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Happy New Year!

1/4/2013

 
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2012 was an interesting year for me in many ways. I started this blog at the end of last March, and so far have managed 48 posts on the main page, and a half dozen or so others on additional pages. The main page has had over 7,000 visitors since I started tracking things in early May (a lot of traffic was due to my handful of James Bond posts...thank you, 50th Anniversary!). Not too shabby of a start...though a mere drop in the pond compared to some of the other excellent (and very prolific) blogs I follow. I'll try my best to double the number of posts in 2013...though as a new father, I'd better make no guarantees.

Yes, this past year was also the year when I became a first-time dad, at the tender age of 45. My son Kenji was born on September 28th, and has been a source of real joy for my wife and I (as well as multiplying my stress levels exponentially). I'm a lot busier now than I was in those comparatively carefree days when I first began this blog, but I hope that, over time, as I adjust and find a way to balance the demands of parenthood with my sundry hobbies, I'll be able to stick to a more controlled and regular posting schedule here - time and personal sanity permitting. 

It's been a fun experience, putting this little corner of the blogoverse together, and I want to thank all those who have bothered to read my scribblings, and especially those who've been kind enough to leave comments and give feedback - it's always very much appreciated. A special thank you goes out to my best bro Clayton Walter of Claytonology, who put in many hours masterminding the banner and background design and overall layout of this site.

One blogger whose work I've read and admired for a long time is Colin over at Riding the High Country. He covers many kinds of movies but specializes in highly articulate, in-depth analysis of film noir and westerns, and his site is strongly recommended. When I first jumped into this blogging game, Colin was one of the first to reach out a hand and give me feedback and encouragement, and has continued to do so over the past year, for which I shall always be grateful. On top of all that, he recently passed some awards on to me: the Versatile Blogger Award and the Blog of the Year 2012 Award. Thanks again, Colin - you're a mensch!


Versatile Blogger - The rules for accepting are as follows:

  •  Display the award certificate on your website.
  • Announce your win with a post and include a link to whoever presented your award. 
  • Present 15 awards to deserving bloggers. 
  • Create a post linking to them and drop them a comment to tip them off.
  • Post 7 interesting facts about yourself.


Blog of the Year 2012 - The ‘rules’ for this award are simple:

  1. Select the blog(s) you think deserve the ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award
  2. Write a blog post and tell us about the blog(s) you have chosen – there’s no minimum or maximum number of blogs required – and ‘present’ them with their award.
  3. Please include a link back to this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award – http://thethoughtpalette.co.uk/our-awards/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/   and include these ‘rules’ in your post (please don’t alter the rules or the badges!)
  4. Let the blog(s) you have chosen know that you have given them this award and share the ‘rules’ with them
  5. You can now also join our Facebook group – click ‘like’ on this page ‘Blog of the Year 2012’ Award Facebook group and then you can share your blog with an even wider audience
  6. As a winner of the award – please add a link back to the blog that presented you with the award – and then proudly display the award on your blog and sidebar … and start collecting stars…


It'll take me a while to figure out how best to handle the rules and stipulations of the Versatile Blogger Award, but I'll tackle the Blogger of the Year Award right away.

Following are a Baker's Dozen of wonderful blogs that I regularly read and enjoy, and feel are each highly deserving of the title Blog of the Year 2012:


Tipping My Fedora

Sweet Freedom

Silver Screenings

Chess, Comics, Crosswords, Books, Music, Cinema

Flix Chatter


Thrilling Days of Yesteryear

Classic TV and Film Cafe

Laura's Miscellaneous Musings

In So Many Words...

Tales of the Easily Distracted


From the Archive: A British Television Blog

My Love of Old Hollywood

Pretty Sinister Books



As for "7 interesting facts" about me (see the Versatile Blogger Award rules above), I can't vouch for their actual interest, but I can offer up these personal tidbits:


1. I've lived in four countries in my life: the U.S., The U.K., South Korea and Japan (where I currently reside), and traveled to an additional 13.

2. Whilst living in England, I saw Jeremy Brett and Edward Hardwicke perform the two-man play The Secret of Sherlock Holmes, live in a Manchester theatre. (I still have the theatre programme around somewhere...
)

3. In my quest to be just a wee bit like Jonny Quest, Doc Savage and James Bond, in my travels I've managed to ride in or on: a camel, an elephant, a horse, a rickshaw, a tuk-tuk, a jeepney, a cyclo, a hot air balloon, and a mosquito boat.

4. I taught Tae Kwon Do for 5 years, and have a 2nd degree black belt. (I'm awfully rusty now, though I do wallop the punching bag at the gym on a fairly regular basis.)

5. My uncle (mom's younger brother) married my adoptive dad's older sister. They were happily married for over 20 years, until my uncle sadly passed away in 2011.

6. Strangely enough, I also happen to have 3 fathers: one biological, then my first dad (who  married my mom when I was a baby), and from age 9 on, my second dad Bruce, who adopted me and became one of the best things ever in my life.

7. Besides watching movies and TV, reading mystery novels and miscellaneous film books and faffing about on the Internet, I like to scuba dive, hike, lift weights and cook (I make a mean meatloaf).
I don't like sipping pina coladas, however.


Well, that's enough guff about me for now. Thanks to my small but loyal band of regular readers for your support over the past year, and best wishes to everyone for a fun and fantastic 2013. May your movie watching be full of newly discovered gems, old favorites and as few stinkers as possible.

Colin link
1/3/2013 08:30:19 pm

Jeff, I liked your site right from the get go, and not just because you featured the kind of movies that generally appeal to me too. You're one of those guys that likes to look at what works and doesn't work in a film, gives it its due if you like. Now I feel that's important; it's far too easy to take the lazy option of trashing a piece of work and being snide. I like the way you weigh up the good and the bad and give your own honest opinion. Keep at it my friend.

John link
1/3/2013 11:17:16 pm

Wow! I'm in such good company and frankly some of those blogs are WAY better than my obsessively minded mystery reading corner of cyberspace. But I thank you very much, Jeff, for the award and more importantly for being a regular visitor to Pretty Sinister Books. Congrats on becoming a Dad! The biggest adventure in your life awaits you now. It'll pale in comparison to riding a camel, an elephant and a tuk-tuk. A what? Off I go to Google and teach myself a new form of transport. I bet you make one mean meatloaf, too.

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:05:18 pm

You're too modest, John...your blog definitely belongs in such company. I really appreciate how you cover some of the lesser known corners of the mystery genre. Very educational and entertaining stuff always! Looking forward to digging in to more of your archives in the coming months.

I hope one day you can enjoy the distinct pleasure of riding in a tuk-tuk...I just hope your driver is one of the less crazy, speed-demon variety.

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:01:00 pm

Sincere thanks for that, Colin. Right back at you, and ta very much again for the awards and especially for regularly perusing and commenting on the site. I look forward to lots of good discussion in the coming months!

Page link
1/3/2013 10:39:48 pm

Jeff,
Thank you so much for including me in the Blogger of the Year List. Some fantastic blogs there.

I'm so glad that you enjoy my blog, the subject matter and I so appreciate your constant support, comments there.

All the best for you in 2013 and for your very entertaining, clever blog.
Page

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:07:20 pm

You're very welcome, Page! You've really carved out your own unique and engaging niche in the film blogging world - no mean feat. I really like what you're doing on your site. Keep up the good work!

Toby link
1/3/2013 11:35:46 pm

First, congrats on being a new dad. Ain't it great?

One of the best things about fatherhood is sharing your favorite films/music/books with them. My daughter is 11 and there's nothing better than watching a Roy Rogers movie or something with her — especially when she likes it!

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:11:15 pm

Thanks kindly, Toby! That's quite cool, that you can share your love of westerns with your daughter - and that she sits still for them!, which is an achievement in itself for kids nowadays with something "old." You're right, I'm very much looking forward to doing the same with Kenji. He may not like all that I plan to show him, but at least he'll be exposed to lots of good stuff, just as I was growing up.

I hold your blog in high esteem, and eagerly await the publication of your book!

R.A. Kerr link
1/4/2013 12:09:40 am

Hey Jeff, thanks for the nomination and for the support you've always given my blog. I'm looking forward to reading more of your posts in 2013, and I agree with commenter Colin's remarks about your blog. It's one of my faves - I may not always want to watch the movie you're reviewing, but I always love the writing.

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:16:39 pm

Ha! Thanks for the nice comments, Ruth! I know a lot of what I cover here may seem pretty odd to some...but at least you get a kick out the reviews, anyway. And hey, if I can steer you into checking out even one offbeat film or weird genre effort that you usually avoid, and you end up liking it, then I'll be satisfied.

Really enjoy the light touch in your writing on classic films and look forward to more in the future.

Ruth link
1/4/2013 12:14:18 am

WOW, what an honor, thanks so much Jeff! Very cool to read your facts trivia. I had no idea you live in Japan now, I wish I could say I have been there. Very cool that you know Tae Kwon Do, too!

Interesting about your three dads. I actually have ZERO, as my parents divorced when I was 3 and I've only seen him a few times since. I do have 3 'moms' though, one was my biological mother who sadly passed away when I was 16, but we lived with my grandma so she helped raise me. For a time my aunt also came to live with us and she was like a second mom to me :D

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:21:54 pm

You're most welcome, Ruth! I always enjoy your passionate coverage of newer releases, and appreciate that you also have a good deal of love for the oldies as well (especially if they star handsome actors like Greg Peck! ;)

Sorry to hear that about your father, Ruth...but on the bright side, it sounds like you had lots of top-notch "Mom" action going on!

Thanks again for your early and continued support of this blog!

DorianTB link
1/4/2013 03:04:42 am

Hey, Jeff, this is Dorian and Vinnie Bartilucci from Tales of the Easily Distracted, a.k.a.Team Bartilucci! Congratulations on your VERSATILE BLOGGER Award - it couldn't happen to a more enjoyable and deserving movie blogger!

We're also pleasantly surprised and delighted to be in such great company; lots of swell blogger pals we already know, and many bloggers we've heard much praise about in this swingin' soiree! Looking forward to catching up with everyone!

It's a busy weekend here at Team B HQ, what with deadlines and a day trip to our hometown, NYC, but we'll get our honorary post up ASAP! We both thank you for the VERSATILE BLOGGER Award, Jeff, and have a wonderful weekend!

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:29:31 pm

Thanks kindly, Dorian and Vinnie TB! Your blog is always such fun and "distracting" reading, and the friendly and playful atmosphere communicated in your posts has translated into the community of regular correspondents you've built up there. I know I for one really enjoyed participating in your "Hitchcockian" Blogathon this past summer.

Please don't feel beholden to do anything other than accept the award as well deserved. Looking forward to seeing what Team Bartilucci gets up to in 2013.

DorianTB link
1/6/2013 08:42:09 am

Very kind of you, Jeff - beaucoup thanks! You know, it occurs to me that I was lucky enough to be given the 7x7 Blogger Award early in 2012, and the folks cited there were many of the same folks being honored here. I would shower kudos on any of these wonderful folks, plus a great gal I've become friendly with last year, Jo Gabriel of The Last Drive-In: http://thelastdrivein.com
In any case, all these folks are more than deserving!

Here's the link to my 7x7 Award post, Jeff, and thanks:
http://doriantb.blogspot.com/2012/03/hey-im-7x7-link-award-recipient.html

Sergio (Tipping My Fedora) link
1/4/2013 04:47:40 am

Congrats on the great blog Jeff - and on your sheer dad-ness! The photos of Kenji really brighten up Facebook my man! Thanks also for including me in such fine blogging company - all the best mate

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:32:12 pm

Thanks as always, Sergio! I hope to bring some of that "Super Uncle" skill that you enjoy with your nieces to my "Daditude" training. You're very welcome, too. Your site is terrific, and the sheer amount of your output and its quality is inspiring.

Laura link
1/4/2013 10:46:32 am

Hi Jeff,

Thank you so much for the kind words! I appreciate it enormously, as I also appreciate you being such a regular visitor at my blog. I've been enjoying getting to know you and The Stalking Moon this year and look forward to reading and discussing much more in the future!

Best wishes,
Laura

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:36:01 pm

Hi Laura! Thanks, and the same to you! Your astoundingly prolific and entertaining blog is another of my regular haunts. I don't know how you keep up such a constant flow of high quality posts, let alone watch so many films, but I'm glad you're sharing the results with us.

Laura link
1/9/2013 03:51:32 pm

Thanks again so much, Jeff! I have really enjoyed being able to spend time watching and writing about movies in recent years -- I didn't have the time when my kids were younger so I can certainly relate that you are going through adjustments with the birth of your son (congratulations!!). When my kids were little I watched just 60 new-to-me films in an entire *decade*, LOL, so I'm making up for lost time!

Best wishes,
Laura

Prashant C. Trikannad link
1/4/2013 01:52:46 pm

Jeff, many congratulations on becoming a dad — it's a wonderful feeling and a terrific experience. My best wishes to you and your family. Thanks very much for the blog award. I feel honoured to have made the "highly deserving" grade and being on the same platform as some of the finest blogs I have been visiting including, indeed, "The Stalking Moon" which has been whetting my appetite for fine films and their reviews.

Jeff
1/4/2013 04:43:45 pm

Much appreciated, Prashant, and you're most welcome! You blog was a recent and very pleasant discovery for me (like John's) and I've really been enjoying what you do there, and catching up with your older posts. The "book review" side of the blogging world (though of course you cover much more than that at your site) is a relatively new one and fascinating one to me. I look forward to more of the same high caliber stuff from you in 2013!

Ivan G. Shreve, Jr. link
1/6/2013 02:51:59 am

Jeff:

Thanks so much for mentioning <i>Thrilling Days of Yesteryear</i> among these other prestigious blogs for this grand award. To be included in such company as my chums Page (<i>My Love of Old Hollywood</i>), Dor (<i>Tales of the Easily Distracted</i>), Yvette (<i>In So Many Words...</i>), Laura (<i>Miscellaneous Musings</i>), Rick (<i>Classic TV and Film Cafe</i>) and Todd (<i>Sweet Freedom</i>) is more than award enough...though I never refuse a cash gratuity.

But it is with a heavy heart (and light kidneys) that I have to decline the nomination...because I must come clean and admit that I am a complete fraud. <i>Thrilling Days of Yesteryear</i>? It's ghost written. I sign my name to posts that are actually prepared in Chinese sweatshops by child laborers for pennies per hour. I just wouldn't feel right about further exploiting them for a Blog of the Year award, particularly when I'm now being investigated by the Justice Department for multiple blogosphere violations. I'm sure you understand. (And to the anonymous person who ratted me out to the Feds? You are dead...dead to me!)

Oh, and to wrap this up on a cheerier note -- congratulations on your new arrival!

Jeff
1/6/2013 12:43:44 pm

You crack me up, Ivan, as always! Thanks, your welcome, and good news re: the kidneys...not necessarily in that order...

Yvette link
1/7/2013 03:24:08 am

Thanks very much, Jeff. And congratulations on becoming a first time dad. A wonderful year - indeed. I'm awaiting the birth of my grandson this year - my second grandchild so I expect 2013 to be extra special.

Currently working on my acknowledgement post. :)

Jeff
1/8/2013 03:26:41 pm

You're very welcome, Yvette! You run a fine - and very nicely designed - blog over there, and I always enjoy reading your posts. Glad to hear that you have another grandchild on the way to liven up your 2013. Best wishes to you and your family, and glad to hear you've kicked that sinus bug to the curb.


Comments are closed.
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    Videophilia!

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  • The Stalking Moon
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  • About Me
    • Cool things About Japan
    • Travel Recollections
    • Contact me