Go to the “Assignments” page of this blog for updated information on the Blog Post 3.2 assignment and all of our work for Unit 3.

http://thoughtcatalog.com/2013/writing/

“Writing is an encounter — between human flesh, words, grammar, ideas, affects, feelings. There is obviously no right way to write. And yet we know, as both readers and writers, that there are certain ways that work, ways that turn the world on, that take everyone and everything involved on a journey elsewhere — a way that makes writing less a matter of expression and understanding than a matter of discovery and creation.”

There are a ton of other great articles on this website in case anyone feels like some Spring Break reading…

My Favorite Stories (in order) are:

Act One: Don’t I Know You.

Act Thirteen: More Lies

Act Eight: The Greatest Dog Name in the World.

Act Ten: Two minute play

Shared Qualities

The four stories that I chose either put a smile on my face or made me laugh. I think that’s the key factor that made these stories stick out to me. I especially liked that three of them were original and still had that element of surprise. They’re great examples that prove that humor doesn’t always have to be a performance. The delivery sounded normal and conversational, and I didn’t even have to see the storyteller’s body language or facial expressions. Humor is one thing that I really value in any piece, or any story, because it always draws me in and I enjoy it. It’s like a breath of fresh air for me.

Another quality that I found compelling in these stories was that they were relatable, even though I haven’t actually experienced all of these things directly. However, one thing that I have experienced (several times) was getting into an awkward situation as a guest in someone else’s home. When I was ten, my mom and I were visiting her old friend, Lee. After my mom specifically told me not to touch anything in the house, I wandered off and fiddled with a bobble-head toy that belonged to Lee’s son. I ended up breaking the head off and I panicked, so before anyone could catch me, I laid the broken toy on the carpet to make it look like the toy fell and broke. And a few minutes later, when Lee and my mom asked me about it, I lied and said that the toy somehow fell onto the carpet and broke, even though it was nowhere near the edge of the table… So, an experience like this is pretty similar to act 13, More Lies. I understood the couple’s awkwardness and their quick impulse to lie, even when it was obvious that they weren’t being truthful.

Check out this competition, co-sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) and now open for entries.

You could submit work written for this class. There’s also a competition for poets.

Chris Rock on Gun Control

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCFrlb6IK84

Louis C.K

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTrCBcrFMCI

http://25.media.tumblr.com/9acb3b8e97837dd86483e942c7c7a454/tumblr_mf2uo4zluG1rudptgo1_500.png

Max Amini

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIJBwBbLMMc

I love George Carlin. He is my favorite comedian not just because he makes me laugh but also because he makes me think. Here are a couple of clips from him:

I also really like the SNL Celebrity Jeopardy clips:

http://www.hulu.com/watch/284558

http://www.hulu.com/watch/12203

Margaret Cho is by far my favorite comedian all time.  She’s a progressive feminist who touches on her Korean heritage, her family life, her sexuality and a ton of other topics.  Here’s one short skit, she owns it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CONKd323piY

I also find most everything Monty Python related absolutely hilarious.  Here’s one scene from Monty Python and The Holy Grail, “The Black Knight Fight”:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjEcj8KpuJw

Jimmy Kimmel’s skits involving kids also get me every time.  This one was great: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPgpRw9tiuM

“Bridesmaids” airplane scene has to be the funniest thing I’ve ever watched.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0yDQvRQQ4E

This is a video I had put on YouTube of my friend and I. True definition of ‘JACKASS’

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz3bdvuFcVw

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE!

Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls- SHIKAKA!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thlrP8_lk-Y

ENJOY!

College Humor: Harshest College Rejection Letters (A collection of fake rejection letters from colleges and universities):

http://www.collegehumor.com/article/6874474/harshest-college-rejections

Here’s a pic of my favorite

John Madden’s Popcorn Popper (One of the best MADTV skits I’ve ever seen. Makes me laugh every single time):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1v52f1TrWg

Louis C.K. Hates Twitter – Conan on TBS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSSDeesUUsU&list=FLLknhpAdE9uLTQ_Wc0h6wzQ

I watched this first, couple of years ago and have watched it several times since. The Alligator is actually impersonating

Matthew McConaughey.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldaK57mtJJo