Submission # 3

The podcast "Notes on Camp" traces the excitement and life lessons learned at summer camp. For these children camp is the biggest event of the year. From the moment the campers load up in the beat up Town and Country on the final day, emotions come pouring out as the 355 days of restless anxiety begins. Camp is the center of the universe, and a high that these kids can't get enough of.

In Note One: Mr. Popular, the typical strumming of the guitar creates a necessary atmosphere. Mr. Popular refers to David, an extremely well liked counselor. David's life was changed from his experience at camp as a boy, and he's still being effected today as a counselor. David insisted that a "day at camp is like two weeks in real life." He insured that camp was a "time warp" that brings people back to their childish ways.

In Note Six: Color Days, the host witnesses the acclaimed three day event. Color days is a competition that takes place at a rustic camp of Northern Michigan. One of the highest honors these kids can receive is to be named captain of their team. This role is so highly esteemed that campers were able to name previous captains dating back many years ago. The raw emotions that swell out of each and every camper is baffling. Constant chanting and cheering echos through the woods and into the heavens. As one girl put it, "when it comes to Color Days, defeat is not an option."

These two segments of This American Life expose listeners to the innocence of campers. Whether you're the famous and envied David or a fierce competitor of Color Days, there's a place at camp for everyone. The camp atmosphere consists of singing and chanting that brings people out of their shells and into the wilderness of youthfulness. How can camp be so simple and yet so memorable? It's the lessons learned from days at camp that shape kids into better human beings.

Podcast Response: Notes on Camp

The podcast "Notes on Camp" traces the excitement and life lessons learned at summer camp. For these children camp is the biggest event of the year. From the moment the campers load up in the beat up Town and Country on the final day, emotions come pouring out as the 355 days of restless anxiety begins. In Note One: Mr. Popular, David is an extremely well liked counselor. David's life was changed from his experience at camp as a boy, and he's still being effected today as a counselor. David insisted that a "day at camp is like two weeks in real life." He insured that camp was a "time warp" that brings people back to their childish ways.

Submission 2

   The Nürburgring is much more than just a race track. This 16.123 mile haven is the heart and soul of an entire town. If you live here everything revolves around the track. Perhaps one of the greatest annual races takes place on this majestic and cool asphalt. The ADAC Zurich 24h-Rennen is a 24 hour race that doesn't sleep. A team of 4 drivers take 6 hour shifts driving their car through the extremes of this demanding highway. Winning this event is like taking a sip from the fountain of youth, for your name lives in eternity.
   The recaps of previous 24 hour races exploit the drivers will and determination to push themselves over the edge. These events are called Endurance Races for a reason. The pale and desperate faces of the drivers as they step out for the end of their shift, portrays the forces that are put on their bodies at every banking turn. Spectators clutter the track from the green flag in the morning, till the checkered flag at the morrow's breaking dawn. On a hairpin turn, there's a desolate silence until the cars come roaring around its bank, gripping to every last pebble of asphalt. The a feeling of peacefulness at every glance of meandering track coaxes the mind and soul. A sense of elegance and beauty are instilled, a beauty that takes the breath away from the very eye.

http://www.walltowatch.com/view/4995

Short List #2

 1. The Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a track located in Nürburg, Germany. This 16.123 mile haven encircles the entirety of the town. If you live here everything revolves around the track. Infamous in the driving world, I discovered this track while surfing through images of my favorite cars. The most famous event that takes place on this track once a year is the ADAC Zurich 24h-Rennen. This is a 24 hour race that takes no breaks. A team of 4 drivers take 6 hour shifts driving their car through the extremes of this tough track. Attending this race just might be something I'll have to add to my bucket list.

2.Bacon Milkshake
 Bacon and milkshakes have always been one of American's favorite foods. This year for a limited time, Jack in the Box came up with the brilliant idea to mix the two favorites. So go and get it because now sold in the Jack in the Box near you is a little bit of heaven. Bacon (good) + milkshake (great) = bacon milkshake (nasty crap)

3. Man wins $50,000 on Tom Brady Safety
With the first score of the Super Bowl being a Giant's safety, one man earned a nice hunk of cash. Jona Rechnitz bet $1,000 on the 2-0 start with a 50-1 odd. Personally I feel the odds should of been much higher and would find the statistics for past safeties in a super bowl to be very enlightening. Jona wasn't complaining and is now probably a big fan of Mr. Brady.

Interpretive Response: 2 Cellos

   When one thinks of a cello, and the music it sings at every stroke of its cords, pop cultural music does not come to mind. Generally the cello is seen playing classics from great composers such as Mozart and Beethoven. However, 2 Cellos is a group that defies everything previously known about the capabilities of this fascinating instrument. They play popular music and apply a surreal twist to songs that have been blessed with immortal popularity.
   The thrashing of the cellists heads as they thrust their emotions into the cello, expresses the raw passion that these men share. As the strings of the bow begin to fray and splinter, the cello screams notes straight into the beating heart. While the music begins to settle and simmer to a calming pace, each gentle stroke of the strings imprints an eternal tattoo on one's very soul. Then the notes start to meander their way into the ear, and the listener is consumed by music that wields the power to heal a broken world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSByjqMGtaU&feature=endscreen&NR=1