Welcome to the “Cheers, Cavanaugh BlogFest.” Today through Wednesday bloggers are honoring Alex J. Cavanaugh, also known as the Ninja Captain. The blogfest is hosted by Mark Koopmans, Morgan Shamy, David Powers King and Stephen Tremp, and runs from December 10 – 12. Here is a full list of bloggers who are celebrating the Ninja Captain.This is going to be great fun with stories, and, I’m sure, a bit of humor along the way.
When I first met Alex it was via a comment on my blog. He has this weird little AlexIcon that shows up as an avatar- and quite frankly I still can’t make out what it is, but then, my vision is not what it used to be. Anyway, I was a little wary of someone that didn’t have a face.
After a while I noticed that Alex kept showing up on lists I belong to and commenting on blogs that I visit. He always had interesting things to say, so I decided to go over to check out his blog. It appears he’s a big sci-fi fan, which I am not. So I wondered how we could become more than casual Internet acquaintances. Maybe that’s really what we still are. I comment now and then on his blog and he comments now and then on mine.
About six months ago something weird happened. I realized that while I could not be a huge fan of the genre in which he writes, I could become a huge fan of a writer who supports other writers so completely. If you read his blog, you will notice that he is always sharing good news from his writer friends. Sure, sometimes he has news about his books, but that is always shared almost as an aside from his news about others, as well as his movie and music reviews.
Introducing Alex to folks who have never met him, the conversation might go something like this:
“Alex? Alex who?”
“Cavanaugh. You know, the writer.”
“Um. Sorry. Haven’t heard of him.”
“Well, he has this really neat blog. And if your interested, he writes a great sci-fi series. Cassa Star was the first book.”
“I don’t read sci-fi.”
“You know, neither do I. But I bought a couple of the books for my husband. Of course, I had to read some of the first book. Just to make sure the writing measured up before buying it for a gift. And you know what?”
“What?”
“It was pretty damned good.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I kinda liked it. And so did my husband.”
“Hmmm. Maybe I’ll go check out his books and his blog.”
“Before you go, do me a favor?”
“What?”
“Tell me what this AlexIcon is. To me it looks like two tiny Mexicans wearing sunglasses and sombreros that got caught in an updraft.”
“Um… I’ll get back to you on that one.”
Alex Who? I love that. His big “radio dishes pointed at the stars” thingy confused me at first too. On twitter they’re so small they looked like jet skiers or something.
Maryann, I totally LOVE it that so many bloggers are festing Alex! And some people say the internet is cold and impersonal! hah!
Marian Allen
Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes
Yes, Alex is a very nice person to know! He’s very supportive and talented!
Morgan Mandel
http://www.morganmandel.com
Maryann, thank you! Wow, that means a lot to me. I appreciate that you didn’t give up on me, even if science fiction wasn’t your thing.
Your description of my icon is far better than the real thing – they are satellite dishes.
Thank you SO much!!
You’re welcome Alex. I did finally figure out the icons, but it was so much dun pretending I still didn’t know what they are. (smile)
Laura, jet skiers with sombreros. LOL
Marian, I agree. I have met so many nice people on the Internet, and the writing community is so supportive.
Thanks for stopping by, Morgan. You are an important part of that supportive author community, too.
Aloha Maryann,
I’m a new follower because you have won one (1) bottle of my Awesome Sauce for the funniest post of the first day of AlexFest.
I LOVE the “Alexicon” and now I see his avatar, ALLLLLLL I can see are the two mini Mexicans with there sunglasses on….
I am soooo laughing…. thanks so much… boy, I love this Fest 🙂
AH-hahaha!!!
Maryann, I’m so excited to be following you now… you’re a treasure! Such humor. I’m so glad Mark pointed me to this post. *Dying* with the Mexican hats… And great post. 😀
Alex Fest – Cheers!
hahaha. Now that I think of it, they do look like two tiny Mexicans wearing sunglasses and sombreros that got caught in an updraft.”
LOL! That was awesome. And I bet you’ll have just as hard a time with my icon. Sorry, I’m just a little space guy, not short, but stout. Loved your flash story. Thanks for participating! 🙂
Ha, ha! Your analysis of his avatar made me laugh out-right. Great creativity! And, you’re right about the SciFi genre. I don’t read it either, but like you said, Alex is more than his books.
Wow, thanks for the gift, Mark. I can’t wait to taste the sauce. Sweet or spicy?
I’m so glad everyone enjoyed my take on the avatar. That is honest-to-God what I thought they were at first. LOL
Morgan, thanks so much for the follow.
David, I love your avatar. At least you have a face. Has anyone seen Alex’s?
Kittie, like you, I am so glad that I did not let my indifference to sci-fi keep me from getting to know Alex.
Great entry, Maryann. Long Live Captain Cavanaugh!