Friday, April 20, 2012

RESOURCEFUL/REFRESHING - A to Z Challenge

It’s the third A to Z Challenge! Blog the letters of the alphabet in order every day except Sundays The participation list is HERE – start with the blog after yours and visit at least five blogs a day. Mostly, make new friends and have fun!

My theme – I have selected a word for each day and will present to you blogger buddies who fit that description, along with movies, music, etc. My theme is to give back, highlight some awesome bloggers, and have fun in the process.

RESOURCEFUL/REFRESHING

Leovi at La Fotografía Efectista Abstracta
I follow a wide variety of blogs, including a few photographers. Leovi is without a doubt the best. His focus is abstract, and what he accomplishes with just a few key items is astonishing. Every day we are treated to a visual masterpiece. For the most amazing and resourceful photographer on the Internet, you need to check out Leovi’s site.

Jeremy at Geeky Tendencies
He’s a new blogger, but there is something just so refreshing about his style. He’s young and yet not jaded or angry, which is so wonderful to witness. And he can juggle! As a fellow science fiction geek, I probably see a lot of a younger me in Jeremy. Dude, no matter what happens, remain true to YOU!

Col. Jack O’Neill
If resourceful person uses all of the resources at his disposal, than hat’s off to Jack (played by Richard Dean Anderson) for gathering the best SG team. He had the warrior Teal’c, the science genius Samantha Carter and the history genius Daniel Jackson. When Jack pulled them all together he had all the resources to complete any mission.

NINJA NEWS!

Susan Roebuck’s new book, Hewhay Hall, comes out today. Congratulations, Susan!!

Vic Caswell and Emily White will be hosting their own Podcast next month, focusing on young adult books. Way to go, ladies!

Nothing coming out at the theater catches my eye this weekend, but to my wife’s delight, Real Steel came in the mail Thursday courtesy of NetFlix. Hopefully I can throw a review at you by Monday. I also purchased MI: Ghost Protocol this week, so I won’t be lacking for movies.

Sad that legendary coach Pat Summitt is retiring due to early-onset Alzheimer’s. President Obama announced she will be awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, calling her an inspiration.

And as soon as I hit that damned elusive 1500 followers, I’m doing a giveaway. I think forces have been at work against me this week…


Following Leovi and Jeremy? Fan of Col Jack O’Neill and the Stargate series? (Rusty, don’t answer that.) Seeing any good movies this weekend? Care to send some good vibes my way? (Or followers – I only need a couple!) And who do you know who’s resourceful or refreshing? 
And this is two mornings in a row my scheduled post has not posted - anyone else having issues?

114 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Will pop over to these three asap.
Good post Alex, thanks for the visits and comments much appreciated as I know you are busy,

Yvonne.

Brinda said...

As usual, you've pointed out some great bloggers that I haven't heard about. The internet is a huge place and it's nice to have some recommendations!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Thanks for sharing about more bloggers I don't know.

It is very sad about Pat Summitt.

And you should get to that 1500 mark real soon.

Unknown said...

I haven't met these bloggers. I'm going to have to check them out. However, I do like me the MacGyver. Had me quite a crush as a youngster.

Unknown said...

Don't know about the stargate people you mention, but sending you good vibes. :0)

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Yvonne, I will always visit you!

Brinda, it is huge.

Natalie, that is a bummer. She's a great coach.

Clarissa, soft for MacGyver, huh?

Ciara said...

Wasn't he MacGyver?
Thanks for pointing out two new awesome bloggers! Off to meet them. Good luck on the 1500.

The Angry Lurker said...

When Jack left the franchise it died a little to me but I don't know if Rusty feels the same!

Heather M. Gardner said...

Yes. I'm having the same issue with Blogger not posting my 'scheduled' posts. I had to do it myself yesterday and today.

I was a closet Stargate watcher. Mostly because of Mr. Anderson aka MacGuyver. :)

Have you seen the previews for The Cold Light of Day? I know. I know. They already made this movie a million times but it's got Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver!

Heather

Jemi Fraser said...

Great choice for resourceful! Love StarGate :)

Unknown said...

Ah! Col. Jack O'Neill aka Magivure, he was definately the man of his day!

Christine Danek said...

Nice. I will check out the links. You are like the hub of information for bloggers.
Thanks.

Civil War Horror (Sean McLachlan) said...

I've long been a fan of Leovi's photography too. Great stuff!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Ciara, yes he was!

Lurker, it did drop a little. And Rusty is just having a hard time getting into the series.

Heather, good to know it's not just me! And I'll have to go watch the trailer.

Sean, Leovi is amazing.

Jules said...

Your wife we will be pleased with the movie, I was. Pat Summit, what a woman. We need more like her. :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

SpacerGuy said...

Jack hanging up his Stargate boots is a real stumper. Stargate was a great show but it needed its captain.

Anonymous said...

I've been meaning to watch MI: Ghost Protocol! I'm looking forward to the weekend as well! :) BTW, I love Rush, too! Spirit of Radio, man. Spirit of Radio!

Bryan Russell said...

Okay, yeah, that photographer is fantastic. There are some genius photos there.

Tina said...

Love Stargate, don't have enough time to watch it regularly. I tend to lean towards cooking shows these days, or while I'm doing dishes, I alternate watching Cheers and Frasier. I'd forgotten how well written those two shows were, especially if you compare to the crap they're putting out these days. Of course there are some exceptions. Big Bang Theory, for example.
Speaking of followers, if I get three more, then I will have added 300 new ones since we began in January by announcing the host team members. I remember you telling me how many new people you'd gotten last year, and here I am, almost in the same ballpark!
Blogger's been cantankerous this week. Freezing when I hit save, and I finally have to abandon the page. It's not a total loss because I write my posts in open office and paste into blogger...but reloading all the pictures gets tiresome...
Tina @ Life is Good
Co-Host of the April A to Z Challenge
Twitter: @AprilA2Z #atozchallenge

baygirl32 said...

2 more new blogs for me to check out today :)

S.A. Larsenッ said...

Once again, fantastic links! Thanks for spreading all the good news from others. Love hearing about it.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Alex! That means a lot coming from you.

vic caswell said...

my hubs watched ghost protocol the other day and said it was the best of the MI movies. so, hopefully, you'll enjoy yourself!
thanks for the shout out!

Tonja said...

Leovi's site is great. I will check out Jeremy's site.

A Daft Scots Lass said...

All my scheduled posts for the week went back to drafts and it automatically changed my interface to the new one, which I detest.

Blogger, grrrrrrrrrr

Old Kitty said...

Charlie's very resourceful - all my neighbours say so. :-)

Mega good vibes your way!! Have a great weekend!!!

I was never able to schedule a post in the new blogger - never! and i now have issues with the imposed new blogger dashboard! :-( Boooo!!

Take care
x

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Oh my, Richard Dean Anderson. Good as McGyver and good as the Col Jack.

Excuse me while I wipe the drool.

T

Gossip_Grl said...

Will definately check out the blog suggestions and also Richard Dean Anderson! I gave up on prescheduling early they weren't sending.

Laura Eno said...

I can't believe you haven't sailed right by the 1500 mark and gone on to 1600 yet!

Unknown said...

This weekend will be the weekend, I can feel it! And it's Friday, what's not great about that!

M.J. Fifield said...

Congratulations to Susan on her book release! It's great of you to give her a shout out.

Charles Gramlich said...

I used to have some resourcefullness. Seems like it's fading here of late.

farawayeyes said...

Ah, the EVIL BLOGGER. I'm finally feeling better ad I go to post my R and the whole format is changed. Are you kidding me? I felt sick allover again, or maybe that's just the antibiotics.

Don't really know Jack O'Neil but I loved McGyver.

I'll check out Leovi and Jeremy. I love interesting photography.

Good luck on those last 2. I'm sureit Blogger'sfault.

Rick Daley said...

Real Steel is great, it's everything Transformers wishes it was. I saw it in the theater with my boys and have it on Blu-Ray, it's worth repeated viewing.

Robyn Campbell said...

*grumble* YES! I have had those issues. When mine aren't posting, I go back in and they say saved as a draft. *grumble* Have you switched to the new blogger yet?? I'm afraid to. :(

I heard the news about coach Summitt. So awful. My nephew also has early-onset Alzheimer's.

I will check out your peeps, Alex. Stargate is made of awesome!!!! Love it, love it. So glad you gave the show its rightful place in the shout out hall of Ninja fame. Er, or something like that. CONGRADS Susan! Yippee. :-)

Cassie Mae said...

Hey! I'll use the blogger acct I set up under the hub's name and follow you with it. Did that for myself when I first started. Even commented pretending to be him, and responded as myself.

If that doesn't work, I'm going to find two blogger buddies right now and make them come follow you. BRB!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Jules, yes we do.

Spacerguy, you're right, and the Farscape people couldn't fill the gap.

Jack, you rock!

Tina, that's awesome! Yeah, I gained about three hundred and fifty last year as a host. Glad to hear so many have found your blog. Not had problems with posts other than they just don't go live when scheduled.

Jeremy, you're welcome!

Vic, you're welcome, and I agree it was the best.

Lass, isn't it annoying?

Kitty, I'm sorry.

Teresa, he does have that effect on women.

Gossip, I don't know what's up.

Laura, I've hovered just below 1500 all week!

Michael, I accept that!

Thanks, Karen.

Faraway, we'll just blame Blogger.

Rick, I've heard it's fun so looking forward to the film.

Kyra Lennon said...

Yay for Susan's new book!

Jessica Bell said...

LOL, oh my gosh you're only TWO away!

Laura said...

Hello! Yup - already following these two fab people - though for some reason I thought Leovi was a she! oops... silly me :)
Lx

Luanne G. Smith said...

I'm always blown away by Leovi's art. He's got such a creative eye. And, wow, 1500? You need a clone to keep up.

Rusty Carl said...

I'll be sure to visit both of the highlighted bloggers today. And as requested, I won't comment about Jack O'Neill.

And I'm a podcast junkie... can't wait to hear Vic's podcast.

Unknown said...

Thank you for the mention Alex! I only remember him as McGyver! (showing my age again)

Carol Kilgore said...

I checked out the photography blog above. Wow! Great stuff :)

Enjoy your movie weekend!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Great luck with the followers! Leovi is an artist. Let's all visit Jeremy and give him our best well wishes! Roland

Leovi said...

OH! What a surprise! I am delighted to appear on your blog and the wonderful words that I spend. Earned me blush, Thank you for this delightful recognition, which I treasure. A hug Alex.

TL Conway said...

That was so sad to hear about Pat Summitt this week. I'm glad the President is acknowledging all she's done for the sport of women's basketball.

Haven't had any problems with automatic posting yet, but now that I've said it, it will likely not work next week. C'est la vie...

Unknown said...

Thanks especially for the new photographer to follow


Happy It's "R"eally Friday

Mina Burrows said...

Hi Alex! Happy Friday. Love Stargate. Congrats to Susan too! :)

Tasha Seegmiller said...

Richard Dean Anderson will always hold a special place in my heart as MacGyver. I used to dream of living on a houseboat with a guy who could fix anything with a swiss army knife, duct tape and bailing wire.

Libby said...

I see you went Stargate, very nice. Off to check out the photography blog - I love abstract art.

Fellow A to Zer:
http://libbyheily.blogspot.com/

Kittie Howard said...

Coach Summit's truly one of the Greats, not only in the world of sports, but for inspiring us to play with the little hurts and get on with it, not necessarily in the physical sense.

LynnRush said...

MacGyver!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh my gosh.

Happy Friday, my friend. Hope you have a super day!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Cassie, you are awesome - and so amusing!

LG, I know!

Susan, you're welcome, and I watched McGyver all the time.

Leovi, you are welcome! Your work is fantastic.

Tasha, I could have every tool at my disposal and still not be able to fix anything.

Kittie, she's an amazing person.

D.G. Hudson said...

My scheduled posts have been okay, but I've had trouble with my comments vaporizing on occasion. And a little trouble uploading pix.

Will check out the others. Did a quick check on Leovi site Nice visuals. Will pop in to the other link also.

Where is that 1500th person?

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Ghost Protocol and Real Steal are some frickin' awesome movies. You are in for some fun.

Jay Noel said...

You have great taste in movies...been wanting to see MI: Ghost Protocol, though. So if you bought it, it must be good.

So sad for coach Pat. She was an awesome player as well (many forget), but I remember when she came out about her diagnosis, and I was shocked. So young.

Arlee Bird said...

Yes, I've had that same problem with the automatic posting.

Yay, Pat Summit is from University of Tennessee, where I should have graduated if I had finished when I was supposed to. My mother will be glad to hear this--she's a big UT fan.

Lee
A Faraway View
An A to Z Co-host blog

Jeremy [Retro] said...

I have been re-watching all the upcoming players in the avengers movie... if you watch all the connections to iron man from capt america... it is very cool stuff about the arc technology.

Right On... to the challenge "R" is for Refreshing Post!
Jeremy [Retro-Zombie]
A to Z Co-Host
My New Book:
Retro-Zombie: Art and Words

Nancy Thompson said...

No on everything though I am sending you good vibes. I think, if others are anything like me, they're getting burned out, so followers are fewer between. I haven't been having any scheduling problems myself, but, for the last 2 days, I have been checking in for your updates between 9:30pm & midnight Pacific time & your posts were mysteriously absent. Gonna go check your friends. Have a great weekend, Alex!

cleemckenzie said...

Trying to touch base with all the peeps you recommend. Wow! Keeps me hopping.

I'm really saddened by Pat Summitt's retirement. She's done such remarkable things for women's basketball. Her's is a spirit I love to see.

Johanna Garth said...

1500 followers! That's unbelievable!! But I know you'll definitely get there.

Jacqueline Howett said...

Resourceful and refreshing is what you are!

Just one more follower to go to make 1500.

Who will it be, I wonder?

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

DG, maybe he's shy?

Jay, I know! Just can't picture a basketball season without her. And Ghost Protocol is the best of the MI movies.

Lee, good, it's not just me.

Jeremy, I need to do that.

Nancy, I'm going force my S post to go live before going to bed tonight, just in case!

CLee, it was such a shock.

Tyrean Martinson said...

Huge fan of the Stargate series . . .all three of them, and have heard good things about Real Steel, and I canceled my schedule post and wrote a different one . . .so the trouble is all mine.

Empty Nest Insider said...

I met the talented Leovi last year, but I'll drop by again to say "hi" and I look forward to meeting Jeremy! Julie

Tracy Jo said...

Hey Alex! Good vibes coming your way! I bet you will hit that 1500 this weekend. Oh my gosh, I just went over to Leovi's blog. Wow!! Thank you for sharing...such incredible photos!

Jessica Salyer said...

Finding some great new bloggers thanks to you. Off to meet two more.

Suze said...

Initiation sequence -- good vibes -- starting, now.

Siobhan said...

Good theme. I really like how you give back to others. Did you put your blog under 'G' for Generous?

Maurice Mitchell said...

Great blogger buddies especially Jeremy. What are going to give away when you hit 1,000,000 followers Alex? ;)

Sangu Mandanna said...

I can't believe the A to Z Challenge is already on R! This month's flying by so fast :-)

Claire Hennessy said...

Wow, wasn't it only yesterday when you celebrated 1000 followers. That was darned quick. Think you must win prize for most popular blog :)

Pat Tillett said...

I've been following Leovi for a long time. He is AMAZING!

Christine Rains said...

I follow Jeremy. Is it horrible I haven't watched Stargate the series yet? I think my geek card is going to be taken away for that.

I'm also having issues with my scheduled posts. Seems a lot of people are experiencing the same problem.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Tracy, I thought you'd appreciate his work.

Suze, engage!

Siobhan, thank you.

Maurice, I hit a million, we'll be giving away my dead body!

Claire, I'm still small potatoes compared to others.

Christine, we need to lodge a complaint!

Golden Eagle said...

I love seeing Leovi's pictures--they're amazing. And I've been following Jeremy since he participated in the Evil Genius Blogfest I hosted!


The Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective

Rek Sesh said...

Better still, perfect planet alignments, this astrologer's granddaughter can pretend to chart. ;) (though I hardly take it seriously)
I love Leovi's work, visit his online home whenever I can.
Right now, at midnight, refreshing is the cool blast of the AC after 101F outside.

Hart Johnson said...

Leovi's stuff IS gorgeous, and I LOVE young, unjaded geeks!

Bish Denham said...

I need to look into the Stargate series. We don't get it on our TV.

Nick Wilford said...

I don't know these guys, I'll check them out. I missed a couple of days and I'm amazed you're not at 1500 yet!

I ran out of prescheduled posts at L and now I'm winging it. I hope that gets fixed, cos I will have to schedule the last couple.

Congrats to Susan! :)

Leovi said...

1499, the 1500 is coming soon, congratulations Alex.

PR said...

Blogger never post my scheduled posts, I don't even bother any more! I have some good movies for this weekend; Tin Tin, and Tinker, Tailor, Soldier. Spy :)

Kela McClelland said...

I've been following Jeremy for a little while now, he's awesome. I will have to go check out Leovi though.

My scheduled posts have not been posting either. I don't know why, and they don't say 'draft' like others are saying there's say (lol, too many 'say's). They say scheduled, but they aren't posted.

And congrats, you're only one away (as of right now) it'll happen soon enough :)

Liza said...

I'm finding some great blogs through your links. Thanks Alex!

Julie Flanders said...

Oh, I so agree about Leovi's photos. Amazing!

I was really sad to read about Pat Summitt. Such a terrible disease.

Tara Tyler said...

no prob here yet, jinx!

thanks for all the links!

David P. King said...

You're ... almost ... there! :)

You'll hit 1500 in no time. Thanks again for the links. This is one brilliant A to Z theme.

Anonymous said...

Alex, if there's anybody in the blogosphere able to garner 1500 followers, it's you! For some reason I liked Stargate Atlantis better than the original series.

~Sia McKye~ said...

Last week, I had that problem with scheduled posts. This week, so far (knock on my son's head), I haven't.

I want to see Real Steel. And I love Cap'n Jack. :-)

Sia McKye OVER COFFEE

M Pax said...

I loved SG0-1 and RDA. Wish they'd put something sci-fi back on TV. Something with other planets. Sniff.

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

Yes, Leovi's photos have me mesmerized. I've never seen such beautiful and fascinating pictures.

It's great of you to highlight a wide variety of blogs.

Happy weekend, Alex.
xoRobyn

Anonymous said...

The SG team had the awesome power of McGyver to get them out of any dangerous situation!

DayDreamer said...

Thanks for today's links to the blogs. I love photography blogs but have never come across an abstract one like Leovi's so am happy to have it brought to my attention.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Love the abstract photos, Alex. Thanks for introducing us to them.

1499! Wow!

Monti
Mary Montague Sikes

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Golden, excellent!

Rekha, that is HOT!

Anna, I still need to see Tintin.

Kela, that's what gets me - I selected the correct time, just nothing happened.

David, next year you have to join us!

Thanks, Milo. Think they were about even for me.

Mary - I know!

Daydreamer, his work is amazing.

Carrie Butler said...

Leovi's photos are gorgeous, and I love that Jeremy is doing a Final Fantasy themed A-Z. Thanks for sharing them with us, Alex!

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

You've always got great links and info. Congrats to Vic and Emily on the upcoming podcast! How fun. I have no idea how to do a podcast.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I've seen a few complaints about blogger issues around the tour today. Love Jack O'Neill and the early years of Stargate.

Stephanie said...

150 blogs a day, good lord, man, get some rest :-)

Now I have two new blogs to follow, a book to read, and podcasts to listen to. And yes, I adore Jack O'Neill. He was the coolest character on SG1, though I did really like Daniel.

Martha said...

Hey Alex, you are doing such a wonderful job with the challenge! I already follow Jeremy, you're right, he rocks :)

I will check out the others mentioned today. Have a wonderful weekend!

Marta Szemik said...

I haven't had any issues with blogger posting. I've seen both MI: Ghost Protocol and Real Steel (my son loved it). I must say I enjoyed it more than I thought.

Jennifer Lane said...

Ooh, you're at 1499! Pat Summitt is quite the legend and Tennessee basketball won't be the same without her.

Great encouragement you gave to Jeremy at Geeky Tendencies.

Cherie Reich said...

Congrats to Susan!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Carolina, i don't either!

Stephanie, I'll rest when the Challenge is over.

Marta, just watched it - really liked Real Steel.

JDAnderson said...

Hey Alex,

Great post. I agree with you about Col. Jack O'Neill. My buddy Mike Pierce told me about your blog. Glad he did. I am follower 1500.

JDAnderson said...

Hey Alex,

Great post. I agree with you about Col. Jack O'Neill. My buddy Mike Pierce told me about your blog. Glad he did. I am follower 1500.

Ella said...

Hi Alex,
Yes, I was having issues and then had to take my dog to the vet.
Wow, I have a lot of catching up to do!
Happy weekend to you~
You are growing in leaps n' bounds!
Congrats :D

PK HREZO said...

ooooo a giveaway!!! :)

Unknown said...

Congrats on 1500!!! Whoo Hoo, the Ninja Army is growing with ever more awesome peeps to know.

I follow Leovi and love his photos, they are spectacular. Will check out Jeremy for sure.

And sorry I never got into Stargate all that much. I've liked all the eps I've seen, but just never got into it. But I do love Jack/MacGyver. RDA is a great actor. I first saw him on the joy of my young teen years, General Hospital. He was soo cute (insert high-pitched screams here). ;)

Patricia Stoltey said...

So far my posts are posting okay, but when I had that problem sometime last year, it drove me nuts.

I see you made your 1,500 followers, Alex. Congratulations!

Andrew Leon said...

I've seen all of SG-1, all but the last season of Atlantis, but I haven't had a chance to get to the new series, yet (mostly because I haven't finished Atlantis).

All time favorite quote (paraphrase) in our house:
"He is concealing something"
"What is it?"
"I don't know. He is concealing it."

Anonymous said...

I'm so behind in my television watching. I've never seen SG.

I'll check out the links.

Karen M. Peterson said...

I've never really gotten into any of the SG series, although I did like the movie. Maybe I should give it a shot...