Well, here’s something cool: Wit and Wimsy nominated my site for a Sunshine Blogger Award! That’s the second award I’ve had the privilege to be nominated for since I started this little site just over month or so ago. It’s especially gratifying to be a recipient when you read what this award is all about:
“The Sunshine Blogger Award is given to those who are creative, positive, and inspiring, while spreading sunshine to the blogging community.”
That’s a pretty cool compliment. Means a lot when someone associates my work with words like “creative”, “positive”, and “inspiring.” (You don’t want to know what words people usually associate my work with.)
So thank you, Wit and Wimsy. I’m a loyal follower of your blog and really appreciate you thinking of me when you made your nominations. If you haven’t checked her site out yet, feel free to click on over and browse around. Go on, I’ll wait here until you come back…
(Make sure you check out the bottom of this post for some really great websites that I’ve nominated for this award. It’s a pleasure to ‘pass the torch’ to some really creative people. In fact, you should probably skip over my Q&A and just get to the good stuff.)
The Rules
The guidelines for this award are straightforward.
- Thank the blogger(s) that nominated you in the post and link back to their blog
- Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you
- Nominate 8-11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions
- List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award Logo on your post and/or in your blog
The Dreaded Q&A
I think ya’ll nominate me for these things just so I have to answer questions about myself. Which I just love to do. In the spirit of spreading more sunshine across the net, here we go:
What is your favorite smell? Easy. Freshly cut grass. Specifically, freshly cut grass in New England during the first month of spring. After you spend five or six miserable months surviving a cold, wet, and grey northeastern winter, it is a most very welcome scent to smell. And a sign of many good things to come. Until the next cold, wet, and grey northeastern winter, of course.
What of your traits do you think define you? Greatest compliment I have ever received was when my father told someone, “Paul never gives up.” He was right. I am not the most talented, smartest, or logical person I know. But I am the hardest working. That kind of trait is extremely useful, especially when applied universally. Being persistent and my belief that ‘there is always a way’ has done me far more good then harm over the years. I have no idea where I’d be without it.
In a parallel universe, what do you do for a living? Contrary to what I just wrote about being hard-working, when I was younger I was a professional slacker. I did just enough to get by and not an ounce more. Consequently, I spent more time in college playing beach volleyball than studying. Which is a shame because I could have accomplished so much more, so much earlier than I did. So in a parallel universe, I’m guessing I’m either a doctor or an astrophysicist. I love helping people and am fascinated by astronomy. Coin-flip.
What makes you feel most confident? When someone appreciates something I’ve done by either telling me outright or mimicking something I do. It’s very flattering. I’m highly self-critical, so when I get a nice review or pick up a new follower, it reminds me that I’m doing something worthwhile and am not the hack I sometimes convince myself I am. That builds confidence, something everyone needs in order to do their best work.
What is your favorite story? Don’t have one. Cop-out answer? Maybe. I’ve heard and read so many stories that inspired and awed me, it’s impossible for me to pick just one. I couldn’t easily list my top ten favorite stories, for that matter. Don’t believe me, huh? Fine. In no particular order: Hitchhiker’s Guide, The Stand, Strip Tease, Breakfast of Champions, Hit Man, The Store, A Fire Upon The Deep, Old Man’s War, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, and Inca Gold. See? That wasn’t easy. And there’s about thirty more which are at this very moment screaming “You should’ve picked me damnit!” Saying any one of them is my “favorite” would be a lie.
Are you a reader or a viewer? When it comes to entertainment, I’m a reader. I’ll take a good book over a great movie any time. I absolutely love live-theater too, but a book is more versatile and really gets my imagination flowing. I don’t know what I’d do without reading. When it comes to learning something, however, I think I’m more of a viewer. It’s easier for me to fix the car by watching a DIY video than by reading a service manual. Or, better yet, watch a mechanic fix it so I don’t completely destroy the engine.
What is your biggest bucket list item? I’m lucky here in that I’ve had the opportunity to check a lot of those boxes over the years. The one thing that really stands out is to visit Australia. My great-grandfather was Australian and I’ve always felt drawn to it. It’s the last of the “big ones” on my travel list. (Super-extra-bonus fact: My favorite city is Rome. The history, people, and food is amazing. Almost decided to stay when I was there last.)
What is your least favorite taste? I can’t get the hang of dark chocolate. It’s bitter and chalky and just yuck-o. Some people love the stuff. Not sure about those degenerates.
What is the happiest moment of 2018 thus far for you? Last year was a very rewarding but also extremely difficult year for me. So far, 2018 has been very good to me. Like I was owed something. I’m going to say New Years Day. I’ve never been one of those “resolution” type people, but this time it actually did feel different. And I think there are even better days ahead.
What is your favorite holiday and why? Christmas. Family, food, presents. Oh, and eggnog. What? Do I really need to write more? Move along.
Do people change or just circumstances? People. It’s people that make the circumstances. And I’ve seen people change, many times for the better. I love that people grow and evolve and yet are still somehow the same at the core. But aside from that, circumstances are effected by the people that create or are involved with them. Without people, there are no circumstances.
The Nominations!
Still here? Good! Because here are my nominations for The Sunshine Blogger Award. These are some really cool sites that I am following. And I don’t follow all willy-nilly. So you should check them out and give them a follow, too:
Chaotic Shapes – Brandon is an extremely talented artist. Definitely worth checking out his latest art project and other creative inspirations.
Finally Unchained – Whether she posts a short story, photograph, or reminder that children are awful, Pia’s site is always a lot of fun to read.
A Pianist’s Musings – Kathryn’s site caught my attention when she posted a great article about PDQ Bach. That article warrants the award on its own. Lot of other great music related posts there, too.
Terminally Single – Check out the headline: “Walking alone, I walk free.” Raw, interesting inspirational blogs for all.
The Nerdy Lion – This is my newest followed site, but I like what I’ve read so far. Really great article about dealing with the loss of loved ones and friends just came out the other day. Worth a read.
Strawberry Travels – Ella writes about…well, I’m still trying to piece it all together. It’s a very entertaining site – definitely worth a look.
I know I’m supposed to nominate 8-11 others, but those six are really good and think they should stand on their own. Problem?
My Questions For You Unfortunate Souls
I get to ask 11 questions of the people I’ve nominated. Now we’re talking!
- Anarchist or conformist? Explain. Unless you’re an anarchist and won’t.
- What is one thing about blogging that you didn’t expect to find when you first started your site?
- What is your Lifetime Achievement Award-worthy accomplishment so far?
- Who has been the most influential or inspiring person in your life?
- What is the furthest distance you’ve traveled away from the place you call home?
- What is the one book I should read but probably haven’t yet?
- What’s the earliest memory of life you can recall?
- iOS or Android?
- Tell us about a hobby you have that few people know about.
- What’s your favorite band and why isn’t it Rush?
- Get on your soapbox and make a statement. Anything goes.
Thanks for humoring me and my little intrusive questions. I really do love your sites, each for a unique reason. Looking forward to reading more from you all for a long time to come!
For the rest of you, thanks for coming by. Oh, and feel free to follow. You won’t hurt the “like” button by pressing it, either. Go on, try it!
Paul Kardos 