OK, this isn’t you. Maybe you’ve had a nonstop adventure-filled summer. But between the high points, summer can be ... boring (and chock full o’ bugs). However, it seems like beating boredom is easier for girls.

For instance, a guy looks in the mirror and sees something on his nose. But to many girls, a mirror is a portal to time-killing possibilities! Why not color your hair to look like your favorite ice cream flavor? Plus, find and cut every split end, paint and glitter nails into mini works of art, pluck eyebrows, braid and rebraid your friend’s hair, open a home spa! Within hours a girl can have purple hair, a makeover and be a foot taller.

A guy’s version of the above might equal:

I decided to shave my head.

I found some paint and made my arms orange, just cuz.

Two Are Better Than One
Two girls in the same house can magically stay entertained. They can re-read a magazine 15 times, have a “Chick Flick Emotion-a-thon,” use a ream of paper writing their boyfriends’ names over and over, take 1,200 self photos making fish faces, choreograph dance routines and sing to any song in the world—including drum solos—then experiment in the kitchen. (HINT: Batter will be everywhere.)

Two guys in the same house will probably leave the house (unless there are video games).

Here’s the scary part: When girls are out of ideas, they look for a victim. (“Let’s dress up your little brother like a princess!”) I guess guys find victims, too, but they ignore siblings. Pets beware. (“Check it out! I put a propeller on my cat!”)

Actually, guys get creative once they’re outside. Sure, hours can be spent:

• throwing rocks at a tree.

• throwing rocks at a bigger rock.

• throwing rocks and tree branches at each other.

But some guys can take a screwdriver, lawn gnome and some staples and make anything.

Steve (to friend): I’m bored. Let’s go outside.

(5 minutes later)

Steve: If I slide down the roof on my stomach, I’ll hit that ramp, fly into that rotating tube, then onto the motorcycle you just built out of my sister’s Strawberry Shortcake roller skates!

Here’s the downside. The longer some guys are bored, the greater the chance something “unfortunate” will happen (missing teeth, missing foot, missing house). Plus, guys will tow ANYTHING behind ANYTHING, and that towed object usually becomes lots of small broken objects.

Something Better to Do
Of course, guys and girls beat boredom with junk food. This omits anything with “All Natural,” “Fiber” or “Vitamins” on the label. But girls may eat cookies or chips, while some guys try everything at once.

Ray: I crammed these cheese puffs between two cookies, covered them in chili, wrapped it all in ham and deep-fried it! I call it “The Meal Ball.”

OK, boredom isn’t fun. That’s why it’s boring. But hang in there—you’ll be back in school soon, surrounded by friends and activity. And remember, some of the quietest moments are the best times to pray, journal and hang out with God. Now that will transform you way more than the dye that turned your hair purple.