Ten Reasons Summer Rocks and a Prize

By Nichole Giles

Anyone who knows or has ever heard a speech by the up and coming big-time author, James Dashner, has an inkling of his propensity for making lists. The man has a top ten for everything. And they’re always funny. Or, at least I find them amusing.

But recently he posted a list on his blog about all the reasons he hates hot weather, which in my book translates to summer. Now, while the Dash-man does make some good points, I am here to counter his dislike of my favorite season of the year.

Why, you ask?

Because I feel like it. And also, because summer rocks! ;-P (That’s me sticking my tongue out at James.)

So, I am hereby posting a top ten list of why summer is the BESTEST, most awesome season of the whole entire year. And then I’m giving away a really awesome prize. Again, because I feel like it, and summer—and warm weather—rocks.

10. Awesome, warm weather is perfect for water recreation. Boating, wave running, and skiing in local lakes, oceans, and rivers (skiing in the summer is called water skiing, which is why we don’t ski on dirt when there’s no snow).

9. No snow!!! You can actually walk around outside in the grass, barefooted and without a coat, and not get hypothermia.

8. A whole season (or at least part of one if you live in Utah) of healthy, natural vitamin D (aka sunshine).

7. Swimsuit and sandal weather—for soaking up those vitamins. (And if you hate looking at your feet, get a pedicure!)

6. Three words: Pools are Open. (And jumping in a pool is not nearly as scary as flying down a mountain on waxed wood with nothing to keep you from crashing into a tree but two skinny sticks.)

5. I can drive my convertible with the top down and not get snowed on, and also not have to leave my car at a local gas station because it's stuck in the parking lot (aka a sheet of thick ice).

4. Fireworks that make silly shapes in the sky, parades where clowns chuck candy at your kids so they ruin their braces eating it, carnivals with rides that cost way too much and make you throw up, and patriotic celebrations--because we live in America!

3. Cotton candy to give you a sugar high, caramel apples that also ruin braces--but are so worth it, snow cones--any flavor, and ice cream.

2. Barbeques and fresh veggies, baseball--especially the little kid kind, and blooming flowers.

1. My birthday is in July--and everyone looks forward to that.

This leads me to the big announcement. Next week is the big day (and no, I’m not telling you how old I am). When you’re a kid, people ask what you want for your birthday, but since I’m not a kid anymore, I’ve decided to give a gift away to one of my fabulous followers.

Check this out:

Pretty, huh?

Quicksilver / Roxy brand stainless steel charm bracelet. Retail value: $18.00.

Come on, you know you want it! To win this fabulous bracelet, all you have to do is one of these things:

1. Become a follower of this blog you’re reading or my other blog. (Or both.) Then, leave a comment on this post telling me you’ve become a fan. In your comment, tell me at least one thing you love about summer—or something special that reminds you of summer. If you’re already a follower, you’re one step ahead—but still leave me a comment and tell me why summer rocks.

2. Run on over to James Dashner’s blog and say hi to him. Tell him I sent you, and then come back here and let me know you paid him a visit. (You don’t have to follow him, but please still follow me. And whatever you say to him, be nice. He is my friend, after all.)

3. Go have a good laugh at the LDS Humor blog, and sign up to be a follower there, then come back here and tell me you signed up, and share a funny joke of your own. (Because everyone needs a good laugh, right? Oh, and then watch for your joke—and your name—to show up on the humor blog later this month.)

4. Listen to my playlist (on the sidebar) and tell me which summer song is your favorite. If your favorite isn’t on there, tell me what awesome summer songs I don’t have but should add. (As long as they’re appropriate, I will.)

Sometime on or around July 13th (that’s a Monday) I’ll have my trusty computer generator choose a random name from the list, and announce it here and on my other blog. The winner will then have to send me a private email with their snail mail information so I can send them the gorgeous prize. (Guys, I know this isn’t so much a prize you want, but it makes a great gift for an important female in your life. And if you follow me anyway, you’ll be automatically entered in the next awesome giveaway, which is coming up soon and is not jewelry.)

Now, get away from your computer and go get some sunshine!