Sunshine Blogger Award

I enjoy reading Darryl’s blog My Little Corner of the World. It’s full of wonderful short stories and reflections. If you are not familiar with his blog, I encourage you to visit and give it a read.

Thank you, Darryl, for nominating me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. I enjoyed reading your responses and appreciate the kind nod my way.

For those of you not familiar with the rules, here are the guidelines.

Guidelines

1) Display the award’s official logo somewhere on your blog

2) Thank the person who nominated you

3) Provide a link to your nominator’s blog 

4) Answer your nominator’s questions

5) Nominate up to eleven bloggers 

6) Ask your nominees eleven questions 

7) Notify your nominees by commenting on their blogs

Darryl’s questions for me:

1. What is home for you and why?

It’s funny. My nieces, nephews and my friend’s kids are all looking to leave the state and go far away for school. Many will end up staying away even after graduation. When I was their age, it never crossed my mind to leave California because it’s always been home and I love it here. I will say, moving from Orange County to Los Angeles was akin to crossing borders. The two are like different countries despite only being separated by an hour drive. And I realize there is so much more out there beyond California’s state lines, but being born and raised here, it would be difficult for me to say goodbye.

I admit I have imagined retiring elsewhere, so maybe it’s not a complete impossibility. And even though I don’t venture out to the beach and mountains as much as I used to as I’ve grown older, I think I’d miss the freedom that I could go at the drop of a hat, whenever I wanted to.

2. What is your greatest joy?

These days, it’s simple. A quiet Saturday morning, before the rest of the world wakes up, hot fresh cup of coffee in hand, knowing that I had a free day to spend however I wanted to. I’m not sure I can crown it as my greatest joy, but it’s pretty damn good.

3. Describe a moment when you had to make a tough decision.

I’ve made a number of mistakes in my life. One in particular, has stayed with me over the years. I was young, stupid and irresponsible. I created a difficult situation for myself where any decision I made from there had challenging consequences. Ultimately, I made it through, not totally unscathed, though. The thing is, I should never have put myself in this situation to begin with and hated myself for it. One of the toughest decisions I had to make was to forgive myself.

4. What ignites your creativity?

After I finished a year of daily prompts, it was difficult figuring out topics to write about. These days I enjoy reading other blogs because they inspire ideas, thoughts and memories that eventually become topics to write about.

5. You have a day with unlimited funds and a teleportation device. What would you do?

I’d teleport back to my twenties, in Vegas with all my friends with an unlimited bank roll for the blackjack and craps tables. On second thought, scratch the unlimited bankroll. It’s not as exciting without the risk of losing it all.

6. What bugs you?

Hands down. Mean people and bullies. Life is difficult enough without having to interact with these people.

7. Describe a memorable chance encounter.

While living abroad, I randomly met a local on the street. We got to chatting and she mentioned she had a cousin living in California. It turns out her cousin was my high school classmate. What are the chances of that?

8. What is your greatest fear?

Recently, the thought of suffering from Alzheimer’s is a fear of mine. Not because I won’t have a clue what’s going on. Yeah, there is that. But the fear stems from being a physical and financial burden on my wife. I’d rather go peacefully in my sleep after enjoying a nice long retirement.

9. Of all of your posts, do you have favorite?

I’m not sure I have a favorite, but a few come to mind. I was relatively new to blogging, trying out this new experiment, still unsure of my voice or purpose. After writing this post, I learned writing could be cathartic and enjoyable at the same time. Plus, nothing beats a really really good song.

My Gen X Playlist: Whisper to a Scream – Icicle Works

I liked this one purely for the nostalgia and how I survived loneliness living abroad. I think everyone should experience loneliness once in their lives. It provides an unforgettable sense of empathy and also an appreciate for the people in your life.

My Gen X Playlist: More Than This – 10,000 Maniacs

10. Describe an idyllic childhood experience.

Every summer, we spent a week fishing in the mountains. Not camping, mind you. Four little kids in tents doesn’t make a relaxing summer vacation. My uncle had a condo that he let our family use every year.

The fish bite early in the morning, usually before sunrise. We’d get to the lake early, fix up our poles and cast into the water as the sun rose above the mountains. There would be a small splash as our lines hit the water, sending small silent circular ripples. Then it’s quiet again, the lake returns to glassy and the cool breeze feels good. Nature is beautiful. So much so, it kept us four kids from fighting and picking at each other. And when we caught that first fish, oh man. Heaven.

11. It’s the end of the world and you get a final meal. You’d pick: ____ .

The final meal question. I’ve actually thought about this a number of times and my answer seems to depend on my mood. I could say a beautifully cooked medium rare steak or freshly caught sushi. But honestly, I don’t feel any nostalgic connection to either of these meals. I think I’d pick a combination of stuff from my carefree twenties.

When I lived on the Westside, we’d go to this hole in the wall Mexican hut after a night of bar hopping. Those tacos tasted so good at 2am. I’d pick up a few of those. Since I’m in the area, I’d also pop over to Johnnie’s Pastrami down the street. I haven’t been to Johnnie’s in over twenty years. Extra mustard and pickles, please. And to cap it off, I’d stop off at In and Out and pick up a milkshake to chase it all down. Typically this meal would make me pause because while delicious going down, it wreaks havoc on my stomach for the next few days. But it’s the end of the world, right? So what the hell. I’ll double down and enjoy it.

My nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award, in alphabetical order. 

1. 50 Happens
2. A Graceful Life
3. Bloom Planted North
4. Going Down the Road and Feeling Grand
5. Hlmillerblog
6. Rave and Roll
7. Rebuilding Rob
8. Singing Gecko
9. Song of the Day for Today
10. The Life Long Education Blog
11. Verdant Garden

My questions for them:

1. What inspired you to start blogging?

2. How did you meet your best friend?

3. What is one thing on your bucket list?

4. Which household chore do you love and which one do you hate?

5. What are you most proud of?

6. If you could be a master painter, writer or musician, which would you choose?

7. Did you ever lose something that had personal value to you?

8. What was the best advice you ever received?

9. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

10. Who is your hero?

11. What are you looking forward to?