178 - Award and Sharin' the Lurv

I got an award from the lovely Miss Katherine (Kato) over at Pandorah's Box, so I am both keeping with, and breaking from, tradition when it comes to passing it on.

First the keeping with: Ten Things That Make Kristy Happy (in no particular order)

1) Writing. I may not be writing anything more than blogs at the moment, but I know that someday I'll write again. For now, blogs seem to fill that void. In any case, I am compelled to write in some fashion.

2) Bubble baths. I look forward to the end of the day so I can sink into some warm bubbles, read a good book and relax.

3) Jillian Michaels. Without her dvd and books I'd still be a lump of lard sitting on the couch and getting fatter. I think this time I'm going to make the change and it will last. The food thing makes sense to me now. I like the feeling of exercising... yes it's uncomfortable, but I feel strong, and I like to feel strong.

4) Books. Kinda already covered it, but I love books and they really deserve their own mention. A good book is like a vacation to another world. South of Broad (my current read) is the kind of book I love... I can't count the number of times I've laughed and cried and been touched by something these fictitious people have done. It's a bittersweet experience for me, because I can't wait to read another chapter, but ultimately, if I continue to read... it's going to end...

5) Technology. My laptop, my iPod, my camera, the internet, tv, Tom Tom, my cell phone... they make life a little bit easier and keep me connected even when I'm in a reclusive mood (like now).

6) Trixie. Obviously I love my car. Who cries at the thought of trading their car in? Moi. Trixie is the car version of my soulmate. I still get giddy when I walk into my garage and see her.

7) My piano. I don't play all the time, but when I do I lose track of time. If I'm stressed, it disappears. If I'm happy, it's amplified. I heart the piano.

8) Rain. There's little that makes me feel better than a pleasant rainfall. The sound of water falling on the ground as the wind gently wafts through the trees... Heaven!

9) Travel. Wish I could do more of it, but I have a finite supply of time and money. I love seeing new places, especially places with a lot of history. I like to experience culture, try new food, and explore.

10) Cookbooks. I love to cook. I enjoy trying new recipes, techniques, and in some cases the science behind the recipe. I have more cookbooks than I know what to do with, but I still buy more...

Of course, friends and family go without saying, that's why I didn't put them on the list (and my cats are included in that, because I consider them part of the family).

And the breaking with tradition. I'm going to pass the award along, but I'm also passing it back to the person who gave it to me, because her blog is one of my favorites and I can't not acknowledge that. So in no particular order, because I love them all:

1) Pandorah's Box - I love this girl! Kato always brings enthusiasm to whatever she's talking about, and her comments always make me smile. She's an amazing writer, so good that when you read her blog, you feel as if you're experiencing whatever she's writing about. This recent blog entry made me laugh (and raise my fist at the injustice!), and this one is an excellent example of how she can make a blog experience almost tactile.

2) Sarah, Writer in making - I've been impressed by her blog since day one, and it keeps getting better. I think hers was the first blog I actually followed. We were each other's firsts, lol. This post cracked me up... I will never think of doughnuts the same way again. It's not the only one that will have you laughing though, she's another talented writer who I expect great things from in the future.

3) Bendigo's Rage - Sometimes his blog posts are a slice of life, sometimes they are incredibly poignant, either way, you're in for a great read. And if Bendigo follows your blog, you've got a steadfast friend who will always be there to encourage you. I consider him to be the heart of our little tribe. This is one of my favorites, but it's by no means the only one.

4) Daily Dose of Reality - Ian, Ian, Ian... there's no one who works harder in the blogger universe than Ian. How he ever made it through all those blogs to compile the best blog awards at the end of 2009 just blows my mind... And his recent interview with Lisa Marie blew me away! I can never think of questions to ask people but he had a gazillion of them! Good ones! He's also a great ranter... this is one such rant. I learn things when I read Ian's blog, and that's a good thing.

5) The Shadow of My Life - I'm fairly new to this blog, but it's rapidly become one of my favorites. Joe writes slice of life blogs that are both compelling and entertaining, and most of all, they are funny! This blog entry, in particular, cracked me up, and it's just one fine example of Joe's blog. Read it, you won't be sorry.

6) The Domestication of a Party Girl - Lisa Marie has such a varied blog. One day it might something light and whimsical, the next day, serious and thought-provoking. On any day, it's a good read. And she's a sweetheart. This blog entry really made me think.

7) Lisa and Laura Write - These women crack me up. How they manage to come up with blog after blog of great stuff is beyond me. And they have a book coming out (2011!). And they're incredibly nice. This is a great one.

8) A Writer of Wrongs - I recently started following this blog. Terry has finished writing a novel (that sounds amazing) and is going through the harrowing query process. As someone who has participated in this, it's interesting for me to read other people's perspectives on it. It's a great blog and I'm enjoying it. So check it out. This is the blog he posted after he received his first (impersonal) form rejection. But it's not all about writing, so if you're not a writer, don't let it scare you away.

9) Flora Isadora: Camera Obscura - I love photography. I take photos, and on occassion I'll take a 'wow' photo, the kind people comment on or want a copy of. Flora takes those pictures all the time. She can make something as simple as a gravestone look amazing. There's not a lot of writing, it's more of a pictoral, but I enjoy browsing, and I stow away ideas for my own photos in the future. This one is one of my favorites, but I'm blown away by them all.

10) The Non-Review - TS writes some fun stuff. So far I've read about movies I never knew existed, drinks I want to try but aren't available in the US (tease), etc. The most original part of his blog though, is the By the Numbers review, where he tallies the performance of all the films an actor/actress has been in, to scientifically prove whether or not he/she is a good actor/actress. It's very interesting to see how it plays out, and to see whether or not I agree.

So that about wraps it up. Some VERY honorable mentions Secret Office Confessions (like a serial soap opera, but hilarious instead of silly), Mass Hole Mommy (varied content, often humorous), B.R. Paulson (a writer's blog), Redhead Ranting (one of the best ranters out there), Nanny Goat in Panties (hilarious, sometimes about goats but not always... doesn't matter because it's always fun), and Nameless Babble (sometimes slice of life, sometimes very insightful observations). All the blogs on my side bar are blogs I enjoy reading, but for now, these are the ones I try to read regularly. Hopefully you'll scan through them and find something you like!

Phew! Awards are a lot of work! Now to notify the winners...