Articles written by C. Mackenzie

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About me - C. Mackenzie

I'm 24 and from New York. I'm currently living in Taipei, Taiwan, while I'm teaching English and trying to decide the best way to spend however much time I have on earth. I welcome any comments on anything I produce, so feel free to critique anything on anything.

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Creative Writing > Reflections Reflections: Time: 1 of 55
It's the paths I didn't walk. The doors I didn't open; the words I never said; the eyes I couldn't lock. It's the desert to trek to get where we will and the sandbox to play in when we get there. It's water in a bucket that doesn't drip from the bottom but evaporates from the top, skimming away layer by indiscernible layer of... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Life: 10 of 343
Coup de Grace My vision is filled with black and white boxes. Perched upon them are the troops whose fates - some who will be players, some who will be played, but all who have instrumentality - are played out, step after step, round after round. My opponent is fixated on the scene slowly unfolding before us. He moves his han... More..
Religion & Spirituality > Atheism & Agnosticism Why atheism and morality are incompatible: 1 of 21
I don't see any reason why a belief in God should predicate morality (to skim through centuries worth of Enlightenment philosophers, I'll loosely define 'morality', as measured in shades of gray, as the consistent decision to behave in a manner oriented towards the benefit of the self while benefiting others for nothing other... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Drinking: 13 of 172
Stools are scattered haphazardly next to the bar,Small pools of liquors stink unnoticed on the counter,While music drifts softly from an unseen stereo.Stale sweat stains and tired openings do little to dissuade the speakers.They preen and primp and rearrange their plumage,Familiar themes, knowing looks and coy smiles,The stor... More..
Education > College Search Important things to ask yourself when choosing a college: 1 of 10
Approximately 56% of high school graduates choose to attend colleges, and as there are literally hundreds of colleges to choose from, deciding which college to attend is becoming a loaded question for an increasing number of people. Your prospective choice of schools will face pressures on all fronts - your friends and family... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Fantasy: 8 of 79
Belcher of Blades"Ginger ale is a well-known household remedy for minor stomach ailments", is what my doctor told me when I went into his office for the fourth time that week. He said that there was nothing 'conclusively wrong' with me except maybe being a "chronic hypochondriac", and even though the doctor sounded like he wa... More..
Education > College Life Assessing the extent of poor spelling among college students: 1 of 9
Generally speaking, a college campus is both an indicator and a breeding ground for a number of trends in today's youth. Whether you're talking about the newest fashion styles, political tastes, technology or TV shows (the list goes on), chances are it can be seen or discussed on campuses before it hits the nation's radar. Bu... More..
Education > College Life The importance of extracurricular activities in college: 1 of 9
A desk lamp makes an oval of pale light on an open textbook. Neat, narrow lines of text yawn from one corner of the page to the next. You stare at the same line that's been staring back at you for the past half hour. Your small dorm room feels empty and cavernous in the darkness. You hear a cricket chirp outside your window. ... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Testimonies: Living with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD): 2 of 17
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder is difficult to deal with for both the 'disorderly' and the people around him/her. A lot of people, when faced with a person who repetitively performs seemingly trivial and pointless actions, let themselves become drawn to the all-too-easy conclusion that the person's behavior reflects their pers... More..
Education > College Life Things you can cook in your dorm room: 1 of 8
It's finals week. You've forgotten what the sun looks like. You've been holed up in your room with your books, and occasionally you'll steal some fresh air at night when shuttling to and from the library. You are the academic vampire of lore, who feeds not on blood, but from a box, and your prey has enough preservatives to ou... More..