7-List: How to waste time during winter break
By Marcus Whalbring, Entertainment Editor
When finals week is over at last, the world of papers, tests and class participation will be as non-existent as your desire to go to those early morning exams this week. Winter break will be here, which means you’ll probably have plenty of time to waste your time. Do you want to play “Halo 2” non-stop like a 14-year-old kid who’s living on nothing but Red Bull and Skittles? You have every right. I’m glad that you have a to-do list to keep you busy. But for the rest of you that have no idea what you’re going to do with your time, I have compiled a list of seven things to do when you have nothing else to do.
7. Watch the Christmas classics. You know you want to see a Rudolf and the Abominable Snow Man duke it out on a claymation iceberg. The little drummer boy is banging out an ancient tune for you, and Frosty is ready to wish you a “happy birthday.” Ralphie Parker has his Red Rider loaded, and he wants you to watch him beat Scut Farkus’ face while he shouts obscenities. You need to get your copy of “It’s a Wonderful Life” and a box of tissues and settle in for the night. You cry every time. Don’t deny it.
6. Make some cookies. You might as well do something. Throw some scratch together, and you should be occupied for the next four hours. Be sure that your cutters are diverse so no one gets tired of looking at 50 Christmas tree cookies. Keep a glass of water on hand, because your tongue will be tired of the frosting you’ve been licking off your fingers all night.
5. Get a job, pal. The holidays are coming up, and you don’t want to get behind on your shopping. There are a few people out there (and it’s not you) who got their shopping done early. But for you it’s time to get on top of things. So shovel some snow for your neighbors. Go back to that checkout lane you manned at the grocery store in high school. I’m sure the qualifications and breakthroughs in technology haven’t gone too far ahead of you. Just don’t go back to the factory. You don’t need to spend your vacation getting up at 4:30 in the morning.
4. Get organized. Your closet is so messy; the monster that used to hide in there when you were three has been chased out by the roaches. It’s time to show everyone that you’re actually mature enough to take care of your stuff. I know you have a hard time letting go of things, but that picture you drew of a rabbit in kindergarten isn’t cute anymore. You’re in college now. And if you’re like me, it’s pretty hard to walk through your room these days. You might want to shove some stuff under your bed. If you have time, alphabetize your DVD rack or something.
3. Read something. I know. You’ve been reading non-stop for the last few months. Who are you kidding? You never did the reading for class, so dig through that closet you’re about to organize and find that copy of Moby Dick you’re grandma gave you three Christmases ago. And there’s nothing wrong with a magazine here and there either. I think if you read for four hours a day, you might be able to get through War and Peace before it’s time to get back to school. Go for it.
2. Go play in the snow. You’re not too old. In fact, you can get more creative now with the sledding. Your ramp can be three times taller than it used to be when you were a kid. You will fly. You can also get pretty technical with your snowman. Get a butter knife or a chisel and make something creative. You can get really detailed if you try. “Hey. Is that John Stamos standing in that guy’s yard? Nope, just a snowman.” Do you see what I mean? By the way, don’t bother with snow angels. That would be fun for about two minutes, and you’ll get snow down the back of your shirt. Nobody wants that.
1. Nothing. Wait a minute. You don’t really want to do anything do you? After a long semester, you probably just want to lie on the couch and watch the next installment of “Project Runway.” There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s only one month out of your life, and when you get out of college, you won’t have as many opportunities for month-long periods of leisure. Take advantage of the time you have while you have it.
