04.30.09

A-Maze-ing!

Posted in Humor~Events at 12:55 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

Thanks to all the participants in my “How To Tell A Joke” Workshops, and also all the talent show contestants.  It was truly an “A-maze-ing” time today at the Life After School Conference!  We also learned a lot from our motivational speaker, Jeff Yalden, teen life coach from MTV’s hit reality show, MADE.  Thanks especially to Joe Gerzina from Riverview Intermediate Unit 6 for creating this inspiring conference that helps teens transition from school to work, and teaches them how to improve their decision-making skills.

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04.29.09

Swine Flew

Posted in Humor~General at 2:11 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

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Class Clown?

Posted in Humor~General at 10:32 am by Dr. Trina Hess

Tomorrow will be the “How To Tell A Joke” workshops at Riverview Intermediate Unit’s Life After School Conference.  The students in the workshops will have different personalities, interests, and skills.  But they all can be funny.  They can all develop and use their sense of humor to improve their relationships–with themselves and with others.  They can look at life through a better, more positive perspective. 

It’s not just the class clown who can get laughs, make people feel better, and make connections with others.  The class clown is expert at one part of the formula–the delivery. 

But the quieter students are expert at the other vital part of the formula–observation.  They are skilled at hearing, seeing, and connecting the incongruent parts and highlighting how funny those are! 

I’m  looking forward to bringing out the skills in both these groups of students.  And showing them how to, ”Get Your SHINE Together!”  Stay tuned…

 

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04.26.09

where are they now

Posted in Humor~General at 1:24 am by Dr. Trina Hess

04.22.09

Congratulations!

Posted in Humor~General at 2:52 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

Congratulations to Area 8’s own Carol Hamilton who won the Toastmasters International Division B contest last Saturday!  Next, Carol will compete at the District 13 Toastmasters International Speech Contest on May 2nd in Pittsburgh, PA.  Her speech, “Updraft” dealt with leadership from a basketball coach’s perspective.  

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04.21.09

Just Think…

Posted in Humor attitude, Humor~Health & Goals at 8:06 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

The health benefits of humor are many.  Decreased blood pressure and resting heart rate.  Improvement in mood and energy.  Stimulates deep breathing.  Produces Human Growth Hormone (HGH).  Eases pain.  Reduces stress hormone production.  Increases killer T cells.  Helps with cognitive and emotional management.  

All these benefits can happen even if we don’t laugh.  When we just think of something funny–just like when we think of an upcoming pleasant event–we get all these health benefits!

Just think–if we could hold this state of mind and health throughout our day.  We can.  Just think…

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04.20.09

Don’t You Just Hate Her?

Posted in Humor~General at 3:15 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

From Victoria Colligan, Founder Ladies Who Launch.  On her blog, Colligan wrote about Martha Stewart.  Some people hate her because she doesn’t seem very friendly.  But she is successful.  This is because a.  she is good at what she does, and b.  she is authentic.  

As Colligan writes, Stewart, “brings us a product that is at once meticulous and detail-oriented, comprehensive and original…you feel not only smarter and more informed, but you are inspired to recreate for yourself whatever she has offered you through that medium.” 

I talk about the like-ability factor that humor offers us.  Although Martha Stewart breaks that tenet of humor, she does embody one of the most important tenets:  authenticity.  She isn’t friendly, and she doesn’t seem to mind.  If you are obnoxious, your humor should reflect that.  If you are smart, your humor should be clever.  If you are crass, be crass.  But above all, be yourself.  There will always be an audience waiting for your creativity, and waiting to be inspired by what you have to say. 

Colligan continues, “talent, dedication and attention to detail will always prevail over anything else that is less than substantive.”  Or less than authentic.   

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04.19.09

Perceptions

Posted in Comedy Around The World at 7:47 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

I’ll never forget those family vacations we took to Erie, PA.  I just love the ocean! 

Today’s Comedy Around the World goes a little bit farther–to Canada.  When I was little, we took a family vacation to Niagara Falls–both the U.S. and the Canadian side.  I didn’t think too much about this “going to another country” stuff.  I wasn’t wondering what the people in Canada would look like.  And back then, we didn’t even need photo I.D. to cross the border, so it wasn’t a big deal.  It was kind of like driving to Michigan but with even colder weather.  

But still, it was exciting.  And the most fascinating part of the trip was, for me–the gift shops!  I got a charm bracelet there.  It had real Canadian pennies on it.  I still have it.  Somewhere.  In the house, I think. 

That’s the way humor operates.  We all have different perceptions, expectations, and notions of what is the “right” way to do something.  But those all serve to build steep walls that humor has a hard time scaling.  

We need to remember these things to allow humor to take hold:  

1.   We are all fodder for fun.  Sometimes we are funny without trying to be funny.  Other people–if they are observant–can cull humor out of our responses. 

a.  We have to be brave enough to speak our voice.

b.  We have to be tough enough to not care about our comment being part of the joke ingredients. 

2.  Most people would have been wildly impressed by the Falls.  I was, but I still remember that bracelet even more.  We don’t know what people will take from our speech, our conversation, or our humor.  As a comic, I use this strategy to build my act: 

a.  Remember that no one is an expert.  Humor and funny sayings can come from anyone.  Listen for the laughs, and build on that.   Sometimes my biggest laugh comes from a clever response I give to a heckler.  

b.  Be part of the chain of cheer.  When I add in those spontaneous jokes that worked at the last show, I share those ideas with my next audience.  Their response will build another link into the chain.  

“Get Your SHINE Together!” and if you get to Canada get one of those bracelets!

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04.18.09

Now That’s New!

Posted in Humor~General at 9:43 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

Learning to curl on the ice at Robert Morris University.  Thanks to David Sze for getting our group of 50 people together tonight to learn this fascinating and sometimes slow-moving sport (especially when I tried to push the stone left-handed).  I’m still not sure I understand the strategy of the game, but I do know that if you try to kick the stone with your foot, it really hurts. 

What have you learned lately?  Want to learn how to, “Get Your SHINE Together!”??  Contact me at www.yourshiningexample.com

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04.17.09

Jazz In The Air

Posted in Humor~General at 6:29 pm by Dr. Trina Hess

Here’s a note from my friend, singer Donna Bailey, including her April dates! 

Hello friends,

Spring is finally arriving and live jazz is in the air! Here is my schedule of fun events:AND…check out the fabulous Cruise in November…pack your bags!

Both of my CDs (Donna Bailey ~ Becoming and Donna Bailey & Friends) are doing very well!

I appreciate your constant support!

             Call to order CDs: 724-469-1246…or buy online:                       

                         Please visit Donna’s official sites:

Email for Tickets: $75 per person….j.albert@comcast.net

www.bluedining.com

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