Top 10 things you’re actually going to really do this summer — no seriously, this summer’s different!
Whether you’re a graduating senior about to fulfill all of the goals in your Hopes and Dreams Journal or a wide-eyed freshman returning to your old stomping grounds and high school friends, you’re going to have some extra time this summer. And as we all begin to fill the black hole left in the place of AU, we look to better ourselves, enrich our lives and finally do all of those things that we really just couldn’t make time for during the school year.
We Scenesters have compiled a list of the top eight things to actually do this summer — guys, it’s really going to happen this time.
8. Go on that road trip you guys always planned
Ah, the summer road trip, the hallowed pipe dream of America’s youth. The time is ripe for that trip you and your friends always planned, but just never quite organized. Well, this is the summer where you’ll actually all get off work and save up gas money to journey to Austin, drive up California’s coast or just get out the hell out of Jersey. Don’t forget to take group pictures with every single sign you see.
7. Finish that novel
We’ve all done it. In a moment of over zealous ambition we’ve picked up a lengthy piece of classic literature and began to slowly plow through only to “take a little break” one third of the way in and shelf the novel indefinitely. This summer, dust off your “Anna Karenina,” stop shrugging off “Atlas,” and for God’s sake, just skim the rest of “Infinite Jest.”
6. Go “crapping”!
Crapping: an umbrella term for all things thrift. This includes, but is not limited to, garage sales, estate sales, flea markets, thrift stores, pawn-shops and the holiest of holy grails, church rummage sales. No matter where you go, people will be selling their unwanted crap for next to nothing. Just follow the neon pink arrows. Because you need more crap!
5. Go to that art exhibit that just rolled into town
We know it’s just been really inconvenient to take public transportation all the way into the city to enjoy free art. But you have free time now and if you’ll be in D.C. this summer, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to become cultured. Need ideas? The National Gallery is housing a delightful Gauguin exhibit through early June, and Project 4 Gallery, located a block down from the U-Street metro stop, brings in monthly shows with snazzy, free and frequent wine and cheese events.
4. Hike something
Nature has gotten a little too smug and has been shoving inconvenient truths down our throats while hitting us with a new disaster every other week. So strap on a CamelBak and walk up the highest mound of dirt in sight. It’s time for humans to re-conquer what’s ours.
3. Become really mediocre at that skill you wish you had
Be it guitar playing, knitting, beat boxing, salsa dancing, martial arts or jogging, 2011 is the year you’ll become slightly better than average at your dream skill.
2. Make a salad
Eh…who are we kidding?
1. Work
There’s no better way to fill the void left by schoolwork than with, that’s right, more work! Bored without your spring internship? They make them for summer too! Give yourself an excuse to fall through on goals one through eight!
mwolfson@theeagleonline.com
