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

[Slip18]

Oh, my gosh, I had forgotten about him, CCC!

How the heck are you?

[WVNan]

Billie, I have been enlightened by this thread. I wasn't aware of the WFTD thread. Ladies, thank you for helping to educate the masses.

[Billie]

LOL! I love that calendar page! It is SO funny how so many times it 'fits' with whoever or whatever we are doing (or not doing LOL) for the day!

Daisy, this just proves you can make mistakes, too! ('sides, think how much quicker the thread loaded today!)

I wish I could stay and play with everyone. : ( You, Miss Daisy, have regular email, and I've got to skedaddle for a while!

[WVNan]

Indeed prayer is needed for Beep. This operation is critical for her future. Major prayers needed. I do hope Bob will let us know something. I can't stay long Lady. I got my car serviced and drove out to my church to finish decorating the windows for fall. Went to the bank and gassed up. Now I have to clean the inside of the car and hopefully it will dry off enough outside so the carwash man will wash it for me (he refused this morning). I have my atlas and have my route mapped out. Have to pack yet.

[Billie]

One more little note:

Nan - you're going to HS Reunion this weekend? You will bowl 'em over, I just know!

Maggie, Beep has been on my mind, in my heart, and my prayers this morning - hoping we do hear good news very soon.

Slip, I saw your name - knew you'd probably be here today! I need mail from you. :) How is the painting going?!

Now, I do have to go this time!

[daisyscarlett]

Now that bearded man is definitely not the graphic I thought I posted. I thought I posted a chocolate cake....ha ha on me from the chocolate cake website I "stole" it from I guess....post #177

[daisyscarlett]

How nice to see you...I thought you were on your way to your class reunion..Gives me an opportunity to wish you a happy and safe journey....

[lodwick]

Thanks for the reminder about Beep's surgery. Please keep us posted, as you know it. JL

[anniegetyourgun]

You can't fool me....I already know you are smarter than the average bear! Wait, is that a compliment? Well, you know what I mean.....

[LadyX]

In case you don't have time before you leave to be back here, Nan, may all your journeys be guided by our Father - his angels clear the roads ahead of you - and may He bring you safely home.

[blackie]

Free Repubic Finest...Bump !!

[WVNan]

Later Billie. Thanks for the encouragement.

[WVNan]

Leaving tomorrow daisy. It's a fair trip almost all the way across Ky and then south to west Tenn.

[WVNan]

I know you will keep me in prayer Maggie. I may have time to be back here a bit tonight. Now I have to get busy.

[anniegetyourgun]

Thanks for the recognition day here on FR, daisy (et al). I am honored, and have enjoyed reminiscing!

I still think our best word for the day of all time was back in March/2000 (if I recall correctly):

slubberdegullion

It's also easy to use in a sentence on current events when speaking about any number of lib/dems! In fact, I think you'll find Ted Kennedy's picture right next to the word in most dictionaries!

[daisyscarlett]

My friend travelled to the Mid-West for her class reunion. She took exquisite pains to look her best-losing weight, new clothes, hair nicely colored and coiffed etc. The reunion was on a Friday night. On Sat. she and an old classmate went for lunch in the local diner and overheard the waitress asking one of the locals how the reunion went....His reply, overheard by my friend, was "It was not so good...all the gals are fat and old". Well my friend and her friend turned around and said "excuse me"...it was quite funny...He was very embarassed. But the funniest part about it was that he is no prize himself. He is fat, balding and looks like a guy who is not aging well...Yet he felt it was okay to say that about this female classmates....

[MeekOneGOP]

You're out !! Yay !
CarlsbadCaveman sez you're welcomed for the coffee....

[daisyscarlett]

Prayers up for Beep....She is a courageous soul, indeed. Thanks for reminding us...

[daisyscarlett]

Just thinking about giving you and g'nad your special ping-a-ling....Thanks for stopping by, as always....

[lodwick]

Beauty Tips

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

For lovely eyes, always seek out the good in people.

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair.

The beauty of a woman must be seen in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul.

It is in the caring that she lovingly gives, and the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!