Life Is Good Award

Firstly, I congratulate you, TechnoBabe, on your award and I loved your answers (and your questions).

I am highly honoured to receive this reward - many thanks my new 'bloggy' friend whom I am very pleased to have met recently. I agree that this is a great way of getting to know bloggers and what makes them tick.

I am going to enjoy answering some questions for a change - I normally ask questions on my Sunday Roast column, as you well know, 'Teccie'. And I will have to dream up 10 new questions for my chosen Life Is Good Academy Award choices. And you inquistive lot will wonder, who will they be? No cheating and sneaking and looking at the bottom of my post just yet!! Curb your curiosity! You'll have to wait until I answer all the questions! LOL

(Nice little award - like the rainbow - and it makes you feel good just looking at it)

I am privileged to share this award with all these beautiful people who I do not know at present and whom I shall be visiting when time permits. So I hereby accept gratefully one sixth of the award which will clone itself into a complete picture and be nailed ceremoniously to my sidebar, with great pride.

Award Recipients:
Eddie Bluelights at Clouds and Silver Linings
Mami at Unknown Mami
Gappy at Single Parenthood
lisleman at A Few Clowns Short
Jeanie at Living Consciously . . . . . . andSassy Pants Freckle Face

Notice how graciously I accept awards compared to my arch rival and friendly adversary, Jim Suldog. He really puts us through it when we give him awards so send him one if you dare!! I will, as you will see! LOL.

I am sure this award has a great pedigree stretching all the way back to 1485. I know a lass called Sarah, at Cottage Garden Studios presented it to TechnoBabe recently but I have not researched it's genealogy much further back.

Right!! TechnoBabe, you asked me some questions so here are my answers.

1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy doing it that way; if you are not anonymous do you wish you had started out anonymously so you could be anonymous now?
I decided to blog anonymously right from the start. When I began blogging I was active in the ambulance service and I immediately thought of the name Eddie Bluelights. One or two people actually thought this was my real name because I am always referring to Mrs Bluelights. My very closest friends know my real name but I do think we all have to be careful regarding hiding our identities on line. There are some awful people out there. I decided quite early to gradually introduce my photographs which I think is quite safe to do. Did you know I have a blogging sister? She is also anonymous and calls herself Maggie May of Nuts In May.

2. Describe one incident that shows your inner stubborn side.
It was Mrs Bluelights and my first serious argument, about 3 years into our marriage (now 37 years, crumbs is it that long?). I do not know what it was about! Something stupid I expect. I stormed out of the house and walked and walked. Problem was it started raining and I did not take a coat with me, nor an umbrella. I got absolutely soaked and got furious!! Being a young buck I had not yet learned the art of 'suffering in silence!" LOL I arrived back, drenched and was greeted by gales of laughter! I had to smile and I started laughing too - we ended up in hysterics. Since then I do what it says in the Bible. "Let not the sun go down on your anger", meaning always make up before you go to bed . . . . and it works!

3. What do you see when you really look at yourself in the face in the mirror?I am never good in the mornings - it takes me until 10am for me to get into second gear! First thing in the morning I see a bleary eyed figure with loads of stubble on his face, staring at me, saying "God did I really grow all that last night?" The figure glares at me in disbelief sometimes; he is wise old sod but he is probably hoping there is an imperfection in the mirror because surely he is much, much younger than this! I sometimes look and ask myself, "Where has my youth gone - I feel exactly the same as I did 30 years ago except I creak at the joints a bit more!" All the ladies look young! All the men look young! Woe is me! As the day progresses I come slowly alive and my reflection improves a bit. In winter my reflection and I both consider it is much safer to hibernate!

4. What is your favorite summer cold drink?

I read somewhere that on very hot summer days somehow it is much more cooling to drink HOT drinks, would you believe. The article went on to discuss that Indian folk like hot curry and this actually cools them in hot weather. But to answer your question, cool Cranberry Juice - wonderful stuff.

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?
I have not had a lot of time for myself recently with all this work Mrs Bluelights is giving me on her endless 'do lists' LOL. However, when time permits I love to play the piano. Now I am retired I aim to re-learn all my previous party pieces, Scott Joplin to classical composers.

6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life? What is it?

Golly! It's a bit late to tell you I want to be a brain surgeon! However, I would like to enter a healing ministry to lay hands on the sick and make them well for the great creator in the sky. Just imagine the pleasure anyone would have making people well again and actually helping people to overcome cancer even.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the class overachiever, the class shy person, or always ditching school? Describe who you were if not one of these.

None of these! I was the practical joker! I lit fireworks which went bang - we call them bangers!! I used to put string fuses in them and place them in the toilets next to some poor innocent doing what comes naturally. The bang put the fear of God in him (them) and usually a master sprinted towards to toilets trying to catch the culprit, but I was outside, safe and watching and laughing. What a naughty boy I was!

8. If you close your eyes and want to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what do you see?
By poignant I take it to mean sharply moving. It was in the Ambulance Service and an elderly renal patient decided to stop her kidney dialysis. She was a wonderful person, so kind and loving. I had been taking her, and others, in iand out of hospital for about three years and we became very close. I tried to persuade her to continue with dialysis. I tried 6 times! But she decided she had had enough and wanted to see her husband again and her daughter, who had both passed on years ago. She died after a week and I went to her funeral in my ambulance uniform. Before she died she thanked me for looking after her and she kissed me goodbye. I guess in a way I loved her and I am sure I shall meet her again one day elsewhere, and she will be young again. I have republished this post by popular request and it follows in my next post, titled Fond Memories Of A Dear Patient.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people or events?
It is very easy to be myself in my posts when I am relating actual events, like that recalled in the previous question. I did a post on it, my first ever, but I need to rewrite it because I have left the ambulance service and I have to make it more fictional. However, most of my writing is humorous and I just love to make people laugh.

10. If you had the choice to sit and read or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?

I would read, every time, or blog if I have time. Although I agree the phone is a very useful means of communication I do not like to 'gabble' for hours and hours, making small talk like some do! If I have something to say I will gladly ring someone but I would prefer to correspond by email. In reality recently I do not have a lot of time for anything other than getting the house straight after a major kitchen refurb. The worst is over I am pleased to say.

"Oh! Eddie, you do rabbit on, don't you? Have you got verbal diarrhoea again?" . . . . some will be wondering!

So there you have it. Great fun and bang goes my early night! All your fault TechnoBabe! I shall be bleary eyed again when I look in the mirror tomorrow morning.

Now it gives me great pleasure to announce six bloggy buddy brilliants to whom I wish to pass on this highly prestigeous award, the LIFE IS GOOD AWARD. And, yes, life is good, isn't it?

Marguerite at Cajun Delights

Ethel Mae Potter at The adventures Of fred And Ethel
SueAnn at SueAnne's Journey
Joanna Jenkins at The Fifty Factor
Eva at Wrestling With Retirement

"To Whom It May Concern" (LOL) at Eternally Distracted
and I am adding a brave 7th for none other than:
Jim Suldog at Suldog(Golly, what have I done? LOL)

Oh! and I must include the lovely Alix at Casa Hice (lovely lass who told me once she loved me! swoon)

And of course there are others I would love to add but I know they are very busy right now - but another time perhaps!

Now would the nominees answer my ten questions please to fulfill the contractual obligations hereto and to have a good laugh to boot, to get to know each other and smile and have a glass of wine and have witty fellowship with one another? Here are my questions:

1. Do you write blog posts to please yourself or to please your audience?

2. How do you make people visit your blogs and to elicit nice comments on your handy work? Do you employ the heavy mob to bully your readers or do you use your gentle wit, charm and good nature. Seriously, what do you consider the best way to interact with your fellow bloggers?

3. If you were starting your blog again would you do something radically different?

4. What is the most significant event in your life to date?

5. Would any of you like to appear on The Sunday Roast programme? TechnoBabe will tell you it is quite painless. If you would like to be interviewed please email me at eddie.bluelights@gmail.com

6. What do you like to do in your free time? And will the pretty ladies have dinner with me tonight?

7. If you could go back in time which event would be of interest to you most, and why?

8. Are you addicted to blogging? Do you think it is addictive? or can you take it or leave it?

9. Which person on planet Earth, past or present, do you admire most, and why?

10. When this life is over do you think it is curtains or do you think there is an after life?

There that is it - thank you again TechnoBabe - it was great fun.
To conclude I am posting a photo I took today that my then six year old daughter drew on the wall before I hung some wallpaper 22 years ago. The cheeky little mite! She reckons I was 93 then which makes me 115. Or perhaps I was 43 years old then!! That's it - it is a four and not a nine. All is forgiven, my dear!

She gave me a heart though and enormous shoulders but a skinny neck and a bust! A bit like the reflection I get from the mirror I was talking about earlier on. LOL

Award Ceremony to Suldog

For Thumbelina's Roast please press HERE
_____________________________________

Now, before we proceed with the next installment of my play, 767 Weddings . . etc which I shall post on Monday, there is a little business for me complete, requiring just a few minutes of your time - a mini award ceremony - unusual for me because I normally put on a big show for these.

I received this "Over The Top Award" award from Granny On The Web recently and it is time I passed it on.

The recipient I nominate is unique, so there is just one award and that person is . . . . . yes, you've guessed . . . . . . . Jim Suldog.

"What!", you might say, "you must be stark raving bonkers!"

"Fancy making an award to Suldog: he'll have your guts for garters!"

My reply is, "Either I am extremely brave or I am nuts! bearing in mind what happened the last time I was bold enough to present Jim an award . . . plus a plate of fish and chips I might add. And do you know what? Jim had no appetite for these whatsoever. And then we got into an huge argument about American Football having no rules!"

Well, look at this award:

First off, Jim I apologise that a lady is pictured. I have not the know-how to draw a moustache and as far as I can tell there is no male award equivalent in existence. So kindly forget the gender - it's the thought that counts.

Normally there is a list of 35 mundane questions requiring 35 equally mundane answers - I thought I would dispense with these because if I did include them I think you would really go over the top and come straight over and bash me one! (Thank God we no longer have Concorde). But if anyone feels they must see all these silly questions and answers press HERE

Instead I invite you to list 35 ways of torturing or killing me in the most frightful and painful ways imaginable - I do this purely for the amusement of your readers and mine too, I might add.
The award reads, "Your Blog is Over The Top", but Jim I am not awarding it for that reason. Already we all know your blog is over the top and that is why we all love it and visit it frequently. My reason is purely in anticipation of your likely over the top response. I can feel the vibes from way across the pond and wonder exactly which missiles you are preparing right now for me and which ones are launching at me. Perhaps I like to live dangerously!

My second reason for this foolhardy gesture is because there is a seasonal flavour to it.

We have just completed the anniversary of Armistice Day when the First World War ended on 11 November 1918. We all remember the phrase "Over The Top" when us Tommies boldly or madly climbed the ladders and charged wildly into no man's land for King and Country. Well it is into that spirit I enter the fray, for I am going over the top into a hail of whatever is coming my way as I present you with this "Over The Top" Award which I am sure all your followers, and mine, will agree is truly deserved by you.

Should I keep my helmet on?

Now back to the fish and chips! How could anyone refuse this? I've even given it lashings of ketchup!! This piece of cod passeth all understanding! . . . . and Jim still refused it.

I'm still alive so it looks promising so far.

As the man said when he fell out of the Empire State Building approaching floor twenty, "So far so good!"
Oh! It seems as though someone has beaten me to it, Jim. I note from your blog you have the award already - what another brave or foolhardy person! How can that be?
I quote from Jim's comment informing me he has the award already:
"Eddie, you idiot. I would love nothing more than to flay you until you were a bloody lump, but I already received this award.
http://jimsuldog.blogspot.com/2009/10/canuck-gives-me-award-eh.html

Now, if you want to substitute your name for every time Jazz's name appears in that, feel free. It will probably give you great pleasure, since the English are well known around the world for a fondness of having the lash put to them.
(Hopefully, everyone is still reading.)
I love Eddie. I really do. And, Eddie, if you really, truly, want me to barbecue you, I'll be happy to do so. But, damn it, man, you've got to give me something I don't already have - which rules out the clap - and probably something I want - which rules out pretty much anything else you have to offer.) (That was supposed to be a nice paragraph, wherein I let everyone know how much I truly adore Eddie, but it got rather venomous at the end. Sorry. Even though he's a big poofter who likes to wear women's underwear when he goes grocery shopping, I think the world of Eddie. I wouldn't want anyone to get the wrong idea concerning him.)
(I really do love you, Eddie. Thanks for the fun.)"
What a nice chap! I think I will set Marguerite on him, at least she loves me!
I hastily modified my post and left a comment on Jim's post to this effect:
"Jim - OK, you have the award so you can either accept my Over he Top Award as a joint gift or my alternative award. Let's jump right over from WW1 to WW2 and capture the flavour of this prestigious award highlighting a famous victory sign. I would be very happy to pass this 2009 Friendly Blogger Award to you as a sort of consolation prize. I affectionately call this my "Up Your's Award" and can think of no other person worthy to receive it other than yourself. I do so in jest, Jim, I think you are great really but I can discern the smile with steam starting to come out of your ears and nostrils - or is it wind?
"I am not able to read the other (middle) word but the Winston Churchill sign comes at no extra charge he! he! "
Ok folks! It's on! Just heard from Jim to say I am due for the biggest thrashing I've ever had but he is a bit busy right now but he advises me to flee the country! Hell hath no fury like Suldog's scorn LOL. Here is his reply:
"Eddie - The "Friendly" Blogger Award? How could I possibly pass it up? How marvelously incongruous to accept such an award with a steaming pile of vitriol! Not immediately, but, yes, soon. I know you'll take it like a man, and I appreciate the opportunity to have some fun with this. Thanks!"

Awards Ceremony with a very Special Surprise

Welcome to my Awards Ceremony - there's quite a lot to do tonight and in places my post looks a little like Eddie's last will and testament - so please bear with me. I have arrived back recently from St Helena, my temporary self imposed residence in exile, so I am a bit jet-lagged and not yet fully operational (I never am actually!). I look a bit like Napoleon with my arm tucked into my jacket and wearing a funny hat at right angles to how I think it should be worn . . . . . but wait! . . . today is a very special day . . . with a wonderful surprise at its conclusion . . . a HUGE, HUGE SCOOP which any news person would gladly die for! - a blockbuster of a story . . . exclusive to Eddie - to be seen ONLY on Eddie's blog - a WORLD EXCLUSIVE! What a lot of lovely lolly I am going to make!!

But first the business of the day. Please be patient - all will be revealed in due course.

(In the interest of security there will be no admittance for Lions or Tigers - only little pets can accompany their owners. Also it will be very hot here and therefore plenty of facilities will be available for cold showers if and when required. Laughing gas, Nitrous Oxide, is available for those with no sense of humour whatsoever and the event organiser retains the right to administer this compulsorily. So let your hair down please and enjoy yourselves!)

Today I am very grateful to my wonderful and gorgeous Italian/American friend, Lola, a rich genetic soup of a gal, who has flown all the way over from Rome with her assistant Theresa, a bit of a stony-faced grey bird with a strange permanent expression on her face, last seen in a church in Rome. They have kindly offered to provide full catering facilities at knock down prices for this star laden gathering, including some of the 'elite' from amongst the blogging community. We have some enterprising new bloggers in our midst together with some of the greatest writers, poets, artists and photographers alive today in blogsville and beyond. If I have omitted anyone it is simply that I have not met you yet - kindly advance and be recognised if, that is, you wish to advance and be recognised. If not there are plenty of Fawlty Towers utubes on the side panel to amuse you.

Lola has put on a wonderful buffet spread comprising cucumber sandwiches, strawberries and cream and lashings of her wonderful chocolate, plus some really grand Italian vino. Applause please. Bravo! Bravo! Grazie! Grazie!

Then we have a cabaret for you. Eddie will do the Richard III death scene in broad Lancastrian Shakespearean accent whilst limping around the stage on his bad hip, looking for his horse, and squirting generous lashings of tomato ketchup all over the place, shouting his head off in blank verse, whilst trying hard not to slip and fall flat on his face. He will have to tread the boards carefully since we cannot afford the services of a paramedic today.

Then on the sidebar, should anyone require further entertainment, we have an interesting utube where Bill Bailey, a famous television performer and pianist extraordinaire, will explain Cockney music and how this relates to the classical repertoire within the musical world. Bill has agreed his services free of charge because, listen to this, his father was, prior to his retirement, a General Practitioner in Eddie's doctor's surgery in his home town - quite remarkable isn't it? I seem to know a lot of influential people don't I? Small world, isn't it?

Talking of influential people I had hoped to be recognised in this year's New Year's Honours list - I say this because at school my nickname was Sir Ed and I have always wondered whether this in some way might be prophetic. All I can say is if I can swing it with Her Majesty, then there is one in it for you Jim of Suldog if, and only if you can explain to me in precise detail the rules of American Football. This game seems completely devoid of any logic or rules whatsoever, and if they do exist, they are as yet totally incomprehensible to a gentleman of England who understands very well both versions of "Rugger" - both league and union. These games are entirely logical yet you Yanks seem to have modified the basic rules extensively for your version of the game. Please remember we invented "Rugger" at Eaton in Rugby and somehow you have turned it into a game where the field is covered with swarms of multi-coloured wild locusts attired in modern day armour, beating the living daylights out of each other, whether or not anyone has the ball and where there seem to be no rules or purpose or order whatsoever - explain yourself please, Sir!!! Are there ANY rules or is it just an excuse to beat the crap out of each other and pinch the ref's whistle? And why all the armour? Our lads don't seem to require it! Are your lot a load of sissies? LOL (God! What have I done!! I must run for cover and hide!! HELP!!)

But Jim, on a serious note I loved your likes and dislikes list regarding blogging etiquette. Agree with you entirely - what gentlemen we are, eh!

Now after that small digression I have great pleasure in announcing the awards:

So time ago I was presented with the Premios Dardo Literary Award by my dear friend Janine of Sniffles and Smiles . As most of you know she has retired for a well deserved rest and is hiding out in a secret bunker as we speak. At the time I had hoped to pass this reward on to 5 people but managed to do so only to my great friend Lola of Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino.
I have 4 more rewards tonight for this very prestigious prize . . . . . .
. . . . for services to literature, requiring deep thinking, innovation and taking risks whilst writing.
There are those to whom I would wish to present this award but they already have it.
It now gives me great pleasure to make these awards to these writers whom I admire greatly, please pass on to 5 bloggers of your choice:

Erin at Woman in a Window
Prodigious output and very well written posts, everyone of them. I do not always get the chance to visit or comment but do so whenever I can - recently I enjoyed enormously your cow shit post! Looking forward to getting to know you better in cleaner surroundings, madam. Oh and please pull back the curtains from your window and let me see your smiling face. Oh! your other blog In through the Back Door Is it safe to enter I wonder?

Meredith at The Things We Carried
We all look up to you in admiration - perfection indeed. Loved your company in the Grand National and you are a lovely person and very kind, and I love your taste in classical music. I'll see you in next year's National.

Kathryn at Crystal Jigsaw
Heard recently you are a northern lass - well that explains a lot! We are kindred spirits of the north. You have a great blog, and did you know I put you back together in the Grand National after your fall? We reassembled the crystal jigsaw puzzle!! How kind of me - it's there in the records on my post.

David at Authorblog
A true shepherd looking after his 850 sheep. How on Earth you do it I cannot fathom. Also, seeing as you 'dish out' millions on POTDs it might be nice if you had one in return for your much appreciated work and example to others - a true gentleman . . . . and I have a special job for you tonight!! Please read on!!

Next award, the Renee Award.I was honoured to receive this award from Lola of Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino along with the Uplifting Bloggers Award. I was so grateful there were two heavy awards because I could put one under each arm and walk with balance, poise and dignity and not stumble along weighed down on one side, walking in circles like a 'blethering idiot' - thanks Lola.
It looks a little rude to me, Lola - but in essence the end product should be a mighty Oak Tree. I did wonder whether you considered I might possess a little acorn but I took your award in the spirit I thought you intended to convey - once again, Thank You.

So for the Renee award I am pleased to invite these friends to the platform and ask them to pass the award to 5 worthy bloggers:

C Michael Cox at The God of Another Worldfor your magnificent poetry. Alone, I am not nearly qualified to judge any outstanding poetry but I note all response comments from many very capable and qualified writers and they are all unanimous - you 'wow' them all, Michael, and consistently do so. And your work should be recognised at the very highest level.

Jane at Gaston Studio
Another wonderful writer - we all look up to you Jane and respect you enormously. Recently I particularly enjoyed your FBI post.

Robynn at Robynn's Ravings
A consistent good read with energy and enthusiasm - great sense of humour.
I feel totally breathless when I call round - the sheer pace of things there!!

Val at Val's Ramblings
A very prodigious writer with some charming and delightful stories - I regret I am not able time wise to visit more frequently but I would urge others to do so. I extend my friendship to you Val with this award.

Granny on the WebFor a consistent, high quality, side splitting laugh each and every day PLUS very kind comments and encouragement to others - and you come from Lancashire to boot, "EEh Baye Gum! Lass! Gradely done!" (We understand that lingo don't we?)

Sarah at Que Sarah Sarah I enjoy your posts very much and started to visit you regularly. They are short and sharp and interesting. I like your ideas and your sense of humour - also I have never met the wife of a preacher before. Does that mean you are always good?
There is another blog by this name - is it related?

Next award, the Uplifting Bloggers Award
This goes to fellow bloggers who visit frequently and raise spirits with their kind words of encouragement, their beautiful images and their wonderful outlook on life. They make blogging a positive experience and continue to make life richer.

I am very pleased to award these super people as follows and ask them to pass the award to 5 bloggers with relevant characteristics:

Janine at Sniffles and Smiles
Janine is a 'dynamo' of a writer, endless ideas and beautifully constructed posts written with feeling and warmth to convey her stories - whether in sniffles or in smiles they elicit powerful emotions. I do not have an appropriate award to cover your creative writing - you already have them - but I am concentrating tonight on the encouragement to others side of things.

Currently Janine is out of town, holed up in her bunker dodging the bullets and shells of life whilst charging up her batteries. I am particularly pleased to make this award because Janine is always supportive, kind, considerate and she encourages others consistently and always with a smile. Janine has given me three awards and it gives me very great pleasure to present this one to her. I shall sit on it and keep it warm for you, Janine, until you are able to collect it upon your return.
Rosaria at sixtyfivewhatnowFor your consistent support and encouraging comments - and of course for your great blog and widely acknowledged writing skills.
Debbie at Dishing with DebbieBrilliant blog and a wonderful cheery outlook on life. I loved your roast interview as well. Lovely lass and we all love you. Loved your video Debbie making waffles - yum yum!

Jim and Suldog
I know I'm stepping into a lion's den here awarding this but I love your blog and you have a super sense of humour - I hope! Loved to see you roasted alive on Sunday a few weeks back. Most of all I award this to you for your modesty!!!! . (Chorus: WHAT THE 'ELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT EDDIE - MODESTY???) . . . . . . . as I was saying, for that my friend you get a unique special additional award . . .
. . . a plate of British Fish and Chips with too much ketchup by far - isn't it awful? Uggh! It's just for you Jim as another example of an Anglo-American special relationship - the covenant deal is for you provide the ketchup and I provide the fish and chips! . . . and together we make a hell of a mess and we can walk through the carcasses together. Do we have a deal? Don't eat them all at once!!!
And still with the uplifting blogger award (with a plate of fish and chips if you wish) some more favs, including some very promising new bloggers, as well as some golden oldies:

(Please drop by to say "hi" to our popular new bloggers)

Jackie at Teacher's Pet
A new friend, a lovely lady and a think a rising star I am sure.

Bernie at On My Own
You must be nice because you like my sense of humour and my mates Albert Ramsbottom and Sam Small. I am looking forward to seeing more of your blog in due course.

Christopher at Christopher's Photos
A young man from Denmark and a brilliant photographer. A must visit!

Debbie at singlemuminacomplicatedworld
Interesting posts consistently.

Sassie Scibbles
Another new blogger and she is newly married. She and hubby recently donated blood which by me is a great thing to do.

RibbonBeautiful blog

To my friend Lola of Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino I present my You Make Me Smile Award. I love your blog and I smile regularly because I have two left spoons in the kitchen and I think your culinary masterpieces are way over my head. But you write such interesting stuff as well and so well researched and by golly, you can't half ride a horse. So please pick up your trophy on account until I get a better one which you do not already have and please pass the award on to 5 or more bloggers who make you smile. Ciao dear friend.

It is fitting that we end the award ceremony with Ribbon because a while ago she invited us to take a symbol of peace with us from her blog to place on our side panels and that is what I am inviting you to do tonight. (Grab a piece of this Peace tonight)

Oh and while we're at it there are millions of Zombie Chicken Awards littered all over my place, multiplying like rabbits!!
Would you you ALL please, take the wretched things away before I have to shoot the lot of them - please collect one each on your way home and don't forget the giblets! I feel quite sick!

AND NOW LADIES AND GENTLEMEN with the awards ceremony completed I have a real treat for you . . . . all please gather round . . . . I have a news scoop of gigantian proportions for you!
I am delighted to announce that Eddie has tracked down Janine to her secret bunker with the assistance of David from Authorblog. After secret negotiations Janine has agreed to reappear from her hideout and be filmed for this evening's proceedings. David has has agreed to hang up his still camera in preference for a short assignment as a video production cameraman for this exceptional video recording - and what a cracking job he did too! He deserves to award himself POTD!

Folks, we've captured Janine singing a song for us with Eddie Bluelights at her side - altogether, "ahhh!"

Janine wanted to send a message to all her friends and the best way she thought was to sing you all a song, "We'll meet again!" For copyright purposes Eddie and Janine had agree to be made up to look like Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews, but don't be fooled - you can see the zeal of Janine and the twinkle in Eddie's eyes and just look at the way her looks at Janine during the song - honestly, it speaks volumes of how we all feel about her. It is remarkable that Janine now talks with a British accent whilst Eddie talks with an American accent - how strange!
In war time WW2 Dame Vera Lynn was the 'Forces' Sweetheart' singing this song but within blogsville Janine is our own 'Bloggers' Sweetheart' and we all love you and want you to return to us as soon as you are ready and able. Is there no end to your talents? You can write! You can paint! You can take good photos and now . . . . . we see you can sing beautifully!
Interestingly enough an anagram of Dame Vera Lynn reads . . . . . .

EVERY LAND, MAN . . . . . and Janine has followers in every land, man!! All over the world in fact!!

At the start of the video there is a bit of banter with Eddie and Janine. She explains about some dangerous missiles shooting over her head while she is in her bunker but Eddie finally shuts up and lets Janine get on with her lovely song, which she sings beautifully.

So without further ado ladies and gentlemen, please all stand to attention for her song and please join in the chorus at the end. The floor is yours, Janine, and we sign off with "We'll meet again".


Eddie was so moved he seriously contemplated singing "Chim chimeny, chim chimeny, chim chim cheroo" but thought better of it - he just looked at her and gave a big, big sigh!

Blogging Awards Ceremony

It gives me great pleasure, as Master of Ceremonies, to announce my first Blogger's Awards Showcase

Ladies and Gentlemen. There was considerable debate concerning the venue - Eddie Bluelights' ruminated for an age, striving to decide which of his two blog venues should host this event and the competition was fierce - either Clouds and Silvery Linings, where Mr Darcy is appearing live in Pride and Prejudice, or Plato's Procrastinations, where Stanley Holloway is appearing dead, but still managing somehow to read some of his monologues. In the end Eddie decided that this version of Mr Darcy is such a miserable old fart and so unattractive to the ladies, that Clouds and Silvery Linings won the day - thus obliterating Darcy from view for ever.

Three prestigious awards are 'up for grabs' tonight:

The Premios Dardo Literary Award
The Panda Super Comments AwardThe You Make Me Smile Award

All three awards were presented to Eddie Bluelights this year and now it is my turn to pass these on to some worthy blogging friends for their high quality work.

First, and perhaps the most coveted trophy, is The PREMIOS DARDO LITERARY AWARD.

I was highly honoured to receive this award from Janine at Sniffles and Smiles recently for services to literature, requiring deep thinking, innovation and taking risks whilst writing. (I take risks all the time, my dear, but I am pleased to say I have managed to survive intact so far!)
I summarise a section of my acceptance speech:

"I thank you kind Lady Janine for this wonderful surprise today. Of all the awards available this is my 'biggy'- the one which means so much to me because of it's pedigree, which is truly remarkable. I've been doing some research and thought you might like to see just what a 'biggy' this is. Holders of The PREMIOS DARDO LITERARY AWARD...dating back to 1490AD are Marty at Dark Star Discovery, Lyn at Two Ghosts, Jane at Gaston Studio, Janine at Sniffles and Smiles and now, little old me, Eddie Bluelights at Clouds and Silvery Linings."

And now, without due delay, it gives me very great pleasure to pass on this award to a lovely lady whom I have 'met' only recently in blog land and already I am 'wowed' by her ability. She writes exceptionally well, produces very interesting posts, is a fabulous cook, is an excellent horsewoman (coming fifth in my Grand National horse race). She is an Italian/American and recently translated Eddie Bluelights into Edoardo Luciblù.

Therefore, I am delighted to present The PREMIOS DARDO LITERARY AWARD to Lola of Aglio, Olio & Peperoncino
Isn't she lovely?
"Yes" (wolf whistles! Applause! Applause!)
Next, I was pleased to receive this award from Granny on the Web


The Panda Super Comments Award for regular attendance to her blog.

Well Granny, your blog is terrific and your humour matches mine - the pleasure of visiting your blog regularly is entirely mine. Thank you again for the award, duly nailed to my Side Panel.

And now I am pleased to award this trophy to a young lady who faithfully follows my work, post after post, thus giving me great encouragement to continue in this harsh and lonely world in blog land. Also I admire her work tremendously - she is a very talented writer and poet. Incidentally she is an excellent horse lady, coming second in my Bloggers' Grand National.
Ladies and Gentlemen, a warm welcome for:

Breeze of Breeze Daze
Come up and collect your trophy and give me a smacker!

And finally, the You Make Me Smile Award, received a while ago from Retired & Crazy.

I have two worthy winners and therefore it gives me great pleasure to award this lovely little trophy to:

Cheffie-Mom at Dishing with Debbie
and
Maggie May at Nuts in May

I admire both blogs very much.

I did want to award a trophy to Janine at Sniffle and Smiles but she is already weighed down by so many awards she has received of late she is seriously worried that any further award would make her luggage way too heavy for the plane journey home to America and thus might incur the wrath of our H M Customs and Excise officials and we can't have that can we?

Also I wanted to award a major trophy to Cherry at The Girl from Cherry Blossom Street but her blog side panel seems quite incapable of supporting a nail and blue tac would not be strong enough to keep it from crashing to the floor, thus waking up her angry neighbours.

So instead I present my Spiritual Award to both ladies whose work I admire greatly.

As for the rest of you, keep working, keep trying, watch this space and I might have another ceremony at a later date.

If I have missed out anyone - pull your socks up and get on with your writing or read my stuff and you will be rewarded! There, bribery will get you everywhere!

Oh! and there are some followers on my list who seem a lttle shy.
Please don't be!
Step down from your little box, give me a little wave and say, "Hi!"
I'd love to get to know you better.

Chicken Zombie Oscar Awards

Not long ago I was joint recipient of this highly coveted Zombie Chicken Award for services to blogland, presented by Janine from Sniffle and Smiles. I humbly accepted my 1/5 chicken portion but this presentation was conditional on me subsequently presenting the remains to five people whom I considered deserving of this highly prestigious trophy all bloggers would willingly die for.

I was a little worried at the time because there was not a lot of chicken left from my 1/5 portion suitable for further distributions because the other greedy winners hi-jacked the breast and legs leaving me a wishbone, a wrung neck, a couple of feet and the giblets. I decided to bide my time, hoping eventually the chicken would somehow reconstitute itself. After just one week the miracle happened 'voila' for it did regenerate itself into a whole chicken again - so I am now able to make the awards.

But first you all have to get into the mood for actually wanting to win this trophy so I am setting you a small task. At 1200 GMT precisely you should play this video and join in with appropriate gestures and singing of lyrics in exactly the correct places.

I trust you all strutted round the room singing your heads off, waving your arms and making complete idiots of yourselves!

It now gives me great pleasue to read the nominations for best zombie chicken award, and they are:

The Mighty Sam for his services to Morris Dancing

Menopausal Old Bag for her inspired blog site name and her humourous posts - most enjoyable

Retired and Crazy for interrupting her cleaning programme during the Easter Holiday to read my play - you truly deserve a medal as well as the award. Also I enjoy your blog

Valleys Mam for her tireless and informed comment and debate on Welsh and United Kingdom politics

Dishing with Debbie - always a great read

And the winner is . . . . . well there isn't one! . . . . . . for you are all equal in first place.

Therefore I invite you all to collect your trophies and in turn award the prizes to five people you consider worthy of such honour. I shall be writing to you all in due course.

The prize is conditional on paying me a small fee of £1 per portion, i.e. per award and a further condition as that each of their people each give me £1 as well . . . . . and so on . . . . and so on.

The mathematics to this is rather interesting:

5 x £1 = £5

25 x £1 = £25

125 x £1 = £125

625 x £1 = £625 . . . . . interesting!

3125 x £1 = £3125 . . . . very interesting!

15625 x £1 = £15625 . . . . . exceptionally interesting!

78125 x £1 = £78125 . . . . . . wonderfully interesting!

390625 x £1 = £390625 . . . fantastic!

1953125 x £1 = £1953125 . . . Bingo! we're millionaires folks! "Hey, love, we can retire!"

I realise you may be a bit busy and have little time available to attend this cermony - in other words you are already running around like headless chickens. I have a solution - you can decapitate your chicken to tailor make it to fit your situation - I really don't mind, but I want to get rid of it soon - it's eating me out of house and home!

A further condition is that you make an acceptance speech as a comment on this post. If you are stuck I have a suggestion:

"I warmly accept this trophy not only for myself but for all those who have helped me. I am very overcome and had a little tot of whiskey just to give me a bit of Dutch Courage. I am not as think as some tinkle peep I am and the drinker I stand here the longer I get." Something like that would do fine.

Failure to accept your trophy will incur a severe penalty.

I will recite a Stanley Holloway Monalogue (What on earth is that? you might say)

To read my play, "767 weddings, 2 Irate Vicars and Almost a Funeral"

at one sitting (Do not mock! It has been done before, you know!)

I therefore officially close this ceremony.

I did consider seriously awarding the post outright to David at Authorblog because he is a wonderful shepherd looking so well after his sheep, numbering 747 (sorry 748). Just think he is dishing out all these POTDs day aftyer day week after week and the poor chap never gets anything in return. So why did I not do it, you may ask yourself? I chickened out!

Now you've all been very patient so I feel I ought to tell you a joke:

There was an elderly American couple driving on the highway and a Highway Patrol Officer pulled them over for speeding. The wife, who was extremely deaf, was the guilty culprit and did not attempt to conceal her violation of road traffic regulations.

"Excuse me Madam, you were speeding!" said the officer

"What did he say?" said the woman to her husband

"He said you were speeding, dear!" shouted the husband

"May I see your driving licence?" asked the officer

"What did he say? asked the wife

"He said he wants to see your driving licence" said the husband

Looking at the licence the officer said,

"I see you come from Texas and you remind me of a woman whom I used to know. It was the worst sex I've ever had", said the officer

"What did he say?" asked the wife

"He said he thinks he knows you!"

Did you like that one?

If yes I'll tell you the one about a Morris Dancer another time.