So here is my tenth and final post on memorizing the US state capitals. Again, please take a moment to read the April 2011 post regarding how our memory tends to cling to the absurd and make sure you are reviewing these crazy images at the critical times in order to store them into your long-term memory. (See below)

OK, let’s memorize the final five capital cities for Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The capital of Virginia is Richmond. Quite simply I see a Rich Man, covered in Bling lighting his cigar with $100 bills and drinking a Furry Gin (Virginia) a glass of Gin perhaps in a Furry cup holder.

Washington’s capital is Olympia. Easy, I see large white bed sheets hanging from a Washing Line, as it’s known in the UK, a clothes line elsewhere. I picture the Olympic rings painted across the bed sheets. Anything to remind you of Washing will work, a Laundromat, washing clothes in a stream, washing your face in a basin in your bathroom, any of the Washington sports teams will also work, then incorporate the large Olympic rings into the picture.

The capital of West Virginia is Charleston. I still use the Furry Gin for this association and to differentiate West Virginia from Virginia I see the Gin getting spilled on a vest (West) worn by a man dancing the Charleston.

Wisconsin’s capital is Madison. For Wisconsin I see Cheese, and for Madison I see a Mad Son, a small son eating cheese and going mad!

And finally the capital of Wyoming is Cheyenne. Here’s one for you. A Homing Pigeon (Wyoming) carrying a Shy Ant or Anne if you know one (Cheyenne) on it’s back. Or you can use Wire for Wyoming.

So to review:

Rich Man drinking a Furry Gin

Virginia/Richmond

Olympic rings painted across your mother’s Washing

Washington/Olympia

Spilling Gin on your Vest while dancing the Charleston

West Virginia/Charleston

A son eating Cheese and going Mad

Wisconsin/Madison

A Homing pigeon carrying a Shy Ant

Wyoming/Cheyenne

Here is my standard wrap up.

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

That’s all fifty states and their capital cities; hopefully you have found these helpful in understanding how the ridiculous and absurd tend to stick in our minds.

Please share, below, if you found this informative. You can also join me on Twitter, Facebook and or LinkedIn for more memory information, links are at the top of the page, cheers.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

keynote speaker

The post Homing Pigeon carrying a Shy Ant appeared first on Funny Motivational Speaker, Entertaining Humorist - Bob Gray.

So here is my ninth post on memorizing the US state capitals. Again, please take a moment to read the April post regarding how our memory tends to cling to the absurd and make sure you are reviewing these crazy images at the critical times in order to store them into your long term memory. (See below)

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Vermont.

The capital of S. Dakota is Pierre. Again, as in North Dakota, I will use the actress Dakota Fanning. This time I see her in a swimsuit; this allows me to differentiate from North (cold) to South (hot). So I see her perhaps on the beach and see her juggling huge Peas in the Air, Pierre.

Tennessee’s capital is Nashville. Anything related to Tennis will work here. Your favourite tennis player, a tennis court, a racquet, or even Wimbledon. For Nashville I think of Ash, so I imagine Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal playing centre court Wimbledon, and instead of using tennis racquets, they are using gigantic cigarettes which are dropping mounds of cigarette ash onto the court. See them trying to smoke between sets, disgusting and memorable!

The capital of Texas is Austin. This is an easy one for me but very English. For Texas I see the Alamo and driving onto the Alamo is an old Austin 16, a car that my dad had when I was growing up in England. You could use a Texas Longhorn to represent Texas and for Austin you could use Steve Austin, the old Six Million Dollar Man, or Stone Cold Steve Austin, the retired wrestler, see either, or both of them riding a Longhorn, or see Stone Cold wrestling one in a ring.

Utah’s capital is Salt Lake City. Utah always reminds me of the Bonneville Salt Flats. For Utah I think of You Tar and I see the Flats covered in hot sticky Tar. Perhaps someone is trying to set a new land speed record and they are stuck in the Tar. Or you could see a huge Salt Cellar stuck in a huge puddle of Tar. Once you remember Salt, you should automatically remember Salt Lake City.

And finally the capital of Vermont is Montpelier. I change Vermont to Fur Mint and Montpelier to Mt. Peel. So a Furry cat eating a Mint on top of a Mountain of orange Peel. Go ahead see that image!

So to review:

Dakota Fanning juggling Peas
South Dakota/Pierre

Roger and Rafael smoking at Wimbledon
Tennessee/Nashville

Stone Cold Steve Austin wrestling a Longhorn
Texas/Austin

New land speed record halted by Tar
Utah/Salt Lake City

A furry Cat eating a Mint on top of a Mountain of orange Peel
Vermont/Montpelier

Here is my standard wrap up.
Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. I have just five more to go then you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Please share if you found this informative, thanks.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

keynote speaker

The post Stone Cold Steve Austin wrestles a Longhorn appeared first on Funny Motivational Speaker, Entertaining Humorist - Bob Gray.

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire and New Jersey.

The capital of Montana is Helena. I immediately picture a mountain for Montana, sat on top of the mountain is Helen of Troy. If you know a Helen, see her sitting on top shouting AAAAHH… (Helen AAAH)

Nebraska’s capital is Lincoln. For Nebraska I see a huge wheat field. Picture Abe Lincoln giving a speech in the middle of this huge wheat field, perhaps his audience is a bunch of scarecrows. If you like, for an added association see a Lincoln car cutting donuts through the wheat field.

Nevada’s capital is Carson City. I simply see Johnny Carson playing slot machines (Las Vegas). Could use Carson Daly for you younger ones out there who are saying, “Johnny who?” If you don’t know a Carson, then break it into Car Son; see a car with a small boy sitting on top of the roof playing a slot machine.

New Hampshire’s capital is Concord. You can visualize a Hamster piloting the Concorde.

And finally the capital of New Jersey is Trenton. You could use a sweater for Jersey. There are Jersey cows, or the small island off the coast of mainland Britain. How about any of the characters from the TV series Jersey Shore, can’t say I know any as I haven’t seen the show, but know it’s popular. For Trenton I would change it to Train Ton. My personal image is of a Jersey Cow driving a Train that is pulling a Ton weight.

So to review:

Helen of Troy sitting on top of a Mountain
Montana/Helena

Abe Lincoln talking to a bunch of scarecrows in a wheat field
Nebraska/Lincoln

Johnny or Carson Daly playing the slots
Nevada/Carson City

A Hamster piloting the Concorde
New Hampshire/Concord

A Cow driving a Train
New Jersey/Trenton

Here is my standard wrap up.

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Please share if you found this informative, thanks.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

Keynote Speaker

The post A Hamster flying the Concorde! Montana to New Jersey. appeared first on Funny Motivational Speaker, Entertaining Humorist - Bob Gray.

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi and Missouri.

The capital of Massachusetts is Boston. I immediately conjure up a Church Mass, for Boston you can choose several references, perhaps everyone in church is eating beans, (Beantown) and they have gas! Or a large tin of beans is giving the sermon. How about everyone standing up with large teapots in their hands and pouring scalding tea on top of each other, (Boston Tea Party).

Michigan’s capital is Lancing, I simply see a Gun (MichiGUN) with a huge lance sticking out its barrel.

Minnesota’s capital is St. Paul. For Minnesota I see a large can of Soda, sitting on top of the can of Soda is a Ball with a Halo, Halo for Saint and Ball for Paul.

Mississippi’s capital is Jackson. I imagine Randy Jackson dancing on the American Idol stage with a Hippie. Or you can use a river for Mississippi and anything associated to Jack in the Box, perhaps its character floating down the river, or a huge burger. If you are not familiar with the chain, then see a toy Jack in the Box springing out of its box as it floats down the Mississippi river.

And finally.

Missouri’s capital is Jefferson City. I know someone named Jeff and I imagine him sitting at a table, head in hands crying with Misery. You can change Jefferson to Chef Son and see a Chef’s son crying.

So to review:

Tin of Beans giving a sermon
Boston/Massachusetts

357 Magnum with a huge knight’s Lance sticking out its barrel
Lancing/Michigan

Ball with a Halo balanced on top of a Soda
St. Paul/Minnesota

Randy Jackson dancing with a Hippie
Jackson/Mississippi

Jeff or a Chef’s Son crying
Jefferson City/Missouri

Here is my standard wrap up.

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. We are half way. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Please share if you enjoyed this/these posts.

Bob Gray CSP HoF

Motivational Speaker

The post Massachusetts to Missouri memorizing US State Capitals appeared first on Funny Motivational Speaker, Entertaining Humorist - Bob Gray.

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine and Maryland.

The capital of Kansas is Topeka. If you have been following along with my previous posts you are probably starting to conjure up images without much prompting. For Kansas we obviously see a gigantic Can, whatever image first comes to mind, use that one. I see a huge opened can of beans. Topeka, guess what’s peeking out from the can of beans……sure, a giant Toe, Toe Peeking, Topeka.

Remember, you cannot just read what I am writing; you MUST conjure up these crazy images in your mind, close your eyes for a few seconds and try to see the ridiculous picture in as much detail as you possibly can. Perhaps see yourself holding the can, is it cold? Can you feel the aluminium; perhaps the toe has a hangnail, I know, disgusting….but memorable? OK next.

Kentucky’s capital is Frankfort, this has to be a box or tub of the Colonel’s Kentucky Fried Chicken. See yourself opening a box of Kentucky Fried Chicken but instead of finding wings and legs, out springs hundreds of German Frankfurters. Or perhaps see yourself being blocked from entering your local KFC by a gigantic Frankfurter, imagine that the Frankfurter actually has arms and legs and is fighting with you. Feel the Frankfurter, imagine its smell.

Louisiana’s capital is Baton Rouge, or Red Stick. If you are lucky enough to know someone named Lou, Louise or Anna see them running rampage with a huge Baseball Bat (ton) or Red Stick, their face is Red with rage, hear them puffing. If you don’t know anyone with these names then an image of a Lasso will most likely be all you need for Louisiana. Baton Rouge could be converted to Button Rouge, see a Button with a four Rouge Lipsticks inserted through each of its holes. So a lasso roping a huge button with the red lipsticks would work.

Maine’s capital is Augusta. If you are a golf fan then Augusta would immediately conjure up the Masters golf course. How about a horse with a huge Mane (literally touching the ground) running down the first fairway of Augusta chasing Tiger Woods. Hear the hoofs as they gallop and tear up the beautifully manicured fairway. Or you could change Maine to Moon and see A Gust of wind tearing across the Moon’s surface.

And finally.

Maryland’s capital is Annapolis. Again if you know someone named Mary, this would be a big help. You could see her taking A Nap with a Police man. Or you can pick a famous Mary to sleep with the cop, Mary Poppins, now there’s an image, Mary Tyler Moore, Mary Anne from Gilligan’s Island, Mary Queen of Scots, any of these will work as long as you can see that image.

So to review:

The Toe peeking from the Can of beans
Kansas/Topeka

Fighting with the giant Frankfurter in front of KFC
Kentucky/Frankfort

Lassoing the Button with four Red Lipsticks inserted through its holes
Louisiana/Baton Rouge

The horse with a huge mane running down the fairway of Augusta, or the gust of wind on the moon
Maine/Augusta

Mary Poppins taking a nap with a policeman
Maryland/Annapolis

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

The post Kansas to Maryland Memorizing US State Capitals appeared first on Funny Motivational Speaker, Entertaining Humorist - Bob Gray.

Here is the third post on memorizing the US state capitals. The first ten capitals, Alabama to Georgia, you can find under my May 5th & 16th posts. Again, please take a moment to read the April post regarding how our memory tends to cling to the absurd and make sure you are reviewing the crazy images for the first ten capitals.

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities for Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana and Iowa.

Hawaii’s capital is Honolulu. What do you see for Hawaii? I immediately see a Hula Dancer. Being a Brit, for Honolulu I change it to ‘On a Loo’, Loo being British slang for a washroom. So I see a Hula Dancer dancing on top of a toilet, funny and ridiculous. You could use Honour Lulu; you may know someone named Lulu. I remember a British singer from my youth called Lulu who sang the song in the great film To Sir With Love which starred Sidney Poitier. OK next.

Idaho’s capital is Boise. Idaho has to be an image of a potato. I see a huge potato, the size of a truck lying on top of a group of Boys sleeping. I see giant Z’s floating from each of the boy’s heads, Boys Z.

Illinois’s capital is Springfield. You could see Abraham Lincoln singing with Rick Springfield, if you are my age and remember who he is, Rick Springfield that is, not Abe! Or you could imagine a huge slippery Eel, which is close enough to Illinois, slithering itself through a gigantic bed Spring in the middle of a farmer’s field.

Indiana’s capital is Indianapolis. You could see just one image of an Indian (for Indiana) with a policeman’s hat on, (for Indiana polis). Or sitting on top of a Policeman’s car. Maybe an Indian taking a Nap.

Iowa’s capital is Des Moines. How about a gigantic Eye blocking the entrance to a Mine? I know someone named Des, so I picture him standing guard. Or perhaps you could use a large ear of corn to represent Iowa and see it blocking the mine. Because you are already familiar with the name Des Moines, you do not need to have an image for the whole thing, you just need a clue, and the image of a mine will be enough to give you Des Moines. If you feel you need a clue then see large letter D’s painted on the corn or side of the mine.

So to review:

The Hula Dancer standing on top of the Loo
Hawaii/Honolulu

A gigantic Potato on top of a group of Boys catching some Z’s
Idaho/Boise

Abe and Rick Springfield or the huge Eel slithering itself through the large bed Spring in the middle of a field
Illinois/Springfield

An Indian wearing a huge Policeman’s hat
Indiana/Indianapolis

A gigantic Eye/Corn blocking the entrance to a Mine, (guarded by Des O’Connor, if you’re British and over 40!).
Idaho/Des Moines

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

The post Hawaii to Iowa continuing to memorize the US State Capitals appeared first on Funny Motivational Speaker, Entertaining Humorist - Bob Gray.

OK, let’s memorize the next five capital cities, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida and Georgia.

Colorado’s capital is Denver. What do you see for Colorado? I immediately see an image of the Rocky Mountains. What do you see for Denver, I see John Denver, so my image is of a giant John Denver sitting astride a Rocky Mountain while strumming his guitar.

Colorado sounds like Collar, maybe see a dog Collar. You could see John Denver with a dog collar around his neck like he’s a punk rocker, couldn’t get much more absurd than that! If you are not familiar with John Denver then break the word into Tin Fur, sounds close enough to Denver, as long as it conjures up an image it will work.

An empty tin of beans, say full of fur, sitting atop a rocky mountain or hanging from a dog collar. Pick one and stick with it or better still come up with your own, just remember to make it as ridiculous as possible.

Connecticut’s capital is Hartford. I see a giant ice cream Cone (for Connecticut) being run over by a Ford truck, driven by a huge heart. See that image, a Ford truck driven by a huge pumping heart, yes with arms and legs, smashing into a gigantic ice cream cone. See the Ford covered in Strawberry ice cream after the accident.

Delaware’s capital is Dover. Delaware reminds me of Tupperware, and being a Brit I see the White Cliffs of Dover. So I imagine a huge piece of Tupperware nailed to the White Cliffs of Dover. Or you could imagine opening some Tupperware and a huge Dover Sole flies out and hits you in the face.

Florida’s capital is Tallahassee. I always see Oranges for Florida. Tallahassee I break into Tall Horse. Because we are already familiar with the name Tallahassee an image of a tall horse will work just fine. If you need to you can imagine a large letter ‘C’ painted on the side of the horse, Tall Horse C. So I see a tall horse, almost Giraffe like, rearing up on its hind legs picking oranges from a tree, both with its mouth and its front legs. Knowing that Florida is the Sunshine State you could use the Sun and a Tall Horse.

Georgia’s capital is Atlanta. You could use Peaches for Georgia or anyone you know named George. For the capital I see a set of Antlers. So I have a nephew named George and I see a set of antlers growing from his head. If he reads this I’m sure to hear from him. Or see Peaches being impaled on a deer’s antlers.

So to review:

John Denver sitting astride the Rocky Mountains or a Tin of Fur hanging from a dog collar’
Colorado/Denver

A gigantic Ice Cream Cone being knocked down by a Ford driven by a Heart
Connecticut/Hartford

Gigantic piece of Tupperware nailed to the White Cliffs of Dover, or a piece of Dover Sole jumping out of some Tupperware
Delaware/Dover

The Tall Horse with the ‘C’ painted across its side picking Oranges from a tree.
Florida/Tallahassee, and finally:

Someone named George with Antlers, or Peaches impaled on a deer’s Antlers.
Georgia/Atlanta

Again, make sure you review these images within 60-75 minutes from now, it takes less than 60 seconds but is critical for long term storage, then again within 24 hr’s, then 1 week later and then 1 month later.

I will continue to post state capitals and their crazy images in groups of five. Before we know it you will have all 50 memorized and a great handle on how to visualize the ridiculous and absurd. This is essential for us to apply memory systems to more practical business applications like recalling Names and Faces, speeches and presentations, model numbers, prices, to-do lists etc.

Bob Gray is an award winning international keynote and memory workshop presenter. A Guinness World Record Holder, Certified Speaking Professional and Canadian Speaker Hall of Fame inductee.

The post Colorado to Georgia continuing to Memorize the US State Capitals appeared first on Funny Motivational Speaker, Entertaining Humorist - Bob Gray.