Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Whack on the Side of the Head Wednesday: How Do You Eat An Elephant?

How do you eat an elephant?  That's what I'm asking right this minute as my mind swirls with all the activity and excitement being generated by our blog.

One bite at a time.  So that's how I'll approach today's blog entry.  One item at a time... knowing that if I keep plugging away, all the important information will get covered.

Announcements at the end.  But first, one short commercial announcement from our sponsor...
10 Events; 10 Winners
1 Champion
3 Days to GO!
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Prizes to be won and announcements to be made!
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Virtual Highlowaha
Dinner Party
Friday, August 8, 2008
8:00 p.m.
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Eat Chinese food, watch the opening of the Olympic Games
AND
participate in the unveiling of...
Highlowaha's 
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Now onto today's whack.  You know what I love about this blog?  There's no resting on your laurels.  No sitting back and eating bon bons.  No break to be taken.  You keep me on my toes.  One hundred ten posts for Virtual Tug of War and 20 for honoring teachers around the country... (using magic markers, to boot)!  You know what it says to me?  It says... "Claudia, get out from behind that MacBook and get to know your audience."

The stakes are high here.  I need 100 stories to go with the 100 packages of markers, so that we may surprise 100 teachers with a dose of inspiration.  Work with von Oech to help me - Claudia - get a clue about how to better reach and mobilize our readers... friends of our readers... friends of friends of our readers.. and so on and so on.  You get the picture.  Clearly I shouldn't have tried taking this on without consulting all of you from the get go.  Lesson learned.

Here's von Oech's whack...

Do the Unexpected:  In 1334, Hochosterwitz Castle was besieged by the Duchess of Tyrol.  As time wore on, the defenders became desperate: their last food was an ox.  The Duchess's situation also was severe: her troops had become unruly, and she had urgent matters elsewhere.  Then, the castle's commander had an idea that must have seemed utter folly to his men.  He had the last ox thrown over the wall in from of the enemy.  The Duchess interpreted this scornful message to mean that the defenders had so much food that they could waste it.  At this, the discouraged Duchess quit her siege.  Because the commander did the opposite of what the Duchess expected, he made her believe that her siege wasn't working.  What surprising tactic can you use to reach your objective?

I've already given it a shot, so now I'll turn the fate of this project over to you for some brainstorming. 

Announcements:
  • Julie and Kat:   You'll be happy to know your luggage tags are done and in my hot little hands.  I will be out of town the rest of today, but will be sure to mail them Thursday morning. The rest of you can lament over how you wish you had a set.  It's never too soon to place your holiday orders.

  • Memory Keeper:  Speaking of fun holiday treats... check out Peggy's website.  She recently mailed me THE CUTEST memory keeper.  I already have some ideas about how we, the readers, could use these to embark on a joint project.  Don't feel like waiting for me?  Contact Peggy via her fun website.  http://prdesigns.blogspot.com
  • Christmas Project:  Sue, Maureen, and Brian will soon make their first post about the Highlowaha Holiday Service Project.  Keep your eyes peeled.
  • Reading Raynbow: Check today's comment section to make sure you don't miss out on Round One of Highlowaha's Book Club.
Now, last, but DEFINITELY not least...
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
TASTE OF USA TRIP DETAILS...
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Saturday, September 6, 2008
10:30-4:00
Location TBA
We want as many of you from PA and surrounding states to attend this 
fun-filled day of activity.  
So grab a friend and start making your plans.
PRIZES*FRIENDS*FUN
You won't want to miss it!

Elephant eaten.  I'm full.  Signing off until tomorrow...

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