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Humans have always had a complicated relationship with weather. Ancient cultures prayed and made offerings to gods in hopes of receiving conditions conducive to growing crops. Adverse weather, then, w…
Humans have always h…
Humans have always had a complicated relationship with weather. Ancient cultures prayed and made offerings to gods in hopes of receiving conditions conducive to growing crops. Adverse weather, then, was often interpreted as displeasure on behalf of those same beings—a punishment for failing to observe proper rituals. It doesn’t take a history scholar to understand this impulse. Weather, now as then, is both an enemy and ally. On one hand, it provides everything from the raw material for food—sunlight driving photosynthesis, wind the primary method of plants spreading their seeds—to …
Sometimes, writing about art and theater feels a lot like falling down the proverbial rabbit hole as I try to find the angle to write about wandering through a haunted-theater immersive experience, ge…
Sometimes, writing a…
Sometimes, writing about art and theater feels a lot like falling down the proverbial rabbit hole as I try to find the angle to write about wandering through a haunted-theater immersive experience, getting splashed in a Halloween horror show in the basement of a spaghetti emporium, sweating through a DIY D&D in a comic shop, savoring (har har!) Sweeney Todd’s enraged high notes, and trying to quiet my howling dog in a public house. I’ve found myself in some odd and awkward scenarios. To update the metaphor, writing this column is a lot like drunk-clicking through an endless algorithm o…
Jessie Hanson
January 8, 2020
There's more reasons for wanting to attend college than to get a degree. Many students admit that one up side to a college life in the 4 year limbo between true responsibility and childhood. Although …
There's more reasons…
There's more reasons for wanting to attend college than to get a degree. Many students admit that one up side to a college life in the 4 year limbo between true responsibility and childhood. Although we are, in a way, securing our futures, it's hard to actually call ourselves "adults". In fact, a popular quote of our generation is "Don't make me adult today." But why would we? Even with an internship or a job in conjunction to a full class load students enjoy a freedom void of true responsibility. Is this the truth? Is college an extension of high school, only with added freedoms? Some of t…
Cortney Ratashak
January 14, 2022
In this blog: A survival guide for baby Buffs. How crazy it is to think soon I'll be a senior at CU Boulder. What's even more crazy to think is how four short years ago I was a freshman at this fan…
In this blog: A surv…
In this blog: A survival guide for baby Buffs. How crazy it is to think soon I'll be a senior at CU Boulder. What's even more crazy to think is how four short years ago I was a freshman at this fantastic school, beginning my journey as a college student. I've said hello and goodbye to college courses, some of which I, for a second, had me convinced that maybe German Studies or History was the perfect major for me, only to realize hell nooo. Walking onto the CU campus as a Freshman and into my first college course was one of the most petrifying moment in life. However, these moments of comp…
Cortney Ratashak
January 12, 2021
The Rocky Mountain Showdown has notoriously brought out the worst (or best) of the rivalry between CU and CSU. Each year, the Rams and Buffs compete not only on the field but off the field, too. Stud…
The Rocky Mountain …
The Rocky Mountain Showdown has notoriously brought out the worst (or best) of the rivalry between CU and CSU. Each year, the Rams and Buffs compete not only on the field but off the field, too. Students wear their schools gear, talk mad sh** to each other, and pray that their team wins. This year, the CSU mascot Cam the Ram died before making it to Sports Authority Field. Some think that his death was a bad omen, causing the Ram's to lose the game, while others believe that Cam sacrificed himself for the sins of the CSU kicker. Either way though, the Buffs came out on top this year. The …
Cortney Ratashak
August 30, 2019
Everything I wish I had known as an incoming freshman and everything I've learned through the past four years as an undergraduate at CU. This post is dedicated to Lauryn Ratashak, and all of the ot…
Everything I wish I …
Everything I wish I had known as an incoming freshman and everything I've learned through the past four years as an undergraduate at CU. This post is dedicated to Lauryn Ratashak, and all of the other incoming freshman. Shout out to you, baby buffs! 1. Go to frat parties as a freshman, because once you're a sophomore, you won't want to. 2. Know that there are 30,000 people on the CU campus. This means that there are endless opportunities to meet new people and make new friends. With that being said, don't tie yourself to one person; which is easy to do as a freshman. 3. Get to know you…
Cortney Ratashak
April 30, 2016
At every campus there are opportunities to be involved in various groups, organizations and events. When we dig deeper, we realize that not only are there opportunities to become apart of something th…
At every campus ther…
At every campus there are opportunities to be involved in various groups, organizations and events. When we dig deeper, we realize that not only are there opportunities to become apart of something that we as students, and as individuals, are passionate about, but there are ways to truly make a difference in the world as a whole, through campus offerings. A program called Peer 2 Peer Challenging Extremism, developed and run by EdVenture Partners, has asked "university students from around the world to develop and execute campaigns and social media strategies against extremism that are credi…
Cortney Ratashak
March 31, 2016
As a senior, the thought of graduation brews a mixture of different emotions, from anxiety to excitement. We are halfway through spring semester and with that comes the need to organize and plan - and…
As a senior, the tho…
As a senior, the thought of graduation brews a mixture of different emotions, from anxiety to excitement. We are halfway through spring semester and with that comes the need to organize and plan - and not just for midterms. Various spaces throughout Boulder have already been booked for graduation parties, which means those of us who haven't thought much up party planning are behind the curve. Here is what you should do: - Decide if you want to have your graduation party at home or at a venue. - If you decide venue, make a list of the places that fit your wants and needs. - From there, cal…
Cortney Ratashak
March 3, 2016
For all of the dateless students this V-Day: Here is what you should do this weekend. -Find a stop light party. Chances are, you won't be the only one wearing green. -Go on a hike. The weather i…
For all of the datel…
For all of the dateless students this V-Day: Here is what you should do this weekend. -Find a stop light party. Chances are, you won't be the only one wearing green. -Go on a hike. The weather is beautiful, the Flatirons are close by, and there is no better way to forget about the romance then to hike alone or with friends. -Hit up happy hour with your bros or girlfriends. Who said that love needs to be romantic? -Go skydiving. You will love the adrenaline just as much as you could love a partner. -Spoil yourself. Nothing says V-Day like loving yourself. You've worked hard, now sho…
Cortney Ratashak
February 11, 2016
With the new year approaching it's time to reflect on the past semester, past year, and decide what our resolutions for 2016 will be. First things first: What were our mistakes this past year? What ar…
With the new year ap…
With the new year approaching it's time to reflect on the past semester, past year, and decide what our resolutions for 2016 will be. First things first: What were our mistakes this past year? What are the things we should say goodbye to? 1) Any hate towards a specific professor - Everyone has a least favorite. However, with this semester coming to an end, the only way to let it go is to accept, forget and move on. For every one bad teacher at CU, there are 100 great ones. 2) The thought of, "I could have done better." - The past is the past. Make a resolution to change up your study rou…
Cortney Ratashak
December 10, 2015
The best foods for your brain during finals --- It seems that studying makes us hungry - that is, hungrier than usual. Boulder is full of delicious restaurants, but which ones are best for a studyi…
The best foods for y…
The best foods for your brain during finals --- It seems that studying makes us hungry - that is, hungrier than usual. Boulder is full of delicious restaurants, but which ones are best for a studying student? Heres the DL: 1) Yellow Belly - Not too expensive, and you can get a little bit of everything. Some carbs, some protein and some vegetables. A popular combination includes grilled chicken, green beans and potatoes. $5-$8 2) Chipotle - The benefits of chipotle are obvious; you can get a lot of everything, in which every ingredient is non-GMO, no antibiotic and local. Chipotle usuall…
Cortney Ratashak
December 3, 2015
Students! Many of you won't be headed home for the holiday and instead will be confined to Boulder and whomever else has also decided to skip the family affair. Thanksgiving is usually a time to gathe…
Students! Many of yo…
Students! Many of you won't be headed home for the holiday and instead will be confined to Boulder and whomever else has also decided to skip the family affair. Thanksgiving is usually a time to gather with siblings, grandparents and cousins. However, for those of us who stay in Boulder, Thanksgiving can take on a new aroma: one scented by friends. This is Friendsgiving! Honestly, you don't even necessarily need to stay in Boulder for Thanksgiving in order to have Friendsgiving. Many students are simply using the gathering as a way to celebrate friendship with food. Here are some of 2015's …
Cortney Ratashak
November 19, 2015
The Be-Fit pass that CU offers students is between $50-$75 a semester depending on when you buy it. Although this sounds like a solid amount of cash to hand over to the University, it easily qualifies…
The Be-Fit pass that…
The Be-Fit pass that CU offers students is between $50-$75 a semester depending on when you buy it. Although this sounds like a solid amount of cash to hand over to the University, it easily qualifies as one of the best purchase decisions I’ve made this past semester, and I plan on making it again in the Spring. The Be-Fit passes give you, as a student, access to any and all of the fitness classes offered during the week and on Sundays. Everyday there are dozens of classes, many of which are completely different from one another. To name a few, zumba, cycling, yoga, and power barre are …
Cortney Ratashak
November 12, 2015
The winter season is around the corner and CU students are preparing for skiing, Fall break and of course, snow. This is what we CU students do when the snow falls: 1) Procrastinate. Snow means co…
The winter season is…
The winter season is around the corner and CU students are preparing for skiing, Fall break and of course, snow. This is what we CU students do when the snow falls: 1) Procrastinate. Snow means cold weather, and cold weather means movie nights. It seems that many students use the falling snow as a perfect excuse to cuddle up with a hot tottie, their roommates and a few scary films. 2) Ditch. Can we really call it "ditching", though? Skipping class is one thing if you're ditching because of a nasty hangover, but skipping class to ski? That's a whole other story. Living in Colorado is an…
Cortney Ratashak
November 5, 2015
Safety first, Buffs! 1.Always have a buddy. Never leave a party alone or let your friends leave without you. If you want to stay and others want to leave, make sure you have at least one friend wi…
Safety first, Buffs!…
Safety first, Buffs! 1.Always have a buddy. Never leave a party alone or let your friends leave without you. If you want to stay and others want to leave, make sure you have at least one friend with you. Halloween means parties on top of parties - lots going on. It's easy to get lost, so having a buddy is a must. 2.Don't take any vitamins. The Hill will be explosive with parties, parties and more parties this weekend. Resist the urge to take things that people give you (other than wrapped candy, that is) because you never truly know a strangers intentions. 3.If you can't walk, don'…
Cortney Ratashak
October 29, 2015
The complementing reds of our buildings and the reds of the changing leaves make the CU campus unlike any other in the world. The history in our Oak's speak loudly during this time of year, as they d…
The complementing r…
The complementing reds of our buildings and the reds of the changing leaves make the CU campus unlike any other in the world. The history in our Oak's speak loudly during this time of year, as they drop their yellow, brown and red leaves across the sidewalks and grass, making it impossible to not take a picture as one walks by. Check out campus through the eyes of students -
Cortney Ratashak
October 15, 2015
If you're anything like me, midterms are the time for procrastination and self-inflicted stress. Sometimes, it's hard to study a week, or even a few days, before a test. Since freshman year I have stu…
If you're anything l…
If you're anything like me, midterms are the time for procrastination and self-inflicted stress. Sometimes, it's hard to study a week, or even a few days, before a test. Since freshman year I have studied in a crunch-time sort of way. That is, the night before an exam. Although this method definitely works (most of the time) to get me the grade that I desire, it definitely doesn't work to provide long-term gains in knowledge. I think that hardest part about this is coming to term with the fact that grades aren't everything. Once this is known, studying becomes more for the gain of learning wha…
Cortney Ratashak
October 8, 2015
Tailgate like a Buff! - or like a buff should, that is. I've always wished that CU had more of a tailgating culture, but as time goes on, I've realized that tailgating is what we make it. CU alumni se…
Tailgate like a Buff…
Tailgate like a Buff! - or like a buff should, that is. I've always wished that CU had more of a tailgating culture, but as time goes on, I've realized that tailgating is what we make it. CU alumni seem to be the tailgating pros, other than the fact that they usually don't get as rowdy as I would like to see CU students get. Tailgating means school pride, and although our football team isn't #1, whatever. Football is a great excuse to wear black&gold, listen to good music, drink Bloody Mary's and play beer pong in the parking lot. Necessities: Games - Beer pong or corn hole are grea…
Cortney Ratashak
September 11, 2015
Party like it's 1989 - or 2015. The idea is to explore party themes past the typical ugly sweater and commit to throwing an out-of-this-world soirée. My inspiration behind the idea for this blog we…
Party like it's 1989…
Party like it's 1989 - or 2015. The idea is to explore party themes past the typical ugly sweater and commit to throwing an out-of-this-world soirée. My inspiration behind the idea for this blog were two things: One, my roommates and my idea of throwing an all out, combined birthday party for all three of us. This idea quickly escalated into a birthday/sexy santa christmas party - and two, the W Magazine photoshoot that featured a cast of VIP party animals, including Miley Cyrus, Emily Ratajkowski and Stella Maxwell. Being a college student, I've dreamed of hosting a fantastic party but …
Cortney Ratashak
August 14, 2015
Living in Boulder has always felt like a privilege. From the Flatiron views to the The Kitchen on Pearl Street, Boulder is a city unlike any other in Colorado - or in America, for that matter. Being a…
Living in Boulder ha…
Living in Boulder has always felt like a privilege. From the Flatiron views to the The Kitchen on Pearl Street, Boulder is a city unlike any other in Colorado - or in America, for that matter. Being a student living in Boulder though is both difficult and stressful because of the financial pressure that accompanies a city as expensive as Boulder. According to an article published on MSN earlier this week, "Goods and services in Boulder cost about 9% more than they do nationwide and about 7% more than they do across the state. Higher incomes usually accompany higher living costs, and Boul…
Cortney Ratashak
July 24, 2015
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