Beautiful Blogger

I momentarily surfaced from my happy "All-Olympics-all-the-time-especially-when-it-comes-to-curling-and-hockey" Bubble to discover that the most exciting things can happen when one steps away for a week.  For example, my dear friend April gave me the Beautiful Blogger award.

April is quite a beautiful blogger herself.  I always love when she leaves me comments, and I often find myself encouraged and uplifted by the things she shares on her own blog:  2SlicksGoodTimes.  Thank you April!  (Both for the award and for being a beloved bloggy friend *grin*).


The rules of this award are:

• Thank the person who nominated you for this award (See above)
• Copy the award and place it in your blog (Ta-da!)
• Link the person who nominated you for this award (Click here for awesomeness)
• Tell us 7 interesting things about you (I'll do my best)
• Nominate 7 bloggers and link to their blogs 

Now for the interesting:

I've become NPB Fitness's resident expert on curling.  It all started when I asked the manager if I could change on channel to catch a game.  Then a crowd gathered, mostly confused about the strange sport on the channel I refused to change. Some mocked, some inquired, some just stood there looking like puppies trying to puzzle something out.  Then I started talking.  I explained the basic rules and strategy to those who were already there.  Then more people would come and I would go through the spiel again.  More onlookers, more explanation.  I was fielding questions and putting my two cents in on the strategies of the two teams.  All while working out.  (I'd like to point out that everyone else was just standing there staring while I was running.  *sigh*)  Thankfully, I made enough converts that no one is bothered when I change the channel, or surprised when I time my visits to coincide with curling matches.  And apparently dramatic retellings of that first day have been circling various offices of the business park. 

The Olympic Games captivate my attention.  Probably not a revelation, given my blogging silence since opening ceremonies, but there it is.  I think my channel-surfing skills would make my father proud.  I can toggle between NBC, CNBC, MSNBC, and USA to catch curling, hockey, and the headline sports at the same time.  Sunday was my biggest challenge.  But oh the reward!  USA over Canada in hockey.  Need I say more?

I avoid leaving voicemails whenever possible.  I have a tendency to ramble, which I don't like.  Also, I don't like the sound of my voice on a recorder.  In my head, I sound like a responsible adult.  But those on the other end of the line often say I sound much younger.  Like ten years younger than I actually am.  When I hear myself on an answering machine (or recorded anywhere), I tend to agree.  It annoys me a little bit.

I can spreadsheet anything.  I have a file called "Palm Pilot" which proves that statement to be true.  I realize that sounds boring.  I can assure you it's not.

My favorite shoes are starting to fall apart in earnest and I don't know what to do.  Seriously!  I bought them for swing dancing but promptly started wearing them all the time.  Dancing, working, lounging, shopping, trekking across Europe... they're my favorite shoes.

The writing side of my brain has a strange on/off switch that functions on it's own time schedule.  Becoming a blogger has been an amazing thing for me.  I love when I sit down and flesh out the thoughts I've been thinking.  But if my mind isn't in writing mode, there's nothing I can do to force it.  I may have the most inspired idea of all time...but when the brain is off, it's off.  That frustrates me.  I try to remember that there's no pressure here.  I share when I can.  And in all honesty, I wouldn't want to force it...because then it wouldn't be sincere.  Whatever shows up here is true and honest and from my heart.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  When it does turn on...it can be at the most inconvenient time, and I can't fight that either.  It's like that part of my brain demands my full attention.  I have to stop and write and get it all out.  That makes me sound a bit loony huh?  Trapped by the whims of one's own rambling head.

A seventh thing.  Hmmm.... Asparagus is my favorite vegetable.  In face, one of the many things I love about my Twiga herd is our communal love of asparagus.  If we ever have a gathering, bringing a bunch of asparagus is always a safe bet.  The bearer will most certainly be greeted with cheers and applause.  Yes my friends, it's the deep things that bind. *wink*

Now to pass it forward:
Katie at *Explanation Required. Katie is my fellow spoon in a land of forks.  She'll know what I mean. :-)
Marie over at Spun By Me. I'm so grateful for Marie.  We truly have a bloggy friendship.
Johnny at I Hack Stuff.   I'm proud of what Johnny and his family are doing in Uganda.
Heather at Age30Books.  I get so many good ideas from what she reads, and I love hearing the tales of her book club.  They really have their act together!
Carlos Whittaker at Ragamuffin Soul. He's a complete stranger, but his blog is awesome.

The last two are shameless attempts to get my friends to re-enter the blogging world...the posts may be few...but beautiful nonetheless!
Mandy at the Internet Mandy Database.
Christine at Spill The Beans.