Important Announcement

I, Chad Riding, declare my intention to run for president of SPA.

More information and a better picture are to come.

This message was approved by the Chad Riding for SPA President Committee.

Sour Grapes? Never!

My sister says that 25 is the age of bitterness. Tomorrow, March 7, I turn 25.

And I will not be bitter!

But how? Positive Mental Attitude? Maybe. Performing acts of service for others? Probably not. Aroma therapy and spa treatments? no way.

My strategy: sweet, sweet candy.

Duck, Dip, Dive, and Dodge

These are the four D's of dodgeball.

So I played dodgeball in my church dodgeball tournament yesterday. And I must say that I did fairly well for myself. I was actually the last one to get out at the game. That is to say, we sucked and lost every game we played. But the fact that I was the last one to get out probably tells more about the other team than myself.

Why?
I played without my glasses on. And I can't see the giant E at the top of the eye chart at the doctor's office with my glasses off.

I mean, it's not as if I was a moving target. I basically stayed there will blury balls of blue and orange swooshed past me. I just had to move slightly to avoid them. And I got two of the blurs out (I couldn't even recognize if they were boys or girls).

If you're played on by Chad in a sport, you know it's sad.

Below: Dodgeball getting fierce in the UK dodgeball association.

Clay Pot: $1.50, Soil: $1.22, Catnip (2 Packs): $1.94

Unholy army of cat minions: Priceless.

So, as I have explained in this blog post before, there is a slight problem with wild cats in my neighborhood. It has subsided recently, probably because they have gone to live with a nice family on a farm (like my childhood dog), but I can spot a wild cat or two romping through my yard every day or two. Plentiful for my purposes.

But I had never gotten the hang of how I can turn these independent spirits into loyal servants.

Until now.

I have been considering planting a small garden in pots in my back porch. I was thinking about maybe a vegetable, or some California poppies, or Texas Bluebonnets, or even a sunflower. And then I spotted catnip at Wal-Mart for only $0.97 a packet. And my problems were solved.

How do I get a cat, the most disobedient pet to do my bidding? Lemony, minty catnip- they'll be hooked in no time.

And at only $4.71 total at Wal-Mart, it's practically a steal.

This Autobiography will be Bigger than "Don't Hassel the Hoff"

I share the following story with implied oral consent and not expressed written consent. Be warned.

So someone I know told me of his terrible experience with the elementary school field day. George (name changed) was number one in his elementary school power walk. He was champion for years. A badge of triumph, if you ask me. He continued until the judges suspected that he was not really power walking. They made him walk past him, inspecting him to see if he really was power walking. No, George wasn't because both feet were not on the ground at both times and hence he was running.

Scandalous, I know, but I got this from George's own mouth.

And then I thought of what people will remember from my life, and the autobiography that I know will practically write itself. It will be entitled: "Bake it at 375 Degrees with a Pound of Love: the Chad Riding Story" I've had this in mind for several years. The cover page will have a picture of me in front of a beautiful rainbow and cloud filled sunset and objects representing my accomplishments in life.

Chad's Life Accomplishments, as taken from "Bake it at 375 Degrees with a Pound of Love: The Chad Riding Story"

1. Nobel Peace Prize AND Nobel Literature Prize before the age of 30

2. Perpetual Motion Machine

3. UF SPA club presidency

4. Cutest baby in the world

5. Bringing Britney Spears back from the edge

6. Inventing a spoon combined with a straw and a fork

7. The George Foreman-Chad Riding grill and pretzel maker

8. Losing to George Bush at Jeopardy (the categories were rigged, Alex Trebek had it out for me)

9. Saving Christmas from Terrorists
10. Inventing a Food Better than Chocolate

Balanced Day

SO, today was a well balanced day. School work, shopping, carnies at a medieval faire I got free tickets to, free food, and scrabble. More details to come.

Se jatkuu ja sitten se loppuu (Be warned!)

This is the Worst Music Video Ever (I wanna love you tender) by Finnish artists Armi and Dani. I like the Grease-like ending.

This is Finnish YMCA. It is disturbing. I warn you! (but it's not that disturbing!)

And I tell you, I have no more bizarre Finnish videos up my sleeve. For now.