Twice Nominated ... How Can That Be?

Don’t you think we’re part of an exceptionally supportive blogging community?  And friendly?

Every time I meet a new blogger out of the blue, or read of virtual blogging parties being proposed between new friends, it makes me think of my (dear, departed) friend Emily, who believed we had a duty to make our friendship circles grow.  In a time before the internet (shock, horror!), she had a couple of rules about parties:   if you accepted her invitation, you were expected to bring a stranger along (yes, you could bring your partner too, but s/he wasn’t as important as your ‘other’); and once you’d said your hello’s, she didn’t want to see you glued to the one place all night, deep in conversation with your old mate so and so.  No.  The directive was clear:  circulate, move around and meet new people.   That was a party!

Well, it seems as though our blogging community could well be an Emilysphere.  For, out of the blue, two lovely, supportive fellow bloggers have this week nominated The Wanderlust Gene for the Versatile Bloggers Award.   I am grateful and proud to accept, acknowledge and reciprocate, and yes, in the spirit of  getting to know you all a little better, whisper a handful of personal anecdotes in your ear.

I have been following the Canadian Travel Bugs Blog with interest, both for the pleasure of travelling with them, and for their fresh impressions of the Middle Kingdom as they experience living in a culture so remote from their normal existence.  Thank you guys, for your support.

And thank you, also, to my second proposer, who could hardly come from a more different place.  YAS is from Nigeria.  He’s an avid writer and along with  his poetry, plays and fiction, he also writes articles with potent images of the cultural and religious tensions which beset his country.  A visit to his blog is an opportunity not to be missed, for a person who wants to know how other people live.

In turn I would like to recommend these blogs to you – versatile, newish bloggers (mostly) – in alphabetical order:

An Uneducated Palate – An eclectic blog of all things food – from art to recipes, and much else as well.

Angelinem’s Blog – Photography in situ – and doing nifty things with an iPhone.

Dodging Commas – Here, one can sample all things writing, from experimentation, inspiration and a helping hand through the minefield that is English grammar.

Expat Alien – Growing up abroad, living abroad, being a foreigner in one’s own country – an interesting perspective on life.

Food Safari – Food, glorious food – international influences.

Journal of an Adventurous Mother – I don’t care how many awards she has, how famous her blog is, if you haven’t been there …  Sara Lawton is on an elephant expedition in Nepal right now.

NylonDaze - Living between New York and London – modern society and what’s engaging just now.

One Man’s Meat – Meat ‘n Potatoes like you always wished it was, laced with lashings of  Irish humour.

shabnamphoto – Photography with real zing – from artless activity snaps to a magnificent portrait of Haiga Sophia in Istanbul.

Hurtled Past 60 & Now Beyond – Anyone who loves gardens is ok in my book.

Third Eye Mom – Behind the lens from Antigua to Nepal .

Worth Doing Badly – A seasoned writer of wit and panache.

Not anecdotes, precisely, but a few things about me I don’t think you’ll know:

• I had my (very long) hair shaved to raise money for  Leukaemia.   I liked it so much I kept it like that till I came back to Sri Lanka, where you need more hair, really.
• The only number I can reliably remember is that of my passport.
• I’m a childless only child.
• I admit I’m a bit fussy – and  people tell me so.  Perhaps I’m a control freak?
• Champagne for choice (or a good dry Australian méthode champenoise, or a Prosecco … , very cold).
• After the cafe opened downstairs at Sydney Dance Company I got the shakes I drank so much coffee.  Oops – had to give it up.
• So now I’m a tea lady – which is just as well, living in a land of tea.  Strong, just a splash of milk, and a few grains of sugar.  The best cup is the one Shriyarni brings me when I wake in the morning.

Thank you once again, Canadian Travel Bugs and YASNiger for the compliment of nomination.

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