..I kick ass! An audience of one is sufficient to make a difference. Were my hunny the extent of that audience, I’d still have a reach that matters for such support is not to be taken lightly. Knowing neither of us offers compliments to be naught but nice though, RhodesTer declaring me a “kick-ass blogger” makes me damn proud.

The hella cool madness of it all is I do have an audience. As I’ve expressed, I’m here because I’m addicted to people — not just coffee — & this is my virtual café. I’ve had a simultaneously good & odd life that’s allowed me to turn my thirst for knowledge into wee bits of wisdom. There’s nothing I enjoy more than sitting down over a beverage with someone & shooting the shit, from the sublime to the silly. With each post, I take a break from behind the counter; with every comment, you grab a table & stay a while; meanwhile, we all come & go, topping up our mugs as needed.

Bonus of all bonuses, by including my WordPress.COM blog — along with this WordPress.ORG concoction — as further proof of my ass-kicking, my hunny introduced the fledgling endeavor to the blogosphere. Over the years, that domain was a consistent means of finding me online but this blog is my permanent home away from home. Determined “coffeesister.com” should remain an introduction to me & tired of being a poet without poems, my old domain now complements this one by providing an outlet for more spontaneous missives.

To continue the complimenting & complementing alike, it’s time to do as MammaDawg asks (cuz Mamma said so):

Do you know any bloggers that kick ass?

Maybe they’ve got incredible, original content. Or they’re overflowing with creativity. Is it someone that helps you become a better blogger? Or a bloggy friend you know you can count on? Or maybe it’s someone who simply inspires you to be a better person… or someone else who sends you to the floor, laughing your ass off.

Whatever the reason may be, I’m sure you know at least a couple of bloggers that kick ass. Well… why not tell ‘em so?

LOVE ON ‘EM

• Choose 5 bloggers that you feel are “Kick Ass Bloggers”
• Let ‘em know in your post or via email, twitter or blog comments that they’ve received an award
• Share the love and link back to both the person who awarded you and back to www.mammadawg.com

I’ve already shared the Twitter love so I’m going to offer up some EntreLove this time. If you’ve ever clicked through from ad to ad, you know how hit & miss the EntreCard network can be. There are some kick ass blogs to be found along the way though. Case in point is CopyWrite which is where RhodesTer’s ass-kicking status originated &, considering the source, it’s quite the compliment indeed. Since the hidden gems are what ultimately make “card-dropping” worthwhile, I’m presenting five blogs that I not only found via EntreCard but wouldn’t have found otherwise.

1. Bittersweet Collide
   Sighs & thoughts of a vagabond and love convict — turned into words.
2. Photography and Writing
   Photos & info gathered on the journey to be a professional photographer.
3. PoeARTica
   Each month a contributor’s poem or short story is featured w/a short bio.
4. Soul Meets World
   Reconditioning the human condition and rewriting life’s drama with love.
5. un1versal sessions
   A poet inspired by life’s ebb and flow & their interaction upon mankind.

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“Blogging is an art, same as any other method of self-expression.
Some are better at it than others.”
~ Hugh Macleod ~
(consider gapingvoid a bonus blog for it does kick ass)

Energy is our most valuable resource. Our physical & mental stores of it ebb, flow & feed off each other. That’s why the attitudes we choose make such a difference; like an adrenalin rush, a determined mindset will compensate for waning physical strength. In turn, feeling refreshed will help us carry on when our minds become clouded. Since neither option is sustainable, refueling must include food for thought & thought of food. From the quick jump-starts that come in the form of a healthy snack — which does include coffee, I’ll have you know — to full-blown overhauls, we must regularly indulge in those things which feed our souls while remembering to feed ourselves along the way.

That which excites the mind propels us but the momentum isn’t self-sustaining. We need to physically support that momentum to avoid running on fumes or overheating which is why rest is as important as fuel. Rather than take breaks only as needed, stay open to positive interruptions & schedule in downtime. Our lives are picture windows but made of individually framed panes. We need to step away from the pane that has our focus to bring other panes back into view. It’s from that vantage point that balance becomes possible, enabling us to use energy more efficiently. Energy is also our most renewable resource & the key to building our reserves is learning how often we each need to recharge.

Those marvelous Men with Pens addressed this need, hopefully inspiring bloggers to ask themselves if they’re just maintaining momentum or posting with motivation. I’ve always opted to post at least weeklyish & having my own computer allowed me to start posting twice a week. Better scheduled programming is brewing but, like the Pen Men, I need to focus on other panes in my window of life just now. My Anniversary prompted a couple days offline as will Rhodester’s birthday (Monday, people, Monday..) & it’s time to finish up our migration to WordPress. I’ll also be setting aside some Tivo time as my addiction to reading James’ & Harry’s Escaping Reality has reawakened my need for fiction.

Only by recognizing our own needs can we serve others’ & find the energy for either. Thus, my coffee breaks will still be spent lurking & tweeting if not plurking. I’ll no doubt need to call on those of you with WordPress experience & then on the rest of you for a break from the madness. Offline friends are few & far between for me as the connections & reconnections I have with people I’ve physically met are made possible via my internet connection too so there’s little distinction. Seeing each of you as a friend — with those who haven’t commented or tweeted my direction simply being the ones I haven’t met yet — is why I can appreciate a meme now & again. So, blame Bob or thank him:

4 jobs I’ve had

• fashion show coordinator
• optometrist’s assistant
• retail manager
• stage manager

4 movies I can watch over & over

• The Abyss
• Alien Quadrilogy
• The Fifth Element
• A Knight’s Tale

4 places I’ve lived

• Ashland, OR
• Hollywood, CA
• Huntington Beach, CA
• Palm Springs, CA

4 [current] TV shows I love

• Criminal Minds
• House
• NCIS
• NUMB3RS

4 places I’ve been on vacation

• Paris w/weekends in Edinburgh & London
• San Diego, CA (RhodesTer also once lived there)
• Seattle, WA w/a hop to Victoria, BC
• Walt Disney World (have yet to take Rhodester)

4 of my favorite dishes

• Bagel & Lox w/capers
• Hangtown Fry
• Spinach Quiche
• Spring Salad (Walnuts, Gorgonzola & Cranberries)

4 websites I [could] visit daily

• Astronomy Picture of the Day
• Cognitive Daily
• The Quote Garden
• Six Sentences

4 places I’d rather be now

• a beach w/a bonfire
• Porterville Convalescent Hospital
• San Francisco, CA
• Scotland (Hi Christopher!)

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“Love the moment and the energy of the moment will spread
beyond all boundaries.”
~ Sister Corita Kent ~

<– This is Sheryl or, at least, her profile pic. Same difference, right? What?! There’s more to each of us than captured online!? I think I’ve captured myself rather well here at Drink Deeply, I’ll have you know! Of course, this hopefully decent but certainly accurate rendering of me becomes a more complete portrait with perusals of my online profiles: MYfacebook, MY[other]blog, MYstumbles, MYtube, MYtumblr, MYtwitter & even MYspace — despite all its flaws. Thus, in proper appreciation for the site we all hate to love (or is that use?), may the cross-posting begin. Back we go then after our whirlwind tour of MYself.. Giving the excuse, “Tara tagged me, so here it is,” Sheryl has tagged MOI:

Here’s how you play. Once you’ve been tagged, you have to write a blog (*or a bulletin) with 10 weird, random things, facts, habits or goals about yourself. At the end, you choose 10 people to be tagged, listing their names and why you chose them to be tagged. Don’t forget to leave each one a comment (“You’re It!”) asking them to read your blog/bulletin. You can’t tag the person who tagged you. Since you can’t tag me back, let me know when you’ve posted your blog/bulletin so I can see your answers.

Sheryl, you rule-breaker, why? I must know why you tagged me. *hands on hips* I expect to find out when you comment on this post. *wags finger* You WILL comment on this post; I know where you live your MySpace is. Besides, I’m about to think up write out ten random things – that are supposed to be weird to boot – for YOU.

1. I’ve had a headache for over 20 years. Yes, the same one, constantly.
2. One pain has a root cause. The only time I ever slid home was playing softball indoors.
3. Most of my body is in pain all the time. Different areas flare without rhyme or reason.
4. Electrical shocks, sudden numbness & periodic tremors accompany the ongoing pain.
5. I used to read multiple books at once. Now I read one multiple times to get thru it.
6. I had to relearn swimming year after year. All I actually learned to do is float.
7. While caffeine has little effect, hot coffee relaxes me & can help me sleep.
8. Although I’ll only drink hot coffee black, I sweeten all tea & iced coffee.
9. I hate carrying a purse so oft just put my mobile, lip balm & money in pockets.
10. I desperately need my own computer again; not only do I greatly miss catching up on other blogs – not to mention staying more active on mine – but without this outlet available consistently, I am slowly but surely losing my mind.

Having previously posted “7 Weird or Random Facts,” this was harder than anticipated. However, don’t be discouraged from pondering some of your own weirdness; I would LOVE to see reciprocal lists or links to lists in the comments! Even if you don’t typically express yourself online, what better foray to make?! A safe, encouraging setting where you’re free to be frivolous.. Won’t you play with me? Unless you happen to have a spare laptop about, MacBook preferred , comments are a girl’s [next] best friend. Whatever my health proves to be challenged by, despite my knowledge that it’s not psychosomatic, the effect of the psyche on the soma canNOT be underestimated. Given the intensity of my struggle physically, my mental health is imperative. Whereas physical & mental health typically wax & wane in turn, with one perpetually on the wane, the other absolutely musn’t be stifled.

(|_|*cheers*|_|)

“I know what love feels like. That is one thing I have found. That is one thing that is much clearer because of Fibromyalgia. Because once you experience real pain you recognize the vibration, the feeling of being healthy, happy and loved. If I’m not living from my heart, I get sick. I need to do things that feed my soul, like being with people I love, or playing my guitar, or listening to music.” ~ A. J. Langer

PS: With hopes pinned on your comments here & in true cross-posting fashion, I’ll be doing my tagging at MYspace.

It would seem there is a method to my madness. The order amongst chaos may be in the numbers for my favorite is three & this, my third blog, is the one finally providing me a home online. Then again, it may be that; the synchronicity of having a brick & mortar home at last. The wait implied therein & explained herein points to patience as wondrous things do seem to come to those who wait.

Whatever the reason, the timing brings it all together. Not only will this blog never be abandoned (tho’ my cold, sick fingers will periodically be pried off) but it turns out I’m not the only one who enjoys it! So, one form my ordered chaos is taking is that no sooner am I tagged then awards start arriving. Having always been one to welcome votes of confidence, what can I say but keep ‘em coming!?

Ever so cleverly, Nom de plume The Poetress has included a tag with my very first award. I cannot thank you enough, Michelle! Thus, my acceptance speech for being declared an Amazing Blogger is presented as
“7 Weird or Random Facts”:

• I require but don’t need coffee; it doesn’t keep me awake.
• I know much but remember little; making me my own fact checker.
• I have to be reminded of my own memories; which doesn’t always work.
• I’m first in my family to stay w/a 1st husband; but he’s also my 2nd.
• I’m ill but have no diagnosis; nor can I afford one anytime soon.
• I’m an alcoholic that drinks; moderation IS the family mantra.
• I’m a poet without poems; so have opted for prose.

Just when I thought I couldn’t be more proud or touched, especially in the head, “Omyword!” did Lisa say that? Turns out I make her smile, as does RhodesTer, & we both got some lovin’ to boot.. Truth be told, imparting love & inspiring smiles are my raison d’être. You guessed it, I’m a hugger & am feeling the virtual love so — to all you who keep coming back — “I’m gonna love [you], and squeeze [you] and call [you] George.”

Well, George, since I am feeling so loving & want to keep you smiling, I won’t be tagging today. However, I challenge (read as beg) you to leave a weird, random fact or seven in the comments. As for blogging credit going where credit is due, those of you reading this ARE spreadin’ the LOVE & helpin’ make the SMILES!!! Consider yourselves squeezed..

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“Sanity is a madness put to good use.”
~ George Santayana ~

Three blogs in, over a decade online & I’ve finally been tagged! I feel substantiated, thanx to *Sparky*.. Although relatively new to the blogosphere, her blog beautifully shares her; outwardly reflecting the inner beauty she quite clearly has. [Sadly, she has left blogging behind but made a positive impact while here.]

The rules are simple:

1. Mention the person who tagged you and create a link back to them.
2. Copy-paste the traits for all the twelve months (see below).
3. Pick your month of birth.
4. Highlight the traits that apply to you.
5. Tag 12 people and let them know by visiting their blogs and leaving a comment for them.
6. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve done it!

I was born in October; on the real, not observed, Columbus Day & still think it should’ve been a school holiday.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. [I'll drop whatever I'm doing, even sleep, if someone needs to talk.] Loves those who love them. [Love freely offered & only tempered as needed.] Loves to take things at the center. [Both getting at the heart of things & simply being centered.] Inner and physical beauty. [Is humility even an option anymore?] Lies but doesn’t pretend. [Have to admit I love that distinction.] Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. [There is nothing more important than people, including fur ones.] Always making friends. [see previous] Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. [According to RhodesTer anyhow.] Opinionated. [Damn straight.] Does not care what others think. [see previous] Emotional. Decisive. [The trick is to not feel more than think.] Strong clairvoyance. [Bypassing the claim of strength as mine's intuition not divination.] Loves to travel, the arts and literature. [What's not to love.] Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. [Balance is my most well-worn word.] Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children. [So long as they're not my own tho' I'll care for them as if they were.]

Here’s the tricky part: past the fun of being tagged, the time has come to tag.. Please take this hopeful tap on your virtual shoulder, my taggees, as an expression of affection. Not so different than a kiss from a loved one with a cold; a gift that keeps on giving.

• Jessica: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
• Jodie w/her Alter Ego
• Julie w/her Observations
• Leann w/A Day in the Life…
• Lisa saying OMYWORD!
• Lorie w/her Coffee & Books
• Lorna in Wonderland
• Maureen: her last comment
• MCF w/his Nexus
• PortlandBob: his last comment
• René of Live. Work. Dream.
• RhodesTer w/his Chronicles

Consider yourselves kissed.. I’ve included a few of my readers who don’t typically get to partake due to the lack of a blog so there are amended rules for you: Simply post your birth month with its highlighted traits as a comment. Feel free to tag within your comment as well but, rest assured, no doom will befall you if tags aren’t passed along.

JANUARY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Always looking at people’s flaws and weaknesses. Likes to criticize. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Romantic but has difficulties expressing love. Loves children. Loyal. Has great social abilities yet easily jealous. Very stubborn and money cautious.

FEBRUARY: Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizes dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.

MARCH: Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decors. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

APRIL: Active and dynamic. Decisive and hasty but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people’s problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

MAY: Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislikes being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

JUNE: Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite and soft-spoken. Having ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitating, tends to delay. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Knows how to make friends. Able to show character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Loves to dress up. Easily bored. Fussy. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious. Executive. Stubborn.

JULY: Fun to be with. Secretive. Difficult to fathom and to be understood. Quiet unless excited or tensed. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation. Easily consoled. Honest. Concerned about people’s feelings. Tactful. Friendly. Approachable. Emotional temperamental and unpredictable. Moody and easily hurt. Witty and sparkly. Not revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and unnecessary things. Guides others physically and mentally. Sensitive and forms impressions carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. Hardworking. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Always broods about the past and old friends. Likes to be quiet. Homely person. Waits for friends. Never looks for friends. Not aggressive unless provoked. Prone to having stomach and dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

AUGUST: Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride in oneself. Thirsty for praises. Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to relax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

SEPTEMBER: Suave and compromising. Careful, cautious and organized. Likes to point out people’s mistakes. Likes to criticize. Stubborn. Quiet but able to talk well. Calm and cool. Kind and sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal but not always honest. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Fun to be around. Secretive. Loves leisure and traveling. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships. Systematic.

OCTOBER: Loves to chat. Loves those who love them. Loves to take things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Lies but doesn’t pretend. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Daydreamer. Opinionated. Does not care what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

NOVEMBER: Has a lot of ideas. Difficult to fathom. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig up secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions. Unpredictable.

DECEMBER: Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

(|_|*cheers*|_|)
“What I admire in Columbus is not his having discovered a world but his having gone to search for it on the faith of an opinion.”
~ Turgot ~

We’ve all seen them, many of us read them & a few even answer them. It’s not surveys themselves that have me baffled but what (little) is done with them. If still young enough that you’re getting to know yourself as much as others; all those short, sparse answers make sense. Survey after survey becomes the teen equivalent of Speed Dating. Throw ideas out there, the quicker the better so that more & more can be tried on for size. Amidst discovery of self, even not changing every answer makes a bit of sense. If you agree with the previous survey-taker’s response, nothing’s wrong with a time-saving ‘me too’ but why not actually say it?

The opportunity to connect with people, to compare & contrast what makes each of you you is a worthy undertaking. It’s phenomenal that the internet allows such pursuits to far outreach our previous grasp. With so many people to potentially reach, no wonder there’s a frenzy to utilize all the tools at our disposal. Of course, the aforementioned quality vs quantity is bound to come into play. Is it really better to offer more replies to that universal “Who are YOU?” than thoughtful ones?! If no time is taken to think while you’re literally in the process of learning what you think, what’s the point?

Here’s the thing: Surveys could be both ingenious & fun. An excellent start; if a yes/no question were elaborated upon, actual dialogs could be spawned. Let’s get past the games & use the madness to our advantage. Treat a survey more like ‘truth or dare‘ (SOME games are transcendent); never delete a question you’re not comfortable answering, admit that about yourself. Not only is honesty good for the soul but that simple fact tells the reader something about you. After all, isn’t that the goal? Towards that end, truth to self may mean an utter lack of truth is called for. By all means, lie but lie BIG!

Whether you’re of my more soulfully explorative ilk or RhodesTer‘s entertainingly maniacal one, don’t hesitate to participate. Granted, not all surveys are created equal. Those with queries that get you talking about yourself, honestly or in jest (just make it obvious which ), offer the chance at a virtual conversation. Like with so much else, ahem – marriage, it’s not partaking in surveys that’s ridiculous but doing so unthinkingly. Such exercises in sharing will not be for everyone but, for those of us who think a friend is just a stranger whose survey we haven’t read yet, let’s not only take part but do so with gusto..

THREE THINGS

Three things that scare me:

Three people who make me laugh:

Three Things I love:

my kitties’ tummies (Dave’s too )

Three Things I hate:

Three things I don’t understand:

Three things on my desk:

Three things I’m doing right now:

Three things I want to do before I die:

Three things I can do:

Three ways to describe my personality:

Three things I can’t do:

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