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[Topic 1] Humor, Laughter and Tears
When thinking about humor have you ever heard that the closest thing to laughter is tears? I can just picture my grandma now, hopelessly out of control, laughing so hard she was shaking, with no noise coming out but unable to stop, mouth wide open, and eyes crinkled in glee, with big crocodile tears running down her face. It''s kind of odd, the two sides of humor, we laugh, we relax, we find relief, but a lot of times there is pain involved, and laughter can be redeeming, or hurtful. Sometimes the most horrible things actually turn out to be humorous.
I know that lots of little kids think farts and bathroom jokes are funny, but I thought I got over bathroom humor when I was a teenager. I was going to a wedding, I had just had a baby, and my husband and I had to drive several hours to get there. It was a challenge with a newborn, plus none of my clothes fit me. After shopping for hours, I finally found a springy green outfit I thought was perfect. I was pretty exhausted, but my baby girl with several outfits to spare, my husband, my new green suit, and I finally arrived. I thought I would change her diaper just before the service and held the baby on a blanket on the trunk of the car to change her diaper.
She pooped-not an ordinary poop-an explosive out of this world poop, I''ve never seen anything like it! I was covered in poop from my knees to my face. And what did I do, I didn''t scream or get angry, I laughed. I couldn''t stop laughing. I missed the wedding, I threw my new green suit away. I went to the formal reception in an orange tee shirt and cut off jeans while my pristine baby girl stole the limelight in her perfect white dress. Getting sprayed in poop, missing an important wedding, wasted hours and money, pretty awful, but also pretty hysterical.
I looked up a list of oxymorons, which are defined as contradictory terms put together. Some of the funniest ones are birthed through hard experience. How about friendly weapons, airline food, legally drunk, or my favorite, Microsoft Works?
Kids are always screaming, "It''s not funny!" as siblings or other kids laugh at their ludicrous situations. Sometimes even as an adult I have to restrain a chuckle at the humor, when I see a youngster slip on their rear, or end up covered in goo. Watching America''s Funniest Home Videos you have to laugh, but "Ouch!" often pops out in the same breath. Why is getting kicked in the crotch so incredibly painful and yet funny at the same time?
I think the intention in the humor has a lot to do with it. When people are purposely mean, or make fun of others, it may be funny but it''s not fun. Being a brunette I love blond jokes. Have you heard the one about the blond who got fired from the pharmacy? She didn''t put any labels on the bottles because they wouldn''t fit in the typewriter! But yeah, I know blond jokes are always short because that is all brunettes can remember. Being willing to laugh at yourself, and trying not to hurt others, goes a long way to making difficult situations bearable, and often humorous.
1. According to this article, the closest thing to laughter is tears? Do you agree with it?
2. Nowadays, what makes you laugh? Could you tell us about it especially compared with past and now ?
3. Have you ever had a moment that was embarassing that it turned out to be a funny story?
4. Do you think you have a sence of humor? If not, who has the best humor among club members?
[Topic 2] Small Business: How To Make A Business Plan
Step 1: Research
Visit the banks and ask for a starter pack about setting up a small business, they are often very helpful.
You could make contact with your local business Link for help. Business Link is a government funded body specifically set up to offer free advice to small businesses. Visit their website and see what advice they have to offer on business plans. They will certainly give advice on what should be in your business plan.
Step 2: Write it down
Writing things down helps to clarify your thoughts, these are the points you should be considering in your business plan:
The purpose of your business:
What are you selling and what is your market?
Your Competition:
Consider where you fit in, and where you differ from your competitors?
Your Marketing Strategy:
Consider your marketing strategy, which will let people know you have arrived. See VideoJug's 'How to plan your marketing strategy' for more advice on this subject.
Start Up Requirements:
What will you need to get your business off the ground? For example, if you want to open a shop you will need: premises, shop fitting, stock, office furniture and equipment. All this costs money so you will need to think about how you are going to finance it.
People:
Write a thumbnail sketch of people that will need to be involved in the business, including yourself. Write down their background, experience, qualifications and any other factors you think are important.
Step 3: Business Plan Variables
You can't always predict what will happen so it's a good idea to highlight the areas where you cannot be precise. For example, if you are opening a clothes boutique, you may not be able to forecast the customer footfall accurately. You will however know the peak seasons of trading, but even this is dependent on weather.
Step 4: The way forward
Once you have considered all these points in your business plan, it will be time to think about how long it will take to get your business up and running. This will probably be a lot longer than you think, so be realistic.
HM Revenue and Customs won't be surprised if you don't make a profit for about two years, but you will need to keep a steady cash flow. This is where a good bookkeeping system and cash flow forecast will help you keep on track.
Good luck with your business plan!
1. Do you have any plan to run your own business? If yes, what kind of business are you interested in?
2. Does these 4 steps look like useful? or Is there any other comments?
3. What is the most important thing for achieving success?
4. Are you satisfied with your job? If not, what are you doing or preparing for your future?
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첫댓글 Thanks Doo~~ 정참합니다~~정모한시간 전 타픽프리뷰공부를 원하시는 분들 한시간 일찍오세요~자세한건 '타픽공부'메뉴를 이용해주세요^-^~
Thanks Doo~~ 정참합니다~~~ㅋ
정참이요~~~ ㅋ
ㅎㅎ good job~ doo & styl~ ^0^
좋은 토픽 감사합니다. 한시간전에 가서 프리뷰 ㅎㅎ 그날뵐께요
저는 가족들과 제주도로 여행갑니다..ㅋㅋ...제가 없는 대구를 잘 지켜주시와요...^^
이번주말 날씨 좋다고 하던데....잼나게 잘 놀다 오세여~~~^^
자주 여행을 다니시나봐요~ ^^ 어린 아이들에게 좋은 추억이 될 거라 생각이 듭니다... 저 참석~ ㅎㅎㅎ ^^
우왕.. 지금쯤 제주도에 유채꽃이 활짝? 조금 이른강?..ㅎㅎ 암튼.. 좋은시간 보내세요^^/
필승~!! ^-^~~~ 잘다녀오세요~~~
정참입니다^^*
좋은 토픽입니다 수고하셨습니다 ^-^
^^
정참합니다. 약 사준 친구들감사하며 약 갖다 줄테니 완납치삼~~~~ㅋㅋ
고고싱싱인가...ㅋㅋ