Re-introduce Myself Blogfest
Thanks to Elise, Carolyn, Stephen and Mark for hosting this blog fest.
As suggested by the host, I've kept my entry as short as possible.
So who am I!
~ a multi-coloured, rainbow nation child of God…
~ who embraces an optimistic-realistic life view…
~ a writer-in-the-making on a never-ending journey…
~ flash fiction lover with dreams of writing and publishing a mystery/suspense/thriller story one day in the not-too-distant-future…
~ songbird, entertainer, pianist, educator…
~ a walking contradiction: terrified of speaking in public, yet entertains hundreds of patrons at weekly gigs
~ lover of coffee, popcorn, cashew nuts, vegetables, rooibos tea…
~ non-confrontational peacemaker… but don't you dare mistake niceness for weakness or you will come short!
~ believer of adopting a good and honest work ethic…
~ compassionate person who is a champion for the underdog…
… and I think I've exhausted my 100 word limit!
Now I'm off to check out the other entries!
I didn't know you were an entertainer!
I don't like to talk about it… 🙂
Want an extra tidbit of info? I've been at one venue for 5-and-a-half years…
Hi Michelle. Nice to meet you. I totally get the walking contradiction part. I am that way as well.
I'm an introvert-extrovert… it's dependent on the time and place… see if you can work that one out… 🙂
Hi, Michelle,
Love me some cashew too and don't like public speaking either. You play the piano? Awesome.
Wow, I love your blog design! Very nice to meet you and hope you'll drop by my blog. I'm in the list, but here's the link: http://www.caledonialass.blogspot.com
Thanks Mel!
I read music and I'm actually classically trained, but self-taught to play by ear… I started learning when I was 9 years old…
What an interesting mixture you are. And brave to overcome you shyness to do public gigs.
Thanks for the compliment! It took me many, many years to overcome the shyness and sing in front of an audience. I only wish I could get it right with the public speaking… *sighs*
I was right there with you until you said vegetabes :D. I agree the jouney never ends!
Ha! I try to eat sensibly… the emphasis is on TRY… but a hectic on-the-run-lifestyle makes it difficult… 🙂
What a perfect mixture of things! And agree with the popcorn… speaking of which, I haven't had any in a while. Nice meeting you!
Why, thank you… that's a sweet thing to say. 🙂
I haven't eaten popcorn for a while either… did I mention that I love the old-fashioned stove top variety? Microwave popcorn? Nah, not for me!
Writing is a never ending journey, for sure. Very nice to meet you, Michelle 🙂
Nice to meet you too, Mark! 🙂
HI, Michelle,
This was AWESOME. I feel as though I have found a kindred spririt…. I LOVE your engergy and positive attitute. SO great to re-meet you!
After reading your post… I so agree about the kindred spirit! Plus you are such a multi-talented and creative person! I saw the stuff you crafted for Morgan over the festive season… it was awesome! Thanks for visiting Michael!
Great post. You did a wonderful job of painting a picture of yourself.
Thanks for the visit AJ.
Well, this is the first time I come so it is first time introduction. Well done. Nice to meet you.
Great to meet you too Father Dragon with his myriad of minions…… 🙂
Nice to meet you again, Michelle! Now I've craving coffee, popcorn, and cashews. 😀
I also hate public speaking, my biggest nightmare. I admire that you host weekly gigs in spite of that fear!
Great to see you here Ms.Polar Night… LOL. It took me a very long time to get over the stage fright… wish I could apply it to public speaking… 🙂
Love your list. It's nice to meet you!
Thanks Jackie! Great to meet a fellow musician… 🙂
Hi Michelle- it's nice to meet you through this blog hop. I am also a writer and LOVE cashews!!!! I prefer them salted. How bout you? 😉
I love them salted and also the chillie-flavoured ones… yummy! 🙂 Nice to meet you!
Love the non-confrontational peacmaker line. That's me too!
Great to meet a fellow non-confrontational peacemaker writer Sara! *high-5 to us*
Wow, you sure squeezed a lot of info into your post. We have a LOT in common, except for the public speaking part. I thoroughly enjoy giving speeches and presentations. Nice to meetcha!
I visited your place Susan. Yes, we have a lot in common! 🙂
Nice to re-meet you… I remember meeting you during DL Hammons' Deja-Vu Blogfest!
I love optimists!
Double thumbs-up to optimists… 🙂
A "non-confrontational peacemaker… but don't you dare mistake niceness for weakness" –love that. It's not even close to the same thing, is it? Nice to re-meet a fellow "writer in the making." 🙂
Great to see you here Kern. Yes, the two things are not connected… does that make sense…? It's dependent on context… 🙂
I'm terrified by speaking in public, but I have no problem dancing in front of people (not that kind of dancing! More like zumba).
I definitely missed something in the instructions for this blog hop – you're the second person who's mentioned keeping the post short. Oh well; itr's too late now!
Hi Azara! You're the lady of Listicles-fame who thought-she-would-shave-her-head/eat-lotsa-candy/remain child-free/become-a-cat-hoarder… and a few other things… LOL That was a funny post! Great to meet you!
Hello M! Great to re-meet you! (; I've met so many bloggers who are writers and musicians, I'm convinced the two must go hand in hand. And I used to love rooibos tea until I got pregnant and then something happened, not sure what, but I just couldn't drink it anymore. It's been a while, maybe I should try it again, see if my tastes have changed again. Hugs!
Yes, it does seem like the two go hand-in-hand… 🙂 I've actually neglected my rooibos tea in favour of coffee, but now the hubby and I are trying to cut down on our excessive coffee-drinking… we tend to overdo it!
Nice to meet you! I've just started a flash fiction site, so I hope you'll stop by sometime!
I LOVE my flash fiction… I'll pop by to check it out… Nice to meet you M!
Lol, yeah 100 words is quite a tough limit! You come across excellently in your post. Eloquently written.
Good luck with your suspense thriller. Will that be novel length? I also feel like I've kind of nailed flash fiction, but I'm still to write a novel I'm totally happy with! But it's nice to go along the journey with others like your good self. 🙂
Thanks for the vote of confidence as a fellow traveller in this writerly journey we've undertaken… 🙂 I'm not sure if the piece will be novel length or a novella…? Time will tell… 🙂 Thanks Nick!
Don't get me near cashews! I'll eat them all. I enjoy being optimistic, too. It's so much nicer.
Mary, I'm the same! I can gobble up a whole packet of cashews in no time… 🙂 There's more than enough pessimism going around… we don't need to add to it…
I'm coming across so many musicians in the blogfest today. There has to be some correlation between musical and literary expression.
I too love rooibos tea, although I refer to it as my African nectar tea because that's what it says on the box of tea sitting in my cabinet right now. It's great with honey!
Rooibos tea has so many health benefits… and it's definitely great with honey! Thanks Cynthia!
Hi! It's great to get to know more about you. I always champion the underdog, and I think compassionate people are the strongest folks I know. 🙂
Good point. Compassionate people are very strong… 🙂
This is a great list. Next time you need an author bio, read it again. There are some real gems there. I like your style.
Thanks Shellflower. Great idea to use some of these points in an author bio.(I love your reference to "author bio"… makes me think that I can get there…:)) I will keep that in mind.
Love your short and sweet post!
Thank you Tyrean.:)
You and I have a LOT in common!
We do? 🙂 That's great! Hopefully this common ground extends to fantastic suspense/thriller writing skillz like you …? You are such a great writer Nancy!
I didn't know you were a gigger either! The things you learn 🙂 Nice to learn more about you Michelle!
Yep. From one gigger to another… here's to us girlfriend! 🙂 Thanks Trisha.
Hi Michelle!! We share a good many of the same traits. So nice to be re-introduced to you! 🙂
Thanks DL. I know we also share a love of mystery/suspense writing… 🙂
Coffee and popcorn! Not sure I'd want them together though.
LOL. A time and place for each one… though both go well with writing… not at the same time… 🙂
That's a great list. It's good to know more about you. I also love writing flash fiction. Kudos to you for working through your fear of public speaking. I plan to join the Toast Masters International soon, and am looking forward to putting a dent in my horrible public speaking weaknesses.
I'm still struggling with my fear of speaking in public… it's gonna take a while… but I'll get there…
popcorn? did someone say popcorn? kettle or carmel? hmmm…maybe a mix of the two would be nice!! i love popcorn…
Yep… popcorn!! Yummy!
popcorn? did someone say popcorn? kettle or carmel? hmmm…maybe a mix of the two would be nice!! i love popcorn…
… but it has to be the old-fashioned stove top method… Microwave? Nah! Not for me… 🙂
I like the way you describe yourself as a walking contradiction. Clever 🙂
It's the truth! Hard to explain… probably even harder to understand… 🙂 I started out as an introverted child… now I sing in front of 100's of people… I love my own company, but can also socialize quite freely and make new friends…
Short and sweet, yet packed with so much. It's great getting to know more about you.
Thanks Medeia. You are an inspiration to me… 🙂
Cashews are the best! Why are they the most expensive nut?
Good question. They are very expensive… and quite fattening (is that true?) Never mind, it's not gonna make me eat less of them…
I am also not fond of public speaking! And cashews are certainly my favourite nut!
You too? Well, I always think I'm the worst person when it comes to public speaking… nobody can be more scared than I am… 🙂
I'm in awe that you can sing and play in front of a crowd! I love your don't mistake niceness for weakness. 🙂
Public singing performances and public speaking performances are two totally different issues for me… strange, but true! 🙂
Good meeting you too! Thanks for stopping by the GirlZombieAuthors blog; miniatures are at my <a href="http://cverstraete.com">website</a>
link is http://cverstraete.com
Thanks for the link Chris! The miniature collection sounds like quite an interesting hobby!
That was a fun intro! Nice to meet ya.
Thanks Nicole. Great to meet you too!
Hey, Michelle!
I love Cashews and coffee, too! And I'm a fan of peace. Plus I have mad-love for my Heavenly Father, so I think we'll get along like chicken nuggets and barbecue sauce! Your web design is awesome! I hope to see lots of you, now that we've introduced ourselves. 🙂
Ah Celeste, a fellow coffee/cashew/God-loving writer…sounds perfect! Let's stay connected! 🙂
Nice to mee you! I love your list 🙂 I used to hate public speaking, but now I kind of like it (kind of had to get to that point though, considering I do it every day…).
Nice to meet you too, Meradeth! I suppose it's a step-by-step process where you have to go through the motions… and eventually get to that point where it becomes second nature – especially for you, as you do it every day. Wow, maybe there's hope for me… I'll work at it. 🙂
Eloquently said!
Thanks Sherry!
Wow, you've really been holding back Michelle! A mystery writer who is mysterious about her own past; yet doubles as a lounge lizard who quietly slithers off into the night! I'd love to hear more about your venue over coffee and/or popcorn of course. This was beautifully written Michelle!
Julie, I don't like talking about myself. I try to avoid it as much as possible. I love the image of the "lounge lizard who slithers off…" 🙂 You have such a lovely way with words… We must make a date… I'd love to fill you in on my "nocturnal activities" 🙂
Very nicely summed up in one hundred words! Nice to meet you!!
Thanks Tamara! Nice to meet you too!
Very nicely summed up – GREAT post!
Thanks Vikkie. See you on Friday to Celebrate The Small Things…
I get you about the public speaking. I would love to read a post about how you push through and do it anyway! And I love flash fiction, too. This is a good reminder to do more. Great to meet you.
Thanks for stopping by mine and introducing yourself. What a fun blogfest!
Actually, I'm still not comfortable speaking in front of people… it can be quite a traumatic experience. I have no problem singing in public, I do it every week… There's a difference, but I can't explain it… Thanks for visiting Tia!
Hi Michelle .. good to see you – I lived in SA for 15 years … so I know a little about your homeland … ; what a wonderful array of talents you have – and I too wonder where you play … all I can say is good luck with that writing and learning to speak in public – me neither! Happy entertaining though … all the best – Hilary
Great to re-meet you Hilary! Thanks for visiting!
Talk about multi-dimensional. Nice to meet you, Michelle. 🙂
Thanks Stina! Nice to meet you too! 🙂
Coffee and vegetables are two of my favorite things in the world! My day would not even begin without a little coffee and I ALWAYS try to squeeze in veggies every day 🙂
Nice meeting you!
Sam
I think that I'm a coffee addict… *sighs* gotta have my daily fix! I wasn't always this way. Tea has always been my preferred drink… but somewhere along the way, all that changed… I wonder if I can reverse it? 🙂
look at you, mish! yay!
and i love cashews too =)
Thanks TTT! 🙂 I'm on a roll with the comments… 🙂 Cashews? Yummy! Don't get me started, I don't know when to stop!
And you called me an interesting combination! Fits you as well!
Love getting to know you!
Cheers to us then! 🙂 Great to meet you!
Hi Michelle, my you got a lot of comments. I still haven't quite figured out how blogfests work yet. All the best.
Dwight
Dwight, it's because I've responded to each comment individually… so they all add up… 🙂 Don't worry about the blogfest thinggie, you'll soon get the hang of it… great to meet you!
Great list of contradictions Michelle. It was fun getting to know you 🙂
……dhole
Thanks Donna! 🙂
Thanks for stopping by my blog! I am terrified of speaking in public too. Not my thing at all.
Seems like I have plenty of company on this one… I don't feel too bad. I've discovered that lots of bloggers clam up when it comes to public speaking…
Great to learn more about you, Michelle. Sista from anotha mista. 😉
I always root for the underdog. Always. And I love your statement about niceness and weakness. Amen.
Hey sistah from anotha mistah! 🙂 "Common decency" (which has been drummed into us from childhood…) costs you nothing, but people tend to take advantage…
Hey Michelle, and damn! I did forget, but I've explained why… but I shall rectify my mistake. I'm a bad man *hangs head in shame*.
Hey Mark. No worries. There's always another time… 🙂
HI Michelle, Nice to meet you and I enjoyed getting to know you. Thanks too, for popping 'round the nut-tree!
Just Jill
I enjoyed the visit to your place Jill! It's good to meet you.
Nice to meet you! Fellow popcorn lover here. I've been known to eat popcorn instead of dinner (and breakfast, and lunch… and all on the same day… oops).
Popcorn can be quite addictive! But it's a healthy snack option. You can never eat too much of it… I think?
Oh no, I wrote more than 100 words, but you put so much into your intro — a Renaissance woman! Please to meet you.
More than 100 words? I don't think anyone is really counting. Great to meet you too Natalie.
Great to meet you, Michelle! You are clearly a blogger of many talents… and in fewer than 100 words? That's impressive. 🙂
Ah, it's the lady intent on world domination via choc chip cookies… thanks for popping in! 🙂
Michelle, you are so upbeat and open and talented and funny and sweet. Great getting to know you better!
Thanks for the lovely compliment Emily! 🙂
I love your optimistic outlook!
Thanks Kathy!
Hi Michelle, thanks for coming by my blog. You sound very well rounded. Funny you don't like speaking in public, but you're a singer. I understand this, I'm the same way. I have no problem singing someone else's words, but to talk in front of people is terrifying. I've had to get over that for the writing biz though. Very nice to meet you. Good luck with the writing!
Hi Megan. I remember you as the lady with the snazzy name tag… from the PNW! Nice to meet you too!
I am so with you on the odd shyness thing! I love being in front of crowds (probably why I love teaching) but I get really weird about certain aspects of public speaking at times.
Nice to meet you!
Yay! The lady who has met the president! You also teach? I resigned from full-time teaching, and now I teach a few days a week… Great to meet you too!
Nicely done! And lovely to re-meet you. 🙂
Hey Shannon. Thanks for popping in. Now that A to Z sign-ups have started, you're going to be very busy… 🙂
Hi Michelle, it is very nice to meet you! We have a lot in common, except for the singing/entertaining part (I WISH!). Thank you so much for your visit the other day.
Kathy M.
Thanks for popping in Kathy!
Loved your intro post. You sound quite the earth mother.
Earth mother sounds ……. wholesome! Thanks for visiting Madeleine.
Thanks for sharing some details about yourself. I think we share a similar outlook on life as I'd also describe myself as optimistic-realistic and as a non-confrontational peacemaker and I appreciate anyone with a good work ethic and champions underdogs in society who don't have a voice. It's great that every week you're doing something that terrifies you. Challenges like that usually bring out the best in us.
It's great to get to know you. We have a lot in common. Well, not the singing part.
A very fun post and introduction to who you are– thanks for sharing and stopping by and reading so many blogs.