As much as I love the summer, and all the free time I have, one of my faaaaavorite things is going back-to-school supply shopping. The second I step into Office Depot and smell the plastic-y freshness of brand new binders and Sharpie retractable highlighters, I’m instantly in heaven. However, I don’t exactly get the same vibe of excitement coming from my mom. As I’m running around the store trying out every office chair and looking for a new laptop, she’s over in the “kids” section searching for markers, folders, and number 2 pencils…boring! She always tries to convince me that we need to “stick to the necessities,” but I have a different idea of what I really need for Fall 2010. Here are some of my favorite online picks.

A safe for the top of my desk. I cannot have anyone taking my favorite supplies.

The best pen you will ever place your fingers on. Makes my handwriting look like I am a TRUE professional.

Binders with zippers are the ONLY way to go. You don’t want anything falling out. This one has a built-in calculator, which is sweet, along with plenty of space for business cards, cell phones, etc.!

Finally, the laptop bag. I have to keep up my grown man image, therefore, although the ninja turtle backpack is ideal, I think I may have to step it up this year with this classy bag.

To make mom happy, I will let her buy me the traditional sticky notes, pencils, pens, markers, paperclips, and scissors, but one day she’s going to have to realize that a working man needs the proper supplies to accommodate his success!

So  I’m about halfway through summer, and I don’t want it to end!  The endless free time, swimming days, camps, cute girls, and ice cream eating has sent me into a three-month fantasy land that I never want to leave!  I know everyone can’t have as much fun as me because I get to hang out with Charlie all the time, so I want to give you all MY top five list of fun things to do this Summer!

Here they are…

1.  Convince your Parents to Take you to Wild Waves in Washington! I promise you won’t regret it!  This place is awesome…There is a full water park, water rides, and thrill rides that are all SO fun!

2. Have a Lemonade Stand.  This is a GREAT idea!  You get enjoy the summer sun while making money!  I’ve come to find that if you’re extra nice to the customers, they’ll give you extra tips.  I made enough money to take my secret crush out to lunch, so I wouldn’t have to ask Mom for more lunch money.

 I usually charge more than 25 cents…

3. Best Outdoor Toy of the Summer: The Banzai Titan Rocket Blast.  Mom said she wouldn’t buy me one because it’s “too big.” (It’s ONLY seven feet, she’s crazy.)  Thank goodness I have three friends who have one!  It can reach up to 100 feet in the air!

7-foot rocket

4.  Go on a Long Bike Ride: I do this at least twice a week.  Try this cool trick:  put a soda can on your back tire while you’re riding, and it makes your bike sound like a motorcycle–I swear it works!

5. Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt:  Create a list of things to find and/or do around your neighborhood.  For example, the first one could be to find something white and plastic in the street.  You have to get creative!   Gather at least  four friends together, and divide yourselves into teams.  Whoever can find everything on the list first wins!

I know there are billions of things you can do to keep yourselves occupied when you’re not in school, but these are my five favorites for this summer so far.  I’ve come to find that if I’m doing something outside, whether it be swimming, hiking, rollerblading, playing soccer, or drawing charlie horses on the sidewalk with chalk, I’m always having a blast!

I get so mad when my Mom doesn’t let me do what I want. I run a fun random radio station but my bed time during the week is 8:30pm?! Come on Mom, that’s not even late enough to go to a weeknight concert. Humph… Even on the weekends my bed time is 9:30pm. During the summer when I want to play outside, it’s still light out outside when I’m going to bed. That’s not right! I’ve spoken to my Mom about this many times but there’s no budging.

Recently I asked Mom if I could have a Big Brother or Big Sister and after she stopped crying from laughing so hard and tried to explain “the birds and the bees” I stopped her and explained a BIG brother or sister. You know, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America! My neighbor Chris has a Big Brother and his name is Jacob. He’s really cool! Chris and Jacob do fun things together all the time like go fishing, go to a movie or just shoot hoops. Mom is still thinking about it but if you’re a responsible adult that has some free time, you should sign up!

Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest has started a BE the difference campaign. It’s a 100 day (June 17 – September 25) initiative that aims to bring 500 new friendships to children in the Portland and Vancouver metropolitan area. Now Big Brothers Big Sisters Columbia Northwest needs your help in finding Big Brothers and Big Sisters who can make a difference in the lives of our local children.

In our own lives, each of us was touched by someone other than our parents, someone who broadened our horizons and made a difference. By becoming a Big Brother, Big Sister or Big Couple, you can do the same for a child. You will both be forever changed by the experience. Being a Big Brother or Big Sister means being you, developing a friendship and sharing the best part of yourself. It means a chance to see the world -and be seen through fresh new eyes. No matter where you are in life right now, being a Big Brother or Big Sister is something you’ll look forward to. It will be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. For more information about Big Brothers Big Sisters, contact Heath Berg at (503) 249-4859.

So you might’ve heard me talk about my Velcro Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle wallet a few times and that’s because it’s my favorite and I’ve never seen someone else with the same one! Mine looks a little bit like this one without the chain and mine is, of course, Velcro.

But now there’s something else that I want! I want it really, really bad! Mom, please!!! I’ll be the coolest kid in the office. Even cooler than Matt Lee, the most attractive man in the office.

She smells so good and always looks so pretty…. I think I know what it feels like to have a crush on someone! Your stomach has the same feeling when you’re on a roller coaster going down a big drop. I invited her to all of my meetings these past few weeks but her boss complained to me that she was too overworked and she would glare at me during those meetings while I was staring into her blue eyes. I don’t get to see her as much anymore and it’s making me want to start sucking my thumb again. I think I might ask her out for lunch, but she’ll have to drive. I’ll just ask Mom for more lunch money that day! Here is a picture of her….sigh…..

I want to be like this man, Jim Cramer, when I grow up! A mixture of him and Donald Trump but the looks of Brad Pitt….yeah, perfect! 97.1 Charlie FM is a part of Entercom so I like what he’s saying even more.

I love working for Charlie FM! Sometimes I get to meet some really cool people and I work with a bunch of awesome people. Well there’s this one girl and I think I have a crush on her…. She’s blond, smart, funny, pretty and she makes my stomach turn whenever she talks to me. I work with her almost every day and she works in the Promotions and Marketing department for Charlie FM. I really like her but I don’t know what to do now. Do I ask her out? She’s a lot older than me and I’m not even sure if she’s single…. I think I’ll start by inviting her to meetings that she doesn’t need to go to so I can see her more. I’ll keep you posted and SHHH!!! Don’t tell anyone!

Charlie, Charlie Girl, Charlie’s Mom and Charlie Horse are keeping me so busy! I need you help with Charlie’s Random Facts. Every couple of days I change the Random Fact at the top of our web page. See it? scroll up….see it now? Please help me by finding some fun random facts that I can post to our site! If it’s an awesome fact I’ll post it to our web site and even give  you credit. Plus you’ll get a free pound of See’s Candies.

Click here to submit your random fun fact! Thank you for your help. Now I just have to figure out how to get permanent marker off my picture of mom…thanks Charlie Horse….

Since I’m the Charlie FM General Manager I would like to do an annual State of the Charlie Union address every year, beginning now, just like the President.

Charlie FM Listeners,

Thank you Charlie, Charlie Girl and Charlie’s Mom for being here tonight. Thank you Charlie FM listeners for staying loyal to your favorite Hits radio station. The listeners matter here in Charlie Town so that’s why we have our All Music Workday from 9am to noon every weekday. Plus we have our new Club Charlie every Saturday night from 6 to midnight for all of you club goers and par-tiers. No longer do you need your ipod for your house parties or cd’s for you cab rides, just turn your radio dial to 97.1! We are even awarding prizes now to our listeners every morning at 7:15am for My Charlie Awards. We will forever be your radio station without all of the talk but with all of the great prizes! Thank you and God Bless Charlie FM!

Do the competitors get a rebuttal? nah….

My mom said I get to stay up until midnight this year on New Year’s Eve! It’s the only night of the year that I get to stay up past my bedtime and I am totally going to stay up past midnight. My mom laughed at me when I said that and said Charlie doesn’t even stay up until midnight but I’m going to try my best! I asked mom what we’re going to do all night and she sent me to this web site: http://www.ehow.com/how_7146_celebrate-new-years.html

I’m even more excited now!