Hey, big day!

So today is a big day...after being away from my blog for a few days (not by choice, it's just been a super busy week), I come back to find:

1. I have 10 followers now! Hooray for double digits! I really appreciate you guys, especially when you leave comments for me!
2. I've been nominated for an award by Anassa, over at Specnology! Thank you so much!
   
   Apart from having one of the coolest names I've ever come across, Anassa has a really good blog about writing, technology, technology in writing, and all sorts of other good stuff. She also posts periodically on Science in My Fiction, which is another great blog for sci-fi writers to read.  And with her permission, I'm actually going to pull the rules/qualifications for this award right from her sight because it's a lot faster and easier than typing them out all over again.

The rules for this award are:

• Thank and link to the person who nominated me.
• Share seven random facts about myself.
• Pass the award along to 15 new-found blogging buddies.
• Contact those buddies to congratulate them.

 So, thank you again to Anassa! Now on to my 7 random facts:

1. I have two malformed ribs that stick out farther than the others. (you can't really see them, but you sure can feel them and they drive my wife nuts!)
2. I mentally edit pretty much everything I see (unless I wrote it, then I'm blind as a bat) and have a tendency to judge things when I find errors in them (it's borderline compulsive).
3. When I was a child, I would staple sheets of printer paper into "books" and write my favorite stories in them (complete with illustrations). Robin Hood and Star Wars were the two most commonly reproduced.
4. I have an odd fascination with Disney movies. I realize that's strange, considering that I'm A) an adult, and B) a man, but I really don't care. I think Disney comes up with some of the best movies. Period. Incidentally, I LOVED Tangled. Disney kind of got back to its roots with that film and I definitely approve.
5. Stories are one of the biggest driving factors in my life. Stories are not only the reason I read, write, and watch movies/television, but also the reason I play video games, listen to music, and even talk to people. Stories are what make life/people interesting!
6. I am an Eagle Scout and am very proud of that fact.
7. I kind of get a kick out of seeing how many times I can make my wife say "You're such a geek/dork/nerd" in a single day, mostly because she still loves me!

Now for my blogging buddies. Like Anassa, I can't come up with the full 15, so I'll do the best I can, in no particular order.

1. Teralyn — A Writer's Journey. Teralyn has been a great friend and really helped met learn the ropes of blogging. She actually just used one of my posts as a guest post on her blog. I'm super excited. Thanks Teralyn!
2. Brooke — Brookenomicon. I realize Anassa already nominated Brooke, but I don't care. Brooke has been another awesome friend, and Anassa has way more followers than I do! Brooke has an awesome blog and awesome taste in genres (we commiserate over how steampunk and urban fantasy aren't what they should be anymore). She is also the editor of Hogglepot, an online publication for short fantasy.
3. Shallee — Life, the Universe, and Writing. Shallee is one of my oldest writing buddies. She and I have been friends since freshman year of college. She runs a great blog and, more importantly, is probably my most valuable readers/editors. Thanks for all your help, Shallee!
4. David Powers King — Dave is one of my first followers. He has some really great insights about writing and is also one of the nicest people I've never met.
5. Rosie — East for Green Eyes. First off, awesome blog title; it catches my attention every day. Second, she has one of the most engaging and entertaining blog voices I've found so far.
6. Chantele — My Writing Bug. I love Chantele's Wierd Word Wednesdays! They're so fun! She also leaves some of the best comments on my blog.
7. Michelle — Perfecting the Craft. Apart from having a really cool profile picture, Michelle has given me some really good comments. I also admire how she uses her blog to promote her beliefs and values; that takes courage because people on the internet can be really mean.
8. The Golden Eagle — The Eagle's Aerial Perspective. I don't know this girl's name, but I love her blog because she also talks quite a bit about science and technology. Her A-Z blogfest posts have been fascinating!
9. Kimberly — Meeting with My Muse. Kimberly is one of my more recent connections. I haven't known her too long, but she's already given me some good advice. And I love her A-Z blogfest posts: short, sweet, and to the point, as the saying goes. They're also very useful!
10. Bekah — For some reason I can't get Google Reader to follow Bekah's blog, but I still love to stop by and see what she's got to say. Her last couple posts have been about query letters. And they are AWESOME! Keep it up, Bekah! I need all the help I can get.
11. Faith — Faith has given me some of the best advice on voice that I've ever heard. In a nut shell: don't worry about voice now; just keep writing and it will develop with time. Or at least, that's what I took from her!

So, few as my readers may be (for the moment), go visit each other and see if you make any new friends!

P.S. — Since I started writing this post, I have gained another follower! Thanks Blogger Girlz!