaughter is a short story with a purpose to entertain (no professional analysis found online). After all, it’s suspenseful, captures your attention, and resides in your memory for weeks after an initial read.

But I’d like to think there’s some deeper reasoning behind Dahl’s motives for writing this piece. It’s no surprise that he’s considered one of the greatest literary writers of all time; short stories such as Matilda and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are filled with meaning that remain popular to this day. 

After snooping around on the internet, I think I’ve found a deeper connection between Dahl’s life and this story: his life as a child. 

There’s a typical stereotype that influential people all have a powerful background. Mark Twain grew up in a typing store. Einstein went to 6 different colleges. Trump received a small loan of a million dollars from his father.

Dahl, on the other hand, was your typical class clown. He spent his childhood days placing dead mice in candy jars, running over his younger sisters on tricycles, and being an overall mischievous troublemaker. 

the face of a troublemaker

And yet, he remained an excellent student. With offers from both Oxford and Cambridge University, he had a future of literary education delivered to him on a diamond platter. 

So what did he do? He denied them both. 

That’s why I think Dahl is such a powerful writer. He has his own unique style, uninfluenced by the professors at Oxford that teach thousands of people how to write the same exact way. 

Dahl’s writing comes from within—the mischievous personality that never left him as a child. His writing is filled with humor and irony that catches the reader off guard sentence after sentence. 

The Lamb of the Slaughter is no different. The irony, humor, and unique characters makes his playful voice come alive. I mean, come on. What kind of an author creates a lunatic wife that kills her husband with a giant chunk of lamb? 

The way I see it, the story is exactly like a great prank. It leads you in, unknowing of what’s going to come next. All of a sudden, a series of ironic twists leave you blindsided and chuckling to yourself. 

Let’s face it. We all love to play pranks. Maybe it’s whoopee cushions, pies in the face, shaving cream birthday cakes—you know what I mean. Dahl does too. The only difference is that he does it through literary masterpieces. 

Theme

For a prank, Dahl sure does leave a powerful message in his short story: things and people are not what they appear to be.

It’s nothing out of the ordinary, but it’s sure a relevant and fitting one. 

Pranks are literally built upon this overarching idea. You want to lead your target astray, leaving them susceptible to whatever you might be plotting.

But what happens when it’s not just a prank?

All of a sudden, it’s not so fun anymore. The girl you thought you were going to marry cheats on you. The person you thought was your best friend leaves you to chase money and fame. That chocolate chip cookie turns out to be oatmeal raisin.

So what do we do? Well, an article from consciouslifestylemag tells us that “instead of getting upset over apparent disasters, recognize that events have no inherent meaning.”

And honestly, I agree. Taking things at face value are never a good idea. 

are your friends really your friends?

Now, I’m no relationship expert, but I can tell you that chasing your crush for looks alone will almost never end up well. You seek love, but you find yourself with a dent in your heart.

Or maybe you’re chasing a shallow idea of happiness—drugs, money, sex, etc. In the end, you find yourself more depressed than ever.

In the end, it’s critical to keep an open mind and think deeply about the things you’re getting involved in. 

If we don’t, we might end up consuming the very things we desperately seek.

Works Cited

https://www.notablebiographies.com/Co-Da/Dahl-Roald.html

The Mystery of the Moment: Why Things Are Not Always What They Seem

https://www.classicshorts.com/stories/lamb.html