An Awarding Experience

I really don't know how it always happens, but it makes me happy, happy, happy that some people like my blog enough to want to award it. One of these people is Gabriela from The Clueless Pixie, who honoured this space with the Liebster. 
Now I know people do not appreciate long thank-you speeches, so I will just quickly say how chuffed I am to have received this big fat heart of bloggy love and how flattered and amazed I am by the words Gabriela chose to describe All The Live Long Day. And then I will move on to the questions that she asked me to answer in return for accepting. But beware. I wrote an essay for most all of them! ***

Well... I've had my ears pierced in 5 places and used to wear a nose stud, too. I wear earrings every day, and necklaces, brooches or bracelets often. While I am writing this, I have a turquoise strand of fake hair clipped to my scalp and am sporting green nail polish. This year, I would really love to finally get a tattoo. So I guess I'd say I am inclined to be in favour of adornment!

I am not sure about this. I really don't like using Facebook all that much, but I have made some really good connections through Twitter, Instagram (when it wasn't owned by Facebook) and of course, my blog. I think if you really care about the people you like, follow or 'befriend' and don't just do that because you want to look popular, social networking can add value to your life. The best example is my Twitter list for people and organisations that are local to me. I find out about a lot of events in my area through it and have actually met a few of my "neighbours" because of it. I feel more involved with my community, and that is definitely positive. 

Again, not sure, but I always liked the characters in Astrid Lindgren's books. Pippi Longstocking, obviously. Also the less-known ones like Emil or Ronja. They seemed to have the perfect childhoods to me. Growing up independently, always up for adventure, running around, surrounded by nature and even though they did not often do what the adults expected of them, they always were forgiven in the end and you could tell their families loved them, really. I think they were brilliant role models.

I am new to electronic reading, as I have only had my eReader since Christmas. I wasn't sure if I even wanted one for the longest time. I'm an ex-bookseller and also old-fashioned, so I could never imagine liking the experience. I think reading a real book engages more of my senses, and thus is better for my soul. But I definitely would not want to give back my little electronic library either, as it's so convenient. They're different experiences, but both have a place in my life.

Another grey area. I've grown up with IKEA, and still have a lot of their stuff in my home. It's like it's become a part of me! Each new catalogue feels like a little life event to me. I like that they carry affordable, interesting furniture. I like assembling the flatpacks. Yes, really. I like he meatballs and the hot dogs. And the bread mix they sell! It's like German bread! I like that Marco and I now seem to be able to go together without ending up having a fight. I like that they seem to care about ethical manufacturing and shopping. I don't like the mayhem that goes on inside the shop on the weekend or evenings. I don't like that they are now skimping on material to be able to stay affordable. I do not like the hassle that you can have with customer service. 

Depends on the people! If they are horrible, stinky, piss-drunk, abusive, bad-shit-crazy or all of the above, I would rather they did not bother me. If they are lovely, I welcome random conversations. Like the other day, when a gorgeous Italian lady asked me where she needed to get off, and it evolved into us knowing each others names and having a conversation about cheating boyfriends and following our dreams. That was nice.

I like it if books are really imaginative and take me to another world, like Life Of Pi did, for example. It does not literally have to be another world, even though I like Fantasy and SF, but I like reading about things that I do not know much about already. Like when I read The Lacuna and learnt about Frida Kahlo and the Mexican revolution. Or when I read Mildred Pierce and learnt about being a businesswoman in the 1930s. I also really appreciate good use of language, be it in a poetical or grammatical sense. I do not care for books that are badly written, even if the story interests me.

Lists! Lists and silence and alone time.

I like fall. The fresh clean air, the colours, the smells. It comes with opportunities to light a fire, drink hot chocolate and get cosy. I think it suits my melancholy disposition, as it's the time of year when nature goes into introvert mode and starts replenishing all its strength for the coming spring. To me, it's a time of reflection and promise.

French. I've tried, too. It just never seems to stick much. And I can't get my head around the grammar. Or the counting! If only I could live in Paris for a year, I'm sure I could pick it up... I'm not much of a classroom learner. Quel domage.

Maybe tolerance? I try to be open-minded and accepting. I want to hear both sides of a story before making my mind up about somebody. Sadly, this sometimes works better with the people around me than with myself. ***
And now for some blogs that I think deserve an award. I've done this before, and I think you already know the people that I have been reading for a while, so I wanted to list a few places that are new and exciting to me.
The Clueless Pixie - I know, Gabriela passed on the award, so she obviously already has one herself, but please go and visit her! She's a very intelligent writer on any subject, and I appreciate her dry sense of humour and her photography.
Aimee J Arnold - Actually, Aimee was one of my first readers, but has now picked up blogging with full force. She is a really talented crocheter and artist, a mom of four and also fairly deadpan. What can I say, I like a girl with a sense of humour!
Thrift Street - Here you will mainly find delicious, down-to-earth food on a budget. And some knitting. I feel really welcome and at home whenever I visit those pages. And last year, I was even inspired to make rose hip syrup.
Kitty Cat Stevens - Jenna is just really, really nice. She loves cats (her Olive is beautiful) and is a marshmallow maker (yup!). She also takes wonderful photos and shares stories about her life in Tennessee. Go swoon!
Loulou Downtown - First off, Loulou gets a bonus for being Canadian, We all know they're lovely. Secondly, she is quite cool. She has a great dress sense, a fantastic eye for urban photography and plays in a band!  This combined with her fondness for cats and vintage things made me want to be friends.
As I have made my head hurt by writing this much, please accept my apologies for not thinking of eleven new questions to pass on. If you want to participate, please could you just go with Gabriela's set or have a look here? Thanks bunches!


© Text & Photos - Annika - All The Live Long Day (unless otherwise stated).