Wednesday, September 26, 2007

Nice People



Heartinsanfrancisco a.k.a. Hearts, of Guilty With An Explanation
gave me a Nice Matters Award. This from a woman who writes about some of the most difficult topics embedded in our Society with a style and grace that is boundless and insights that ring solid and true, with a sense of humor that is delightful.

I went to the dictionary like a typical graduate student, and grabbed the primary definition of the adjective 'nice'. It is:

To one's liking: agreeable, congenial, favorable, good, grateful, gratifying, pleasant, pleasing, pleasurable, satisfying, welcome.

Using this definition, Hearts has certainly elevated the bar. So I went looking for five people that I feel do the same, elevate the bar. I didn't pick anyone where, for instance, I have a secret relationship with them, like you know who, who shall remain nameless. And, CMHL has brought her blog down for a while, and besides EVERYONE knows how I feel about her.

I have known Echomouse for about a year now. During that time, she has battled a debilitating disease, lost her father, then her mother, the police finally caught her stalker, and yet she seems to handle life with an equanimity that makes me jealous. She derives happiness and joy from the most basic and most wonderful things in life. Carrie is an exemplary person whom I hold in maximum high regard. She write movie reviews, and does a lot of other even more interesting things on her blog. And she is justifiably proud of Canada! Just so you know.

I have known Tiffany King of A Dog, A Cat and A Girl in Fabulous Shoes
for over a year also. She has actually met Holmes when she was alive, and became good friends with her. That alone elevated Tiff to the rarefied air. Her blog lets you become part of her family. Tiff is the Physical Therapist I asked a lot of questions of when it came to healing after surgery. Tiff is the person who is the daughter of Joe King, the man I wrote a post to about being so glad that he made it through surgery. It's because of her blog. Periodically Tiff, does something that saves someones life in the hospital where she works. Tiffany is my antidote to Britney Spears/Paris Hilton/Michael Vick/O J Simpson/etc. Another one who raises the bar higher.

When I feel the need to talk, to blab, I turn to Alison of Alithinks. I actually have never talked to her. I have written a ton. I go to her when I am angry, I go to her when I am happy and laughing, I go to her when I just feel light saying hello. She's like my rabbi. The rest of the world knows her as a fabulous chef, or a fabulous photographer, or a wonderful writer (she knew that today was National Punctuation Day, I don't know if this is a well formed sentence), or Allan, her fiance has a few other views that the rest of us wouldn't have.

Another blogger who I had the good fortune to meet is the Reflecting Pool and her husband Poor Bill. You could not hope to meet two nicer people. Pool is amazing, dealing just as effectively with pre-teens through the elderly, and everyone in between with good humor and great intelligence. I count myself and Judy as 'tweeners, naturally. And I certainly didn't think of Bill as 'poor', I liked him as a matter of fact!

I have never met MJ, and I promised her I would never use her real first name, although I know it, but she is another person like Echomouse, who just keeps going no matter what. She has had more surgeries than Carter has little liver pills, and she still has this great sense of humor. I find her inspiring as she talks about wanting to go spend the weekend with her husband who is gone on a business trip because she misses him. I find her inspiring, just like Echomouse as she simply pursues life regardless of what has been happening. I wish I was as strong as she is, I think she is the epitome of a role model! A really nice lady.

My last choice should surprise no one. I recognized early in the game that you never really wanted to be with the 'crowd' in the middle. That made you average, just like 65% of the population. Better to be more exclusive if you could do it. Better to be out there in the 95% area, or 2nd std deviation than in the middle. Best to be in the 3rd std. deviation at 99%, the cream of the crop. That's where you will consistently find Glamourpuss. Puss writes a blog about her life and about well dressed people called The Pole Affair
which is really a wonderful read. But for real literary excellence, you must read her blog Clairvoyance. Puss has been a really nice addition to my existence, and I am grateful for her, and the others. And that's what the award is about, to me! Thank you all.

10 comments:

MJ said...

Aww thanks CEO!!! I will proudly display this award !! :) (once I can figure out how)

Anonymous said...

This award couldn't have gone to a nicer guy! I didn't know about Puss's other blog, going there directly!

Thanks CEO!

Echomouse said...

Awww, Thanks Monty. This is so kind of you :) I'll display it when people are likely to believe it...when I'm not so cranky I mean. lol {hug}

ADT is coming today due to somebody else's cancellation! Thank GOD.

Glamourpuss said...

An award?

For me?

Well, thank you!

I am batting my eyelashes with coy gratitude.

Puss

Anonymous said...

I'm like your rabbi? *blush*

And I'm not even Jewish! ;-)


Thanks so much, friend. *hug*

WanderingGirl said...

Awwwwwwwww, shucks! Thanks for the vote of kindness. You're the best!!!!

notfearingchange said...

Great awards!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations! You are very deserving of this award. And I couldn't be more flattered you picked me, and think I'm nice!!! I like all your other picks too.

Bruce said...

Embarrassingly, I didn't know about Glamourpuss' other blog. Thanks for the heads-up!

Odat said...

Hey Hey!!!! Well deserved!!!! Congrats to you and all!
Peace