When I was in college, I used to be one of the guys that hung around the keg. It wasn’t because I was some crazy beer guzzling get out of my way must have beer now kind of guy. No. While I enjoyed the beer, the bigger reason for my chosen location was my shyness and hanging by the keg allowed for easy conversation and generally happy people. I have always considered myself shy and still do to this day. It’s not one of my traits I am particularly proud of and it’s not easily changed. So, when people used to give advice, “Just go say hi to her,” it was not so simple.
I believe in irony. I think G-d has a devilish sense of humor (ironic – huh). The irony is that as a blogger I put personal information, thoughts, feelings etc. out in the blogosphere that anyone can see. In fact, the more people that see it, the happier I am (you have my full permission to forward this to someone else or to reblog it. Really, it’s fine. Go ahead.). I can’t tell you how many times I wrote something and my wife will say to me, “Are you sure you want to say that?” or a friend will say afterwards, “I don’t know if I would have shared that.” I just kind of smile and say, “Why not?” It’s not so personal. Yet, on the flip side there are plenty of people who I see whom I would never even have thought to have shared the information. It’s as if I have a different personality on line as compared to my ‘real life.’ I think this is true of many people – hiding in the virtual world.
All of this is a roundabout way of saying I was nominated for an award. I’d like to thank the academy. Actually, it’s not that award but instead is the Versatile Blogger award. I wonder about these awards. I keep seeing people get nominated but don’t know who is actually winning them and what that means. It seems more like a way for us bloggers to tell each other that we enjoy their blogs. I’m cool with that. Though again, I feel a little shy about being nominated. The rules include saying 7 things about myself — which I do with every entry — yet to say it here feels awkward. Man, I got issues. Anyway here goes:
1. I think peanut butter should be a separate food group.
2. I am a big Springsteen fan.
3. My favorite season is fall.
4. I can’t draw.
5. I wish I had a full head of hair.
6. I think the last episode of Seinfeld is underrated.
7. I take pride in my role as a father.
I hope you said the list quickly. Shy thing, you know. Anyway, it feels odd to try and find 7 things that somehow convey who I am. Alright, enough of this. Now, I would like to nominate 15 bloggers for the award – each of whom I enjoy reading. The first two are the bloggers who nominated me. Thanks Patricia and Raani.
1. patgarciabookreviews.wordpress.com
2. raaniyork.wordpress.com
3. robertjhorton.wordpress.com
4. allthingsboys.wordpress.com
5. linneann.wordpress.com
6. lostandforgotten.wordpress.com
7. emeraldpie.wordpress.com
8. perfectlyimperfectmomma.com
9. elskenewman.wordpress.com
10. dearoptimists.com
11. blog.shoesonthewrongfeet.com
12. momopause.wordpress.com
13. jessieclemence.com
14. somethinglikeaduck.wordpress.com
15. insanityofmotherhood.com
I hope to get much more practice getting nominated and receiving awards. I will have to come up with some catchy stories and be more magnaminous. Any tips anyone? I’m getting too old to stand by the keg.
Congrats on the nomination! I have known you for your entire life but I think I may have learned, though some of it could be classified as “relearned”, more about you in reading your blog over the last several months than I did during the rest of your life! BTW, I can definitely relate to #5 under the items about yourself 🙂
Thanks. Yes, number 5 is a trait we both, unfortunately, seem to have inherited. As I said, it is easier, in some ways, to write on the blog than converse. I am not always so comfortable talking about myself.
Congrats!! I so identify with so much of this post. I’ve also surprised my friends and family (and frankly myself) with the level of vulnerability I share on my blog. New for me! Happy you’re coming out from behind the keg and getting the recognition you deserve. I enjoy reading your blog!
Thanks.
There is definitely something about the medium and those who practice it (?) that brings out an openness.
Oh, and amen to peanut butter!
Before I started working at my current schol, my wife mentioned that it could be nut free. I froze and stood in denial. Thankfully, it is full of nuts and just a bit of sanity.
Wow! You may work at the only school that isn’t peanut free! My kids bring soy nut butter sandwiches to school, which leaves more peanut btr for me!
I heard the evil laugh at the end of this response- you know whah ha ha.
Congratulations on your award and thank you very much for including my blog in your list of recipients. I, like you, have found blogging to be a freeing place to write and express myself. I am also on the shy side and so most of my wit and wry humor, which I don’t put out there in real life, comes out in my writing.
And peanut butter is the bomb, but only if it is smooth. My husband is a chunky peanut butter kind of guy and I always know he needs more of his “nasty peanut butter” when he writes “good peanut butter” on our grocery list. 🙂
Maybe it is a guy thing, but I much prefer the “nasty peanut butter,” though if I must I eat the “good peanut butter.” The things I must do.
You are a dear! And it is so nice getting to know you. Not only that, I really do enjoy reading your blogs. I enjoy your sharing about your family and the events that go on around you. So, congratulations and thank you.
This was a pleasant surprise, because I wasn’t expecting you to select me also.
Have a great day.
Ciao,
Patricia
Thanks to you as well. I am very glad to have returned the favor.
Thank you for the nomination 🙂
Also I disagree about Seinfeld. I love it, could quote it pretty much daily, but I wasn’t a fan of the finale. Yes it ended where it started, but I like to have my endings wrapped up in prettier bows than that. Like on Friends everything was wrapped up and you know how everything worked out. I like that kind of closure!
I think there was closure – though definitely not pretty. It was definitely not what I imagined. What would you have had for a conclusion?
I know what it’s like to be shy and there’s a good reason they call it “painful.” I am enjoying the freedom there is in writing and, in fact, committed myself to “writing with vulnerability.” The way I see it, those who might be uncomfortable with being vulnerable themselves might get encouragement from those of us who are willing to put ourselves out there. Good job and congrats on the award. Also thank you for the nomination.
Inspiration is everywhere and we need to take it. I do appreciate and am encouraged by seeing others put themselves out there.
I enjoy your writing – keep doing what you’re doing!
I enjoy yours also; I didn’t realize until today that I wasn’t following you via email. Now I am. 🙂
Cool. I appreciate that.
Congrats on the award! I really enjoy reading your blog and can relate to a lot of the situations described in your posts! Enjoy your Summer!
Thanks so much.
Enjoy your summer as well.
You wanted practice at receving awards so here you go! I recently nominated you for The One Lovely Bolg Award. You can view it at: http://marymenkedick.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/one-lovely-blog-award/. Have a great night!
Mary