The Versatile Blogger Award

A million thanks for this tag go to Jenna, one of the most positive bloggers I’ve ever (virtually) met.

Her book reviews will want to make you read whatever she’s reading. If you haven’t visited her blog before, go now. I’ll wait.

Welcome back.

Here are the rules for this tag:

1. Thank the person who gave you the award.
2. Include a link to their blog.
3. Select 7 blogs/bloggers that you’ve recently discovered or follow regularly.
4. Nominate those bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award.
5. Finally, tell the person who nominated you 7 things about yourself.

My 7 facts triggered a lot of rants. This is the TONED-DOWN version.

 

I’m a picky eater

Even though I’m plant-based now, I don’t like mixing fruit and dessert.

I’ll pass on the cherry pie.

I won’t eat huckleberry ice cream.

That fruit platter with chocolate-covered strawberries you’re carrying BETTER BE A PRE-DESSERT SNACK.

Before going vegan, there were a lot of foods I had trouble eating because the texture grossed me out.

Chicken, for instance, I had a hard time swallowing.

Trying to choke down hard-boiled eggs and tropical bananas on a missions trip almost made me give up on food.

Don’t get me started on quinoa.

I used to feel a lot of shame for not liking the “right” foods. I hated that people didn’t consider me a “good” eater. I wasn’t just being stubborn! Lots of foods just disgust me!

I’ve (mostly) given myself permission to eat whatever I want and avoid foods I don’t like.

In other words, cashew milk over coconut milk ALWAYS.

 

I love pop music

I reject the philosophy that says “real” musicians are only allowed to enjoy certain genres.

Nope. Pass.

Give me Halsey, T-Swift, Walk the Moon, and Jon Bellion.

The more anthemic the song, the more I like it.

(“This is Me” from The Greatest Showman still prompts tears.)

I wish I could sing professionally

I have Broadway ambitions and a dive bar karaoke range.

My alto dooms me to low-register harmonies forever.

Riley Redgate’s Noteworthy, in which a bisexual alto infiltrates an all-male choir, fulfilled some of my unrealized dreams.

ONE OF THESE DAYS YOU FOOLS WILL APPRECIATE MY VOICE.

 

I’ve taken two years of improv classes

In college, I did church choir, worship team, concert band, marching band, and jazz band. After moving to Seattle, I wanted to find a performance outlet that didn’t rely on my musical abilities.

Enter improv.

I do a class every quarter and attend (and sometimes perform in) shows once or twice a week.

It’s both humiliating and exhilarating. If it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t do it.

 

I love the Great Indoors

Give me a mug of tea, a cozy blanket, and a good book.

Hell, turn on a movie. It doesn’t even have to be a good one.

I’ve wasted many hours following friends through the forest without feeling any closer to God.

Keep your rivers and roads. I’m good with a warm bath.

 

I’m taking an extended break from poetry and fiction

I went through a period of writing nonstop slam poetry and fanfiction.

From those genres, I started on several ambitious WIPs that later fizzled out.

I’ve tried starting other “serious” projects since then, but none have lasted very long.

I’m not sure why.

Poetry used to help me process difficult feelings and events; I rely on it less now that I’m in therapy and spend more time with friends.

For fiction, none of the ideas I come up with hold my attention.

Right now, blogging is my preferred creative outlet.

I’m also baking again and relearning how to knit.

I have no idea when I’ll return to fiction.

Speaking of baking…

 

I love to bake (strudels, scones, even apple pandowdy!)

Yeah. Surprise.

I used to be a Cook’s Illustrated Holiday Baking devotee.

I’m nowhere near as dedicated as the bakers on the Great British Bake-Off. I never weigh my ingredients and my baked goods rarely come out perfect.

I also don’t bake as often as I’d like; some recipes can be expensive and my tiny kitchen makes juggling ingredients difficult.

Still, I love finding new recipes that can be achieved with my limited expertise.

I’m on a vegan dessert kick; I love cooking dairy-free treats for my coworkers that actually taste good.

My latest recipe: Earl Grey cupcakes

My next recipe: Lemon cupcakes

Confession: I didn’t expect to use so much powdered sugar.

 

I tag:

Weird Zeal | Bubbly Booknerd | Kirsty’s Book Reviews | Degenerate Reads | Ace Reader | The Reading Anomaly | Brittany the Book Guru