iGene Awards, 114th Carnival Of Genealogy, Reflection's Awards Go To

Copyright 2012, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Jasia at Creative Gene is hosting this years iGene Awards.  As always, mega thanks to Jasia.

The parameters of the iGene COG:

"We'll announce our best blog posts from the previous year (in this case, 2011) in the following 5 categories: Best Picture (that would be a photograph), Best Screen Play (story you would make into a movie including the cast), Best Documentary (investigative research), Best Biography, Best Comedy."

With the first category I am in a huge bit of trouble.  Best Picture, aka, photo.  Snicker, snicker, snicker.  I don't know how many photos I posted in 2011, but, it was the year of THE Trip, so there were hundreds of photos.  Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Zion, Capital Reef, Bryce, Grand Canyon, Canyonlands, Arches, Monument Valley, Sedona, and that is just some of what I photographed and shared here.  So, here is the deal, I have chosen some of my favorites.  They will appear in this post.

Above:  Monument Valley, Utah

Above:  Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park

Best Screen Play, a story of drama, which required an adult beverage and darkness to falsely proclaim victory over fear.  I nominate and the winner is: my experience on the Palm Springs Tram, which left me changed forever, and not necessarily in the best way, eh??  THE Trip, Tramming WAYYYYY Out of My Comfort Zone, followed by two additional posts on the experience, THE Trip, Palm Springs Tram Ride, Palm Springs, California, Up, Up And Away and THE Trip, Palm Springs Tram Ride, Palm Springs, California, At the Top, And Back Down Again.  (I am so disconnected with the current crop of actors that I think I'll skip by this part of the challenge, but, if someone could figure out how to get Johnny Depp in here, preferably in that d*a*r*l*i*n*g  pirate costume, and eye makeup, well, that would work for me!  Ehh??)

Apache Lake, near Roosevelt, Arizona as the sun begins to set.

Sunset at Gila Bend, Arizona

Best Documentary, I am stepping away from the definition that Jasia gave us, that this should be about investigative research.  Instead I am substituting a series of posts that impacted me tremendously, and that is what I feel a good documentary should do, impact you and your way of thinking.  It should stop you in your tracks and make you go, WHOAAAA.  That is exactly what happened when Man and I visited Salvation Mountain.  THE Trip, Salvation Mountain, The Tools of Love, introduces you to the tools used in the creation.  THE Trip, Salvation Mountain, near Niland California, shows you the folk art based on love.  The third post from March 1, 2011 was THE Trip, Leonard Knight, Salvation Mountain, A Photo Tribute.  I have been extremely honored, as one of those photos has been chosen to further Leonard's cause.

Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky District

Above:  Sedona, Arizona

Best Biography, the story of Alfred Darden, Civil War era, which was my contribution to  "THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR GENEALOGY BLOG CHALLENGE"  hosted by Bill West of West In New England.  My contribution became a 4 part series and eventually resulted in several more posts and a lot of learning too.  Part 1 is, Alfred Darden, Civil War Solider Mystery, His Family.  This was followed by, Alfred Darden, Civil War Solider Mystery, His War Record and Alfred Darden, Civil War Solider Mystery, As Best I Can Figure, The Last Chapter. My fourth post about Alfred was Alfred Darden, Civil War Solider Mystery, Sometimes Ya Just Cannot Let it Go, New Discoveries.

This post was eventually "found" by some Civil War buffs and a fabulous amount of conversation and information was posted to the blog post and to me privately in email.  Yes, indeedy, this series was a total WIN.  This series also receives an honorable mention in the Best Screen Play category.

Above: Man experiences carrying a World War II pack, as his father did.  The experience was very moving and left a lasting impression. Photo taken at Camp Verde Arizona.

Monument Valley, Utah

Best Comedy, my sick, dark humor at it's best, err, worst, A Different Kind of Holiday Story, Having to do With Peppermints, a Horny Mouse, and a VERY Tiny Reindeer.  I do so love peppermint, but, not mice or rodents, except for that photo way up there ^ .

Above:  Wolfe Ranch, Arches National Park, Moab, Arizona. Photo artistically enhanced.

Technically, I suppose the following photo should not be nominated as it actually appeared on my other blog, Reflection's Flora and Fauna, but, since I felt it was so special, I am bending the rules once more.

Above:  Signal Mountain Road, Grand Tetons, National Park.

Ten nominations for Best Picture, I cannot pick just one.  Maybe you can, if so, please leave a comment.

And, thus ends the 2012 iGene Awards, brought to you by Reflections, Sony, THE Trip, and a bit of family research.  The awards will come to you live from lovely Gulf Shores Alabama, where we wear shorts and jeans, not formal attire.

At the after party Man and I will feast on seafood, deep fried chicken, gumbo, cheesy grits, home made biscuits and sausage gravy, baked sweet potatoes, deep fried okra,  macaroni and cheese (thick and guaranteed gooey!), banana pudding with sliced bananas and vanilla wafers, apple or peach cobbler, all washed down with some sweet tea (not sweetened tea, real sweet tea).

The red carpet will be a bit gritty, as our presentation and the after party will be taking place down at the world famous Gulf Shore beaches of soft white sand.  The evening will conclude with a beautiful sunset and a LONG LONG walk down the beach (will have to be long to walk off all that great food we pigged out on, eh?)

Congratulations to the winners, now, party down!  Bring on the grits (both the sandy ones and the cheesy ones)!

* Even though I have not shown links to the photos, all have appeared on Reflections during the calendar year of 2011, with the one noted exception.
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