Recently a friend loaned us some tennis rackets and balls. We had been wanting to learn to play tennis for a while, but never acquired any equipment. When our friend heard about that, he offered to let us borrow a couple of rackets and a set of balls. Great, we thought, we can play at the high school's tennis courts.

So Mom made a couple phone calls to find out who exactly we needed to see to get the key to the courts, and then we four girls set off in high spirits, with our water and rackets and balls -- oh, and our $5 deposit to get the key.

As we walked onto campus, we were a bit nervous, never having been there before. This place has a high fence all around it, so as we walked inside it was sort of like entering a prison or something. I turned to Amy and said, "It's not like we're entering the Institute or anything!" (If you've ever read The Mysterious Benedict Society)

Of course, we were stopped by security. "What are you doing here? Do you have ID?" I don't know why I was so nervous, it's not like we were breaking the law or anything. We were allowed to continue.

So we made it to the desk where we could pick up the key. Whew! "We'll need a copy of your driver's license to give you the key." Of course I don't have one. So the woman at the desk went to go check with someone else to see what we could do. "I'm sorry, but you'll need an adult to be responsible for you." Frustrated, we left campus and wait for Mom to get there.

Finally Mom showed up (on my bike) and we were able to finally secure our prized key. Our troubles weren't over, however. Mom turns to ask a man (who she thinks is a security guard) if there is an exit out a different direction, and it turns out he is a police officer, leading away a student in handcuffs!

And of course, there were all the weird looks you get from all the high school students who no doubt are wondering what you are doing there. *screams*

And then, the tennis courts were being used anyway! So we had to go all the way back home without playing.

I guess it doesn't sound that bad now, as I write it, but all in all, it was the kind of experience that makes your blood boil. When we got home I put on my iPod and listened to Handel's Water Music to calm down. *grimace*

Oh, and NaNoWriMo! Isn't it something that my happiness depends on a number? As long as the number is up, so am I. If the number goes down, so does my writing interest. Hmm, there's something not quite right about that. Oh well. Anyway, I'm now at 7,341 words! Not as good as some people... but at least I'm ahead of schedule.

I hear that week two can be tough... well, I'm preparing to meet it head on. Now if I could just get a running start -- a giant leap ahead on my word count, that is. *heads off to write*