“Versatile 2 and 3” or “They Like Me! They Still Really Like Me!”

Remember this little graffito*?

            *Noun: “A drawing or inscription made on a wall or other surface, usually so as to be seen by the public. Often used in the plural [graffiti].” I had “Remember this little” all typed up, and was coming up blank for an end of the sentence. A glance through the dictionary revealed this gem not often heard (at least in my experience), and come on, this is Ever On Word, of course I had to share it with you.

            In any event, I am twice honored to announce that Ben of Story Multiverse and Ashley Mackler Paternostro of La Bella Novella have nominated me for my second and third Versatile Blogger Awards! The pair of them also gave very nice reasons as to why, which doubtless would have made me blush if my face was actually prone to reddening.

            For those whose minds are blanking on what this entails, let me dust off the rules from last time:

1. Add a picture of the award. (Check!)

2. Thank your nominator. (This I have done, and now do so again: Thank you, Ben and Ashley!)

3. Tell your readers 7 things about yourself.

4. Give this award to 15 fellow bloggers and inform them the joyous tidings.

            Alas, I pretty much cleaned out the list of blogs I follow during my last award ceremony. So tell you what I’m going to do, folks: In honor of the magic inherent in the number 3 (and so as to leave myself a little wriggle room, just in case I’m versatile again before I’ve had a chance to pad my blogroll), this number of nominees shall I here set forth. And because 3 is but one-fifth of 15, I shall likewise share one-fifth of the 7 things about myself. (That’s right – 1.4 things. I’ll make it work.)

            So, firstly, tonight’s nominees. Envelope please…

            For his comedic monologues on writing – and, in particular, fantasy… Rewen Tremethick, The Hyperteller. (Applause!)

            For her bold, colorful paintings that are gorgeous enough to hang on one’s wall (seriously, I’m the proud owner of her 2012 calendar)… Reina Cottier NZ Artist. (Huzzahs!)

            And for her fun, writerly spins on fables and general awesomeness (there’s a good chance you’ll hear more about her, eventually; I’m reading her books)… Catherine Austen’s Blog. (Hip-hip-hurrahs!)

            And now, 7 divided by 5 things about me:

            1 = When I get my first book published, I’m going to celebrate by purchasing a lute. I’d determined this some while before writing “The Ballad of Allyn-a-Dale”, although if “Ballad” does become my first novel to hit the shelves, the commemoration will be that much more appropriate.

            0.4 = If I had to pick my Top Ten Favorite (Non-Animated) Movies of All Time (or At Least if You Ask Me Today), they would be (in no particular order):

            “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” – the music is excellent, the villains delight me, and I cannot help but be impressed by the piratical mythology those writers came up with over coffee at some unholy hour.

            “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” – the whole trilogy, really, but that felt like cheating. I settled on the first third to rep for the whole by virtue of favorite bits like the Council of Elrond, the Balrog, and the valiant death of… um, a certain person towards the end. (On the off-chance you don’t know who, I refuse to be responsible for spoilers.)

            “National Treasure” – history! Adventure! A certain actor who both plays an awesome antagonist and doesn’t get killed like he does at the end of “Fellowship”! (Who can ask for more?)

            “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” – mostly to do with the villain again (referring specifically to Victor, not Stryker, in case you wondered), but c’mon, I gotta give props to Hugh Jackman, too. (Because he’s Hugh Jackman, I explain.)

            …

            What, you expected the rest of the list? I told you I’d only give forty percent.

            One last time for the road, thank you, Ben and Ashley. And congrats to my nominee shortlist. Stay versatile, everyone!