50 Discrete Memorization

Well today in class we were again amazed by our fellow classmates with their ability to remember, some were informative, others like mine, more of a comedy, yet this seemed to me to be easier than the first, of course it was half as long, but I think that once you have gotten the idea of the memory theather down, then it is a breeze, although I have to admit I have not taken full advantage of the memory theather, and memorized my 100 with rote memorization. I have a high capacity for memory, not as great as Harold Bloom who is reported to have a photographic memory, but a pretty darn good one. I will now list what the presentations where and give some brief comments to some.
We started off with finishing up some of the oral poems, Jeremy sang a rather racy song in ode to blue-eyed Sophie, and it was very informative.
Cara- recited wildflowers you would see if you drove through Idaho, MT, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming which I thought was pretty cool, she did a great job.
Allison did the 50 top artists, which was interesting, not unlike the debate we had in Lit Crit last semester, it is totally subjective, and no one will ever agree, although I think the Beatles were number 1 as it should be, just like good old willie shakes should be number one on the top msu bookmark, or any for that matter in my opinion.
Debbie (me) did 50 Simpson characters, which wasn't really a stretch for me, as I love that show, and the hardest part was parring down who I would include, because there are so many great characters, although I did skip Chief Clancy Wiggum and his family, luckily I had more than 50, so I think I am okay, plus as we have learned a good bard does not admit mistakes but keeps on truckin'.
Ed's presentation I thought was the most impressive, he did Prometheus in german and english, and it was awesome. He has a great accent, and it was some pretty heavy stuff, I was very amazed and realize how many talents our fellow students have that we know nothing of, that is one of the reasons that Dr. Sexson's classes are my favorite, and wish that I would be able to have him for another class. But Ed you are the man!
Api-did mountain ranges encapsulated in a poem.
Jenny recited "oh the places you'll go", by Dr. Seuss dedicated to Api and Brian because they are graduating. She did a great job, and I thought this was a great memorization feat.
Hanna did major religions, and did a great job of reciting 70+, and being very diplomatic about it.
Brian-the past 50 Monarchs of England-which Dr. Sexson informed us is represented in the second chapter of Finnegans Wake, (shocking that he could plug Finnegans Wake again, but he did).
Juliette recited 50 foods she craves, I liked the third world coke in a bottle.
Heather- 50 top albums by Virgin-a very viceral presentation, the class got quite involved agreeing and disagreeing.
Jerimiah did his top 50 country songs, and although his favorite song was not the top song, which I don't really understand, but #1 was He stop loving her today, by George Young.
Kristi-our non english major (gasp) did parts of the brain, very impressive.
Faith recited Wink, Blink and Nod, the first book that lead her into the literary world.
Valerie recited astological signs and a lot of other information.
Tracy did names of moon besides the moon as used in literary and religion.
Stacy-who we will remember as the woman who rides Hamlet all night long thanks to Brian, recited the last 50 Kentucky Derby winners.
Josh recited a track off of his prison songs CD. He is so cute, that smile just gets ya.
Lauren-top 50 universities, I think she should have thrown in MSU, because why not she is in an oral traditions class, their is no historians.
Courtney recited the last 50 snowboards in inventory at her shop.
Jennifer did the past Nobel Prize winners and should get a reward for saying all of those difficult names, and I should thank her as well because one of the names on the list looked familiar, and it was a book I bought my boyfriend for christmas, see I have good taste, so I have begun to read it and it is fantastic, probably why he one the nobel prize. The book is called "One Man's Bible".
Wes did a poem by Shel Silverstein who is on the list of the top 100 challenged books according to the ALA, which I don't understand.
Justin-books of the Bible
Wayne - a close second behind Ed for most impressive, recited the first quartet in 4 Quartets by T.S. Eliot which is also number 41 on our list. He did it with a grace and style and softness, very impressive, but I still have to give the nod to Ed, you the man!
All in all another impressive and informative exercise. I always think that I am going to dread these presentations, and yes the Top 100 did get a bit old, but every student has such a different style and presence in front of the class that it is always fun. I miss the days of oral stories, and think that since I am going to become an English teacher that I will try and incorporate some of these techniques in my classroom. Although I fear it will tramatize some shy students, they will eventually be expected to speak in front of a group of people, and better to start early and get the hang of it, or at least not be deadly scared, then to wait until you incounter an educator such as Dr. Sexson. Our captain!