ways to know that summer has begun

#1. Get your first sunburn. All over your face and in an awkward line on your neck because chef coats are not conducive to properly tanning. What makes this even better? Of course I had to burn the day before a trip to Seven Peaks with Alexis Bosco--a venture on which I could get a perfectly normal swimsuit line...dang it. I wish my skin would tan normally.

#2. Watch the Scripp's National Spelling Bee on ESPN. Then start wondering why your parents didn't force you to be such an intelligent geek--then thank your parents. Like poor Victoria, whose mom moved her across town so that she could continue to participate in the national spelling bee. Awesome. I'm jealous. Good news, I've decided on a future profession. I want to be the guy who reads the words for the contestants to spell. I just hope I can keep a straight face.

#3. Helping with a barbecue and salsa contest. (see sunburn...)

#4. Hike the Y. Wondering the whole way up why you're hiking the Y, especially since you hate hiking. Oh well, still worth it, and very fun.

First week in a nutshell. Seven Peaks today. Here's hoping for a normal tan--oh, and I leave for Europe so soon! Be jealous.

Also, you should probably be jealous that you don't burn like this...