Over the past month, I’ve been given three awards by six different bloggers, and true to form, I’m just getting around to acknowledging them now. It isn’t that I’m ungrateful. It’s that I’m self-conscious about a lot of things, so I’ll never get used to receiving an award. I don’t even know what to do with a casual compliment. If someone says, “Hey, nice shirt,” I launch into a backpedaling flurry of deflections and explanations that would make you think I’ve just been mistakenly given a Nobel Prize in Economics.
“This shirt? Oh, well, I didn’t make the shirt. I just bought it. And it was on sale. Actually, it was buy one, get one free. It was made in Bangladesh. That’s really why I bought it. I figured, Bangladesh, it must be good quality. I feel a little guilty, because Bangladesh is one of those places I don’t think about very often, you know, and here they are making all of these great shirts and everything.”
If someone admires my shoes, I ask if they’d like to have them.
Rooha Tariq of Envisioning Future gave me the Versatile Blogger Award on January 11, followed soon after by Susan of lostnchina, Judy of earthriderdotcom and Catherine of The Sandwich Lady. On December 28, my great friend Melissa of Play101 sent me the Happy Blog Award, and way back on December 18, Kate of Believe Anyway presented me with her Candle Lighter Award.
All of these honors come with slightly different rules and requirements. Most ask the recipient to link back to the bloggers who bestowed the awards, designate a number of new recipients, and in between, write about some revealing personal traits or experiences. I’ve done this a few times now, so there isn’t much left I can say about myself that wouldn’t include the exposure of my most carefully guarded neurotic tendencies, and maybe some embarrassing physical measurements.
Speaking of neurotic tendencies, here’s something I’ve been trying hard to change: getting annoyed, frustrated, and generally disturbed by minor events, those meaningless incidents that should have no effect on us, but that in my case may be quietly shaving days and weeks off my life. This new happy-go-lucky attitude, then, represents a major advance in my eternal battle with the outside world. I suddenly see that these are insignificant irritations, and they’re no longer going to bother me.
At least that’s the plan.
By the way, if it seems as though these things are upsetting me even as I tell you about them, don’t be fooled. I’m learning to let things roll right off my back. It isn’t easy, I’ll admit. For one thing, I can’t think of any reason to have something on my back to begin with. Besides, most things don’t even roll. A broken VCR, for example, would be hard to roll because of its boxy shape. I could probably get it to slide, though, if I stood at just the right angle. So here are a few things I now let slide off my back.
1. Does this happen to you? You’re standing in the kitchen and you need to make a list of stuff to buy at the store. You’ve started the list in your head, but once it exceeds four items you need to write them down. There’s an empty jelly jar on the counter crammed with writing utensils. You reach for a pen and try to use it, but the ink is all dried up. You scribble circles on the paper for ten or twelve seconds to get the ink flowing, but nothing happens. You try another, and then a third, all with the same results. The list you had in your head is now almost completely gone. The only two things you can remember are shoelaces and bubble gum, and you’re pretty sure there were other things you needed. Who put those pens back into the jar when they knew they wouldn’t do anyone a bit of good? Why not just throw them away? There was a time when such an incident would cause my ears to light on fire.
2. Occasionally, a person will say something, and I’ll respond with what I think is a perfectly good answer. Then they’ll shake their heads a little and say, “But you’re missing the point.” This is the worst thing anyone can say to me, with the possible exception of, “We heard you were a vegetarian, so we made you a broccoli casserole.” I try really hard to get the point. I usually have to look around for it, and sometimes for quite a while. My subtle nod and serene expression may send out a signal that I’m comprehending, but most times, inside my head I’m scrambling around like a man in a tuxedo attempting to cope with an overflowing toilet. Eventually I bump into the point and recognize it immediately. So up until this moment in my life, I would get pretty steamed when a person advised me that I’d missed it. But not anymore. This is the new me, the one who doesn’t get steamed at little, unimportant things. Although, I suppose if I mention to someone that I don’t care for broccoli, even in a casserole, and they tell me I’m missing the point, I could easily revert to old behaviors.
3. There are foods that are described as Extra Mild. How can anything be extra mild? That sounds like they’ve added something to it in order to make it less of something else. What did they add? Is it the ingredient-version of negative numbers? If mild salsa isn’t tame enough for me, then I shouldn’t be eating salsa in the first place.
4. Sometimes I’ll pull into a parking space that has one of those low blocks of concrete running across the front of it. Maybe it’s still light out when I park the car, but when I return, it’s gotten dark. A lack of sunlight makes it harder for me to see, and also, less understandably, causes a lapse in my mental faculties. I get in the car, start the engine, and drive forward. I move only about eight inches before hearing a horrific scraping noise, like a helicopter wedging itself inside an elevator shaft. Do you know the sound I mean? I do this more frequently than you might imagine, but in a funny way, each time it happens I’m momentarily bewildered. My first thought is always something like, “What in the world…?” accompanied by a low-grade sense of outrage, as though some force of evil has shown up unannounced and damaged the bottom of my car. This outrage is quickly replaced by recognition, because really, it’s the same sound I heard four days ago when I drove over that concrete barrier at the bank.
5. When people say, “It’s all downhill from here,” I never know what they mean. I usually answer with, “Yeah. That’s for sure.” But inside my brain, I’m doing the scrambling thing again. Does downhill mean good or bad? I know if I’m looking at one of those graphs that indicates profits, then uphill is good news and downhill is a sign of trouble. And when they say someone is over the hill, they mean he’s reached his peak and everything from now on is going to be a disappointment. On the other hand, if I’m pushing a nine-passenger van filled with canned goods up a mountain, when I get to the top, it’s all downhill from there, and I’m always pretty relieved about that. Or shouldn’t I be? I think from now on, I’m going to ask for clarification.
6. I don’t like the blank tiles in Scrabble. I don’t like wild cards, complimentary passes, or anything that’s referred to as a “freebie.” I also don’t appreciate faux finishes — plastic that looks like wood, or tile painted to look like marble. Airbrushed photographs of human beings are the dumbest thing I can imagine. So if we’re playing a word game and I don’t have a Z, don’t give me a blank tile and tell me it’s okay to pretend it’s a Z. That offends my sensibilities. I don’t even know what sensibilities are, but man, there are a lot of things that offend them. Or once offended them, I should say. Now, of course, they just slide.
* * * * *
These award posts take time, and I realize most people are busy figuring out how to pay their credit card bills, or searching their coat closet for a matching pair of gloves. So I’m not going to pass the awards on in any formal way. But here are a few blogs I like. I think you will, too. In fact, I’m pretty sure you’ll find, after reading this post, that it’s all uphill from here. Or something.
The Prince and the Little Prince
The original artwork for these cartoons was done by Ron Leishman.
bladenomics
January 28, 2012
Now you’ve got me worried about the usage of “downhill”. Thankfully in my part of the world, we don’t use that word much. 🙂
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
Another variation of that is when someone says, “George can’t make it on the 14th, so we had to move the meeting back.” Back? Which way is back? Back closer to the present or farther back into the future?
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My Book of Stories
January 28, 2012
Great post! As far as lists – thank goodness for the iPhone. I just add it to the grocery list. Donna
http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
You mean you put your grocery list on your phone? I feel like I’m about three centuries behind in technology.
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Jac
January 28, 2012
“This new happy-go-lucky attitude…”
When I read those words and knew you had written them, I LOLAFOMB (laughed out loud and fell off my bed). I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that as you just read my response that you have that “look” on your face and you are saying one word out loud “whaaat?”
“There was a time when such an incident would cause my ears to light on fire.”
And that time is now. And that’s ok. Because Mr. Rogers and I like you just the way you are –
mainly because I’m exactly like you and I am not in the mood to change 🙂
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
I don’t care what you say — I can be happy-go-lucky. I’m even going to start skipping. Any day now.
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bitchontheblog
January 28, 2012
Why don’t you move to Belgium? It’s flat. And please do spare a thought for Sisyphus.
U
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
I’ve always had a special affinity for Sisyphus. The first time I heard that story, I thought, “Buddy, I know how you feel.” But Belgium. I don’t know. I’d have to learn to speak either Flemish or Dutch, and I’m having enough trouble with English. Plus, they have a lot of Walloons living in Belgium. I’d need to know more about them.
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bitchontheblog
January 31, 2012
Glad to hear that you have a special affinity for Sisyphus. I am not in his league; but pushing a few pebbles up my molehill only to see most of them merrily jumping down again does require a certain amount of resilience.
Forget Belgium. It’s a joke. Leaving Brussels aside the only thing Belgium is good for is to drive through, say, on leaving France at the wrong angle wanting to take the not so scenic yet fastest route to go to Germany, Denmark or Sweden. Driving on Belgium motorways will give a whole new meaning to boredom. Still, at least they have given up patrolling their pathetic speed limit or maybe I just had several lucky escapes. Because there is only one way of travelling through Belgium – and that is FAST.
Should any of your readers (indeed yourself) have any Belgium allegiances – no offence intended. After all, it’s not your fault that Belgium is as flat as a pancake. Just send one of those divine chocolate truffles. And I shall overlook the flat facts.
U
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Terri O.A.
January 28, 2012
This post reminds me of Garfield, the cynical orange cat, but of course you are much smarter. All he knew was lasagna. Feelings everybody, almost, can relate too, but don’t say outloud. We couldn’t the world would explode! Thanks for the humor…….smiling is never bad unless it is to please someone when you really don’t want to.
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
Thanks, Terri, but you overestimate me — lasagna is about as far as I ever get, too. I agree with you about smiling, though.
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Renee Mason
January 28, 2012
#1 would be a great episode for Seinfeld.
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
I don’t know. I may be the only person on Earth who can say this, but I’ve never watched that show.
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Saara
January 30, 2012
WHAT!! (I’m sorry but I just couldn’t help myself.)
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
I was waiting for that.
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happykidshappymom
January 28, 2012
Hi Charles, congratulations on your awards! 🙂 I was trying to remember what to type here in the reply form — but forgot three times. So I re-read the post, and have made notes: 1. “You’ve started the list in your head, but once it exceeds four items you need to write them down.” Okay — just proved this point of yours holds true for me as well.
2. I like broccoli. As a matter of fact, Broccoli Casserole is one of our family’s signature dishes! Maybe you’d like it if you had it, as it’s about 50/50 broccoli to cheese. And 3. Yes. I am familiar with that sound — the scraping grinding please don’t look at me sound — from driving into or over something I shouldn’t have. One time when my husband and I were dating I drove forward to exit from a parking space at the grocery store, and drove right over a curb lane delineator I’d forgotten was there. I stopped, half-way over, with the curb directly under my car. Looked at my then-boyfriend, smiled, and just drove the rest of the way over. Every time we’re in that parking lot he reminds me.
Then there was the time I backed over my friend’s mailbox. And the time the driver’s ed teacher asked me to get out of the car…
In any event, fun post, as always. I’m sure many more awards lie in your future (yes, that’s good news).
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
Yes, I forgot to mention that whenever I drive over something that makes the loud scraping sound, there’s always somebody sitting in the next car, staring.
You’re kidding me about the broccoli casserole, right? I know you have young children. And you’re telling me they’re eating that?
I’d like to hear about the driver’s ed teacher kicking you out of the car. That sounds like a post.
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Allan Douglas
January 28, 2012
Great post, Charles. Congratulations on being such a winner!
I wish you all the luck on the new you… it’s all downhill from here, right? 🙂
Oh, and be sure you add “pens” to your shopping list. And a keychain flashlight so you can see parking blocks. But not broccoli, no broccoli.
\\\/// Write long and prosper.
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
I know you’ve been working hard at simplifying and de-cluttering over the past few years. But tell me the truth: how many pens do you have? I have hundreds. I have them stashed in different places, like a squirrel preparing for winter. There are two or three in every coat pocket. Yet, every time I go to Staples, I have to force myself not to walk down that aisle. Because what if I run out of pens?
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Kemi
January 28, 2012
OMG! You made me laugh out loud…again. No 3 is a keeper.
Thanks for the mention, Charles! You are too kind :-). K
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
You’re welcome, Kemi. Your blog is certainly worth mentioning.
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magsx2
January 28, 2012
Hi,
Congrats on your awards, you certainly do have fantastic posts, that I always enjoy reading,
I have seen people in shopping centers go over those low blocks of concrete a few times, but the best was when one a Lady not only went over the little bit of concrete but turned a hard right and went over the whole concrete isle beside it which was at the end of the parking lot, she stopped dead in her tracks with the muffler sitting on the concrete not in good shape. 🙂
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
I’ve never actually reached the muffler, because I always back down off whatever thing I’ve driven over. That way I minimize the damage. Smart, right?
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Judy Berman
January 28, 2012
In Florida, there is no such thing as “downhill.” At least, landscape-wise. It’s all flat. Charles, great blog – which is why I believe your wonderful blog deserves still another honor. One good thing about the virtual award is you won’t have to dust anything. 😉 Thanks for the plug for my blog.
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
I was in Florida just a couple of months ago. Your comment reminded me that I tend to think of driving southbound on the East Coast as literally going downhill. And sure enough, it flattens out near the bottom.
Thanks for the kind words, Judy. I enjoy your blog, too.
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Val
January 28, 2012
Well, here’s the thing (that’s another phrase that people say. Well, I say it.)(There are a lot of phrases people say, have you noticed?)(That wasn’t the phrase I was asking about.)
Do you like my brackets? They’re the curved things on either side of each sentence above. Well apart from the first sentence.
Anyway – here’s the thing. If you load your van with a lot of sentences with brackets, a lot of sentences without brackets, much too much broccolli (with or without a double L), all those cans (what’s in them by the way? Beer? Beans? Has Beens?), those nasty concrete blocks that make a horrible sound when you drive over them, all the pens that have run out of ink including the ones in my kitchen, and you push that van up a hill, you could say that everything is downhill from now on – but only if you’d not got out of the way when the van begins to roll downhill.
There’s a lot I don’t get too. But I get your post, and that you’ve got awards. Congrats. 😉
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
I used to think of your writing as stream of consciousness. That’s the term I was taught in school. But now that I think about it, the word stream doesn’t really describe your mind. It’s more like the different jagged paths that appear when ice crystals form on a window. They have a general shape and direction, but the closer you look, the more variation you see.
Thanks for the comment, Val.
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Val
January 30, 2012
Yay! I’m a fractal! 😉
Thanks Charles.
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Stacie Chadwick
January 28, 2012
I live in Colorado. Pushing a nine-passenger van up a mountaintop is what we do for fun. Except it isn’t filled with canned goods. It’s filled with 21-year old, carefree, CRAZY kids skiing back country, wide open terrain and living to tell about it. I push the van because I’m not a 21-year old, carefree, CRAZY kid. But it’s fun to pretend. Great post, I always look forward to reading what you write, and I’m never disappointed. =)
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
Are you pretending to be twenty-one, or pretending to be crazy? Is this that Gemini thing again?
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Nectarfizz
January 28, 2012
Grocery list beginnings: Buy Pens. (Seems to be the obvious #1) Thought I’d help get that there list started again. 🙂
Ps. I am not a vegetarian.
Bekki
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
See, the insane part of it is that I have so many pens and pencils, I’ll be leaving them to my grandchildren. It was a good idea, though. Maybe I’ll pick up a few more today.
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Anonymous
January 28, 2012
Awards seem to have become the wicked stepchildren – you try to be nice to them, they look good on the sidelines, but they are a lot of work. However, you seem to have a knack for puting them in the proper perspective and narrowing the lengthy requirements to a few choice thoughts and special blogs. Well done.
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writingfeemail
January 28, 2012
I don’t know why my comment showed ‘anonymous’.
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
That anonymous thing happens to me sometimes, Renee. I have no idea why. But thank you for the feedback. It’s always good to hear from you.
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charlywalker
January 28, 2012
I hear Downhill………..I think Skiing….
I use to throw out the empty pens I came across…now I leave them for the next lucky family member so they can “feel the love” too…
I stare at Blank Tiles to see who blinks first….
Next time someone hands you that line of “missing the point”…..pass them the Mild Salsa…
Great read Charles!
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bronxboy55
January 30, 2012
Now I have this image of you trying to stare down a blank tile. Not that I’m at all surprised.
Thanks, CW.
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Eliza
January 28, 2012
Loved reading this! 🙂
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bronxboy55
January 31, 2012
Thanks, Eliza. I’m glad you liked it.
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Sybil
January 28, 2012
Downhill ? I thought you lived in P.E.I. ?
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bronxboy55
January 31, 2012
There are hills in PEI, although you only notice them when there’s ice on the road, or when you’re pushing a lawnmower.
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ceciliag
January 28, 2012
You know there was something important I was going to say, I had a fabulous witty ..um ..thing to write in the comments but .. well.. now it is gone.. so in the interim I am going to share with you a very important trick. If the pen has no ink and will not write .. THROW it on the floor immediately! Do not hesitate. The pen Must GO! Throw it close to the bin if you must but it is absolutely critical that you get the BAD PEN onto the floor and as far away from the Little Jar as possible before you forget what you are doing and put it back!! This is all for tonight. c
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bronxboy55
January 31, 2012
I think the problem is that sometimes pens miraculously come back to life, and so a lot of people hesitate to pull the plug. Whatever it is that causes the ink to dry out seems to be contagious, though. I sometimes pull four or five unused pens out of a drawer and none of them will write. I always throw them away, and with an attitude — those pens let me down.
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Betty Londergan
January 29, 2012
Wow!! Seriously, Charles, I am SO honored to be included in the blogs you like!! I just got around to opening my email, and this was the BEST surprise ever, since I’m returning from 6 days of bouncing around on the back roads of Guatemala, feeling guilty about not having written in a week and thinking to myself, “What is the point of this?” — so of course, your post had GREAT resonance with me! (Well, that and the running forward over concrete barriers AND forgetting half the list of things to do while searching for a working pen) — in any event, I adore your writing and I am your Biggest Fan, no matter how many other awards you get!!!
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
Forget biggest fan, Betty, or fan at all. I’m the one who’s honored that you even find the time to remember I have a blog. And I’ve been away from yours much too long, and I promise to correct that situation today. Safe travels, my friend.
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rangewriter
January 29, 2012
Charles, you are a class act. I hope that doesn’t require interpretation. 😉
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
The feeling is mutual, Linda. Thank you.
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Cathleen Barnhart
January 29, 2012
I vividly remember the day in 8th grade when Billy Plunkett called my house…and asked to speak to ME…and asked me to go to a party…WITH HIM. I had the exact same feeling today – “Wow! He likes me!” – when I saw my blog included in the list of blogs you like.
Thanks, Charles!
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
Billy Plunkett was the lucky one, Cathleen. And it was a pleasure to include your blog. Keep writing!
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oneenglishteacher
January 29, 2012
List item #4 had me literally laughing out loud. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to think that an evil force is attacking the car 🙂 Or, if I did, then I’d have to call myself unreasonable….
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
So I can assume you’ve driven over blocks of concrete, too?
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worrywarts-guide-to-weight-sex-and-marriage
January 29, 2012
I’m traveling, I have 82 emails in my inbox. This is the one I decided to read.
On a different note, the more I read your blog, the more I realize my husband’s brain may have a second body (on all six points, but especially in his efforts to try to be happy-go-lucky, and how he responds to a compliment with an entire paragraph instead of “Thank you, I like your shirt, too”).
I’m already following Winsomebella (absolutely beautiful blog) and The Prince and the Little Prince (always a lively discussion at his place). I’m looking forward to checking out the others.
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
The others are wonderful, too. And the list could have easily been five times as long, with your blog included. Thanks, WW.
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eileeneldred
January 29, 2012
Oh, oh, oh, can’t…breathe…too much…laughing…mostly because your points are so true! (You’ve freaked out my dogs. They always freak when I start laughing at the silent computer, but they really freak when I scoot back my chair and dash to the bathroom because too laughing triggers other body functions…wait, where was I?) Oh! congrats on the Awards, well-deserved, sir!
Next time the first pen won’t write, cut to the point; no, really, prick your finger and write your list in blood. Best ink ever and always available! 😀
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
I’ve switched over to pencils, Eileen. They’re less frustrating than pens, and less messy than blood. Thanks for the comment.
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She's a Maineiac
January 29, 2012
Once again you have made me laugh so loud my kids came running over. The pen thing and the car scraping had me in tears! There is such a “low-grade” sense of outrage when I hear that scrunching sound underneath the car, thought I was the only one.
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
I had a feeling you’d relate to the scrunching sound, Darla. It’s really annoying, isn’t it?
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Priya
January 29, 2012
What if you’re carrying the cart downhill without breaks?
What makes you so special, Charles, is your ability to say things with such convincing funniness that even the most grumpy of people would end up (at least) smiling and wondering, “Why hadn’t I opened my eyes before now? The world’s not so idiotic!” What would the world do without you?
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
I accept your compliment, Priya, but only because I consider you to be an expert on humor. (And yes, I really mean that.)
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Kate Kresse
January 29, 2012
Funny again, Charles. I’m glad you said MOST of the awards came with all kinds of rules or requirements. My award had no rules or requirements. I created it just to acknowledge positive bloggers.
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
Thank you again for creating the award, Kate, and for presenting it to me.
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Ray Colon
January 29, 2012
Hi Charles,
Three awards! Cool. Your posts are always entertaining, so you deserve them. And unlike your shirts, you make the posts, so enjoy. 🙂
I’ve learned that being told that I’m missing the point usually means that I’ve just disagreed with someone and they don’t like it – especially if the subject is politics.
I love the blanks. Freebies are scarce in this world, so I take them when I can.
Ray
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
You’re right, Ron: When I miss the point, it’s usually when I’ve disagreed with someone. Thanks for the comment. It was great to hear from you.
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ailsapm
January 29, 2012
Gosh, Charles, thanks for the shout out about my blog. You just made my Sunday seem a whole lot brighter. Re. #2, I long to be offered a broccoli casserole – I usually get handed a plate of melted cheese masquerading as an entree.
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bronxboy55
February 8, 2012
I just noticed that you have a second blog, as well. Sorry it took me so long to discover it:
http://ailsapm.wordpress.com/
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ailsapm
February 20, 2012
You found me out, Charles. I shall come clean, I am a blogoholic. If you have a chance, check out the snowy white peacock on the above blog – he’s pretty special! x
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An Idealist Thinker
January 29, 2012
🙂 Loved the post.. especially your reply to ‘nice shirt’. Even more, your response to the shoe compliment. I wish I knew a few women like you!
Your writings here are beyond awards, Charles. I see the comments & likes from your readers as the real awards. And there are plenty of them here. This is also why, when you recommend blogs, I give them additional regard.
P.S. – Hope your back is doing good.. after all the rolling & sliding.
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
Thank you, AIT. I hope your back is holding up well, too, and that everything in your life is gradually getting lighter.
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Rayme Wells @ A Clean Surface
January 29, 2012
Those “downhill” comments have always confused me too.
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
I wonder what the original meaning was.
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Deanna
January 29, 2012
I also drive over those minuscule concrete barriers, but always when I’m in my husbands car, and wouldn’t you know he checks his undercarriage regularly? He calls me on it every time. As if that grating sound was not punishment enough.
I get few compliments, and even fewer blogging awards, and working pens are like matching socks in my house: impossible to find. We are clearly kindred spirits; so it’s all downhill from here (and by this I mean our skis are pointed down-slope and there is fresh powder everywhere).
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
Most men check their undercarriage regularly. Anyway, I just read a couple of your posts, and now wish I’d included your blog in the list. For what it’s worth, I think you’re a wonderful writer, Deanna. Here’s just one example:
http://motherstonic.com/2012/01/26/reach-for-the-stars-not-a-diaper-genie/
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Arindam
January 29, 2012
I really believe that, you do not need a blog award, as a token of appreciation from your readers. All these comments speak a lot for you; then what’s the need for an award. You are such a talented man that, I do not think any blogging award has the capability to do justice to your talent. When I got my first blog award, I passed on it to you. But I never bothered to inform you that. As I feel, what is the need of an award to a person who is getting so much love and appreciation from his readers. I can tell you from my own experience that, not a single blog award which I got, gave me that much happiness and satisfaction; which a single like or single comment from you gives me.
As always one more great post from you. Congrats on getting appreciation from so many people in forms of like comments and blog awards. 🙂
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
Thank you, Arindam. You are one of the most supportive bloggers I know, and the popularity of your own blog is a reflection of that.
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Jessica Sieghart
January 29, 2012
Well, I used to think that when someone said “it’s all downhill from here” that meant things are getting easier, but now have to wonder. Never mind. I’m not going to wonder, it will drive me crazy.
I’m not a list maker in general, but it seems every time I do make a grocery list, I lose it before I get to the store. Its much easier to just text the family 400 times from the store to double check you have what you need and…you never run out of ink! 🙂 Congrats on the awards, Charles. They are well-deserved.
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
I’ve never sent or received a text message. Maybe I should put that on my list of things to learn. Thanks, Jessica.
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Joe
January 30, 2012
Brilliant Charles. You bring up some very good points, some that used to go without thought, but now that might need to be questioned. For example, your downhill comment. Is “everything is downhill from here” a good thing or bad thing. In the past, I always used to think it was a good thing; now, I might too, need to ask for clarification.
And good for you for turning character. No need to sweat the small things in life. Things you described that used to bother you but do not now are inspirational. I still have my peeves, as does everybody else, but I’ve learned to ignore the small things and have found myself to be a much more pleasant person.
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
Joe, I’ll have as much luck at changing my personality as you’ve had in the lottery. But we could both keep trying.
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Mal
January 31, 2012
Oooh, the pen thing had me in stitches…it always happens to me yet I never learn! And, blank Scrabble tiles? I love ’em…they’re my saviours. By the way, Charles, one thing I’m keen to know, what are your views on smilies? 🙂
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
Smilies are probably a good idea, Mal — we can get ourselves into misunderstandings with email, texting, and comments.
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fakelikeme
January 31, 2012
You’re a fun writer. Keep it up! 🙂
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
Thanks. I appreciate the encouragement.
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Yulia
January 31, 2012
Congratulation, Charles, you deserve it 🙂
shopping list and a pen? yes I need them too! otherwise i will buy something that i don’t really need it 😀
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
The list is just a place to start, anyway. Thanks for the kind words, Yulia.
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dearrosie
February 1, 2012
Congratulations on all your awards Charles – what a beautiful way to pass them on.
Your posts never disappoint. What a joy and a pleasure to be entertained by you.
re #4: I’ve only driven over the concrete a couple of times, but every time Mr F happened to be in the car with me. Not fair!
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
I bet Mr. F still wonders what goes on when he’s not in the car. Or maybe he’d rather not know. Thanks, Rosie.
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notesfromrumbleycottage
February 1, 2012
I saw happy-go-lucky and thought ‘trying-not-to-knash-my teeth.’
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bronxboy55
February 9, 2012
Rumbly, I don’t even know what happy-go-lucky means. I say it just to cause a reaction from people like my sister.
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notesfromrumbleycottage
February 9, 2012
And here I thought it was you trying not to be a worrywort. But brothers do like doing that to sisters. I see it everyday at my dining room table.
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shoreacres
February 2, 2012
Just swinging by to say hello and see what’s up. Or down, I suppose. It’s been really interesting following your journey through blogdom, and watching your blog develop. It’s given so much pleasure to so many – hope it’s still giving pleasure to you!
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An Idealist Thinker
February 3, 2012
Sorry to interrupt, but I want to know the answer to that too.. the last part.
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bronxboy55
February 10, 2012
It’s been an amazing adventure, Linda. My only regret is that I seem to have less time to visit other blogs. I know I’ve missed several of your incredible essays, but promise to get back there very soon. Thank you, as always, for your valued feedback.
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Brown Sugar Britches
February 3, 2012
i’m still laughing at “There was a time when such an incident would cause my ears to light on fire.”
and on a completely different yet similar topic as “extra mild”… when i was in high school Burger King used Mr. Potato Head to introduce french fries with “more potato flavor”. what say you? how do you add potato to potato? and if you can do this, where does the additional potato come from if not from a potato? is there potato flavoring? and if there is, isn’t it just potato? how do you add potato to potato? i’m still puzzled and to top it off, Burger King has recently introduce “larger cut french fries for more potato flavor”. i’m scared. and if this is the case, why can’t i get more strawberry added to my strawberry? or double up on the flavor of spaghetti? is there a magic land of flavors? that provides more of the flavor of something to itself???
extra mild. ha! isn’t that code for “bland” or “tasteless”?
you slay me.
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bronxboy55
February 10, 2012
I don’t remember the Burger King claim about more potato flavor, but I understand your fears. I’ve had the same feeling when a package says, “Made with real cheese!” There’s fake cheese? Why had no one mentioned that before?
You know, we really need to stay in touch.
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Brown Sugar Britches
March 3, 2012
agreed. it’s been far too long and i have updates. i’ll write you. ;D
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MissMeddle
February 5, 2012
I only just discovered you, but I think I love you! Following post haste 🙂
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bronxboy55
February 13, 2012
Thank you, Miss Meddle. It’s nice to be discovered, and I hope we’ll talk a lot from now on.
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MissMeddle
February 14, 2012
Yay!! I hope so too. Happy Valentine. Cheers 🙂
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Amiable Amiable
February 8, 2012
I’ll tell ya what I don’t like about those blank Scrabble tiles. More often than not, the letter I decide that a blank tile will be is typically worth a few points (but it is never a Z because I have enough trouble coming up with a word using a “real” Z). And, inevitably, the only place I can play that “pretend” tile is on a Triple Letter Score square.
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bronxboy55
February 13, 2012
Exactly, AA. So we end up feeling as though we’ve gotten away with something, yet we don’t get the benefits of it. All guilt and no reward. I knew you’d understand.
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alaskawalkers
February 11, 2012
Reblogged this on Alaska Walkers and commented:
I like the content. This person ask & answer those pesky question we sometimes ask ourselves. The answer a both light hearted and make you think. Very well done!
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bronxboy55
February 13, 2012
Thank you, Rose. I’m honored.
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buckwheatsrisk
February 23, 2012
Oh my gosh, I laughed my way through this post…I can relate to the stupid concrete parking spot situation, also the pen…do you need to put “new pen” on that grocery list?? Thanks for making me laugh! I would nominate you for the award but, it might not “roll off your back” 😉
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bronxboy55
September 18, 2012
I can’t believe I’m just noticing this comment now. Is it too late to say thank you?
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buckwheatsrisk
September 18, 2012
lol no not too late, you have a life i’m sure!
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Jessa
May 27, 2012
I guess you truly deserve those awards!
I also love your blog plus your entertaining cartoon images.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
Jessa
My blog : comment bien bronzer
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bronxboy55
September 18, 2012
Thank you, Jessa. Sorry this reply took almost four months!
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