schmoozin'...on a sunny afternoon

First I want to thank all of you who commented on yesterday's post Weighty Issues; I love this sort of dialogue, and I hope we can do more of it around here. If you have any topics you'd like to throw out, I'm all ears--send me an email if you don't want to leave it in comments.

I'm still catching up on all your contributions, so bear with me, but on that note:

Behold the Power of Schmooze!

Karina at Candid Karina and Meredith at Poppy Fields have both called me out as a blogger who manages to, and I quote:

effortlessly weave their way in and out of the blogosphere, leaving friendly trails and smiles, happily making new friends along the way. They don’t limit their visits to only the rich and successful, but spend some time to say hello to new blogs as well. They are the ones who engage others in meaningful conversations, refusing to let it end at a mere hello - all the while fostering a sense of closeness and friendship.

Well shucks, I sure am touched. Grazie mille!

**This just in: Jessica in Rome has bestowed this wonderful honor upon me as well. I'm *such* a winner today!**

I truly enjoy getting to know all of you through my blog, your blogs, your comments, and emails, and I do hope that you feel there is a community here you can come and visit--where, uh, everybody knows your name (at least your screen name). Or something like that.

For those of you who haven't commented or emailed yet, I rather enjoy you too, and I hope you'll consider chatting with us soon.

I'm going to pass this award along to some of my favorite Internet sparring partners, all fellow expats in Italy:

(1) Michelle of michellanea;

(2) KC of Niente di nuovo avviene sotto il sole;

(3) Sara of Ms. Adventures in Italy;

(4) Shelley of At Home in Rome; and

(5) Cherrye at My Bella Vita.

While we're on the subject, as I was preparing this post, I saw that Sara at Moving Right Along tagged me with the Thoughtful Blogger Award, created by Christy Z. at Writer's Reviews, and it is:

[f]or those who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others' feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. Also for all of those bloggers who spend so much of their time helping others bloggers design, improve, and fix their sites. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others.

Again, thank you so much for the honor!

As Sara wrote in her post accepting this award, there is definitely a place for blogs that aren't so interactive, and I certainly don't fault anyone who doesn't respond to every single comment and/or email--these awards just serve to offer a little recognition for those that do, to say thanks, and to urge you to keep it up!

I am passing along this award to:

(1) somepinkflowers at somepinkflowers;

(2) Wanderlust Scarlett at from the shores of introspect and retrospect;

(3) Michelle at Smoochdog;

(4) Michelle at Scribbit; and

(5) Kimberly at Temporary? Insanity.

Also, I know that some of you don't really "do" these bloggie award thingees, so please don't feel obligated to pass along anything on my account. The honor is yours to do with as you wish!

Did anyone else notice, though, the prevalence of Michelles here? I'm one too, you know, so all I can say is...hmm....

Now just for some Friday fun, and in honor of my fellow Italian expat bloggers Shelley (At Home in Rome) and Sharon (Respiri di Vita) who have both won prizes through the Late Show with David Letterman Top Ten Contest, I thought I'd share:

The Top Ten Rejected Titles for this Post

10. I'm a Schmoozer Baby, So Why Don't You Kill Me?

9. Blue Suede Schmooze

8. Schmoozy in the Sky with Diamonds

7. Schmoozin' Ain't Easy

6. If the Schmooze Fits!

5. Woo-ee Baby, Won't You Let Me Take You on a Schmooze Cruise?

4. Schmooze 'Em If You Got 'Em

3. Fo' Schmoozle My Boozle

2. All the Schmooze That's Fit to Print

1. Lollapaschmooza 2007

Buon weekend a tutti!