Cool Stuff That Floats

         A great way to beat college boredom is camping.  It's free (if you go to the right places), you can bring as many friends as you want and it's available in almost any place you go to school.  I'm a big camping fan: you don't have to worry about proper hygiene, you don't  have to drive once you get to the campsite, and who doesn't love campfires and s'mores?  With all these potential camping trips in my head, and nothing else to do (other than study) I began to browse the internet for cool tubes.  I prefer to camp right on the river (or any body of water) and with pool season about to start I've decided to compile a list of some the coolest floating things you can purchase online.  Feel free to add any you've found that I might not have.

1: Floating Beer Pong Table

It's seven feet of inflatable fun, it comes with removable trays to stick the cups in and it's ready for any drunken,  water-logged fun.

2: Remote-Controlled Floating Drink Tray

Too lazy to get up for that drink?  In the perfect position for a good tan and don't want to ruin it?  Is your drink on the other side of the pool?  No sweat, just press a few buttons and the grown up version of a remote control car will bring over your drink for you.

3:  Cabana Island

This massive float holds up to six people and comes with a bonus cooler so you won't ever have to leave the water.  Perfect for laying out all day without worrying about the burn.

4: Life-Like Crocodile

Ever wanted to chill in the water on a crocodile? Well now you can, it may not be super comfortable, but it sure will freak out your friends, and isn't that worth it?

5: MP3 Lounger

That's right, an MP3 playing water float, big enough to comfortably seat four adults.  With a water-proof speaker system and cup-holders, plug your player in and let the float do the rest.  It's also available for six people.

6: Water See Saw

I'm a fan of anything made for children adjusted for adult use; a teeter-totter that goes on the water is one of the more clever ways I've seen that happen. Just climb on a rock away. I'm sure if you swing hard enough, you could easily do somersaults, unlike its land-based counter part, just make sure you're in deep water.

7: Glowing Beach Ball

Being the least expensive item on this list, I'm already a big fan of it.  I can remember long nights of pool volleyball, but this makes it even better.  It glows, it rolls, you can smack it or throw it at your friends and it's nighttime friendly.

8: Two Person Tube

Not only is this perfect for floating down a river for two friends (I mean look how happy those people look) but it also has a cooler built right in.  Now you don't have to worry about tying an inflatable one to your tube (or worse, a Styrofoam one you shove in the tube next to you), the drinks are right within reach.

9: Trampoline

A trampoline on land is fun enough, so it's hard to imagine how great they are when placed in a body of water.  This one is eleven feet in diameter and has a ladder to help you get up.

10: Iceberg Climbing Wall 

No floating toys list could be complete without something completely outrageous and over-priced.  This floating iceberg is 20 feet tall, and if you're skilled enough to make it all the way to the top, the reverse side features a smooth slide to rocket you right back down to where you started.

The Inevitable Job Hunt

      Ok, so I caved.  In an effort to fight my boredom, especially the mundane early weeks of classes when everything is back in full swing and yet nothing seems to be going on, and the course work hasn't crescendo-ed either, I decided to get a job.  (Ugh, I know).  But no worries, I'm not looking for anything serious; I certainly don't want a career (I'll worry about that after college, which I like to block from my mind entirely).  My first day on the hunt was demoralizing to say the least.  Apparently, all applications are online!  Don't get me wrong, I'm a strong proponent of the internet, as a means of convenience and learning and all that jazz, but how am I supposed to make a good impression when I'm a face-less, personality-less application in a sea of others?!  I would much rather go and fill out one in person, that way they can see what a great personality I have (or act for them).  After being told by so many places to go online, I got slightly disheartened and went home to wallow in my bed with defeat.

       The cherry on top was my friend announcing that she had successfully snatched a job at a fancy dining establishment.  Thanks, really needed that comfort (or I guess I should say 'motivation').  With a new outlook, and a very long Sunday before me, I went out in search again.  This time I had done my homework (I've gotten quite good at that, since I've spent my whole life in school) and made a list of all the places in my area that did not accept online applications.  I also breezed Craigslist (one of my favorite fight-boredom sites) and looked for local job postings.  There wasn't much to be found there, but it did help (and pass the time).

       And lucky me!  First place I went hired me on the spot, without even interviewing me.  See how well in-person impressions can make??  The only problem is that I will only be working roughly 6 hours a week (that's two micro shifts per week) and I won't be bringing in the bank by any means.  On a positive note, it'll pass the time (not much of it, but oh well) and I'll make a tiny enough income to spend it on other things to fight boredom (because isn't that the name of the game?)

       So my brief job search is now at a close and I'll be off on the next chapter of fighting boredom.  Be prepared for something crafty!

Feel free to share your job hunting experience, or maybe your view on online applications?