Opening the cupboard.

It was the German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who said 'enjoy when you can, and endure when you must'. I often find myself nodding sagely at his sentiment, because this blogging lark is a mixed bag at times. Granted, there have been days where inspiration has flown freely and where this is a great ride - but there have also been days where endurance has been called into play; where inspiration has slowed to a trickle and I have needed to dig deep to find even a trickle. Sometimes my blogging bucket is positively full and overflowing - but then there are other days where inspiration is fleeting; where finding a decent topic is like panning for specks of gold in a fast flowing river.

This seems to be the way of the e-world; a constant ebb and flow of ideas and inspiration to adapt to, work around. Not today though - today is a rare exception to the rule. Today is a no-brainer and involves neither inspiration or perspiration, because today is all about acknowledging and forwarding. Today is the day after Saturday and before Monday - and there's only one kind of posting I ever write on the day between Saturday and Monday. So, my fellow internet personas, welcome once again to Awards Sunday.

What do you mean it clashes with Superbowl Sunday? Don't worry - we were here first and I'm sure they'll be happy to move it to Tuesday once they realise the double booking.

So yes, my friends. Today - if just for this one day - let us flip Johann Wolfgang the bird and instead open our hearts and spirits to the soaring words of his little known brother Johann Koolandthegang. Let us celebrate good times - let us even 'come on' if we feel sufficiently enthused. Join with me, my fellow virtual personas. Take my imaginary e-hands and let us form an imaginary circle of trust, of kinship. Let us don our imaginary glad rags, pass around an award or two, maybe even open a bag of Twiglets if we start to get a vibe going and feel like getting down with our bad selves.

Three items on the agenda. Firstly, thank you very much to Nancy - she of the black-wearin' and blog of notin' fame - for inferring that I was an alright follower and offering such a pretty award by way of a bonus.



This award came with a tag condition. What I'm meant to do is answer 31 questions, then add one to the list and forward the award and the tag together. Thirty one seems like rather a lot, so what I've done is select ten from Nancy's list which will hopefully placate her and enlighten the rest of you.

1. What are you wearing today?
Shorts and a tee.
2. What are you listening to right now?
The dishwasher finish its cycle - and a weekly podcast I follow from the UK
3. What's for dinner?
Oh, we're going healthy tonight. Brown rice and roasted vegetables.
4. What's the last thing you bought?
My father's birthday card.
5. What is your dream job?
It used to be to be a football journalist. These days, probably something to do with psychology or counselling. Or writing, of course.
6. What are you going to do after this?
I am walking up to the supermarket in the rain to get some supplies and try to cool down!
7. What are your favourite movies?
Amongst others..... Goodfellas, Godfather 1 & 2, The Lives Of Others, Kadosh, Platoon, Dune.
8. What do you do when feeling low or terribly depressed?
If I'm feeling low, I try to get home. It's always better at home. As for terribly depressed, I'm lucky - can't remember how that feels.
9. Favourite dessert/sweet?
There's something wrong if I don't order the lemon tart.
10. A word that you say a lot.
Fuck. I know, you'd never have guessed, right? That noise you can hear is my mother disowning me.

This particular award has done the rounds recently, so a lot of people I could have passed it to have already received it. This made my decision to send it on to brand new faces much easier - so I did! I have picked three relatively new finds who I enjoy visiting and whose names also regularly appear in my own comments. In no particular order, thank you to Miss Overthinker, Tracie and Veronica. If you want to do the tag, all good - but regardless of that, please accept this bauble with my gratitude.

Seeing as I'm doing requests right now, JenJen asked for 5 things which made me happy. Seeing as you asked so politely, Jen......

1. Manchester United losing.
2. Football in general.
3. Music.
4. My family.
5. Looking out of an aeroplane window and seeing Melbourne as we begin our descent to land.

Time to bring this show to a close. I have saved the sweetest award for last, which was very kindly donated by Kristen over at Wanderlust. If you like cupcakes, friends and boats at anchor as the sun sets, this award is right up your alley.



The condition is that you list ten things which make you happy. How about you take the five from above, add the five below and we'll call it quits?

6. Espresso coffee.
7. Watching my stepson grow up.
8. Dogs. My own, my in-law's dog, my friend's dog - just about any dog, really.
9. Finishing a posting, pressing send and thinking yeah, that's what I was aiming for.
10.Living a life right next to the ocean.

The rules say I should hand this award on to ten people. The problem is I had already decided to pass it to three only, long before I read the rules. If I backtrack now, you will just think me weak and easily swayed - and that cannot be allowed to come to pass. Therefore please put your hands together and join me in counting to

1. Deidre at Decoybetty
2. Foxy over at the fox den
3. Kitty at Kitty Tells It As It Is

Feel free to eat this award, sail away in it, do something with it or nothing with it. Similarly, feel free to tell the world ten things that make you feel good about life. Or not. Whatever floats your boat.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, concludes Awards Sunday. Thank you for your company. Now, if someone would be kind enough to see if those guys in helmets and padding are still hanging around? After all we may as well offer them the rest of the day for this 'Superbowl' thing of theirs......