The Evolution of Courtney

[from Feb 2007]

Every so often I get to thinking…and I think about how in this incredibly short length of time–less than seventeen years–I have completely changed. Every aspect of me has changed…I’m not even made up of the same body cells (or whatever that is…I’m no scientist). I am an entirely changed being.

Just think of the prospects…in another seventeen years I could do a complete overhaul of myself yet again! Sure, I probably won’t do much physical growing, but mentally…my god! Imagine!

After the end of this school year, I will probably not see many of you very much again…if ever. You won’t notice my gradual changes, because I won’t be around. But search me out, within a few years, or seventeen years, and see what I’m like…I want to know! How have I changed?

Life is…odd.

Ron Silliman’s Poetry Reading

[In October 2007, I attended a reading by the poet Ron Silliman, whose blog you can find here. This is a short paper I wrote in response to his talk and prior reading.]

Ron Silliman’s presentation following his poetry reading was a detailing of the evolution of published poets since the 1950’s. I found it an interesting topic for a poet to speak on. I expected something more along the lines of Silliman describing the reasons he writes the way he does (although he did answer that question at the very end, it was not a part of his actual speech), or maybe an in-depth analysis of one of his poems/excerpts. Instead he talked on the social aspects of poetry in relation to the steadily expanding network of publishing poets.

Ted Kooser Poetry Reading

When I walked into the auditorium at Ashland High School, I was rather surprised to see just how quaintly the stage was set up. The podium had an old-fashioned look to it, with intricate swirling carvings on the sides, there was a side table next to it covered in a piece of lace, of all things, and in front of the podium was a basket filled with a gaudy flower arrangement which did not match the presiding theme whatsoever. I was put off, and more so when Ted Kooser walked up to the stage and announced that he lives in rural Nebraska. I assumed that the evening would be filled with boring reminiscences of his childhood on “the farm,” or tedious, generic observations of prairie grass blowing in the wind.

Oui Wii Love

Written 1-2-07

With the introduction of the new Nintendo Wii game console, an effusive uprising of puns having to do with a certain part of the male body has occurred. Gaming nerds across the nation (and even in other nations) are lovingly spewing puns right and left, with effulgent and entirely blissful looks on their faces. It’s rather, if I may say, a fun trend.

First there was one type of Wii gamer: The one who was eagerly awaiting the new system and its supreme magnificence. After awhile however, the humor of the console’s name set in and the general gamer dichotomized into

The Homicidal Printer

Written sometime in ‘06

My family bought a new printer the other day, because our former one, nearing ten years of age died finally. Which I was thankful of, because the printer was beginning to act like a stubborn pet. It worked, but one had to put one sheet of paper in at a time, while it slowly considered if it should gobble up the paper or not . . . and this was a problem if I was printing out something over five or ten pages long. I was convinced that the obviously possessed printer would usurp my body and claim my life if it wasn’t taken care of soon. I was about ready to send the stupid thing on a permanent hiatus when suddenly it just clean broke.

The big day came when my dad bought the new printer at Costco, the Hundred Dollar Store. When brought home, the printer seemed

The Obligatory Anti-War Rant

Written 3-14-06

I am somewhat of a cynic, especially when it comes to my views on war. I believe that wars are started mainly for the benefit of certain influential individuals, though intentions may be disguised as “what’s best for the country.” Politicians and leaders involved act disingenuous when asked to explain their reasons for pursuing war. They have ostensible explanations for many things, and one can never properly determine what is truth and what is skewed. One example is our current President, a deeply religious man, who seems to have made a covenant with God to try and take over random countries in Asia. Why he feels this need I can only

Observations on Posture

Written 1-19-07

If there is one thing that shows what a person thinks of him or herself, it is the way they carry themselves. I believe that there is a tacit understanding among all mankind on how to treat a person based on one’s physical attitude. Vocal communication is the most direct and obvious way to learn what someone is like, but sometimes simply studying people’s bodily manners can reveal even more.

In the highschool environment, the most obvious mannerism is the flirty attitude.

Licorice Tea

Written 3-7-06

Slowly I poured the boiling water into the mug, watching lovingly as the water strained into the cup and through the loose tea, filling the mug to the brim. This was my newest obsession: licorice tea.

My dad has been very into loose tea lately. I’ve always gone for tea bags, which are far easier to use, but one day I decided to see what the big deal was, and opted for loose tea. Loose licorice tea. Best choice I’ve ever made. One wouldn’t think so, but it’s

To Draw or to Write? That is the Question.

Written 4-25-06

To draw or to write? This very moment, with paper placed in front of me, holds a decision. Between which of two arts will I choose? Yes, I have already began the process of writing but still I could revoke my decision. There’s nearly an entire page of blank space to exert my artesian energy upon. How shall I express myself?

To write. Though I dearly love artwork in the drawing or painting form, the music I hear when pen-point connects paper is closer

Teenage Trials

Finished 3-13-07

I have construed the reason of why teenagers never get enough sleep. Consider this: most teenagers wake up (often in a very disgruntled state) sometime between five and eight in the morning to go to school on week days, and usually arrive at school between seven and nine in the morning, depending on which school they attend. Unless, of course, they have Senioritis (those sophists who have a perfect excuse for every absence) and do not arrive until sometime in the middle of the afternoon when everyone is at lunch.

Then after a long day at school, many kids have activities or sports they must participate in for several hours, which

Utopia

Finished 9-21-06

I do not think a utopia is possible (at least in this world as we know it). It’s defined as a “system of perfection,” but how many times has it been said that being perfect is boring? Many, many times.

Possibly every single human desires perfection. One of life’s key goals is to do everything the best and have everything the best that it can feasibly be. But one needs to stop and look around. There is no perfection,

Why I Adore Franz Ferdinand

Finished 3-14-07

Many of you may (or may not) know that my all-time favorite band, excluding The Beatles and The Doors, is Franz Ferdinand. What you do not know is the extent of my love for them. I discovered them shortly after their first video, “Take Me Out” was released and I had seen it on television. I was instantly captivated, not only because of the fun and interesting way the visuals were set up, but by the drastic changes in tempo and the way

Telemarketers: Annoying or Just Simply There?

Finished Fall ‘06

What is the purpose of telemarketers, those scourges of the Earth? Disturbing one’s peace by abruptly calling for absolutely nothing useful whatsoever? Do they enjoy it? Do they find it exhausting? I personally think telemarketers should be hauled away by the wagonload and fed to bears.

Sometimes I will be sitting at home on a quiet afternoon,

Tanning and Teenagers

Finished 6-5-05

Thousands of teenagers go to tanning parlors all the time, simply to look “hotter” or to create the impression that they’ve spent a week in Florida. This not only applies to teenagers who are eighteen and older, but also to minors. To practice this routine is horribly dangerous, and the only positive thing about tanning is your appearance after you’ve tanned, which only lasts a short time anyhow.

Firstly, tanning itself is very risky, whether or not you get it done “naturally”

Amateur Authors

Finished 11-20-03

Five years ago, it was a rare occurrence when a child under the age of fifteen wrote and published a novel. But now, one reads almost every week of someone of that age doing that. Is it simply because adults respect younger people more, or are kids just becoming better writers?

However, most of the books I’ve read by children or teens are filled with boring, unfinished sentences, or have their idea not properly developed. And this is how a young person
does write mostly. Because they did not have the proper teaching, or not enough

How Not To Get Lost and/or Destroyed in Seattle

Finished 5-30-05

When in a large city such as Seattle Washington, you have a great chance of getting lost or destroyed, even if you try to be careful. In fact, it’s nearly inevitable. Especially if you get chased down the street by a posse of people wearing Jedi costumes and chasing Stormtroopers, lightsabers a-blazing.

First off, you have to make absolutely certain that nothing distracts you in your trek about the city. Some major distractions can be very….distracting. For instance, if you

Seating Arrangements–the Cons

Finished 5-4-06

Although I love my school dearly (in most cases), there’s one very minor policy held by many teachers that I would like to see changed. That is the seating arrangement that most teachers assign to each class. I personally find it inconvenient and annoying.

I was always of the opinion when I was younger that highschool students were able to choose their own seats when they walked into a class. As I entered freshman year

My Mother

Finished 4-27-06

My mom is one of my best friends. Most teenage girls shun their mothers at this age, but that’s not the case with me. Even though I have friends from school that are wonderful (although admittedly, in some cases it’s easier to deal with certain things with people my own age than with my mother), I would trade them all in an instant for my mom.

Probably the reason why I’m so close to my mom is because I’ve spent my entire life with her after all, and there’s never been any huge rift between us. I’ve never felt any

The Poisonwood Bible…Thoughts on Orleanna

Finished 10-26-06

Orleanna is, in my eyes, an internally strong woman, despite the submission she showed outwardly towards her husband. At the beginning one thinks that Orleanna is stupid for not leaving her husband when she could, despite the mental and physical harm he does to his family. But as the book progresses, one can see just how Orleanna’s choice to stay with her husband has affected the family, in good or bad ways.

In the beginning of the novel, we see that although Orleanna is certainly liked more

Perceptions of Nudity

Finished 10-6-05
[Some opinions may have changed since then]

The common perception of nudity in our modern culture that we have is one related to sexual topics. For teenagers, nudity is classified by adults as “bad.” Any mention of it is often quickly skimmed over, and really, it’s mostly ignored, despite its prevalence in life.

Personally I think nudity is a beautiful thing, if treated and looked at right. There are two types of nudity; erotic nudity, which is often associated