Part 1:
The early weeks of February put winter’s delights on full display.
Skaters glided joyfully at the skating rink.
Snowshoers snowshoed around Lonergan Park.
Chickadees chickadeed at bird feeders!
All of Town Worth rejoiced at the season’s offerings.
Including ... the high school Science Club!
Time for Winter Science Fair!!
Students from Brenville, Cape Ar'day and Summerton all came to compete.
Professors from local colleges acted as judges.
The event was a great way to meet fellow scientists, and maybe even get noticed for scholarships.
Skaters glided joyfully at the skating rink.
Snowshoers snowshoed around Lonergan Park.
Chickadees chickadeed at bird feeders!
All of Town Worth rejoiced at the season’s offerings.
Including ... the high school Science Club!
Time for Winter Science Fair!!
Students from Brenville, Cape Ar'day and Summerton all came to compete.
Professors from local colleges acted as judges.
The event was a great way to meet fellow scientists, and maybe even get noticed for scholarships.
The Science Fair took place in the cafeteria of my high school.
Rick drove me to the event, and helped me carry in the exhibit.
My topic: Rainbows!
Specifically, how scientists now use rainbows to evaluate the effects of pollution.
Via levels of smog and acid rain and so much more.
Analyzing the sizes and shapes of rainbows.
Comparing the brightness of the colors.
There is a wealth of measurable data!
I had charts, graphs, models, even a diorama.
Felt pretty good about my chances.
We go in and get my stuff carefully and lovingly set up.
Rick’s just about to leave.
And one of the judges comes over to say hello.
“Wow, that looks really great. Hi, I’m Candace DeMize, from Simmons University.”
Before I could speak, my dumb brother said, “Hello there, I’m Rick."
She smiled politely.
“I went to Simmons," he added. “Business major. Nice to meet you.”
And truthfully?
I was just glad he didn’t drool on my project.
Rick drove me to the event, and helped me carry in the exhibit.
My topic: Rainbows!
Specifically, how scientists now use rainbows to evaluate the effects of pollution.
Via levels of smog and acid rain and so much more.
Analyzing the sizes and shapes of rainbows.
Comparing the brightness of the colors.
There is a wealth of measurable data!
I had charts, graphs, models, even a diorama.
Felt pretty good about my chances.
We go in and get my stuff carefully and lovingly set up.
Rick’s just about to leave.
And one of the judges comes over to say hello.
“Wow, that looks really great. Hi, I’m Candace DeMize, from Simmons University.”
Before I could speak, my dumb brother said, “Hello there, I’m Rick."
She smiled politely.
“I went to Simmons," he added. “Business major. Nice to meet you.”
And truthfully?
I was just glad he didn’t drool on my project.
Professor DeMize was attractive (I guess), blondish and bright and dressed in black.
I liked her as well; I liked anyone who gave up a day to help some science geeks.
“This is my brother,” I said. “I’m the scientist in the family. He's leaving. Lots of carpet sales to make.”
But that idiot?
He stayed the whole day!
Acted like he was sooooo interested in the experiments.
Chatting up Professor DeMize whenever she had a free moment.
Fast forward to the end of the Science Fair.
The awards are handed out.
And there’s me.
With my 2nd-place ribbon for Most Original Idea!
First place?
Some kid with a project on dinosaur language, how their grunts and growls made a complex speech system(???).
Never mind that is was completely unprovable.
As if anyone’s ever heard a single sound.
Dinosaurs always win!
Next year I’ll do a thing on ancient weather patterns and the lives of dinosaurs and watch me CLEAN UP.
I liked her as well; I liked anyone who gave up a day to help some science geeks.
“This is my brother,” I said. “I’m the scientist in the family. He's leaving. Lots of carpet sales to make.”
But that idiot?
He stayed the whole day!
Acted like he was sooooo interested in the experiments.
Chatting up Professor DeMize whenever she had a free moment.
Fast forward to the end of the Science Fair.
The awards are handed out.
And there’s me.
With my 2nd-place ribbon for Most Original Idea!
First place?
Some kid with a project on dinosaur language, how their grunts and growls made a complex speech system(???).
Never mind that is was completely unprovable.
As if anyone’s ever heard a single sound.
Dinosaurs always win!
Next year I’ll do a thing on ancient weather patterns and the lives of dinosaurs and watch me CLEAN UP.
Rick helped me take apart my project and get it loaded back in his car.
Now I’m thinking that maybe I was too hard on him.
He did help me and all.
But then I see Professor DeMize lingering.
Like maybe she likes him!
Rick suggests that the three of us go out to dinner to celebrate the Science Fair.
At least he included me, that was nice.
And I think maybe the two of them dating might be nice.
Rick going out with a brilliant, helpful scientist? What’s not to love?
My good feelings, however, soon vanished.
Vanished as soon as we sat down at the restaurant.
Dinner conversation, which I assumed would include me – did not.
My brother practically interviewed her!
What she liked, where she’d been, what she watched on TV.
You name it and he asked it.
I fumed as I ate my shrimp.
Rick smiled throughout his steak.
Professor DeMize’s sweet and sour chicken was “the best she'd had in years.”
After dinner was over, our guest excused herself for a moment.
I pounced.
“You are sooo lame. Hope she breaks your heart. Big time.”
“I should be so lucky. You know, I really, really do love science.”
Now I’m thinking that maybe I was too hard on him.
He did help me and all.
But then I see Professor DeMize lingering.
Like maybe she likes him!
Rick suggests that the three of us go out to dinner to celebrate the Science Fair.
At least he included me, that was nice.
And I think maybe the two of them dating might be nice.
Rick going out with a brilliant, helpful scientist? What’s not to love?
My good feelings, however, soon vanished.
Vanished as soon as we sat down at the restaurant.
Dinner conversation, which I assumed would include me – did not.
My brother practically interviewed her!
What she liked, where she’d been, what she watched on TV.
You name it and he asked it.
I fumed as I ate my shrimp.
Rick smiled throughout his steak.
Professor DeMize’s sweet and sour chicken was “the best she'd had in years.”
After dinner was over, our guest excused herself for a moment.
I pounced.
“You are sooo lame. Hope she breaks your heart. Big time.”
“I should be so lucky. You know, I really, really do love science.”