Being Tori

I warned you all from the beginning—no one really cares what I have to say—but the kindness of strangers has forced me to come out of my snarky little shell and write an honest-to-goodness blog post.

What is this kindness I speak of? Who could have done this to me? The lovely Kristi over at HiddenStaircase went and nominated my blog for an award. My blog. An Award. The Liebster Award to be exact. She is far too kind (and probably a little crazy).

This award is meant to promote new and obscure blogs and bring new followers to their armies. I’ll take it. I need all the help I can get if I’m going to take over the world. But there are rules:

• Link back to the person who nominated you. check
• Give 11 random facts about yourself. check
• Answer 11 questions from your nominator. check
• Nominate 11 new and obscure bloggers. check
• Come up with 11 questions for them to answer. check
• Inform your nominees. check

So here we go. Please bear with me:

Random facts
1. I’m 5’2, but my license says I’m 5’5. Suckers.
2. I don’t drink enough water. I probably drink too much wine.
3. I always knock five times. Be aware that if someone says they’re me and they knock six times, they’re NOT me. Don’t open the door. Unless you know and like them. Then do whatever you want.
4. I can name all 50 states alphabetically. That’s impressive for a Canadian. I promise.
5. The Little Mermaid is my favourite Disney movie. Followed closely by The Lion King, and Beauty and the Beast, obviously.
6. I have a very difficult time trying to say the word ‘statistic’.
7. I was a student for twenty-one years straight. Technically I still am, but I’m finished classes forever. Booyah.
8. I just recently started reading the Harry Potter series for the first time. NO SPOILERS.
9. In just ten minutes I can walk from my home to the ocean. I could probably do it faster if I tried, but 10 minutes is good enough for me.
10. I’ve never been afraid of public speaking. I’m not very good at it, but it doesn’t scare me.
11. I’ve been to more European countries than I have Canadian provinces. I should probably do something about that.

Kristi’s questions
1. J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter Series or J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings?
I’ve never read Tolkien. That probably makes me a bad reader. So by default my answer is Harry Potter, but I really do love the series.
2. What is the number one book you always recommend when someone is looking for a great read?
The Glass Castle by Jeanneatte Walls. It’s amazing. Go buy it right now.
3. You can spend a day with one author (living or dead). Who do you pick and why?
Raymond Carver, author of the short story collection What We Talk About When We Talk About Love. I would like to know how he really felt about his editor Gordon Lish. There has been a lot of controversy over their relationship and Lish’s influence over Carver’s work since Carver passed.
4. If you could transport yourself into any book, where would you be?
Either Narnia or the island where the Swiss Family Robinson was shipwrecked.
5. I love books, but I also love a good TV show. What’s your favorite?
Shameless. William H. Macy is brilliant. Noel Fisher is stunning.
6. You are forced to pick one book genre to read for life. *gasp* What do you choose?
Before The Glass Castle I would have said literary fiction. Now I say memoir.
7. How many books do you read at one time?
Too many. Sometimes I come across a book that’s been kicked under my bed or left in an abandoned bag and realize it’s been months since I’ve picked it up. Right now I’m reading Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, Angela’s Ashes, and two manuscripts for work. 
8. Quick pick: Billy Joel or Elton John?
Elton John. Fun fact: My unofficial Bacon number is 4 because of Elton John.
9. What book are you looking forward to reading in 2015?
The rest of the Harry Potter Series, Winter by Marissa Meyer, and Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson.
10. When you’re not reading, what is your favorite thing to do?
Nap. I love me a good nap.
11. The Doctor shows up with the TARDIS, and invites you to travel in time with him for one round trip. Where do you go?
Elizabethan England to see an original Shakespeare play.

My new and obscure nominees
[Disclaimer—I have no idea if these are new enough or obscure enough for this award, but I like them, so there.]
Ramble Ramble Rosie
Babbleworthy
Red Carpet Square
Notes From The Cupcake Rescue League
AnnTogether
By Hook or by Book
Reading, reading, reading all day long
Short Story Long
The Bookish Universe
Inked Words and Wrinkles
Away in Neverland 

My questions
1. Why did you create your blog? When did you start it?
2. Other than reading, blogging, and watching tv, how do you fill your time?
3. As pleased as you are about this nomination, do you wish I hadn’t nominated you? Go ahead. Be honest. This award is a lot of work.
4. Has blogging created a community around you that you never expected? Or are you a [wo]man on an island surrounded by a sea of blog posts?
5. Can you list all 50 states alphabetically?
6. My blog is directly related to my day job—what do you do for a living? Is it reflected in your blog?
7. Quick decision: Friends or Seinfeld?
8. Are you a roadtripper? Do you use maps or just go where the road takes you? Where was your last adventure?
9. How do you spend your Sundays?
10. Can you juggle?
11. What is the one saying your grandparents always said that stuck with you?

I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did. Again, a huge thank you to Kristi for the nomination. I really do appreciate it! As for the rest of you, I’d love if you commented with a link to your post. I’m curious to see your questions and answers. And now I’m off to read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.