Bus Stop Outside A Window

...“I shouldn’t even be here right now. If you say you’re going to meet at eight you should have been here at eight! I knew, I just should've known he was going to do this to me. I mean every single time he does this. Its raining, I don't have a umbrella and I’m talking to myself. This is just great; just perfect” he said. Jackson anxiously paced back and forth behind the stop sign at the end of Mackabee Lane. The street lights flickered on and off and through his damp lashes he peered at his cell phone to see if Nick had called yet. As he took his thumb to wipe off the rainwater from his screen he heard a girl scream. He could tell the window was open by the way the curtain kept moving. The silhouette of woman appeared. Jackson stopped and stood there soaked and impatient. He could hear the woman’s conversation very clearly and looked around to see if anyone saw him eavesdropping. She shouted “ Please don’t tell him where I am here, this would just destroy my family. Please just keep it to yourself. Remember you promised me that this would remain between the two of us”. Suddenly a husky voice responded “I wont but the longer you wait to tell him, the worse it is going to be for the both of us, he will never accept this but I don’t blame him”. A streak of lightning lit up the sky and Jackson suddenly remembered that he was still waiting on Nick to arrive. The voices of the two people became a mere background noise to the pouring rain. He once again checked his phone but the glare was so huge he couldn’t even see the names in his address book to call his friend. “ Huh, where is he. I’m a good friend he says, I will be there he says. But guess what he isn’t here”. Struck with boredom and idleness Jackson began to tightrope the sidewalk with both arms to keep himself balanced. As he looked up he saw a shadow at the end of the street, “Nick” he called out, but the figure slowly disappeared. Jackson through both hands on his head a let out a sigh of frustration. As he peered upward toward the sky rain drops came crashing down on his face. Squinting back into the window he heard the woman say “ This is the last time I promise”. In to which a man replied “You said that the last time, look we both know you’re never going to stop; you can save that “trust me I can change” speech for son. Seeing as though he is the only one who stills cares about you”. She shouted “you have no right to bring him up, I’m going to get better for him, and I’m going to go back home…to my family”. The man laughed hysterically “Family, what family as far as you are concerned we are your family now, heck, you have been here for almost month besides I give you what you need”. Quietly the woman responded “I don’t need drugs”. The husky voice once again chuckled “Sure you don’t, now go close the window the rain is getting in”. The figure drew closer and pulled the curtains. Jackson quickly moved behind the stop sign to not be seen by the mysterious woman. As he peeked around to look at her he gasped and slowly said “Mom”? Behind him a car honked “beep,beep,beep“. Jackson walked lifelessly to the car and got in. Nick said “I’m sorry I’m late but look man I’m not going to keep sneaking out of the house every night to look for your mo-. Jackson cut him off and said “don’t worry, I already found her”.

"Unsex me here, From the crown to the toe, top-full of direst cruelty..."

      Lady Macbeth's argument for her to be unsexed is to be totally understood by every woman who is living here on Earth or who has ever lived on this planet! Woman, since the beginning of time have been looked at as inferior to men. Especially, when it deals with the capability of strength! Lady M. feels as though she cant do the "deed" of killing Duncan because she is a female. I personally believe that if she wanted to murder the king so badly then she COULD have done it herself! If you really think about it she posses the same things as Macbeth in order to kill a person: two hands and a dagger! If you ask me Mrs. Macbeth just didn't want to have the blood on her hands,  literally and figuratively!

The Truth

      Within the chapters of the novel, Grendel, by John Gardner, each character begins to uncover their truth. I would specifically like to focus on the truths of King Hrothgar. He has come to the realization that he has aged and the strength he'd once obtained in his youth is no longer prevalent. The only power he has is his mind. The town he once had big hopes for is now in shambles and because of him being in the position of hierarchy he is wearing a giant target on his back for marauders seeking both his gold and his "crown". Its one thing for him to accept that his life is taking a turn for the worse but its another for him to realize that he is ruining the life of his wife. In his words,Wealtheow, "need not have withered her nights and wasted her body on a bony shivering wretch...[she] could have served a more vigorous man". Although she may not speak much or communicate with Hrothgar she is very aware of his troubles. She knows that he doesn't want jeopardize his fame, he yearns to be remembered past his days on earth, he is resentful of his aging years and his search for peace has led him to "no final prospect but failure".The king has definitely uncovered his truth.

Your Inner 'Wulf

BY: COURTNEY R.

Beowulf, a creature of many aspects ,that quarrels with both fiends and his ego, who, in this world could ever compare to such a being? Hmm, I know, the American teenager. No we don't slay animalistic creatures but we do battle with our own demons. Some may come from the outside world while others can lie dormant in our household. However, we obtain the strength of Beowulf to endure these challenges. Just like him, sometimes we have to learn the hard way that our actions have reactions. Something that might've sounded like a good idea at the time might turn out to be a HUGE mistake. Of course killing Grendel was great but little did he know the rest of his family would be after him to avenge the death of their loved one.
Teenagers as well as Beowulf have an immense amount of self reliability. In our minds we can do and/or figure out everything on our own. We are often are misled to believe that we don't need any one's help. For example, adolescents usually ranging in ages of 16-19 feel like they are no longer in need of their mother's aid. In one breath we can go from not needing her help to realizing that we actually do. Beowulf on the other hand used his comrades only  as decoys in many of his battles simply because he didn't feel as though their help was needed. His thoughts were, I can do this by myself, but he was sadly mistaken. In The Last Battle, he was in dire need  of his mens' assistance. But only one stood there to support him, Wigalf.
Minors have friends and Mr. 'Wulf had followers. But at some point in our lives we both discover that some are just temporary. Eventually, the bad ones will become transparent  and we'll see that their just not who they appeared to be. Or they'll leave when you need them the most because it's just not "convenient" for them. Which is something Beowulf knows all too well.
Lastly, we grow up and move on from the things that used to seem so important to us which in the end really served no purpose..at all! Teens want to be popular; they want to be liked so bad that their willing to sacrifice their true identity. Beowulf,  wanted gold and all these riches so he consumed his life with fighting anything and everything in his path. Soon, we both realize that being yourself is better than being liked and when you die, you leave just how you came, alone. Maybe we both could've learned something from one another because if you think about we are both one in the same.

Sincerely, A Teenage 'Wulf

All About Me

Hi, my name is Courtney! I have one sibling, an older brother to be exact. He's currently in his fourth year of college which makes me feel like an only child since he is never here (with the exception of holidays). My brother is one of the closest people to me and although we're six years apart we act the same age. We swear that we would've been twins because we're always thinking the same thing and we often finish each others sentences. But, enough about him! I LOVE to shop but then again what girl doesn't? I run track, I like to write, and I love to listen to music(specifically the kind that makes you look at things differently in life or the type that tells a story). Some weird things about me is that I enjoy watching the Food Network but i hate cooking (unless its sweets). I have two dogs (pitbulls) but I'm terrified of pets. Unless, its in a bowl... filled with water...and looks like Nemo! I actually like to exercise but I hate to sweat. I prefer winter over summer maybe because i was born in December, I HATE being hot, and winter outfits are way better than summers' is, well ,at least in my opinion. There is so much more I could say about myself but its better if you get to know me first hand!