Sunshine Blogger Award

A huge thank you to thehappinessboxproject for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. 

The rules:

Awards are certainly flattering.  I also like having the opportunity to pass on the goodwill to those who actually take the time to read my drivel.  I will change the rules slightly for my own honorees:

1. You don't have to display anything you don't want to.
2. You don't have to pass on the award to others in order to accept it for yourself.  You are thoroughly deserving without having to jump through any hoops.
3. You also don't have to answer my questions, though I hope you will.  I am genuinely interested in your responses. 
4. Simply know that I am grateful for our blogosphere friendship.  

My nominees:

• Spacer Guy
• Andrew Leon
• angryparsnip
• Tony Laplume
• sage
• Susan Kane
• mshatch
• Birgit
• Kathy Leonia
• Tanza Erlambang
• natalia20041989 

My answers...
 
At the stage you are at in your life…what’s…your own personal definition of the word “Love?”

I've had an interesting year in the realms of love and friendship - way too interesting to dig into here.  Suffice to say, I've put a lot more thought into such questions than I have in a long time.  No scandal. Just complicated.  I'm a deeply lucky man and I've lived a very good life.

Love is commitment.  I have planned the past 21 years of my life around two women: my wife and daughter.  The rewards have been immeasurable.

Love is life narrative.  Sometimes we choose love.  Sometimes it chooses us.  I love a lot of people and have been well-loved in return.  There are people who haven't been a part of my daily life in decades who are still profoundly important to me.  It's been long enough that I know they always will be.  Sometimes it makes me sad that they live far away.  It would be easier not to miss them but I appreciate them as part of the broad tapestry that is me.  To take anything away is to deny myself.  They also encourage me to invest more in those who are a part of my daily life.

Love is devotion.  I have a cat who loves me completely and without condition.  That's a beautiful thing.


Would you entertain…you…10 years ago…now?

I'm not sure how different I was 10 years ago.  My daughter was 10 years younger which, of course, makes for a different parenting adventure.  I suppose I am more comfortable in my job, if not always exactly happier.  I worry about some things more, other things less.  Overall, I suppose I'm more content with who I am.

Entertain is an interesting choice of words.  I suppose he and I would be happy doing things together: watching a baseball game, playing cards, sitting and reading our own books.  Parallel play.  Yes, I suppose that would be entertaining.


Where’s the place…or places…you feel most at peace…at one with existence?

I am proud to say it: my own couch at home.  I suppose I could come up with sexier, more vacationy spots but Dorothy was dead on: there's no place like home.


If you could take a personal life lesson…then turn it into a quote that connected with and helped others…what would it be?

"Don't take yourself too seriously.  Nobody else does."


What’s your favourite smell?

Garlic cooking in olive oil.


What’s your favourite sound?

Honest, genuine laughter.  I have many loved ones with wonderful laughs.  My wife's is delightful.  My friend Mock's is both distinctive and infectious.  Back when we worked together, I could hear him coming from halfway down the hall, through a closed door.


At the stage you are at in your life…what’s…your own personal definition of the word “Success?”

Contentment.  I don't need much stuff.  I don't need much in the way of recognition.  I just want to be satisfied with the efforts I have made.  Life is too short to agonize over dumb things.


Sum up your blog space in 5 words?

Come geek with me.  Drink?



You’re fighting…professionally…for sport…for the championship of the world…and…you win it. Did you highlight reel your opponent in the first round…out cold…or…win on points after warring with each other the entire distance?

Interesting question as I'm reading a Muhammad Ali biography right now.  He was arguably the greatest boxer ever and undeniably the most famous.  More often than not, he had to work a lot harder than he expected, even against over-matched opponents.

There aren't a lot of KOs in life, few indeed in the early stages.  Even the most extraordinary success is only ever temporary.  I probably imagined the future differently at a younger age but now I know better: we're definitely going the full 15 rounds!


If I turned your life so far…into a blockbuster movie…what would it be called?

Love Deeply, Live Deeply


You’re writing a best selling book…fill in the blank. “10 steps to……………”

Contentment


Now, my eleven questions for each of you...

1. If you could live one year of your life over again, which year would you choose and why?
2. If you could learn to be an expert at something without putting in the work, what would it be?
3. If you could learn a new language instantly, which would you choose and why?
4. If you could give $1 million to any charity, which would you choose?
5. When was your Robert Frost moment a la "Two roads diverged in a yellow wood..."?  The poem (read it here) says you can't go back and that is true.  "Way leads on to way" and so forth.  But if you could, would you?  What is the difference you think it would have made?
6. Time travel: where would you go and when?  Why?
7. Who would you want on your fictional character bowling team?  You get to pick four.
8. What would you want for your last meal?
9. What's your favorite song?
10. Are you an introvert or an extrovert?
11. If you came over to my home and I offered you a drink, what would you want me to serve you?

Creative Blogger Award

I am both honored and humbled to be nominated for the Creative Blogger Award by Spacerguy, Star Trek Enthusiast, First Class.  His site, Star Trek - Sci Fi Blog, is one of my favorites.  Spacerguy is one of my companions for the Animated Series project.  Thanks for the nomination, sir!

The rules:

1. Thank and post the link of the person who nominated you.
2. Share 5 facts about yourself to your readers.
3. Nominate 10-20 blogs and notify them.
4. Pass on the rules.


Five Facts:

1. We just got back from a family vacation in Montana.  We spent a week on the northern edge of Flathead Lake, not far from Glacier National Park.  It was the first time in the state for me.

2. I'm trying to learn more about food, partly by reading but also by cooking.  One food hobby I really enjoy is mixing cocktails.  While I'm generally more likely to drink beer or wine, I love the mad scientist aspect of amateur bartending.  My wife generally favors fizzy gin drinks: gin rickey, gin fizz and gin and tonic.  Sidecars have also been a gratifying discovery.  Mixing doesn't exactly qualify as cooking but I think there's a lot to learn in terms of balancing flavors.  Citrus, for example, can overpower a drink, even in modest proportions.  Every once in a while, though, a delightful combination emerges.  Almond and lime are a dazzling duo.

3. Playing table top games is one of our favorite family hobbies.  Our most satisfying recent discovery has been the card game Gloom.  Each player has a family.  The object is to make each family member miserable before killing them off, one by one.  Colorful storytelling is encouraged.  Any fan of Edward Gorey would be charmed by this game.

4. I took my first yoga class a couple weeks ago. My wife had done yoga before but it had been a few years since she took a class.  We went together to a Saturday beginner class at a relatively new studio.  I'm hoping it's a hobby we'll be able to pursue together.  I was actually pleasantly surprised by my own flexibility though several of the poses provided ample challenge nonetheless.
 
5. The Armchair Squid began life as a sports blog, initially tennis.  While I don't write about sports nearly as often now, I still watch plenty.  Wimbledon kicks off this week, always an exciting time of year for me.


My nominations for the Creative Blogger Award:

1. What's Up, MOCK?
2. Hungry Enough to Eat Six
3. Servitor Ludi
4. Strange Pegs
5. The ToiBox of Words
6. Cherdo on the Flipside
7. WOMEN: WE SHALL OVERCOME
8. mainewords
9. WORD + STUFF
10. Stephanie Faris

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

My dear pal Cherdo nominated me for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award.  You know that friend you sit with during boring meetings because she makes snarky comments that preserve your sanity?  That's Cherdo.  If you're not already following her blog over at Cherdo on the Flipside, you're missing out on the good stuff.  Thank you for the award, my friend!


The Rules for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:

1. Thank the person who nominated you, and link to their blog.

2. Display the award logo.

3. Nominate 15 other bloggers (more or less) and provide a link where they may be found.

4. Go to their blog, leave a comment to let them know they have been nominated.

5. Mention three things that inspired you the most during the past few weeks.


Three Things That Inspired Me Recently:

1.  The Show.  Last week was Show Week at school.  On Thursday night, we opened our middle school musical: Wonka, Jr.  This was the fourth musical and the sixth play overall that Drama Guy and I have directed together and while it is a lot of work, there are always many inspirations along the way.  In My Wife's analysis, our Oompa-Loompas stole the show.  Out of necessity, one devotes a lot of time to the leads in a play and ours did just fine.  But when the ensemble can hold up their end and make the most of their own moments, you know your program's heading in the right direction.

2. The Concerts.  My daughter has been a daily source of inspiration from birth.  Now in 5th grade, she's busy with her own performing arts endeavors.  In recent weeks, it's been school concerts: band (alto sax) last week, chorus two weeks before that.  In total, she performed in five ensembles: 5/6 chorus, 5-8 chorus, African drumming ensemble, 5th grade band and 6th grade band.  Through it all, she always looks confident and, more importantly, happy.  Now she wants to teach herself to play the harmonica.  Her music teachers think this is all my doing but in all honesty, I do my best to stay out of her way.  Go get 'em, kiddo!

3. The Bread.  I'm baking, folks!  I'll write more about such adventures once I get through the last few episodes of Star Trek.  For now, a photo from one of my early attempts:

It tasted just fine, I swear!


My Nominations:

I know not everyone is so keen on these awards but for me, they're an opportunity to honor my friends.  I don't know if I'd bother blogging anymore if not for the kind folks who take the time to read the drivel I post.  Regardless of whether any of you chooses to post this award or pass it on, you definitely deserve it:

1. MOCK!
2. Nancy Mock
3. Suze
4. Cygnus 
5. DAVID WALSTON
6. Toi Thomas
7. Trisha F
8. Stephanie Faris
9. Marcy S. Hatch
10. Stephanie
11. Veronica Rundell
12. Megan Whitson Lee
13. Andrew Leon
14. Sally
15. Jennifer Ellis

Wonderful Team Member Readership Award

 
The eternally awesome Stephanie Faris nominated me to receive the Wonderful Team Member Readership Award.  I am both humbled and honored.  I love the spirit of this particular award and proudly accept it, especially given Stephanie's wise modifications.

The intent of the award is to celebrate the wonderful community that is the blogosphere by honoring those who contribute to it.  I am a happier blogger for the five people I am nominating.  I write better knowing that they may be reading.  I am also grateful for the friendly spirit each of them brings to our circle.  I'm going to make one further amendment to the award.  None of you has to pass this on in order to accept it.  That's just how awesome you are!


MOCK! - What's up, MOCK?

I don't know if I'd even still be blogging were it not for Mock.  For a long time, and I mean probably the first two years, he and my wife were the only people reading The Squid with any regularity.  He was easily the most frequent commenter.   He is also the one who discovered bloghops like A to Z where we were both able to broaden our networks.  Mock is one of my very best friends in the real world, too, and I am grateful for the role he plays in my life every single day.


Suze - Subliminal Coffee.

You likely already know Suze because she is a socializing dynamo.  I first met her through the Tumble 4 Ya Blogfest she co-hosted (another Mock find).  She has been a devoted reader, an inspiring cheerleader and a wonderful friend ever since.  I can't call her The Crazy Lady in New Mexico any more because she moved but her awesomeness hasn't diminished one iota.  She also introduced me to my next two nominees.


Cygnus - Servitor Ludi

Speaking of big moves, Cygnus and his family are in the midst of one so go wish him luck over at his blog.  Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games lie at the heart of Cyg's blogging enterprise and he seems interested in all things magical and mystical.  He brings both intelligence and warmth to his interactions with other bloggers.  It always feels like we're sitting around on a dorm room floor pondering the mysteries of the universe.  Pass the Doritos, man...


Geo. - Trainride of the Enigmas

Geo. is an hilariously sage blogger out in California.  He also looks like a young Kurt Vonnegut so he oozes awesomeness by simply existing.  Like Cygnus, he is far better connected to the infinite than I. Anytime I can inspire a comment from Geo., I know I'm on the right path.


Maurice Mitchell - Film Sketchr

I actually don't remember how I first found Maurice but I'm so glad I did!  He and Nigel Mitchell share the excellent blog The Geek Twins but Film Sketchr is one of the blogosphere's best kept secrets.  There, Maurice spotlights the art designers of science fiction movies - you know, the people who do the real work for the films we all enjoy.  Maurice also has a wonderful gift for expressing a friendly demeanor.  I always feel like his comments come with a warm smile.  He's that guy you always hope you'll run into at the comic book store.


Wow, looking again at the list above, that's a dinner party I'd host anytime!  Thanks again to Stephanie and to all of you who make blogging so much fun.

Liebster II: New and Improved

Suze has graciously presented me with the Liebster Award.  While I have received this one before, I am not too proud to accept it a second time.  I know better than to hope for a Meryl Streep-esque triple triumph.

The award has evolved since the last time it came around, including a snazzy, updated graphic: 

There's a lot more involved in accepting and passing on the award now, too.  I am now charged to supply 11 fun facts about myself, answer the 11 questions Suze posed, award it to 11 other bloggers and ask them 11 new questions. They in turn can, if they wish, follow the same steps to keep the award going. Check out her link so you can get to know her a little better, too.  Here we go...

Eleven facts:

1. The first piece of music I ever conducted was the first movement of Rachmaninoff's All-Night Vigil, also known as Vespers.  I brought my hand down and people sang - one of the truly magical moments of my life.

2. I was only in one play in high school.  I played Marcellus in The Music Man.

3. I love maps.  I've been fascinated by them since I was about six years old, when National Geographic's Our World book came in the mail.

4. I had both a Best Man and a Maid of Honor at my wedding.  Sadly, I haven't seen either of them in at least seven years.

5. I believe Cat Stevens is the world's most under-appreciated songwriter.

6. I'm afraid of heights.

7. I've lived in Vermont for almost eleven years and yet I've never been downhill skiing. I have no intention to try it anytime soon, either. (see #6)

8. I recently turned 40.

9. I celebrated the big 4-0 with a healthy dose of regression.  I got a LEGO set from my mother-in-law and bought myself my very first Transformer figure.

10. I believe smoking is a vile and disgusting habit.  However, I love the smell (and taste) of clove cigarettes.  I haven't had one in years and that's just fine.  Be smart, don't start, kids!

11. I love Quebecois folk music.


Suze's eleven questions:

1. Why do you blog?
What started as a way to chronicle my various hobbies has become a hobby in itself.  I can write about whatever I like and publish with a click of the mouse.  Networking with interesting people helps to fuel the creative fire.

2. What is your goal for the next six months?
I've become far more involved with the drama department at my school over the past two years and I'd like to learn more about the sound and light boards.  I've enlisted my teaching partner to teach me about both over the summer.

3. The next year?
To become a better poker player.

4. The next five years?
To learn French.  This is really a ten-year goal but it's not the sort of thing one can leave to the last minute.

5. If you could have any meal for dinner tonight, anywhere in the world, what would you have?
There's a bar in Yokohama where my friends and I would gather when we were all young, carefree English teachers in Japan (1996-98).  I would invite them all for one more raucous evening to celebrate the glorious time we shared.  I love my high school and college friends well enough but it's the Japan gang I miss most of all.  Food?  Yeah, I suppose we should order some food, too.

6. Who are your influences?
Twain, Salinger, Steinbeck, Lennon, McCartney, Harrison, Starr, Palestrina, Henson, Douglas Adams and, especially recently, Shakespeare

7. Have you ever had a recurring (sleeping) dream? If so, care to share it?
I've written about this before but a lot of my anxiety dreams since Japan have involved trains - missing trains, missing stops, trying to figure out train maps, etc.

8. Without looking it up, do you know what your birth stone and zodiac sign are?
Yes - diamond and Aries.

9. What was the first name of the first person you kissed/who kissed you?
Do Truth or Dare games count?  If so, Cicely.

10. What is your favorite pizza topping?
Bacon

11. Most interesting teacher you ever had?
My Russian history teacher in high school.  He didn't like me much because I'd flaked in his Russian language class.  But to watch him in the history class was to see a true master at work.


It is my great honor to present the Liebster Award to:

1. MOCK!
2. Tony Laplume
3. Trisha F
4. Shawn Yankey
5. Michael Offutt
6. Nan
7. C.M. Brown
8. Bethie
9. millvallison
10. Matthew MacNish
11. Mark K


My eleven questions to pass on:

1. If you could live one year of your life again, which would you choose and why?

2. If you could be good or better at one thing without putting in the time and work, what would it be?

3. You've been invited to join a bowling league and you may choose any five people to be on your team.  There's just one catch: you can only pick fictional characters.  Whom would you choose?

4. How do you really feel about pears?

5. How do you feel about the metric system?

6. The Doctor knocks on your door.  He'll take you to visit any place on Earth at any point in history (he always seems to make the choices with interstellar travel).  Where and when do you choose?

7. If you could learn any new language, which would you choose?

8. You have one personal quality which eventually annoys everyone in your life including, on occasion, yourself.  What is it and do you feel it's within your power to change it?

9. If you knew when you were younger what you'd be doing with your life now, how might you have planned things differently?  Do you think your life would truly be better overall if you had?

10. If all went south and you had to turn to a life of crime (assuming you haven't already), what line of dirty work would you choose?

11. How do you get your geek on?

The Sunshine Award

A big thank you to Heather Murphy for presenting me with the Sunshine Award. Heather's over at Random Interruptions. Go pay a visit!

In accepting this award, one must answer the following questions, then nominate others to receive the award. Here we go...

Favorite color: Red. It's the color of love and revolution. Seriously, what's not to like?

Favorite animal: Our cat, The Big Lug. I love animals and feel very lucky to live in a place where woodland creatures visit us in our yard on a regular basis. We've seen birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals galore. But my favorite critter is the fuzzy little guy curled up next to me on the couch. Before becoming a cat owner, I never would have believed that they can show devotion comparable to a dog but he's remarkably loving.

(Side note: I know this is my second award post in which I've sung his praises. If my blog ever devolves to the point where I only ever post about my cat, it's intervention time. I'm counting on all of you!)

Favorite number: 37. Why? Because 3 x 37 = 111. Who would suspect that an unassuming prime number had the capacity for such elegant symmetry?

Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Coffee. It owns me. I gave up alcohol (for the most part) in sympathy during My Wife's pregnancy but I knew I stood no chance at giving up java. The stuff is pure evil, but I love it.

Facebook or Twitter: Twitter. I use Facebook a lot more and I definitely appreciate the fact that it has brought so many people back into my life but I feel as if my Facebook experience is always on Facebook's terms. On the other hand, I feel like Twitter can be whatever one wants it to be. For me, it's a customized news feed with easy networking capacity. That's all I need. That's all I get.

My passions are: I love a good story and I have tremendous admiration for anyone gifted in the telling.

Getting or giving presents: Giving. I'm the easiest person in the world to buy a gift for - free stuff? Cool. There is no comparison with finding the perfect gift for someone and seeing that look on their face, as if to say "Wow, you really have been paying attention!"

Favorite pattern: Plaid. I'm especially fond of the Stewart tartan:

Image via Wikipedia

I only recently learned that the Welsh have tartans, too. Here's the Jenkins tartan, for instance:

Image via The Scottish Register of Tartans

Favorite day of the week: Saturday. To teach is to live for the weekend and vacations. Don't trust anyone who tells you otherwise! Even when Saturday's busy, Saturday is a change of pace. Sunday's great, too, though bittersweet.

Favorite flower: Roses - red, naturally.

I'd like to take the opportunity to extend goodwill to new friends. My nominations for the Sunshine Award:

Feed Me a Stray Cat!
Universal Gibberish
Revolution ~ Evolution
Daily Dodo
Living 2012
Geeky Tendencies
life of riles

The Versatile Blogger Award

A big thank you to M. Hufstader for nominating me for The Versatile Blogger Award. She has a great movie review blog at Feed Me a Stray Cat! Go check it out.

Here are the instructions for the lucky recipients:

1. Nominate 15 fellow bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.

2. In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.

3. In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you in a post with a link back to their blog.

4. In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself.

5. In the same post, include this set of rules.

6. Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs.

7 Random Things About Me:

1. My Wife and I met at her housewarming party in New York. In search of something to do, I called a couple of friends to see if they might be free. They said they were going to a party. One of them joked that I could be the gift. Little did they know... My Wife has always joked that she only kept me because she couldn't get store credit. At least, I think she's joking.

2. I wish I could be better at many things without having to put in the work. My first choice would be basketball. I adored playing as a kid and probably still would now, given the opportunity. Over time, I got better at aspects of the game - rebounding, defense, passing - but I was never a very good shooter. I love watching people who are really good. In total honesty, if I could choose superpowers for myself, they would be superhuman basketball powers.

3. My second choice would be chess. I think chess is beautiful. As with basketball, I've learned a lot over the years but I'd love to have a more intuitive sense for the game.

4. I've always thought of myself as a dog person but My Wife has converted me to cats. We used to have three cats, which was far too many. But now that we're down to just one, he's lovely - playful at times, affectionate at times but ultimately very independent. I admire such qualities in people and animals alike.

5. Ever since my stint teaching English in Japan (1996-98), my anxiety dreams usually involve trains - missing trains, missing stops, boarding the wrong train, etc. As I was preparing to go to Japan, all of my anxiety dreams involved not having appropriate shoes.

6. Much of the fun of parenting is having a second go-'round with toys, books, children's television and so forth. Unfortunately, my favorite of my daughter's TV shows only survived a run of 13 episodes: The Upside Down Show.

7. My friends and I played a lot of Dungeons & Dragons from the ages of about 9-14. We took many liberties as far as "rules" were concerned. My favorite character was a gnome thief (can't, for the life of me, remember his name) who somehow managed to marry Ishtar. Obviously, what Babylonian love goddess wouldn't fall madly in love with a gnome thief? (In hindsight, Ishtar would have been a great choice for my '80s crush.)


My nominees:

Wikes! Hikes on the Long Trail
Stay on Target...
Exclamation Point (!)
The Ubiquitous Perspective
Analog Breakfast
thecontemplativecat
Geek Banter
| Snap out of it Jean There's beading to be done |
Random Interruptions
Spunk on a Stick
inspire nordic
Drama, Dice and Damsons
Welcome to Author Stephen Tremp's Web Site
Jennifer Lane
The Quintssentially Questionable Query Experiment

The Liebster Award

A big thank you to Heather Murphy for presenting me with the Liebster Award! Heather's blog is Random Interruptions. Go check it out. Meanwhile, the award details...

The Liebster Award is for "the best kept secret" blogs with less then 200 followers. It's a great way to find new blogs and help others get discovered.

To accept the award you must do a few things:
1) Thank the person that nominated you on your blog and link back to them.
2) Nominate up to 5 other blogs for the award.
3) Let them know via comment on their blog
4) Post the award on your blog

So here are my 5 winners:

Wikes! Hikes on the Long Trail - My Wife's blog on hiking, books and food

Stay on target... - My dear friend Mock's blog on sci-fi, comics, baseball and so forth

Exclamation Point (!) - My dear friend Mrs. Mock's blog on books, toys and such

inspire nordic - A blog brimming with enthusiasm for all things Scandinavian

thecontemplativecat - A blog by writer Susan Kane