Pretextual

Hmmmm…who’s loves Scott?  Who love’s Noah?

I love that a reader has sent in her textbook covers from 1989. If you look at the covers in succession, you’ll see the evolution of who loves whom. I think they’re great.  These are definitely pieces of lost art.

Poor Mr. Crossed-Out, you have been replaced by Scott, the one an only love of C. in 1990.

Hmmm…sex is mentioned a great deal on this cover and Scott’s name is HUGE on the back cover. Am I reading too much into this?  Thoughts?

I like this note because it has some nostalgic references like her mom using pinecones in craft projects, eating at the Olive Garden and ISUs (independent study units).  I remember seeing pinecones everywhere. My mom always had a basket of pinecones on the dining room table or in some wreath. Ahhhh the 80′s, I miss you. I miss the all-you-can-eat soup and bread sticks at the Olive Garden, but I definitely don’t miss the boring ISU projects in high school.

This note is also yet another note referring to a friend going to jail.  I can say that in high school, going to jail was a bit of a status symbol.  It showed you were tough and devious – how ridiculous.

This note just makes me wonder what was wrong with Kevin’s eyebrows? Did he have a unibrow?  Were they too bushy?  Were they engulfing his eyeballs?

My favorite parts of this note are the drawings. What exactly are those circular things?  Thoughts?

Written in 1994.

I’m intrigued by this poem.  I think most poetry from teens is dark and mournful, yet very revealing. I like how the writer is trying to unwind from her love yet wants to remain wrapped by their personality. There was a CBC radio segment on teen poetry. Apparently there is some group, somewhere in Ontario, that does readings of only teen poetry. I would love to find out who organizes this and if there is a website with entries.  Anyone hear of this??

Tutorial #1 – How to Fold a Secret High School Note

Written in the early 1960′s, this letter highlights the convoluted love of the average teen. I thought I should translate this one for you:

Well, you’re right, I’m having a ball! But I’ve got myself in a little mix-up.  Saturday, when I got here, I went to Cambridge with 6 other girls, we went to a dance. All the guys that use to dance with Sally were asking me, and Sally got mad and said she didn’t like me. Sunday, I went out with this boy named David and he’s going steady! But he told me he and his girlfriend had a fight and broke up Friday; her name is Cindy. Then Monday Kathy and Kelly were hitting it off real good, but Kelly is Christine’s boyfriend and Kathy is suppose to be Christine’s friend. Thursday, we went to Judy’s house, she was going with Larry and Kathy told Judy about her and Kelly.  Then yesterday, Larry and Judy broke-up because Sara slipped and told Judy that Larry was with them 2 weeks back, Sara thought Larry had told her and he hadn’t, so she broke-up with him and last night we were riding around with Eddie and we saw Johnny, who goes with Linda Jonis. She picked him up, he was drinking, and then we saw Larry and we picked him up. Eddie and Johnny bought some beer and Kathy, Sara, Eddie and Johnny were drinking it. Larry bought me and him cokes cause he doesn’t drink either. Well, Johnny ends up wanting Sara to kiss him, Eddie wanted Kathy, and I was with Larry. Larry asked me out and I said yes. But if I do, Judy is going to find out and still get mad at us, still tell Christine that Kelly was with Kathy, and word will get out about Johnny and Sara and Linda will have fits. Pretty sure we’ll have every girl on the island after us. Plus Cindy after Sara for going with Donnie and Evonne is mad because I went to church with her and Kenny was staring at me, and she likes Kenny. If I don’t go out with Larry everything will be ok, it looks like I don’t have any choice.

Bruce wrote me and I wrote him back. I really like him, he’s nice. Boy, will I be glad to get back home. I miss everyone so much. What’s been going on in Dundalk? Do you ever go out at night? You should cause now things should be hopping, not unless everyone’s in Ocean City. I might go one day next week with Kathy and her Mom and Dad. We’ll be on our own, I know that, and we’ll probably stay late since its only 2 hours away. I hope I see Gary and Rodg.

Tell Sheila I said hi and get her to help you figure out my story, I know it will take 2 of you. Tell everyone hi! And I miss um. Be good!

Written in 1966, a boy attempts to write an intriguing poem to a girl he admires.

This is a handmade card. Look at the calligraphy, it’s amazing. I was told that the card was made by a German boy, who didn’t speak english fluently. It was given to my Mom, when she was around 16. The poem totally doesn’t rhyme, but I think the sentiment is cute. He actually used the word “bequeath”.