Smiley Sociology Study #1

You may have noticed while reading my site,

that I link to bloggers whose writing brings me delight.

I seek wacky news and opinions from talented writers,

cartoons, art, and other curiosity igniters.

Anytime you like you can email links to rachhoyt[at]gmail[dot]com,

but you may enjoy more the Smiley Sociology forum.

Once a month I will post rhyming request for your links,

so I can pseudo-qualitatively learn what each of you thinks.

The mutually beneficial fees for participation are two chores:

First, you must reference Rhyme Me a Smile's blog within yours.

Next comment here and on others' posts to make friends and "open doors".

While hosting a meet and greet for my soon to be blog friends,

I will collect the wacky links on which my rhyme writing depends.

I will also showcase my new blog friends as I'm able to fit them in...

because a new rhyming blog review showcase is about to begin.

I know it's hard to get new followers and want to help you spread the word.

By linking back and forth together, surely more of us will be heard.

           Image by jscrationzs used with permission of freedigitalphotos.net.

Study #1:  Top 10 _____ of 2010

Right now I'd like to read your Top 10 _____ of 2010 ramblings:

favorite memories, new discoveries or strangely popular gatherings.

Any family friendly lists are welcomed -- no naughty stuff please.

This site focuses on adventures, art, poetry and plots that appease.

Let the link sharing begin -- just use the entry form below.

(Brownie points for posting my link on social websites you know.)

Why not put together a quick list of your favorite posts from 2010?
It's a good idea to recap your writing and brag a little now and then.

Don't be shy... you need not be funny or write stuff like I do.
I welcome mommy bloggers, artists and writers of all types.
Just post a link here and see what traffic comes to you.
Promoting blog writing brings Smiley Sociology delights.

© 2010 - 2011 Rachel Hoyt


Non rhyming directions for the poetry challenged:
(1) create a new top 10 list and post it to your blog OR choose a top 10 list already on your blog
(2) mention and link back to the Smiley Sociology Study within your post
(3) copy the link for that post
(4) paste link into Mister Linky below
(5) leave a comment here to let me know you've posted a link
(6) read links left by others and tell them (nicely) what you think
(7) enjoy your increase in traffic  :o)

I will keep Mr. Linky open until (at least) midnight on Saturday, Dec. 18th.  Until then... keep sending me your links!  :o)

Entertainment, Blogs, Comedy, Funny, Opinion, Writing

Whoville Spirit

           Image by Simon Howden.  Used by permission of freedigitalphotos.net.

Recently a thought wandered onto my mind's windowsill.
What ever happened to the cheerful citizens of Whoville?
They're famous worldwide for outsmarting The Grinch.
They make feeling Christmas cheer seem like it's a cinch.
I wonder if the Whovillians have spread out among us?
Or are they singing carols as a choir on a traveling bus?
Wherever they are, we need their help un-grinching us.

Somewhere, sometime, someone loved that mean old Grinch.
They too wished the thought of Christmas would make people flinch.
No one should feel inspired to power their lights with an electric eel.
Presents, or lack thereof, should be able to produce the right feel...
as long as you're convinced you must have some unobtainable deal.

I imagine he first sought to make the most desired children's toy.
Thinking that through their popularity he'd control Christmas joy.
Perhaps he invented one of the first board games?
Or maybe the yo-yo or remote control airplanes?
Silly putty, his invention it probably was not.
Tonka Trucks I bet he liked a whole lot.

He probably never got his own story until now,
because he triumphed before that first crash of the Dow.
After that, like-minded grinchsters abounded.
Shortly thereafter, consumer America was founded.
Whovillians were possibly the only ones astounded.

Everyone else seemed happier to fight a stranger for the new My Little Pony,
than to make decorative trim for the Christmas tree with tricolor macaroni.
Suddenly gone was the spirit needed to make a Fenway Park gingerbread house.
No desire remained for paper snowflakes of Darth Vader or Mickey Mouse.

Year after year, this new attitude has flourished.
Despite constantly feeling consumer malnourished.
Oh how much fun this Christmas would be,
if all over America the Whoville spirit we could see.
So please shop online if you can't behave in public.
Buy prank gift boxes for the holidays if you're comedy cultic.
If you don't enjoy crowds, get a cabin somewhere rustic.

We must not let the Grinch loving people take over.
We must do more than wish on a four leaf clover.
No matter what holiday you celebrate this time of year.
I hope your themed decorations are shining loud and clear.
Try not to let present giving interfere with family time.
Remember the grinch is winning every time you whine.
Let your heart and the Whoville spirit intertwine.

© Rachel Hoyt 2010 - 2011

Technorati Tags:

Entertainment, Blogs, Comedy, Funny, Opinion, Writing, Christmas

This poem is being shared via One Shot Wednesdays and the Poetry Potluck.  Visit One Shot Poetry and Jingle Poetry to read posts by other authors or share writing of your own.

I've also enetered this in week 35 of the Thursday poets rally.

It's Make Fun of Me Day!

  A scan of the birthday card my parents gave me on Saturday...
          Inside it says, "Boogie down on your Birthday!

Have you noticed that the more birthdays you have in life,
the less they are about giving the celebrant some good times?
Friends tend to make fun of your age, causing mental strife,
and tell stories like they're listing your aging dumb person crimes.

The switch from fun day to make-fun-of-me-festival,
begins as you approach the dreaded age of forty.
Present giving amongst friends becomes more whimsical,
and humorous verbal self-flagellation turns sporty.

So, I have chosen today, my thirty-third birthday,
to announce to my friends on the world wide Internet,
that I happily contribute to annual make fun of me day,
because life's funner living wildly without regret.

Observation shows three popular making fun themes:
gracefulness, forgetfulness, and lack of self control.
Though for your stories to get truly gleeful screams,
you'll want something unique to share 'round the punch bowl.

No one who knows me well would disagree,
I have a tendency to slip, slide, trip and / or fumble.
There's plenty of stories one could share about me,
which involve funny injuries caused by a tumble.

There's no denying that with age, the memory fades.
(It takes me three times as long to learn names already.)
I'm saving self-control for the next few decades,
and letting the fun-o-meter sit strong and steady.

None of my life, thus far, has turned into movie scenes,
but neither have I been living inside a black hole.
Each silly story rhyme I write spills a bit of my beans...
my crazy ideas in print take you on a mind stroll.

Though I've never played the mood ring game for real,
I have made push pen people travel the world like a gnome.
I'm also too timid to trespass or steal,
but am truly weary of places where fancy pen users roam.

Though it shall remain secret how I celebrate tonight,
and precisely what type of party theme I will employ...
I can say I'm certain I'll be smiling with delight,
doing something myself and my friends all enjoy.

But be it camping in forbidden areas or sailing to nowhere,
gambling in the old west or flying to the moon.
Everyone should have a few stories that stand up your hair,
and at least one that makes you jealously swoon.

I don't think I'll party quite that rich this year,
nor is it required to have a blast.
I'm more the type who drinks whiskey and beer,
while playing childish games of the past.

I like skating, shooting, singing and shopping...
putt putt golf and poker playing too.
blasting, boating, bowling and bee-bopping...
or anything to which I am new.

The comments section is now open for suggestions,
and the paypal button is ready to accept your gifts.
I will even answer ten make fun of me questions...
just write them below and I'll answer in shifts.

© Rachel Hoyt 2010 - 2011

Technorati Tags: 

Entertainment, Blogs, Comedy, Funny, Opinion, Writing