Awards recycling.

In the past month, the awards fairy has yet again flitted her tiny wings over my humble abode - not once, not twice but three times no less. Yet again I find myself remarkably grateful for these and yet again I find myself lurching into the scripted response; the one where I again talk about how some people don't 'do' awards and that's their decision - but that I will happily take any recognition that comes my way because, if nothing else, I think it would be bordering on rude not to.

I have been guilty of being more than a little rude and self-centred in the past - in fact if you have been reading me for any period of time, you will probably have surmised that I have been guilty of many sins in the past. I am still no angel but thankfully, I seem to have lost the heart to be cold, rude, inconsiderate or ungrateful any more. Life just seems too short to be anything other than grateful and kind these days and whilst the change sometimes surprises me, I am happy with it. I mentioned this relatively new-found attitude to my wife earlier this evening and sort of blamed her for my change of heart - but maybe I was just waiting for a reason, an excuse to nicen-up? It's altogether possible and I'm sure there's a posting there if I think long enough about it. Before I think about writing it, I may have to invest in some more semi-colons though. I think I'm nearly out of them and if you had not noticed, I do tend to use a fair few in each posting. Often inappropriately, I'm sure - but you are all nice enough not to point that out.

So when I say that I am profoundly grateful to you all - no matter how frequently or infrequently you visit - for wading through my often heavy and always wordy postings, please know that I am deadly serious and that the sentiment is entirely heartfelt. I really do appreciate your time, your comments, your everything. Truly and utterly - cross my heart and hope to die. The same goes to the people who passed me these three awards that I am about to pass on. There is a lot of good writing out there. I know - I read a lot of it every single week. That you chose to pass these awards on to me is something that I am exceptionally proud of and grateful for - and as I have already said, I think it would be rude of me not to acknowledge your consideration and pass them on before they gather dust.

So without further ado:

One Lovely Blog award

Kindly pushed to me by Indigo over at IndigoWrath. I would like to pass this on to Mr Charleston - he of Termites Of Sin fame. He changes his blog header on every single posting. That in itself would have won me over but there's something else about his blog that I absolutely love. I'd re-read his postings and try to explain why better, but it would just turn into a slushy love-in and I'd hate to embarass him. Let's just say that I'm a big fan and I make no apologies for throwing another award his way.

Best Blog award

This came courtesy of Baloney, She's officially Tulsa's hottest property and yet another feelgood blogger. Her postings are friendly, warm and packed with humanity - and she has an ability to make you feel included in her life that I respect and value immensely. I would like to pass her gift onwards to:

Indigo at IndigoWrath - and not because he gave me an award previously, but because I tried to give him a different award earlier and he graciously declined, having already received it. His is another blog where his personality floods through freely and I appreciate his humour and his graciousness. Unless I'm very much mistaken, he's a quality guy - and you can't have too many of them in your days, can you?

Living In The O-Zone. This is a relatively new find for me but I am absolutely hooked. I feel almost like a voyeur reading some of his more personal postings but then he takes his foot off the gas and gives us a posting where we can relax and remind ourselves to exhale. An absolutely compelling combination as far as I am concerned and even if he turns out to be too cool for this whole awards lark, I cannot pass up the chance to acknowledge how much I appreciate what he does.

Pop Tart award

This came from the marvellously enigmatic Pheromone Girl. She suggested that I keep it handy until the opportunity to pass it on presented itself. As far as I'm concerned, that day is here, so please step forward.....

JenJen from Jen's Voices. I have long admired Jen's sass and dry humour, but her ability to draw on nostalgia and memories has blown me away lately. She has an amazing ability to make you think, smile or sympathise depending on the subject matter and she's one of the few blogs I allow myself to check from work, always hoping for an update to alleviate the afternoon's tedium.

Holli from Holli's Ramblings. Because although her stuff is always compelling, this posting is unforgettable in my opinion and when I grow up - if I ever grow up enough - I want to write something as good as this.

I will be back towards the end of the week with a minor announcement - nothing major for you people but something I am very much looking forward to. Until then, it just leaves me to thank you again for stopping by, for reading, for commenting.