it's fun to be older

a couple of days ago, the needle on the thermometer crept above 40 degrees, so i decided to go on my first jog of 2006. i convinced Bro to rollerblade along w/ me.
he gives me something to listen to besides my heaving lungs, and offers encouragement by saying things like, "come on, you're doing really good. if i were you i would've stopped after one block." and other pearls like, "good job, keep going. geez, what you're doing is much harder than what i'm doing, and I'm getting tired! good for you!"
at least he's trying.

anyway, we were on the last quarter mile, and as he told me a story about his day at school, his voice squeaked in the middle of a word. i smiled, but said nothing (which i'm proud of, since that's the first of those i've heard from him). he finished the sentence, paused, and said, "wow. that was weird."
i laughed and he continued, "yesterday in school that happened to me like, four times."
as i ran, i looked over at him and yelled, "PUBERTYYY!"
he turned red, but smiled down at the ground and muttered, "shut up."

the next year will be fun.

too bad he's already at least 5'8", which means i'm not the next-tallest to Dad anymore. and he weighs at least 10 pounds more than me, so i'm gonna have to watch the teasing, so i don't get flattened and/or farted on. still, it's funny to have a little brother.

dating tips for siblings

My thirteen year-old brother brought home a paper from school this week intended to spark discussion between teen and parent. Topic: dating. It had six questions, but writing answers was optional, as long as a parent signed the bottom of the page showing a discussion had taken place.
When I entered the kitchen, Mom and Bro seemed to be having a serious discussion so I tried to get in and out, causing as little discomfort for Bro as possible, but Mom stopped me and explained the assignment to see if I had any advice.

"If you go to a movie, don't buy chewy candy that will stick in your teeth. Always go to the bathroom immediately afterwards to check your teeth and make sure nothing is in them."

"Be prepared for Mom and Dad to make you have an earlier curfew than any of your friends."

"Bowling and pool are fun, but not if you're really good and she's not. She'll be nervous, so don't take her out to do something you're a whiz at."

I was apparently being too specific w/ my advice, according to Mom.

Later at supper, I added a postscript:
"You know, just do what you're comfortable with. Nothing is the end of the world, even though everything seems like it."

Bro said, "Well, what if we're on a date and then me and the girl are stopped by a street full of prophets proclaiming 'The end of the world is upon us!'?"

"Then that is the worst date that girl has ever been on."

He gave a little laugh and added, "but what if we couldn't help but run into them?"

"Well, she's still never going to call you again."

"...Crap," he whispered down at his plate.

grandma's predictions

i spent last weekend with my family at Grandma's house. now, first of all, grandma grew up in Kentucky, and it shows in her language and accent.
my older sister and i were watching and commenting as grandma and mom went through some of grandma's clothes together, trading things and getting rid of others.
mom tried on a cute pencil skirt, remarking on the fact that she's not used to something that restricting.
"No Mom, it's really cute," sis and I assured her.

"Ugh, but it's tight! What would I wear with this?"

"Ooh, I could knit you a tube top!" This helpful suggestion from me.

Now grandma's input:
"Yeah, those tight things are in. I'm tellin' you, this is the Year of the Boob. Girl, if you ever watched tv, you'd know what I'm talkin' about. They're everywhere! All hanging out all the time..."

Sis and i collapsed in silent giggles, as she whispered to me that earler that day, passing the lingerie department, grandma had again declared it the Year of the Boob.

"Who'dve ever thought there were so many boobs in the world?" grandma said as they walked through the racks of bras. "But this is the Year of the Boob. It's like the whole idea is to show as much of 'em as you can!"

grandma, you're awesome.