Awards for Me = Fun New Reading for You

I recently got a little award from the lovely Lori at A Double Shot of Espresso, and I'm supposed to pass it on to ten bloggers I love to read. Coincidentally, I've been thinking recently that I really need to update my blogroll because I've discovered so many new and wonderful writers since I put that together. So, in no particular order, here are ten of my newest favorites -- ones you'll be delighted to check out if you haven't already. I recommend having a box of tissues handy, though, if you click on through. Because some of them are very touching writers, and you'll need a hanky, and others are so darn funny that you'll thank me later for for the foresight to provide you with a means of wiping the coffee splutters off your keyboard.

1. Is there any mommy out there?
2. Deb on the Rocks
3. June Cleaver Nirvana
4. Life Just Keeps Getting Weirder
5. Bern This
6. Motherhood in NYC
7. Missives from Suburbia
8. Secret Spineless Whine
9. Sweet Juniper
10. Venus in Combat Boots

So, any of you above who like little bits of bling, please accept this award. Those of you reading? Enjoy yourselves immensely.

Now for Bling #2.
I got this award from DCUrbanDad, with this explanation:
"This award shows the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, literal, ethical and personal values every day."

Laws a' Mercy, this one is supposed to be passed on to 15 MORE bloggers!

I don't mean to be cranky about an award -- but who in his/her right mind invents one that is supposed to be be passed on to fifteen other people? (In DCUrban Dad's defense, this is not his explanation or rule; it's merely one he quoted from whomever passed the award on to him; who surely quoted it from whomever gave it to her; and so on and so on and so forth, to quote the King of Siam. So, please, DCUrban, don't think I'm aiming cranky your way. I'm really very touched that you like me enough to give me an award for values of any kind.)

But I have to ask: who transmits "literal" values on a blog anyway? Is it supposed to say "literary"? And if not, what ARE "literal values"?

I can't possibly bestow this on 15 people without making enemies, so I'm going to give it to the people who I think will best appreciate an award that looks like a typewriter on fire releasing clouds of toxic fumes. My twist on this award, then, is that it goes to the people whose literal values include a very very fine sense of humor (yes there is some overlap with the list above; these people are funny enough to list twice): Marinka, Mr. Lady, ShallowGal, TexasHolly, Jessica, Anne Nahm, BusyDad, HappyHourSue, Deb, and The Bloggess.

If you're in need of a good solid snort of laughter, do yourself a favor and check them out sometime.

Also, if you're excited about lots of new links, you could do me a favor and go follow my new reviews site, so you don't miss any of the (occasional) posts and giveaways that go up there. It's a little lonely, what with its ZERO followers. Thanks.

And finally, can anyone explain to me why sometimes Blogger blogs will show up with no posts on their home page these last few days? Header and sidebar looks fine; individual post titles can be clicked on and show up, but the main page shows no posts at all. Bizarre, I tell you. Beee-zarrrrre.