Liebster Award

Posted on March 23, 2016 by Rustic Recluse

la1

Bruce Goodman at Weave a Web has kindly shared the Liebster Award my way. Head over to Bruce’s to check out his stories, poems and best of all, his music compositions. There’s a surprise hidden there every day, so don’t stop reading and listening! Thank you Bruce!

I couldn’t answer the questions the way Bruce does – he makes writing look like a breeze! Instead, I’ll like to take this opportunity to share some blogs I’ve recently been checking out rather often – this time pointing out those I follow specifically for their photos!

Christopher Martin Photography
Chris takes photos of wildlife – recent ones include bears and birds in action. Stuff I couldn’t even capture no matter how much I wished. You wouldn’t want to miss it.

Ed Mooney Photography
Ed is a ruin-hunter who claims has an unhealthy obsession for history, mythology and others. There’s never an unhealthy obsession when it comes to history – not if you take photos and share stories like Ed does.

scottseyephotos
Scott’s photos are so vivid you’ll think you’re looking at the sights with your very own eyes. I’ve never asked the reason for the name of the blog, though. Head over, take a look, you’ll see the world with a very stunning sight…

restlessjo
Jo’s site is full of fun; I particularly love the Monday Walks series, where she takes us with her on her trips out. And even when it’s not a walk, the blog is full of interesting info about places she has been. Casual, light, and a great reminder for us to simply stop and take in the sights around us!

Nic Freeman
Nic writes, but the photos of her adventures are so stunning you couldn’t take your eyes off them. Every picture is like a postcard that tells a story on Nic’s blog.

Licht Years
Susan asks, “where are you going, where have you been?” All of Susan’s posts take you on an adventure across cities, into the woods, sometimes even staying indoors can be a journey for the mind.

Cheers, bloggers around the world. I’m glad our paths have crossed here!

Sunshine Award

Posted on November 21, 2013 by Rustic Recluse

Some sunshine on a dull day indeed! Rachael has kindly nominated my ranting space for Sunshine Award! Do check out her blog – it holds lots of good flash fiction and leaves you wanting to read more each time!

I kind of figured there was a requirement to say ten things about myself, and recommend some blogs. I’ve decided to twist that a bit, and merge those two. I’ll now recommend some blogs I like and say something about how each of these blogs have brought sunshine to my life!

A Grateful Man – Russ was inspired, and he set out to inspire others. Beginning his creative pursuit only recently, Russ has shown me that it’s never too late to start!

Helen Midgley – Just like the award, Helen writes with a positive vibe even in the darkest stories. An enjoyable read, always.

Road Tripping Europe – Some of the most amazing landscape photos can be found here. I realised how much of the world I have yet to see, and would love to keep exploring!

CB Wentworth – She remains one of the most committed and inspiration writers I’ve met while blogging; check out especially all the photos that CB Wentworth has tagged poems to!

Retireediary – Michael shares with us some of the purest pictures of nature, unaltered. Check out his blog for some beautiful autumn photos!

That’s all for now; there are so many more wonderful blogs out there – I’m sure you have a list too. Share them with me – we’ll keep reading and writing!

Very Inspiring Blogger Award

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Rustic Recluse

What a very sweet surprise to receive this “Very Inspiring Blogger Award” from the very blogger that inspires me so much – Gray Poet! Drop by his site; he writes beautifully!

I wish I was more inspirational – I wish I could write better, draw better, film better … but that being said, I’m grateful for this beautiful award to display on my blog!

The Rules
1. Display the logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for the award.
5. Notify your nominees.

Nominating for this award is:

Scottseyephotos (http://scottseyephotos.wordpress.com/) for his beautiful photos of nature and life
The View Outside (http://the-view-outside.com/) for her ever-inspiring writing plans
Adrian Pym (http://adrianpymphotography.co.uk/) for his beautiful photographs that look so professional they even inspire my writing
Another Bag, More Travel (http://anotherbagmoretravel.wordpress.com/) because he shares his amazing tavels with us! How I long to write like him some day!
A French Frye in Paris (http://afrenchfryeinparis.wordpress.com/) because he left his home and settled right into France, thereby sharing his wonderful stories!
Bucket List Publications (http://lesleycarter.wordpress.com/) for doing everything I love and following her dreams!
WISIWIS (http://s3city.com/) for the awesome pictures of a country that inspires me endlessly
Sethsnap (http://sethsnap.com/) for the great photos that reminds me every day of the beautiful things in life
Cornwall – A photographic Journey (http://cornwallphotographic.com/) for presenting nature with such grandeur
Beyond the Brush (http://lynneayersbeyondthebrush.wordpress.com/) for someone who worked in a similar industry as I did but chose to pursue her dreams in what she loved, and where art comes alive in different forms
Doodlemum (http://doodlemum.com/2013/03/19/pasta-disaster/) because she made me think of picking up my sketchbook again… Only I can’t draw as well as she does!
Canoe Communications (http://canoecommunications.wordpress.com/) for travelling adventurously and sharing it with us.
The Byronic Man (http://thebyronicman.com) for being so funny
Waldotomosky (http://waldotomosky.wordpress.com/) because he never fails to think and write about the once-forgotten
A Grateful Man (http://russtowne.com/) because he lives with a good cause and writes from the bottom of his heart

Here’s trying to write seven things about myself which I have yet to mention in previous awards’ requirements!

Vodka addict.
Highly “negative”, according to societal standards.
Coffee is a necessity to start the engines every morning.
I long to visit Russia again, this time for a longer duration, in order learn more about it’s history.
I don’t eat when I work.
I can listen to one song over and over again for a week.
Nothing much to say, mostly.

The Liebster Award

Posted on August 21, 2012 by Rustic Recluse

The Other Watson at Wanton Creation has shared the Liebster Award with me this week. Big hugs and big thank you! This award is meant for people with under 200 followers. Rules are as such: Answer the 11 questions asked by the award-giver, pick 11 people for the award and pose 11 new questions. Check out the receiving blogs below too! .

11 Questions from The Other Watson:

1. What’s your favourite word in the English language?
For now, I think it’s “Tough”.

2. What are you listening to as you write the answer to this question (if not music, what sounds)?
‘Missing you now’ by Michael Bolton, slamming of keyboards and chairs creaking.

3. What was the last thing you ate that you really, really enjoyed?
Steak from Morton’s.

4. You’re at a job interview and the interviewer asks you to make them laugh. What do you do or say?
Ok this is hard. I don’t ever wish to have to answer this.
“This is a trick question, isn’t it?” or “You’re gorgeous”. – somehow these statements make people laugh, awkwardly maybe, but it does. Except, an interviewer might not.

5. The world is about to blow up, but you’re being saved, and are allowed to take five things to another planet (aside from the clothes you are currently wearing), where you and only 999 other people will now exist (ignore the bleakness of this question). What do you take?
Can I take people along? Alas, if not –
(i) My laptop (ii) My cellphone (iii) Clean set of clothes (iv) A soft-toy, though I haven’t decided which (v) A potato or something that reminds me of life on earth.

6. What’s your favourite drink to consume first thing in the morning?
Coffee, without a doubt.

7. What was the last book to make you cry?
I haven’t cried because of a book for a long time. Many other things brought tears, though. In any case, I think it was a Chinese novel (yes I read Mandarin) by author Chi Zijian, translated literally as “All Nights in the World”.

8. What’s the most ridiculous or silliest way you’ve been injured?
I left my finger by the window and shut the pane. Horrendous.

9. What’s your favourite city in the world? Why?
The world is my home! I don’t think I have a favourite city.

10. What’s the most embarrassing album in your music collection? (Be honest)
Are they embarrassing?
Maybe a song from Disney’s Mulan collection – I’ll make a man out of you.

11. To borrow an old line from a Crowded House song, would you rather a mansion in the slums or a caravan in the hills (i.e. a nice house in a not nice area, or a tiny living space but with views)?
Again without a doubt – caravan in the hills i.e. tiny living space with views!

My 11 Questions

1. What is your favourite season of the year?

2. What is on your mind 80% of the time when night falls?

3. Are you a writer or an artist?

4. Which two individuals would you call within your network if this was the last day of life on Earth? Why?

5. If you could travel back in time, state a time period and geographic location you wish to visit.

6. What languages do you speak?

7. Are you working at your ideal job? If not, why?

8. Who is your favourite poet?

9. Do you prefer to sing or dance?

10. What makes you feel worse: an insult from a stranger or an insult from a friend?

11. What do you want to achieve within the next 5 years?