chessGood times at Lourdes High. I guess I'll just to a wee update about my life for those who are itnerested... oh wait... well maybe I'll do it for creepy old men who read teenage blogs.
Today was the first boys bball game of the year. It was pretty fun to go and shout. We were up, then down, then we lost... DAMNIT. But now to the important stuff. Last Tuesday was the chess match against JM. I was expecting an easy win, but then we realized we were missing our third board, Dan Martin. This bumped up three lower guys to fill the 5 boards. It was a tense match. All five boards played one game with 60-60 time control, meaning each player gets an hour to make all of their moves. Our lower two boards won. Then I saw Matt next to me on baord one go down, then Brad on board 3 went down... I had gotten into a winning position after about 7 moves. Unfortunately, I basically started playing shitty and going for quick wins cuz I thought this guy sucked. He then proceeded to not suck, and then he was in a winning position. I fought ferociously but thoughtfully, realizing I had no room for error. I knew my back was to a wall, but I didn't panic. The clock was ticking down. I had 2 minutes left, he had 10. He was up a rook and a pawn to my bishop. My moves began to pick up pace, his clock was winding down much faster than mine. Suddenly, he moved his king without thinking. I checked him, skewering his king to his rook and moved in for the kill! His rook was mine, his king couldn't move his pawn. However, I couldn't checkmate him with my bishop. A draw was declared. Our hands reached out to congratualte each other, and they met in a firm grasp. Silence. Then, like a sudden downpour, the room broke into thundering applause. Hats, flowers, and ladies undergarments were thrown. Coming back from a desperate situation, I had landed our team a draw.
Alright so... chess is going well. Im nerding it up still and studying it pretty hard. Schools going.. um... okay. For lit, we have to read Madam Bovary and The Awakening by next monday. I'm on a solid page 37 of 119 for The Awakening, and about 60 of about 400 for Bovary. There does happen to be a movie version of Bovary, however. Hrm... Apps! So, this year Stanford has two deadlines, a Dec. 1st recommended deadline and a Dec. 15th final deadline. Yeap... goin for the Dec 15th. I kind of need to try and make deadlines. Whatever.
And about chess... have some sweet pics of the meets. We dress up in different themed costumes for each meet because... um... right.
Hey, this is really sad. Mr. Schmalzbauers mother passed away. I didn't know him too well, but hopefully all you people who had him last year can pray for him or send him a card or something.
Sorry to end on a downer. See all you colleges kids in a few weeks.
Well, for those of you who don't know... which is everyone, opening night of "Our Town" was tonight. Went pretty well. I had some hardcore line memorization the last few days, but it's paid off. When the plays over I can maybe start dancing again... that'd be fun. Other random events involve math meet on monday, chess meet on tuesday, being a nerd ALL THE FRIGGIN TIME. I'm getting to work out more, so my rippling biceps will eclipse all else the next time you see me.
This guy in the play, Jack Wood, totally kicks ass. I've always liked Jack, he was in speech team last year and gook, and I've got to know him better in the play and I drive him home from practice sometimes. Well, on Thursday Jack's dad died of a heart attack. It's just crazy how stuff like that happens. Jack's doing well. He says it's weird, he's not sad, but he's lonely. All these people have been asking if there's anything they can do... we decided he should ask the next person for $100,000 in unmarked 50s. I dunno, I'm really glad I've been able to get to know him better, I think it's good for both of us to talk.
Welp, that somes it up: some tough stuff, some good stuff, but that's life, as I'm sure Thorton Wilder would agree.
