Community Archives - Page 40 of 143

The Mic Is On: We're Having a Birthday Party!

July 3, 2007 by Liz

It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

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A Birthday Party for Liz!

There’s plenty to talk about. Here’s a few ideas to get us started:

Fun things to do at birthday parties
Birthday presents we love
Our favorite kinds of cake and ice cream
Getting a new driver’s license
What it’s like when our birthday is near a holiday

And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey.

Oh, and bring links to share: fireworks, birthday presents, cake and ice cream. . ..

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time: We're Having a Party!

July 3, 2007 by Liz

Yes the Mic Will Be on Tonight

A Birthday Party. . . for Liz!

It’ll be fun!

We can talk about getting new driver’s licenses, fun things to do at birthday parties, birthday presents we love, our favorite kinds of cake and ice cream, what it’s like when our birthday is near a holiday, and whatever else comes up.

Oh, and bring links to share: fireworks, cake and ice cream, and presents!

The rules are simple — be nice.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

The 4 Keys to Reader Comments and Conversation

June 27, 2007 by Liz

The People Connection

The living web is built on relationships that grow through conversation. A certain magic happens when blog comments turn into conversation. When a blogging conversation happens, ideas, thoughts, and information gets passed from person to person. In the process, we find a human connection.

The Four Keys to Reader Comments and Conversation

These won’t surprise or stun you. You already know them. They’re what we all do when we talk to any person we value.

Come down from the podium. Talk to me like a person who can listen. Let me be as smart as you are, even when I don’t know what you do.

Leave what you say a little unfinished. Then I can add a word in. When a talking person fills in every idea and detail before anyone else talks, that’s called a speech. The response becomes applause or that awful noise.

Blog your experience. I’ll respond to what you tell me. I don’t have to agree with you for what you say to resonate.

Hold up your end of the bargain. Respond to my comments as you would my conversation. It’s only polite.

They say “no blog is an island.” But a blog can be one, and blogging is not the same in isolation. The ideas, thoughts, and information that we share in blogging conversation make us stronger and expand us, as people, not just as bloggers.

Therein lies the magic — we meet and make each other better.

–ME “Liz” Strauss
If you’d like Liz to help you make a plan to meet your goals, click on the Work with Liz!! page in the sidebar.

The Mic Is On: We’re Talking About Cowboys and Cowgirls!

June 26, 2007 by Liz

It’s Like Open Mic Only Different

Here’s how it works.

It’s like any rambling conversation. Don’t try to read it all. Jump in whenever you get here. Just go to the end and start talking. EVERYONE is WELCOME.
The rules are simple — be nice.

There are always first timers and new things to talk about. It’s sort of half “Cheers” part “Friends” and part video game. You don’t know how much fun it is until you try it.

Yahoo! We’re Talking About Cowboys and Cowgirls!

Here’s a few ideas to get us started:

Famous cowboys
Cowboys in the movies
Playing cowboys
Cowboy apparel

And, whatever else comes up, including THE EVER POPULAR, Basil the code-writing donkey.

Oh, and bring a link about cowboys and cowgirls, if you have one to share.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Open Mic 7pm Chgo Time: Let’s Talk About Cowboys and Cowgirls!

June 26, 2007 by Liz

Yes the Mic Will Be on Tonight

Grab Your Hat!

We’re Rounding Up All The Cowboys and Cowgirls!

It’ll be fun!

We can talk about famous cowboys, cowboys in the movies, playing cowboys, cowboy apparel, and anything else that comes up.

Oh, and bring a link about cowboys and cowgirls to share, if you have one.

The rules are simple — be nice.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related article
What is Tuesday Open Comment Night?

Every Blogger Knows . . . Thank You Is Living on the Web

June 20, 2007 by Liz

It’s the Living!

Every blogger knows we have to repeat what we say, because sometimes folks are absent. . . . or they’re busy thinking their own thoughts . . . or we didn’t say it quite as well as we might. So when a friend says something brilliant we keep it close and use it again and again.

It starts with the words of Tony D. Clark. Thank you, friend.

The whole thing changes when the world becomes your community.

Every blogger knows having a friend who will help out is why the Internet is thriving.

Two weeks ago, I asked a favor of Mitch Matthews. Would you guest host Open Comments Night? He made it sound like I was giving him a gift. Thank you, Mitch, for jumping in with all of the energy, fun, and wonderful things you are.

Every blogger knows, when someone comes to town, it’s important to say “hello,” even if you’ve never met. As it turned out a hello became the start of a conversation with Jeff Pulver and his cousin. Eric, and ended in Jeff’s Summer Party at the House of Blues. Thank you, Jeff, for your charming curiosity, your incredible generosity, and the amazing people you gathered in one room.

Every blogger knows some folks are connected before they meet. How do you do to Chris Brogan, who greeted me with kind words from a friend, Becky McCray. Thank you, Becky. I feel like you introduced us. Thank you, Chris, for unexpectedly showing up, and showing up more than I would have expected.

Every blogger knows that coming home is the best! Thank you everyone who was here at Open Comments Last Night to make Mitch feel welcome as a guest.

Thank you, Wendy and Ari, for being part of the event last night. Fun isn’t as much fun without people who are close.

Yeah it’s right. Sometimes we have to repeat what we say, because folks are absent. . . . or they’re busy thinking their own thoughts . . . or we didn’t say it quite as well as we might. So I’ll say it again.

I’m one lucky blogger so many times over. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.