Tuesday, April 15, 2014

An Award!

My friend Tracey, new to the blogosphere (check her out over at Run For Fun), nominated me for a Liebster Award! Thanks, pretty lady!

The Liebster Award is awarded to bloggers, by other bloggers with the intention of connecting the community and bringing new visitors to blogs with fewer followers OR to a blog you love! While I'm not new to the game, new followers are always welcome, so I am so honored Tracey thought of Hip Story! It's sort of a publicity meets chain letter meets tell us about yourself. And I can't wait to dive in!

Here's how it works:
The rules are that I will answer the 10 questions that Tracey gave us (the blogs she nominated)- then I will nominate a bunch of blogs and ask them questions!  The bloggers that I nominate have to link back here- hence spreading the love!

 Game on!

1. Why did you start blogging? 
This is a great question! Nearly 4 years ago, I needed to have surgery on my left hip. I was born with hip dysplasia, and have had PT off and on for probably more than a decade. In 2008 & 2009 the pain had become so bad, I needed a surgical option. Not replacements (yet) but something to ease the bone on bone grinding. A coworkers suggested I blog about the experience. It's evolved, for sure, but that's why I started!
Not Maria's actual x-rays, though, mine are pretty dope

 

2. Who, what, and/or where does your blogging inspiration come from? 
Initially, as I discussed above, the inspiration was my chronically bad joints. As the healing process drew to a close, I wanted to keep writing/blogging. Now, lots of things inspire me. I use this as a medium to talk about whatever interests me, from current events, to products, to stories about my life. Things and people I think are hip. ;)
3. If the moon was made out of cheese, would you eat it?
Without hesitation. Cheese is one of my main food groups. Sorry, science, but if the moon was made of cheese, I'd be on it like Armstrong.
4. What time of day do you write the best content for your blog? 
Evening, unless something strikes me at a certain moment. Sometimes, when I am trying to fall asleep (and my brain flicks into thinking mode because it likes to betray me) something will occur to me. I've been known to get up out of bed and grab the computer and start a draft. So I don't lose the idea. Sometimes I realize in the morning that they were just shit, but occasionally, GOLD, JERRY!
5. What is your favorite quote?
I have so many favorite words. Sometimes, my favorite changes based on what's going on in my life. One that has always resonated with me is: "There are four questions of value in life... What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for, and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love." -Johnny Depp It just resonates with me. He's so wise. I bet he was looking all wise, smoking, when he said this. Like this:
Johnny Depp? More like Johnny DEEP.
 
6. What is the best thing about you? 
This is an interesting question! I'm trying to think about what others would say. I'm very kind; I have a big heart. I cry at movies, TV, commercials, books. Happy, sad, doesn't matter. My dad says it's because I have a big heart.  I always give a 100% to friendships and relationships (even when it backfires, and even if I get nothing in return). It's a blessing and a curse. :)
7. What makes you laugh out loud? 
So many things!! I love to laugh. Puns get me a lot. My husband makes me laugh a lot too. Something got us going recently, I can't recall exactly what. But we both had tears of laughter running down our faces. I think it was something about changing the ending of a movie. We laugh a lot. Also, silly things from Pinterest (I made a "funnies" board because I found so many lol-worthy things!).
8. If you were the main character in a movie, which actress would you want to play your role?  
Is it totally cliche of me to say Jennifer Lawrence? I know she's everyone's favorite (for obvious reasons) but I think we could be besties. She loves food, she doesn't take shit from anyone, she's hilarious and kind. I think she could play me pretty well; she's clumsy too, and silly. I mean, she says stuff like this. I'm pretty sure she took the words right out of my mouth!

9. What did you want to be when you were a child? 
A teacher! I was one of those nerdy kids who always wanted to 'play school.' I was ALWAYS the teacher. My mom was a teacher, and right up through sophomore year of college, I was pretty convinced I would be one. I was going to teach high-school English and that would be my life. Oh, how things change! I never aspired to be a dancer, or a movie star or anything like that. I even went as a teacher for Halloween once! My mom put me in an old  tweed skirt suit, gave me a bun and put powder in my hair. I carried a briefcase to put candy in. Oh my god. That's so lame. 
10. What was your favorite class in High School?
Nerd alert: I liked school. I was one of those raise-your-hand-are-you-collecting-the-homework school lovers (see #9) a la Hermione Granger. Hard to pick just one favorite, but I took an Issues in American Government class, with the dopest teacher ever, Mr. Beauparlant. He was this boisterous, loud dude with a sweet mustache who RADIATED a love of social studies. He referred to us as Miss. or Mister (Miss Kovacs, then) and demanded we work hard, but was also funny and engaging. 
 
Alright, that was fun! Now, to my nominations!
 -Mallory, who has a great story to tell over at Curb Cuts and Cocktails
-Adam's D.C., travel, and cycling musings: Mainer In a Strange Land 
-Brenda's fantastically foodie Aesthetic Dalliances
 And your questions:
1. Why did you start blogging?
2. What's your favorite vacation spot?
3. If you could have dinner with any one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
4. Who or what inspires you?
5. If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you?
6. What is your favorite childhood memory?
7.  Have you ever had a moment of divine intervention? (or fate, sheer dumb luck, whatever you want to call it)
8. Which person in your life makes you laugh the most?
9. What's your favorite book? And because this is hard, you aren't limited to just one. Or just 5. :)
10. You can have three wishes granted from a magical genie. What are they?

Tracey, thanks again for nominating me. Mal, Adam and Brenda, I look forward to your answers!

xo,
Maria