Groping frantically.

Lately, I've became addicted to Scrabble. For the unfortunate few who have not been introduced to the best invention of mankind, I will just say that it is a game that challenges the mind and entertains the heart. Invented in 1938 by the talented architect Alfred Mosher Butts, it was originally named "Criss-Crosswords." The layout and rules of the game were strikingly similar to what we use today; the players would be given a limited number of letters that they would have to use in order to form words on the board for points. Due to the difficult times (it was the Great Depression after all), Butts had no luck selling his game. It wasn't until the early 1950s that Butts' game gained popularity; it was quickly renamed to Scrabble, which literally meant "to grope frantically." Interesting change, is it not?

But to play Scrabble well, you need much more than just frantic groping. The game requires a depth of vocabulary knowledge, as well as the ability to recognize words, not by their meanings, but by their appearances. There is also an underlying strategic mindset that anyone who aspires to be a Master Scrabbler must acquire. Certain blocks have special properties: some for example can double the amount of point an ordinary word would earn, and others will increase the points a word earns if the word is oriented in a special direction. Of course, the most basic rule of Scrabble is that all the words must connect with preexisting letters at least once. Although the more connections a player makes, the more points he will likely earn.

This simple game has earned international prestige, and won measureless acclaims. It has provided an intellectual pass time that is somehow fun and entertaining for the masses. What more could you want from a game? It has an universal appeal mixed in with educational value; and if you will excuse me, I will now go reward myself with a game of Scrabble.

On the pleasure of whining.

Whining is an art form. When you can proudly introduce yourself as an accomplished whiner, there is a certain amount of respect to be demanded from the audience. Whiners examine life in minute details, and realize that the world doesn't orbit around them. It is a profound enlightenment, and something I would suggest that you realize as quickly as you can, then proceed to find a friend near you, and begin whining.

I am not an accomplished whiner although some might beg to differ. When I whine, I can't express myself in the needy yet persuasive manner the virtuosos can. If there was a talented whiner, the audience would be swayed by his complaints and find themselves helplessly captivated by his troubles. A whiner's services can be very rewarding, especially in discontented societies, such as America, where good whiners have made themselves fabulously rich and famous.

On a parting note, I would like to remind all of the whiner/millionaire wannabes that whining must be done with a purpose. If you whine needlessly, then you risk being despised by those around you. Once you do start whining, you will find that it is quite addictive and soothing. Burdens melt away at your words, and worries dissipate. Don't be afraid to whine, for I am here to listen.

Dear coffee, you have my heart.

When one of my friends accused me of ignoring her in favor of my coffee cup, I was tragically shocked. Coffee over friends? Naaah.

Well the truth is a sad thing to admit, but I will nevertheless bravely concede to it. Coffee is my object of adoration; it is everything I have ever hoped for - caffeine and deliciousness with a certain flair of style. During a blizzard, a fantastically warm cup of Caramel Macchiato melts my heart and soothes my soul. On a particularly hot day, a refreshingly cold cup of Iced Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha sweeps through my mind like a wintry breeze. Life is good when you have coffee.

Please reader, abstain from rolling your eyes and sighing in exasperation for just a moment. Haven't you ever had one of those days when the world seems to go out of its orbit to pester you? Have you never had a long night when things seem to unravel as soon as you finish them? Stop and think for a moment, were you ever the victim of an unceasing joke? Perhaps you were half-sick of shadows too?

My life as a high school junior is not that unpleasant, although this view does depend on your tolerance of pain and ability to empathize. It is hard to finish everything, and it is just as difficult to maintain a life outside of it all. Is it any wonder therefore that coffee has taken such an essential role in my life? It doesn't require extra attention (minus the 5 minutes it takes to brew), and it never asks anything of me. It is useful, inexpensive, and simply marvelous.

Seriously, if you're suffering from depression, insomnia, fatigue, or just about any other kind of problems really, give coffee a try! It might just be your thing.