Awards: Very Inspiring Blogger

I haven’t been too up to date with accepting awards, but receiving two on the same day is impossible to say no to and I am honoured to accept.

My thanks to Cathy at 746 Books and Anastasia at Read and Survive for their recognition. Cathy has a wonderful site where her passion and enthusiasm for literature is inspiring. Even if you don’t think your interest in books is that strong, her site may well persuade you of the great joy to be had as you read her very cool reviews. Anastasia’s huge interest in books (and how best to read them) is a joy, and she has a neat range. Definitely worth popping over.

7 facts about me

Gambit is my favourite of the X-Men.

Chris Rock is my favourite comedian and I think he is the funniest person on the planet.

If I could change one thing about football it would be stoppage time substitutions. I really hate them.

This is still my favourite of my lyrical lines of the Day.

If I could have been an Olympic athlete, I would have chosen decathlon. I like the idea of the different disciplines and strategies involved.

I have never met anyone else with English as a first language called Raphael.

Miss Piggy is the most popular search engine term for my blog.

I’ve had the site 10 months so choosing 10 blogs seems a good number. In no particular order as always (and no worries if you don’t accept).

Teela Hart – Continuing to fight against domestic violence

Inside the life of Moi – For seeing the humour in everything, even the super frustrating things

Unload and Unwind – Always looking to make a difference

Aussa Lorens – No matter how serious the issue, will find the humour and moral in the story

Wide Awake and Dreaming – Always so honest about everything, including the high and low points within the writing process.

Audrey Hepburn Books – Have seen her blog from the beginning, grow to include all kinds of wonderful development both in the site and her personal life.

I didn’t have my glasses on – Very cool posts, and always inspirational quotes.

Caragale – I don’t know know how she finds the time to host so many wonderful projects and keep such a great site.

Petite Magique – Has such a wide range of poetry and always so supportive of other bloggers.

Film Grimoire – I read so many great film blogs, but her love of silent cinema and cinematography is so wonderfully detailed and infectious.

Line(s) of the Day #Goldfinger

James Bond: Do you expect me to talk?
Auric Goldfinger: No, Mr. Bond, I expect you to die! 

Sean Connery and Gert Fröbe in the third James Bond film Goldfinger (1964)

Snapshot: (non-travel) Sparks

A double spark. This almost feels like a metaphor.

Film Quizzes: 21st Century Journalism

Daring, inquisitive, reckless, adventurous, full of flair and integrity. Journalists on screen tend to be one of the most impressively represented on screen. See if you can work out these six thought-provoking films from the past 15 years. Do you have a favourite?

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Click below for answers

Line(s) of the Day #JohnFKennedy

The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger but recognise the opportunity.

The 35th President of the United States, the legendary John F Kennedy (1917 – 1963).

 

Travel Snapshot: Alexanderstrasse, Berlin

A more light-hearted shot than usual. I took this when in Berlin. A bit too high and a bit too heavy to bring them back with me 😉

 

Line(s) of the Day #Sorrow

Sorrow found me when I was young
Sorrow waited, sorrow won.

Taken from the album track ‘Sorrow’ from High Violent by Ohio group The National (2010).

 

Line(s) of the Day #RalphWaldoEmerson

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Noted essayist, lecturer and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 – 1822). I was reminded of this quote yesterday by the very cool and creative Karen Gadient.

Travel Snapshot: King’s Road, London

Taken by my mother when out in West London. I’m not sure which pigeon won the race to the shower mind.

Line(s) of the Day #AnnieHall

I was thrown out of N.Y.U. my freshman year for cheating on my metaphysics final, you know. I looked within the soul of the boy sitting next to me.

Alvy Singer (Woody Allen) in Annie Hall (1977), still regarded as one of Woody Allen’s finest films.