Jim Vuksic's Blog, page 14
April 22, 2015
It is Absolutely Unprofessional to Attempt to Redefine Professionalism
What determines whether or not a person is a professional? Exactly what is professionalism? There is no need to complicate the obvious. The answers can be easily found in the dictionary.
The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary defines the words profession and professionalism as follows:
Profession: A calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long academic preparation.
Professionalism: The following of a profession for gain or livelihood.
Some claim to be a professional, yet have made a conscious decision not to expend the time and effort to obtain a working knowledge of the very subject or craft in which they profess to be a professional. As a result, their products or services must be made available to the general public at very little or no cost, because there is usually very little or no demand for them. The end result: very little gain and no livelihood; in other words, no professionalism.
Claiming to be a professional, without obtaining the knowledge and skills required to become one, is pure deception. It demeans and denigrates the very concept of professionalism and is unfair and disrespectful to those who have actually earned the title.
Facts and the truth should seldom cause one to become angry or upset; however, a few will undoubtedly be angered or upset by this blog post. They are the very ones who inspired it and to whom it is directed.
The Merriam-Webster English Dictionary defines the words profession and professionalism as follows:
Profession: A calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long academic preparation.
Professionalism: The following of a profession for gain or livelihood.
Some claim to be a professional, yet have made a conscious decision not to expend the time and effort to obtain a working knowledge of the very subject or craft in which they profess to be a professional. As a result, their products or services must be made available to the general public at very little or no cost, because there is usually very little or no demand for them. The end result: very little gain and no livelihood; in other words, no professionalism.
Claiming to be a professional, without obtaining the knowledge and skills required to become one, is pure deception. It demeans and denigrates the very concept of professionalism and is unfair and disrespectful to those who have actually earned the title.
Facts and the truth should seldom cause one to become angry or upset; however, a few will undoubtedly be angered or upset by this blog post. They are the very ones who inspired it and to whom it is directed.
April 15, 2015
No Magic Spell will Make Dreams Come True, but Common Sense Might
To be consistently successful may seem magical, but it's not magic. It requires effort, commitment, discipline, and patience. The inability or unwillingness to patiently commit to the requisite effort, time, and discipline is the primary reason some fail far more often than they succeed.
Most successful people tend to be ambitious, disciplined, honest, hard working, and realistic. They readily provide reasons for their success and share credit whenever appropriate.
Many who consistently fail tend to be lackadaisical, undisciplined, disingenuous, and naive. They readily offer excuses for failing and usually blame others or circumstances beyond their control.
Except in fairy tales, there is no magic spell that will make dreams come true. If success could be achieved quickly and easily, no one would ever fail. To consistently succeed, we need only perform three basic tasks: learn what it takes, do what it takes, and be patient. It's common sense, not magic.
Most successful people tend to be ambitious, disciplined, honest, hard working, and realistic. They readily provide reasons for their success and share credit whenever appropriate.
Many who consistently fail tend to be lackadaisical, undisciplined, disingenuous, and naive. They readily offer excuses for failing and usually blame others or circumstances beyond their control.
Except in fairy tales, there is no magic spell that will make dreams come true. If success could be achieved quickly and easily, no one would ever fail. To consistently succeed, we need only perform three basic tasks: learn what it takes, do what it takes, and be patient. It's common sense, not magic.
April 8, 2015
Boorish or Unprofessional Behavior: Misguided Substitutes for Intelligence and Knowledge
The best way to intelligently evaluate anything is to consider different opinions with an open mind. Some of my best ideas have come from others. Unfortunately, a discussion occasionally devolves into a ridiculous argument in which facts and truth give way to fallacies and emotional outbursts.
Seminars and courses that teach debate and negotiation techniques usually include a list of the telltale signs that indicate when further discussion will be unproductive and, therefore, a waste of time.
1st. sign - A participant counters established facts or proven methods with vague factoids or personal experiences that cannot be easily researched and confirmed.
2nd. sign - A participant responds to serious statements or suggestions with sarcasm or ridicule.
3rd. sign - Rather than challenge a statement with credible evidence, a participant resorts to personal insults or an emotional diatribe.
4th. sign - A participant routinely refuses to adhere to established rules of conduct, methodology, and past practices.
During a debate or discussion, as soon as someone exhibits any of the above mentioned conduct, I immediately disengage and move on to some other activity. Boorish or unprofessional behavior is something for which I have no time and zero tolerance.
Seminars and courses that teach debate and negotiation techniques usually include a list of the telltale signs that indicate when further discussion will be unproductive and, therefore, a waste of time.
1st. sign - A participant counters established facts or proven methods with vague factoids or personal experiences that cannot be easily researched and confirmed.
2nd. sign - A participant responds to serious statements or suggestions with sarcasm or ridicule.
3rd. sign - Rather than challenge a statement with credible evidence, a participant resorts to personal insults or an emotional diatribe.
4th. sign - A participant routinely refuses to adhere to established rules of conduct, methodology, and past practices.
During a debate or discussion, as soon as someone exhibits any of the above mentioned conduct, I immediately disengage and move on to some other activity. Boorish or unprofessional behavior is something for which I have no time and zero tolerance.
April 1, 2015
Words of Wisdom that Only the Wise Seem to Heed
Throughout human history, the people who actually made history and other celebrities have uttered words of wisdom pertaining to various subjects that, unfortunately, are often ignored or dismissed by the very people for whom they were intended.
Reading
"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." (Joseph Addison - Essayist 1672-1719)
"I find television to be very educational. Whenever somebody turns it on, I go into the other room and read a book." (Julius "Groucho" Marx - Comedian/Actor 1890-1977)
"The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read." (Samuel Langhorne Clemens aka Mark Twain - Author 1835-1910)
Women
"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should get used to the idea." (Robert A. Heinlein - Science Fiction Writer 1907-1988)
Religion
"Religions are all alike; founded on fables and mythologies." (Thomas Jefferson - 3rd. President of the U.S. 1743-1826)
"Emotionally I am an Atheist. I don't have the evidence that God doesn't exist, but I so strongly suspect that he doesn't that I don't want to waste my time." (Isaac Asimov - Science Fiction Author 1929-1992)
"Don't tell me about your god with words, show me about your god with your actions." (Steve Maracoli - Author 1975 - Still living)
"Anyone who thinks sitting in a church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car." (Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor - Author/Radio Personality 1942-Still living)
Life
"Folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." (Abraham Lincoln - 16th. President of the U.S. 1809-1865)
"It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble. It's what we know that ain't so." (Will Rogers - Humorist 1879-1935)
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill - Prime Minister of the UK 1874-1965)
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." (Theodore Seuss Geisel aka Dr. Seuss - Children's Books Author 1904-1991)
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." (Mae West - Actress 1893-1980)
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." (Oscar Wilde - Playwright/Author 1854-1900)
"The past may dictate who we are, but we get to determine what we become." (Steven Spielberg - Director/Screenwriter/Producer 1946-Still living)
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." (Mahatma Gandhi - Leader of Indian Nationalism 1869-1948)
Reading
"Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body." (Joseph Addison - Essayist 1672-1719)
"I find television to be very educational. Whenever somebody turns it on, I go into the other room and read a book." (Julius "Groucho" Marx - Comedian/Actor 1890-1977)
"The man who does not read has no advantage over the man who cannot read." (Samuel Langhorne Clemens aka Mark Twain - Author 1835-1910)
Women
"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should get used to the idea." (Robert A. Heinlein - Science Fiction Writer 1907-1988)
Religion
"Religions are all alike; founded on fables and mythologies." (Thomas Jefferson - 3rd. President of the U.S. 1743-1826)
"Emotionally I am an Atheist. I don't have the evidence that God doesn't exist, but I so strongly suspect that he doesn't that I don't want to waste my time." (Isaac Asimov - Science Fiction Author 1929-1992)
"Don't tell me about your god with words, show me about your god with your actions." (Steve Maracoli - Author 1975 - Still living)
"Anyone who thinks sitting in a church can make you a Christian must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car." (Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor - Author/Radio Personality 1942-Still living)
Life
"Folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." (Abraham Lincoln - 16th. President of the U.S. 1809-1865)
"It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble. It's what we know that ain't so." (Will Rogers - Humorist 1879-1935)
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill - Prime Minister of the UK 1874-1965)
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." (Theodore Seuss Geisel aka Dr. Seuss - Children's Books Author 1904-1991)
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." (Mae West - Actress 1893-1980)
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." (Oscar Wilde - Playwright/Author 1854-1900)
"The past may dictate who we are, but we get to determine what we become." (Steven Spielberg - Director/Screenwriter/Producer 1946-Still living)
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." (Mahatma Gandhi - Leader of Indian Nationalism 1869-1948)
March 20, 2015
A Goodreads Oddity
Compared to the majority of other Goodreads members, I am an oddity. Allow me to state my case, then you may decide for yourself whether or not this observation is accurate.
My first book, a novel published in 2011, will also be the last. It took me fourteen months to produce a completed, polished manuscript, and then an additional two months, working with and learning from those assigned by the publisher, to convert it into a commercially viable book. It was a worthwhile experience, but there are just too many other worthwhile things I wish to experience.
Self-promotion is limited exclusively to discussion threads specifically designated for that purpose. Included are a brief synopsis, available formats, the book's website address, and a list of the fourteen vendors that sell it. It does not include a request for someone to buy the book or a guarantee that they will love it.
I never solicit, swap, or purchase reviews, and seldom read them. I post ratings and reviews of books I have read, but have not and never will rate or review my own book. I believe that readers post reviews to share their opinion of a book with other readers, not the author. I neither seek nor accept free book offers from authors and never personally sell or offer a free copy of my book for any reason. It is sold exclusively through commercial vendors at prices established by them.
I am an avid reader, but do not read incessantly. It takes me about four weeks to finish a book. Again, there are just too many other things I enjoy doing.
I do not have a Facebook page, text, or twitter. I never utilize emoticons (happy, sad, angry faces) or abbreviated phrases (LOL, ROFL, IMO, BFF, OMG, etc.). I prefer to express my thoughts with words. Occasionally, I may share writing or publishing advice, learned from professionals and experts through books, periodicals, seminars, and interaction. I refrain from offering personal advice, because I do not consider myself to be an expert in either subject.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone doing any of the above mentioned things. It is merely a matter of personal choice or circumstances. That said; I believe that my personal choices definitely make me a Goodreads oddity. However, I cannot possibly be the only one. Or am I?
My first book, a novel published in 2011, will also be the last. It took me fourteen months to produce a completed, polished manuscript, and then an additional two months, working with and learning from those assigned by the publisher, to convert it into a commercially viable book. It was a worthwhile experience, but there are just too many other worthwhile things I wish to experience.
Self-promotion is limited exclusively to discussion threads specifically designated for that purpose. Included are a brief synopsis, available formats, the book's website address, and a list of the fourteen vendors that sell it. It does not include a request for someone to buy the book or a guarantee that they will love it.
I never solicit, swap, or purchase reviews, and seldom read them. I post ratings and reviews of books I have read, but have not and never will rate or review my own book. I believe that readers post reviews to share their opinion of a book with other readers, not the author. I neither seek nor accept free book offers from authors and never personally sell or offer a free copy of my book for any reason. It is sold exclusively through commercial vendors at prices established by them.
I am an avid reader, but do not read incessantly. It takes me about four weeks to finish a book. Again, there are just too many other things I enjoy doing.
I do not have a Facebook page, text, or twitter. I never utilize emoticons (happy, sad, angry faces) or abbreviated phrases (LOL, ROFL, IMO, BFF, OMG, etc.). I prefer to express my thoughts with words. Occasionally, I may share writing or publishing advice, learned from professionals and experts through books, periodicals, seminars, and interaction. I refrain from offering personal advice, because I do not consider myself to be an expert in either subject.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with anyone doing any of the above mentioned things. It is merely a matter of personal choice or circumstances. That said; I believe that my personal choices definitely make me a Goodreads oddity. However, I cannot possibly be the only one. Or am I?
March 11, 2015
One Person's Heaven is Another Person's Hell - Often, We Create Our Own
Some seem determined to find fault in almost everyone and everything around them. They blame everyone but themselves for their failure to accomplish personal and professional goals, their inability to get along with others, and their unhappiness and dissatisfaction with life in general. Such people are fond of saying that life is hell! They seem to take great pleasure in being miserable.
When contact with such people is inevitable and unavoidable, I resign myself to their presence and patiently put up with their diatribe about all that is wrong and unfair in the world, how past experiences are to blame for their present troubles, and how no one understands them. Eventually, my silence, body language, and facial expression reveal that I neither concur nor care; so they move on to seek out a more sympathetic audience.
Everyone experiences happiness and sadness, satisfaction and disappointment, success and failure, pain and pleasure. Some choose to dwell upon the negative, while others prefer to focus upon the positive. I personally choose the latter. Greater minds than mine have expressed this philosophy much more succinctly and better than I have attempted to do in this blog post.
"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven..." (John Milton, Paradise Lost)
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It Is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill)
"The past may dictate who we are, but we get to determine what we become." (Steven Spielberg)
"Nothing is neither good nor bad. Thinking makes it so." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
When contact with such people is inevitable and unavoidable, I resign myself to their presence and patiently put up with their diatribe about all that is wrong and unfair in the world, how past experiences are to blame for their present troubles, and how no one understands them. Eventually, my silence, body language, and facial expression reveal that I neither concur nor care; so they move on to seek out a more sympathetic audience.
Everyone experiences happiness and sadness, satisfaction and disappointment, success and failure, pain and pleasure. Some choose to dwell upon the negative, while others prefer to focus upon the positive. I personally choose the latter. Greater minds than mine have expressed this philosophy much more succinctly and better than I have attempted to do in this blog post.
"The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven..." (John Milton, Paradise Lost)
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It Is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill)
"The past may dictate who we are, but we get to determine what we become." (Steven Spielberg)
"Nothing is neither good nor bad. Thinking makes it so." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet)
March 2, 2015
Those Who Think They Have a Lot of Friends Just Think They Have a Lot of Friends
Technology has made it possible for those living in isolated areas or afflicted with severe physical or mental restrictions to interact with and contribute to society on a regular basis. A prime example is Stephen Hawking. Applying technological advancements to improve quality of life is great. That said; I personally choose not to embrace some of the applications of this technology that have become quite popular throughout the world; particularly, social websites such as Facebook. Each of my four adult children has a Facebook page. There is nothing wrong with it; it just isn't for me.
I have no desire to like someone on the condition that they will like me in return or obsess over how many friends I have. Don't get me wrong, I am not an introvert. I love to socialize and communicate on a regular basis. I would just rather do my socializing at dinner parties, picnics, restaurants, cocktail lounges, dances, and family gatherings. I prefer to get to know the person with whom I am socializing and communicating, rather than exchange typed messages with a cyber representation of a personality that may or may not actually exist.
I will occasionally befriend someone, but I will never "friend" them. I may like someone, after I have known them and interacted with them for a time, but I will never swap "likes" or profess to like someone I don't know.
We make many acquaintances during our life, but very few of them ever exhibit the level of trustworthiness, faithfulness, and dependability required to merit the title of friend. Friends are always there for each other, regardless of the circumstances. Acquaintances are fickle.
The extremely high standard which I associate with friendship has resulted in my having had only a dozen friends during my 67 years of life. Many may consider that a paltry number. To them I say, those who think they have a lot of friends just think they have a lot of friends.
I have no desire to like someone on the condition that they will like me in return or obsess over how many friends I have. Don't get me wrong, I am not an introvert. I love to socialize and communicate on a regular basis. I would just rather do my socializing at dinner parties, picnics, restaurants, cocktail lounges, dances, and family gatherings. I prefer to get to know the person with whom I am socializing and communicating, rather than exchange typed messages with a cyber representation of a personality that may or may not actually exist.
I will occasionally befriend someone, but I will never "friend" them. I may like someone, after I have known them and interacted with them for a time, but I will never swap "likes" or profess to like someone I don't know.
We make many acquaintances during our life, but very few of them ever exhibit the level of trustworthiness, faithfulness, and dependability required to merit the title of friend. Friends are always there for each other, regardless of the circumstances. Acquaintances are fickle.
The extremely high standard which I associate with friendship has resulted in my having had only a dozen friends during my 67 years of life. Many may consider that a paltry number. To them I say, those who think they have a lot of friends just think they have a lot of friends.
February 23, 2015
My Future Favorite Best-Selling Author; You Know Who You Are
This blog post is intended to be read by only one person - my future favorite best-selling author. It is personal, so I ask that everyone else please ignore it.
From preadolescence to adulthood, I went through three phases: "My Dad can lick your dad!", "Dad, you're wrong; times have changed.", and finally, "My father used to say..." I eventually came to realize just how wise and knowledgeable he truly was. The same might be said regarding some of the authors, whose comments I follow in the discussion groups of various literary websites.
According to one literary periodical, there are 800,000 new books published annually. The odds against writing the next international best-seller must often seem insurmountable. Many writers struggle for years, only to experience one disappointment after another. Some finally give up. Others never cease trying.
I wish the author, to whom this blog post is addressed, to know that you will ultimately succeed. Ignore the naysayers. You have no doubt noticed that every book you write is a little bit better than the previous one; occasionaly, much better. Based upon a continuous improvement scenario, you will ultimately produce your best work yet, and perhaps even better works thereafter.
Be proud that you are a published author. It doesn't matter whether someone is independently, traditionally, or self-published. A published author is a published author. I can't wait for that day when I can inform my acquaintances that I knew you when you were just starting out, and then tell them stories about the conversations you and I once had as members of the same website discussion group. I will start off with "My favorite best-selling author used to say..."
From preadolescence to adulthood, I went through three phases: "My Dad can lick your dad!", "Dad, you're wrong; times have changed.", and finally, "My father used to say..." I eventually came to realize just how wise and knowledgeable he truly was. The same might be said regarding some of the authors, whose comments I follow in the discussion groups of various literary websites.
According to one literary periodical, there are 800,000 new books published annually. The odds against writing the next international best-seller must often seem insurmountable. Many writers struggle for years, only to experience one disappointment after another. Some finally give up. Others never cease trying.
I wish the author, to whom this blog post is addressed, to know that you will ultimately succeed. Ignore the naysayers. You have no doubt noticed that every book you write is a little bit better than the previous one; occasionaly, much better. Based upon a continuous improvement scenario, you will ultimately produce your best work yet, and perhaps even better works thereafter.
Be proud that you are a published author. It doesn't matter whether someone is independently, traditionally, or self-published. A published author is a published author. I can't wait for that day when I can inform my acquaintances that I knew you when you were just starting out, and then tell them stories about the conversations you and I once had as members of the same website discussion group. I will start off with "My favorite best-selling author used to say..."
February 16, 2015
The Facts, Just the Facts
The title of this blog post is actually a line used by the late actor Jack Webb in every episode of the television series Dragnet that aired during the 1950's. While interviewing a potential witness or suspect, Mr. Webb's character, Sergeant Joe Friday, would advise them that all he wanted were the facts, just the facts. That phrase left quite an impression upon me as a kid. In fact (pun intended), I adopted it as my personal philosophy and have practiced it ever since.
All too often, someone will present an assumption, opinion, hearsay, myth, or legend as fact. Instead of saying "I think", "someone told me", or "I believe", they will say "I happen to know" or "I know for a fact". Knowledge is a wonderful thing. No one can ever accumulate too much of it. However, when someone presents falsehoods as fact, it is time for a reality check and change of habit.
Before presenting any statement as fact, expend time and effort to perform due diligence. A little research can save a person a lot of embarrassment or as Davy Crockett used to say: "Be sure your right; then go ahead."
A person who presents something as fact which later proves to be untrue is not necessarily a liar. They may have actually believed it to be the truth. The fault lies in their failure to confirm the fact before stating it.
"It isn't what we know that gives us trouble. It's what we know that ain't so."*
*Will Rogers (Humorist) 1879-1935.
All too often, someone will present an assumption, opinion, hearsay, myth, or legend as fact. Instead of saying "I think", "someone told me", or "I believe", they will say "I happen to know" or "I know for a fact". Knowledge is a wonderful thing. No one can ever accumulate too much of it. However, when someone presents falsehoods as fact, it is time for a reality check and change of habit.
Before presenting any statement as fact, expend time and effort to perform due diligence. A little research can save a person a lot of embarrassment or as Davy Crockett used to say: "Be sure your right; then go ahead."
A person who presents something as fact which later proves to be untrue is not necessarily a liar. They may have actually believed it to be the truth. The fault lies in their failure to confirm the fact before stating it.
"It isn't what we know that gives us trouble. It's what we know that ain't so."*
*Will Rogers (Humorist) 1879-1935.
February 8, 2015
Humans Developed Words to Replace Drawings. So What Happened?
You will often see a typed comment that includes one or more emoticons. For those unfamiliar with the term, emoticon is the popular abbreviated form of the word emotional icon. Emoticons are those cute little drawings of a perfectly round face with either an upturned mouth to express happiness or agreement, a downturned mouth to express unhappiness or disagreement, a tear to express sadness, or a wink to express humor or sarcasm.
An experienced writer should have no trouble at all expressing their feelings, emotions, and ideas on paper with words alone. So what logical reason could there possibly be for resurrecting the utilization of symbols and pictures?
I have been told that it is a generational thing, but I don't buy it. Too many of my baby boomer generation have become habitual emoticon users. I have also been told that the practice is well-suited to text messaging on a smart phone. I will not argue with that logic.
Everywhere I go, I see people either texting or viewing something on their smart phone. They seem incapable of spending much time doing anything, including walking or driving a car, before giving in to an urge to check their phone for messages, respond to a text, or view a video of a cat playing the piano or a teenager crashing into a wall while skateboarding. I am convinced that the nefarious plan of those who made the phone smart was to make people dumb.
If some people choose to use icons instead of words to express their feelings, emotions, and reactions, so be it. Their Neanderthal ancestors would be so proud of them. I will continue to expand my vocabulary, improve my technical writing skills, and, as my first-grade teacher Miss McCormack taught me long ago, use my words.
In closing, I wish to also briefly share my opinion regarding the use of acronyms. Some may LOL, ROFL, have a BFF, and verify their belief in a deity with the letters OMG, if they so choose. I personally choose to laugh out loud, roll on the floor laughing, occasionally think of my best friend forever, and use the phrase "Oh my God!" every so often just to annoy my religious acquaintances by taking the name of their Lord in vain, just as I always have.
An experienced writer should have no trouble at all expressing their feelings, emotions, and ideas on paper with words alone. So what logical reason could there possibly be for resurrecting the utilization of symbols and pictures?
I have been told that it is a generational thing, but I don't buy it. Too many of my baby boomer generation have become habitual emoticon users. I have also been told that the practice is well-suited to text messaging on a smart phone. I will not argue with that logic.
Everywhere I go, I see people either texting or viewing something on their smart phone. They seem incapable of spending much time doing anything, including walking or driving a car, before giving in to an urge to check their phone for messages, respond to a text, or view a video of a cat playing the piano or a teenager crashing into a wall while skateboarding. I am convinced that the nefarious plan of those who made the phone smart was to make people dumb.
If some people choose to use icons instead of words to express their feelings, emotions, and reactions, so be it. Their Neanderthal ancestors would be so proud of them. I will continue to expand my vocabulary, improve my technical writing skills, and, as my first-grade teacher Miss McCormack taught me long ago, use my words.
In closing, I wish to also briefly share my opinion regarding the use of acronyms. Some may LOL, ROFL, have a BFF, and verify their belief in a deity with the letters OMG, if they so choose. I personally choose to laugh out loud, roll on the floor laughing, occasionally think of my best friend forever, and use the phrase "Oh my God!" every so often just to annoy my religious acquaintances by taking the name of their Lord in vain, just as I always have.
