LURKERS: Read on. Today is a Part II of yesterday's Lurker Appreciation Day. Frequent posters... there's something in it for everyone. Stay tuned.Creative idea
Edison's Whack on the Side of the Head
Lurker Appreciation, continued, and
A challenge
Watch me attempt to weave these four things together.
Creative Idea
How about using a beach ball as a fun way to learn more about family members at a reunion, friends at a cookout, or co-workers at a office retreat? Throw the ball from one part of the circle to another answering whichever question is closest to your right pointer finger.
We'll play in a minute. First we have a few more items of business.
Edison's Whack on the Side of the Head
Lesson #4: Knowing. For the innovator, knowledge must not be an end in itself. Creative knowledge means knowing the potential of many things - forces, components, design elements, and so on - so that these may be combined into new or improved devices.
Apparently Edison was more of a practitioner than he was a theorist. He considered the elements used to build his devices more important than any book-learned grasp of theory.
What does that mean to us? Concrete, specific, intimate knowledge of our lurkers is more important than what any psychology book might say about the motivation-theory involved in converting a lurker to a poster.
Hold that thought.
Lurker Appreciation, continued.
Yesterday we used a simple poll to learn more about our lurkers. And, we did. I was surprised to learn so many of our readers are between 35-45 and that posts of general inspiration are second only to those of creative ideas. I was not surprised, however, to learn that 92% of our readers SHINE!
Lurkers, yesterday was a baby step. Today, we're going to ask you to go one step further. Below is a list of the questions written on the beach ball pictured above. Close your eyes and, using your right pointer finger, pick a question. Then, go to the comment section and give us a more concrete, specific, intimate look at who you are.
Item 4 of 4, before we get the fun of the questions.
A Challenge
Open space. Anyone who has ever taken a counseling class knows that, sometimes getting a client to share means that you, the counselor, must become comfortable with the awkward silence. Would the 27% who said "planning on it" and 7% who said, "just ask" feel more inclined to share if our regular posters created space for them? You know, not jumping right in and dominating the comment section?
Let's try. Before any of our regulars posters provide their answers to one of the questions, let's get at least one lurker to post his/her answer to a question in the comment section.
I'll even sweeten the pot. For every post made AFTER the first lurker comes out of hiding, I will donate $1.00 to Highlowaha's philanthropy, Gift of 218.
Below is the list of questions, compliments of reader Peggy who made me the beautiful book you see pictured above.
What are your hobbies?
Where was your high school and when did you graduate?Favorite thing to do on the weekend?
What's your favorite holiday?
What are some of your favorite sayings?
What was the first album you ever bought?
What was the best trip you ever took?
What is your zodiac sign?
Have you ever saved anyone's life?
What is your favorite snack?
What was your first job?
How did you decide on your career?
Describe in details a place you really love.
I am...
What is your favorite quote?
What are you thankful for?
Which song do you sing in the shower?
What is the last book you read?
What are 5 things you want to learn to do?
Who knows you better than anyone?
What's your favorite aisle in Target?
How do you best relax?
Do you have any siblings?
What do you never get sick of?
If $$$ didn't matter what job/career would you go for?
What is 1 thing you could not live without?
What's your favorite game?
Who is your hero?
Phew, four items of business woven together into a single Whack on the Side of the Head. I'm tired.
Signing off until tomorrow...
16 comments:
Looks like I am the first lurker...am I a lurker? I feel like I post a couple times a week. Does that give me lurker status? I'll answer anyway.
My finger landed on "What was your first job?" Fitting, as I am a workaholic.
My first job was when I was 14 years old at Plehn's Bakery in Louisville, KY. For those of you who live or visit Louisville you absolutely MUST go there. It is in the heart of St. matthews. I think the HLA readers would really enjoy a visit there. This is the best bakery ever. It was built by Kuno Plehn's in the 1920s. In the small 3 table cafe they have old black and white photos of the bakery and the neighborhood as it progressed through the years. Once you walk in you are greeted by an old fashion soda fountain. They make the best malts and milkshakes! In the cases you will find everything from Italian Cream Cake to donuts to pedifores to kuchens to chocolate eclairs to freshly baked iced sugar cookies in the shapes of all the great cookie cutters you HLA ppl love. They make wedding cakes and bread and muffins and everything else in between. This was the best first job anyone could ever ask for, I still visit the bakery when I come back in town and all the owners and desk clerks still know my name. Ah, I love it.
Five things I want to learn how to do:
1. Play the guitar
2. Drive a stick shift/standard
3. Golf
4. Speak some sign language
5. Cook (better)
Oh, and we use the beach ball idea all the time in our Residence Life office. Except you answer two questions... the two closest to where your thumbs landed when you caught the ball.
What's your favorite holiday?
Imbolc... not as flashy as Yule or as fun as Samhain, but I like it. It is a time of hope and returning light/life. It is the time of year associated with beginning growth, and as such is an initiatory period. This is when I renew my vows to the Mother and plant the "seeds" of my hopes and dreams for the coming summer months. On the Wheel of life, it is when we come out of the inner times, the Deep of self exploration and bring forth new ideas and plans. I like it best of all the stops along the Wheel of the Year.
I'm not sure if I have become a member or still a lurker and I have been absent for the past few months as I have had my second child and enjoying maternity leave.
My question for today was-what was the last book you read- and honestly it is still what I am reading- What to Expect In The Toddler Years"
My first born jsut turned two on the 12th of this month and is keeping me on my toes, especially with a new baby to also care for- but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Yay Mt. Kelly!!! Glad to have you back unfortunately I'd say you fell into lurker status the past few months...maybe we can get you back to be a regular poster!
Favorite Target Isle:
$1 bins!!
Which song do you sing in the shower?
You put your right foot in
You put your right foot out
You put your right foot in
and you scrub it all about.
Just kidding. As much as I love music I don't usually sing in the shower. I shower at night and it is my best thinking and daily reflection spot.
Glad to see some lurkers post. I was sitting in a(n)(un)comfortable silent comment section this morning.
Thanks to Lauren for breaking the silence.
Lauren... Plehn's is great. It was one of the first places we visited after moving to Louisville. I agree it would be fun to give Taste of USA visitors a taste of Plehn's. We'll work on it. So, why don't you join us for the weekend. Think of the fun we could have!
Kelly... so great to have you back. Congratulations on that baby of yours. Your kids are adorable. Don't be a stranger. The community is more vibrant with you as a commenter.
Boone.. then tune in on Friday. Have we got an activity for you!
My question. Describe a place you really love. My hometown of Douglaston Manor, New York. It is a beautiful, serene cove sitting on a penninsula of water. I love walking around the point and rounding the corner to see the whole of the Little Neck Bay - sailboats and all.
Finally... so far a much less expensive day than I anticipated. So far only $8.00.
Oh guys...we can't let Claudia get off so easily...let's post, post post!!!!!
Favorite thing to do on the weekend?
Clean my apartment, relax, spend time with my family and friends
My comment did post...boo!
Anywho, it's fun reading what's going on with everyone...especially those we don't hear from on a regular basis.
What is your favorite snack?
ICE CREAM...I love it. I'll never be able to give it up. I also really like pineapple. Yum-O!
Checking in late today from a Pilot has station in Elizabethtown, ky!
My question...what do you never get sick of? My sentimental answer since I sadly had to leave her today is morning walks with Claudia. My non-sentimental answer is music.
Back to driving I go now that the gas tank is full!
What high school did you graduate from & when?
I graduated in 1999 from Christian County HS. We just had our 10 yr reunion & only about 30 of over 200 showed up...
Anonymous, I think generally more people attend the 20th. I had a so-so time at my 10th... actually, i hated it. My 20th was SO much more fun since we hadn't seen each other in so long.
Have you ever saved anyone's life?
Yep. Enough said.
(All that for a $1???)
BTW, we used to eat at Plehn's once a month or so when we lived in St. Matthews. We left STM about a decade ago (really?) and hadn't eaten there since. Just this week we passed by. I got everyone out of the car after we circled the block for the eclairs! Yum. They loved it.
Fellow "nestie"...supporting your blog :)
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