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Saturday 21 November 2009

The Sunday Roast

"Eddie, No Need To Roast Her. I'll Eat Her Alive!"

(I admire your bravery, Alix)


This is me and Goose at the Saint Augustine Alligator Farm and Zoological Park - September 2009
This week's interview is with Alixandra Hice
who writes the blog
Casa Hice .

Alix says, "Welcome to Casa Hice where the door is always open
and the welcome mat is always out!"

Thank you for your warm welcome and your interview, Alix.

Here's the first of the standard questions. Why do you blog?
I began blogging back in May 2008 to document the trip a friend made to visit me in Florida. I thought it would be a fun way to journal and preserve the events, experiences and milestones that decorate my life. What I didn't know then is how blogging would evolve to become such a vital part of my everyday existence or how much I would look forward to interacting with other bloggers. It has introduced me to wonderful new friends, new and exotic places, and many interesting and unique expressions of talent, humor, beauty, and every day life. I have laughed, cried and been made to think deeply. And the acceptance and encouragement that I have experienced from the blogging community is beyond compare. How could anyone not get addicted that that?

What's the story behind your blog name?
I wish I had a clever answer, but the truth is I wanted to keep my blog name simple. Casa in Spanish means "house" and Hice is my last name - so my blog name basically means my house. Or more accurately, House of Hice. I hope my blog feels like the door to my life is always wide open and everyone is welcome inside. It's a no-holds -barred place where the only rule is to be truthful. I lay it all out there - warts and all. From my experiences with weight-loss to hair-loss; my joys and sorrows; my personal triumphs and failings; and my issues with self-esteem. Some times I whine and throw my opinions around, but usually I keep the energy positive. My blog is a thumbnail sketch of me and my house. Take it or leave it.

What is the best thing about being a blogger?
Community! I am continually stunned and amazed by the visitors who drop by and leave comments or subscribe to follow my humble little blog. I don't live an extravagant or unusual life and my posts generally point to ordinary stuff, so you can imagine what a thrill it is to be validated in that way. I'm not going to lie... I thrive on the support of my blogging family. It means the world to me when someone identifies with a morsel of truth or feels a personal connection to a shared thought, experience or topic. I love the feeling that my blog friends have my back. But the absolute BEST thing is meeting fellow bloggers in person. This past summer I spent two days with Garret and Jim in Saint Augustine as they headed home after a year of RVing across the country. I had been following their adventures for a long time and suddenly they were here in my own back yard! We had such fun and it never occurred to us that by definition we were actually strangers. Blogging breaks down those barriers.

What key advice would you give to a newbie blogger?
Be yourself, always. No matter what. Good, bad, ugly or indifferent - just give it to us straight. I'd much rather listen to someone spout off about their dysfunctional family or their personal demons or their fears or their imperfect life than be schmoozed by false appearances or pretense. Give me something I can sink my teeth into, relate to. Give me the blood and guts of your life, not the gilded cage. My favorite blogs are those that are fearless and make no apologies.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever read?
Oh gosh! That's about as easy to answer as which of my children I love most! On any given day, the answer could change, but the post that came immediately to mind is "In An Empty Field" by Alyson of New England Living.

What is the most significant blog post you've ever written?
That's a question best answered by someone who follows my blog - but since you asked... The post that put me on the map, so to speak, was recognized on August 25th by David McMahon at authorblog as a Post Of The Day nominee: Spoiled? Probably. Brat? Not so much... It speaks of my losing a blog friend because of jealousy. As for my personal favorite... it's a tie between my hilarious wedding-gone-wrong post Get Me To The Church On Time and a series of eight short posts in honor of my duck, LuLu. I would be honored for any of those to be read by your audience.

If you were to suggest two blogs for roasting who would you pick, and why?
fever by Lora M. in Philadelphia. This chica is like a smorgasbord of bloggy goodness. She's whip-smart, expressive, irreverent, kind, raw, brutally honest, naughty, and captivating. I wish I could write like she writes. I wish I could call her up on the phone for a chat, or drain a bottle of wine with her, or better yet - have her over for dinner. I feel like I know her and that's a very good thing.

The Things We Carried by Meredith Teagarden. Her blog is so haunting and visceral I can't help but hang on every word. She weaves her bittersweet tales with magnificent language and emotion, blending the personal sorrow of her childhood into a big kettle of hope.


casa hice2 cropped
Now, where's that alligator?
"Oh there you are! Did you like that?"

"Burp! Thanks Eddie, she was delicious and nutritious! Who's next, Eddie?" __________________________________________________

Today's Sunday Roast with Alix is the 91st in a weekly series
of interviews with bloggers from around the world. __________________________________________________

This interview will feature in The Roll of Honour
for all published Roasts. To view press HERE
__________________________________________________

39 comments:

  1. Alix is someone who I have never met but look forward to visiting her soon.
    That was a great interview and I will try & come back to look through her links!
    You're making a spanking good job of this interviewing, Eddie!

    Nuts in May

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  2. Eddie, I am so honored to have Casa Hice featured as one of your wonderful Sunday Roasts! Thank you so much for the opportunity. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and hope your readers will come by and visit.

    You are a true gentleman for continuing the Sunday Roast tradition and I am so thrilled to have been a participant. PS: So glad you liked the photo of Goose and me. It's crazy, right?

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  3. Thank you Eddie for the introduction!! Great interview and l heartily agree about Meredith's blog!!

    saz x

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  4. Great interview! I read Alix and she is tops! Love the photo!! LOL!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  5. oh I like that she's very warm and welcoming, she sounds like a really nice neighbor to be! ^^...great roasting Eddie, how are you? I was dead-busy with work!*sigh* ...I missed you!!!

    warm hugs!
    Sassy.

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  6. Is the wedding still on??? I need to order my tux!! lol.

    Alix is one of the best!

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  7. I love Alix's blog! Great job on the interview. And she's right...fever is one cool blog.

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  8. Wow, Eddie! Another great interview, and another new blog to follow. I clicked on the links and loved the wedding story! Thanks for introducing us to Alix!

    I always look forward to your Sunday Roasts!

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  9. Good choice and she definitely deserves to be served up. One of my favs and not only that, she leaves the best comments.

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  10. She's one of my favorites. Like Alix, the interview was honest and real.

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  11. Alix IS awesome! It's not just because she mentioned me. She's a keeper!

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  12. I've had a girl crush on Alix since I first discovered her blog. She is one of those bloggers we can all relate to and wish we could write as well as! She's become a great friend and I hope we can actually sit down face to face one day and celebrate her blogging success-- That would be BEFORE he sits in a pit again with a real live alligator!

    Great interview Eddie. David should be proud of the fantastic job you are doing with Sunday Roast. Thank you.

    PS I teased this Roast on my blog. xojj

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  13. I definitely need to be reading her blog. And now I have a better feel for what to do for my interview! I need to start working on it. My crack smoking has been getting in the way.

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  14. Alix is exactly who she appears to be on her blog. Straight forward and honest, artsy and imaginative, loving and caring. And I should know. I've been her sister for 51 years. Contrats, Al!

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  15. yay! alix is one of my favs! congrats on the roast!

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  16. Great interview! Very catchy intro photo of author with the gator. And even catchier exit photo with just gator!

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  17. I couldn't agree more. Blogging is all about the people, so there's no point trying to be any person but yourself.

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  18. Oh, what a delightful interview!!! Alix seems so approachable, authentic, and truly witty!! I loved this...and will have to visit her soon!!

    Another winner, Mr. Host with the Mostest!! You are such a charmer, and can draw out the best in everyone with your winsome ways and wit!! A hearty applause to you, my friend! Hugs, Janine

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  19. @Lisa: So subtle to let us know how old Alix is. Oh and she's got a birthday coming REAL soon!

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  20. Eddie...She has to be wonderful. She's a Florida Gator fan. We're all wonderful people!!
    I visited her blog and commented to her there.
    Thank you for a good job with the roast Eddie. You are carrying the torch nicely!
    Smiles to you from Jackie

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  21. Great interview and roast! I have been following Alix's blog for a while now, and she is such a character! So filled with life, love, and the "joie de vivre"! Plus she loves all things Cajun! (another very big plus, in my book) And her writing is fabulous, which makes her blog, all the more enjoyable.

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  22. Alix is so real and lively that she bursts out of the screen with her vivacity. I feel energized.

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  23. They all love you Alix - and I fully understand why.

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  24. Hello dear Eddie - Thanks for featuring Alix. I look forward to checking out her blog and her links. It might be a few days before I can get there because I'm so behind after being gone for several weeks. But this was a GREAT interview and I'm SO glad you picked up the baton!! Cheers to you, sweet friend!

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  25. I have to be careful not to read Casa Hice when I'm drinking something or when I'm in bed and Mr. B is asleep. Why? Because 9 times out of 10, her inimitable wit makes me burst out loud laughing. What a gem Alix is -- and a wonderfully talented writer with no pretense who has a heart as big as the state where she lives. She's a rarity, that one. And there is nothing I don't adore about Alix and Casa Hice. I am proud to call her friend. Thank you, Eddie, for featuring her in the Sunday Roast. (Oh, and I adore you, too, Eddie!)

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  26. hi; I came over to check out Alix' roast; enjoyed reading your questions/her answers about her blogging experiences :)

    betty

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  27. I loved your roast...very enjoyable and I'm glad to have found you.

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  28. I adore Alix, and happy to have her at my back like I have hers. I didn't forget Eddie, just in a whirl at the moment! Hugs to both.

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  29. Alix is amazing and certainly deserving of this roast!

    And oh man, if I would've known that I was going to be mentioned here (holy crap! I got mentioned!) I would have posted something much nicer and less bratty!

    Love you Alix. You are so incredibly wonderful, lady.

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  30. Alix seems like a fascinating blogger! I only just today came across her...or she came across me.

    She had a lot of great things to say about you, Eddie. Nice to meet you!

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  31. Eddie, you don't show up on my reader but I do know you do the Roast so automatically come over on Sundays.....you are doing David proud my friend and I am on my way over now to visit Alix, I really enjoyed her interview....Hugs

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  32. I love Alix's blog and this interview sealed the deal! Bravo, Eddie, on your choice of her.

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  33. Alix, great interview, I love the way you have answered these questions, especially the advice you would give to a newbie blogger.

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  34. There's some clever people out there and you're one of them. Well done.

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  35. I've seen this blog around and will now make an effort to visit. Your interviews are great, Eddie xx

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  36. Ahhh...she's a fave...well done Eddie :)) I love that you're still doing this :)
    xx

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  37. Argh Alix! I only just come across your roast. Fabulous as always!

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