The New Times of Romans

          I have always felt a certain barricade whenever I start writing AP English assignments.  The intent to forge great ideas exists.    I desperately want to start writing and delve into that world of creativity.  However, a repetitive and menacing entity inexorably prevents me from beginning.   My arch-nemesis—Times New Roman font.  Once, the two of us possessed an amicable, friendly relationship.  I liked Times New Roman, and Times New Roman liked me.  We never engaged in arguments or petty fights.  We worked together to produce works of literary greatness.  But, like two siblings that spend way too much time together, Times New Roman and I inevitably grew apart.   I wanted to dabble with other options. Waves of happiness deserve the jubilant Verdana.  Bouts of sadness should cling on to the small text of Gabriola.   An inclination to mix things up demands the alluring and spicy Ravie.  Intrepid AP English 12 Scholars can discover a host of font friends within the font scroll bar in Microsoft Word.  Unfortunately, in order to match MLA guidelines, writers must utilize Times New Roman again and again.   Now, for most normal individuals, sticking with Times New Roman does not seem that disconcerting.  Then why me?  Why does iteration and uniformity block my writing desires?  The answer lies in my inherent behavioral tendencies.  For instance, since my early childhood, I have constantly wanted to defy boundaries.  Whenever the Gurney Elementary School art teacher, Mrs. Mychenburg, doled out crayons and other coloring instruments to her classes, I never possessed the capability to color inside the lines of pictures.  Either I wanted to express myself uniquely, going against the gradient of the majority or…. I had hand tremors.  No matter.  I still believe in the former explanation.  I have a characteristic restlessness to go against formal guidelines.  Times New Roman epitomizes the very rules and restraints I want to escape from.  I need constant sources of stimulation to keep my attention span relatively stable.  Ultimately, the world of written English should allow for a myriad of fonts to satisfy its diverse constituents.  Yes, I shall continue to try to get along with the required font during my time in AP English, albeit reluctantly.  But to affirm my rebellious conviction, I close with the wise words of author Matthew Butterick: “Times New Roman is not a font choice so much as the absence of a font choice, like the blackness of deep space is not a color”.