Ask JoJo

What is a true friend?

August 17, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:

Each Monday I ask a thought provoking question about life and language. Pose the same question to your blog readers on your own blog along with your answer to the question. Then come back here and post a comment with a link to your blog post so we can all read everyone’s answers! It’s been a lot of fun getting to know my readers and their readers and so on and so on. This is a great time to connect with others but it’s also a fun way to build your writing and communication skills. Grab your teens!

This week’s question: What does it mean to be a true friend?

This Thursday’s Talk Talk Show on the Communication Comedy Network is about true friendship.

Friendship, or any relationship for that matter, is built over some period of time through communication. What is a true friend? Is it someone who shares only the good things with you? Is it someone who only tells you what you want to hear? Is it someone who is supportive when she has time? Or is a true friend someone who may have to share things you don’t want to hear? Is a true friend one who will support you even if it isn’t convenient for her? Is a real friend someone who will not take you for granted? What do you think a true friend is and how does he or she share that with you?

What is a true friend?

You can post your answers here or post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about you and YOUR readers’ answers!

If you would like to share your thoughts or experiences about friendship with my listeners, I would LOVE to have you on the show live on Thursday 8am PST/11am EST! If you cannot make it live, you can post here and I will share your thoughts on the air with my listeners as I have time. The show is archived as an audio directly following the live broadcast so you can listen in at your convenience.

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: Communication Comedy Network, friendship, relationships, true friend

Lions & Tigers & Cliche’s Oh My!

August 10, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:

This week’s question: Can you write a sentence or paragraph using all cliche’s?

I got this idea from a newsletter written by a very creative language guru, The Word Guy! Rob Kyff is a teacher, writer and a contributor to the ArcaMax Vocabulary Newsletter. Once a month he writes on misuse and abuse of language in a creative way and this month was no “acception”!

Here’s a quick look at the current crop of overused terms. Call them “Ponzi screams.”

— Energizing the “Basis.” Newscasters have recently been touching all the “bases.” They’re continually updating us on a “daily basis,” “a regular basis,” “an overnight basis” and even a “need-to-know basis.” Basically, I’d say we need to “No!” “basis”!

— And Speaking of “Basically” . . . Has there ever been a more overused word? It’s a common sentence starter that should be a “nonstarter” (another cliche by the way). My first car, a ’57 Chevy, was often a nonstarter.

— In Praise of Athlete’s Feat. Alan Clem of Vermillion, S.D., notes that TV sportscasters invariably refer to the “athleticism” of top performers. Aren’t they all athletic?

Can you write a sentence or paragraph using all cliche’s?

You can post your answers here or post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about you and YOUR readers’ answers!

“More power to you!” “Don’t delay!” “What have you got to lose?” It’s time to “make lemonaid out of lemons” to the “best of your ability”! “Run like the wind” and “get it down on paper”! “Time will tell” who is “the cat’s pajamas”!

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: Ask JoJo, cliche's, language, overused terms, Rob Kyff

What does this tree communicate to you?

August 3, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:

Each Monday I ask a thought provoking question about life. Pose the same question to your blog readers on your own blog along with your answer to the question. Then come back here and post a comment with a link to your blog post so we can all read everyone’s answers! It’s been a lot of fun getting to know my readers and their readers and so on and so on. This is a great time to connect with others but it’s also a fun way to build your writing and communication skills. Grab your teens!

This week’s question: What does this picture communicate to you?

When I first saw this picture, I felt like it is a commentary on life. The branches go every which a way like our lives often take us in many different directions. It reaches up to the Heavens as we often do in life. It is beautiful as our lives can be if we plant ourselves on the fertile soil of God’s Word. It is strong because it needs to withstand all that life can throw at it.

My daughter took this picture at Vanderbilt University. Turns out this tree has a history-a LOT of history. This is the oldest tree on campus. It was alive during the Revolutionary War. She and her friends hang out under this tree talking and sharing under the shade. She says she thinks of God’s blessings when she sees it.

I posted this picture on Facebook asking this question and got so many wonderful responses, that I thought I’d post it here for Question of the Week to see if it inspires even more. Each answer reflected the person’s personality. The adventurers said it was a great climbing tree. The poets said it was symbolic of life’s lessons or beauty. The realists said it was a TREE! LOL

What does this picture communicate to you?

You can post your answers here or post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about YOUR readers!

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: Ask JoJo, God's blessings, strength, tree, Vanderbilt University

What is it?

July 27, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:

This week’s question:

animal 1

What is this animal?

If you think you know, take your best shot! You can post your answers here or post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about YOUR readers! I’ll post the answer tomorrow as a blog comment on this post.

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: animal, Ask JoJo

What’s your unique talent?

July 20, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:

This week’s question:

What is your unique God given talent?

The Lord gives each of us a unique talent that He wants us to use for His glory. He gives different talents to different people. To some He gives a precious voice, to others the gift of comedy. I’ve posted several examples of precious talent God gives His children lately here on Communication FUNdamentals.

This is called Bach Duo. It’s truly amazing! What’s your unique talent and how are you using it to express yourself and for the glory of God?

JoJo’s Answer:

My unique talent is finding the humor in things. I am very punny! I love to make folks laugh. My son will come to me often and shout, “Say something funny!” My friend Carla has been bugging me for years to post some YouTube videos. I have a secret desire to be a stand up comedian, but since I’m getting older, I might do it sitting down!

What’s your unique talent?

You can post your answers here or post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about YOUR readers!

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: Ask JoJo, bach duo, comedian, talent

Three words that best describe YOU!

July 13, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:

This week’s question:

What are three words that best describe you?

This is a challenge. If you don’t think so, try it. You are made up of so many pieces parts that it can be difficult to describe yourself using just three words. If you find this a difficult challenge, you may be sitting behind your computer thinking that you just don’t know the answer. But as my husband is so fond of saying, if you did know, what would they be?

JoJo’s Answer:

I think I would describe myself as strong, loyal and faith-filled.

I am often stronger than I think I am. Not physically, because I think I only possess about three or four really good muscles, but mentally and emotionally strong. I often am able to go with the flow and just muddle through things that I think are going to be too difficult.

I am very loyal. When I tell a friend I’ll do something, I feel a deep commitment and will do it or die trying! Sometimes I have found that I am struggling to do something for someone where I am more committed to helping than they are about receiving the help! LOL

And I am faith-filled. After almost 47 years on this planet, 22 years of marriage, 19 years of motherhood and about 15 years of following Christ, I have seen God’s hand in my life so many times! I have seen His miracles first hand in my life and in the lives of each of my children. Things you have a hard time chalking up to coincidence. Each time the Lord does a major work in my life, it incresases my faith in Him.

What three words best describe you?

You can post your answers here or post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about YOUR readers!

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: Ask JoJo, describe yourself, three words

Which US Presidents were born or died on July 4th?

July 6, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:

This week’s question:

Which 3 US Presidents died on July 4th and which one was born on the 4th of July?

JoJo’s Answer:

With Independence Day just this past Friday, I thought I’d ask a bit of trivia to see how many of you out there know these little tidbits of history. I must admit, having studied history with my son this past year (I created a program for him I called: History of the US through the Presidents) that I did know the first two but couldn’t for the life of me remember the third.

I also thought I’d ask if anyone knew which US President was born on the 4th of July.

I’ll give you all a chance to answer before I post a reply here, but until then I thought I’d post some other famous people who were born on July 4th:

* 1804 Nathaniel Hawthorne, author

* 1884 Louis B. Mayer, co founder of MGM

* 1918 Abagail Van Buren and Anne Landers, twins and advice columnists

Which US Presidents were born or died on July 4th?
Please post your answers here as a blog comment. Then post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about YOUR readers! I’ll post a reply to this thread with the answers in a few days.

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: Ask JoJo, died, july 4th, us presidents

Do you know an unsung hero?

June 29, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:

This week’s question:

Do you know an unsung hero?

JoJo’s Answer:

The other day I posted about the deaths of two big pop stars. One of my readers and my dear friend, Carla Ives, said that while she was upset that these two died so young, she was also upset that the death of the rich and famous seemed to be more important to the world than the deaths of the many soldiers who keep this country safe. I got to thinking also about all the other unsung heroes who aren’t fighting for freedom but for their families and friends. Mothers and fathers who are struggling to raise children in a difficult world. Sisters and brothers who help take care of their siblings due to a terrible economy. Christians living God’s Word helping friends and neighbors.

So I challenge all my readers out there. If you know an unsung hero, sing his praises on your blogs. Do so BEFORE they die so we can celebrate their life and what it means. Then come back here to Communication FUNdamentals and share that with my readers too. Let’s communicate about something important that too often seems to go unnoticed or unvoiced! Our unsung heroes!

God bless all the soldiers who keep us safe, God bless their families who struggle without them, God bless all the other unsung heroes too. The fathers who provide for their families and take time for their children, the mothers who sacrifice so much to do what is right for their children no matter the cost, time and trouble. The sisters and brothers who help when their families are struggling. God bless all our unsung heroes!

Do you know an unsung hero?
Please post your answers here as a blog comment. Then post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about YOUR readers!

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: heroes, military, pop stars, service men, unsung heroes

Have you ever seen a FIMMpersonator?

June 22, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

Monday Q of the Wk. Here’s how it works:
Each Monday I ask a thought provoking question about life. Pose the same question to your blog readers on your own blog along with your answer to the question. Then come back here and post a comment with a link to your blog post so we can all read everyone’s answers! It’s been a lot of fun getting to know my readers and their readers and so on and so on…

This week’s question:

FIMM 400x4001 Have you ever seen/been a FIMMpersonator?

FIMM (Foot in Mouth Man) is the Art of Eloquence mascot and resident MIScommunicator. He sticks his foot in his mouth so often he has Athlete’s Tongue! He is a cartoon character who started off on my blog. People loved to read FIMM’s wacky misadventures so much that he quickly became very popular. It’s so much more fun to learn communication skills by pointing miscommunication out in OTHERS, especially when it’s so funny.

Very soon FIMM’s Fame grew and we moved him to our website where he now has his own video. FIMM has been a guest on Grace Talk Soup, a speaker at the Say What You Mean Convention, a tShirt line over at CafePress called FIMM Wear, a fan club on Facebook, and now his own eBook, FIMMology 101: The Study of the Humorous Sins of Our Mouths which includs the best of Foot in Mouth Man’s misadventures!

While nobody communicates as badly as FIMM, everyone is a FIMMpersonator at times in their lives. Even Ronald Reagan, The Great Communicator must have had times when he stuck his foot in mouth. We all do. I take those times, exaggerate them to the fullest extent of the funny bone and post it once a month.

After more than two years of writing for FIMM (and for the first two he had WEEKLY episodes!) I was running out of ideas so I had FIMM get married and have quintuplettes: Timm, Jimm, Slimm, Kimm and Enrique. Thankfully in blog years, kids grow up pretty quick so now I am beginning to FIMMerize his children so I have introduced some FIMM Faux Pas that involve his now 4 year old’s. But, I’m always on the look out for a good FIMM storyline.

That’s where you come in this week! Most of the FIMM episodes are taken from real life, things I’ve done or seen. So this week, I thought I’d ask for ideas from your life. If I use your suggestion, I’ll give you credit when I post it too. Have you ever seen or been a FIMMpersonator? Share your story here!

JoJo’s Answer:
There are several FIMM episodes that come from real life, things I saw and one thing I actually typed! Due to a typo, I said something like…”Unfortunately, so and so and his wife are no longer speaking…” making it sound as if they were getting a divorce or something. What I had meant was that they were no longer on the speaking circuit.

What about you? Ever see or been a FIMMpersonator? Happens to the best of us! Share your story!

Have you ever seen/been a FIMMpersonator?
Please post your answers here as a blog comment. Then post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about YOUR readers!

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: Ask JoJo, blog, FIMM, FIMMology 101, FIMMpersonator, foot in mouth man, Grace Talk Soup, miscommunication, misunderstanding, Subscribe Here!

Favorite Christian Comedian

June 15, 2009 by Art of Eloquence

This week’s question:

Who is your favorite Christian comedian?

JoJo’s Answer:

I have been having a ball on YouTube trying to find fun videos to post for you here on Communication FUNdamentals. So much of life depends upon good communication and so much can go WRONG when there are communication problems.

I have to say that there are so many wonderfully talented Christian comedians out there! I have loved several of Anita Renfroe’s vidoes, fell in love with Chonda Pierce, absoultely adore Michael Jr. and most recently I discovered the Skit Guys! I’ve been posting several of them here and there for the last few weeks. I hope you have enjoyed them.

Who is your favorite Christian comedian?
Please post your answers here as a blog comment. Then post this question on YOUR blog and come back here to link your blog post so all of us can read about YOUR readers!

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Filed Under: Ask JoJo Tagged With: anita renfroe, Ask JoJo, Chonda Pierce, Michael Jr., Skit Guys

What is a true friend?

Lions & Tigers & Cliche’s Oh My!

What does this tree communicate to you?

What is it?

What’s your unique talent?

Three words that best describe YOU!

Which US Presidents were born or died on July 4th?

Do you know an unsung hero?

Have you ever seen a FIMMpersonator?

Favorite Christian Comedian

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