UPDATE: You are welcome to comment and check out the blogs linked to below. However, the award period of Hello’s and High Five’s period has ended. To see the results, check out And The High-Five Goes To…
Blogging is about more than writing and reading. It’s about meeting people, making connections, and developing relationships. One of the benefits of being Freshly Pressed is the fantastic deluge of visitors. Some have even found it worthwhile to stick around and follow. I look forward to getting to know everyone, and would like to begin by offering a round of ‘Hello’s and High-Fives.’.
This is the first ever Hello’s and High-Five’s. The goal is to allow fellow-bloggers to say hello, and give each other a “High-Five!” for their awesome blog.
Here’s how to participate:
- Comment below and answer these
5I mean 4 prompts (These may be roughly based on the Bridge of Death scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail:- A. What is your quest? In other words, what is your blog about?
- B. What is your favorite ice cream? (As you can see from the diagram of The Marvelization of Star Wars, mine is Mint and Chip.)
- C. A random question as posed by the commenter before you. (Please keep it PG, and the airspeed velocity of anything doesn’t count.)
- D. Copy and paste a link to one of your favorite posts on your own blog.
- Visit and comment on at least three blogs as featured in the comments below.
After everyone’s stopped by to say hello and give a high-five, early next week I’ll select the top five most spectacular posts and feature them on my blog.
For the first commenter, here’s the first question: If you were dropped into a post-apocalyptic world, and your only tool was duct tape, what would you make first?
I look forward to getting to know all of you better, and here’s an Internet High Five for all of you.
UPDATE: My comments are set to moderate first time commenters so I can prevent spam comments not filtered by askimet. So, there are currently a few first commenters from while I was sleeping last night. I’all temporarily change the setting to prevent more confusion.
The L. Palmer Chronicles 
Am I the first person to comment here? Or have I completely missed something?
Boy this is nerve-wracking… anyway. Here goes:
1/A. I have 2 blogs so 2 quests I guess: one is to learn the meaning of life and how the world works. But without really doing anything strenuous. That’s ‘The Tao of Doug’. the other is to write a novel despite having no idea how to write a novel. that’s ‘DougTriesToWrite’.
2/B. Is it wrong if I say vanilla? I really want to have a more exciting answer than that but I’m afraid I don’t… I mean let’s face it, vanilla gets a tough rap. It’s pretty good.
3/C. If dropped into a post apocalyptic world with only duct tape the first thing I would make would be… probably a tape dispenser. Because let’s face it, even after the apocalypse it’d be pretty annoying having to find the end of the tape every time and then… you know that thing where you get it and then it tears but only half of it comes and then its not at a straight line. Eurgh. That would be a real priority I think.
4/D. This is one of my favourite posts and I think it has a nice message worth sharing (as opposed to lots of my other posts which are just me ranting about things that annoy me). Hopefully people will like it. http://dougsan.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/the-tao-of-doug-guide-to-a-happier-life/
I guess now I pose a question for the next person do I? In that case, a question I always debate with my kids: if you could have a superpower what would it be and why? Bonus points for identifying the superpower you would LEAST want and why.
Vanilla, so wrong!
Do a person mind only quote several your posts provided that I provide credit as well as sources back internet? My blog is within the identical area involving interest because yours as well as my site visitors would genuinely take advantage of many of the information anyone provide right here. Please allow me to know in the event that this ok along. Many many thanks!
Why the hell not? 🙂
To answer your question above: If I had unlimited duct tape I would start by laying out grid upon grid to build up a thick layer and create a makeshift shield for myself. Post-apocalypse, you have NO idea what kind of creatures are going to attack. If my duct tape was limited, however, I’d probably go for the tried-and-true fasten-a-pointy-object-to-the-end-of-a-stick. It never hurts to have a weapon ready. 🙂
A. What is your quest? In other words, what is your blog about?
My ‘quest’ is just to continue writing. As I’ve mentioned on my blog I’m working toward that elusive 10,000 hours of practice that is supposedly required to become an expert at something. Posting on my blog has allowed me the opportunity to write even when I have writer’s block or am not sure where my current work-in-progress is going, and it also allows me to write about different things sometimes, keeping my mind fresh and limbered up.
B. What is your favorite ice cream? (As you can see from the diagram of The Marvelization of Star Wars, mine is Mint and Chip.)
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, all the way!
C. A random question as posed by the commenter before you. (Please keep it PG, and the airspeed velocity of anything doesn’t count.)
Suppose you woke up one morning and found that the cable, internet, and phones had stopped working, and no matter where you looked you couldn’t find another human being anywhere. What would you do?
D. A link to one of your favorite posts on your own blog.
Personally, I liked this one: http://nopageleftblank.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/beauty-is-in-the-eye-of-the-beholder/
For the record, when I wrote my reply, dougsan’s wasn’t there yet, that’s why I answered L’s question instead. 😛
A. What is your quest? In other words, what is your blog about?
Not necessarily the same thing, but let’s go with the intention. My blog is about writing fiction with magical and mysterious elements, and offering commentary and historical background information as pertinent. Looked at as a quest, I guess I’m looking for many delighted readers for something good I’ve written.
B. What is your favorite ice cream?
Well, I haven’t seen the wintergreen chip I used to have for many years now, so I’ll settle for the Belgian chocolate at Toscanini’s.
C. A random question as posed by the commenter before you. (Please keep it PG, and the airspeed velocity of anything doesn’t count.)
This requires answering a question, and then posing one in turn.
To answer TraceyLynnTobin’s question, I’d first presume I was hallucinating, second check to see if there was still electrical power, which would determine whether I’d have food available until I grew my own, and then probably just sit there in absolute complete disbelief for a long while, every so often looking somewhere else.
For the next commenter: You live in utopian society, where everyone lives a life free from need, work, and medical problems. Why are you unhappy with it?
D. A link to one of your favorite posts on your own blog.
In this post, entitled “My own tale of crime (sort of) from the Berkshires,” I describe one of my own personal experiences, which has a slight connection to the story I was writing on the blog at the time. URL: http://sillyverse.com/2012/11/12/my-own-tale-of-crime-sort-of-from-the-berkshires/
And now to go off looking at the posts for the two previous commenters, and a following one!
BTW, just to tie up the loose ends, I have indeed gone on to read and comment on three of the posts offered by other commenters. And already received two comments on my own. Congrats to L. Palmer for the idea!
Thanks, and also thanks for answering more than one question.
You just basically created your own blogging award! 🙂
Yes, Yes I did. This one, however, has a definite origin source. Because you know me in the analog world, you can get a real live high-five. Are you going to play?
1.) I use my blog as a virtual journal. I want to show people what’s on my mind, and let them know what music I’m listening to.
2.) Unfortunately, I have an intolerance to lactose, so ice cream flavors are not something I can claim as a favorite, but I do love vanilla flavored almond milk.
3.) The first reason that comes to mind for disliking my utopian society would have to be, I enjoy progress. I feel if I was in the perfect scenario, I had achieved all that was asked of me. That would leave way too much free time on my hands, and you know what they say: “Idle hands are the devil’s playground.” That a good question, hard to answer.
For the next reader:
Would you rather have everything smell like flowers, or everything feel like silk?
4.) This post gathered the most views and was the most fun to write for me…..so far. Hope you all enjoy:
http://tomsnareandsuch.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/a-trip-to-the-library-turned-concert/
Ooh. This looks like fun.
A) What’s my quest? Well, I guess to keep a sort of journal of everything weird and wonderful about life in the Digital Age, and to share all the ways the internet, videogames, and technology in general have changed my life. I’m still working at getting into my blogging groove, though. Also, to force myself to write even when I don’t want to, and to try to meet other writers out there in the world at large.
B) I’ve only found it at one ice cream place around here, but my favorite is Moose Tracks: vanilla with peanut butter cups and fudge. Mmm.
C) And to answer both unanswered questions…
C.1) “If you could have a superpower what would it be and why? Bonus points for identifying the superpower you would LEAST want and why.”
I’ve always leaned toward invisibility. I think it’s partly that I’ve always loved watching and listening, but it’s been hard for me to put myself out there. So I guess invisibility is an extension of that. Maybe super social skills would help me out more, though. Is that a super power? And the one I least want? Whatever the Hulk has. I don’t really feel like being a scary monster man and I don’t want to imagine how much I’d be spending on new shirts.
C.2) “Would you rather have everything smell like flowers, or everything feel like silk?”
That’s easy! Flowers smell icky to me — plus, then I wouldn’t have all the wonderful smells like brand new books, homemade pizza, freshly-fallen snow, etc. etc. — so I’d have to go with the silk one.
D) I don’t have that many posts yet, but I have a soft spot for this one: http://digitaleidoscope.wordpress.com/2012/10/25/the-beauty-of-the-glitch/ I may have a bit of a problem staying on point with my blog, but this post is definitely close to what I was going for when I set out.
Hm… a question for the next poster… How about the classic “What animal would you want to reincarnate as?”
Okay. I’ll give this a go.
A. My blog is primarily a devotional blog, so my quest is for a deeper spiritual relationship with God.
B. My favorite ice cream is Peppermint (the kind with the candy chips in it). Chocolate mint is a very close second.
C. What animal would I want to reincarnate as? That’s a tough one…I think a horse. Sleek, fast, and loved by almost all. Who doesn’t love a beautiful horse?
D. Also tough, as I don’t tend to rank my own blog posts very highly. However, one of my favorites is this one, which I wrote on May 25 of 2012, in honor of my parents’ 55th wedding anniversary.
I was able to visit two of the blogs from commenters, but the others did not link to a blog, at least not that I could see.
Pardon my confusion. I was looking at the gravatars for the commenters, not the actual comments. Boy, do I feel foolish.
Understandable. I had similar moments when I first started blogging.
I went back and visited a third, so as to fulfill all the rules. 🙂
Hello-
A. My quest- My blog is a photo / video journal that I use more like a website. It provides me a place to showcase my personal and professional images and writings while allowing me to answer the question, “Can I see your work?”
” Yes! Of course you can see my work!” http://www.davidbrooksmedia.com
B. Favorite ice cream- My favorite ice cream on a warm day would be Double Fudge Brownie, but if I were at a child’s birthday party, where Neapolitan is served, I would take from the chocolate band only, or if I was at a certain fast food establishment, at this time of year, I would order a Shamrock shake. I like sweet, cold things.
C. Random question- How long does it take to become meaningful?
D. This is my favorite page on my blog/site-
http://davidbrooksmedia.com/work-in-progress/
Thanks for reading.
A. What is your quest? In other words, what is your blog about?
I am searching for new life in poetry—a domain of experience I’ve unwittingly obscured over the past several years, but is now emerging again in a bright and promising light. I never thought it a valid conception to identify as a writer, especially as a fledgling 25 year old student. That is, until now! I’m a social worker as of June, meddling in literary endeavors on the side. I have early mornings where I dwell in bed, underneath the blankets, chewing on poems by Mary Oliver, harboring quiet guilt for my diversions from academic work.
But I’m never guilty enough to forgo the simple act of inhabiting a poem. This little corner of the internet that is mine is something I would like to own and validate for myself. It’s a path of self-acceptance—to accept myself purely as I am, to make meaning of my poetic self. I’m also reaching out and hoping to engage on that relational level with any inspiring others.
B. What is your favorite ice cream? (As you can see from the diagram of The Marvelization of Star Wars, mine is Mint and Chip.)
I love green tea ice cream with unabashed fervor.
C. A random question as posed by the commenter before you. (Please keep it PG, and the airspeed velocity of anything doesn’t count.)
I don’t believe Jeff left me with a question, but he did ask –“who doesn’t love a beautiful horse?”—and I wholeheartedly agree. I never feel more part of the earth around me than when I’m with a horse. I was one of “those girls”—beyond horse crazy—and it wasn’t “just a phase!” I’ve always considered them my spirit animal.
So, to the next poster, what would you call your spirit animal?
D. Copy and paste a link to one of your favorite posts on your own blog.
http://akeensensibility.wordpress.com/2013/02/20/eighty-years-old/
I’ve only just begun, really, but here’s my most recent. I wrote it as a letter from my eighty year old self.
Thanks for reading. Off to check you all out!
Oops! I did not see David’s post there. Sorry ’bout that.
A. What is my quest? I’m questing to share the parts of my brain that fall out with people who wish to read them. (I’m boring, just a writer having fun with the new discovery of blog)
B. What is your favorite ice cream? I miss Heavenly Hash, so now I’ll go with Mackinaw Island Fudge
C. A random question as posed by the commenter before you: what would you call your spirit animal? Hmmm, spirit animal, thee shall be dubbed – Verdeed, and it would probably be close to a ferret or weasel, not because I resemble one, but because, just because
My question to the next poster, I hope this isn’t too simplistic for this game: would you rather sit in a broken uncomfortable chair while healthy, or sit in an unbroken comfortable chair while in pain?
D. Copy and paste a link to one of your favorite posts on your own blog. I have only been doing the blog-thing for around a month now, and all I have are my own stories, but here’s my favorite: http://grizztion.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/kyoko/
On my way to check out some of the other participants.
You know I had to get in on this.
A. What is my quest? My quest is to share comics and the journey to better writing.
B. What is your favorite ice cream? Coldstone used to have this delight called Salted Caramel. But since that’s gone, I’ll take their Cinnamon with Cookie Dough for the win please.
C. A random question as posed by the commenter before you: would you rather sit in a broken uncomfortable chair while healthy, or sit in an unbroken comfortable chair while in pain? I guess the unbroken, comfortable one while in pain. Or the chair that looks broken and uncomfortable but it’s ACTUALLY a super neat TARDIS chair! 😀
My question to the next poster: Who’s cooler, Han Solo or Malcolm Reynolds and why?
D. Copy and paste a link to one of your favorite posts on your own blog. I can’t wait to do the sequel to this one. It’s a comin’. http://litandscribbles.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/spammers-greatest-hits/
Woot! Time to make some new friends!
Whoa! I’m glad I already played so I don’t have to take this question on. Han vs. Mal? That may be the hardest question anyone has ever asked ever.
A, What is my quest? My initial quest was to find a wider audience for my writing. You see, I used to wander into my friend’s boutique and give her my latest poem and she’d show it to a few people and I became the resident poet. She also had one of my paintings hanging up. She kept asking me the same question: when are you going to get published? Well, I still haven’t ventured that direction but at least I’ve got the blog going. I have always written a lot but the blog allows me to combine words and a visual and that can be quite challenging but very stimulating.
My quest has now become trying to get more people visiting my blog.
B. My favourite icecream is Mango Macadamia Nut. I live in Australia and I usually get this from the shop at the Byron Bay Lighthouse when I’m on holidays.
C. I haven’t given either character much consideration. Han Solo. Had to Google Malcolm Reynolds to find out who he was. I do like Castle though.
D. I’m not not if this is my favourite post but it shares communication through music. I have recently taken up the violin. http://beyondtheflow.wordpress.com/2013/02/17/beyond-words-the-language-of-music/
E. My question for the next person is if you have 5 minutes to live and could make one phone call, who would you ring and what would you say? That might count as two questions but have a go anyway.
I am looking forward to checking out the other blogs and thanks for this opportunity to get the word out there!
xx Rowena
I live just North of Sydney, Australia. I find it interesting to see where everyone comes from in the blogosphere.
I thought Miss L Palmer would appreciate it, being a Star Wars fan and all. 🙂
Hi All. I have just managed to visit all your blogs and it has been a wonderful journey. Not sure that my husband agrees but he’s been playing Minecraft and as for the dog…he’s asleep. There’s no food around.
Best wishes,
Rowena
I always love seeing what you come up with next! Here is my response
A. What is your quest? In other words, what is your blog about?
Star Wars. Occasionally I write about my life, but it’s rare and few posts are on it.
B. What is your favorite ice cream?
Cinnamon snickerdoodle. I only ever had it in San Francisco and need to learn how to replicate it. It was also a special they had for that day so I doubt I’ll ever have the original again.
C. A random question as posed by the commenter before you.
The only question I see is the Han Solo vs. Mal…my allegiance lies with Han but Mal is awesome, no denying it. But Han Solo.
My question: If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?
D. Copy and paste a link to one of your favorite posts on your own blog.
This is probably my favorite: http://starwarsanon.wordpress.com/2012/10/17/the-rise-of-the-geek/
Visit and comment on at least three blogs as featured in the comments below.
Done!
1. My blog is about education, EdTech, ed reform, family, self-development, inspiration, motivation… things that cross my mind. Often, there’s a hefty dose of satire. Sometimes, like today, I can be serious.
2. I don’t eat a lot of junk. When I do eat ice cream, I make it from scratch. My goal is to eat fresh, local, and get rid of as much processed food as possible. I can, forage, grow, preserve, and in general, keep my food safe in the work fridge by making it look as hippie as possible in mason jars and crocks. So, not much ice cream.
3. The question posed to me by my new friend Starwarsanon: “If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be? That’s a good question for me. I’m currently looking to take the risks I needed to have taken a long time ago, without fear. I’m pursuing things in my career, doing things writing, and embarking on journeys I could have taken before, were it not for fear. But I’m doing it now. And now is all there is.
My question: How have you conquered your most difficult challenge?
4. My favorite post: From the deep end: http://cafecasey.com/2013/02/15/bamboo/ and the first one that made me feel that I loved this blog: http://cafecasey.com/2012/09/23/failing-at-music-succeeding-at-life-part-two/
Nice meeting you all!
I LOVE your post on music! Thanks or sharing!
This is such a cool idea.
(A) My blog celebrates and critiques the waywardness of many films today. I like to review some of those lesser known gems that could have benefited from a few rewrites or bigger budgets. I also like to discuss current goings on in film and sometimes television, popular culture, what have you. I try to keep it casual and funny.
(B) I am fond of many flavors, but the local Marble Slab has a Cinnamon Vanilla that makes me a very happy girl.
(C) How have I conquered my most difficult challenge? I don’t think I have. I’d say I am my most difficult challenge. I am usually waiting for the other shoe to drop, and whilst doing so, I don’t let myself enjoy too many things. It’s a sad truth, but there it is. I’d say over the past year or so, I’ve been working really hard to let that caution go and just have a good time. So far so good.
My question to the next victim is this: If you were to write your autobiography, what would the title be?
(D). This is one of my favorite posts on the blog. It was a strangely enjoyable yet horrible movie. It’s a favorite of mine because the star of the movie actually read my review and commented. Ihttp://cinematicmeh.wordpress.com/2012/11/03/lincolnvszombies/
(A) My blog is a joint blog where my sister and I talk about our WIP, “Mystic Cooking,” but we also discuss books, movies, characters, and whatever else we feel like. Oh, and I post lots of pictures of my dog. And other people’s dogs. But it’s not creepy, I swear.
(B) Chocolate. It has to be chocolate or it’s just not worth my time.
(C) If I were to write my autobiography, what would the title be? Hmm, good question…I’m not very good at titles so probably something super cheesy like “Story of My Life,” unless I actually wanted people to read it. Then I’d title it “An Astronaut’s Guide to Spying on the World,” or something totally made up. Of course, that might result in a lot of disappointed readers…
My question to the next person is… If you could do one thing without any consequences, what would it be?
(D) I’m not sure what my favorite post is, but I had a lot of fun “casting” characters for our WIP, so I’ll post that one: http://mysticcooking.wordpress.com/2012/11/27/the-next-big-thing/
1) My first blog is about writing and reading and occasionally, travel or my son, and how these things relate to everything in life. I use my blog’s static pages to display my work as an editor and nonfiction writer. I am also a fiction writer, so I’m on a quest to get fiction published. And my second blog is a joint venture with my writers group: Dogpatch Neighborhood Collective. There we critique other writers’ work, offer thoughts on the writing craft/process, or help build a stronger writing community. http://dogpatchwriterscollective.com/
2) Favorite ice cream is coffee mixed with chocolate chocolate chip. Caffeine-me, baby!
3) If I could do one thing without consequences, I would hijack a reputable publisher, print a run of a million copies each of my children’s book trilogy and then have them pay for a year-long nationwide promo tour and have them book me on Oprah. Ha! Now there’s some fantasy fiction for you. :o)
4) Here’s one of my favorite posts: http://jilannehoffmann.com/2012/05/26/spatzle-spaetzle-911/
My question to the next person? If you could change anything about this world, what would you change?
I love your blog! I found you through your nomination for the LIEBSTER award on http://grizztion.wordpress.com/
• This is my fourth blog, of the previous – 2 host sites have gone down, causing devistating loss, and one is still up, but just a back up to my New & Improved blog. I LoveLoveLove to read, and I want to talk to others about it! If I find a great short by an unknown – I want to scream it. So, I’m trying to construct a nice comfy place for friends to gather & chat literature. I’ve found authors willing to be interviewed, and other new/exciting things are in the works. I also throw in a random post now & then about something I feel passionately for. The link to Becki’s Book Blog is – http://beckisbookblog.wordpress.com/
• I hate to sound boring, but I’m a fan of regular chocolate ice cream. No hunks of stuff floating around in it, no nuts – who does that? But, I like it a little mushy. My adult self has my favorite ice-cream spoon & bowl, and I will sit and stir it to the perfect consistancy. Same as when I was a kid!
• If I could change anything about this world, what would I change? Wow. That’s a big one, Jillanne! Without sounding too vague, I wish I could erase the hatred people have toward one another, for whatever reason. Race, religion, chewing their gum too loudly…
• My favorite post on my own blog. I guess I’d have to say that I’m proud of my first author interview – http://beckisbookblog.wordpress.com/coffee-talk/tonia-brown/
• My question for the next poster in the meet & greet…
You’re on death row, about to be executed. What do you have for your last meal?
HIGH FIVE
(o.o) /
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