It's a Major Award!

For the 3 of you who haven't seen it yet; the title is a shout-out to A Christmas Story.

So, a few days ago, I received an email from a virtual colleague of mine (and fellow introvert), Ellen H. Brown.  She nominated me for a Kreativ Blogger award! Yeah me! And thank you, Ellen. I appreciate your support, especially because I have not been blogging for very long, often suffer from blogger's block and sometimes wonder if I'm talking to myself on this blog. (Yes, I know a few of you read it, and a few of you even leave comments, but I am allowed to exaggerate and be a drama queen every now and then). I prefer to focus on quality over quantity; it's validating to have this choice recognized with an award, be it major or minor. I'm just about as pleased to get this award as the Darren McGavin character in A Christmas Story was to get his "major award."

Now, I guess this Kreativ Blogger award is what is known as a "meme." (I'm not sure what a meme is myself, but I'm giving it my best guess -- forgive me if I'm mistaken).  So there's some stuff I'm supposed to do and then pass it on:

1. Thank the person who has given you the award
2. Place the logo on your blog
3. Link to the person who nominated you
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting
5. Nominate 7 bloggers for this award and post links to their blogs
6. Send a message to let them know they've been nominated

I've done 1-3 above.

Seven Interesting Facts about Me:

1. When I was 5 years old I wanted a live penguin (and nothing else) for Christmas. We lived in Ohio at the time. (I now own several stuffed penguins).
2. In elementary school, any time there was a play to be cast, I was always given the role with the most lines (whether I wanted it or not) because I had a phenomenal memory. I sometimes memorized others' lines as well (unintentionally).
3. I became the first African-American to captain a women's athletic team (women's fencing) at my undergraduate institution, The Johns Hopkins University. I didn't realize it at the time; I saw this milestone noted in a recent alumni publication.
4. I have a private pilot certificate and an instrument rating. I worked, in the early 90s, at a small magazine called Professional Pilot as the News Editor.
5. In the past 20 years, I have resided in 6 different states in this order: CA, MA, AZ, MD, CT, NJ, CA, AZ. It's not a typo; I've moved to and from both CA and AZ twice.
6. I can't parallel park to save my life!
7. I harbor a secret fear that deep down, I'm a really boring person to be around, my blog posts are boring, my speeches are boring, etc. I act in spite of that fear, but it slows me down quite a bit.

Seven Blogs I Nominate for the Kreativ Blogger Award:

1. Michelle Ward (I'm your biggest fan) is an enthusiastic certified coach for creatives, specializing in helping them decide what they want to do/be when they grow up. We also went to the same coaching school, so I know she's "all trained up" to a high standard. Her blog makes me smile (or laugh) every time I visit it. Her blog/website is titled: When I Grow Up.
2. Tracey Lawton is an online business manager/virtual assistant who has jump-started my online marketing efforts. She manages my newsletter (you ARE subscribed to it, right?) and she sees that my article marketing stays on track. Because of her, I look like a pro when it comes to content marketing. She blogs at: Office Organization Success.
3. Introvert Retreat is written by a group of four contributors. It's for and about introverts, so of course the posts are thoughtful and well written.
4. I recently discovered Rise of the Innerpreneur and I love this blog. It expresses a lot of my thoughts and feelings, only better than I can. Plus, I really like the blog badge; you can see it for yourself on the sidebar. Visit the blog and get a badge for your own blog.
5. Karen Batchelor writes Midlife's A Trip. She's a certified coach who specializes in "midlife makeovers" and is another fellow graduate of my coaching school.  I went to school with some talented folks! Her site, like her personality, is brimming with positive energy.
6. Beverly Mahone is a force to be reckoned with! (I say this fondly). I discovered Beverly on twitter. I admire her tell-it-like-it-is style. Or as she would describe it, she "keeps it real." Beverly's site is Boomer Diva Nation; I believe the name says it all.
7. Living Introverted is another blog that is written by and for introverts. And yet another blog where I think the author does such a better job at expressing herself than I. (But hey, I'm gong to keep blogging anyway).

Comments

[Michelle]

That works out well, because I'm YOUR biggest fan, Joanne! Thanks so much for the award, & look for my reciprocal post soon!

[Beverly Mahone]

I am totally honored that you have nominated me!. I have to admit I didn't recognize the name at first until I went to your blog and saw your pic. I have actually blogged about this at http://www.babyboomerbev.blogspot.com