Build Connections & Community
Sometimes I wish that I could take you on a trip through my head. Sometimes I wish that I could transport you from wherever it is that you are reading this and drop you inside that cavernous space between my ears.
You’d sit down on the most comfortable chairs you have ever experienced and we’d share a moment in time. You’d see and feel the things that I see and feel. You’d understand me in a way that only a few will ever experience and we’d create a bond that would extend through time and space.
That my friends is an ineloquent but honest description of what my personal and business blogging philosophy is. I want to build connections with you. I want to share experiences with you. Here is where I try to create the magic and mystery that creates moments in time. Here is where I try to tug on your heart and make you cry, laugh, scream and or nod your head in agreement.
A blog is platform for telling stories and creating a method for you to step into the moments in time that I have experienced. This where I bob and weave my way through the forest of words and whisper things that I think will resonate with you.
The words and the stories come easily to me. There is a fire inside my belly that is forever burning and it drives me forward. I am compelled to create and sometimes my creations come across as more than a simple construct of letters. Sometimes you are touched by them.
Sometimes you share your stories with me and the others that frequent the places we live in cyberspace and together we create connections and build community. I know from experience that some of you are nodding your heads in agreement and others are rolling your eyes.
Some of you are pointing and clicking you way to “greener pastures” as fast as you can and I am ok with that. Even though I will cast a wide net I will not capture all of you. I cannot be all things to all people nor will I try. But I will share a number of things, thoughts and ideas.
I will share them because they offer glimpse and insight into who I am and what I am about. I’ll share them because in doing so some of you will find a friend and companion. This blog is many things and one of them is a journey through time and space.
You are invited to walk with me. I’ll ask you to join my Facebook Fan page because it is a way to stay abreast of what I am doing and because it helps me. It helps me bring new clients on board. It helps me convince them that there is a community that they want to be a part of.
From time to time I’ll talk to you about some of the companies that I work with and suggest that you learn more about them. But I’ll always disclose those relationships to you. I am compelled to write and I will do regardless of compensation but if I can earn a buck while doing this than I will do so.
And so we have reached the time and place where I share more with you. Some of this will give you more insight into me and some of the things that are important.
Here is a selection of posts that are worth reading:
Click on my About Me page and read some or all of those. Make sure to read The Lost Soul Mate, The Telephone Call, and Dreams I have Never Had. Add Comments and Community, Help Me,Five Years Later and My Application For Shola. And if that still isn’t enough you can add these to your list I Yelled at G-d, Streets of Philadelphia, One Slightly Used Pump For Sale, A Mother In The Men’s Room and Too Much Information- The Girl in the Men’s Room.
Five songs that I listened to while writing this:
Right Here, Right Now– Fatboy Slim
Promnotory– Last Of The Mohicans Soundtrack
Praan– Gary Schyman
Born in The USA– Bruce Springsteen
I’m On Fire– Bruce Springsteen
Four videos that I have watched recently:
How A Jew Finds Parking
Opie and the Bully– The Andy Griffith Show
Play It Sam– Casablanca
Hello My Name Is Inigo Montoya– The Princess Bride
I am a voracious reader and read many different authors and genres. If you look on my bookshelves you might find Made To Stick or The Art of War. Some of my favorite authors include Demille, Tolkien, King, Martin and Gladwell.
And there my friends you have a very brief snapshot of me and some words about using connections to build community. Those of you who are intrigued and or curious are welcome to stay and join me on the journey.
So tell me a little bit about yourself. Who are you and why do you come here?
TheJackB July 10, 2011 at 4:34 pm
@columbiarose I liked that. Wasn’t familiar with it, but I liked it.
columbiarose July 10, 2011 at 3:37 pm
Lilo: [praying] It’s me again. I need someone to be my friend. Someone who won’t run away. Maybe send me an angel! The nicest angel you have.
. . .
Jumba : [to Stitch] You were built to destroy; you can never belong. Now come quietly and we will take you apart.
. . .
Lilo: “‘Ohana” means “family.” “Family” means “no one gets left behind.” But if you want to leave, you can. I’ll remember you though.
. . .
Stitch: This is my family. I found it, all on my own. Is little, and broken, but still good. Yeah, still good.
TheJackB July 10, 2011 at 3:23 pm
@Marcus_Sheridan Hi Marcus. Great music touches us. It slips beneath our guard and opens our inner eye to possibilities. My life would be diminished without it. I am very appreciative of your kind words and your time here.
Marcus_Sheridan July 10, 2011 at 2:55 pm
Absolutely loved this post Jack. A beautiful glimpse into your world sir. I play the Last of the Mohigans before every seminar I give. Something about it makes the hair on my arms stand up, and it’s rivetting. You’re an exceptional writer Jack, no doubt about it.
Cheers,
Marcus
TheJackB July 7, 2011 at 11:41 pm
@FrumeSarah Damn, I thought that it was because you were going to hire me to write all of your sermons. Although truth is that I want to write for someone who reads it cold off of a teleprompter- boy could I have fun with that.
Keep on coming and I’ll keep dishing of doses of humor or at least try to. 🙂
FrumeSarah July 7, 2011 at 7:44 pm
This was a really terrific “getting-to-know-you”post and I completely agree with you in terms of the amazing community-building potential that blogging has.
I don’t know why I’m here. Or why I keep coming back.
Oh yes. Your sardonic approach, edgy dialogue, and delightful repartee.
TheJackB July 7, 2011 at 9:27 am
@AdrienneSmith I look forward to it. Just remember that the space between my ears is actually quite drafty so bring a coat. 😉
AdrienneSmith July 7, 2011 at 9:22 am
Oh what conversations we could be having. I’d love to jump into that space between your ears and not only stay and chat awhile but enjoy some of those tunes you mentioned. Nice! You can’t get rid of me that easily, sorry! I’ll be back for more so beware! 🙂
Adrienne
TheJackB July 7, 2011 at 7:32 am
@johnfalchetto Yep, I listen to Bruce all the time. Even blogged about wanting to meet him. I am not star struck, but he is someone that I think would be fascinating to meet. He can write and play, powerful combination.
johnfalchetto July 7, 2011 at 1:39 am
You listen to the “Boss’ when writing. Ok I knew I liked you for a reason.
TheJackB July 6, 2011 at 11:54 pm
@troublesometots I forgot to add that the adventure race you are entering sounds very cool.
TheJackB July 6, 2011 at 11:53 pm
@troublesometots Writing is like every other skill, it improves with practice. So if you can find time to write regularly it will benefit you by making the whole process of blogging take less time.
troublesometots July 6, 2011 at 4:38 pm
I’m Alexis a once impressive technology analyst now quazi-sporty faded-gap-t-wearing SAHM in VT who writes about kids and sleep. I play soccer, badly. I’m training for an adventure race to celebrate my big 4-0 (odds of starting = 100%, odds of finishing=43%). I read a ton but will only admit to a small portion of it (like you love Martin and will likely read the new book coming although expectations are very low). I love my blog/blogging but have painfully little time to put into it. So the whole build community & connections part is pathetically lacking although I completely agree with you on how crucial it is.
I come here because I like your writing style – smart and authoritative but still accessible. It’s something I would like to develop for myself. Also you respond to comments (I’m totally done with people who don’t). I’m right now going to like you on FB, anything to help a bro?
TheJackB July 6, 2011 at 3:39 pm
@bigfishtopdogs Hi Theresa. It is nice to see you again. The net is filled with distractions- if I am not careful I find my focus flitting around from place to place.
This blog and my other one have always served as a sort of “mental dump” where I throw out everything that is on my mind so that I can process it.
Music is a consistent theme in my life and on the blog. I have found listing these songs to be an excellent way of building relationships. That being said, I don’t always watch the videos that come with the music. Most of the time my interest lies in sharing the song and not the video.
Glad to hear you are sticking around. We like having you here.
bigfishtopdogs July 6, 2011 at 1:05 pm
Whoa… I got lost in Facebook half way through your post. Sorry about that. What a contrast. Here I am, enjoying your story, and then I decided to like you. (But I found I already did that.) Then of course there were a couple of friend requests… and I just had to see who we knew in common. It’s like—what do they call two worlds that are on the same plane but not in the same dimension? I can’t remember:(
Not even close. Your site is much better experience than FB. No contest.
btw. I don’t think I’d write a song about a hammer if I had one either. It wouldn’t even occur to me.
Oh well I’m back. And it’s so nice to be back here. This is a lovely post Jack. Strange word, I know, but it’s the first one that comes to mind.
I love the way your mind thinks. I’m glad you share so much of yourself in your beautiful writing. I can’t believe it occurred to you to include those songs you listened to while you wrote this post. Now that’s brilliant. And I’m finding it difficult to believe you actually wrote this with that Fatboy Slim song in the background. Did you watch that video? Bizarre!
I think I’ve told you this before. I’m planning on sticking around. And I’m looking forward to reading some of those posts of yours I’ve missed.
T
TheJackB July 6, 2011 at 10:28 am
@Lori Hi Lori. It is always a pleasure to see you here. We are in agreement about the people you meet while blogging. It is simply a pleasure and a joy. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet you and so many others.
TheJackB July 6, 2011 at 10:27 am
@EugeneFarber Eugene, music is another one of my passions. I am not the guy who claims to be an expert. I can’t break things down and tell you why a particular piece is tough/easy to play, but I know what I like. And I have made a point to build a large library to listen to.
I rarely work without being accompanied by music. Do you have a favorite(s) artist or type of music?
TheJackB July 6, 2011 at 10:24 am
@columbiarose I haven’t read or seen The Tempest so my familiarity is limited, but I like this excerpt. Shakespeare is simply phenomenal.
columbiarose July 6, 2011 at 8:52 am
Be not afeard. The isle is full of noises,
Sounds, and sweet airs, that give delight, and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears; and sometimes voices,
That, if I then had wak’d after long sleep,
Will make me sleep again; and then, in dreaming,
The clouds methought would open and show riches
Ready to drop upon me, that, when I wak’d,
I cried to dream again.
Caliban
The Tempest, Act III, scene ii
EugeneFarber July 6, 2011 at 7:04 am
Jack, you have some great music going on between your ears. I approve. I wouldn’t mind just lounging around on a chair in there and listening to some good tunes 🙂
Lori July 6, 2011 at 4:08 am
Hi Jack,
I’m someone who enjoys a visit to the space between your ears! It does feel that way when I come here – I just sit down in one of those comfortable chairs and enjoy a visit in your world! I admire your energy in blogging every day and your ability to write on-the-fly as you do. I wish I had time to visit more often.
It’s one of my greatest pleasures since I started blogging: meeting and rubbing elbows with other writers!
🙂
Lori