Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Super Blogger Award!

Father Dragon (otherwise known as Al Diaz) singled me out for the Super Blogger Award in this post last week. The grandest of dragons heaped upon me a boatload of kind words and gratitude, leaving me honored and humbled. (And only folks braver than I say no to dragons!)

Super Blogger Award!

This award is the brainchild of another Super Blogger.  Mark Means from Left and Write created this award and discussed its (very few) rules here. The CliffsNotes guide is--and I quote:
Take the award for yourself, then pass it along to someone who inspires you or you just think is 'super' in one way or another. Tell us why you think that person is super and deserving. Now, all the recipient has to do is reveal a (as in one) small secret about themselves (super people always tend to have a secret or two, right?) and pass the reward on to someone they think is deserving.

Protracted pondering was unnecessary. I immediately knew who deserved this award from me. The Super Blogger that I feel deserves this award is Jo Wake from JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE.

Jo is a faithful blogger, faithful blog visitor and faithful to her word. She's a voracious reader and appreciates a good tale. Although Jo and I met only recently, she offered to beta read my manuscript. It didn't stop there. She read it again! She not only provided both grammatical and editorial feedback, she did it with lightning speed. I even learned that I used a few regional terms that I didn't realize were regional.

I look forward to meeting Jo in person later this summer. If the Super Blogger Award were tangible, I'd hand it to her in person then. She is definitely deserving. And she has my gratitude. (That conjunction was for you, Jo. <grin>)


What's that? You want to know my secret? I thought you forgot. Well... Here it is. I really am a knight and don't just play one on T. V.

Okay, that's not really my secret--although it would be cool if it was. Here you go, then. I say bad words when people slow me down on the highway. No, wait, that's not even a secret.

How about this? In the spirit of full disclosure, I confess the truth. My secret is... I hated--and almost flunked--high school English!

Now I feel so exposed and vulnerable.

41 comments:

  1. Awesome when you find someone who can make your book better and do it in a way that makes you feel better about it.

    Also your secret is safe with me...and um, anyone else who reads this...lol.

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    1. So, you didn't tell anyone, right? I figured posting my secret here was safe enough. :-)

      On the improving front, I've been super blessed with excellent feedback from excellent folks. I'm exceedingly grateful.

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  2. What a nice tribute to Jo, Jeff. And congrats to BOTH OF YOU!!!!!

    I've met Jp only briefly and she seems to be a kind soul. I'm glad you both connected. I find meeting blogger buddies so REWARDING! I've met a few of mine, but I want to meet them ALL! It's on my bucket list.

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    1. A great thing to add to the bucket list, for sure. My in-person connecting with friends from my bloggyhood is too low. That demands rectifying.

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  3. Congrats on the award, Jeff, you truly are a super blogger!! I'm not familiar with Jo, but if you think she's super, I'll have to check her out :)

    Great secret, by the way!

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    1. Do check her out. Folk don't come much better. She puts the unction in conjunction.

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  4. Congrats! And what lovely things to say about Jo ;)
    Suzanne @ Suzannes Tribe

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  5. What a cool award--congrats! Jo sounds really deserving of it. Also, don't worry, I hated English, too. I didn't even care for most of my art classes, despite being an artist. ;)

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    1. It is a cool award. We shall forever hail Mark as the superhero that he truly is.

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  6. Congrats Jeff and nice going Jo. Sorry about your English trouble, I loved English in High School.

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    1. I think lunch was my favorite subject in school. Nap-time was a close second, but they dropped that class before I got to high school. :)

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  7. Jo is very faithful - always posting and commenting. Excellent choice.

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  8. congrats on the award, it's was well deserved! And you're not alone in hating high school English.

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  9. Why thank you sir knight, I am very grateful. What nice things you said about me. I will endeavour to continue being worthy of your award. Now what the hell is my secret??????

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    1. I don't know what your secret is, but I can't wait to find out. I had to ponder a bit on which of my many to reveal.

      It is I who am grateful, Jo. You're top-notch in my book.

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  10. Congratulations on your award, and what a wonderful tribute to Jo! Nice post!!!

    I'm sorry you hated high school English - I loved some of it, and intensely disliked some of it - it depended on how well I got along with the teachers and the year.

    BTW - I was/am a high school English teacher (not certified currently, but still torturing homeschool teens at a co-op one day a week with literature and writing classes) - don't hate me. :)

    I also think of the whole 'certified' teacher thing, and wonder about how we usually use the term 'certifiable.' What does that mean for those of us who are certified or who have been certified to teach?

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    1. Fortunately, I didn't reveal the fact that I'm certifiable. Of course, some things aren't as secret as we'd like to believe! lol

      I'll admit that English wasn't the only subject I hated, nor was it the only subject I nearly flunked. I was a late bloomer.

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  11. Don't worry, I hated and almost flunked at math ... doesn't mean I plan on doing any calculus anytime soon ...

    And congrats on your award! I remember reading Father Dragon handing that to you, and it's good to meet Jo! :)

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    1. So I needn't hit you up with any math homework, huh? Noted. :)

      I saw your comment on Al's blog. Made me feel good. Thanks.

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  12. And I forgot to comment on the conjunction, duuh

    Certifiable, to me, means someone is due to be taken away by guys in white coats.

    I loved English.

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    1. And you forgot? LOL

      Don't worry, certifiable means the very same thing to me too.

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  13. Hey Jeff,

    Yay to awards! Yet another brainchild award. And yes, Mark um Means well. Ha ha! :) Glad the dragon bestowed it on you.

    Congratulations to your blogging friend, Jo. Hi Jo! :)

    Did they teach y'all proper English in school, such as English, English. Not your um "favorite" (favourite) subject, eh!

    Arise, Sir Jeff, whatever the heck that means...

    Gary :)

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    1. Gary, King of puns, I salute you. I too am sure Mark Means well.

      "Arise, Sir Jeff" usually means my wife is about to remind me that I haven't yet taken out the garbage. :)

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  14. Congratulations to Jo! She does deserve it. :D
    Bad words in traffic, uh? Me too. Hahahaha. :D

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    1. Not all bad words are uttered vocally, of course. Some simmer in the brain and fester, affecting things like mood and blood pressure. Then I usually exit my car and resume my jolly good life without a care in the world. (I do write fantasy, you know.)

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  15. No way with High School English! Crazy, Jeff. And Jo is beautiful! Loved her highlight. Thanks for this. :D

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    1. Yes way, Morgan. Don't ask me how I learned to read, write or speak half-way decently. Well, decently for a Southern boy anyway.

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  16. I love Jo just from all the glowing things you said about her! Congratulations to the both of you-- super bloggers, indeed.

    I was like that with math, blech. That part of my brain atrophied and died!

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    1. I believe atrophy claimed my memory. It wasn't the sole victim, but the only one that matters since I can't recall the others.

      Yes, if you haven't met Jo then you definitely need to do so. She's a wealth of insight and inspiration.

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  17. I'm blushing like crazy with all these nice things being said about me. I would definitely welcome you all to visit my blog. I have been spending a lot of the day puzzling about who should get the award next. Unfortunately Father Dragon, Sir Jeff and the Ninja Captain all have the award already.

    I was bad at math too, computers have solved all my math problems.

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    1. Computers have a way of doing that--solving some, creating others. And a little blushing never hurt anyone. ;-)

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  18. Congrats to you and to Jo. I was an OK English student. Nothing spectacular.

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    1. Who are you kidding? You're spectacular at everything!

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  19. Congrats on your award Jeff, but I really want to meet Jo! She sounds like a wonderful person! I have a feeling that there is already a long line ahead of me!

    Julie

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    1. Thanks, Julie. And yes, I highly recommend meeting Jo.

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  20. Hi Jeff,
    Nice to meet you! Jo passed this award on to me, so I thought I'd stop by and say hi. Congrats on receiving it from Father Al - that's quite the honor!
    Tina @ Life is Good

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  21. Congrats on the award! Jo sounds like a wonderful blogging buddy.

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