Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Versatile Blogger Award


So, it was going to be an evening preparing for my new position I start tomorrow.

Why did I know better?

There is a new award going around called the Versatile Blogger Award.  I wish I could go into detail about what it is for (besides the obvious), but I honestly don't know.  

I could make up something:

"In the blogging world, there are only a select few whose efforts make them vastly superior to all the rest.  Regardless of all the trials and tribulations they endure, their tenacity and intestinal fortitude bring forth the real power of the written language and communicate these skills far beyond those of mortal man!"

But, I'd be lying!  (As well as never qualifying for such an award.)

Terrye, at The Misadventures of a Misplaced Alaskan first nominated me.  Now, if you've never visited Terrye's blog, you're truly missing out on some fun.  Terrye's sense of humor and sarcasm is one of the reasons her and I get along so well.  In addition, her ability to take normal situations and expand upon them into what most think, but will not say, is second to none.

Then, Stacy, at Ramblings of an Undiagnosed Madwoman nominated me for the same award!  (Okay, so now I'm blushing.)  I know my macho image may be in question, but I have to say I love reading Stacy's blog.  Stacy's outlook on life comes from that of a mother, wife, as well as a professional writer.  There's always something going on that reminds me that my family may not have been as dysfunctional as once thought!

And tonight, while I'm writing this blog, I get notice that Cyndi, at Pictimilitude has also nominated me!  Cyndi is a photographer extraordinaire that knows no boundaries in her talents!  To say she's a professional is an understatement to her abilities.  Very few ever come along that exhibit the talent to go far in the competitive world of photography.  This young lady leads the pack!

Now comes the tough part as this award comes with iron clad rules, not unlike a chain letter, that will forever hex you if they're not followed.  The curse of VB (No, not VD, that's an entirely different subject) will follow you to the pits of Hell and eternal damnation as any effort at escape it futile!!!!

So, I exaggerate.  You got the point, didn't you?

Here are the rules.  You must:

1)  Thank the blogger who bestowed this award.  (Thanks again to Terrye, Stacy and Cyndi!)
2)  Add the Versatile Blogger Award to you post and site.  (You guys really know how to test my website maintenance talents, don't you?)
3.   Nominate 7 others that are worthy of the award.  (Hold your breath!  It's coming, it's coming!)
4.  Let them know you nominated them.  (I'll do so at the Bloppy Bloggers FB page when done.)
5.  Tell 7 interesting facts about yourself.   (Deja Vu!  It's Finish the Sentence Friday all over again!)

Now, I must nominate 7 more individuals.  To pick only 7 of my favorites is extremely limiting, as I don't ever visit blogs I don't enjoy.  So, even though I'm sure some of these individuals have already been nominated, here goes:

1.  Janine at  Confessions Of A Mommyholic
2.  Melanie at Scribbles and Smiles
3.  Emily at  Oh Boy Mom
4.  Kate at  Can I Get Another Bottle Of Whine
5.  Rachel at  Rambling Amazon
6.  Erin at  The Irish Mama
7.  Amy at  Adorable Chaos

Now the tough part.  I have to come up with 7 things to tell about myself that will prove to be interesting.  Let's see:

1)  In 1973, I drank a canteen of Coke that unknowingly, contained 4 hits of 4-Way Window Pane Acid, or, the equivalent of 16 hits of acid.  It was the best concert I've never remembered!  (Where's the flashbacks?  I've waited decades!)

2)  I ran for (and got elected) as Student Body President (SBP) my senior year in high school simply because I wanted to get up in front of the student assembly during various programs, play the Master of Ceremonies part, and cut jokes.

3)  I have the shortest graduation speech on record, as that same SBP.  
"Friends, teachers, parents, and fellow students.  I believe that graduation should be one of the special times in a person's life.  Thus, the speeches should be kept short.  I, on behalf of the entire graduating class, would just like to say, "Thank You" for all you've helped us accomplish.  "Thank You!"    
The superintendent of schools (who had read a five page speech the year prior) followed me onstage.  He listened to the cheers and applause I received, looked at his pages of prepared speech, set them on the podium and said, "I'm going to agree with Mr. Rumple.  I, too, believe it should be a happy time.  Let's forget the speeches and get right to handing out the diplomas!"  It was my first instance of really being a hero!  lol

4)  I may live in Lexington, Kentucky, but I hate UK basketball.  I'm an Indiana University fan through and through, and even have all the games of the last five years recorded on DVD's.

5)  I'm neither a Republican or a Democrat.  In fact, I voted for the Green Party Candidate in the last election because I hated both of the primary candidates and the lies they constantly told.  At least the Green Party candidate believed in the principles she stood for.

6)  I have eaten dog, cat, goat, horse, monkey, and many other things that most wouldn't consider consuming.  These are not commonplace dinnertime items, but only things that I found in restaurants during the time that I was somewhat of a world traveler.  The one thing I absolutely will not eat ... liver!  The one thing that expanded my stomach to painful swelling for three days ... barbequed crawfish.

7)  My mother's death at my age 13, followed by my best friend's fatal accident two months later that I witnessed, provided me with an attitude that life isn't forever, so get the most out of it you can.  In my life I have been shot at, my neck and back of head mauled by an ocelot, bitten by venomous reptiles, and pulled up the side of a cliff after stepping out too far and sliding down the slope on loose gravel.  I've sky dived, skin dived, snow and water skied, raced a dirt track car (once) and took a high performance driving class two years ago.  I've had my forehead rammed into a tree branch by a runaway Arabian stallion, my knee held onto by a Pit Bull's jaws, slapped in the face by an alligator's tail, and had a clothesline snag my neck and flip me backwards as I was running from police (after throwing corn at an unmarked car when I was a kid, lol).  And, I'm still not done, yet!   Can you say "Adrenaline Junkie?"

So, that is it!  My task is complete!  I tried to make it interesting.  Hope you're still awake!

I will be somewhat scarce around these parts for a while.  (If you didn't read why in my earlier post today, here's the link:  The Vacation Is Nearly Over).  I think many of you may have missed it.

Until next time, "Keep Smiling!"


19 comments:

  1. I loved reading your "7 Things". You're too funny! I once had a woman (an older woman) die in my arms when I was 15...while my dad was in the hospital recovering from a massive heart attack and subsequent quintuple by-pass operation. I got those same sorts of sentiments towards life that you do. :)

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    1. Cyndi - I've always been a little outside the norm. lol I was a big fan of humor when I was young, and quickly found that smiles get you more than frowns (more "I will not..." homework, more whacks with the paddle, more visits to the principal's office, etc.) I could see you're a Type A personality. It's amazing how deep it comes from at times! Many Thanks!

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  2. So, when do you plan on slowing down? :)

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    1. Terrye - I'm actually getting ready to go to bed at this time! lol Gotta be at work early tomorrow morning. As far as in life, never. I want to do all I can and will never turn down an exciting challenge that I find interesting. I guess the Grim Reaper will have to stop me one of these days, but he'll do that when he's ready. Until then, every second counts! Many thanks!

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  3. Ok, whoa. There's a lot here. 1) have you blogged about all those things individually that you mentioned in #7? Because I need to read those! Fascinating!
    2) I had to google ocelot.
    3) The speech was awesome! And how cool to impact such a huge event in so many people's lives. Kudos to you!
    4) Thanks for the award!

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    1. Kate - You're very welcome ... and much deserving! There's much I haven't put down on paper as I don't want to be the person "with all the tales". I've either been very stupid, or very lucky in some of the things I've got away with doing (including some not mentioned). No, I've never had mosquitoes not bite me just out of respect, lol, but I always sought to do some of the things many just looked at me and said, "You're crazy!" : ) Maybe one day, I'll start writing about some of them. That is, if there's an audience for that sort of thing. Many thanks!

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  4. My head is still trying to comprehend everything you've written here...wow! Adrenaline Junkie Deluxe. Shew! Now that's living life to the fullest. I knew about the snakes, but not about all the rest. Well done on the speech, and for what you inspired the next speaker to do - not every day something like that happens. And lastly, thank you so much for the award! Very much appreciated my friend :)

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    1. Melanie - You are another that well deserves this award, my South African friend! : ) Yes, I love the rush of adrenaline, that's for sure. Mostly, I've gotten myself into situations that I didn't have the guts to say "No" to doing, so I went ahead and did them! lol Sometimes they worked out, and other times, well, let's just say I have some battle scars. I still have to conquer my fear of heights (sky diving doesn't count), as standing close to the edge of a canyon almost is paralyzing to me, and I'm hoping bungee jumping may do that. It's seriously on the agenda for later this year. Hopefully, I'll just get wet with that, instead of scars. : ) Many thanks!

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  5. First off, good luck today and am thinking of you. You are going to do great, but will be missed around these parts. Second, congrats on this award and I know these awards can be thrown all over the place, but in my book you deserve this award and many others. Also, thank you for passing this onto to me too and very much appreciate it as always!! :)

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    1. Janine - God, it was boring! I'd forgotten how "normal" working actually is. Zzzzzzzzz I need the next 7 years to pass quickly so I can enjoy retirement and have some fun again! The people are nice, but there's so little energy in the workplace ... well, it looks like I've got to be the stimulus. lol I really appreciate all your kind words. You are the deserving one! To have even pre-scheduled blogs with a hurricane coming is above and beyond, to say the least! I proud to have you as a friend!

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  6. Wow - I love your take on life and the interesting facts... well, they are above and beyond interesting. I especially loved the part about the graduation speech. You are well deserving of this award - to be presented it three times is obviously no joke. Good luck today on your new adventure.

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    1. Stacy - Just imagine, here you are, old and "walker with wheels" ready, sitting on your back porch with your great grandchildren, and all you can say is, "I wish I'd have done that when I was able to." I never wanted to be in that picture. Instead, I wanted to give them something to shoot for, and, if nothing else, the knowledge that fear only holds you back from experiencing emotions you'd have never known otherwise! I've been so damn scared I was weak, but forced myself to do whatever it was. That's what we have to teach the kids, to always move forward and never give in to fear. Of course, there has to be some common sense and advance knowledge gained before attempting some things! I always felt somewhat prepared and was able to come out of things at least alive. The graduation speech was due to procrastination. I put off writing one, and the afternoon of the graduation, wrote it in about ten minutes. Luckily, it worked out much better than expected! I simply figured, "It was meant to be", and at least it was honest! lol I thank you again for the award! It means a lot, even though I jest. What else do people expect from me? : ) Many thanks!

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  7. Richard,

    Life has its own ways of testing and helping us explore life. I am glad you had your own special way to find your goals. Loved your choices, they sure are wonderful bloggers.

    Good luck with your new job :)

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    1. Ruchira - Life gives us opportunities to prove ourselves. We either grab hold and run with them, or hide in the shadows. I've never been fond of shadows. lol Congratulations, btw, on your award! It is very well deserved! Many thanks!

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  8. Thank you so much again Rich - I truly appreciate it...since your nomination came out minutes after I published my post acknowledging this award from others, I'm not going to do another and bore folks with my 7 facts...yours were GREAT by the way! You are one crazy dude but no one can EVER accuse you of not living life to the fullest. And I loved that graduation story too -- yes, a hero you were! I hope you're enjoying your first day back at work -- wishing you continued success and I'll see you around the blogging world too.

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    1. Emily - You really deserved it and much more! I've been called that and a little worse at times, but what the hell, I've really had some experiences that when I do get old (cough cough) I can remember and wonder what ever possessed me to attempt them. lol Thanks for being there ... and here. Greatly Appreciated!

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  9. Bravo Bravo!! Well deserved. You are always an entertaining read!

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    1. Julie - Thank you! I do my best ... most of the time! lol It's really good to hear it from you! Many Thanks!

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