Joke Blog

Post the funniest, cleanest joke you know. Put your initials at the end of it. Thank you!

**They must be clean, or no credit**

"My Way" Blog

After watching our most recent episode of This American Life, you should begin thinking about times when you did things your way, for right or wrong. Two particular segments of the "My Way" episode concern us--Joe (the teenager who doesn't believe in love) and the photographer. Do you have a set of beliefs and values that stand apart from everyone else? If so or if not, either way, what are those beliefs and values? Have they ever been challenged by the public, or any other audience? Think about how you do things your own way, and how those ways may affect those around you, whether you know it or not. OR, just write a reaction to all of the segments of the episode. Please respond in 10-15 sentences, while attempting to use ALL 6 phrases and the 2 clauses for full credit. Thank you!

"Gulleywasher" Blog

After reading Jonathan Raban's "Gulleywasher", please find two lines from the memoir that resonate with or appeal to you and to your 5 senses. Post them on the blog. You can list them as #1 and #2, or merely write them in quotations--with proper, MLA citation. Then write a short passage--5 to 7 lines--about why they appeal to you. Do they remind you of anything? A story, perhaps? An experience? Enjoy the story, and explore your story.

**If someone has posted the sections of the story before you, then you must find new ones for credit**

"Two Wars" Response

After watching This American Life's "Two Wars" episode, please think about whether or not you can empathize with any of the people from the documentary in any way. Whether you can or cannot, please consider a little "war" that you have fought during your life--at any stage--and tell that story. You must use all 5 phrases in your writing (for full credit), and you must write at least 10-15 sentences. Please write your initials at the bottom of your entry. Thank you!

**Try to use both an adjective and an adverb clause in your entry as well**

"John Smith" Response

After watching This American Life's "John Smith" episode, we get a chronological, multi-faceted look at the life of one name--yet seven different people--and how it survives. Stirring, emotional, celebratory, depressing, inspirational; life diverges in so many different emotional roads that it can seem almost impossible to navigate. I hope that this episode made you empathize with these people and that it forced you to look at your own life from a different perspective.

Choose your prompt from the following options. Please write 10-15 sentences--using all four learned phrases at least once--about your experience watching and, hopefully, learning from this episode.

1. With which character do you most sympathize OR empathize? Why?

2. What does life, as a subject, mean to you? What would the theme of your life be?

3. How important is a name? What does your name mean to you, or (do you want it/what would you like it) to mean to future generations?

4. What common traits do all of these "John Smith"s share? Do we all share these traits/characteristics/etc.?

Ben DeSoto Blog

Ben DeSoto showed our class the Daniel Pink video about corporate creation, etc. From that video, we learned about Atlassian, the Australian company that figured out "one day of autonomy produces things that never emerge." From this philosophy, please- in 10 to 15 sentences- discuss what you would do with 24 hours to work on something of your choice (with the goal/purpose of personal or community improvement). How could you use your unique talents and abilities to construct something for the greater good? Why? Think EMPATHY. Due Tuesday, 9/28, before class. Please include 2 prep phrases, 2 appositive phrases, and 2 participial phrases. Thank you!

This American Life: Mike's Life Blog

In 10-15 sentences, please react to Mike's life from class on Friday, 9/17. How did learning about Mike affect you? Did it make you feel differently about your situation? Please pick a subject that is relevant to Mike's story, expand it to a theme, and discuss how that theme might directly apply to your life. This may involve some empathy or sympathy: you decide which one.