Monday Munchies

I had just gotten home from football practice and ran to my room to grab my clothes and jump in the shower. I cleaned myself in the hot water then got out to shave my face. I was in a rush and accidentally nicked myself. Despite the blood I felt fresh in my dapper outfit, and headed out the door towards The Oak at the Ojai Valley Inn.

When my Father, my Mother and I arrived we were greeted by my grandmother and her cousin, they’re in town for the week. My Grandma hugged me and handed me an envelope, it’s a card for my birthday which is on Wednesday so that was very nice of her.

Right after we went to our table and were assisted by Danny who gave us ice waters and some warm bread and butter, which was amazing. Shortly after Tyler, our server came and I requested a Diet Coke which was brought to me. All 5 of us examined the menu and the growls in my stomach only got louder. Tyler came back and oh boy we were ready. Small but pricey was the restaurant, I ordered the Scallops, Bistro Steak, and a charred and cheesy side of Brussel Sprouts.

After I ordered we waited and waited for our food and all of had great conversation. From my school, to camping , to my parents at work almost everything was covered in that 20 minute wait for our meals. But I believe it was all worth it.

The food came and in an instant I absolutely slammed my meal, everything was so delicious I just put my head down and went to work. After I absolutely housed my food and Danny came back to clean the table Tyler brought out the check and a surprise dessert for my birthday.

The small Mason Jar was aglow on the outside patio complimented with a single spoon and a tiny chocolate with the words “happy birthday” spelt out in gold. The tiny yet deliciousness of that chocolate lavender concoction just put a smile on my face. The simplicity of the desert and presentation made it all worth it and man oh man I loved that thing.

That was my Monday Munchies and I hope you aren’t hungry reading this, because I was one happy little boy.

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Fall Over Impending Doom

I do enjoy summer, but fall will always be my favorite. People often tie joy to summer–the longer days, tanned skin, and a feeling of endless freedom. But for me, summer triggers a sense of impending doom. The constant expectation of making it “the best one yet”, and the never-ending worry of what’s to come next.

Fall is calm and steady. Cozy clothes are a necessity and I can stay inside without feeling guilty for missing out on the high UV rays, or social events. There is always something special to look forward to: Holidays, winter break, tasty food, and familiar traditions. Whereas with summer, I dread beginning the school year, giving farewells to faraway friends, and saying goodbye to my sweet freedom.

Although Fall doesn’t give you blazing heat, it somehow feels warmer. No matter how old I grow, where I am, or who I’m with, it will always feel nostalgic. I get giddy just thinking about the feeling of the crisp air and the dark nights. Fall asks nothing of you–It lets you breathe. No fuss, no pressure–just fall.  

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Timeless Brilliance: The Twilight Zone’s Lasting Legacy

The Twilight Zone serves as one of my favorite television series of all time due to its disturbing psychological horror atmosphere, its exploration of morality, and its thought-provoking social commentary, which often proved to be well ahead of its time. But by far, what I and most fans of the show are most drawn to are its brilliant use of ironic twists. The series is acclaimed for its clever and unexpected twist endings that not only shock the audience to their core but also leave them reflecting on the deeper themes and implications.

While modern horror works, such as those directed by M. Night Shyamalan, often rely on a shocking twist, the 20-minute run time of The Twilight Zone ensures its signature impactful delivery, making each episode feel like a complete experience with no intention of wasting the viewer’s time. An issue with the modern reboot of The Twilight Zone in 2019 is that the episodes typically range from 40 to 60 minutes, two to three times the length of the original episodes. The prolonged runtime gives the audience more time to put together the twist, resulting in a much weaker lasting impression.

How The Twilight Zone Predicted Our Paranoid Present - The Atlantic

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College

Everyone has always told me that senior year will be the most exciting time in a high school career. Now that I’m finally here, settling into my classes and routines, I keep waiting for that excitement to hit, but all I can think about is how close I am to being done. With the pressure of school, sports, capstone, and college applications, I feel like this is the most stressed I have been so far. I can’t wait to experience graduating and moving on with my life. I can’t wait until the day the pressure eases and senioritis gets to me. Everyone has told me to soak it in, but why is that so hard? It’s bittersweet knowing that this time next year, I will hopefully live in a new city and experience things I have never experienced. Knowing that this is the last year I will be able to laugh and run around in the halls with my best friend. So I am trying my best to absorb it all and remember every moment.

Credits: Google