Debate, Quirks & Beautiful Blogger Award

Today I am going to watch my son play soccer, then going into the station for the first time since my high school football show ended last December.  It will be nice to be around other journalists, working toward putting quality news and sports on television.  I like that dynamic.  I like the give and take, the arguments even that ensue with people want their news product to be the best.

As you've often noticed, I end each post with a question.  I like to spark debates here as well.  It is through debate that I feel our best ideas, our strongest relationships, and our best selves come.

I grew up in a house where debate and conversation were encouraged.  Anything we wanted to discuss was allowed, and it made for very interesting--and very long--family dinners.  Because of this aspect of our family dynamic, we are still a very close family, even though we're spread across three states and very different stages in life.

When my husband first sat down to dinner with his future in-laws, he was silent.  He was floored.  He was astonished and maybe a little appalled.  Discussion was by no means quashed at his house, but life wasn't openly debated as it was in mine.

So I went into a  field where every subject in the world is covered, an endless possibility of knowledge and falseness is open to me, a world of debate spreads out on every page and channel.  And, when that didn't satisfy, I founded this blog.  My blog.  A place where I can pick the topic and the questions.  A place where I can encourage discussion and bring ideas to people.  And I love it!

Ok.  Interesting ramble, but the real point of today's post was supposed to be this:

the Beautiful Blogger Award, so graciously bestowed upon me by DL Hammons of Cruising Altitude.  The rules are these: link to the person who nominated me for this award (done), share seven interesting things about myself, and nominate seven other beautiful bloggers.

I can't imagine you all are interested in seven more things about this writer, and I certainly won't claim that the following are interesting, but here goes...

The theme today--Seven Beautiful Quirks of Michele

1. I abhor wrinkled paper.  Can't stand it.  And I have kids, so I cringe a lot.
2. I smell the glue in all my books before reading them.  With new books, this is an especially enjoyable exercise, therefore I never lend new books to people.  Call me selfish!
3. I can't stand soggy food.  I put the milk in the bowl before the cereal.  Then I put a small amount of cereal in and eat it really quickly.  Repeat.  Sometimes my kids remember prayer right in the middle of one of these bowls, and I am stuck in a tough place--and I won't tell you what I do on these occasions!
4. After a good meal, I get giddy and giggly and goofy.  I jump around and make crazy noises.  My husband loves this (so he says), and parks far enough away from the restaurant that I have room to romp on the way back to the car.
5. I edit conversations as I hear them.  (And I mean you!)  Call it side effect of being a journalist/writer, or just a personality quirk, but I hate long-winded people--and I have no problem editing you!
6. If I bump my right elbow, I have to bump my left one in exactly the same way.  Same goes with any other parts of my body.  Balance is key.
7. This one I've used before, but I can't think of a fresh one: I must read before bed each night.  Even if i drag myself in at midnight (like I will tonight after work), I still must read!  One page or thirty, never fails.  MUST READ!

Now, to whom should I pass on this beautifully crafted and oh-so nosy award?
How about you lucky bloggers--
Al of Publish or Perish, for his inspiring stories and beautiful photography...
Elizabeth of Mystery Writing is Murder, because I want to see her try and fit one more award on her blog...
Simone of The romantic query letter..., because her blog IS BEAUTIFUL!
Helen of Straight from Hel, who beautifies my life with her knowledge and experience...
C. Carter of CC's Chronicles, because she sent me an adorable Saint Patricks card today, and she is a great blogger...
Lorel Clayton of I'm Blogging Drowning Here!, because she keeps me going when I'm feeling out with her hopeful, but truthful, comments...
AND...
Lesa of Lesa's Book Critiques, for blogging (and living) through the toughest of times, and inspiring others with her life...

I am sorry this post is so late...It has been a busier day than planned.  I am now two live shots into work, and, as you probably can tell, the lead-in is a little out of date.  Rather than rewrite, I will now hit post...