Ch-ch-ch chaaaanges!

This is a Kookaburra.
And this pic will make sense in about 5 paragraphs.

Summer is flying by, and pretty soon there will be some changes around here. Alas, I (Abby the Intern) will be flying back to Los Angeles to go back to school shortly, and the blog will be changing hands. The VERY talented and totally fun PAB (Peer Advisory Board) members will be taking over from here. But don't fret! It is well known that teens are wayyyy more creative than grown-ups anyway, so the blog will be even more rockin'.

Also, Teen Link will likely be hiring a new Outreach and Education Specialist to accompany Eric on Youth Suicide Prevention Presentations at schools around King County, so we'll keep you updated on any awesome new Teen Link Staffers we pick up.

Okay! Moving right along into the fun stuff:

• Want late-night food but you're sooooo sick of Denny's? Thought so. Try this: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/restaurants/2009613568_deal07.html?syndication=rss It's the Tako Truk on Eastlake and apparently it rocks.
  

• If any of you like the Rascal Flatts: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/musicnightlife/2009620368_rascal08.html?syndication=rss They are playing in Tacoma October 29th, but tickets are going on sale right about...nowish.

• And, here's a review of G.I. Joe: http://movies.nytimes.com/2009/08/08/movies/08cobra.html?partner=rss&emc=rss Just in case you still want to go, I would just like to take this opportunity to remind you that movies are about $10. That's a lot of tacos at the Tako Truk. And if you don't see this crappy movie, all you have to do is NOT go see about 4 more crappy movies (and not doing things isn't hard!) and kabam, you got yourself an ipod shuffle. Just sayin.

• Last but not least, this is kind of a chuckle. http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/08/07/easy-crowd

Being bored is for math class, not for August

If you're bored right now, well, first of all you shouldn't be because you're reading the Teen Link Blog, duh! :P But more importantly, you shouldn't be bored because there's lots you could be doing!

MOVIES

Such as seeing one of several movies out right now, like The Cove, Moon, Funny People, Thirst, or anything except The Collector. Reasons to go: air conditioning, free parking, and wayyy cheaper than shopping.

MUSIC

If you're into music, here are some totally amazingly awesome-possum options:

You could buy tickets to the Flaming Lips on Friday, August 21st, or just try to win some here. If you've taken statistics or probability and aren't feeling particularly lucky, go with the Ticketmaster route.

There are also FREE concerts presented by Concerts at the Mural (in Seattle Center) for your enjoyment: http://www.kexp.org/events/muralconcerts2009.asp

A Bob Dylan concert, and a Pixies concert coming up.

BUT NOT...

Pretty much, you should do anything and everything while you still have the summer free, EXCEPT having unprotected sex, despite the claims of this ridiculous study: http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/08/03/unprotected-sex-good-for-something

Happy August!
Teen Link

Thursday is the new Friday

This article: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=four-day-workweek-energy-environment-economics-utah suggests that working only 4 days rather than 5, but for the same number of hours, is better for workers and for companies. But what if 4 days are better than 5 for schools too? The schools wouldn't spend as much on buses, lunches, and operating costs, and the students would have another day off to sleep, catch up on homework, get exercise, etc. What do you think?

Happy Monday

Hello, Teen Link fans!
First off, thank you for reading the blog and being a supporter of Teen Link. Without you and your interest, Teen Link would not be able to continue to be the nonjudgmental, anonymous help for King County teens that they need. That being said, here's some stuff you might like!

First of all, the Sunday barbeque that never involves any barbeque went off without a hitch, except for a little cookie/brownie stealing by the intern on Monday when she realized there were leftovers...


Congrats to the Teen Link graduates, and enjoy your SUPER SPIFFY water bottles!!!

In other news...
If you haven't heard of Teen Tix, it's this really cool program that lets anyone ages 13-19 get $5 day-of-show tickets to stuff like museums, plays, concerts, etc. that usually cost wayyyy more. Here's a website that has some details.
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/408232_teentix18.html?source=rss

Owning a gun is a big responsibility. You have to get a license, you have to know what you're doing, and be 21 (in washington) but if you're set on the idea and just can't wait any longer, here's a link to a gun that you can safely sleep with under your pillow :D
http://www.thinkgeek.com/geektoys/plush/bbcd/

Also, you're invited to the Food and Fact Fair at Gasworks Park this Friday, the 24th. We'll be there from 11:30 - 3, and there will be tons of booths with all sorts of resources for Seattle-area homeless youth.

Too Much Good Stuff

AMPM? No. The news today is just mind-blowing, and you deserve to have your mind equally blown...to blow your mind too...to...mind blowingly also see...the news....

Nevermind.

6% of people think the Moon Landing was false? Really? Will someone PLEASE comment and explain why anyone would believe this? Conspiracy theories are awesome, but...for real?
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2009471839_moonhoax15.html?syndication=rss

Seattle is the BACON CAPITAL OF THE US!!!! How did this happen? 2 weeks ago Seattle was the vegetarian hippie bicyclist capital of the US...I thought...
http://seattlest.com/2009/07/14/seattle_is_the_bacon_capital_of_the.php

Go delete 200 of the facebook friends, or else...you won't....be...popular?
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/brainstorm/200901/facebook-friends-too-many-too-few

Why the guy at the blockbuster insists on making fun of you for renting Bring it On 2. You KNOW its not avant-garde post-modern noir, ok? Shut up.
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200906/field-guide-the-snob-some-it-haute

Thank you Captain Obvious. Apparently, teens care about what other teens think of them. No sh**, Sherlock! But, for that guy in your class who insists he still doesn't care what people think, throw some scientific evidence in his pierced-up face. Then ask him if he's seen Bring it On: In It to Win It.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/157782.php

Why do I not have a vacation home in space yet? Hurry up. We launched another rocket-ship! Woot!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2009/07/16/GA2009071602233.html

OK so there were a few other totally awesome things I ran accross today, but they're up on facebook. http://www.facebook.com/s.php?ref=search&init=quick&q=Teen%20Link#/pages/Teen-Link/48263009859?ref=s

Love,
Teen Link

Ooooohhhhhhh! Free Stuff!!!!

Thanks for checking out the blog! If you're here for the giveaway, just scroll down and check out a post that seems interesting. When you're done, just email tlintern@crisisclinic.org with the title of your favorite blog post, along with your name and phone number. We will randomly choose one of the entries and mail you your SUPER sweet prize pack with:

• A neon green TL frisbee (you'll NEVER lose it)
• 2 TL lip balms (they're spf 15! neato!)
• Soon-t0-be historic, discontinued TL stickers
• A TL poster
• A bunch of Where to Turn for Teens booklets
  

Just don't forget to send the email, because we'll be choosing a winner Monday.

*This giveaway is not open to current or former TL volunteers*
Good luck!

Is this normal...or what?

These days people our age are so stressed out, it seems like worrying about college apps 24/7 or feeling so anxious before a test that you get nauseated is normal. But how do you know when your anxiety is normal and helpful or part of something bigger, like maybe an anxiety disorder?

This article outlines what's considered normal and what's not. The article states,

"The components of problem anxiety include the physical responses to the anxiety (such as palpitations and stomach upset), distorted thoughts that become a source of excessive worry and behavioral changes affecting the usual way one lives life and interacts with others. Left unchecked, problem anxiety may lead to an anxiety disorder."

Obviously, the last thing you want when you're already anxious is to start worrying if you have an anxiety disorder, but if you're feeling totally overwhelmed, it may be time to talk to a doctor or a counselor. You could even call Teen Link! :) (866) 833-6546

Here are some more links that might be helpful:

http://panicdisorder.about.com/od/faqs/f/NormvsProblem.htm

http://gad.about.com/od/symptoms/a/top5fromnormal.htm

http://gad.about.com/od/symptoms/a/ptsd.htm

If you're pretty sure you don't have problem anxiety, but are still stressed out over work, friends, parents, grades, etc. try some of these helpful stress-reducing tips:

• Get a good night's rest.
• Eat healthily.
• Listen to your favorite music.
• Exercise, participate in a sport or engage in fun activity.
• Plan out your time and prioritize.
• Talk to a friend about your problems, don't hold it in. (Blogger's note: if you don't feel like you have someone to talk to, you can always call Teen Link.)
• Get a massage.
• Take a nap.
• Take a warm bath. Use lavendar-scented candles or body wash to help relax you even more.

Read a book or watch TV.

Hope this helps!

Love,

Teen Link