10 Things, Honest Scrap

Robin, from Around the Island, sent (and tagged) me the Honest Scrap Award.

Before passing it on, I'm to list 10 truthful facts about myself.

Sounds pretty loose ended, so here goes. I'll try not to repeat things from previous meme's.

1. I can't sing, unless off-key counts.

2. In the very early 70's (K? do you remember the year?) Karin and I sat on stage at a Leon Russell concert at Cobo Hall and thought we were bad asses for doing so. Now, annually, Leon plays at a small venue in Ferndale Michigan, The Magic Bag. It's like being in a corner bar, a nasty corner bar, a corner bar I'd rather not sit in.

3. I never went to a prom or homecoming dance.

4. I'd donate a kidney if it would help someone. Especially my brother.

5. I can't help but to peek when everyone bows their head in prayer. I like to make eye contact and smirk at the other "peekers".

6. I like the "classic" Aretha Franklin. I did not like the hat she wore to the inauguration yesterday. I did not like her voice. And I did not like how she sang the first line of "My Country, Tis of Thee", placing a break in the wording ... "My count try tis of thee...." Maybe it's my 12 year old boy mind that kicked in, but I didn't like it.

7. I tend to lead when slow dancing. Don is going to break me of that habit, right Don?

8. I like granny smith apple slices dipped in warm, gooey brie.

9. My father took his own life, 29 years ago . (Betcha didn't see that one coming.)

10. I believe there are more good people in my life than probably really are.

There you have it. I'm supposed to tag it on, but I think I'll just say grab the award and spill 10 things if you feel like purging. Let me know if you do so I can come by and read your post.

Why Hate?

My site is less than a year old.

It didn't take me long to see the stream of "cliques" ... just as in high school. (I have been out of high school 35 years!) Some bloggers support each other in commenting about others in a negative way. What ever happened to "if you can't say anything nice, don't say it at all"? I've never had a nasty comment left, but then again I've also read "you know you've made it as a blogger when you start getting hate mail". I'm glad I haven't "made it".

Daily, I read new blogs and always with an open mind. I chuckle at the writers who are "grammar and spelling police" and note that they only read blogs that are properly or professionally written. I happen to have two favorite blogs that I am sure would read as fingernails to a chalk board to those thinkers, but I enjoy them immensely. I like to read as if I were face to face, having a conversation. I appreciate the creative writers too, and I know some write with more theatrics because they are expressing their thoughts with an art form in their writing.

I was pleasantly surprised when I received an e-mail from a site I hadn't heard of or read before. They promote blogs that are "hate free". The Alliance of YHate sent me the following:

"Your blog was a pleasure to review for your ability to write about your personal views and life in a manor that is both entertaining and inoffensive. In particular you have earned this award primarily for posts like "Imagine" and the post titled "Restores My Faith ... In Kindness". Your commentary within the later was truly great content to accompany such a wonderful video. THANK YOU for being MOM we can all LOOK UP TO!!"

Thank you YHate for the nod and award. I will continue to write head tilting humor without malice. If I ever offend anyone, it's purely accidental.

Sam, You Missed the Boat

A few months ago, there was a news release about Sam, a Dorito stealing seagull. He helps himself to bags of Doritos from a party store. Customers continue to pay for them, enabling Sam to continue his life of crime.

Now where was he when a ship lost a cargo container carrying bags of Doritos and they washed ashore the Outer Banks of North Carolina?

And in other news:

Sunshine, the bearer of buttons, has struck again. She was kind enough to give me a "You Make Me Smile" award ... along with her latest button "Internet Entertainment without Porn". Thank you Sonia ... I'm wearing them right over there <---- along with the rest of the bling.