Author: Joshua G. J. Insole

Another nice post to be making, in between all of the scary stuff! In addition to Chris nominating me for the Liesbter Award, PJ has nominated me for the Real Neat Blog Award! First of all, thanks so much, PJ — it really means a lot! Having two of these things in a week really put a smile on my face. If you haven’t already, I heartily recommend paying PJ’s blog a visit — it’s full of incredible poetry! PJ’s words are honest and sincere, and possess a quiet profundity that I think is really rare. So be sure to check out PJ’s work!

The rules for the Real Neat Blog Award are fairly similar to the Liebster Award:

1. Put the award logo on your blog.
2. Answer the 7 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
3. Thank the person who nominated you and add a link to their blog.
4. Nominate any number of people, linking to their blogs and let them know you nominated them by commenting on their blogs.
5. Come up with 7 questions for the people you nominated

So, let’s answer PJ’s questions! PJ asked some really insightful questions, and I’ve tried to be as honest as possible!

What are 3 things we can’t live without?

The biologist in me wanted to start listing the technical requirements for life, but anyone can pick up a textbook and find those out. 😉 For me, I think the top three things that I couldn’t live without would be:

1. Love — I cannot imagine a life without my partner
2. Music — a life without Pink Floyd or David Bowie or The Smiths? No thanks!
3. Books — who’d want to live in a world where neither King nor Pratchett put pen to paper?

Who do you wish could live forever?

Stephen King! His books were the first ‘adult’ books I read, in that awkward phase between childhood and adulthood — I was searching for a novel that appealed to me, and then boom, I read The Shining. Life was never the same, for 14-year-old me! Everything King writes is (in my opinion) gold. Plus, he writes faster than I can read! I don’t know how he does it. I hope he can keep pumping out novels for ever…

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Oh, I have so many. I guess my biggest one would be people who make loud noises in quiet places. For example: people who talk loudly in libraries, people who have conversations over their phone’s loudspeaker whilst sitting in the quiet zone of the train, people who blast obnoxious music from their car, etc. I guess my biggest pet peeve is just inconsiderate people!

Name a memory that changed you in some way and why.

Sitting in the sun with my grandmother, after we’d both been for a swim. We sat there, letting the sun dry us, talking about nothing in particular — just enjoying the good weather and each other’s company.

I think this memory taught me of what’s really important — loved ones and happiness. And the importance of just relaxing and having a moment to catch your breath!

Night owl or early bird?

Night owl by nature! The darkness just feels right — not in a spooky way, either. I guess I’m just a nyctophile!  However, I’m learning to appreciate the mornings more, as I get older. I try to not sleep in too much, anymore. I’m starting to enjoy the productivity that can be found in the daylight!

If you could travel to anywhere (for free) in the world, where would you go?

I’ve done a fair bit of travelling already, but there’s still so many places that I haven’t been. It’s my goal to have visited everywhere at least once before I die. If I could pick one place right now, I guess I’d pick the Phi Phi Islands in Thailand.

What’s your inspiration?

Honestly? Everything. From the book I’m currently reading (Cormac McCarthy’s No Country For Old Men), to the TV series I’m watching (Disenchantment), to the music I’m currently jamming (Anthrax’s Among the Living album, Ghost’s Seven Inches of Satanic Panic EP, Foals’ latest singles from their upcoming album Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost — Part 2, and Michael Kiwanuka’s You Ain’t the Problem), to the time of year and the weather — Josh in the sunny summer has very different creative ideas compared to Josh in the blustery autumn!

My seven questions:

1) What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? If given the chance, would you do it again?

2) If you were to meet a genie, what three things would you wish for?

3) Do you consider yourself to be an introvert or an extrovert?

4) In the future, humanity makes contact with an intergalactic alien species. You get the honour of presenting five pieces of art (music, books, TV shows, movies, etc.) — what do you pick?

5) What is the accomplishment you’re most proud of?

6) If you could rid the world of one thing, what would it be?

7) If animals could speak human languages, which species would be the rudest?

My nominations:

• Gary Jefferies — not only is Gary a tremendously friendly guy, but he writes some terrific stories! Be sure to check out his work. Also, head on over to the community of writers that Gary is building with Rachael Ritchey (whom you should also check out) — BlogBattlers! They have monthly prompts, and it’s a lot of fun participating.
• PMu — there’s some absolutely gorgeous artwork on this blog. Just go and have a look. Take my word for it.
• Floating Gold — I found Floating Gold through the aforementioned BlogBattle. Like Gary, Floating Gold writes some amazing stories, and I cannot recommend them enough. So pop on over and have a read!
• Seolin Jung — An Alien at Sea’s blog contains some amazingly creative pieces of fiction. Seolin’s work often broaches the topics of mental health and other such emotionally-charged subjects — always handled in a caring and intelligent manner. Have a read!

As with the other award nomination, there’s no pressure at all to make a response post! This is meant to be lighthearted and fun. If you do decide to make a response post, get silly with it and have fun! Have a good one!