An award for little old me?

OK, so it’s rare I get one of these blogger Internet-based “chain” awards.

I say chain awards because it’s basically something where somebody gets it from another blogger and has to pass it along to a certain amount more etc. Add to it that they aren’t always the easiest to do because there are always many questions to answer.

That being said, it can be a bit of fun to do.

Mike over at Joe Floggers recently tagged me in a post, so it’s exciting to know somebody things enough of a blog to award this. So, a hearty thanks to Mike for this honor.

The rules are simple enough — post 11 random things about myself, answer 11 questions Mike came up with, then tag 11 bloggers and give them a set of questions to answer, too.

I just have to watch that I don’t put any of the same bloggers Mike put as we have a few common blogs we read, though there are probably going to be a few that are repeated as I think they deserve that honor!

Depending on what set of rules you read, you’re supposed to limit the blogs to those with anywhere from 200 to 3,000 followers. The problem with that is with so many social media setups these days, it can be hard to determine how many followers one has — especially considering some people may follow on more than one medium.

I’ve seen many blogs just hand these out, which I think is fine considering the idea is to hopefully discover some new blogs. So I’m going to be a little loose on the rules. I don’t follow any “mainstream” blogs, so I’m feeling safe in the ones I tag. Basically, I’m linking up some bloggers I enjoy reading. There’s a mix there of guys and gals, crazy bloggers and mommy bloggers, DIYers and foodies, and great writers and fun bloggers. So if you like reading blogs, check  ’em out and look at a few posts and see if you dig ’em as well.

11 random things about me

1. I’ve been to Montreal more than a dozen times.

2. I broke two toes by slamming them into the pipes holding a diving board when I was a junior in high school.

3. I’ve lived in three states (New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut).

4. I hate coming up with random things about me.

5. When in Dublin in 2010, in one day/night, I drank 16 pints of Guinness. I don’t think I’ve had more than five of anything in a night since then!

6. I don’t like having my photo taken, which seems to be somewhat common theme among photographers.

7. I don’t mind waking up early in the morning, though it’s still tough.

8. I have found geocaches in four countries, as well as 18 states and Washington D.C.

9. I have played disc golf courses in three states.

10. I collect baseball cards.

11. I love zoos.

11 questions from Mike

1.  What motivated you to start a blog?

I’ve always been a writer. I had my first newspaper article published when I was in seventh or eighth grade. I began the blog when I hosted a message board and that was one of the addons. I switched briefly over to Blogger, and then to WordPress, where I’ve been for several years. I started it because I thought it would be fun and random, which I’ve tried to keep it that way to this day.

2.  What is your favorite animal?

I’m not sure I have one overall. But, in a zoo or “wild” animal would likely be giraffes or zebras. Domestic animals, I’m more of a cat dude, though I don’t mind well-trained dogs. I’m not sure I’d ever have a dog, though, because of the time needed and there are times I just like to go do my thing.

3.  What is your dream job?

All depending how I look at it, I guess. The job I currently have is truly a dream in my field, because I’m the first person in this company to have it so I get to shape and help develop it. So if it grows, it has my fingerprints all over it. That’s the hope — and plan — so it’s truly a dream. That being said, if we’re talking total dream and likely never to happen, probably working in media relations for the Philadelphia Phillies or something along those lines. I’ve truly been lucky, though, as I’ve already had one dream job in that I covered professional baseball for six seasons.

4.  Does money buy happiness?

Somewhat. Let me explain. The reality is this, unless you’ve been down-on-your-luck and out of it, most people don’t know not having money. Being unemployed for nearly three years gives you a whole new appreciation for things. I was miserable many times during that span. Look at it this way — does one need millions of dollars to be happy? No. But, does one need to be somewhat financially secure so he or she can go on a vacation or two, provide for a family or themselves and the such? Yes. So, yes, money does buy happiness in certain ways. But not all ways.

5.  What is your favorite meal?

This is a tough one. I don’t think I could pinpoint one meal that would be my favorite. But there are a few that I always love — hot dogs, pizza, most seafood, or a good burger.

6.  If you could meet one person, who would it be and why?

This is a tough one, so I’m going to go with something historic. I’m a baseball nut and love the history of the game. I’d truly have to say Ty Cobb, who, in my eyes, is one of the most amazing and fascinating players of all time. He fit that time as he wasn’t the nicest of people, so it would be interesting to be able to sit down and meet with him. Who knows how well it would end, though!

7.  If you could live in any other time period, what time period would you pick?

I’d live in the 1920s/30s. Back when gangsters were gangsters. I don’t know why, but I’ve always been fascinated by old-school gangsters and the lifestyle. I could see me on the side of one of those cars with a Tommy gun. I don’t think I’d actually be wanting to use it, but just the image. It’s not that I think crime is good — and I don’t condone anything that was done then or now — but the image of it is kind of crazy. Now, that being said, I didn’t say I’d be on the side of the car with a Tommy gun as a gangster, did I? Nope. I’d rather be someone like Eliot Ness and take them down!

8.  What is your favorite book or movie?

I don’t truly have a favorite book — there are many. But movies, whenever I am asked that question, it’s always the same answer. Forrest Gump.

9.  What is your favorite thing to write about?

I was a sports writer for most of my professional career, so I’d have to go with that. In the blogging world, I have many different topics I really enjoy.

10.  Do you consider yourself successful?

It all depends. Right now in life? A little. I’ve had ups and downs, and thankfully I’m on the upswing again. In the blogging world? For sure. I’ve made great friends, have a lot of blogs I love to read and I enjoy doing it. So overall, sure. I’m smiling, so I figure that has to count for something.

11.  Beer or wine?

Beer.

 11 12 bloggers to whom I bestow the honor of a Liebster Award:

1. Phil at The Regular Guy NYC

2. Jessica at Living La Vida Holoka

3. Hedia at Gunmetal Geisha

4. Rachel at You Just Can’t Google Everything

5. Kate at Another Clean Slate

6. Casey and Sarah at Real Suburbia (Yes, there are two of you, so I think you should each have to answer the 11 questions!)

7. Nicky and Mike at We Work for Cheese (see note above for Casey and Sarah … ditto)

8. Christine at A Fly on Our (Chicken Coop) Wall 

9. Lauren at Think Spin

10. Dufus at No Named Dufus

11. Lisa at Peripheral Perceptions

12. Paul at A Photo a Day

(Edit note: I’ve added a 12th, because I initially had Paul on the list and as I was rearranging, I took off a few who I wasn’t sure if they would want to do this. In hindsight, I should have left them on and allowed them to make the choice. Paul is one fantastic blogger/photographer and I would encourage all to visit his — and the others above — for some good stuff!)

11 questions for you to answer

Should the 11 of you choose the Liebster Award I have placed on you, please write up a post (and link back to me, if you would!) answer these questions, put 11 random facts, and tag 11 more bloggers to get this award. I look forward to seeing some responses, I hope!

1. What is your dream vacation spot and why?

2. Where did you come up with the name of your blog?

3. How do you define blogging success?

4. What is your favorite type of “going out” entertainment?

5. How many states (name them) have you lived in?

6. What is your favorite holiday and why?

7. What’s your favorite number and why?

8. What would be your dream vehicle to own?

9. What is your favorite hobby?

10. How do you try and keep your blog fresh?

11. Where do you do your best thinking?

So, there you have it. For those of you tagged, I hope you’ll jump into this and do it as well. This was actually a fun little post to write and I look forward to see what other have to say. If you accept, have fun with it!

Feel free to leave a comment, or e-mail P.J. at hoohaablog@gmail.com. Also, please “Like” HooHaa Blog on Facebook!