Behold, That Gem from American Blogging Ancestry: The Liebster Award

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Today, I’m going old-school.

No, not a mullet or acid-washed jeans. Today, in place of a guest post, I’ll tackle something most of you blogging types will remember from the early days: The Liebster Award.

It’s a little known fact that the Liebster originated in 1901, the brainchild of one American philosopher Anna Brackett, inspired by a lost text from the Book of Matthew, recently found buried in a time capsule found in Haverhill, N.H., during the Chowder Festival.

I think.

Anyhow, Tessa of Nothing Was Said graciously bestowed this award to me a few months back. What better day to check it off the list than today.

According to tradition and Amish protocol, I’m to share 11 never-before-mention facts about myself, then answer 11 questions from the nominator. Lastly, I’m to nominate 3 to 323 bloggers to carry the tradition forward, answering 11 fresh questions of my choosing.

11 things about me

1-There was a time I felt … I won’t say invincible. Strong, though.

2-When the clock shows 12:34 p.m. or 11:11 a.m., that’s a special time.

3-This one time, when life went quite dark, I found some gratitude.

4-I once thought I’d die in Jacksonville, N.C. – not from a great white shark, but because crappy Internet threatened to keep me from posting a Go Ask Daddy post.

5-I once took on a tree – and won. Mostly.

6-I once got fooled by dolphins. Not Jacksonville University or NFL Miami variety, mind you. Oceanic.

7-My happiest times entail a kid, a fishing rod, a cup of worms and a bag of snacks.

8- I love Stacy Dales. Lady knows her football. She’s a dream to chat with in a pressbox.

9-I love this song.

10-I love to cook.

11-I keep my race card in my pocket, where it belongs. Usually.

11 questions from Tessa, answered

1-Who is your favorite band/artist, and why?

I’m going with Norah Jones. I identify with eloquence coupled with heartbreak. It makes for some incredibly poignant ballads. “Come Away With Me” comes on the Pandora, and that’s tough times. But “Long Way Home” comes along and the sun’s out again.

2-Who is your biggest inspiration?

Besides Norah Jones, Cher Lloyd and all the women who’ve ever been in Celtic Woman? My daughters. I know that counts for three. Becoming a father showed me parts of me that I don’t think previously had developed.

I was like a 1982 Camry that transformed into the biggest baddest robot ever.

3-What is your favorite food?

Data suggests pizza, as evidenced by pizza Fridays and documented fantasies on my blog involving pizza with Amber Heard, getting its sauce on smartphone screens, and Grace’s desire to serve it every day for school lunch.

I also love grilled cheese, pad Thai and cheeseburgers.

4-Where do you want to travel to most in the world?

Spain. Or Boston. Spain, first. I’ve never been to Spain, but I kind of like the music. It’s the land of my ancestors, although my Spanish, which with Rosetta Stone and Smart Water could upgrade someday to rudimentary, would render me the biggest fool in the kingdom.

5-If you were the creator of your own planet, what would it be called, and what would it look like?

Planet-making is reserved for the Yawehs and Zeus’ of the universe. So if I attained that level of natural architecture, I’d call the thing Barley Cider, just to throw off anyone who might think to squat on my Utopia. It would be made mostly of cheese for obvious reasons.

6-Are you more like your mother or your father?

I look more like the mom side. I act like the dad side, mostly. Mom had a raiders period in her life. I can’t even. Dad gauged grill time by beers consumed; if I did that, the burgers would end up on ice and the beer cans would have grill marks.

7-What do you see yourself doing in five years time?

I hope not searing grill marks into cans of Dos Equis.

I’d like to have a best-seller on the clearance rack (who wouldn’t?). I hope to listen to less Linkin Park, and more of the universe. I’ll hope meditation and happiness play bigger roles. I hope to have caught up, and kept caught up.

8-At school, were you a rebel or a teacher’s pet?

I was a rebel’s pet, probably. How’s that for a memoir’s title? I rebelled with my behavior and penchant for goofiness; with the greatest of teachers, those traits endeared me.

I’ve mentioned too many times to mention how many teachers told my parents, “sometimes, Eli takes things a little too far.”

9-Who is your favorite author, and why?

Ernest Hemingway gets top billing here. He possessed a succinctity of the pen I hope to emulate. I’d like to color with more crayons than he, however. Maybe with some borrowed from Lee Smith and Harper Lee. Perhaps detail from Pat Conroy and Stephen King.

10-What is your least favorite animal?

Tofu, by far. Wait, that’s no animal? Mosquitos and jellyfish get high marks for low animals, but I’ll give my ballot over to moths. The bigger, the worster. Big, hairy-looking moths with powdery wings and bulbous bodies.

Eesh. They’re to me what snakes are to Indiana Jones.

11-What advice would you give to your younger self?

Read more. Fuss less. Pay attention to teachers. Love big. Always big. Read nutrition labels. Moderate. Drink more water. Drink less soda. Service your car. Rotate your tires. Mind your health. Holy shit, do this. Follow your heart. Trust yourself.

Learn that you’re in control. Because you are. Beautifully so.

Nominations for the Liebster

Tiffany, at Sounds Like Life to Me | She’s a trusted friend and a golden heart.

Cricket, at Cricketmuse | She’s an entertaining read and a loyal conspirator.

Lisa, of Life of an El Paso Woman | We crossed paths because of Mexican food, and walked together because of all the words.

The questions they’re bound by Shaka Kahn to answer

1-If you could be taken anywhere in the world for the weekend, where would you choose, and why?

2-What evokes wonder in your soul?

3-What’s one thing you’ve tried to make someone do, but failed?

4-What would your story be titled?

5-Can you share the post that you feel came from the deepest inside you?

6-What was your worst subject in school, and why?

7-What’s the last thing you whispered?

8-What’s one thing that attracts you to someone?

9-What kind of night light did you have as a kid?

10-What restaurants do you envision on the Highway to Hell?

11-Name three things you’d run a red light for.