An award with strings attached, no less. Here are the four conditions:
1) Say "Thanks!" to the presenter of the award and provide a link to their blog.
So, to Sarah at Ora et Labora: Thanks!!
2) Share 10 honest things about myself.
Yikes!! Part of the charm surrounding my humble little blog is the air of mystery and aura of inexplicability I've cultivated. It would seem a shame to dispel those qualities...however, in the spirit of the award, I will comply.
a) I have no food allergies.
b) I've been in a hot air balloon. It was an anniversary present to my wife. She was super ecstatic until she learned I would be coming back...no seriously, we went together. It was a fun once-in-a-lifetime experience we totally enjoyed.
c) I took 11 years of piano lessons as a kid. I hated it so much that I now teach other kids as an outlet for my repressed anger at my mom...no seriously, it wasn't all that bad. And I still teach (5 students now, but had as many as 11) and it's rewarding to see them develop and grow in skill.
d) I always wanted to be an author, but could never get the dialogue to sound real.
e) I love playing golf, and have one hole-in-one to my credit. That doesn't include miniature golf. If it did, then I'd have two.
f) I've never been to Butte, Montana.
g) I've never smoked cigarettes.
h) My fashion sense was awful until I met my wife. Then it got even worse...no seriously, Mrs LarryD improved that area of my life immensely so that she wouldn't be embarrassed when we went out. Now my shirts match my pants on a much more regular basis, and I'm allowed to go clothes shopping by myself.
i) I used to work for Bill Laimbeer, Jr. He used to play basketball for the Detroit Pistons in the late 80's/early 90's. In 1994, his dad bought two corrugated container plants in Detroit, putting his son in charge of them. They were out of business by 2000. It wasn't my fault, either! I was one of the salesmen there - you know things aren't going well when the Sales Manager says "Our quality policy is our entertainment package." (we had suites at the local sports arenas) I quit 2 years before they went under.
j) I took the mule ride tour at Bryce Canyon National Park with Mrs LarryD in 1994 - I had four separate near death experiences while doing so. I've never been so simultaneously frightened out of my wits and exhilarated simultaneously before or since.
3) Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
This one can be tricky - but here goes: Erin at And Sometimes Tea; The Archbolds at CMR; Joe at Mahonyland; Terry at Abbey Roads; Adoro at Adoro te Devote; Dimbulb at The Divine Lamp; and Paul at The Regular Guy. Each blog, in their own way, has either inspired me, or taught me something, or made me laugh, or blown me away with their wit and wisdom. They are bright lights in the Catholic blogosphere compared to my faint lustre.
4) Inform those 7 that they've been awarded the 'Honest Scrap' Award.
Easy. Done.
