For my passion blog, I am considering either sticking with my theme from last semester or transitioning to a completely new idea for a fresh start. Last semester, I titled my blog “Rhythm of Life” and I chose a new song that seemed to serendipitously “fall” into my life each week. I discussed the history and success of each song, provided my own analysis of various different musical aspects, and explained how I found each one. While I really enjoyed researching and keeping an ear out for new music, I am also curious about the possibility of discussing vegetarian eating options on campus and downtown. As a lifelong vegetarian and foodie, I think that I have a unique take on the subject that could be helpful to others who are also trying to find convenient and tasty veggie options nearby.
My first idea for the “This I Believe” project is to explain my passion for growing plants within my dorm room. This is a recent change for me since I only adopted my first plant in September this year. I have already noticed that caring for my eight plants consistently reminds me to also take care of myself. Each time I enter my room, the greenery on my windowsill brightens my day. As a more lighthearted option, I could explore my love of fun socks. I currently have a growing sock collection that includes pineapples, hedgehogs, avocados, and even polar bears. When I have an important event, such as an interview, audition, or exam, I make sure to wear a pair of my favorite socks as a fun touch to keep myself going and to add a little creativity to the rest of my otherwise professional outfit.
Lastly, I am considering the clean water crisis as one idea for the Civic Issues blog. I could focus on how people of lower economic status are disproportionately affected, the environmental problems connected to our changing climate, and the health problems caused by unsafe water. My second idea for this project is to analyze the idea of taxing items that are harmful to the environment to deter consumers from purchasing them. My focus for this idea, known as an Ecotax, could include its overall economic impact, its success in terms of promoting environmentalism, and the current methods of enforcement in different areas across the United States.
Passion Blog: If you choose to do the vegetarian blog, make sure you add a personal spin to it so you’re not just becoming a vegetarian food review blog. If you continue to go with your music plan from last semester, you can easily make that very personal, but it might take more time to write.
These are all such great ideas! I would love to hear more about the vegetarian eating options here at state college. Both ideas for your podcast seem fine with me although I think it might be easier to come up with metaphors and a lesson if you go with the plant option. For the civic issues blog, I have always wanted to learn more about the impact of taxes on environmentally harmful products.
I love your pun about writing of songs that “fall” into your life for the Fall Semester. Perhaps for the Spring you could write entries about more upbeat songs that “spring” you up? I think that keeping the pun would render your blog wholesome and complete. For “This I Believe,” I think that the plant idea has more potential to satisfy the five canons due to the strong metaphor that could be employed. That would be a perfect transition into an environment-based Civic Issues Blog, regardless of which specific idea you choose.
-Passion Blog: UM SECOND IDEA PLEASE! I’m currently doing this whole plant based lifestyle and finding options can be extremely challenging so that would be super helpful!
-“This I Believe”: I think the plant idea might have more substance and you can connect that to a more meaningful theme
-Civic Issues Blog: I like the tax idea; it’s a genius policy and I think you could really explore that well.