Week 1: Famous Last Words

Well... it's been a pretty busy first week. I've never really blogged before, but I think I'm starting to get the hang of it, even if I haven't done any spectacular work. My class mates, on the other hand, are all crazy talented. All of there work is pretty incredible. I could probably  brag about their work for this entire post, but there will be plenty of time for that. So instead, I'm going to tell you all about another class I'm taking: Intro to Guitar.

This is actually my second go round through guitar. No I didn't fail, but you can take it up to four times and get credit for it. Everybody needs a GPA boost right? Let me get this out there from the get go. I am in no way a good guitar. In fact, if I am completely and totally honest, I would not call what I do "playing guitar." However, I love music and I've always wanted to be able to play an instrument, so I decided guitar was my best option. I mean... who wouldn't want to be able to sit by a campfire and belt out some classic sing-a-long songs? I know I do. I've got a long way to go before I get to that point though. Having some friends in the class, who are just as bad as I am, helps me feel a little better. It is definitely easier to suck as a group than it is to suck individually. On another note, I don't people appreciate how painful it can be to play to guitar. Until you build up some monster callouses on your fingertips, those steel strings will cut you up.

I'll try to keep you all updated on my attempts to play a little guitar! Talk to you all soon!

(Electric Guitar Player, Source: Wikipedia Commons)

Week 1: Introduction

How's it going everybody? My name is Greg Heigle and I'm a senior Pre-Med student, who happens to be a Letters major. I know this is kind of a weird combination, but I wanted to study more than just biology and chemistry in college, so I decided Letters was the way to go!

I was born and raised in Oklahoma City. Both of my parents graduated from OU, so naturally I'm a huge OU fan. I've gone to games ever since I was little, and I will always bleed crimson and cream. Growing up though, I never really played football, because I was tall and skinny... so I played basketball instead. My greatest accomplishment to date is probably when I dunked for the first time. So when the Thunder showed up in OKC, it was a dream come true. I've loved every minute of going to games and getting to watch my hometown team develop into a perennial championship contender. Sports, without a doubt, were my main focus as a kid, but that's not all I did. I'm also a pretty big nerd! I love reading books like Lord of the Rings or pretty much anything. I also love camping and hiking and rock climbing. However, my favorite thing to do in the world is hang out with my family, especially my younger brother.

I feel like you probably have a pretty good picture of me at this point, but I would be leaving out a major chunk of who I am if I neglected to tell you about my faith. More than anything else I've talked about so far, my faith is what defines me. I grew up going to church, and I would've told you that I had a pretty strong faith. However, I didn't really begin to take my relationship with God very seriously until I got to college. Now, I do my best to introduce my friends to the faith that is so important, and I try to help the guys who are interested develop their own relationship with God. It's the single most fulfilling that I do.

I hope this helped you all get to know me a little better!I I'm looking forward to the rest of the semester

(My dude, Kevin Durant the MVP, source: Superb Wallpapers)

Week 1: Storybook Favorites

The first storybook that caught my eye was Flipped Scripts: History, Written by the Vanquished. This immediately grabbed my attention because point of view in storytelling is so important. A simple change of perspective can flip a whole story upside down- the heroes become the villains and the villains become the heroes. I also really like the way the student introduced the topic, almost like an episode of Jerry Springer where the the supposed villain, in this case Medusa, Grendel and the Cyclops, goes on to share his or her side of the story. It is a really compelling idea!

The next storybook that jumped out at me was The Monsters of the Twelve Labors, because, first and foremost, the twelve labors of Hercules are some of my favorite mythological stories. Also, I like the idea of exploring a Hero's memories of the deeds for which he is famous. I feel like I can picture Hercules on a therapist's couch trying to work through the horrifying things he was forced to do to complete his tasks. Terrifying monsters like the Hydra, the Erymanthian Boar, the Stymphalian Birds and the Mares of Diomedes are certainly the kinds of creatures that one would't soon forget. I think this is an interesting take on the Twelve Labor's of Hercules.

Growing up, I was really interested in Greek Mythology, so I feel like I know a fair amount about the Greek gods and goddesses, but I never paid much attention to the titans. So Titan's Tales snagged my attention. I know a little bit about Atlas, the great titan holding up the heavens, and Prometheus, the titan who gave humanity fire, but I am unfamiliar with Epimetheus and Menoetius. Also having a little brother, the concept of these four brothers being in counseling is pretty amusing to me. My brother and I have never needed counseling, but we've definitely talked out arguments with my Mom. I can only imagine the types of arguments me and my brother would have if we were titans!

Week 1: My Take on the Un-Textbook

First of all, I am really excited about the possibility of choosing the material that interests me the most for this course. Mythology and Folklore is such a broad, sweeping topic that offers one of the best scenarios for the Un-Textbook to flourish. I'm really looking forward to picking and choosing the units that I want to study! This is something close to my plan...

Block 1 (Wks 2-3)

I've always, since I was a little kid, had a fascination with Classical lore. Movies like Troy sparked an interest in the the incredible epics of the Trojan War and Odysseus' long journey home. That is why for week 1 I would do Homer's Iliad, and for the second week I would do Homer's Odyssey. The ancient heroes of Achilles and Odysseus are fascinating.

Block 2 (Wks 4-5)

I know little to nothing of Middle Eastern or Indian mythology, but I do recognize the name Sinbad. So it would interesting to get a deeper understanding of The Voyages of Sinbad. On the Indian side, you've shown that the stories of Raja Rasalu go well with the tales of Sinbad. I have absolutely no preconceived notions of these stories so it will be interesting to see them with a fresh perspective.

Block 3 (Wks 6-7)

 The hero figures of every society reveal so much about its culture. Japanese society, with its renowned focus on honor, should have heroes that embody this quality. That is why Japanese Mythology and the tales of the Monkey King are so intriguing. I think the hero narrative is universal, and I want to gain a better understanding of Japan's take on it.

Block 4 (Wks 9-10)

Being from Oklahoma, Native American culture has been omnipresent. Maybe I'm just fascinated by the mythology of heroes, but I want to delve into what it means to be a hero in Native American Tradition. The Hero Tales and the tales of the Blackfoot Tribe look very compelling.

Block 5 (Wks 11-12)

Some of the British folk heroes are people I have heard of, or seen Disney movies about. However, I would like to explore the basis of some these modern interpretation of heroes like King Arthur and Robin Hood. These are classic examples of the hero archetype and I want to see where they came from, and how they compare to their modern counterparts.

Block 6 (Wks 13-14)

Dante's Inferno has to be a staple of any study of mythology and folklore. Its topic is too spectacular to overlook. Then I feel like I have to include the iconic stories of Cinderella and Snow White of the Grimm stories, because they have shaped so much of what modern fantasy looks like, thanks to Disney.

After this preview, I'm really excited to start using the Un-Textbook!

Week 1 Storytelling: The Hare and the Tortoise - College Version

While enrolling for classes, Harry met Todd.

 "I'm taking 30 hours every semester until I graduate. Which should be in less than two years," he said proudly.

"Oh my," said Todd, clearly embarrassed. "I'm only taking 15, but I should graduate on time."

Harry laughed loudly, rolling his eyes. "15 hours?! I'll graduate twice as fast as you! I can't believe you would be so slow!" He called his friends over, who were just as pompous as he was. He got the laughs he was hoping for as he exclaimed Todd's schedule. 

Todd was visibly upset. "I bet I graduate before you!" He blurted out without thinking. Harry walked off with his friends without responding, chuckling loud enough for Todd to here. Todd called after Harry, trying to sound confident.

"You laugh now, but you'll see!"

Some time later, Todd was shuffling through a long line at a local coffee shop. He was typing deliberately on his phone, answering emails. Before he knew it, he had come to the front of the line. Without looking up from his phone, he ordered his usual- coffee with two creams and no sugar. As he reached into his wallet for a few bucks, he saw a face he recognized. It was Harry! They had class with each other for the first two years of school, then Todd never saw him again, thinking he had graduated. All the while Harry had never let Todd forget their little bet.

"Harry, how have you been buddy?" Todd tried to sound excited, but he most definitely wasn't.

"Oh hey Todd," Harry said, looking down quickly.

"What are you doing working here?"

"Uh... well about that, I actually failed out of college. I was trying to do too much I guess.

"Really?!" Todd did a poor job of covering his laugh with a cough.

"So what do you do now?" Harry was not looking Todd in the eyes, who was now wearing a large smile

"I'm actually a senior executive at an accounting firm here in town."

After some more awkward conversation, Todd had his coffee and was on his way out. He paused. Thinking to himself. Then, as he was opening the door to leave, he called across the crowded shop to Harry.

"I guess I won our little bet didn't I?"

(Overload Semester, Source: Cardboard Magazine )

Author's Note-

This story is an adaptation of one of Aesop's Fables: The Hare and the Tortoise. You can find this story at Aesop For Children, illustrated by Milo Winter (2006). This is a classic tale of a swift hare and a slow tortoise, and as we all know the Tortoise wins after the Hare takes a nap midway through the race, being so confident in his victory. As with all of Aesop's Fables, we learn a simple life lesson. In this case: The race is now always to the swift. I chose to apply this fable to some student's idea that they need to race through school as swiftly as possible. Clearly, this is not always the quickest way.

(The Tortoise and the Hare, Source: Wikipedia Commons )

Bibliography-

Title: The Æsop for Children
       With pictures by Milo Winter

Author: Æsop

Illustrator: Milo Winter

Release Date: December 2, 2006 [EBook #19994]

Week 1: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium - My Favorite Place

Norman, OK- With the possible exception of my bed back home, the OU football stadium is my absolute favorite place in the world. I've spent almost every Saturday in the Fall in this mecca of college of football. The atmosphere is incredible, and the energy that surrounds the stadium before, during and after the game is palpable. For any OU student that loves football, this has to be one of their favorite places in the world!

Oklahoma Football Stadium - Elite Daily

Source: Elite Daily