Everyday in May: Three Awards from Eight People!

Today's Blog Every Day in May prompt is: "Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them." Well, I have a lot more than that to mention. I feel a bit bad about this, but I've taken so long to get to all the awards, that I now have eight of them. I'm going to consolidate some of this, because it would be almost impossible to list the full number of random facts, questions, and other nominations for every single one, but I'm going to do as much as I can. I love giving other bloggers recognition! :)

Thanks for the nominations!

OK, so I've been nominated for the Liebster Award five new times (and thanks again to Rowena at Designs by Row for my very first award, which I've already blogged about). The people who nominated me are (in order of when they nominated me):
C Hill at CHill Thoughts 
My Rite of Passage 
STFU for a Better Relationship 
Beverly Fox at The Beveled Edge 
ViolaFury at Homeless Chronicles in Tampa.

I've been nominated by two people for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award:
"Me" at Scribblings
Deanie Humphrys-Dunne at Thoughts and Ideas from Deanie Humphrys-Dunne

Last but not least, I was nominated for a Sunshine Award by:
Sania Heba at Embracing Dawn

Thank you so much to everyone who nominated me for each award!! OK, so here are the rules for each:

Liebster Rules	Very Inspiring Rules	Sunshine Rules
1. List 11 facts about yourself. 2. Answer the 11 questions given to you. 3. Ask 11 new questions for the bloggers you nominate for the award. 4. Choose up to 11 up-and-coming blogs (with less than 200 followers) to nominate. 5. Go to each blogger’s page and let them know about the award. 6. Thank the person who nominated you and link back to their blog.	1. Display award logo on blog 2. Link back to the person who gave you the award 3. State 7 things about yourself 4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link back to them.	1. Post the Sunshine Award logo. 2. List 7 facts about yourself 3. Nominate 10 fellow bloggers worthy of this award. 4. Announce their nomination on their blog. 5. Link a pingback to the nominator’s blog.

Facts about myself:

The Liebster Award asks for the most facts, so I'll just go with that one.

1. I love chocolate but not sugar. I prefer my chocolate as dark as possible, even though I don't normally like really bitter food either.

2. Even though I've rescued and now have seven cats, I still consider myself a dog person. It's just that I got lucky with what I feel are the best kitties on the planet. I love seeing pets get spoiled, so I hope other pet owners would feel the same way about their own pets.

3. I eat an olive with each meal, even though I hate olives because I hate salt and bitter food. The olives are the one thing that have helped me to actually lose weight, besides cutting out all wheat, which only served to stop my slow weight gain.

4. I love to write SQL queries. I used to be the master of this at work, coming up with the most complex queries possible, all in my head. I haven't had to use that talent for awhile, so it's not much use to me.

5. I love to dance and sing even though I can't dance or sing. To avoid other people's embarrassment (people tend to hide their faces and get embarrassed if they see or hear me do either of these things), I indulge in my wild movements and pitchy screeching cat sounds in the privacy of my own home.

6. I used to love Pepsi, then Diet Pepsi, then Dr. Pepper. Now I hate all soda. It's so sweet, it makes my teeth scream.

7. I actually like the flavor of my two least favorite foods, grapefruit and olives, but hate the strength of that flavor. I like olive oil, and an itty bitty amount of olive that is cooked beyond recognition on my pizza. I also like sweetened grapefruit, such as in a grapefruit Izzy (although I can only drink a teeny bit at a time, because it's way too sweet).

8. I would love to make things that have secret compartments and pop-outs. I love to build things, and I love making pop-up cards. So I'd like to combine those and create secret areas of an object that will pop out a cute message or allow you to hide something. Just for fun. :)

9. When I was younger, I used to love watches. I wore one everywhere. Now I hate them. I never wear a watch now.

10. I love to do the puzzles in the newspaper. My favorite is the Cryptoquote, but I love the Jumble and Sudoku as well. I don't like playing them digitally (especially the Cryptoquote), because the computer tries to "help" you, and it's not as challenging.

11. I still do all of my initial note-taking and outlines on paper, even when I'm writing an article. I always write in pen. I hate writing with a pencil.

Nominators' questions answered:

Only the Liebster has questions, and I got 5 of them. So, I'll answer the ones that do not overlap:

C Hill's questions:

1. What do you have on your feet right now? Nothing. I love going barefoot as much as possible.
2. What color are your toenails? Natural.
3. What’s your secret talent? I've always loved directing. I used to write and direct Star Trek spoofs for my family when I was younger, and got my little brother and cousin to act in them, even though they forgot all their lines. I had to whisper all of their lines to them from the side, and even created a soundtrack of Star Trek noises to act as cues.
4. What is your favorite food? Thai and Indian. And Japanese (especially sushi). And Mexican. And Peruvian (I love potatoes). And everything else. :)
5. If you could be anywhere in the world right now, where would you be? I'd love to visit Italy sometime, but I kinda like being right where I am too. :)
6. If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Oh man. hmmm. I'm kinda curious about Nostradamus. I'd be happy to talk with anyone intelligent though. I think Einstein, actually.
7. What do you want to be when you grow up? Haha! I'd love to be an inventor, or a movie or TV script writer or director. Maybe a little of each, like James Cameron.
8. If you could own any vehicle in the world, what would you own? I love my Mustang. I don't really like the tiny cars, or the big luxury cars. I like the one I have.
9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live? Right here, or San Diego (where I plan to move back soon).
10. Do you have a nickname?  What is it? Hehe! I have so many! Everything from Krissy to Kris to Lamisten to Loddy (that one is a long story).
11. Would you rather be rich or good looking?  Why? I have no idea. I guess if I cared about either one, I would logically have to say good looking, because it would be easier to become rich. :)

My Rite of Passage questions:

1. Where would you live if you could choose? See C Hill 9.
2. How would you live if money was no object? Much as I do now, but I would create a research facility for researching and inventing.
3. What hobbies would you pursue in this situation? Inventing
4. What new skills would you like to acquire in this situation? I would keep up and improve my technical skills.
5. What do you value most in life? My family
6. What does this thing that you value most in life really mean to you? Love
7. What is your best quality? Honesty and loyalty
8. What is your worst quality? I obsess with little mistakes I make.
9. How do you see yourself? Genuine. I can't stand being fake, or hanging out with fake people.
10. What do you think of the general state of the world? I worry more and more that people are being raised more and more helpless. Kids graduating from school don't know anything, and eat all their meals from fast food. I don't know how they survive at all. nd then they just buy in to whatever crap other people feed them. These people are really going to rule the world after us? The world may be doomed.
11. If you could change one thing about your current circumstances what would it be? Part of me wishes I could become some sort of politician that could rid the world of politics so we could focus on actually solving problems and living in peace. That's not possible though, sadly.

 STFU for a Better Relationship questions:

1. What inspires you to write? All the ideas swirling in my head
2. Do you write strictly for fun or do you write professionally also? Both
3. What is your blog typically about? Random junk, as the title states. :)
4. What do you like to read? Sci-fi, nonfiction, fantasy, mystery and crime. Books that make me think. I'm not a big fan of romance.
5. What’s your favorite movie? The Matrix
6. What color makes you happy? Burgundy
7. What is your favorite smell? Roses
8. When you’re down or depressed, what cheers you up? My dog and cats, and talking to my mom, brother, or cousin.
9. What helps you come out of a writer’s block? Everything. My mind is always swirling. I guess I just don't get writer's block, or at least not in general. I always have something I can write, although I supposed I sometimes get a bit of blockage when I have to write an article about something specific. In that case, I just start writing, or I do some research (which I love).
10. Who is your favorite author? Many, but I guess I'll pick the first one that comes to mind: Neal Stephenson.
11. What is your favorite blog to share with others (can’t be your own blog)? Designs by Row and Haley's Comic.

Beverly Fox's questions:

1. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Southern California
2. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW? Southern California
3. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? Red
4. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Star Trek: Into Darkness
5. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Bionomics: Economy As Ecosystem by Michael Rothschild
6. THE POWER GOES OUT.  IT WILL BE OUT FOR SEVERAL HOURS.  WHAT DO YOU DO WITH YOURSELF? Sit and think or daydream, or talk if anyone is around (if it's nighttime). If it's day, I'd go out and enjoy some sun, and maybe play with my pets.
7. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? The TV. I'm not really paying attention to it though.
8. GREATEST STRUGGLE AS A WRITER? To do the project I really want to do while I have a project from my old job still hanging over my head.
9. WHAT IS THE ONE BOOK YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD READ? One?! I think A Course in Miracles is fantastic, because it teaches you to understand how your ego separates you from others, an from personal happiness.
10. IF YOU COULD BE ONE OF THE GREEK GODS WHO WOULD YOU BE AND WHY? Blech! I don't want to be a Greek God. This was my least favorite subject in school. It's like a big stupid soap opera. It's irrelevant to me.
11. WEIRDEST THING YOU'VE EVER BEEN TOLD BY A FORTUNE COOKIE? I'm so happy you asked that! McDonald's had a Chinese special once with fortune cookies. My fortune said. "The world is full of McBeauty." I not only thought it was hilarious, but it's a perfect metaphor for where our world is heading. It's so full of fake beauty now.

ViolaFury's questions:

1. Describe which musical instrument your personality most closely resembles and why. I guess the bass guitar because I'm so deep. LOL!
2. The last time you did anything idiotic in public (assuming you did; not everyone is me) were you embarrassed, or did you just shrug it off? Feel free to provide details. Or not. I obsseess about mistakes I make, so I got embarrassed and kept thinking about it. I need to stop doing that.
3. Name one thing about yourself that would surprise people. I was raised for a few years on a 500 acre farm with up to 21 horses at one point, and crops of wheat (before it all became Frankenwheat in our country) and barley.
4. Favorite genre of music? Hard rock. But I also like some of the Blues, which is my dad's favorite. I like some classic rock too, which is my mom's favorite. And lot's of other music too. Except country.
5. Cinnamon or peppermint? Cinnamon
6. What are you reading right now? See Beverly Fox 5.
7. What was your favorite stuffed toy as a kid? What was his/her name? Probably a cute dog or cat or rabbit or some other cute critter. They didn't have names.
8. Who is your favorite author? See STFU 10.
9. Who is your muse? My dog and cats, haha!
10. If you were to come back to life as an animal, which animal would you be? A dog. I used to pretend to be a dog when I was little, acting out scenes from 101 Dalmations.
11. Who is your best friend and why? My friend Nicole, because we've been friends since high scool, barely ever see each other, yet everything is as if we saw each other yesterday whenever we meet up.

My nominations

You don't have to accept an award if you don't want it, but here are my nominations. I've nominated some bloggers under two categories, but if you wish to accept them, you can leave just one set of facts, and only answer the questions below if the Liebster is one of the awards. I basically assigned each blog to either a Very Inspiring or Sunshine Award, and if I hadn't already given the blog a Liebster, and it had less than 200 followers, then I gave it a Liebster as well, until I ran out of Liebsters.

Liebster Nominations	Very Inspiring Nominations	Sunshine Nominations
1. Lucy Ravitch at Kids Math Teacher. She's like the Danica McKellar of the blog world. 2. "Me" at Scribblings: She has a lot to say, says whatever she wants, and is always a point of sunshine. I thought about nominating her for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award, but she just got one (and nominated me). 3. J Kieth at Rogue Mission: She always has something interesting to say. Plus, she did a post about one of my favorite shows, Fringe. 4. Sunni at Surviving Life: She always posts in a different color each day, and decorates her blog with cats. Cats and color are always inspirational, at least to me. 5. Sandy at Oozing out my Ears: What's more inspirational than a creative brain that oozes with ideas? 6. Afshan at "The Pensive"!: I've have read so many interesting things on her blog. She's now doing a photo challenge that I've always loved. Awesome! 7. Naina Madan at C'est la vie!!!: This blog always makes me happy. Plus, it has lots of photos, now that she's doing the photo a day challenge in May. I love photos; especially happy ones! 8. Regina Gort at City Muse Country Muse: I love how this blog always has something different every day. I never get bored reading it. I also love its stylish design. 9. Suzanne McClendon at P.S. Annie!: Here is another blog that gives you a little something different each day. It also has an interesting design, and I like the nifty sharing tool. 10. Coffee Lady at My Morning Cup of Coffee: What's more inspiring than coffee? Just looking at this blog, with all the cute little cups of coffee lining the top, inspires me to get writing. 11. Ben Ellis at Design Du Jour: This is my first male blogger nomination. You have to see this thing. It's just so cool! It's artistic, creative, and you can stare at it for a long time, as in a trance. I find myself daydreaming as I stare at the design, moving the page up and down as the share buttons stay stationary.	1. Lucy Ravitch at Kids Math Teacher: She's like the Danica McKellar of the blog world. 2. Haley Wolfe at Haley's Comic: Just about the funniest blog I've ever seen. It always gets me in the mood to be funny. I already nominated her for a Liebster. 3. Rebeccah Giltrow at Rebeccah Writes: Rebeccah inspired me to write all sorts of things. During A to Z, she had these writing exercises each day, and I completed a short version of each and every one in the comments. It was like a puzzle, and I love puzzles! I already nominated her for a Liebster. 4. Gina Valley: Gina, like Haley, has another awesomely hilarious blog that always puts me in the mood to be funny. Her humor is much different than Haley's brand of humor, but just as funny. 5. J Kieth at Rogue Mission: She always has something interesting to say. Plus, she did a post about one of my favorite shows, Fringe. 6. Sunni at Surviving Life: She always posts in a different color each day, and decorates her blog with cats. Cats and color are always inspirational, at least to me. 7. Afshan at "The Pensive"!: I've have read so many interesting things on her blog. She's now doing a photo challenge that I've always loved. Awesome! 8. Regina Gort at City Muse Country Muse: I love how this blog always has something different every day. I never get bored reading it. I also love its stylish design. 9. Suzanne McClendon at P.S. Annie!: Here is another blog that gives you a little something different each day. It also has an interesting design, and I like the nifty sharing tool. 10. Coffee Lady at My Morning Cup of Coffee: What's more inspiring than coffee? Just looking at this blog, with all the cute little cups of coffee lining the top, inspires me to get writing. 11. Ben Ellis at Design Du Jour: This is my first male blogger nomination. You have to see this thing. It's just so cool! It's artistic, creative, and you can stare at it for a long time, as in a trance. I find myself daydreaming as I stare at the design, moving the page up and down as the share buttons stay stationary. 12. Rob-bear at Bears Noting: I'm nominating this sweet bear for two awards, but for two different blogs. They are both inspirational and sun-shiny, but I thought the poems fit the sunshine a little more. 13. Tracy Moore at Pull Up a Toadstool: Tracy is a very prolific writer, especially of fantastic poetry. I don't even know how she does it, but it's fantastic. I've already nominated her with a Liebster Award. 14. Al Diaz at Father Dragon Writes: This is one of the most creative blogs I've ever seen, and so much fun to read. I love to visit whenever I can find the time. I've already nominated him with a Liebster Award. 15. Jolie du Pre at Precious Monsters: This blog always has something fun and interesting to say about ... monsters! And monsters are always fun to read about!	1. Rowena at Designs by Row: Her blog seems perfect for anything with "sunshine" in the title. I already nominated her for a Liebster. 2. "Me" at Scribblings: She has a lot to say, says whatever she wants, and is always a point of sunshine. I thought about nominating her for a Very Inspiring Blogger Award, but she just got one (and nominated me). 3. Shail at Shots and Captures: I absolutely love the photos on this blog. They always brighten my day. 4. Livia Peterson at Leave it to Livia: Even the look of her blog is bright, and evolving. She is just celebrating her first blogiversary. Congrats! 5.VikLit at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author: This is another stylish, happy, and inspiring blog. This is my favorite blog to look at. 6. Laura Hyde at The Musings of Little Mrs. Sunshine: I love the fact that her blog is filled with cute photos. My favorites are of the tiny dog. Tiny dogs always put a smile on my face. 7. Naina Madan at C'est la vie!!!: This blog always makes me happy. Plus, it has lots of photos, now that she's doing the photo a day challenge in May. I love photos; especially happy ones! 8. Rob-bear at Life in the Urban Forest: This is my only "bear" blogger nomination. :) He usually posts in Bears Noting, but I love his poetic side as well. 9. Tracy Moore at Pull Up a Toadstool: Tracy is a very prolific writer, especially of fantastic poetry. I don't even know how she does it, but it's fantastic. I've already nominated her with a Liebster Award. 10. Al Diaz at Father Dragon Writes: This is one of the most creative blogs I've ever seen, and so much fun to read. I love to visit whenever I can find the time. I've already nominated him with a Liebster Award.

Questions for nominees:

The Sunshine and Most Inspiring Blogger Awards don't have questions, but you are welcome to answer the first 7 questions (or more) instead of listing 7 random facts about yourself if you wish.

1. What is your favorite video game (if any)? This can include mobile games and Facebook games.
2. Do you like to sleep on a very soft surface, or a harder surface?
3. What is the most unusual food you have tried?
4. What is your favorite odd food or meal (if you have one)?
5. What is the first sense you turn to when describing something in your writing (taste, smell, touch, sight, etc)?
6. What is one of the cutest things you have ever seen in your life?
7. What is the ugliest thing you have ever seen or experienced (this can have to do with feelings, or inner ugliness, etc)?
8. Do you prefer typing or writing with a pen or pencil and paper?
9. What is your favorite thing to drink?
10. Do you prefer road trips, airline travel, train travel, or other (when going long distances)?
11. What is your favorite way to watch TV, movies, and videos? For example, do you watch everything on your computer or sling it to a big TV? Do you use a Tivo, a DVR, or Netflix? What is your set-up?


Edit: I meant to nominate Sandy at Oozing out my Ears for both a Liebster and Very Inspiring Blogger Award. I only put her on the Liebster list. So, I'm doing a 16th nomination, and adding her now. Congrats on the second award, Sandy! :)