Earthquake

Yep, that's right. If you haven't already heard, a 5.9 earthquake shook the whole eastern seaboard from Clemson, South Carolina (shout out to @nargieminaj for her insight) to Toronto, Ontario, Canada around 1:50.

So, in ten years on the "10th Anniversary of the DC Quake" people will ask where you were. My response to that question will be that I was leaning up against the pool bathroom wall talking with @jgahima and my little neighbor, Tommy. I felt the building sway, and my first thought was that there was a very fat lady in the shower. My second thought was that a couple was having sexual intercourse in the women's room shower.

Tommy ran, and it was only a matter of seconds before I grabbed Jordon and my Sperrys and ran to the middle of the pool deck, away from any bricks. The operating lifeguard, Heather, thought the pump had exploded and was walking over to the pump room to examine when the climax of the quake hit.

My mom had been bugging me to blog these past coupled of days, but I had nothing to blog about. After the 5.9er hit, I knew exactly I had to give my opinion on it. In sixth grade (2006-07), there was a smaller quake in Annandale which I thought was cah-razy! But now after surviving this shake, I realize that was nothing (truth be told, I didn't actually feel that quake).

To tell the truth, I was honestly still shaken around 2:30. I tweeted and retreated 17 times all in roughly two hours about the earthquake. The phone lines were down, and I couldn't send texts. For a 21st century kid, that was pretty scary.

Living so close to 395, about 10 to 15 minutes after the initial hit, I heard sirens going to rescue people who had finally gotten a call through to 911 emergency services. About five minutes after the earthquake, someone had created a Facebook page for surviving it.

Thanks to @CloMolo for the picture!

County Fair

Every year during second week of August, Arlington County hosts a fair at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. The fair attracts everyone for five days in mid August. At the fair, there's your overpriced, generic games with plastic blow up toys and over sized stuffed animals for prizes. 

Along with the fair games, fair food is also present from Wednesday to Sunday, from red velvet funnel cakes to fried Oreos (which are extremely good). The was one particular stand that was selling possibly the best fruit punch I had ever consumed. Below is a picture from my TwitPic account: 

Having attended the fair last year, and summer of '08, one would think I would have been on some rides. Well, that statement is false. Up until this year, I hadn't stepped foot in a queue for any ride. I went on the Zipper (below) and I swear that ride gave me a concussion. Later that night, my friend Jordon (above right) joked that next time he rode it, he would need to bring his helmet.

Then on Sunday, I rode the Rainbow. This ride looked pretty intimidating. It looked ass if your stomach would stay at the top of the 360 degree rotation. I got on, and it turned out the ride was not how I imagined it at all. I didn't lose my stomach, or have that feeling once during the ride, but I did lose my voice briefly from profuse yelling and screaming in order to make the ride more enjoyable. Although, it had one of the best views at the fair. After getting off the ride, my knees were very unstable, thus making my legs wobble (spaghetti legs). 

Getting to the fair this year consisted of taking the ART (Arlington Transit) bus, and one ride from Jordon's mom. Next year, however, if my parents think I'm responsible enough to get my license in April, I will be able to drive (which is extra exciting in my point of view). In order for that to happen, I need to get more responsible and show my parents that I am.

From Highwaters to Flat Fronts

So from reading the title of this blog, you might be wondering "What did Leo do now?" or you might have not even noticed the title, and just looked at the pictures like I normally do.

Yes, I am back to blogging, partly due to the fact that I need to keep in touch with my creative writing skills, and also, because I have successfully finished a "project."
So, this past week, I looked at my short collection. Three pairs of colored flat front shorts, one pair of cargo shorts, and one pair of Bowdoin athletic shorts. I love the khaki color and style, but online prices were around $30. No way was I going to pay for shorts PLUS shipping! Then, it hit me. Why not make shorts out of too short chinos?

I looked in my closet, found a pair of too short chinos that fit perfectly in the waist. I approached my mom with this idea, and asked if it was possible! I brought down my chinos, and measured a 12 inch inseam. I cut them across and then folded the line that was cut a half inch. After pressing that fold, I folded it again but, instead of a half inch, a full inch. I pressed the folds again and held them with paper clips.

Today, after finishing the tear-jerking "Schindler's List", with the help of my mom, I hemmed the shorts after replacing the paperclips with straight pins. Now, I'm not trying to brag, but these shorts looked professionally made. I decided to make a brand for the said shorts. I have yet to come up with a name, but have a logo drawn.

Below are some final product shots. The shorts reach just above my knee and fit perfectly, almost better than I expected them to.

-Leo

I'm baaaack!

So after many, many, many! days of not blogging, I'm back.
Nothing too major to report on. I'm supposed to be reviewing for SOLs in tech, but I feel like my the Standards of Learning Word History test has nothing on my AP World History exam.

During that exam, which was on May 12th, someone called the school from an inside pay-phone and threatened to bomb Wakefield. The building was evacuated, and the entire school (except for seniors who had gone off campus, and a few juniors as well, and also those kids who hopped the fence onto the baseball field in front of the entire administration) went down to the football stadium. Many people were really hungry, including me. After about two hours of sitting in the bleachers, we were allowed to re-enter the building. Here is a link that gives a brief rundown on what happened from Arl.Now.

Back to the exam, we entered room 110 at 8:115 and left at 2:35 (given that there was a bomb threat, and a lunch break during this time period), it was the longest AP exam in Wakefield History.

In other news, baseball is now over. We went 3-14, beating J.E.B. Stuart, and Mount Vernon. Our second of three victories was against Loudon Valley, who didn't show up to the game. Here are my season ending stats: I lead the team in, batting average (.420), hits (21), runs scored (10), RBIs (19), slugging percentage (.580), doubles (8), stolen bases (10), and assists (22). 


I am leaving you a copy of a video I made showcasing my Jedi skills with @Nathankr23. Watch the video with sound for full enjoyment.

-LBT






p.s. 
listen for my lightsaber noises!

Back to Blogging

Well, I'm back and (hopefully) blogging more often. I've been super busy with baseball practices, baseball games, and homework. But now, I'm getting back to blogging.

Two nights ago, on Tuesday, I played possibly the best baseball game of my life. My JV baseball team beat one of the only teams that matched up with us almost 100% on the field, at the plate, and on the mound. We beat the J.E.B. Stuart Raiders 21-15. At the plate I went 4-5, with five RBIs (runs batted in), three runs scored, three doubles, two stolen bases, and one single. Behind the plate, I threw out a man trying to steal third base. On the mound, I pitched one and a third innings, and got the last out of the game for the save.

I have two more games this week, and hopefully they go like my last game went. I'll try and blog this weekend, or throughout next week.

Leo "The Raider Assassinator"  Biette-Timmons

So yesterday so one of the better days of school this year. I left school at 8:45 with 28 other kids to go to see President Barack Obama speak on reforming the education program "No Child Left Behind" at my old middle school. The speech itself was great. After waiting in line to go through the Press metal detectors, and an airport like security system, we walked into our old gym and saw it had been transformed into a very formal, presidential style space. After all, it was the President of the United States speaking.

There was a student section off to the left of President Obama, and to the right of the audience. But, when we arrived to the section, there were two seats two rows behind Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan. So, my friend Jordon and I bounded over to the seats. When Obama walked in (well, he ran in like he was being introduced at a basketball game), the gym went nuts! The speech was actually pretty good. The President spoke of reforming the "No Child Left Behind" program, and said he wanted congress to write up a new education bill for him to sign before all the students of the United States of America go back to school next fall.

After the speech, the President came down to shake hands. While he was on the other side of the semi-circle, Jordon and I approached Arne Duncan and congratulated him on a great speech, and commented on how much we liked his tie. I don't remember, but i think he said he liked my bow tie. After several minutes, Obama finally came to our part of the circle. Jordon shook his hand and said "I like your tie, Mr. President!" Obama thanked Jordon and moved on to me. I shook his hand (and, yes, he has soft hands and a very firm handshake), and I asked him how he liked the Gridiron Dinner he attended Saturday night. He replied with a smile, "It was great, I'm glad it got out on time."

I'm featured in the "Fixing Education" speech video at 27 seconds, 8 minutes and 39 seconds, and 20 minutes and 15 seconds. In the latter of the three time clips, yes, I am flipping my hair. JB would be proud.

(I will post a video of the speech later, or you can go to the White House website and watch the video there)

Day Two

Three things having to do with the words Day Two. First, it's a two day here at school, second, it's the second day of this blog (which I still don't know what I'll blog about), and thirdly, it's two days until my sister comes home from college.

1. I don't really like my two days. Probably because I have to wait so long for lunch, and the fact that my second period teacher puts me to sleep, and my sixth period teacher's room is always so stiflingly hot, it's unbearable. Plus three of my four classes give major homework.

2. Second day on the blog. I definitely like this. I'm still messing around with my settings and such, but it's really fun. My one goal I'm aiming for by blogging is to improve my writing.

3. Actually, it's tomorrow when I'll see my sister, but it's going to be in the later hours of Friday, March 11th. Typing that reminded me that it's going to be my longest friend's birthday tomorrow.

Happy early birthday to my man Duff, and Also I can't wait to see you, Nora.