I've gotten so many emails from my vast readership on this topic that I thought I would post a response.  A representative email:

 

                  Dear Eric,

                         First, let me say that I am a huge fan of your blog.  Don't let this go to your head, but I think this is probably the best blog in all of blogdom.  I've been going through some tough times recently, and your always-cheerful blog has served as well needed sunshine on an otherwise rainy day.  That said, I do have a question.  While I found your Oct 2, 2007 post to be absolutely hilarious (in a brilliant-subtle sort of way) and your September 18, 2007 had me laughing well into September 22, 2007.  But though I've read it at least 50 times, I just don't see the humor in your inaugural post of August 31, 2007.  I'm sure this posting is hilarious in an in intellectual dimension I'm incapable of fathoming (I did go back and re-read the complete works of Shakespeare, thinking perhaps there were subtle humorous alusions to the Bard, but alas none could be found).  Please, dear Eric, elucidate the humor in said August 31, 2007 posting.

                    Sincerely,

                          sara3192837322@aol.com

 

Sara and others, I am sorry for the confusion and any pain I have caused.  Indeed, my inaugural blog posting of August 31, 2007 was a serious, insightful piece with an important message.  The posting contains no humor.  Going forward, please keep in mind that on my blog you will find a mix of (a) deeply insightful commentary (typically on the topics of innovation and management) and (b) deeply entertaining humor.  To avoid future complications, perhaps I will label my postings in the future to indicate whether a particular posting is a piece of deeply insightful commentary or a piece of deeply entertaining humor.