Young Writers Project is a creative, online community of teen writers and visual artists that started in Burlington in 2006. Each week, VTDigger publishes the writing and art of young Vermonters who post their work on youngwritersproject.org, a free, interactive website for youth, ages 13-19. To find out more, please go to youngwritersproject.org or contact Executive Director Susan Reid at sreid@youngwritersproject.org; (802) 324-9538.
If the heavy (and perfectly magical) first snowfall of the year this Nov. 1 can be taken as an augury, we’re in for a doozy of a winter. Vermont skiers and boarders, rejoice! Let’s just hope none of us break down on the way out to the slopes. Just in case, this week’s featured advice columnist, Sam Kraemer of Tunbridge, has a list of wholesome suggestions for how to pass the time as you wait for that hypothetical tow truck you called — yikes, going on two hours ago now.
Five things to do if your car breaks down in a snowstorm
By Sam Kraemer, 15, of Tunbridge
As a proud Vermonter myself, this is something I have experienced several times: You’re driving along, and then all of a sudden you’re sliding off the road, or a barrage of fluffy, frozen crystals become blinding. The worst part is always the boring minutes that feel more like hours spent waiting for the storm to pass or for AAA to arrive. This is a guide made for use in these situations. However, some of these can be adapted for use in other times of extreme boredom.
I. Play games. Games are great for time-passing. If your luck has improved, then you’ll be sure to find cards or perhaps a board game in the depths of your car’s arsenal. If you happen to not be so lucky, then just play a bored game — meaning, a game you play when bored. Games like 20 Questions, I Spy, or geography games are excellent choices.
II. Wonder about the potential for a snow day. If you have ever gone to school in a place like Vermont, then you know the feeling of hoping for a snow day. If it is snowy enough to stop your car, then there is a good chance of an upcoming snow day. In this age of extreme technological advancement, we have tools like the “snow day calculator” to pique our anticipation. But just talking about what you would do will do just fine. However, you might want to do this in moderation, as too often school districts disappoint, and all your hype could be for nothing.
III. Play in the snow. This requires certain conditions to be met. You must have adequate winter attire and be on a side road. But if these conditions are met, then this could be the most fun of all from this entire list. Build snow forts, throw snowballs (though be careful to avoid injury … or not), surround yourself in a pillow of frozen goodness. So many good memories come from snow. Why not make more to pass the time?
IV. Talk. This may seem a little basic, but a good conversation can take one’s mind off anything. Any topic will do. Some of my favorites are sports, music, and current events – anything that is not your situation, because keeping your mind on your predicament will have a negative effect, the opposite of what you’ve intended. Also, don’t get so deep in conversation that you miss the AAA truck!
V. Use humor. Probably my favorite. Make jokes. If you’re stuck in a snowstorm, maybe make some snow jokes like, “Why was the snowman sad? Because he was having a meltdown.” But really, any jokes can work. Some more of my favorites (for those who can’t come up with any):
— “I burned a thousand calories in one hour yesterday. That’s the last time I’ll leave a large pizza in the oven for too long.”
— “I gave up my seat to a blind man on the bus. That’s how I lost my job as a bus driver.”
— “I was wondering why the Frisbee was getting bigger, and then it hit me.”
