Before I get into discussing the VBA, I want to thank those who thought of me when they passed it on:
Laird Sapir, one of my favorite new tweeps. Totally into the tech, and is getting me involved in web applications I’ve stayed away from for various reasons. Check her blog out here.
Another nomination came from Debra Kristi, who I will sheepishly admit I’m not totally familiar with her blog. I’ve seen her around, and I know I’ve read her blog, and a quick skim reveals some interesting stuff, but I could not sum her up very well. Debra, we obviously need to talk!
On to the Girls with Pens, Marcy and Lisa. Some awesome writing advice, some great ladies, totally check them out!
Next, a nomination came from SJ Driscoll, who’s blog is often personal and offers some great insights into life.
Finally, I got another nomination from Kristy Lyseng. I haven’t read her blog, yet, but I’m thankful for the nomination anyway!
Now, those familiar with Versatile blogger know there’s some requirements, and I’ll be a good sport and offer my seven things, but I’m actually going to not pass it on to fifteen other bloggers.
Now that I’ve got your attention, let me explain why. The current structure of the Versatile Blogger Award, and the many awards like them, create a ‘chain letter’ like effect, and go a step further to create a social incentive to follow through with recognizing 15 other bloggers, regardless of quality! And what do you do if you’re nominated a second time? 15 different bloggers? Or do you retread, and pass that quandary on to the next bloggers in line?
I like the idea of recognizing other bloggers for great content and great blogs. But I have methods in place for doing just that! My weekly blog mash up sharing the great posts of each week. My twitter stream shares some great posts. See my sparse Follow Friday recommendations. These people are the ones I’m encouraging you, my readers, to check out.
Now, on to the seven facts about me:
- I don’t drink milk. I drink chocolate milk, but plain milk isn’t something I like, and refuse to drink. By extension, I rarely eat cold cereal.
- I’ve owned three cars. The first was a Chevy S-10 from ’89, another was a Chevy Nova (I don’t remember the year. . .), and my current vehicle is a Honda Accord from ’93 that’s falling apart.
- I’ve read Jonathon Livingston Seagull at least a dozen times in my life, the first time for a book report in the third grade.
- I don’t really have ‘favorite’ pieces of media. Lots of things I love, but I’m always unsure of how to pick out of them.
- I’m totally into independent anything: films, games, books, comics. But not to the exclusion of the main stream forms of the media.
- I actually like playing with spreadsheets.
- This is actually my fourth blog!
Thanks again for the nomination, and I hope everyone goes back and checks out those who nominated me!
Okay, now explain to me what the point of Jonathon Livingston Seagull was. Was it a metaphor for religion or something?
Yup. JLS is a metaphor for a spiritual outlook. If you want the basics in a bit more clear language, check out Illusions by Bach.
Patrick I totally understand your point about these Awards, I made some faltering remarks about it on my own blog recently. I do think we need to find ways to reduce what seems to be a growing workload. Mashups seem a logical sharing of something we are doing already.
It’s not that I hate the idea of the awards or anything, I just feel setting it up ‘Give to 15 more!’ is a recipe for making the award pretty meaningless in the long run.
I envy your spreadsheet talents. So great to learn more about you, but you were already one of my favorite people anyway. Thanks for putting yourself out there. I know it can be scary.
Spreadsheets are cool, especially when you start learning how to use the macro editors! Thanks for stopping by, Kristen!
I love that you spoke your mind about these awards. I love getting them (in that, I love that people want to acknowledge the blog) but I feel weird putting up a list of 15 bloggers every time. I usually just mention a few faves.
Having said that, you totally deserve this award.
Thanks, Amber! Part of the reason some of my nominations sat so long is because I wasn’t sure how to approach the topic. But honesty is usually the right way to handle things like this.
Yeah, it’s tough to come up with 15 bloggers…and mean it. Great job.
No milk, huh? I don’t b/c of the calories. But I love ice cold skim milk. Add some sugar free chocolate syrup, and it’s even better.
Great post!
My parents used to have to bribe me to ever drink milk. My dad sugared a glass once, and I could still barely drink it.
Now I only keep milk because of WIC.
Congrats on the award Patrick! Well deserved!
I can’t stand the smell/taste of plain milk. My mom would make me drink it and it would cause me to gag–or worse. I’ll do chocolate milk and eat a bowl of cereal with milk every now and then, but I can’t just down a glass of milk. Ew.
But hey, it’s nice to know that there are others like me out there!
Awesome, we should totally start a club!
The Got Milk? Stay Away From Us! Club?
I liked your #7. LOL!
This is #4, and it likely won’t be my last!