This is a simple one.

/**
 * Your Blog title
 *
 */
function my_blog_title() {
	$blogname = get_bloginfo('name');
    return '<span class="blog-title">' . $blogname . '</span>';
}		  	
add_shortcode('blog-title', 'my_blog_title');

Just add this to your functions.php file and then add [blog-title] in any post or page and it will return your Blog Title. :)

How might you display a Google ad after the first post or anything you like? It is very simple. You just need to add the variable $loopcounter in the Loop. If the $loopcounter is less than or equal to 1, then include your option. Check out the code:

<?php if (have_posts()) : while (have_posts()) : the_post(); $loopcounter++; ?>

  // your loop

  <?php if ($loopcounter <= 1) { include (STYLESHEETPATH . '/you-file.php'); } ?>

<?php endwhile; ?>

<?php else : ?>

<?php endif; ?>

Pretty simple huh. Well in the $loopcounter line, you may change the include to point to any file or maybe a custom widget like so:

<?php if ($loopcounter <= 1) { dynamic_sidebar( 'Plus Post' ); } ?>

Or use your code directly in between the { & }.

Here is a simple way to call query_posts with an array of options. For all options you my use visit: WordPress Codex.

<?php $my_query = array('showposts' => 4, 'post__not_in' => $do_not_duplicate); ?>

    <?php query_posts($my_query); ?>