What I Learned From Bloopers, Mistakes, and Embarrassing Moments
Howdy, y’all! Hey, it’s the first Monday of a brand-new, shiny month, and you know what that means, right? Yep; it’s time for our next What I Learned From… groupwrite project! (sound of cheering)
This month, the topic is something I just know you can all relate to. So don’t even try to pretend it’s never happened to ya! The question ya hafta ask yourself is, when was the last time you made a mistake, a blooper, or perhaps got yourself into an embarrassing moment?
Now, you may be askin’ yourself, Allright, Bubba; why on earth would I want to share something like that with the whole world?
Hey, not to worry; my point isn’t to bring shame to your household, or cause folks to point and snicker when you enter the room (if they’re doin’ it now, you may have, well, OTHER problems). No, lemme just answer your question with another question: What did you learn from that incident?
Yup; that’s the nub of the gist, all right. And, since the Main Thing here at the Middle Zone is to celebrate lessons learned from life, then what better way to do it? (By the way, if you’re worried that folks will think less of you if you admit to making a mistake, well, don’t be. The truth is, it may actually make you seem more human.)
Remember, your entry can be as eloquent or as brief as you like. You can make it relevant to your blog’s theme or not – it’s totally your choice. (You can even submit it to me as a guest post if you like. Just drop me an email about it at rhruzek@sbcglobal.net.) You get to choose your format, too; so far we’ve had everything from multi-part prose (up to 5 parts) to poetry. (I’m still waitin’ for the first video entry; I figure it’s only a matter of time.)
Free Prize!
As with the previous four WILF projects, I have a fresh, totally new, and guaranteed unread copy of Darren Rowse and Chris Garrett‘s book, Problogger to give away (with thanks to Chris Garrett for the generous offer of several promotional copies). Hey, if you’ve ever considered tryin’ to make a living as a blogger, this is a must-read, y’all!
So, one lucky and randomly-chosen participant will win a free copy! (sound of crowd cheering)
Here’s How to Enter
Hey, you know the drill. Like I said; you can pretty much write anything you like, as long as it illustrates a lesson (or lessons) learned. Be specific. Be non-specific. And, since I never impose a restriction on length, be as eloquent as you like. But most of all, be yourself – and write something!
The contest is open from now thru Sunday, July 12, at midnight (that’s midnight to me, which is GMT-5 time), so write your post(s) (yes, you can enter more than once!), and send me the links! I’ll post the entire list of entries on Monday, July 13, and I’ll announce the winner of the Problogger book on Tuesday, July 14.
And let’s not forget the details…
- Write a new post (or more than one) on your blog with a link to THIS POST (uh, the one you’re reading now). As I said, feel free to be as eloquent (or concise) as you like. C’mon; show off for us!
- Send me an email (rhruzek@sbcglobal.net) containing your name, the title of your post, and the permalink of the post. (To make sure I don’t miss it.)
That’s all there is to it! Next Monday, July 13, I will post the entire list of entries right here at the Middle Zone, so be sure and drop by to check ‘em all out.
As always, we have just two simple rules around here:
- For the sake of the general blogging audience, please keep it G-Rated. (Also please note: this is a request, not a demand, since after all it’s your blog and you can do what you want. Fair warning: I can choose to link to you or not.)
- Be nice.
All right, ladies and gentlemen; you know what to do! Grab the writing instrument of your choice and start writing!
[Note from the Proprietor - I realize it takes a little time to write your entries, but would you mind too terribly not waiting until midnight on Sunday night, March 8, to notify me? Sometimes it can be difficult to get them all compiled by Monday's 6 am post time! I surely thank you, and as a token of my appreciation - have yourself a cookie!]
__________________________
33 responses so far
Middle Zone Musings is a comfortable place to stop, have a cup of coffee, swap a few stories and share practical ideas for the real world. I don't ask for much, just a bit of your brain every now and then. Have a seat, take a load off, and relax...
Great fun topic ( with the potential for some serious learning) for July – thanks Mr MZM. Won’t miss this one
.-= Jackie Cameron´s last blog ..Why it is worth thinking about the way you ask questions =-.
Robert, I decided to join in on the fun!
Here’s my post:
http://geoffreyphilp.blogspot.com/2009/07/bad-words-storytelling.html
Peace,
Geoffrey
Hi Robert, what a great fun topic! If anyone is at a loss for bloopers, I’m happy to share; I’ve got a whole mess of em and that was just from last week!
@Jackie – OK, I’m expecting great things, Jackie!
@Geoffrey – Hey, tip o’ the hat for the first entry, Geoffrey! Thanks, Bubba!
@Karen – I knew you wouldn’t let me down, Karen!
LOL. First time I’ve been called “Bubba”!
Nobody wants to learn from embarrassment. That’s why America’s Funniest Home Videos was so successful. Somebody would trip into a cake or get hit in the balls when jumping over a hurdle, but they were never expected to learn anything from it. Nobody was. If there were lessons afterwards, the show would have failed in 30 seconds. I bet you that Jerry Springer’s views all leave when he starts his final thoughts.
@Geoffrey – Hey, no worries, Geoffrey! The term “Bubba” is an honorific here in the Middle Zone!
@Alfred – Well, if nothin’ else, I can at least agree with your first statement, Alfred – nobody WANTS to learn from embarrassment! But if we don’t we’re in a heap o’ trouble, I’ll tell ya.
Oops. Should of held back my last post by a week. Oh well, live and learn.
.-= Fred H Schlegel´s last blog ..Following Instructions =-.
[...] The theme for this month’s group writing project at Middle Zone Musings is What I Learned From Bloopers, Mistakes, and Embarrassing Moments. [...]
Robert,
Sit down and take a deep breath.
Yes, I’ve really written and posted this entry already.
Do you think I’m turning over a new leaf? Nah … I’m behind as usual, and this one was faster to write than the one scheduled for today so I switched.
.-= Lillie Ammann´s last blog ..What I Learned from a Blooper =-.
Oh, it looks like the party is on now… Robert, I have a very good feeling that this time, the participants will be more than the previous one!
[...] Link to the announcement post on Middle Zone Musings. [...]
[...] you’re not watching the memorial, you can get started on your entry for this month’s WILF groupwrite project. Personally, I think half the fun this month is writing it. Also pop over to Joyful Jubilant [...]
[...] Marketing, Use Your HeadThe latest Robert Hruzek group project is What I Learned From Bloopers. Ah – finally a topic I can sink my teeth into. Here’s a major “oops” from my [...]
@Fred – Hey, you wrote it last week so it qualifies, Fred! I’ll add it to my list. Thanks, and a tip o’ the hat!
@Lillie – I thought I felt the earth move when I saw your post, Lillie! Hey, flexibility is one of the greatest virtues, I always say. Thanks, and a tip o’ the hat for the entry!
@Wilson – Still lookin’ for your first entry, Wilson! Will this be the WILF that draws you in? :-O
[...] 6/7/2009: This post is an unfortunately true version of events, and was also inspired by a ‘What I Learned From…” prompt over at Middle Zone Musin… which in the act of writing I promptly forgot to mention. If you enjoyed this post, make sure you [...]
Aw, where’s an embarrassing moment when I need one? Oh, I can think of a couple — but they’re not business-related and that’s what I need for my blog.
.-= Meryl K Evans´s last blog ..Almost Everything You Want to Know about Twitter for Business =-.
[...] Embarrassing Moments” group writing project. If you have a story to tell, head over to the Middle Zone to find out how to participate. You don’t have to do a video. As a matter of fact, this is [...]
@Meryl – Hey, if you have one, but it doesn’t fit your own blogs, send it to me and I’ll post it as a guest post, Meryl! No point in missin’ out!
[...] Embarrassing Moments” group writing project. If you have a story to tell, head over to the Middle Zone to find out how to participate. You don’t have to do a video. As a matter of fact, this is [...]
[...] and Embarrassing Moments” group writing project. If you have a story to tell, head over to the Middle Zone to find out how to participate. You don’t have to do a video. As a matter of fact, this is the [...]
[...] is my entry in Robert Hruzek’s “What I learned from..” group writing project for July [...]
[...] and Embarrassing Moments” group writing project. If you have a story to tell, head over to the Middle Zone to find out how to participate. You don’t have to do a video. As a matter of fact, this is the [...]
[...] Hruzek’s writing challenge this month is What I Learned From Bloopers, Mistakes, and Embarrassing Moments. No problem. I can do [...]
[...] For yes, this post is a contribution to the group writing project: What I Learned from Bloopers, Mistakes and Embarassing Moments [...]
[...] and Embarrassing Moments” group writing project. If you have a story to tell, head over to the Middle Zone to find out how to participate. You don’t have to do a video. As a matter of fact, this is the [...]
[...] and Embarrassing Moments” group writing project. If you have a story to tell, head over to the Middle Zone to find out how to [...]
[...] Howdy, Bubba! Hey, if you're new around these parts, I just want to say how much I appreciate you dropping by! Oh, and you may want to subscribe to my feed. Thanks, and a tip o' the hat to ya!A big ol’ waa-hoo (sound of waa-hoo!) and a round of applause (sound of applause) for all you wonderfully talented and incredibly fine-looking folks (my story and I’m stickin’ to it!) who joined us for this month’s group writing project: What I Learned From… Bloopers, Mistakes, and Embarrassing Moments. [...]