Today's Apocalypse Sign: The First EOD Awards

I have always thought of blogger awards as the Merit Badges of The Internet. I will say I was truly honored when Pat Tillet bestowed upon me the glorious White Russian Award you see to the left. This was doubly special because Pat had created this award and I was in a select group to receive one of the first few given out.

As I follow various blogs and scan their sidebars, I see numerous and varied blog awards that have been passed around (some multiple times) and see them as a sign of a particular blog's popularity. This by no means has a related converse, that is there are many popular blogs (as determined by the number of followers) that have relatively few awards posted. I suppose some bloggers prefer to keep their sidebars relatively clutter-free (for page loading speed) but I more likely am seeing blogs whose circle of readers do not participate as often in the awarding process.

Who the hell am I! Sigmund Bloggin' Freud! Where did that psycho-babble come from?? Holy Shit!

Okay, I think I have snapped out of it. I have been doing a bit of dabbling with paint.net (since I am not shelling out for Photoshop at this point in time) and decided to create my own award. My first trial using this program was to give my blog header a photo-makeover. I created the sort of "napalm in the morning" fire and brimstone look. Turned out okay. Then I turned my limited creative side loose and created a simple yet functional award button. I am so proud.

Drum roll please....I give you the very first End Of Days award and the very first recipients of said award:

There are no rules for this award (Linking it back to me would be nice) and you may pass it on to those you feel deserve it. The only thing I ask for those who get this award, is to post on their blog a short summation of what they would do if they knew the Mayans were right about 12.21.2012. There is a counter on the upper right of this blog that is counting down the days to that date. It's kind of like the line in the movie Speed or the lunch time poll question in Heathers..."What WOULD you do?"
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Award recipients are:

These are the blogs I enjoy the most who follow me:

Pat Tillet ~ One of my very first followers (if not the first). I have tried to learn the blogging ropes from reading his blog, The stories, the pictures, the poetry, Pat's blog is one that will addict you fast. Read all the boot camp stories and you'll never leave!

Badass Geek ~ I wish I could remember how I found his blog but now it really doesn't matter. Read this post and you'll be a reader for life. I love the life lesson insights.

Not Worth Mentioning ~ Oh contraire... very worth mentioning. If it is out there, Jesse will find it and shove it right in your face. You could quit school and learn all you need to survive, at his blog. If you want to go to Hell, go now.

The Non-Review ~ TS was my second follower (or tied with Pat maybe). His blog is the staple of my daily reading. From the movie reviews to some of your favorite diseases talking back, his blog never disappoints. And his games are fun too!

Oh Shoot Photography ~ Vickie takes some of the most amazing photographs. Her site is a place to just scroll through and enjoy views of the world. She inspires me in the macro art. She also really hates the cable guy. Go give her a visit!

Enter The Man Cave ~ Geof, dude, this site is badass. From booze reviews to movies to sports to Peeps, this blog is fresh, funny and full of useful information. Run don't walk to the ETMC!

Pictures Just Pictures ~ Lucy from the UK is also an unbelievably creative photo-artist. Her eye for things is truly a gift. She has not been too active in a while but I would be remiss for not recognizing her work and honoring her as one of my first followers.

Veritable Ally ~ Ally is one of my newest followers and for the life of me I cannot figure out how she found my blog. I guess that is the fickle nature of the blogsphere! She's young, hot, and Down Under...do you need to know anything else?? Seriously, her blog makes me laugh and feel younger so it's good stuff. Check her out.

Just The Cheese ~ Powdered Toast Man, Jamie, has the blog to test your knowledge. Whether it's triva contests (I am a font of useless shit) or movie contest (I suck so bad I can't even enter) you will be back again and again. Anyone that will post a picture of themselves on a horse that's wearing a diaper while sporting an I Am Sam helmet is a cool dude in my book! Give him a spin!

Alex J Cavanaugh ~ Alex hooked me with his Dirty Dozen Movie Review bloghop. He is an author of a sci-fi (not the lame SyFy) book, CassaStar, I will buy when it comes out. His blog is all things sci-fi, movie, music, games, etc. And his site just looks very 2001 Space Odyssey cool.

Us And Them ~ Captain Dumbass was also one of my first followers. His blog about the trials and tribulations of his family and his newest baby are hilarious. The nicknames for all his family members are great. This post nearly made me spit milk! Dude you are having a great time!

Mepsipax ~His friend call him Dick...all three of them. This is not your mother's blog for sure. When you need a little adult-time R-rated release...Dick does not disappoint. Although you may need to wash your eyes out with soap when you leave. Check this out!

Insolence Is Bliss ~Stormy Cruz, I must say, is a hot name for a dancer OR a hostess on Carnival Cruise lines...and yet she is a brilliant word-performer. Her blog and the list of things she will not tolerate touch me deeply. I give you a sample WoW. This link is R-rated so just let your self go...it is not crude and all the words are spelled and used correctly. She is fanatical about that!

Daily Dose of Reality ~ Ian reeled me in with the Monday Minute. One day a week I am possessed like Exorcist and lose myself in this fun little romp. Can't hurt that it is on Monday. His blog has a variety of  things to keep you interested and entertained plus he is a humanitarian...just read the Mission Monkey posts. Makes him a good guy in my book.
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These are the blogs I enjoy the most that don't currently follow me:

Sassy Curmudgeon ~ Una Lamarche writes for the Huffington Post and scratches out one of the funniest blogs on the planet. Her prose makes me in awe at times. Other times I just laugh my ass off. Read Buckwheat and you'll never be the same!

Rock N Roll Gourmet ~ Smokin' hot and she cooks great food! Her husband is a lucky guy. Except he doesn't always eat what she cooks. Her site has great recipes, super photography of said recipes, and knives. I have tried a couple of the recipes and they were fantastic even with my limited cooking skills...I can READ though! Go for the food...stay for entertainment.

Nat The Fat Rat ~ I have to say I am enamoured by Nat and the Holbs, but then shouldn't we be? I do not do her prose and the use of the English language justice. This fun little odyssey from NYC to Moscow, ID and back to NYC, traces the escapades of Nat (with fetus), The Holbsbarrister, Peter Pan, and Barnaby McDuff as they head back to NYC for the finishing touches on the Holbs jurisprudence education. She is funny and has a truly heart-warming style of writing that just won't let you go.

Franks Funnies ~ Stuff Frank finds funny is usually stuff I find funny. Go check him out and see if there;s something funny for you too!

Blackberries To Apples ~ I have been reading this blog since it was a Blog of Note almost a year ago. Meghan is a southern belle who was smitten by the Big Apple and moved to New York City to live, a couple years ago. She writes about her transformation to a big city girl and all things Gaga. She recently took a 10 hour trip on the cheap from NYC to NO, check this clip out.

Work Forced ~ A guide to understanding the office work environment and corporate structure...in a very humerous way! Learn the lingo and then dive right in!

Hyperbole And A Half ~ You better wear a Depends when you hit this site. Her posts have become fewer and farther between but when she posts she can hit 300 comments in less than 3 hours and the last couple posts had over 800 comments! The art she does in Paint and the stories, imagination, and writing are so impressive and funny you can get stuck on this site for hours. Her character of a spaghetti noodle with a speech impediment is the funniest thing I have ever read, go read all 6 parts. And her 7 Games You Can Play With A Brick is brilliant. Get to reading her now.


Folks, I believe that is all for this round of the EOD Award. As you can see my tastes are all over the map (literally, from NYC to Moscow, ID). The central theme of all these sites can be summed up in great writing and great photography. I hope you will do yourself a favor and check out any of the above you have not already hitched your wagon to.

I look forward to reading what you will do with YOUR final days!

Thanks for being here....