July 2007 Archives

I know many of you will be disappointed to hear this – I know, because I DO read my comments – but I was unable to compete in the Riverdale Talent Contest.

So many things went wrong that night that, in retrospect, I think I wasn’t SUPPOSED to sing – probably because I would have beaten Reggie miserably, and he DID have his heart set on winning.

What happened to me? I’ll tell you. First, I tripped on a little seam or something in the pavement as I was walking through the fairgrounds, and I broke the heel off my brand new shoe!  That’s never happened to me before!  So, I hobbled through the crowd with one high heel and one flat, and this kid walked by me with a cloud of BLUE cotton candy and – you guessed it - she got it on my skirt! What a mess!

By the time I got THAT cleaned up, I was running late. I hurried up to the stage and the Talent Coordinator said, “Where’s your accompaniment, Miss Lodge?” And, without thinking, I said, “Archie has it.”

Well, I completely FORGOT – Archie wasn’t part of the group anymore. I was doing a SOLO and HE still had my music!!! So, at the last minute, I withdrew from the competition. I’m sure everyone was disappointed, but there’s always next year.

I’m heading to the Mall. I hear there’s a SALE!

(((Hugs)))

Ronnie

I’ve decided to do a solo in the Talent Contest tonight because, frankly, Archie just wasn’t cutting it.  He’s adorable, but I personally don’t think his voice is as strong as it was the last time we sang together, and I certainly DON’T want him to embarrass me on stage!!!

I have my outfit picked out. I know how I’m going to wear my hair, and I’m going downtown for a manicure NOW. I am NOT going on stage with chipped nails!

That rat, Reggie, sent me a gift this morning – a big red TOMATO with a note that said, “Dear Veronica, Good luck in the talent contest. I hope you don’t see any of these flying at you! Love ya, Reggie.”

I hear he sent one to Ethel and Dilton and everybody else entered, too. I know what he’s up to; he’s trying to psych us out so we’ll mess up! Well, it won’t work on THIS girl!

Wish me luck!

Ronnie

(this is where the drumroll goes….) Mr. Weatherbee!!!

Riverdale High’s FAVORITE principal OF ALL TIME drew the winning straw in last night’s Judge selection at Pop’s. He’ll be reading all the entries for last week’s Story Starter, Blind Date. This should be fun!

Good Luck!

Veronica

So, now that I’m going to be singing ON STAGE in front of the WHOLE TOWN Saturday night, I’ve been practicing in front of the mirror. Reality check: How we sound is important, but nothing’s more important than how we LOOK!

You know what I’ve discovered? I’m SLOUCHING! ME. Veronica Lodge. I think it’s from carrying school books around all year… and then I had to wear that clumsy leg brace last week. Anyway, I can’t believe how FRUMPY I look when I don’t stand up straight! AND get this, I actually look heavier than I really am!

Why didn’t Bets tell me?  Oh well, now I know.  And I’m working on it. I hope YOU’RE not slouching, too!  Better check :)

Love,

Ronnie

It’s me again --  reigning teen fashion icon Veronica Lodge here to give you the lowdown to the hottest late summer trends. This summer, smock dresses have been all the rage. But this look can be difficult to pull off, and if not done correctly could leave you looking frumpy and unshapely. So how do you make it look fabulous, you ask? Simple. Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize. Pull in the sides of the dress and pin a stylish brooch on the front to show off your waistline. Nothing too flashy though, maybe something antique or old fashioned. Or you could throw on a vest or light scarf to add some layers. Another option is a rope belt and long necklace. And never forget about the shoes! A little heel can go a long way, but nothing too crazy with this look. However, I prefer this style with some funky flats.

Another trend making a huge splash, especially as the cooler season approaches, is pencil skirts and boxy shaped tops, The skirt should be past the knee and form fitting, but not so tight that you can’t walk. The top should be loose but not overly baggy, reaching just at your hip, and have three quarter inch sleeves. Solid colors work great, but if you are going to choose a top with patterns, horizontal shapes would pull the look off best, along with square cut or straight neck lines. Airy sweater-like tops are ideal. Skip the flats for this outfit, and keep the jewelry simple.

Well, that’s your fashion expert advice for now. Now go knock ‘em dead, girls! ;)

(((Hugs)))

Veronica

I’ve been reading your comments after my last two posts and I totally agree - I am DEFINITELY better off WITHOUT Marc in my life!

So, now that I have all this free time, I’ve been wondering if it’s too late to join the band? Everyone’s been asking me if I’m going to sing with them Saturday night. I’m thinking… You’re guys are right. I SHOULD join the band.  They NEED me!  I can’t wait to tell them… I’m sure they’ll be thrilled!

I’m gonna call Archie.

(((Hugs)))

Ronnie

Click to read the Judges' decision!

Oooh! I am livid!!! 

I was online a while ago and I saw Marc was online too, so I IM’d him. Some GIRL IM’d me back. She said she is Marc’s GIRLFRIEND!!! Apparently, Marc was paying the pizza delivery dude when my message arrived.

Anyway, I said, “Excuse me? My name is Veronica and I am Marc’s girlfriend, thankyouverymuch!”

And she wrote back and said, “Oh, you must be that little girl he met in Hawaii. Marc told me about you. He said he felt sorry for you because you wrecked your bike and hurt your leg. How are you feeling?”

She was treating me like I was 9 or something! So, I wrote back and said, “LITTLE girl? ME? Not hardly! I think you’ll want to see this…” and I sent her a picture Betty took of Marc and me at the luau.

I didn’t hear from her after that. Not one IM.  I’ll bet I won’t be hearing from Marc any more either!

There, I feel better now.

Love,

Veronica

I think something must be wrong with Marc. Last week, after Bets and I got back from Hawaii, I was getting like a dozen or more messages from him EVERY DAY!  He’s back home now and yesterday I only heard from him twice. Maybe he’s sick; you know how airplane air can be – maybe he caught a germ or something. Bets said I shouldn’t worry. It’s probably nothing. We’ll see…

Archie called me the other day and said he wanted to get the Band back together. Something about playing in the Riverdale Talent Contest… but that’s just soooo high school. I am ready to move on to more sophisticated activities. So I told him no. He sounded a little disappointed, but he’ll get over it.

Time to send Marc another message.

(((Later)))

Veronica

Bets and I thought the crowd of prospective judges might be smaller this week, because so many of our friends are on vacation. BUT the crowd at Pop’s was HUGE!

So, you know how this goes, we all drew straws to see who gets to judge Week 9’s Story, Girl-zilla. And the winning straw went to:

MOOSE

Congratulations, big guy!! You’re gonna be a GREAT judge!

(((Hugs)))

Ronnie

It’s Thursday -  Time to start a new Story Contest! Click the Story Starter button in the sidebar to read this week’s Story Starter.

Comments for last week’s story, Girl-zilla, are now closed.

It’s mid-July and you’ve been bombarded with images of ultra skinny models with bronze, streak-free tans, wearing the season’s latest fashions and looking absolutely perfect! And you feel fat and ugly.

Okay, I can’t relate to this problem, BUT I talked to Midge, Nancy and Ethel and they said Body Image is a BIG DEAL for them, especially in summer. (I tried to talk to Bets about this while we here in Hawaii, but she was too busy splashing in the ocean to pay attention.)

So, my advice to ALL my bloggy sisters out there is this – IGNORE the ads. Remember, those girls are air-brushed, surgically altered, and professionally handled. No way are they REAL WORLD!

Now get out there and have fun!

(((Hugs)))

Veronica

Since Bets and I returned from Hawaii, I’ve gotten 9 emails from Marc! He’s still in Maui with his parents; they’ll be going home Wednesday. He said, “the beach isn’t the same without you, Veronica. How’s your leg?” Isn’t that sweet?

I’m glad I’m back home… but I really miss him…

(((Hugs)))

Ronnie

by Veronica Lodge

I finished reading all the stories for Week 8: Author’s Choice on the loooong flight back to Riverdale last night. There were TONS of original stories… and they were FANTASTIC! 

I was really tired, but I decided to read just one more story before I took a break. It was called, The Hero Without Any Powers. So I read it and I thought, Oh great, a sci-fi story – one that doesn’t have ME in it ANYWHERE! How wrong is that?

And then I went to sleep on the plane. And I dreamed about THIS STORY. I could see EVERYTHING – the sets, the costumes – you know, like I was a cinematographer or a movie director or something!  It was soooo VIVID in my dream and it had this great film noir look to it… and a little bit of the sci-fi giant ant classic, THEM!

What can I say?  Pureheart the Powerful, I LOVED this story! YOU are the winner for Week 8.

Thank you for ALL of your stories – every single one of them. We’re going to have an Author’s Choice Week once every quarter, so if you’d like to resubmit your story next quarter (when it's Author's Choice Week)  PLEASE DO! They were ALL winners in my book!

(((Hugs & Kisses)))

Ronnie

I met the CUTEST BOY last night at the luau! He’s tall and he has blonde hair and he’s going to college in the fall to become - are you ready? - a doctor! He wants to help people. Isn’t that sweet? And I thought this trip wasn’t going to be fun… Silly me!

He’s meeting me for lunch today. Bets can’t be there – darn ;) – she’s going horseback riding. I have no idea what to wear.  I think it’s time to visit that cute boutique I spied in the lobby.

Wish me luck!

Love,

Ronnie

Hi, Story Writers!

It’s Thursday! You know what that means – yeah, it’s time to start a brand new contest. Click the Story Starter button in the sidebar to read this week’s Story Starter!

Yesterday, I took my laptop to the beach so I could begin reading all the stories submitted for our Story Contest: Week 8.  I was in the middle of the 3^rd story when two little kids ran past me and kicked sand all over me AND my computer. It got down inside my keyboard, so I decided NOT to take it to the beach anymore. 

Instead, I printed out all the story submissions – you know, on paper.  Do you know how many pages your stories filled up? 217!!!! That’s practically a NOVEL!

So today, I’m taking the first 50 pages with me to the beach. Hey, I can’t carry them all! I’m doing okay – thanks for asking. I look reaaallly wretched wearing this leg brace with my swimsuit, and mostly I just sit on the beach and watch Betty have fun. Yesterday she went snorkeling. Today, she’s taking surfing lessons.

And me? I’m reading…

(((Hugs from Maui)))

Veronica

P.S. Tonight we’re going to a luau. Should be fun!

Greetings and Salutations to All You Essayists!

I must say what a challenge it was to scientifically select the winning yarn this week.  You all know how I love a challenge. 

It took me 40+ hours to build the spreadsheet in which I downloaded all the pertinent data from the marvelous narratives you presented to me.  I calculated length, proper usage of words, including but not limited to the “WOW” effect.  I also took into account characters used delineated by their dialog.  This, of course, was all part of a formula that the probable quantum winner could be selected from. 

Anyway my computer’s hard drive crashed like a Big Dog from input overload, so I just read the stories and here is the one I like the best. With no further ado…

…the winner is Meg.

Meg, I really enjoyed your story and I’m sure if my computer would not have crashed it would have picked you, too.

Carpe diem,

Dilton

Summer is the time to go with a bright bold nail polish – you know, something really FUN. I’ve seen everything here on the beach in Maui – hot pink, coral, red and one really horrible shade of blue (worn, unfortunately, by an older woman who should have known better than to paint her toenails blue!)

Be careful when choosing a color for your toes. You don’t want it to clash with your sandals! Have a fun, colorful summer.

(((Hugs)))

Ronnie

So, I was sitting by the pool this afternoon and, if you want to know the truth, I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I mean, I wouldn’t be going to Hawaii in this brace IF ONLY I hadn’t wrecked my bike Wednesday!

So, I was feeling pretty down, when all of a sudden, Smithers came out onto the patio - with ARCHIE! He was carrying a little box – wrapped, mind you. The paper had tiny bicycles on it! Do you know what was inside?

A bell for my new bike! One that goes – CHING CHING, so that I will NEVER have an accident again!  Archie cares about me! Isn’t that SWEET?

We’re going to the movies as soon as I get back.

Gotta go. I have some last minute packing to do.

Bets and I are leaving bright and early TOMORROW MORNING for Maui!!

Love,

Ronnie

I just realized that I’m going to Hawaii – WEARING A LEG BRACE! I can’t swim! I can’t snorkel! I can’t ride a horse! I can’t hike! I can’t DO ANYTHING!

This is going to be the crummiest trip EVER!

(((   :(     )))

Ronnie

You’ve probably ALL heard about my accident by now. YES, I’m fine. At least I will be in a few weeks. It all happened so fast! It’s just a blur.

Anyway, the most horrific part of the ENTIRE event was waiting for my doctor at the emergency room! I’ve never seen so many people who were obviously not ready to be out in public! Seriously.

I was in pain, upset, I ripped my new biking pants, my mascara ran, I had twigs in my hair – BUT STILL – I was the best looking person in the entire ER yesterday! People, BEFORE you leave the house in the morning, take a few minutes to comb your hair, put on some makeup and some deodorant (pleeaaasssee!!!) You know - LOOK YOUR BEST! 

You never know where you’re gonna end up!

(((Hugs)))

Ronnie

Hey, all you Week 6 Contestants!

Sorry this announcement has taken me a little longer than I’d like, but I’ve been helping Ronnie get all geared up for the big Tour De Riverdale later today. I love Ron – don’t get me wrong – but you all know how time consuming a friend like Ronnie can be! ‘Nuff said.

Moving on to the exciting stuff: I LOVED judging the stories for Driving With Ethel – it’s the most fun I’ve had all year and I realized that I might want to become a Story Editor one day – maybe for a magazine… or maybe even Archie Comics!  

This decision was really tough – I couldn’t believe how many creative ways you found to tell about Ethel’s MISADVENTURES behind the wheel! I could have written a half dozen stories for this one myself – all based on personal experience, mind you – I took Driver’s Education with Ethel last year - YIKES!!!

The story I chose was written by Maha. AND IT WAS  HILARIOUS!!! Congratulations, Maha - You WON Week 6’s Contest!

I want to encourage ALL of you to KEEP WRITING STORIES and SENDING THEM IN!  I speak for everybody in Riverdale when I say –

They Are Great!!!

Hugs & Kisses,

Nancy

Our travel agent just dropped off a packet for me which contains – OUR ITINERARY FOR HAWAII!!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for voting to send me to Hawaii on vacation this summer! I LUV Hawaii – haven’t been there since I was 13, so this should be a blast!

Bets and I leave Riverdale airport at 6:05 am. I know, that’s really early, but it’s a very long flight. I have so much to do!

Gotta shop…

Gotta pack…

Must call Bets…

Oh, and on top of THAT the bike shop called. They’re delivering my bike later today.  What an exciting week!

(((Summer Luvin’ Hugs)))

Ronnie

I just read Archie’s new post – the one where he talks A LOT about Betty and doesn’t mention ME ONCE!

Memo to Archie:  Of COURSE Betty looked HOT – she was wearing MY birthday gift!!!

This little bike thing Archie’s organized – I think he’s calling it the Tour De Riverdale - seems like a big deal to him, so I WILL be right there with Bets riding with him.  Oh yes I will! 

My new bike will be in TOMORROW! I can’t wait to see it. I don’t actually know what it looks like because I left all that up to Nancy and the bike clerk person. But I DO have 6 new biking outfits that are sooooooo cute. Archie’s gotta notice ME!

Gotta run. I have to pick out which outfit I’m going to wear for the bike thing, then I’m off to get a manicure to match.

Happy Monday!

(((Hugs)))

Ronnie

Well Hello to all you fabulous writers!

Judging this contest was one of the hardest and most enjoyable things I've ever done.  I wish EVERYONE of you could win because all the stories were incredible.  They all were very very funny, too. 

But before I tell you WHO the winner is, I want to invite you to stop in my shop whenever you come to Riverdale. You'll get a free shake - flavor of your choice – because you are ALL winners in my book!

Here goes: The winner for Week 5: The Big Zoo Boo Boo is..... Hilda

Even though all the stories were great, YOUR story, Hilda, stood out as the best. Congratulations!

Pop Tate