You know how some days you wake up and, while half asleep, you head to the bathroom — but not before putting both feet in the same pant leg? And then after laying face down on the carpet for a few minutes, you realize your naked rear is sticking straight up because your feet are bound together like a rodeo calf? And in the moment is when the door opens and it’s your 18-year-old daughter, who begins screaming and scratching at her eyes because of what she’s witnessed?
OK, maybe it’s just me then.
Well, today didn’t start like that for me. Today was actually a morning of extremely pleasant momentum, which, in our house, usually means an empty bathroom (rare in a house with three teenagers) and a perfectly timed BM. In this case, however, it was pleasant momentum spurred by kudos from my fellow bloggers. After returning to the keyboard following two days of what CSI: Las Vegas would term “explosive flu blowback” [Insert rapid sequence through nasal passages here], I had a chance to go through my “Likes” and “Comments,” which led to a very humbling series of nods from fellow bloggers whose work I admire.
Maybe they knew I had the flu? Maybe they thought I had passed on to the next life? Maybe they were intoxicated while trying to send a post to someone else on their Kindle?
Whatever the reason, I am deeply appreciative for their nominations for Versatile Blogger, Very Inspiring Blogger and Blogger of the Year.
In the interest of time, space and the ever-present threat of additional flu blowback, I have consolidated the rules, which require listing several interesting facts about yourself as well as passing the torch along to other bloggers.
What follows is a list of seven truths about me, and seven bloggers I find to be Very Inspiring.
First, the truths:
1) I’m madly in love with my beautiful wife, Alicia.
2) I never went to college and, after graduating high school in Oregon, I moved to Dallas, Texas with $500 and a VW van.
3) In a moment of weakness, I voted for Ross Perot.
4) I didn’t start listening to AC/DC until this year; Yes, I wasted 45 years 😦
5) Without coffee, I would die. Seriously, it’s a condition.
6) Before becoming a humor columnist, I was a corporate chef for 10 years. They said my food tasted funny; I thought it was just salmonella.
7) My father was a policeman. Four years ago, I joined the fire department… sorry, Dad.
And here are some of the folks I find Very Inspiring. They are unique, diverse and wordsmiths of honesty laced with ridiculous talent:
1) Whats Broken Me
2) The Return of the Modern Philosopher
3) Dream Shadow
4) Kul World Daily Drivel
5) The Cubicle Views
6) Thoughts of a Lunatic
7) Shaunanagins
Again, thanks so much for the honor of taking a moment each day to join me in a laugh or two. I’m still a relative newbie to WordPress and feel extremely fortunate to have been so welcomed.
That said, I really DO need to get my pants on now…
Ned's Blog 
All well deserved!! And thanks for the image of your rear sticking up in the air. I should learn not to read your blogs during my lunch. 😉
Hahaha! Thanks, Susan — Maybe I just need to be more courteous and post a bit later 😉 Enjoy your day!
I’m reading your blog today without a cup of Earl Grey in hand, so I managed not to snort tea all over my keyboard again, thankfully. I have to agree those who nominated you for these awards. You absolutely deserve them. Of course, I now have to type my responses with half the keys on my keyboard malfunctioning, but it’s a small price to pay for the laughs you provide. Congratulations, and may you receive many more! Well done!
My sincere thanks, Marcia. Truly. But I’m still not buying you a new keyboard… 😉
😦
Oh, well. Can’t blame a gal for tryin’!
Hahaha! 😉
Thanks so much derrrlin!
You’re very welcome — and it’s well deserved 😉
Congrats, Ned. Having read your blog for a few months now, it is easy to see why these honors have been bestowed upon you.
Much appreciated coming from someone whose stuff I always look forward to reading.
First off, let me compliment you on your excellent writing. You certainly deserve all the awards and accolades coming to you.
Secondly, I just wanted to THANK YOU for nominating me. I am in a list of VERY fine bloggers . Thank you so much Ned.
P.S. LOVE your Humor
xx
Sooz
I feel your pain – am also trying to get over something nasty!
Hang in there — at least long enough to pass it on to someone you don’t like 😉
Great idea!
Congrats, dawg!
Word up… uh, that’s what’s going down, Right? Wait… Wussup?
I really have no idea.
Cool — I’m hip to that.
Wha’?
That settles it — we are hosting the next Hip Hop Awards show. I’ll have my posse call your posse.
Fa’ shizzle, homey!
Congratulations on your awards, Ned! I always enjoy reading the personal tidbits, and I find it so cool that you were a corporate chef. Do you do a lot of cooking at home? Did you woo Alicia with your food?
Thanks so much, Maddie. Yes, I do most of the cooking because I’m pretty good at taking what’s in the fridge and turing it into something edible. Each day is sort of like Master Chef! Although I have to say my wife, who is Spanish and Mexican, makes some amazing enchiladas! As for wooing her with my cooking, on our third date, I made shrimp scampi — I think it helped seal the deal! 😉
I’m swooning!! Your wife is one lucky lady. Shrimp scampi is a favorite (so are enchiladas!), and I love Master Chef! 🙂
We’re huge fans of Master Chef as well, but especially Hell’s Kitchen. I love watching the dinner services… takes me back, although I was never a yeller like Chef Ramsey 😉 I worked with some chefs who were. They were usually short!
Wow Ned congrats on the awards and holy schnike thanks for giving one to me! This is great and coming from you, writer of one of my favorite blogs…too cool. I very much appreciate it and will not let you down. I’ll follow through on this one shortly!