Blogland: Roar Awards

It’s always nice to get a little recognition with your coffee. Blogger Marilyn has passed on to me a “A Roar for Powerful Words” award saying that I’m her favorite travel writer. Flattery will get you everywhere, even enticing this meme-reluctant blogger to participate in the same. The “Roar” comes with the usual “pass it …


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Book Contest: We Have a Winner!

First, thanks for sharing your stories. And also, (drum roll) meet celebrity judge, and writer of our prize, Chuck Thompson!

Seeing as how I know about half of the folks that entered, I didn’t think I would be able to pick my favorite without having personal stuff in the way. I asked the publicist if he’d ask Chuck Thompson if he’d pick my winner, and hey, he did. He might be cranky as hell about travel writing, but also, it seems he’s a Nice Guy. We’re probably not supposed to know that. Also, the publicist said he’d ship the prize, so I get to keep my copy – more nice guy stuff all around, and, let’s be real here, great marketing. Many thanks, guys!

Here’s a list of the entries:

From Chuck:

A word to all the non-winners: Through the years I’ve entered a number of contests (writing contests, song contests, NCAA bracket pools) and have never won a single one. It sucks not to be chosen, and I’m sorry for being part of the process of you not winning this time. I really am. I hate not winning, though since I’ve never won one of these things I’m not sure I’d handle victory any more graciously than defeat.


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What Do You Mean You Don’t Have A Ukulele?

If you had a uke, you might have had the pleasure of having the Nikkei Horizons Ukulele Band come to play for you and your ukulele club last weekend. If you had a uke, you might have learned that the old guy in their club is 90 and the youngest 11, and you might wonder …


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The Grind

The mill: I have a confession to make. We bought a treadmill. Stick with me while I rationalize for a bit, then go ahead with your well intentioned derision. See, the weather in the Pacific Northwest between November and oh, July, is vile. Not only is it cold and wet, but it’s damned dark. Usually …


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