Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Not If My Life Depended On It

Pubic school here starts next Monday.  This feels very early to me but then, I'm old.  When I was in school we never started before Labor Day.  Of course, we also rode dinosuars to school so I guess things change.

What doesn't seem to have changed is that end of summer vacation panic when you realize there's less than a week to do all the things with the kids - or in my case, grandkids - that you promised them back in June.  This is why I'm spending today trailing behind my grandson and his friend all over our local mega-amusement park.  Roller coaster heaven.

I'm not really into roller coasters.  I don't see the point of standing in line for three hours for a three minute ride that will make me throw up.  I mean, if I want to be scared to death, I can open a newspaper and read the latest from Washington.  Or as a writer, the latest news about bookstore closings. Really, why would I want to be scared?

But wait...I read mysteries.  And thrillers.  Stories designed to put my hair on end and tie my stomach in knots.  The scarier the better.  So what does that make me?  An armchair roller coaster rider?

What about you?  Do you like being scared?  Do you prefer screaming your head off on a fast moving ride or the delicious creepy terror of a really good book?

Guess what I'll be doing today while the boys are standing in those three hour lines waiting for a three minute scream?  Yup.  I'll be on a nearby bench...with a really good book.

I'm Currently Enjoying:  The Bogey Man by Marja McGraw

Groaner of the Day:  A man goes into a bar and orders a beer. He takes a sip of the beer and a small voice says "Nice Tie."

The man looks around and doesn't see anyone. A little puzzled he takes another sip.  This time the voice says, "Nice shirt, too".

Now the man calls the bartender back and complains that everytime he takes a sip of beer he hears a small voice.

The bartender says, "Oh, never mind that. That's just the peanuts, they're complimentary."

12 comments:

Mason Canyon said...

Oh I can't handle the roller coaster ride kind of scary, but give me a good scary thriller novel and I'm happy. As for school, it started here last Monday, Aug. 1. Hard to believe summer is almost gone.

Cute groaner.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
Freelance Editing By Mason

Linda Leszczuk said...

Mason, you and me both. School there started last Monday? Wow. That's the middle of summer.

MaxWriter said...

Nice post, Linda. Odd how we sort of expect nothing to change from when we were young!

I don't do any ride that takes me upside down or straight down. Last time I did that, halfway through I said (okay, screamed), "I changed my mind!"

Edith
http://edithmaxwell.blogspot.com/

Maria Zannini said...

I used to love roller coaster rides, but my neck and spine said, that's enough, old lady.

It was more thrilling than scary.

I don't like being scared and avoid scary movies and books.

Yes, I'm a chicken. bwak bwak bwak

Shellie said...

Welcome back, Linda! I've missed you.

I too think school opens too early. It's two weeks away here. Oh, and I remember those dinosaur rides to school too, good times.

As for scare, I would much rather be scared by a good book than a ride. Roller coaster just makes no sense.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Oh my God, I love rollercoasters! I have a goal of riding every one on the planet. I probably won't make it, but it will be fun trying.

BTW - we never went back until after Labor Day, either. Going back in August? It's still summer!

Linda Leszczuk said...

Edith - I've tried screaming "I changed my mind!" Also, "Get me off this thing!" and "Oh God, I'm gonna die." But they never stop the ride. :-)

Linda Leszczuk said...

Shellie - Thanks, nice to be back. Sounds like you're a woman after my own heart.

Linda Leszczuk said...

Maria - Well, you loved roller coasters but not scary books and I like scary books but you can't get me on a roller coaster. Which one of us should be squawking louder?

Linda Leszczuk said...

Diane - Well, if you're ever in the Cincinnati area, Kings Island boasts some really good ones. At least that's what the grandkids tell me. I sat on a bench and read.

Stephanie said...

I like being scared. Except when it scares me. I have an unhealthy zombie obsession that is - for the most part - fun. Except that every once in a while I start worrying - REALLY worrying - and despite telling myself that I'm too old to believe in monsters, I find myself shaking in bed in the middle of the night.

Roller coasters? Not for me. They don't scare me. They just make me want to throw up.

Linda Leszczuk said...

Stephanie - My daughter-in-law is all about Zombies. I worry about my grandkids having night frights. Especially when she has a bumper sticker that reads: My Zombie ate your Honer Student". My grandkids ARE honor students.