[Matty]

So, yeah I'm pretty much fucked. I really screwed up second semester and that came back to haunt me when I got my report card in the mail yesterday. My Second Semester grades...

Intercultural Foods -- A-
Honors English 11 -- B+
Honors American Studies -- B
Advanced Math I -- D+
Physics -- C+
Spanish IV -- B-
Health -- A

[First semester grades in comparison.....

Honors English 11 -- B+
Honors American Studies -- B+
Advanced Math I -- B+
Physics -- C+
Spanish IV -- B+

It should be taken into consideration that I had TWO studies first semester, which obviously helped me a lot. And I was also only taking 5 classes as opposed to seven second semester.]

I'm going to blame my math grade on my teacher. I got a B+ first semester because I knew what I was doing and she was actually teaching it. She really had no idea how to teach the last semester and I suffered. Not only did the material get harder, but she had an attitude of being too good to be there when she sucks at life. No one knows what it feels like to ask for help, but get an attitude back that I should already know it. She was always really bitchy when I asked for help, so I was done. In retrospect, I should have set up a conference or something between her, me and my mom, and my guidance counselor to rectify the problem. Obviously, this whole situation looks like it's my fault when I will put part of myself to blame, but there is something wrong when everyone in my class is failing quiz after quiz. She didn't even review with us for our final which I got a 49 on. She simply put the answers on the board and that was that.

Also, I'm kind of disappointed with English/History. I worked my ass off for those two classes probably more than ever and came out with middling grades. I'm just so disappointed because I put everything I had there. Again though I made silly mistakes on my final such as my exploration packet and not editing my essay enough which hurt me in the end.

Physics is also slightly disappointing because I managed a B third quarter and a B- fourth, but got a D- on my final which brought my semester average to a C+. I was at least pretty consistent there though and I could have adone a lot worse in that class than I ended up doing.

It is so weird though because I knew last August when I started my junior year that it would be horrible and I was right. That wasn't the right attitude to have because it obviously affected me somehow, but at least I was right about that.

I really screwed up my most important year of high school, so yeah. The only thing good is that when everything averages out (first semester and second semester) I'm still at a B average. I'm not looking to apply to the big schools that my sister did like University of Pennsylvania or Boston College, so I hate it when my mom gives me the same lecture over and over.

I honestly don't know what I can do at this point other than to work my ass off first semester, which the colleges I apply to will be looking at. My classes are actually more difficult next year and I think that if I can do decently then it will show some growth. My guidance counselor, at this point, is still making me take Pre-Calc. despite my horrendous grades. He asked if I wanted to get into college and I replied "yes" and then told me that I would only get in taking Pre-Calc. I know that is bull shit, but I would be more than willing to challenge myself even more if it meant getting into a good school. Also my teacher next year is really nice, so I hope to make progress there.

At least I have until August 28 when everything starts up again. At least it is senior year though, which will get me through.

[Denny Crane Crawford.]

I am proud of ya, Matty. You might be dissapointed, but I bet many of those classes were quite difficult, and you did more than just an average job in them.

In terms of being "screwed" for college, I don't think you are. Those applications + SAT scores + HS grades all come together when a college makes a decision to admit you or not. Plus, you come off as one of those people to me that a college would take in sooner than some quiet person who does nothing but get good grades.

I hope you relax this summer, take it easy and have fun, and then as you said, go into senior year with your priorities and stuff ready to go.

I know it is your blog and all, but I enjoy reading it.
_________________

[dove]

College is really what you put into it. Don't stress about that stuff - your're doing fine.

[Matty]

Thanks Denny and dove. I always tend to make my Blog posts really more dramatic than they are, but your comments were definitely helpful. Now I'm going to enjoy this week before having to go back to the school on the 10th for my guidance appointment. I have a bad feeling it will be me vs. my mom and my guidance counselor. Yikes.

[blanchardwasrobbed]

[Above the Title]

In my freshman year, I got an A in a 300 level psych class I voluntarily took as an elective and simultaneously got a C+ in Algebra 101. Obviously I am awesome. You are doing just fine, Matty.

[Matty]

Thanks guys for the nice words of encouragement. I feel a lot better after reading those.

I feel like I am going to take a lot more initiative next year and if that means only coming on The Backstage during the weekends then that is what I may end up doing.

I was going through thw town paper today and it appears that one of the new editor's-in-chief is an intern. Now, I would have looked for an internship this summer, but I wanted a few months to take a breather. But I gotta say, seeing her get something like that makes me want to go out and get something even better. Does this make me a jealous person? Maybe so, but as a person she is really annoying. She HAS to be in every club and will stop at nothing to be the best. I even heard she saw a physciatrist after losing a spot on Student Council. 6 people ran for 5 slots...she was the one who missed. This post is probably petty, but she is annoying, so I don't care.

I'm probably going to look in the fall/winter for something, but if nothing opens up I'll take anything I can get next summer.

My dad is taking a week off in August to look at colleges all through the northeast, so that should be fun. I already think I'm going to apply to Quinnipiac, Emerson, and UNH. I only feel confident about Quinnipiac and UNH at the moment because Emerson is pretty tough to get into. Other than that I want to see what my guidance counselor has to say because he is usually on the ball with where I could get into. I know that he mentioned Syracuse to me, but that might be too big and it is not like I could come home whenever I wanted to if I decided to go to a school in MA or something.

Blah. I'm gonna enjoy the next few days. My cousin Kristina and I are going to hit up the mall tomorrow the it's off to the Cape. Too bad I couldn't have went this week though since I read John Krasinski was there. It's all about stocking people from The Office with me and it makes it even better knowing like 50% of the cast is from MA.

[Big Ted]

You're going to the mall?

*robin sparkles

[Sanny]

[Matty]

LOL Ted and I think you're right Sanny.

And my extracrurriculars are no problem...
--School paper
--Yearbook
--Best Buddies
--Mentor Volunteer Program
--Habitat For Humanity

I just got back from my guidance appointment and it was not as bad as I thought. He thought I was doing well. Not the best that I could do, but I'm in a place that is respectable. He gave me great ideas such as going after interviews in August and bringing a portfolio with me that has all my writing, my resume, and my unofficial transcript. He told me to keep the focus on my strengths rather than my weaknesses. Obviously, my strength is in the liberal arts and he wants me to keep that in focus. He thinks I'll stay competitive with an interview because I'm already in the range, but in the lower part, so I need to stay in it.

I think I got a great connection too. He is friends with an editor on the Editorial Staff on the Boston Globe, so that could be really helpful for me in the near future. That would be amazing if I could land an internship or something there.

Safety schools from him are pretty much UMASS Amherst and UNH. And then competitive/reach schools we talked about included Quinnipiac, Boston University, and Northeastern. I really like the idea of Boston University, but I have to take SAT II or ACT in November, which wouldn't be a problem. I couldn't really gage what other schools from him, but at least now I know what zone I'm in and where I can play.

My GPA on 5.0 scale is like 3.687 and on a 4.0 scale it is like 3.06. I'm in the top 32% of my class, which I think is really respectable considering I have 400 kids in my graduating class. I think I could bring it up a tiny bit next year even if it is only by .1.

He thinks my SAT's are decent, but that it would be great if I could go up 50+ points in each. If I study the test I think I could do better in Critical Reading and Writing. Math is always going to be hard for me, but if I can keep it in the 500's then I'll be happy.

I'm feeling a little better after the meeting today and think that I could do well if I try my best. *sappy moment

[Matty]

I'm so sick of the damn military calling my house every week. I'm so damn sick of it I cannot even express it anymore. Every branch has seriously called my house and I'm stuck dealing with it since the caller always asks for me. Sometimes I'm lucky and my mom will bitch on the phone for me that I'm not 18 and not interested.

Tonight I got a call from a man from the Navy saying he is associated with my high school or whatever and was asking me all these questions. I don't think the administrators, teachers, and counselors would approve of talking kids out of going to college. I told him I had a plan and was going to stick with it. Then he was like, "do you really want to be stuck writing for a local Worcester newspaper?" I was really offended by that and just replied, "well, I can do pretty much I set my mind to and I know that I can do something more than that." I was fed up with him trying to get me to sign up or something. And I would be HAPPY to write for any paper. It doesn't matter what it is as long as I can write.

Next time someone calls I'm just going to be straight up and say that I support the troops, but will not sign up for any military branch because I am not going to kill myself fighting for a war that I don't believe in. That will show them.

[Matty]

I'm going to the Cape for the week and won't be back until Saturday, so I will miss all the good Emmy discussion. My last hurrah before leaving is that I pray to Thor that Jenna Fischer is nominated and I can promise that there will be hell to pay when I return if she's not nominated.

[Big Ted]

I hope someone is ready to text/call you with the nominees.

I still remember the time I called Rachel and left her a voicemail saying "Robin Weigert...who the fuck is she?"

[Matty]

Ted--I called my sister at the beach who went to the Backstage to tell me that Jenna was nominated. I was so surprised she did that for me because normally she is a bitch to me. I was pleased for the rest of the day and could better enjoy the beach.

So...I'm on my way to the dentist today and an asshole hits the side of my car. Drama. I was in the right line minding my own business and asshole decides he doesn't see me while trying to move from the left lane to the right lane. He was driving pretty erratically beforehand like coming out of a parking lot without stopping and that was another almost miss. The side of the car was totally swiped and got the bastard's info. The cop was really nice because the accident wasn't my fault. Shoulda used the horn though. The dentist appointment needs to be re-scheduled but they were nice about it and aren't charging for the cancellation.

[Matty]

Today I visited Emerson College which is smack down in the middle of the theatre district in Boston. It was small, but I love the area and the school is pretty great for what I'm interested in. On the tour we walked through the $10 Million renovated theater that took 20 years to fully restore. Everything about the school is great, but I'm not getting my hopes up since my GPA isn't near the level that this school wants, but I'm gonna try. Also, I found it weird that out of 10 or so other kids in my Info Meeting, I was the only one in-state.

What really attracted me was the ability to study in Los Angeles and get an internship there. The woman said that it happens quite often for a senior to go there in their last semester of college and end up getting a job there when all is said and done. Another cool thing was the school has a castle in the Netherlands where a lot of people go to get their Liberal Arts pre-req's out of the way. Mon.-Thur. classes while you have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to just travel and explore.

Wednesday is Boston University, Thursday is Emmanuel and Northeastern, Friday is Quinnipiac, and Saturday is UMASS Amherst. I have such a busy week, but I'm glad I have tomorrow to chill because I couldn't fall asleep last night until late and woke up really early.

[Matty]

Today I visited Boston University and I liked it a lot. It was pretty big, but there seemed to be some areas that were quieter, but also had an aspect of city life. It is really convenient because the T is in the center of the campus. The school has a giant ass gymnasium with two olympic swimming pools and a freaking lazy river. That is my kind of gym! On the other hand, it did seem kind of blah and maybe too broad for me. The school is also really, really expensive and I could get the same education, if not better, elsewhere. I may apply here, but this is also the only school that requires SAT II where I'm thinking of and that is almost a hassle. I really would like 1-2 more stabs at SAT, but I would only get one more shot at the regular SAT if I took the SAT II's for BU.

Also, it should be worth noting that they had a giant ass awards collection. A ton of Emmys, Golden Globes, Oscars, etc. in a display case in the library. I saw Gene Kelly's Oscar for example, they had all of Dan Rather's Emmys and I saw Peter O'Toole's Golden Globe for The Lion in the Winer. We were moving so fast I couldn't see what else.

Overall I liked Emerson better, but I think I have a better shot at getting BU over Emerson. Tomorrow is Emmanuel, which just started accepting males in 2001 and Northeastern.

[Big Ted]

Boston University must be put on alert that a crazed elderly man wants to buy their awards. And interesting that O'Toole already got rid of his Globe.

Emerson sounds great Matty. What major are you thinking about?

[Sanny]

Whoa. Emerson sounds like the shit. Sounds like you'd have a lot of fun there. Looking back I would've loved to have the opportunity to study abroad for a time.

[Matty]

[Matty]

This was like two weeks ago, but I really loved Quinnipiac University. The campus is beautiful and the communications department is really awesome. They have a whole Ed McMahon dedicated state of the art studio. I had an interview, which went alright, but I felt kind of awkward. It was my first legit one though, so I'm not really beating myself up over it or anything.

Despite school starting tomorrow I really don't care seeing I was there all last week anyways. Monday I was at MVP Orientation, Tuesday was NEAT Orientation, Wednesday was for NEAT where I met with all the new students coming to the high school from other districts. I actually had a boy from Germany and a girl from Norway in my group. Pretty cool. Thursday was Freshmen Orientation where I mentor a whole class with four other people and thats part of the MVP Program. We meet with the Freshmen every homeroom, which is like once a week.

I don't know how I'm going to wake up tomorrow though. I had trouble getting up at 8 this morning and slept in until 9. I have to wake up around 6:30 and that won't be a pleasant sight. I already know though that I'm only going to end up having three legit classes the first day though, so it should be an easy day.

My schedule (SENIOR YEAR!!! WOOOT):
Period 1: Honors Human Physiology
Period 2: Honors English 12
Period 3: Study/Gym (I have Gym twice every seven days, but I get a study for four of them)
Period 4: Honors Topics Modern European History
Period 5: Study (Digital Imaging, which is my art in second semester this period. I pretty much waited last minute to get the art requirement out of the way.)
Period 6: Advanced Math II or Pre-Calculus
Period 7: Spanish V

Despite two studies I think my schedule is pretty full. I know that I'll be challenegd in at least three of those classes, but I feel good about english and history.

[Matty]

So...I decided to take the day off because I feel like shit. I don't know what, but I really need to go to a doctor because my body just doesn't feel right.

In better news, I was made Associate Editor of the Features Department of my school paper. I mean it sucks not getting Department Editor, especially to a Junior, but I'll take what I can get.

[Matty]

So, the first mid-quarter is coming up of senior year and I'm doing pretty well getting A's and B's while receiving a C in math is inevitable. College stuff is a bitch and is making my life hell. Not only are filling out applications tedious, but I have to take the damn SAT's again on Saturday (then again in November). The supplements to all my schools are kind of grating as well, but it is what it is.

I'm applying early action for Northeastern, Quinnipiac, Emerson, and UNH. Realistically, I would want to go to Northeastern, but that is competitive for me. I may just end up going anywhere for a semester or a year and transfer if I need to. I want to go there that bad. All stuff for those schools need to be in by the first week of November, so I need to get cracking. My essay is already written, but I'm just waiting back from my english teacher to hand it back.

Otherwise, the school year is going fine and I got Associate Editor of the Features section in my school paper. I'm writing about the fall plays and 30 Rock. I'm enthusiastic about the fall plays one because I'm determined to blow the lid off the whole theater department. The whole system they have is corrupt and I can't wait to expose the people involved for what they are worth. $10 the article goes unpublished.

[PVDK]

Congrats and wow. You're gonna blow the lid off huh. My how you've grown.

[Matty]

[Matty]

I've been working so hard this year so far and I was really disappointed today when I got deferred from my first school. It really sucks because I thought this school was my best shot, so now I'm kind of screwed and need to apply to even safer schools now. I still have a solid shot at getting accepted in March when they will give me a final answer, but I would have really liked the security. I really think it was the D+ on my transcript from my math class last year, second semester that did me in. Honestly, I will be the first person to blame myself for not doing well, but I put the blame on my teacher in that case. I had trouble concentrating because of the kids in my class and she had no control whatsoever over how disruptive they were. Asking her for help made me feel like an idiot because her attitude was like I should already know the material. I have my hopes that they will let me in eventually, but I feel kind of nauseaus now.

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Onto other things...my 30 Rock article was one of two that were published in the first issue of my school paper. Since I am one of the two department editior's for Features I have to layout the pages and it is so much work. I really love doing this kind of stuff though.

Here it is:

Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin Rock on Thursday Night
Associate Features Department Editor

Few shows today can get away with the line: “five inches, but its thick.” However, it is NBC’s sophomore comedy 30 Rock setting the new standard for television laughers. 30 Rock is a perfect addition to NBC’s Thursday Comedy-Done-Right line-up sandwiched between My Name is Earl and The Office. 30 Rock’s creator, Tina Fey, is also a producer and an actress, leading her to three Emmy nominations and one win.

30 Rock stars Tina Fey as Liz Lemon, the head-writer and producer of The Girlie Show, a sketch comedy in the same vein as Saturday Night Live. Liz is a modern day Mary Richards, working with an often difficult staff and living a love life that would be envied by no one. Liz’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Dennis was featured on To Catch a Predator just as he and Liz were about to become “on again.” Another man Liz began to fancy (whom she nicknamed “the hair”) was discovered to be her second cousin a few too many dates later.

The first season began with tension between Liz and her boss Jack Donaghy, brilliantly played by Alec Baldwin. Jack is inappropriate and has a tendency to say things without thinking beforehand. In the third episode of the series, “Blind Date,” Jack sets Liz up with his friend. As it turns out, the friend he sets her up with is a woman. Liz emphatically declares to Jack the day after that she is not a lesbian.

Liz and Jack’s friendship transcends to a new level in the first season finale, “Hiatus,” when Jack is lying in the hospital after a heart attack and tells Liz how proud he is of her. There are many facets to the relationship that Liz and Jack have on the show and it is a delight to see it explored in new ways each week.

Yet 30 Rock is not without controversy. In the original pilot of the show, the role of flighty Jenna Maroney was played by Saturday Night Live alumna Rachel Dratch until she was unceremoniously dumped by the network for actress Jane Krakowski. Krakowski is invigorating as the floozy Jenna and is always a bright spot when she appears on screen. On the show, Jenna is a close friend of Liz and a sketch player on The Girlie Show. She remains on edge and is erratic towards her career, especially when Tracy Jordan (Tracy Morgan) is brought in to attract a certain male demographic. Jenna becomes extremely insecure when The Girlie Show is dubbed TGS with Tracy Jordan and feels betrayed by Liz who was forced into the decision by Jack.

One of the funniest bits of the season takes place in an episode titled “Jack-tor.” Jenna insists on performing her single, “Muffin Top,” at the end of an episode of TGS. The song includes lyrics that are deemed too inappropriate by Liz; however, Jenna performs the song anyway. 30 Rock is a comedy that continues to push the envelope and Jenna’s song is one aspect of the show that is re-inventing the old sitcom formula. In the same episode, Liz is infuriated that the network is interfering with the show, forcing them to mention certain GE products. The writing is slick throughout as 30 Rock pokes fun at NBC for making them promote certain products in their program. At one point, everyone in the writer’s room goes on about how good Snapple is when the hot intern, Cerie (Katrina Bowden), looks into the camera holding a Diet Snapple in her hand exclaiming how she only dates guys who drink the beverage.

In an episode that is sure to be a classic, “Hard Ball,” Jenna gets into trouble when she does an interview with a men’s magazine and says she hates the troops. Of course, the magazine misquotes Jenna by writing that she hates the troops in Iraq, as opposed to the real meaning of her statement - that she hates “theatre troupes.” To correct her mistake, Jenna appears on MSNBC’s Hard Ball with Chris Matthews. Jenna makes a case for herself by standing up to “cranky” Tucker Carlson, who berates Jenna for her views; however, the interview takes a turn for the worse when she confuses Barack Obama from Osama bin Laden. 30 Rock satirizes the blatant political incorrectness of public figures in the media through Jenna’s lapse of judgment. The episode concludes with Jenna performing a patriotic song and dance number at the end of that week’s episode of TGS, which ends with a moment of razzle-dazzle that you cannot miss.

The second season premiered on October 4 with special guest star Jerry Seinfeld. You will not regret spending half an hour in front of this deliriously funny show. It almost makes me want to break out into the chorus of “Muffin Top.” Almost.