Blogger Awards and Blog Culture – LLOYD'S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY LLC

200 FOLLOWERS!!

I am truly blessed by the warm reception that I’ve received on WordPress, Facebook and my blog in general. Early on I had commented that if you try to be a high quality individual that you will draw high quality individuals to yourself. My dear followers you have proven me to be correct beyond my wildest dreams. Thank you so much! 💓💕💞

You can also find me on Facebook

As a photographer I don’t like to put myself in a box. My ultimate goal is to make a living with my camera. If you’re within 50 miles of Summersville West Virginia I’m available for family sittings, individual portraits and events.

Please use the contact form on my site 😁 by clicking on the blue letters here.

Two Sunshine Blogger Awards in one week

Blogger Awards and Blog Culture

I want to give a big thank you to Bartek for not only nominating me for a Sunshine Blogger Award and for the opportunity to take part in some creative writing. (The link takes you to part one of Unknown Destiny team write)

If you could hear colours, how would your favourite colour sound? A) I think green sounds like a shady spot on a warm day
If you could enter a world from a book or movie, what would it be? A) I think I could live in the world of Star Trek without too much “tribble” 😉
When reading this sentence. ‘Proper punctuation makes all the difference between a sentence that’s well written, and a sentence that’s, well, written.’ do you feel like you need to work on it like me? A) yes, I rely heavily on my wife to be my editor.
Midas touch or healing touch? A) HEALING TOUCH EVERY TIME
If life could have background music, but only 3 songs, what would they be? A) I’m not sure. But I would need one high energy song, one song for romance and one worship song
Your 1 wish can come true, no limits, what would it be? A) Solomon wished for wisdom and by it he gained everything else.
If you could become an animal/creature, real or mythological what would you be? A) I’m going to cheat a little bit and say a shape shifter like Odo from Space 9.
Over one night you can learn 3 out of 6909 languages that are spoken in the world today. What are they? A) Algonquin, Gaelic and Latin
What superpower do you desire? A) flight
Which of your blog posts are you most proud of? A) I don’t think I have a a favorite post but working with stone has been the most popular most popular. https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/2018/02/25/working-with-stone-and-hearts-of-stone-too
Did you ever experience unexplained/paranormal event? can you describe it? A) I had a close encounter of the first kind. It was a classic red orb ufo that lit up the whole mountain. I am experienced with military flares and it was no flare. However, I do think that it’s earthly technology that has not been introduced to the public.

And as usual, I am leaving it up to voluntarily tagging yourself. Just leave a comment below so I can see who picks up the challenge 😁

Sunshine Blogger Awards number one

Blogger Awards and Blog Culture

I want to thank Sophia for the Sunshine Blogger Award and especially for the kind words she used to describe my blog. I always look forward to her posts as well. Please visit Sophia’s blog and you’ll see right away what makes her special!

And Her Questions Are:

1) What is something that excites you these days?
A) The idea of homesteading.
2) What is your spirit animal?
A) I guess I’m going with my Border Beagle. He was a gift from God.
3) What is the best advice someone has given you?
A) I was taught the difference between being told what to think and how to think.
4) What was your first blog post and would you change anything about it now?
A) My first post was rather bland.
5) What is your favorite post ever written?
A) I don’t think I have a a favorite post but working with stone has been the most popular most popular.
https://lloydslensphotographyllc.com/2018/02/25/working-with-stone-and-hearts-of-stone-too/
6) Which philosopher just gets you?
A) I’ve never studied philosophy formally. Most of my ideals are biblical. My core beliefs include personal autonomy and a distaste for anything that interferes with a natural state of being.
7) Where are you from?
A) West Virginia, USA.
8) What inspired you to start blogging?
A) I sell prints of my photography. My blog is basically advertising for my business.
9) Who is your favourite person in the world and why?
A) My Wife Angela. Why? We have true love. True love doesn’t just happen. It’s continuing process.
10) How would the people closest to you describe you?
A) I hope that they would say that I’m a good person in spite of my many flaws.
11) Invent your own question and answer it!
A). It was suggested that I tell a little bit about a prank involving a fake snake. This is a pretty common prank in my area. I have some friends who are only afraid of three kinds of snakes.
1. Live ones.
2. Dead ones.
3. And Fake Ones!
In the 90s I was on the overnight crew of a large store. I was stocking some shelves and found a damaged bag of balloons which would need to be turned back in to the supplier for a credit. There was balloons of every color include one long, slender, black balloon. It got my attention because it seemed out of place in the colorful bag of rainbow colors and short round festive bubbles if joy. My inner villain began to form a master plan. I snickered as I tucked the odd balloon in my shirt pocket. I coolly began to ask my coworkers if they knew anything about a snake being spotted in the warehouse. In reality we had a mouse problem and when there’s mice the snakes will follow. There was lots of denial and calls of B.S. but soon I heard people asking each other and I knew my trap was set. Everyone was in the break room for lunch when I blew up the balloon and knelt down outside of the door. Feigning panic I screamed “I told you that there’s a snake in the store!” and released the jet powered rubber torpedo into the room. I was rewarded with the chaos that I sought to induce as soda bottles and plastic forks filled the air. One person was even setting in a chair climbing up an invisible tree. One person who was the oldest and wise was not fooled however. It’s said that youthful vigor can never overcome experience and treachery and that is the truth. She didn’t panic at all. Without missing a beat (no pun intended) she faked a heart attack! She won final victory in the prank war to say the least. 😂

Okay folks, as regular followers know I’m uncomfortable tagging others. As usual, I’m leaving it open to voluntarily picking up the challenge. Just use the same questions as above and above and leave a link in the comments so I can see your answers. The challenge is open to the public so feel to introduce yourself 😁

TAGGED FOR TMI.

Blogger Awards and Blog Culture

Thank you Apple Rae for the Tag. I really am humbled anytime a follower wants to get to know me better.

A quick word about the image above. It has nothing to do with the Tag. I just wanted to publish it. 😁

Q. What are you currently wearing?

A. An old pair of comfy Shorts and my oversized green tee shirt

Q. Have you ever been in love?

A. I still am. With my lovely wife 😍

Q. Have you ever had a terrible breakup?

A. Yes, it nearly destroyed me.

Q. How old are you?

A. Old enough to know better but still too young to care. LOL. (49 almost 50)

Q. How tall are you?

A. 6 feet, 3 inches (Almost 2 meters)

Q. How much do you weigh?

A. 260 lbs (Almost 118kg)

Q. Do you have any piercings?

A. No body art. Just scars.

Q. What’s your favourite drink?

A. Black Coffee

Q. What’s you favourite song?

A. It depends on my mood.

Q. What’s your zodiac sign?

A. Leo

Q. How long does it take you to shower?

A. Until the water gets cold if I have a choice.

Q. What’s your favourite show?

A. Big Bang Theory.

Q. What’s your favourite band?

A. I don’t really have one. Metallica comes pretty close.

Q. Something you really miss?

A. Tranquil environments.

Q.Where do you go when you’re sad?

A. I sit in my recliner with my dog.

Q. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

A. Make breakfast, pack lunch, care for ” the double good doggy”, Scout. 45 minutes.

Q. Have you ever been in a physical fight?

A. Not in my adult life.

Q. What turns you on?

A. 🤐 skip

Q. What turns you off?

A. When someone is manipulative.

Q. Qualities you look for in a partner?

A. Things are little different at my age. I have been in a marriage for almost 30 years so she must be very patient and forgive easily.

Q. What’s your favourite colour?

A. I like to wear green.

Q. Loud music or soft?

A. My music is a reflection of my emotional state. Sometimes soft but usually loud.

Q. Favourite quote?

A. There’s no such thing as a magic bullet.

Q. Favorite actor?

A. I don’t really have one.

Q.Do you have any fears?

A. Not really. However, I believe that nothing is the worst thing that could ever happen. If a good thing happened then, great! If a bad thing happened there’s still an opportunity for a positive reaction. But if nothing happens then nothing changes and there’s no opportunity for growth.

Q. What’s the last thing that made you cry?

A. When I mashed my toe.

Q. Last time you said you loved someone?

A. About 5 minutes ago.

Q. Last book you read?

A. I don’t really have time for reading for pleasure. A few years ago I had The Silmarillion on an audio book so I could listen while working.

Q.The book you’re currently reading? A. Downtime issues. See above.

Q. Last show you watched? A. Star Trek
Last place you were? Currently here and prior to that here…:) The barber shop.

Q. Last sport you played?

A. When I’m not at my day job I live a fairly solitary life. The closest things to sports are either tug of war with Scout (my dog) or throwing my Atlatl. My wife and I are involved in the shooting sports. (Common in my area. ) but rarely get a chance to do it.

Q. Who’s the last person you talked to?

A. My Wife

Q. The last song you sang?

A. Front to Back by the Kinks

Q. Favorite chat up line?

A. LOL, I don’t really have one. It’s been a very long time since I needed one.

Q.Do you have a crush?

A. No, I have true love.

Q. The relationship between you and the person you last texted?

A My Wife

Q. Favourite food? A. Bacon

Q. Place you want to visit?

A. In a perfect world I want to see everything.

Q. What’s the last time you kissed someone?

A. This morning.

Q. Last time you were insulted?

A. Yesterday.

Q. Favourite sweet?

A. As a diabetic I have to avoid sweets. I occasionally mix peanut butter or pumpkin with whip cream.

Q.What instruments do you play?

A. Does drumming my fingers count?

Q.Favorite piece of jewellery?

A. My wedding ring. However, in my culture the men don’t often ware jewelry unless it serves a purpose.

Q. Last time you hung out with anyone?

A. I’m fairly solitary. I hangout with coworkers at break on my day job. That’s about it.

Well, the rules say that I’m supposed to tag other bloggers. For reasons that I’ve previously stated I’m not comfortable with tagging other people. It’s not that I don’t want to learn more about you but so many of you have been tagged already that it seems redundant. However, if nobody has tagged you and you want to be tagged then consider yourself tagged. Just please let me know by posting a link in the comments 😁

Also, I am going to start doing a monthly shout out to my followers. The idea is to build a community around our blogs and give everyone a chance to get to know each other and showcase their work. If you’re interested then just drop me an EMAIL so I can get an idea of how much interest there is to do this. 😁

Challenge accepted 2.11.18

Blogger Awards and Blog Culture, Uncategorized

Hello Friends!

I was given a direct challenge to answer the questions posed by Zankhana Goyal in her Sunshine Blogger/Liebester Award post.

What are some things you haven’t seen or read, but know everything about because of popular culture? A. To be completely honest I’m not really interested in what most people consider pop culture. I know that sounds odd but I always have had a non conformist streak to my personality the made me reject a large portion of the populist mindset.

2. What advice can you give to new bloggers?

A. I’m a relatively new blogger myself. But, because my life experience has been working directly with the public for 30 years I think that I can say it’s all about perception. Be yourself. Be honest with your following. They chose you for a reason so try to be consistent with your interaction.

3. What is the one thing you wish people knew about you?

A. When I’m blunt about an opinion it’s not because I’m angry or upset etc . I simply have no other way to express myself or the subject matter is too important to allow room for misunderstanding.

4. How did you pick your blog’s name?

A. My blog was conceived as an advertising tool to promote my business. “Lloyd’s Lens Photography ” Each post is really more about the image than the writings. I write about the thoughts that the image invoked for me as a wayto give a little extra to the observer.

5.What’s the favorite post that you’ve published? (Link, please!)

A. I can’t really say that I have a favorite but I do visit this tree often. I have several images of this spot.

Beneath The Dreaming Tree

The writing is about a place where two lovers meet in the dream world only but in their waking life they have never met. Each person thinks that the other is only a fantasy. The story is one that I started a long time ago but have never had the time to finish.

6.Which profession do you think is best?

A. The one that you would do for free if you didn’t need money. I’ve spent my life going from one job to the next and I’ve gained a lot of useful experience that way. But I’ve never been happy. I have come to realize that I was only chasing a paycheck. We need money to finance our lives for sure but don’t sacrifice too much of your life to get money. If at all possible become an independent business owner doing what you love.

7. What can you do for your own country?

A. The USA is in the cusp of a paradigm shift. I don’t want to get too political but to say that anything a person can do to gain personal liberty and be responsible for themselves on an individual level will make a nation stronger. Anyone who has to care for a person on an individual level will have power over the individual. The stronger the individual is the stronger a nation will be.

8. 3. What do you observe first thing if you met?

A. I watch people’s body language. I do this a lot as a photographer because it helps me to get better pictures of my clients and to find potential new clients.

9. How can India be DEVELOPED NATION ???

A. Well, building on my answer for question number 7, the individual is the key to everything. The individual must reduce his/her dependency on government and large corporations. Food is a good place to start. Even if person is only able to grow one meal for themselves that’s one meal that did not divert resources. I recommend learning permacultre. There are many free resource online.

10. Sports / music or dance ?? Why ??

A. I really don’t have much time for sports and I would rather play a game than watch a game. My dancing looks like a monkey with an itch so no public dancing. Ah but music! I can put my music on and be inspired while I work.

11. Most beautiful part of India/your home country ?

A. It’s really hard to choose but I’m partial to Eastern Woodlands of America and my mountains.

With the questions answered I would like some feedback from my followers. I want to do something maybe on a monthly basis to help promote each other’s blog. For me this is much easier than a random award. I’m thinking about interviews, shoutouts and the like but I need some ideas. This would be specific to my followers. The idea is to build a community. Please comment below. 🙂

As for passing along the challenge I’m not going to ask eleven questions. The reason why is that I want to maintain a certain consistency to my website. I would rather ask a fewer number of questions that help a person to reach a deeper level of contemplation and improve their quality of life.

1. Assume that you won the lottery and you have more than enough money to last your family for the next three generations. How would you use the excess to make the lives better for your hometown? Would you give it away or invest in a regenerative business partnerships with your neighborhood?

2. What is happiness to you?

3. Can justice truly exist without mercy?

I know those are some pretty heavy questions so I’m going to cut it off at three questions.