Welcome to Orr...

This summer has been great. Really, it has been. I've gotten to spend the summer in a city I love, with awesome people, at an awesome job. I've gotten to live with one of my closest friends in a perfect location, work at a job where I actually like my coworkers and don't dread going to work, I haven't had to work on the weekends, AND, of course, I've made more money this summer than the past 5 combined.


However, there is one thing about this summer that is totally lacking, and it's getting to me right about now.


What, you might ask? No car? No, I hate driving so that can't be it. Oh, so it must be my dog. No, sorry,l wrong again. I mean, Bo, you're great and all, but not enough to fill a certain void. So, what, then is lacking in summer 2006?


Orr, Minnesota.


"Minnesota?" you might be saying, "Minnesota sucks. There is nothign to do there. It's in the middle of nowhere."


EXACTLY. Right now, two of my best friends are at Pelican Lake, in Orr, Minnesota. And as of yet, Orr, Minnesota is my favorite place in the world.


Freshman year, whenever I got frustrated with the fact that I couldn't stand 2 of my 3 roommates (sorry if you are those girls...but I have a feeling you feel the same way...), I would picture myself on Pelican Lake, sitting on the Raspberry Boat, reading with Becky and Emily D, without a care in the world. You would think that a person like me would go crazy in a place like Pelican Lake. No TV, no internet...how can I live without AIM or Facebook?? For some reason, that doesn't matter.

Granted, I think we all know that I am not exactly cut out for living outdoors. Bugs? No thanks. Cob webs? Kiss my ass. Yet, I have managed to survive two trips to Pelican Lake to date. I am so calm when I am there. I think being cut-off from the real world plays a huge role in that; if I can't check my email, I don't have to worry about what people have to say; if I can't watch the news, I don't have to worry about whatever is going on in the world. The only thing I have to worry about at Pelican Lake is which bathing suit is dry enought to wear; whether I put sunscreen on or not; which side of Bald Island I want to watch the sun set on. I have never been so at peace with everything than when I am at Pelican Lake.


So, unfortunately, I will not get to go to Pelican Lake this summer. While Becky and Emily D are diving off the dock, swimming around the island, and kayaking to Frying Pan for dinner, I will be in an office working, or sweating in the city.

But, in some insanely, Hallmark-Movie-Channel-End-Of-Movie-Scene-That-Makes-You-Want-To-Vomit way, the fact that maybe I will get to go next summer, is good enough for now.

To get the Hallmark Movie Channel, please contact your cable provider. And then, really think twice about the awful decision you are making.