Dootsie Pringle says we're all just human beans

“We were once so fresh, a dazzling snowfield. Let’s promise to each other that if we ever meet again we will never plow and push our new-fallen snow. We will not become slush. We will stay like this field and melt away together only in the sun’s good time.” - Stargirl

It's true. Star people are rare. Reading Love, Stargirl was probably the best decision I could have made coming into summer. About five years ago (wow) I read Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl, not expecting any major feelings to come out of it. And to be honest, the thoughts of that non conformist girl who was unhappy with her blah name really didn't have an impact on my way of life. When I was in eighth grade, I thought it was great that the main character was cool enough to change her name unofficially and set up her own personal picnic area during each separate class. But it didn't really hit me until probably last year when I revisited the idea of Spinelli's fictional Star person. I am so relieved that I am not just like you, or you, or even you. I am me. (really, kim?) I am so happy that I don't own designer labels just to be like other girls. And I'm happy that I am creative enough to think of my own ideas. For cereal. This sequel book is so incredibly inspiring. I read it in a matter of only a couple of days. I've never done that with a book before considering how slow I read and how I feel it is necessary to digest almost every word on a page. But this book was slightly different and written so well. In a series of letters to Leo, Stargirl wrote for the duration of a year to the boy she fell in love with. She talked about her five year old best friend, Dootsie, who went as a square waffle for Halloween and won best costume in the "festibal'. Stargirl spoke of a possible new fling with Perry, the poor thief with piercing blues and a mysterious presence. For months, Stargirl's main goal was to create real time using spatulas and the sun in preparation for the Solstice to cast a tiny beam of light.

At one point, Stargirl was given some great advice from Betty Lou. She was told that "today is calling to you, trying to get your attention, but you’re stuck on tomorrow, and today trickles away like water down a drain. You wake up the next morning and that today you wasted is gone forever." If that advice doesn't apply to me 104%, then I don't know what advice does! God damn, I should really take these words and run. Run 2 hours north. I need to just go, right Betty Lou? Because if I keep considering what tomorrow might hold, I'm going to spend all my time not focusing on what today could hold. It's just that every time I think about possibly doing (I'm Hamlet, remember?) something that will kick this situation into high gear, I think about what might go wrong instead. It's the opposite of what I want. But similar to the agoraphobic Betty Lou, I'm also slightly afraid of an unfamiliar environment. I've become comfortable in this safe place of mine because it's basically all I know. So venturing out into back alleys, places I've never been before will just send me into a fit of squeals (and twist waving). Fortunately, Betty Lou took her own advice and left her house after nine long years of seclusion, so I have faith that I will grow a set very soon and spill my beans. That sounds nasty but it's not. Plus, it's very possible that he could be my Leo. My star boy :)

I wish there was a third installment of Stargirl. I'm not done reading about her eccentricities. I'm not done comparing her actions to things that I've done, or would do as well. A lot of people I run into who have read this book say how amazing it is. It's true..it's pretty damn fancy. I think as a result of this, I'm going to start a happy wagon where I put pebbles in it (I'll try not to take any out) when I'm super happy. Amen to being unique. Keep it up! here here. cheers. shalom!

IN 12 HOURS FROM NOW (8:05 a.m.) I WILL BE A NINETEEN YEAR OLD FRUIT LOOP!