Oops! I’m Doing It Again
Believe it or not—and if you’ve read my posts Off-Topic, On the Weekend, Naomi Dunford’s “I Never Called It a Meme,” Meme, Get In On the Action, and You Definitely Don’t Want to Know These 8 Random Things About Me, you may have a hard time believing it—I generally try to resist memes here at Maximum Customer Experience.
I’m not too good at avoiding memes, however, and blogger Peter Kim has pinpointed one reason why: The Ego Trap catches me. As Katherine Hepburn said in The Philadelphia Story, “Oh, we’re going to talk about me, are we? Goody.” Her character didn’t mean it. The gist of The Ego Trap, which I heard about through John Moore, the no-b.s. author of Brand Autopsy, is that I do mean it, even though maybe I don’t mean to mean it. See what I mean?
Goody!
Awards Rock!
This week the trap snapped shut on me when I was given the Oops! award by the achingly funny Urban Panther to start me on my meme-y way.
The Panther thinks we’re funny here, which yes, I am trying to be, and she knows Dorothy Lamour. So I can’t resist her invite.
Thinks we’re funny?
Yes. Please read the Panther’s take on MCE’s humor. Proof that you, dear reader, are part of the team here.
Funny Girl
If you’re newish to the blog and you’re wondering what’s so funny about Experience Design, here are a few that come to mind, when I think of Maximum Customer Experience getting goofy:
Free Slippery Advice, Today Only
I Know It Was Earth-Shattering! But I Lost It in Bed!
Observing: Are You a Bulldozer or a Zen Professor?
Guy Kawasaki Wrote Me an Email Today
Giving the Cow Away, but the Milk’s Not Free!
Tip of the Week: Sex and Maximum Customer Experience
Rules, rules:
The Oops award was created to be given to bloggers who inspire others with their humor and their talents, also for contributing to the blogging world in whatever medium. When you receive this award it is considered a special honor. Once you have received this award, you are to pass it on to others.
The rules for passing this honor on:
1) Pick 5 blogs that you would like to award this honor to.
2) Each award has to have the name of the author and also a link to his or her blog to be visited by everyone.
3) Each award winner has to show the award and put the name and link to the blog that has given her or him the award itself.
4) Award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show the link of “Oops” blog, so everyone will know the origin of this award.
My turn to lavish praise: Where Do I Go to ROFLOL?
This was very hard to narrow down to five, because as it turns out, I like a little funny with my small business inspiration and education, so I read blogs by a lot of folks whose sense of humor brings home their message. That’s maximum blog-reader experience, to me. Without further ado:
The newest winners of the Oops! Award, in order of when I first found their scintillating (and sometimes titillating) senses of humor online, because yes, I have a system to keep track of such things, and because no, I couldn’t put them in order of whose blog I love best. I wouldn’t know where to begin!
Tag, my friends, you are oh, so funny, and (read those rules) you are IT! I can hardly wait to see who you’ll tag!
Naomi Dunford’s IttyBiz
Entrepreneurship: What to Do When You’re Scared Sh*tless. What a title! Though I didn’t leave my first comment for a couple of months, I fell for this post and the previous day’s on IttyBiz. A quick read in the comments may amuse you, to see how many other folks found Naomi on the very same day.
Now, Naomi, I know you don’t want to play, but remember you owe me one? And I love ya.
And dear, dear readers: once, I was afraid. I was petrified. (If you hear Gloria Gaynor in the background, you are OLD. Like me.) Of Naomi’s self-described “potty mouth.” I grew strong, and I learned how to get along, because I can not give up reading what she has to say, any day she drags herself to the keyboard to say it. I’m warning you so you’re ready, but don’t you dare stay away.
Nick Cernis’ Putting Things Off
Suave and self-effacing, with a gorgeous blog where he gently recommends, never insists, you follow his lead, Nick Cernis is the blogger who’d enliven my dinner parties with whispered asides if only fate hadn’t placed him on the bonny British isles. Then again, were he not there, he wouldn’t be who he is, so my dinners must suffer but my reading never will.
The post where I fell for Nick’s ever-so-mannered wit: Warning: If You’re Using These Job Titles, Stop Right Now! I’ve never stopped reading, and neither will you.
Sonia Simone’s Remarkable Communication
Slightly snarky business blogger is how I’d describe Sonia. Her dead-on advice, delivered with a wink, always gives a giggle and a head-nodding lesson in effective communications. Will she hate me for mentioning that she’s also written a few novels, which my local library had on the shelves, so I checked her out a couple of months ago and got a few more giggles? Let’s find out.
Her Free 115-Page Tutorial on Marketing to Women was so incisive I was instantly hooked. Have a look.
Taylor Lindstrom’s Rogue Ink
Tei is young (blog-wise) and popular, so naturally in this extended high-school arena we call the blogosphere I am insanely jealous. She’s also sharp as a tack, so I’m hooked. I first fell off my chair with laughter and recognition when I read this superb post: The War on English: So It Begins.
Whether she’s defending the English language or letting the comments turn into the fanfest she calls a pub, she’ll get you with her ability to skewer absolutely anything. She’s also deadly with a fancy sword. Side-splitting, indeed!
Bob Hoffman’s The Ad Contrarian
Bob is living proof of the power of guest blogging and commenting, because I found him through his devastatingly funny guest post on Copyblogger, A Cranky, Skeptical Loudmouth Looks at Social Media Marketing then realized he was everywhere commenting, then took a look at his blog and almost bust a gut going through his archives. Heck, even when he’s bemoaning a lack of backlinks, he’s just painfully funny.
My favorite post from just after I discovered The Ad Contrarian: The Cluefree Manifesto. If it doesn’t help you to take yourself less seriously (and maybe make you choke on your morning espresso) there is no justice at all in the world.
BONUS: Because rules were made to be broken, my sixth fave funny blog, and the only one that may never advance your business in any way but will be glad to tell you about (inner) truths and (outer) body parts we at MCE never discuss.
The Urbane Lion’s Den
I thought his woman would tag him, but the Panther demurred. Well, your intrepid Experience Designer can not leave this fine and funny new voice off her list. When I first began reading The Urban Panther, she was in the midst of a series on Dressing to Land a Man which had me laughing out loud at every turn.
How to really land yourself a good man! was his response, the first post by the Lion that I read, and when I got to his abhorrence of baseball caps on anything but baseball players (I’ve been mocked publicly, but that’s how I feel), I knew he was a kindred spirit. A smart, off-kilter, nothing’s sacred, incorrigible, urbane scamp of a kindred spirit, but a kindred spirit nevertheless.
Have fun clicking around here at MCE, and at a few of the places I go to exercise my right to roar with laughter and scare my neighbors. Happy, happy Friday.
Thanks so much, Panther. I’m really flattered. 
Grow and be amused,
Kelly Erickson
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29 August 2008, 7:51 am
Aaaargh! I told the Panther I did not want to be tagged! And now, here you are breaking all the rules! As a former business owner I have learned that in the long run it always pays off to follow the rules…. didn’t you know that! But don’t worry! I still like you!
Urbane Lion’s last blog post…World’s simplest recipe; Grilled figs!
29 August 2008, 8:02 am
Lion,
Hahahaha I know you told her that, but you didn’t tell me!
As a current business owner, it always pays to MAKE the rules.
Did you really think we would all ignore your incredibly brilliant humor with an award for being funny floating around?
Tag!
Regards,
Kelly
29 August 2008, 9:03 am
You are far too kind, Kelly. If I had a page containing all the generous things that wonderful people have said about me, you’d be at the top. There’d be no-one below you, of course, which is why such a page doesn’t exist yet. One person testimonials make for wretched reading.
Sadly, I am also one of those who ducks into the shadows at the mere mention of awards, memes or requests for autographs. This is a good thing for two reasons: firstly, because several of the people you’ve nominated would be on my Ooops! Award list too, and secondly, because I haven’t yet practised my signature to the extent where it would look nice on someone’s mantelpiece next to their collection of china cats and horrid plates.
In case you think I’ve copped out, however, let me draw people’s attention to Tim Brownson’s blog at http://adaringadventure.com/blog/wordpress He uses humour to great effect, and it makes the act of another imperfect being telling us how to live our lives all the more dignified.
Nick Cernis’s last blog post…The Dangers of Information Dieting
29 August 2008, 10:16 am
Oh ya, in through the back door. Poor Lion. *chuckle*
Urban Panther’s last blog post…Cut and run
29 August 2008, 11:43 am
Nick,
Yes, you have copped out, but I’ll head over there immediately to see Tim Brownson’s genius. Any friend of yours is bound to be a friend of mine.
Panther,
It was too obvious. I would have felt like a perfect louse if I didn’t point out that your glowing sense of humor is complimented perfectly by your Lion’s.
Until later,
Kelly
29 August 2008, 11:44 am
Go, anti-meme, go! Rah rah rah. [insert pompoms]
Amy Derby’s last blog post…What’s Your Dream Gig?
29 August 2008, 11:52 am
Amy,
I’d have linked to your fabulous funnies, but I already link to you constantly because I am such a fangirl. (Nick thinks he has problems.) And I tortured you with a meme once before, too, just to see if I could tease one more funny post out of you, which I proudly did.
Enough torture for Amy, says I.
I want a pompom emoticon now!
Until later,
Kelly
29 August 2008, 11:56 am
Aw, thanks Kelly! I am completely amazed your library had me on the shelf, but I hope you enjoyed.
Oh dear, I have to do things now, don’t I? Well, such things are good karma, so I’ll think about my own award-winners.
Sonia Simone’s last blog post…How Tasty Are Your Chips and Salsa?
29 August 2008, 12:06 pm
Sonia,
I did enjoy them. Confession: I had never been to the romance section of our library before. Didn’t even know there was a romance section. It’s enormous. Once at CB when you mentioned it, I asked what made you stop. I’ll venture a guess—it must get tough to be original when that section of the library is so saturated.
The story with the English lord who kidnapped the shyster chick stuck with me for a while. Clearly, not long enough to make sense now, but it did impress me. I could see the seeds of the Sonia Simone I know in that writing.
The best part of this meme and the reason I couldn’t say no—I’m looking forward to the taps my favorite funny people will give to others!
Regards,
Kelly
29 August 2008, 7:10 pm
Kelly,
1. Thanks.
2. Unlike Nick, I thrive on awards, applause, tips…
3. Now you’ve put pressure on me to be funny. Apparently “annoying” isn’t good enough anymore.
4. But seriously, where am I supposed to find 5 funny bloggers? That’s like finding 5 coherent art directors, or 5 cheerful teenagers, or five satisfactory husbands, or 5 McCain voters on the Upper West Side. Anyone with a sense of humor is not blogging, he’s making fun of bloggers.
5. Which reminds me, how come so many bloggers are Canadians? You people lonely or something?
6. What’s a meme?
bob hoffman’s last blog post…Online Chaos
29 August 2008, 10:16 pm
Bob,
1. You’re welcome.
2. You’re easy to award and applaud. Tip: Take the A train.
3. I’m good with annoying, you are at your funniest then. Somehow I forgot to put the PG-13 warning on my review of your sense of humor, so everybody else, read the caveat for IttyBiz.
4. I managed to find 5 (6), but now you can’t choose them. And if you were around here earlier than the Panther, of course, I would have been ideal.
4 b. With one unsatisfactory husband under my belt, I can attest to the impossibility of that…
4 c. … but with McCain’s veep choice today, 5 ticked-off Hillary supporters on the Upper West Side switching sides is quite possible. Don’t think he doesn’t know it.
5. I am not Canadian. I’ve tried to escape, but my parka keeps getting stuck on the barbed wire. However, I do attract Canadians like flies to honey, for which I am grateful. They’re cold, and blogging keeps the fingers warm.
6. Seriously? Can I trust you to be asking seriously?
Okay, a meme is an older term than the ‘net, meaning loosely, a thing that is in all of our consciousness without exactly knowing why, like the White Sox stink, or limburger is a foul cosmic joke, or art directors rarely stop drinking long enough to be coherent.
On the Internet, a meme is like a chain letter (but more fun) that ideally should be passed on until it becomes so big that it gets stuck in everyone’s head. In practice, people like Nick gum up the works by refusing to play, but there is something lovely about watching them explode for a while.
Welcome to MCE! Looking forward to your response.
Regards,
Kelly
P.S. Is no-blogging week over, or does that not extend to commenting on posts where fellow bloggers fawn all over you?
30 August 2008, 5:40 am
First, I didn’t mean to accuse you of being Canadian. I would never do that. When I said “you Canadians” I didn’t mean “you Kelly” I meant “you bloggers.” (Canadians don’t have a nuclear stockpile or pomegranate lemonade. We need to be more understanding.)
Now, about that “5 funny bloggers” thing — I’m worried. What if I can’t come up with 5? Do I have to give my award back? How about the money? (By the way, when do I get the money?)
As for No Blogging Week, it culminates on Monday with the big No Blogging Day Parade right through the heart of downtown Montreal. And, yes, fawning is suspended until 12:01 am Tuesday.
bob hoffman’s last blog post…See You In September
30 August 2008, 7:35 am
Bob,
LOL pomegranate lemonade. My daughter had strawberry limeade last night, now I feel so bourgeois American.
The rules are strict. Come up with 5, or you’re not as funny.
You get your loot when I get mine. *taps foot* Hey Panther, is the prize money in USD or CAND? Bob works with about as many loonies as he can handle.
Yee-hah! Invading Montreal on Monday! Can I bring my nuclear stockpile?
Until later,
Kelly
30 August 2008, 9:18 am
@Bob - accuse her of being Canadian? ACCUSE?! I’ll have you know that being Canadian is an honour..the only stipulation is that you need to be able to manage temperature ranges from -40 to +40..Celcius!…be uberly politically correct in public…but raunchy as heck in private….and be able to stare down Americans who think we drive dog sleds with all the grace we can muster.
@Kelly - Prize money? There’s prize money? Gosh, and I thought the thrill of getting the award was prize enough. See? More Canadian humbleness.
And Gatineau is just under 2 hours from Montreal…should you want the Lion to prepare one of his amazing feasts, so you have strength for your invasion.
Urban Panther’s last blog post…Cut and run
30 August 2008, 9:33 am
Panther,
The kid and I have been talking about Canada for a couple of days—why even staid New Englanders like me look like crazy Texans among the frozen people, etc. “Uberly correct in public,” oui. That describes it.
Every time I’ve been to Second City in Toronto (comedy club, for those not familiar) I am reminded of my American-ness. I’m under the impression that one should *laugh* when one hears something amusing… apparently, this is illegal in CAN. All my years of being proper and curmudgeonly are made moot by crossing that border, and I look like a Yankee yahoo.
Still working on getting my parka loose. Monday deadline—whew!
Later,
Kelly
31 August 2008, 9:51 pm
Kelly, congrats on the well deserved Oops! I really enjoy your smart, funny writing style, and love of stylish footwear.
I laugh out loud at most of the bloggers you tagged but The Ad Contrarian is new to me. I can’t wait to pop over and see what’s in store. Congratulations again Kelly, much, much deserved.
31 August 2008, 10:23 pm
Karen,
*blushing* Thanks so much. (Funny, I was just writing about my footwear, briefly, for tomorrow’s post.
)
Beware, TAC is delightfully addictive. Enjoy!
Regards,
Kelly