Surprises Lurk in the Comment Box!

Conversations with others benefit in so many ways. Unexpected surprises surfaced for me recently since I was the 1,000th commenter on Brad Shorr's Word Sell, and the 2,000th commenter on Joanna Young's Confident Writing. They offered a choice of books as a prize!

I comment to engage with people in many fields - to encourage or to learn more. Hearing peoples' thoughts helps me see ideas afresh. So I leave bloggers' sites with extra takeaways, besides building friendships with folks around the world.

Brad said,

I’m glad that Robyn was the 1000th commenter for a couple reasons. First, she was one of my first readers. Without her early encouragement I don’t know if I would have kept it going. Second, I think she was really disappointed she didn’t come up a winner in the recent “nano contest”.

Brad, you were amongst the first commenters on Brain Based Biz, too. I sense we kept learning from each other along the way. You could be right about the nano, but I've been thinking now about purchasing one!

Joanna announced me as 2000th commenter with such fitting words in the title... Brainpower in the Comment Box. I also like the way she encourages me...

She was one of the first people to leave a comment on my blog at a point where those gestures of friendship, encouragement and support are so invaluable. And she's been here ever since.

I hope it gives you even more power to your writing elbow Robyn. You share some powerful and exciting ideas with us about the way the brain works, and we all benefit when your words fizz, crackle and soar.

From Brad's bookstore I chose The Little Blue Book of Advertising by Steve Lance and Jeff Woll. And, from Joanna's store On Writing Well by William Zinsser. I've already had some ideas springing since thumbing through The Little Blue Book... I can see why you recommend it, Brad! And, I can't wait until Zinsser's book is in my mail box!

Thanks Joanna and Brad! Winning prizes through commenting seems like pouring fresh strawberries over warm buttermilk biscuits... extra good!

Hmmm.... It also stirs my thinking about possibilities of a contest here. My thinking cap's revving as we speak...

Bloopers for Belly Laughs on a Stressful Day

Do your words really convey the message you want?

Think twice about putting words together! Just a few words out of place can make folks double over with a belly laugh over your blooper! Here're ten side-splitting examples!

1. Here's 150 Resume Mistakes, Bloopers and Blunders to check out...

2. Newscasters caught saying the wrong thing

3. Dave Letterman presents the Top 10 Bush Bloopers on video...

Remember when Bush said, "The left hand doesn't know what the right hand's doing," and he held up the wrong hand?

4. Courtroom Bloopers - yes, it happens often. For example...

Q. Doctor, did you say he was shot in the woods?
A. No, I said he was shot in the lumbar region.

5. Doctor's blooper

A man speaks frantically into the phone, "My wife is pregnant, and her contractions are only two minutes apart!"
"Is this her first child?" the doctor queries.
"No, you idiot!" the man shouts. "This is her husband!"

6. Student bloopers listed in the Chronicle of Higher Education Forums:

This semester, my student plans to do a report on Salvador Deli. I can't wait to hear about the surreal sandwiches.

“Sudden death occurs when the weekend heart valves fail.”

I guess the weekday heart valves take time off.

7. Bloopers in ads

At An Auto Repair Service Station:

Free pick-up and delivery
Try us once, you'll never go anywhere again.

8. Bloopers in Classifieds

1 man, 7 woman hot tub -- $850/offer

Amana washer $100. Owned by clean bachelor who seldom washed

Free puppies...part German shepherd part dog

9. Doctor Charting Blooper:

From the physician's notes about a first-time pregant, newly admitted OB patient: "Patient is a 26-year old primate."

10. Dan Quayle at his best...

Press: Mr. Vice President, if you were to suddenly become President, do you think you would be up to the job?Dan Quayle: If such an unfortunate thing were to happen, yes, I believe I would be.San Jose Mercury News (3/31)

In a given day people laugh less, just when the brain needs more... I know a good laugh can turn around a mistake and put me back on course... How about you?

Laughter can quickly change your mood, especially if you're uptight and frustrated on a work day. Here's how that happens...

When you spot or hear or a blooper, Serotonin, a chemical that brings well being, is released in your brain. Serotonin changes your perspective. Be sure to give yourself a dose when you find yourself in a pinch.

Brad Shorr's having a writing contest to win an iPod nano and this blog's my entry.
He'll have a random drawing if he gets 10 entries... Want to give it a go?

Check out Word Sell, where Brad Shorr offers tips to use words with flair...

So, get your brain dendrites rolling, and let's see what you create....

Use More Intelligences for Effective Sales

"How might small and mid-size business people use different types of intelligences," Brad Shorr inquired, "to create more effective sales and marketing collateral?" I noodled that in the backburner of my mind for a few days and you'll see results at Word Sell, Brad's insightful blog on words.

Most folks want to use more intelligences to their advantage and I show strategies that'll fit your unique needs...

Brad not only plays with language, but he also shares ideas through art and with great humor. Here's an example of the Easter Island series you'll enjoy on Scrambled Toast where he lets his hair down a bit. I'm a fan of Brad's blogs and know my readers will enjoy them, too...


Will you open the windows of your mind to tap more of its rich resources? Do check my guest post at Word Sell for starters. Thoughts....