Getting To Know Host - DL

ABOUT ME

Name: DL Hammons
Blog: Cruising Altitude 2.0
Other Online Info: 
Google+: DL Hammons

Twitter: DL_H

Facebook: DL Hammons

Goodreads: DL Hammons
Publications: None

10 GETTING TO KNOW YOU QUESTIONS

1. What is the most daring thing you've ever done?
At our company gathering last year I got up in front of 50+ executives and informed them all that in my spare time I was a WRITER!
2. What is your favorite article of clothing? I have this one hat the I wear backwards when I'm writing.
3. What is your favorite monster? The xenomorph from the Alien movies.
4. If you had to dress up as your favorite literary character, who would it be? Sherlock Holmes.  Big surprise, given that I write mysteries.
5. What is your favorite fairy tale, urban legend or nursery rhyme?

Lizzie Borden took an axe

And gave her mother forty whacks.

When she saw what she had done

She gave her father forty-one.

6. What is a cause near and dear to your heart?  Stopping bullying.
7. What's the strangest item you've used as a bookmark? A cocktail straw.
8. Do you have any nicknames?  What are they and how did you earn them? On-line I've used Misbehaving and Imposter for user ID's, but in the real world I've been hung with the moniker of Bone.  It's genesis comes from Hammons....Hambone....Bone.  :)
9. Name one habit you want to change in yourself:  I'd like to be less introverted, but that's not going to happen.
10. Tell us something interesting or shocking about yourself:  I'm a military brat, so I really don't have a hometown.  I lost my last baby-tooth at the age of 53.  I have no sense of smell...never have. And yes...I can still taste.

SOME A-to-Z QUESTIONS

1. What was your favorite A-to-Z post from 2011?  I'm an A to Z virgin.
2. What brought you to the A-to-Z originally?  Tell us about your first A-to-Z:  I was brought into the fold by Arlee, who offered me this opportunity to "change my stars". (Any Knights Tale fans out there?)  Part of my changing things up for 2012 was to make it uncomfortable in my comfort zone...and I think this qualifies.
3. Are you doing a theme?  Nope...I'm winging it, but most of my posts will be about letting my readers get to know me better.
4. Are you writing & scheduling posts in advance? About half of them are written and scheduled.
5. What is your favorite letter of the alphabet, and why?  What letter do you like least?  I have three of them actually.  L...S...U  Geaux Tigers!

I hope you've enjoyed these questions and answers.  Don't forget, you are welcome, even encouraged, to ask any additional questions you might have in the comments section.  Or feel free to answer the questions yourself!  We won't tell.

Just the prescription...for clearing your mind

Hello there! 

Join me, Jenny Pearson, co-host of the upcoming A to Z Challenge, for a relaxing walkabout!

Before we begin...I want to welcome any and all newcomers - are you looking for answers to your A to Z questions? Please visit our FAQ Tab - you are sure to find answers to all your questions there! If you’re still stumped visit our Contact Tab and fire off a question to us...we are here to help!

Now, about this walkabout…

Are you feeling topped up with all the information on the Who, What, Where, When, Why and How of this Challenge?

I hope so...because this post in NOT about any of that. It’s about sitting back, enjoying a little West Coast scenery and letting your mind clear as we start the countdown to when the FUN really begins - April 1st. 

In a matter of six days we will all be showcasing our thoughts, ideas, stories, pictures, and whatever else is hiding up our sleeves in the upcoming third annual A to Z Challenge.

To that end...I went for a walkabout and in the fresh, crisp air of a glorious day I was able to relax and clear my mind.

Come join me - it’s what the Challenge Doctor has prescribed.  (click on any picture to enlarge)

Pan Pacific Hotel, home to the Five Sails Restaurant. 

View of the North Shore, from behind our new Convention Centre.

2010 Olympic Cauldron

Downtown Vancouver & Granville Street entertainment.

Relaxing dinner and a peaceful evening sky.

Now, as a little after dinner wind down…

I’m please to announce all my posts are ready for the Challenge. I  would like to invite each of you to visit, during the Challenge, and enjoy what I have written, just for you.

In approximately 4,000 words, divided into 26 parts I have told a tragic tale, which will be posted in its entirety on May 1st. Each letter is featured extensively in its corresponding post. 

I had incredible fun with my choice for this year's Challenge...and, suffice it to say, I found it very challenging indeed! Hence the need for many wonderful walkabouts, like this one!

Now...we will have no more stressing, if you are new and have just signed up, the fun for you will be to enjoy the spontaneity of each day’s letter...remember, just have fun!

I am looking forward to visiting you!

Happy Blogging

 Jenny

PEARSON REPORT

#atozchallenge: Sunday Summary March 25, 2012

Challenge begins next Sunday!

Once again we want to give a big congratulations our video challenge winner Rachel Morgan you can see her video here and find links to the other videos as well.   If you haven't taken the time to watch the videos and congratulate the video creators for a job well done, I hope you'll do so.

The mentions are still being made.  Here are some that we found:

Zyogbv came to Earth in time to take part in the April Challenge.

Ellie seems to be wavering at Ellie's Blank Book but at least she waved.  She's trying to decide which of her blogs she should enter in the A to Z.  Ellie, you could of course enter them all.  And what do you know--the next day that's exactly what she did.  Oh what fun you're gonna have!

Colin D Smith will be changing things up a bit on his blog in April in order to accommodate the A to Z Challenge.  He's a first timer and we hope he'll find it a worthwhile blogging experience.

I guess Jackie at Jackie's Bookbytes is entitled to change her mind and that's what she did within one post.  Now we'll have to wait and see what she has in store for April.

Making plans ahead of time for the A to Z Challenge is first time A to Z-er Stacey Mitchell.  We wish her luck with April.

A to Z veteran Duncan Horne from Our Home Called Kuantan puts the A to Z Challenge into perspective and shows how easy it can be.

Want a cupcake?   How about a Cadenza?  Denise has "C" covered at her blog Cupcakes and Cadenzas and now she's busily at work on the rest of the alphabet.

The blog A Common Sea will be joining a sea of other bloggers for the big April splash.

This Challenge we'll have an opportunity to learn about Jamaica from Joy at The Character Depot as she pursues this theme by the letters.

Yadin Bromberg announced his A to Z theme this week.  He's already been learning from other bloggers and on his way to developing a very credible blog.

Miranda Hardy has got a theme and to answer her, uh, yeah, Miranda, we want to know how wacky you really are.   I like Miranda's theme--check it out.

The Left Wright Brain put out an encouraging word for the Challenge.

Hmm--have you ever thought of the A to Z Challenge being like a county fair?  That's the way Michelle Gregory imagines it on her blog Beautiful Chaos.  Good analogy, Michelle.

Lisa at Jezri's Nightmares is going to run in the April Challenge and has no plans of trying to hide.  She's put  her cards all on the table in her blog post where she reveals her theme of 'Monsters A t o Z".  Now that sounds like fun.

If you like television then you'll have to visit Stephanie Scott: A Girl and Her Diary during the Challenge, but why wait?  Stop by and say hello now.

A Daft Scots Lass is one you might want to watch--as in anything can happen.

Notes in a Book is going to use the Challenge as a means of blog revival.  This is a good way to do it.

Pam from 2 Encourage is back with us again for another year and we find that encouraging.

We'll have another blog summary next Saturday along with some last minute check up items.  But be sure to stop by here everyday.  Lot's of good info still to come.

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