"Help! I'm so bored!" Bored to tears? Well, quit your cryin'. These sure-fire boredom busters are built to rock and revive every snore-worthy sitch!

Girls' Life, April-May, 2004 by Jodi Bryson

Sometimes a gal gets so bored she can hear her hair grow. It's not like anyone plans to be bored but, unfortunately, boredom can have a way of tracking you down. Like, you get grounded. Or, after school, on days you don't have much homework.

Tons of scenarios can bring on snoredom ... which is why you need GL. We've identified the top blah-breeders and devised surefire ways to turn 'era around. Be bored no more!

A SOLO SATURDAY NIGHT

Your BFF has plans. You don't have a date. There's no school event. The big deal of the eve? Staying up to watch Mad TV. Wow, right?

DO! TUNE IN TO THIS SCREEN

The boredom barometer peaks on weekend nights, because it feels like everyone else is out doin' cool stuff. Saturday's your basic "date night," which makes the solo thing seem like even more of a drag. Stuck at home? You could do chores (yeah, right!), dig into a juicy novel (why not?) or ... just turn on the PC. But don't search Benjamin McKenzie fan sites! Instead, Google curious news, like weird-but-true stuff. Doubt you'll find out for sure who shot JFK, but you'll be the coolest conversationalist in the caf come Monday!

Don't TUNE IN TO THIS SCREEN

Trapped in a reality-show trance? A few hours of network TV can make a girl feel brain-dead. If you simply can't drag yourself away from the tube, at least tune in to AMC or PBS. Or rent a DVD. Try a classic romance like the amazing Casablanca. You've seen it, right?

Grounded ... Again

You did the crime, now you're doin' the time. Nothing worse than being on restriction. Leaving the house? Definitely not. Phone, video game or computer privileges? Probably not. A total waste of a night? Actually ... not!

DO! PICK UP A MAD NEW SKILL

Being grounded stinks--can't argue with that. But house arrest can be the perfect time to get into something new that you've never had time to check out before.

Like to doodle? Prop yourself in front of a mirror with a bunch of pencils, and try a self-portrait. Musically inclined? Break out that acoustic guitar that's been collecting dust in the hall closet, and teach yourself some chords. The folks probably won't object to a quick trip to the library, so check out some instructional books. Hey, you can rock out for free (with the door closed, of course)!

Or be the next Iron Chef! Cookin' dinner for the faro could even score points with the parents. Leaf through some cookbooks, and whip up something out of the ordinary. Heck, you could learn the difference between an etouffee and a souffle. See? It can even be educational.

Don't GET MAD AND DO (AGAIN) WHAT GOT YOU GROUNDED IN THE FIRST PLACE

Didn't do your chores? Got a way bad grade on an exam? If it was chem that got you shackled, would it hurt to study a little? If you've been bagging on your share of the household chores, why not buff out the bathroom?

Anything is better than sitting in your room staring at four walls! Let your efforts change that mean lady back to Mom. Show her that you've realized the error of your ways.

After-school Action

School's out ... and that equals roughly three to five hours of personal freedom. Don't squander it, sister!

DO! REMEMBER THAT THERE IS LIFE AFTER THE DISMISSAL BELL

If your parents work kinda late, going straight home can be ultra-dull. Even if someone's home, showing up right after school can mean getting wrangled immediately into homework or (ugh!) chores.

But after-school is when the action happens, and if you don't take part, you're missing out on the fun. So why not, say, sign up for an afternoon hip-hop class at the rec. Shake it like a Polaroid picture, baby!

If you like games but can't stand the thought of (ew) sweating, hit the library with friends instead. Most have stacks of awesome board games like Trivial Pursuit. Some even have normal-noise areas where you can play away without having to worry about your BFF's big ol' mouth.

Don't FORGET THAT A GIRL'S GOTTA EAT

Maybe you're the kind of gal who just likes to hang out, no strings attached. Diners that serve a standard menu of coffee, burgers, fries and blue-plate specials offer comfy booths along with their comfort food.

Talk the gang into going for sodas and loaded fries. You guys can gab about who likes who or what everyone's wearing Friday night. Find a diner that welcomes a permanent posse, then be polite and tip well. But you already knew that!

The cash-poor plan

No cash can mean your last 10 bucks or--no jokin'--nothin'. Either way, it adds up to no options for a bored gal. Or does it?

DO! BECKON YOUR (POSSIBLY) NOT-SO-BROKE BUDS

This week you're broke--next week it's your BFF. But just 'cause one of you is flat doesn't mean two should suffer!

Be resourceful. This is a great time to mall-crawl for freebies! One gal can cover bus fare and sodas; the other can scope out the best sample-ample makeup counters. Make like you're considering a new eye shadow, and you'll be golden.

Don't BELIEVE YOU'LL ALWAYS BE BROKE

One of the fun things about broke days are the elaborate daydreams they inspire. Please, finish this sentence: "If I had $100 right now, I'd--." What? What would you do? Cash-poor times are excellent for making money plans.