It’s been quite some time since I’ve played the game of tag. Honestly, I prefer it that way. Even though the distraction from my everyday ho-hum was kind of nice, I don’t think any of you would care to be tagged. So, I’m skipping part.

The Rules  (Post these rules if you are tagged):

1. The #1 Rule is there are NO RULES!
2. Post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in the post you were tagged in
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!

Remember, rule #1 said there were “No rules.” Therefore, I am breaking a few of the non-rules listed about.

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It’s been a while since I’ve been graced with an invitation to the Blog Games. This one, deemed the “Sunshine Award,” is simply a way to highlight those who, as Runner Susan puts it, “give good blog.” I am honored that Irene has put me in this category — although this isn’t quite how she put it. Any-who, if you find your name on this list below, you have been invited to play along.

Here are the rules:

• Add the logo to your blog
• Pass the “Sunshine Award” to 10 bloggers
  • Link to your nominees within your blog post
  • Let them know by commenting on their blog

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Last week, I had an interesting conversation where the concept of personal branding came up.  I was amused as only recently Lil Sis and I sat laughing at how many of the items listed on the 10 things you need to stop tweeting about list I routinely break.  Clearly, branding is not a concept in my forefront.  Or is it?

Certainly I am guilty of talking up my workouts in this blog as well as the social media sites I am involved in.  This is a running blog after all.   In blogging my running adventures, I share both the good and the bad.  My intent is to inspire you, but also to ask for encouragement from you.  Perhaps it is more about the relationship than running.

While the rest of my blogging (or tweeting), varied as it is, may seem as far off the topic of running it is absolutely related.  It is the reason I run: from the more obvious emptiness I am left with in being widowed to waking up to find dog poop on my kitchen floor.  Essentially, it is life.  As I noted here, my view is that life is a journey where parts “are beautiful and others that are darn right ugly.”  It is the same with me.

This blog, as I’ve said many times before, is for me — providing an outlet, much as running does, which exercises my mind instead of my physical body.  The relationship that I have with you, my readers, allows me to find my voice.

If I was to describe the personal brand that I have been putting out, be it conscious or not, I would have to describe it as “real life.”  Some days I am beautiful, and other times as far from it as possible.  I try hard, succumb to apathy, succeed, and fail.  I am just me.

If it is perfection what you are seeking, I am not your gal and this is not what you will find here.  If you can put up with the varied topics that I write on (perhaps skipping past those that you cannot relate to, or possibly offend you) than I am thrilled to have some company on this journey I am on.

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You all can think 21st Century Mom for this little ditty.

RULES: list 5 things you’re “addicted” to, then bestow the honor on five of your favorite bloggers (even though you have a million favorite bloggers).

1. Facebook would have to top the list.  I can’t keep away, even when I really try.  If I am not allowed to post updates on FB, I move to Twitter.  It’s not that I think that people care what I’m doing.  It is that I need to free my mind from the bottle neck of random thoughts.
2. Running:  I need my running fix less I start twitching and lashing out at everyone around me.  My Mom used to ground me from running when I was a teenager.  My husband used to send me out running when ever I was getting too bitchy.
3. Random Photos: I love to take pictures of random things, or of myself (everywhere I go).  They are for the blog and often don’t get used for weeks to months after I take them.  Recently, I started sharing them on FB (see item #1)
4. Coffee:  must have or else.  It calms me almost as much as it stimulates my mind.
5. Music: YaYa and I dock myPhone and play songs while we get ready in the morning.  We sing and dance.   We also do this same song and dance where ever we go.

Tag: Irene, Dori, Wes, Terry and Dianne