04/12/01
"GET OUT OF THE CAR!"
Those were the words screamed by Melissa on Tuesday afternoon just before a home track meet. As you
may have heard she "involuntarily dismantled" her air bags according to the Rotpac site. Picture it...
Tuesday at 3:00. Melissa, Kendra, and Sara were just chillin in the locker room eating some food and
listing to some phat tunes. The radio leaves, and so too the three girls. They chat merrily as they make their
way to the lovely (still in one piece)car. The time now is about 3:03. Starting the engine Melissa and
her unfortunate fortunate passengers. Everything was going smoothly until just before Brandon Tire.
It was then that an un-named Brandon senior decides it's time to pull out with out checking to see if
Melissa would stop for her. Guess what... She didn't. 3:09 Melissa slammed on the brakes
in vain effort. The next thing the girls knew the airbags had inflated, and white scorching powder was
everywhere. "Get out of the car!" Melissa yelled, not knowing what else to do. Her logic at the time was:
"After accidents people get out of the car." This yell woke Kendra in the passenger seat and Sara in the
back out of their "I can't believe this just happened!" trance. Kendra and Melissa got out of the car.
But as Sara was making her way from the back seat they all heard a grinding noise (from the parts that
were supposed to be under the hood dragging under the tire). The car has started up again and is moving
forward. Melissa has to dash for the door, get back in the car and put it in park. Sara meanwhile was lying
treacherously in peril, 1 foot in the car, 1 foot out. It was then that what had just happened hit the girls as
they were helped by an incredibly nice and sweet lady. Mr. Lamphere arrived to drive the car out of
the road, followed by the police, followed by certain members of the track team, including Lauren
who graciously emptied out much of Melissa's car for her, Coach and Jon, followed by the worried
parents. The un-named senior was at fault for not yielding, and got the ticket.
Injuries sustained: Sara- Shaken up a lot. Kendra- Shaken up a lot, swollen left check and eyelid
area and sore nose from airbag impact. Melissa- Shaken up a lot,
sore nose, burns on both arms from airbag powder.
For pictures and car damage click here

04/08/01
A COLD GOLDFISH FARM DAY
Saturday many Rotpac members went out to Ann Arbor to learn and work at a race.
Yes, it was cold, Yes there was something fishy, Yes it was on a farm.
The weatherman lied when he said it was supposed to be nice and sunny. The only time it was
sunny was when I was taking a nap inside my warm house. There were also a few fishy moments.
Not only were the girls eating goldfish on the way home
(cheddar flavor! ), but an overbearing strange woman showed up who wanted to run the finish line.
Complicating the situation she served as a valuable lesion in tolerance for most around her.
Now to the farm part. The race was in the domino farms complex. Alas there was
no free domino's pizza this race. However, the members had fun trying to figure
out which flag was from which country. The ride home was the most interesting part of the day.
We got directions back to Waterford, but there was construction and our ramp was closed.
We took the detour but it set us back about 20-30 minutes.
The driver Ashley Solley, and her trusty side-kick navigator Melissa got
to the Waterford area safely and soundly. All and all I think the day turned out to be a success.
We even found an alternative to Joel for those days you just can't live without being late!
It was an exciting, enlightening, and trying goldfish farm day!
"A new day, a new journey." -Melissa

03/25/01
MEIJERS IN THE MOONLIGHT
On Friday after making an impromptu stop at the book depository at the library
Melissa was seen making her way along m-24 to the Meijers in Oxford.
"I went to see the legendary Saunders women. They are noted for their beauty and intelligence.
I'm sure you've read about them in the ancient Greek and Roman works."
At Meijers Melissa found her way to the art isle and bought her first oil paints.
"I don't know how to use them, but i'm going to attempt it." She cautiously stated.
Don't expect too many master pieces to be created in the Runstrom household any time soon.
Why is there nothing to do after 10pm in the Ortonville-Clarkston-Waterford-Auburn Hills area?

03/20/01
CANADAIN BACON
This past Sunday Coach, Kara, Jon, Ashley, and Melissa decided to skip town and go to Canada
Despite warnings from local police about outstanding warrants they were able to
successfully cross the boarder. They got into their scuba gear and swam across the river
right under all the boats. "There was a slight tingly sensation and I glowed a bit from the radiation.
I can't wait to cross it again!" Reported Jon. Among other things they swam past several
dead bodies tied to cement blocks. "Yeah, I knew the route because it's where I've hidden 8
of my victims. Oh wait, are you writing that down? Umm, here take this suspicious looking
green liquid. Don't worry it's not really rat poison. It's just mislabeled." Melissa said before
this reporter ran away as fast as I could. Once in Canada Melissa stole doughnuts and
peach juice. She also became very excited when it was realized the apple juice label was
written in both English and French. They crossed the border back into the U.S. posing
as American runners on their way back home.
What the boarder officials didn't know was the unclaimed Bagels and donuts being hoarded in the van.
Congrats to Kara, Ashley, and Coach

03/13/01
WALKING (Uh... FALLING) ON WATER
On Friday evening a group of people went ice skating. Making her
public ice debut Melissa ended up falling a record number of times. By the end of the night she was
on pretty steady legs, tripping (but not falling) only once on her last time out. The whole
ice skating extravaganza was hilarious for all spectators present.
Eventually though, with the fortunate help of Melissa's friends she "kinda" could skate.
She wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who
made it possible for her to survive the evening. The evening was concluded
with dinner, and being followed back by Dave's car. In which the windshield wipers mysteriously
turned on, as well as his high beams on the drive home. The evening turned out to be "Fun!"
to quote one member of the party.
Bruises, Bruises, Bruises

02/27/01
TURKEYS ON THE NET
A recent development in the "Turkey DisTasters" case has revealed the truth.
The web hackers are apparently turkeys. Yes they have feathers and beaks. The question to
ask now is: How do they type? It seems that they took one of those adult education typing classes.
They can type at a remarkable 59 words per minute! Questions about how the "DisTasters" got
into the Rotpac site are still unanswered. Investigators are doing all they can to track these
criminals down. The authorities have gotten a description of one of the suspects. He is
about 1 1/2 feet tall, with brown feathers. He is pigeon toed, and speaks
almost flawless English. Though his French could use some help. Authorities are asking
if you see the suspect to call the local police department. More news on the
"Turkey DisTasters" as it becomes available.
What's for dinner?

02/25/01
WHO WOULD DO SUCH A THING?
Yesterday the beloved Rotpac website was hacked! Who would do such a terrible thing?
It seems that a group acting out in retailation for the lost turkey of Novemeber is claiming responsibility.
Investigators have yet to confirm this information, but at the mention of the turkey all
eyes were cast downward in a moment of silent prayer. The unit is still shocked at the tradgedy
of the November kidnapping. "And to think, we even had the ham to go on!" One man cried out shamfully.
There are no other suspects in the case besides the self named "Turkey DisTasters". "We were
going to go with the "Turkey Tasters"," reports one member. "but while flashy, it just didn't make
sense considering our goal for a world of Turkey free crime."
Lost? Review news stories from November to understand the situation better!

02/12/01
WEEKEND NEWS!
This weekend some amazing events took place which will shape human endeavors for years!
First the NASA probe sent merely to take pictures of an asteroid beat the odds by actually
landing on the asteroid surface. This weekend was also full of earthbound scientists celebrating as
it was announced that the human genome has been mapped out- Twice! Finally the most shocking news
of the weekend. Cannibalism is in. This taste grossed a record turnout for an opening weekend in winter.
All of these things will have a major impact on the human clones that lead
a guilt free existence of cannibalism as they explore the Milky Way.
All 3 in one weekend. Coincidence? It's the clones taking over the planet!!!

01/21/01
UPDATES SOON!
While at a Hollywood party someone asked Melissa what plans she had for her website.
Reportedly she replied by saying that she was currently working on new pages, and updating the old.
"I have big plans. I will archive everything, redo my MainPage, and make my site more
navigable. Right now I'm trying this new HTML generator to get started, so I don't know
when it will be done." She is of course referring to her design process where she begins with
a generator and ends up writing her own HTML.
Check out contest winners at "Cool People"!

01/2/01
WE HAVE A WINNER!
The contest judges have reached a decision involving the Twelve Days contest.
The official winner of the contest is Kendra! However there was only a five to four
majority. Therefore per official rules Coach also wins. This decision was debated for
many days before any choice was made. Then, one hour before the announcement was to be made
a young intern found the clause in the rules allowing a 2nd winner.
"I'm very happy for all the contestants- I mean winners!"
Melissa told me before passing out from the excitement. Prizes will be awarded soon.
Website to be updated soon!