Inspirations

I'm proud to report that in spite of ridiculously cold temperatures, my ya-ya's remain unfrozen (though slushy - and what's a ya-ya anyway?). There isn't much to report about jobs or teaching today, which is great because there's much more important news: Brigindo gave me an award!

That's right, people of the Intertubes, Curmudgeon has arrived. What glory must follow!

Really, I'm touched, because there are days where I feel like I'm shouting into a tin can with a loose string (readers under 25, this is a reference to a toy kids used to make that has since been rendered culturally obsolete by the advent of wireless and cellular phones. It was, at best, only a slightly humorous reference. You may still applaud, however). Plus, Brigindo said I'm funny which is about as a good a reward as you can give me (baked goods, obviously, give this a run for the money).

As with all things rewards, there are obligations (though these are fairly pleasant, as you'll see shortly). In this case, I've been asked to do the following:

• Please put the logo of the award (above) on your blog if you can make it work with your format.
• Link to the person from whom you received the award.
• Nominate 7 or more blogs.
• Put the links of those blogs on your blog.
• Leave a message on their blogs to tell them.

And it comes at a perfect time, as I've been spending a bit of time reflecting on things, including what it means that I've committed to this blog for almost as long as my longest relationship. There is much to be revealed by pondering this, but that's not my style of navel gazing. One thing that I've been thinking about has been a redesign of the blog, and part of that includes the potential cleaning up of the blog links list which has a number of folks who've vanished still listed plus "Rate Your Students" which I simply haven't been able to stomach in ages.

But remember the pleasant obligations I mentioned? It's nominating seven blogs. One of the things that I've been thinking about were the blogs that I've been missing. And so some of my recognition will be for blogs that I loved that have since vanished on me. In that category, I'd like to applaud and ask to come back are:

1. Kermit over at Kermit's Log: Kermit's blog was eclectic and fun. I always had a sense of music there, even when it wasn't the topic.
2. Feminist Ph.D.: Okay, I'm still in touch here, and that's great. But I loved the semi-daily doses, and your new blog home doesn't see enough of you.
3. Maggie at Professional Confessions: Seriously, I go home; I deal with a racist uncle. I come back and try to catch up on blog reading, and Maggie's gone. I can only assume this has something to do with her new job (and if so, this is one more thing I will hold against administrators).
4. Girl Writes Words: Okay, the posts were infrequent, but they mixed humor, smarts, and bitterness in a cocktail that I imagine would be what coffee tastes like if coffee actually tasted good to me.
5. Vienna of Narratives: Vienna's posts were a bit like when you'd hang out in your best friend's room some late night in high school.
   

Wherever you are, you're missed. If you've jumped blogs, tell me. If you're lurking, say hi. If none of those, come back.

That said, onto the still around category, there are a few folks I'd like to give some props to

1. Lumpenprofessoriat: Humor and critical thoughts. Marxism. Music. I love it.
2. Professor Zero: Always thoughtful and poetic. I love travelogues and tales of people on the road. That's what this blog is, but the trip is an intellectual and cultural one.
3. Scattered and Random: Belle's blog reminds of a lot of friends from grad school. If you've been reading awhile, you know what a compliment this is.
4. The Bitter and the Sweet: I've already given some props here for the Brave Year Meme, and I think that moment really suggests the spirit and the tone of the blog.

So, thanks to you all for keeping me grounded and entertained.

I'll be updating the side list of blogs shortly; there are some that I've been reading that aren't there. If I've got your address wrong, please let me know.