A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....10-16-02

Billie and daisyscarlett

[daisyscarlett]

The Free Republic Forum has approximately 14 "Daily Threads". Today, we are happy to SPOTLIGHT one of them, along with its founder, anniegetyourgun, and its current teacher, RikaStrom.

The mission of the Word for the Day Thread is to raise the level of discourse and expand language abilities. The Rules are simple: Everyone who chooses to post must leave a post using the "word of the day" in a sentence. The sentence must, in some way, relate to the news of the day.

Anniegetyourgun started the Word for the Day thread on 2-10-01. Click here to read that first thread .

Anniegetyourgun called the thread "Word For The Day" because she planned to "teach" a daily class. She developed a Freeper school scenerio-establishing the routine, monitoring responses, setting the rules, "grading" the results, etc. She did "lesson planning" the night before and opened the school house door every morning at 7 am PST. Soon the WFTD thread took on the feel of a cyberclassroom. Since AGYG is not a teacher by profession, this was quite an accomplishment!

Being as Freepers have such creative minds, one thing led to another. They soon had things like "recess" bells, lunchroom time (complete with tuna croquettes), JimRob as principal, and Show and Tell days. They even fancifully created teachers of other classes at FR School. (BTW, ultimately, the Spanish teacher ran off with the German teacher!) They also had running jokes about the school nurse, as many of the guys in the class presumed she was beautiful and were always coming down "ill" for some reason!

There have always been special weeks at WFTD, such as "graduate level" word weeks, a week of some of the latest words added to the English language (neologisms), Spring Break vacation week, etc. One weekend, they had an open house on FR so people could find out more about WFTD – complete with student work being "displayed". During the summer of 2001, there was a "WFTD Summer Camp" at Camp Lotsawords -. lotsafun was had at Camp Lotsawords - including pranks!

In the real world, at least two homeschool mothers on FR have used the WFTD thread for their children everyday.

anniegetyourgun
Freeper since 11-24-00

"In Her Own Words"

"I hate to say it, but it seemed to me that there was a need on FR to perhaps 'upgrade' the language, spelling, grammar, word usage, etc. Rather than insult folks by saying so, I thought I might try a forum that would allow people to expand their vocabulary, explore word origins, and generally try things out."

"The thrill for me was to find so many on FR who are truly gifted writers, people with excellent imaginations, those with incredible senses of humor who were always making me laugh out loud at my desk, even a student who wrote the FR school song."

"I had to stop in May (2001) due to schedule changes and RikaStrom took over. I was so relieved because the 'students' had become so close and I hated to see it die out."

"I had a blast with WFTD. I believe it has contributed to the 'persona' of FR. Why, we've even seen BIG name journalists use the WFTD in an article they wrote within a day or two of it coming up on our thread. Coincidence? U decide!"

Just in case you are wondering, that is not really a photo of anniegetyour gun shown above. Anniegetyourgun says she "actually looks like a cross between Marsha (of Brady Bunch) and Joey Heatherton - if you can imagine them in their mid-forties!"

RikaStrom
Freeper since 11-10-00

RikaStrom's Profile Page leads off with the following:

"I am the current 'teacher' for WFTD, the FReeper school of vocabulary and inventive verbiage. This school was the creation of Anniegetyourgun.

If you have a sense of humor, please come on in. If you are part of the 'short bus' group, you can come in too. My students need targets for their verbal veracity. We thank the talented Registered for our school logo!"

Miss Rika took over posting the WFTD thread during the Spring Break thread in 2001. At the time, "that particular thread was keeping me sane." So she decided that she would step right up and continue to post the thread after it became impossible for Miss Annie to continue. She has been posting the WFTD thread for over a year and a half.

RikaStrom, who is also very active FReeping with the Houston Chapter of FR, recently started a new job and does not have the time luxury that she experienced at her previous position. Student Bella_Bru is now sharing teaching duties with Miss Rika. Mistress Bella does one week, Miss Rika does one week. This new arrangement began around September 10, 2002.

Here are two links to memorable threads suggested by Miss Rika.

Word for the Day Review 4-24-01

Word for the Day Review 6-04-01

THANK YOU, ANNIEGETYOURGUN
THANK YOU, RIKASTROM

YOU ARE TWO OF FR'S FINEST

THIS WEEK'S THREADS

10-14-02 Molly Pitcher

10-15-02 Dutchess

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

     1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
     2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
     3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
     4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
     5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[lodwick]

Two skewers of fresh chicken breast with bell pepper and
onion skillfully char-broiled and served over a bed of our delicious rice pilaf.
The secret of this dish's popularity is the tangy-sweet homemade marinade.
We douse the kebobs with each turn of the grill and
serve a cup with the meal for dipping.

[COB1]

Seriously, gals, I've been lurking on your thread since annie invited me over when she first started it.
Y'all should be very proud of that accomplishment!

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DAY AS FR'S FINEST!!

(now if I can keep from feeling intimidated by all that knowledge, I'll post on it!)

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks Louie....My very first "homemade" pledge....I was thrilled when Miss Rika said she was going to post it in her classroom. Course I will clue her in by freepmail that there are others who can do a much neater one for her....

I suppose you are going to want Miss Rika to find a special at-home tutor for you, now that she has offered one to COB1....Lol....

[RJayneJ]

When I first started the Essay of the Week I used the madhacker in my link notice. Shortly before 9/11 I found the mad hackerette and added her to my notice. A Freeper that had been away and had returned wrote to me as he noticed that I was using a new ad that included the hackerette and he wanted to know if they were married or hacking in sin. I knew that the time was not right as it was too close to 9/11 for there to be a legal union, but I have toyed with the idea of having them joined in holy matrimony. What do you think? Is a wedding appropriate?

[daisyscarlett]

Kewl graphic you did for the three Finest teachers...Hmm...wonder if they will come through with three hugs for you....lol..

[Feiny]

I was wondering why we had not seen you online in a while.
You were missed. For the love of God, quit smoking now.
Use those nicotine patches and gum and anything else that helps. Don't wait until it is too late.

I hope the lovely wife is recovering. How is the weather in Colorado today? We have a foggy drizzly day here in LA, but I kinda like it.

[COB1]

I'm very glad to hear that your wife is doing better, ofM.
Those cool, clear days and nights in Colorado should help, too!
Take care, old friend.

[ofMagog]

Thanks for the note. We both quit smoking years ago, but the damage was done in my wife's case.

[daisyscarlett]

Now that is a healthy looking, but yummy, lunch....I love anything with rice. Sure will be great when whoever returns and starts baking all that yummy fresh bread to go with our meals...

[daisyscarlett]

A wedding sounds good to me....

[lodwick]

Be Thankful...

Be thankful that you don't have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times...
for during those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
for they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
for it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes,
for they will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
Be thankful for everything you are.

- Author Unknown -

[COB1]

Thanks for the thread, daisy.
I don't know how you ladies keep turning out the quality work every day, but I sure ain't complainin'!

[daisyscarlett]

I know you are extremely busy but.....

[BlessedAmerican]

A very late Good Day to all! My computer is on the blink and I have just enough clicks left to wish everyone a good day and to say that I am unplugging and taking the computer in for a good check up. I don't know what I will do with no computer for several days...I think the word 'addict' is in order!! Take care all and see you soon..God Bless

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for the Freepmail and....

[daisyscarlett]

Thanks for those kind words COB1.

In my case, I simply try to follow the example of Billie-she is a great leader-patient, helpful and fun. (not to mention so very talented)

Plus, she works very hard - when she is not posting here on the thread, chances are she is working on a profile or doing the countless admin tasks involved in putting out this daily thread....

[daisyscarlett]

Well hang in there....guess you will have to find something to substitute for your computer addiction....May I suggest chocolate? Works for me...lol...

[WVNan]

OOPS! I just remembered I was supposed to fix breakfast for everyone this morning. Now I know I'm in the doghouse. Just goes to show you that a person who doesn't cook can't be trusted to fix meals. Better to go out to eat or starve.

[Billie]

I can't seem to get caught up as I have much I need to take care of today, but I saw your post, ofM, and am SO glad to hear from you. We have all been so concerned and worried since your last message I think said you were taking your wife to the doctor that day as her illness was worsening.

Thank you for letting us hear from you, and please take care of yourselves, both of you. We care, you know, cap'n. You guys ar family!

[LadyX]

Wonderful to hear from The Captain, isn't it, Nan, speaking of him just last night on the Finest?!

Let's keep Beep in prayer today - the one of her surgery.
Hope Bob will post something to us soon to let us know how she is doing.

* * * Please pray for Beep and Bob * * *