Wednesday 16 January 2013

Big hats, Volcanoes and Addiction

Blogs come and go, don't they? Sometimes a blogger falls off the screen and you wonder, Did Something Awful Happen? Or did they just grow sick of pumping out words into the crammed and fusty blogosphere?

Sometimes I wonder: Are we just patting each other on the back, handing around the mike at a morning brunch of wives? Or are we doing something grittier - really getting somewhere with our lives? Throwing out concrete suggestions and support that strikes a chord?

I know that as far as writing is concerned I've made some good mates. Upon whom I can count at shaky moments. Who'll forgive me for a bad joke or a slip in taste; a bit of ego rubbing.

Kimberly Sullivan, Rome-based writer whom I met at the Matera Women's Fiction Festival in September, has pinned an Addictive Blogger Award on this blog and I'm rather pleased. I love Kimberly's blog (though it makes me feel like the laziest expat stuck in Italy) and especially her travel posts. They read so well when I'm snuggled up with my iPad.

All I have to do now is tell you Why I Blog and nominate 10 blogs I'm addicted to.

I started this blog a couple of years back when I signed my contract for the publication of The Divorced Lady's Companion to Living in Italy. I was clueless. I wanted to conjure up a voice that spoke of the book, but that also spoke about living in Italy as a well-travelled older female who still cracks jokes that nobody understands. I wanted to talk about books, about publication and promotion, about morale, (even morals!) and as I scroll through my posts I see I have rambled about such rocket-science subjects as cherry picking and being told I was driving with my uterus! (I do also have another, serious blog for my forthcoming, serious book of short stories peltandotherstories, which talks about short stories and living in exile.) Now that the book has been out for six months I'm still clutching to the themes of life as an expat in a rowdy country, raising bi-lingual teens, wearing big hats and playing Scarlatti, and being an accomplished, creative and naughty woman.

Next I have to nominate 10 blogs that have me hooked. This makes me sad. Because I don't read blogs every day. In fact I BAN MYSELF from reading blogs every day as already the washing pile is up to the ceiling and don't ask me for socks. And I know there are many more than 10 that I flit between. Here goes. I won't mention blogs I've already tagged, but if I've missed you out don't be disgruntled. I'm scatty as a snowflake at the moment. Can't even count.

un'americana a roma - Shelley on how to be a sassy Roman
averildean - I adore Averil, and her birthday is the same as mine
downith - the way Downith describes her kids just cripples me!
finding myself in france - a giraffe-eye view of not France but la Suisse
gwenmoss - refined, insightful, soothing
macdougalstreetbaby - creative photographs from a creative powerhouse
postcard pictures - makes this Sydney chick mighty homesick
tania writes - short stories and flash fiction mostly (see also theshortreview.com)
carterlibrary - wisdom, books and gorgeous dogs
thatswhy - Lisa makes me feel we are both such whacko mothers
wayfaring chocolate - Hannah makes me want dahl at 9 in the morning!
whispering gums - WG reviews books the way they should be reviewed

In truth I am addicted to so many blogs, I just don't get around to reading as much as I'd like. And remember my internet connection is slower than that tractor over there.

Oh, all you guys have to do is put up the tag if you like, tell us why you blog and nominate ten more blogs, that way you'll broaden our appreciation of this art form. If not, no worries!

23 comments:

  1. I think the Addictive blog award that you received Cat is truly deserved. I love your 'voice' on this blog. Your posts are always interesting reading.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow thank you Cathy! I must get back to reading your blog too. Not enough hours in the day and I'm permanently sidetracked. Hope all is going well for you xcat

      Delete
  2. Wow, what a nice thing to stumble on. Thanks Cat, for including me on your list. I'm wearing a big, goofy smile right now. And I'm looking forward to discovering some new blogs to read.
    xo
    Leslie (aka Gwen Moss)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm pretty sure you'll like them all. There are more but these are the ones that came to mind first. Sorry haven't even had time to email you I'm on a mission! Xxcat

      Delete
  3. Well done you!!! I am afraid to admit a blogger that fell off the wagon - so much has happened and not happened over the last 12 months my motivation truly has waned - I still check my stats though and are continually surprised that I get 2500 views per month. The blogosphere is a strange place!!
    Ciao
    Ingrid

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is indeed. And maybe the time will come when you can turn those 2500 hits into something else? I remember reading yours ages ago and thinking Wow whatta gal! And now I've met you - even shoe-shopped in a minor way (I'm sure we can apply ourselves more next time). Now that's the craziness of blogging, hey? Hope all is cool. Not cold! xxcat

      Delete
    2. Grazie Cat! At the moment I am scaring myself by researching and writing my Vampire novel at night - I must try and do other things at night! More cold than cool here and unfortunately I am not sure I have room for more shoes at the moment - although maybe ONE pair of summer heels may be a must have :) xo

      Delete
    3. Vampire research at night! Be careful what you wish for.. I bet you come up with some authentic words.

      As for shoes I'm at a trade fair in Paris with all of next year's winter trends so I'll help you make an informed choice. I'm on fashion overkill and it's snowing outside. C'est chouette! Xxcat

      Delete
    4. Fantastic - lucky you!! Enjoy!! I think a friend of mine is there too - look out for an Interior Design Stand with the name MUMO xo

      Delete
    5. Might take a look but would involve a lengthy hobble. It's huge! And my poor poor feet in those heels .. X

      Delete
  4. Glad to see this well-deserved emblem on your site, Catherine. It was a stroke of luck to meet you in Matera, and I’ve really enjoyed following your blog – and await your visit to our Rome writing group. The beauty of this award is seeing my favorite bloggers selecting their favorites, too. The possibilities for procrastinating for hours on end when I should be doing hateful revisions is endless. : )

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad I met you at Matera too! I'm missing that sort of concentrated energy badly right now too. I should be galloping into my new project or at least deciding which one to push but I too am the queen of procrastination. Perhaps we can all lecture each other when I gatecrash your writers' group?

      I'm really enjoying yours too although it makes me itch to travel - mais sans enfants! Xcat

      Delete
  5. You ARE addictive, so much so that I keep you tucked in my mailbox like a little treat to be opened when I've got my feet up and a fresh cup of coffee. Two addictions in one, you see.

    Thank you for including me, chickadee.

    XO

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Have just read yours and it's always a lovely hit. Am sitting in Paris at the trade fair in a sexy dress ! Xxcat

      Delete
  6. Grazie,grazie, grazie! Thank you, thank you, thank you - what an accolade - and in such company! Love your blog and even more - loving your book - as a single Mum I can relate on so many levels. You have a wonderful way of looking at life. Never change - Look after your sore feet and thank you again and love from Sydney. F xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for such a lovely comment Francesca and we must catch up next time I make it to Sydney. I love your vision and your work and tante grazie for reading my book. Do laugh! If I run away to Paris (again) I'll have write a French edition! Lots of love from a very hip bar where I've been parked for hours xxcat

      Delete
  7. Hey Cat,
    Thanks for the nomination. Will get to this soonish.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hoarding and the starkness of the paperless office are two extremes of the same problem: our culture's loss of connection to the importance of healthy emotional, spiritual and human attachment. When we don't know what to hold on to, we become addicted to things that we don't really need. Likewise, when we become overly detached, nothing matters.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you my dear not-quite-so-far-away-now friend! I'm truly honoured to be a part of your wondrous line-up. I am tremendously behind in blogging my adventures at present, and quite enjoying immersing myself in Real Life (though I'm not quite as strong as you are in being able to not read blogs every day! [That was a terribly-constructed sentence.]), so I'm not quite sure if I'll be able to get to blogging this myself soon, but I truly truly truly appreciate it. You have brought a great big smile to my night! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Hannah, no worries at all do enjoy your Australia Day in a new place and smile on, eat well, and tell me about it! Good luck with absolutely everything and I still haven't told your Mum!! Xcat

      Delete
  10. Oh I've had blogging friends who have just disappeared mid conversation and it's awful not knowing what happened and if they are okay. Keeping up with everyone can be a full time job as well as the socks, and posting just sometimes goes sideways around here, still love your blog and already know some of your ten, ciao for now, love lisa

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Lisa! I also feel bad if I don't keep up once I've shown my face and then I too worry if someone disappears. It's a loose but lovely connection, very sideways I'd say, and you should see my unruly sock basket at home! Lots of love and good luck with getting things sorted for the big flight xxcat

      Delete