I have a slightly delicate subject to blog about this week, which is one of the reasons I’ve been putting it off. Other reasons include Christmas shopping on the high street as opposed to online and having a whale of a time at Tracy’s blog party which I managed to turn up late for, met lots of interesting folk and then probably out stayed my welcome.
Now, not wanting to offend anyone at all (believe me, if it was intended there’d be no mistake) – but the delicate subject to which I refer is awards. I just don’t get them. I don’t mean that I don’t get nominated – I do and have been sincerely touched by the thought – I mean that I don’t understand the concept. To me, an award is something bestowed, without strings attached, for an outstanding achievement or endeavour. So while it is obviously very gratifying that fellow bloggers consider my blog an outstanding achievement, I reckon that’s over doing things a tad.
Furthermore, as far as I’m aware, a requirement of accepting these awards is to answer a few questions posed by the nominator then pass on to other deserving bloggers, rather like a game of hot potato or an old fashioned chain letter. Therein, for me, lays a twofold awkwardness. Firstly, if I was worthy enough to win an award for something like, say, a Bafta, I‘d get to keep it with impunity and bask in its regularly polished reflection forever, and secondly, not wanting to bequeath to someone else the same uneasy dilemma, I wouldn’t have to angst over to whom I should pass the award.
I suppose it’s a bit like the passing on of the baton in a relay race, unless of course you are British (which I am – and we all know how disappointing that can be when it comes to the last day of track and field events), as the baton is frequently dropped. So in traditional British style, I shall fumble over the baton exchange on this particular subject, say a collective thank you to all who have sent an award my way, and apologise for breaking the link.
Most blog awards that I’ve come across also require a certain amount of question answering, which I never mind as long as they are not being posed by a sales caller, so without further ado, (rather like a man faced with a set of instructions for flat packed furniture) I shall skip to these, and answer, as promised, a set of questions sent to me by the lovely Jade from her eclectic blog, Cocktails and Country Tales.
1) What are your five favourite novels?
I couldn’t possibly commit to naming five all time favourites: the list would change. Books to me are memorable for different reasons, not always because I’ve enjoyed them. However, five books I’ve read recently and have enjoyed are:
Sweet Tooth by Ian McEwan; Even the Dogs by Jon McGregor; Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding; Ours Are the Streets by Sunjeev Sahota and Toby’s Room by Pat Barker.
It remains to be seen if they become memorable.
2) What’s the best lie/ tall tale your parents ever told you as a child?
I don’t think they ever did. Apart from the magic surrounding Santa Claus they were wary of feeding the wrong information into enquiring young minds so were always very straight with us, even if sometimes the truth was disappointing.
3) What one object would you save from your house in a fire? (Nothing alive – presume that even the tropical fish can get themselves safely out without your help).
My teddy bear collection: the gang of three. As they are inseparable they’d have to count as one object, although they wouldn’t like to be thought of as such, each having his very own unique personality.
4) Do you remember the first ever fancy-dress party you went to? What did you go as and why?
It was our village summer carnival. At six years old, I was Peter Pan and my sister, Tinkerbell. Nanna made our costumes. I wore green tights underneath a green cotton tabard onto which she had sewn an assortment of plastic leaves. I also wore a pointed pixie hat. My sister had a white frock with lots of netting. I think she carried a wand made from tin foil and a cereal packet. As children, Peter Pan was one of our favourite stories – we would play at being the Darling family. By the way, Nanna was our real grandmother, not the Darling’s dog.
5) What would plan B have been, career-wise?
To try harder at Plan A
6) What one garment or item of clothing that you own could you not live without?
My old leather car coat
7) What’s the best mistake you’ve ever made?
On leaving school I attended the London College of Fashion’s course in periodical journalism which I hated with a passion. Thankfully the course duration was only a year and it turned out to be a case of being in the right place at the right time because it tipped me in the direction of the career in publicity which I absolutely loved and which I followed for the next fifteen years.
8) Do you have any phobias, and what do you think caused them?
No phobias, although I’m not a huge fan of heights or spiders – but I deal with the latter using a glass and bit of cardboard. (Or the vacuum nozzle if it’s handy). An encounter with a spider on the top floor of an open air multi-storey car-park could well set off a phobia.
9) What is your most common typo? (Mine is Englihs . Yes, I know. ‘I am an Englihs teacher’. Sigh.)
I’m not aware of making a consistent typo. The spelling of ‘weird’ always takes me by surprise.
10) Why did you first start your blog, and is it the same thing that keeps you writing it now?
I sometimes ask myself the same question. I wanted a reason to write regularly and originally I had intended to post some creative writing here, which I have done occasionally. However I quickly discovered that posting equals publishing so for any competition entering I may want to venture into, pre-posted stories would be ineligible. I keep writing now, still for the challenge of regular postings, but mainly to interact with all the interesting bloggers I have met along the way.
I’m with you, Jenny, I don’t get the concept of the awards either. Of course, they’re a thoughtful gesture, but they remind me of when I was a kid. I would look forward to the weekend and then my teacher pile on the homework on Friday. Accepting an award is a lot of work. Thankfully, they don’t seem to be as rampant lately. What irked me the most was when I received an award from someone who’s never commented on my blog. The best award I received was from our pal, Sherri…there were no strings attached. 🙂
Yes, they’re the best sort. I’m so glad you agree with me! 🙂
You didn’t break the link, Jenny; you handled it beautifully and with a great deal of gentle humor in your explanation and replies.
I totally understand your decision. I vowed to no longer accept nominations–and for one year and 2 more nice offers, I stayed with it. However, when the WordPress Family Award came along, two very motivated and kind friends smacked me to attention that this award wasn’t actually for me, but for the mother whose stories I’d been telling.
Life does that to us sometime–smacking us with a new perspective–but like you, now I want to focus only on writing my blog writing, answering comments, and staying in contact with those who’ve become near and dear to my heart.
p.s. I do think you should give yourself an extra round of applause for the Peter Pan costume.
Yes, and I can quite see why you would accept such an award on behalf of your mother. I did something similar a way back when I was able to accept one on behalf of the people I had been writing about. Makes me feel more comfortable doing that!
I do believe that Mum has a photo of us dressed up, so if we find it and the resolution is good enough to reproduce it here then all will be revealed 😉
I have a mathematically founded fear of awards, which is that usually you have to nominate 10 people and if everyone did that every time, the award would grow exponentially so that the whole blogosphere would quickly be inundated with them.
The first couple of times I had nominations I thought I should make an effort to take part, only the intention just kept hanging around for weeks without any action on my part. I’ve come to the conclusion in my old age that if you keep putting something off, maybe it’s not really for you. I only have time to blog two or three times a week and am very conscious of having time to read and reply to all the writers I meet here, as I really enjoy that. So I turn down awards on those grounds.
Great to read your answers though.
I have a mathematically founded fear of anything mathematical, so now you’ve couched it in those terms then that would be another reason for my discomfort.
You’re right – life’s too short to be dealing with things we put off – bin them and move on, I say 🙂
I love your post. So many things. Yes I agree. An award should be “no strings attached.” And I love your love of Peter Pan. I loved it too as a child. In fact, I still do. I think Steven Spielberg tried to recreate it somewhat when he did the movie “A I” which I loved and cried through the entire thing. And your fear of heights and spiders. Yes. We have that in common. And you made me laugh with your example of encountering a spider in a multi level car garage.But the greatest thing of all here, is that when you are trying to offend someone, they know it. It is implied that you are bold,daring and effective.
I don’t know about effective, but I like bold and daring! I can’t believe how much we have in common, Hollis. I think I am going to compose a series of questions just for you to find out if there are any more hidden similarities.
And of course, you can never grow too old for Peter Pan – that was the point, wasn’t it – such a clever story 🙂
Great way of handling it!
Thanks, Tracy. I’m still recovering from too much Gluhwein at your very lovely party. 😉
Very delicately put. It would be fun to see what you would write of you intended to offend – I bet it would be a good.
I enjoyed reading your answers, especially why you blog. I always look forward to clicking on Characters From the Kitchen when I get the notice of a new post, I know it will be thoughtful and thought provoking and probably with subtle humour.
Please accept this award – “Today’s Favourite Post Read by justrod”, no strings attached, no questions to answer. Nothing to polish and put on the mantelpiece either – sorry. 🙂
Thank you so much for your kind words – and of course I would be delighted to accept your award and polish it cyber-ly .
It’s enough for me to have a great network of interesting bloggers – I receive an award every time one of you posts a comment.
Thanks too, Rod, for giving me the best best best laugh of the morning over at Reflections in Puddles. Priceless! Just off to practise my phosphenes now 🙂
Pretty simple actually. Not much to get. Someone started these “awards” as a way to network. That is all they are and mean nothing else.
So if they mean nothing, why bother?
Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Because some people are here for that reason or they think they are real. 🙂 Some of the awards look pretty official.
Yes they do, but none I’ve seen come with any provenance. Perhaps I should start one – a Wooden Spoon Award from my kitchen for the funniest post of the week, the criteria being that I have to laugh out loud.
Great post, Jenny. I agree with you about the awards. I also enjoyed your answers! Keep posting.
Thanks, Jane. As long as people keep reading, I’ll keep posting!
I always admire the bloggers who had the foresight to put something on their blog about all awards gratefully declined, or words to that effect. I tend to eventually say thanks, link back to the donor, and occasionally answer questions if they are few and easy. I’ve learned that people rarely click on links, so why go to the bother of listing 50 other bloggers on your post? I did click on Jade’s and Tracy Lee’s out of mild interest. Jade’s was interesting because she mentioned places I knew about.
But to be honest, isn’t the real award the thoughtful and regular comments that we all receive? That’s enough award for me.
Of course you are absolutely right – having an interesting community who actually read what you write and then comment are worth more than a shed load of awards in my book.
I never mind a question and answer session though – they can be quite fun.
What great answers! Question 4 has definitely been the most popular so far – my mother dressed me up as Madame Butterfly for my first fancy dress party. I really didn’t fit in with the Spice Girls and Cowboys, but we have some interesting photos somewhere.
I completely agree that blog awards are a lot of work, which is why I always answer them in bulk (and so ruin it for everyone, I’m sure). I think they mostly just get ignored, with a quick thank you to your nominator – thank you for making an exception though! Jx
I enjoyed answering your questions, Jade. I think an exercise like this can often spark off inspiration for future posts, so I’d never shy away from a list of random questions.
I’d love to see those photos!
Well Jenny, I don’t know what you will all think of me when you see my three blog posts today, packed full of awards!!!
I’ve been given so many the last couple of weeks that I am completely overloaded with them and have spent ages on them when I’m so behind with other things – like getting ready for Christmas! I resolved to get them all done out of courtesy to all the lovely people who gave the awards to me and I really appreciate them thinking of me so much but I may have to rethink things as Marylin did as this has almost finished me off, which is ridiculous by anyone’s standards!
For me, awards are a fun way to help get to know other bloggers – at least, certainly in the beginning when I started out blogging – and as a result I’ve met some really lovely people. I don’t take them seriously as an ‘award’ per se.
I am resolved to writing my book for 2014 and I have a ton of fiction assignments to complete for my writing course, as well as magazine submissions to get out there so I think I will have to change things for the new year. I wish I could carry on as I do see it as a fun exercise and I do enjoy it but don’t think it will be possible. Will see. The no-strings attached are by far the best ones.
I also have been wanting to know whether something published on a blog is considered ‘published’ in terms of then submitting it somewhere else, so you’ve answered that question for me. Thank you !
Haha, the only way I ever think of you is in a pair of pink shorts. Nuff said on that subject 🙂 🙂
You are certainly going to be busy next year – I hope this doesn’t mean your blogging will fall by the wayside but something might have to give. (Hope it’s not the shorts…)
Glad I could put you straight on the publishing thing. Bit of a bummer, isn’t it?
Ha Ha!! Yes, Mrs Robinson lol 🙂 Nuff said about that too I think 😉
No, I’m going to keep going with the blogging, definitely!! I can’t give that up now!! What would I do without you all!
Yes, that is a bummer about the publishing thing, I’m so glad that you put that in. It’s funny, because I have been thinking about it lately and wondering and was even thinking of asking the question in a blog post!!! So you see Jenny, you read my mind, again 😉
As for somethiing having to give, I do think it will probably have to be the shorts – at least the tight, pink ones – but I do have a rather nice sparkly, purple pair that might be a bit better… 😉
Jenny I also don’t believe in those awards sorry, specially when they given for something I enjoy doing anyway. I always explain politely that it is great that someone think I should get one, but no thank you. My best award ever is always those great friends I make here and the visitors that drop in to say hello. Even the ones who know I am here and they are too busy with their life to pop along. But I am going to nominate you for this great post mentioning the awards, no 5 questions attahced and I’ll probably will need to draw a badge….. Have a great day x
We all seem to be of the same mind on this one Doron, which is a nice place to be.
I love that you’re nominating me for this post. Perhaps we could have an award for those of us who don’t accept awards. You could design the badge – it would undoubtedly be a beautiful one and one which would require the nominee to post a non-acceptance speech to receive it. Oh, this is getting complicated…
Enjoy your week 🙂
I’m with you on this one, Jenny. I have been very touched in the past on receiving recognition from other bloggers but the recognition itself is enough. It’s just a personal thing, though and I don’t for a minute think others should be the same, or think any less of them if they do.
Now, can we have a post where you DO mean to cause offence. That’s one post I’d really look forward to reading!
You’re right – it is a personal thing and like you, I wouldn’t think badly of anyone who enjoys the process of these awards, same way as I don’t think people who actually enjoy maths are weird (well, not very, anyway…)
I’ll have to gear myself up for an offensive post – I’m sure the subject matter’s there if I think hard enough! Come to think of it… what do you mean – ‘one post’ you’d look forward to reading – what about all the others I’ve sweated over 😉
That’s a good start, but you need to put a bit more effort into it (runs for cover)
Heehee – I’ll leave it there for now Dylan…
Amazing and Thank you… @ ^_^
kindness blossoms in your heart
My love be your friend in all journey
I’m not big on the whole awards thing, either, and don’t accept them although I did participate once in giving a bunch of inane information about myself – glad to see that you’re having to do that now yourself ;). I understand that they are partly meant to spread the word on interesting blogs, etc. and give people a pat on the back. However, as you rightly point out, they should just be awards and there shouldn’t be all this stuff that you have to do. Really, it’s weird.
Haha, I don’t mind the inane information bit – it can sometimes spark off inspiration! And you are right, I think, it’s supposed to pass on interesting blogs but in my curmudgeonly way, one man’s interest is another mans zzzzzz…… 😉
Jenny I believe Christian and Dwain are about to bungle that handoff which would be a great metaphor indeed for gratefully accepting but failing to pass on! Like the majority of your commenters I’m uncomfortable with the concept of awards – every blogger in the world must have at least one nomination by now.
I must admit, I was rather chuffed with the metaphor too!
And yes, if everyone in the blogging world has one, what’s the big deal?
Or is that totally the wrong attitude… ? 🙂
Since I first received one, I don’t normally follow the award rules and pass it on – just thank the person who sent it to me. The way I think of it is that someone has enjoyed my blog enough to think of me when passing an award on and it’s that thought that I’m touched by.
That’s a good way to handle it, Andrea and of course it’s nice to think that other bloggers appreciate what we write.