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Wednesday Today in Geography we had a quiz, and I have to say, I've been looking forward to this one for a long time. The quiz was on state capitals, and I sit in the back of the room, right next to this giant map of the United States. All the capitals are written in big red print, so I knew I had this one in the bag. But right before the test got started, Patty Farrell piped up from the front of the room.

Patty told Mr. Ira that he should cover up the United States map before we got started. So thanks to Patty, I ended up flunking the quiz. And I will definitely be looking for a way to pay her back for that one. Thursday Tonight Mom came up to my room, and she had a

flyer in her hand. As soon as I saw it, I knew exactly what it was. It was an announcement that the school is having tryouts for a winter play. Man, I should have thrown that thing out when I saw it on the kitchen table. I Begged her not to make me sign up. Those school plays are always musicals, and the last thing I need is to have to sing a solo in front of the whole school. But all my begging seemed to do was make Mom more sure I should do it. Mom said the only way I was going to be "well-rounded" was by trying different things. Dad came in my room to see what was going on. I

told Dad that Mom was making me sign up for the school play, and that if I had to start going to play practices, it would totally mess up my weight-lifting schedule. I knew that would make Dad take my side. Dad and Mom argued for a few minutes, but Dad was no match for Mom. So that means tomorrow I've got to audition for the school play. Friday The play they're doing this year is "The Wizard of Oz." A lot of kids came wearing costumes for the parts they were trying out for. nkledc. I've never even seen the movie, so for me, it was like walking into a freak show.

Mrs. Norton, the music director, made everyone sing "My Country' is of Thee" so she could hear our singing voices. I did my singing tryouts with a bunch of other boys whose moms made them come, too. I tried to sing as quietly as possible, but of course I got singled out, anyway. I have no idea what a "soprano" is, but from the way some of the girls were giggling, I knew it wasn't a good thing.

Tryouts went on forever. The grand finale came with auditions for Dorothy, who I guess is the lead character in the play. And who should try out first but Patty Farrell. I thought about trying out for the part of the Witch, because I heard that in the play, the Witch does all sorts of mean things to Dorothy. But then somebody told me there's a Good Witch and a Bad Witch, and with my luck, I'd end up getting picked to be the good one. Monday I was hoping Mrs. Norton would just cut me from the play, but today she said that everyone who tried out is going to get a part. So lucky me.