Sharing ‘7 Things’ about 7 friends

22 Dec

Posted by: BryanPerson in: Boston

I’m really not a fan of blog-tagging memes.

So count me out …

They remind me of chain letters, which have always creeped me out (I still have this horrible memory of receiving one from a girl named Kerry Jean Jenkins when I was about 8. Kerry had moved to the neighboring town and we would never speak again — but she did send me a chain letter. Yuck.).

So what’s a blogger to do when he’s tagged and doesn’t want to play along? I occasionally ignore the nomination completely, but usually good manners take over and I’ll send a short note explaining why I’m such a party pooper.

Plus, in the case of the current “7 Things” meme that’s bouncing around the blogosphere, I have another valid excuse: I’ve done this one before. OK, it was only 5 things rather than 7, but, well … close enough.

… but let me tell you about 7 friends instead

But here’s my confession: Though I’m not interested in telling you more random facts about myself this time around, I am reading the nuggests that other bloggers are sharing with great interest. Their tales — many from time of yore — certainly offer interesting peeks into their personalities and (in some cases) foreshadow or lay the foundations for their current professions.

I thought I’d share one fact from each of the seven “7 Things” entries that I’ve read:

Scott Monty is a former altar boy trained in dressing properly, and he still scoffs at servers who sport sneakers under their robes today.
Sticking with the religious theme, Tim Walker notes that he spent a year studying at a seminary.
Aaron Strout has not only spent time in Russia (and the then Soviet Union), but Norway as well.
Toby Bloomberg dreams of conducting a social media workshop … on a cruise ship!
After high school, Jay Ehret spent three years working as a corrections officer.
Holly Jo Matson survived a car crash that left her in a coma for two days.
B.L. Ochman’s paternal grandfather was a musical conductor.

Playing it forward?

Nope. Not going to happen. Pass along these or other stories if you’d like, but the pressure to do so won’t come from me.

Flickr photo by metaxin.

16 Responses

Jay Ehret
22|Dec|2008 1

Bryan,
This post officially qualifies you as a social media guru. You have found a way to skate around a meme and still be interesting.
BryanPerson
22|Dec|2008 2

Thanks, Jay!
Kyle
22|Dec|2008 3

I’m DONE with meme’s too. Bravo on the post Bryan, it was time to just say no, but you did it with elegance.

/kff
Capri
22|Dec|2008 4

It’s about time somebody said enough is enough with the blog chain letters, but you didn’t go far enough. You still participated in the meme chain letter, just putting your own twist on it. It isn’t party pooper or ill-mannered not to do them at all or to not respond to them.
BryanPerson
22|Dec|2008 5

Nice chain-letter wiki, Capri! On that charge, guilty … perhaps, but I changed the rules and put an end to my link in the chain.

You know, I wanted to include the if-you-don’t-participate-in-the-next-24-hours-a-poor-starving-child-in-Africa-will-die angle of an e-mail chain letter in my post, but couldn’t find the right way to work it in.

BP
Online Resume Center
22|Dec|2008 6

Love your post!! Finally someone got it right!!! Would you mind if I put a blogroll link back to your post?
BryanPerson
22|Dec|2008 7

@Online Resume Center: Wouldn’t mind at all – thanks! Next time, don’t be shy about leaving your name. Always more interesting addressing a person rather than a “center”!
Adam Cohen
22|Dec|2008 8

Well done, Bryan – thanks for raising the bar on these things. I think this was a very innovative way to handle it gracefully.
Kerry Jean Jenkins
23|Dec|2008 9

Bryan, I wondered what happened to you. All these years and I finally find out why you never spoke to me again.

I’d like to think that time has healed those old wounds. And to prove that I mean well, can I interest you in some Amway products?
BryanPerson
23|Dec|2008 10

@Kerry Jean: So wonderful to hear from you! Not so interested in Amway products, but I am thinking about buying a car in the next couple of months. Any suggestions there?
Kerry Jean Jenkins
23|Dec|2008 11

I hear Yugos are pretty nice, Bryan.
Aaron Strout
23|Dec|2008 12

Bryan – two thoughts on this. 1) I am not a huge fan of blog meme tags but after my friend Lyell Peterson aka @93octane tagged me, I thought “why not?” I think if you look at it as a way to let your readers/friends get closer to you, it’s not as bad as it seems. 2) Kudos for actually writing a 7 things post after protesting the “7 things” post. Nicely done.

Let’s bring this topic up for discussion at our next group “Coffee Talk” as I’d like to get other’s reaction to this.

Best,
Your friend – Aaron
Toby
30|Dec|2008 13

Bryan – you gave us as much about “you” in this post as if you had written 7 things … you again showed us your kindness and generosity of spirit. by the way .. if anyone taps me for that cruise i’ll be sure to ask if they need another person
Bryan Person (on behalf of Doug Haslam)
02|Jan|2009 14

Doug Haslam had trouble posting this himself last month (sorry, Doug!), but here’s what he would have posted:

“People have commented elsewhere that I called you “grumpy” because of this post. I just want to add that I actually admire your technique, and plan to steal it during my next “angry nerd” rage.”
Doug Haslam
05|Jan|2009 15

I’m Doug Haslam, and I approve this message posted on my behalf
7 Things Strikes Again | :: a thousand cuts :: adam cohen's blog
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[...] can be two times too many – and like many I’m not always comfortable talking about myself. (Bryan Person did a great job adapting this particular one to talk about others, but I’m admittedly not [...]