Summer is here. The long awaited wondrous months of sun, or we hope, of beautiful weather, again, we hope, of sleeping till 4 and…well, nothingness. This nothingness is not the case for all of course; some have long plans of holidays in exotic countries, or of work that may result in money or advantages in the future, or both. But for the unlucky some who only know they have some three months off, here’s 10 thing you can do, 10 things you can mix and develop and alter to make the summer more memorable or, at least, less tedious, plain and long.
(1)Start a conversation with 10 different people
At the bus stop, in the library, in Tesco. It can be a simply ‘Enjoying your day?’ or ‘Good Morning’. How much you say can change from being friendly and making a lonely old woman smile or making a friend at a party. This may seem pointless but mixed with another point can at least give you some interaction with the rest of the world.
(2)Take the 10 O’clock train to anywhere
Early train for time, post 9a.m. to save money on off-peak hours. Just get on the first train, the cheapest train to wherever it is going, get off and spend your day there. Make it somewhere new however far or close from home, just somewhere different. The day doesn’t have to magnificent nor grand, do it alone or with friends. Just get on a train, discover a new city, maybe you’ll find a second-hand store like no other, maybe you’ll find a new hobby. Get on, get off, walk and see what happens.
(3)Quit a bad habit
You can at least try. Be it smoking, or nail-biting or procrastinating. Change it for something more valuable. Every time you want a cigarette do a few push ups, every time you allow yourself an hour before you do something, then invent some sort of punishment (not allowing yourself alcohol or chocolate that night) that will stop you the next time from procrastinating, give yourself rewards (cheesecake or a pair of shoes that you really wanted…).
(4)Have sex in 7 different places
Be imaginative. Be stupid, risky, daring. Do it where you might get caught, or where you just shouldn’t. Do it in different positions, different hours, different cities; in the open, in closed areas, in public (but not too public) and private. But remember: be safe.
(5) Create something.
This has no ground rules; it can be simply writing a screenplay or story. It can be fixing an old car or the garden or building a shed. You can make dresses if you can sew, or just through an elaborate party that will take a long time to plan and mix drinks during the night to create a new drink.
(6)Cycle to Paris…
or, anywhere that’s quite far or just new. A new root you never took because of familiar ways or get the bus or train to the countryside and cycle there, enjoy the picturesque scenery and beautiful weather. If you’re fit and cycling is nothing new then make it a sponsored cycle for charity, that way you’ll do something good and need to train, giving your summer structure and purpose. If you’re not fit then it’s a great way to get fit and travel in a different way; and if you can’t cycle, then run or walk (and read point 8).
(7)Read a book
This of course fluctuates; if you don’t like reading and only read books because of school than reading one book is enough, if however you read a books frequently then give yourself a target. Change the topic, find new authors; explore, experiment, challenge yourself. ‘“The habit of reading is the only enjoyment in which there is no alloy; it lasts when all other pleasures fade.”
(8)Learn Something New
Learn to cycle, or knit. To draw, or a new language or an instrument, learn to cook, to swim or to drive. You can even learn about a subject, a country, culture or religion. It’ll occupy any free hours of the day and it can be done in so many different ways that it won’t get boring and long (if you’re creative enough).
(9)Watch a Local band
Go to a local club or pub on a weekday and listen to local band, however small or obscure, maybe in a few years they’ll be the new Backstreet Boys (what? I’m a 90’s kid) or maybe you’ll just spend a night in a quaint pub with a few friends listening to someone amazing or…well, crap. You’ll find something new, maybe meet new people, maybe find out about other gigs or events that you’ll enjoy more. This can be adapted to watching a small, local play or going to poetry reading. It’ll either open a whole new adventure or be a cheap night out that can be repeated and enjoyed.
(10)Do not fall in love!
Do not do it. Stay in bed all summer but don’t fall in love. It may make the summer days sweet and the nights fun but think long term, think of coming back to Hull in September and leaving them behind. It’ll mean facing early morning seminars, long lectures, workshops, group work or essays while pinning for someone far. It’ll distract you, ruin your nights out and mean spending all your money travelling back and forth just to see them for a few hours. Don’t be a romantic, be a realist. This is of course, unless you live close to Hull then fall madly and head-over-heels in love…if you can.
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