Remember when you first started blogging and saw lots and lots of badges lining the virtual walls of your scribble mates? Made you envious on the one hand, and feeling like a novice on the other. Am I right? I know the feeling. Been there, done that.
Then suddenly, without warning, word got around about my blog, more people started reading it, and the badges started to arrive with a “compliments of” note attached.
It’s a nice feeling to get feedback — feedback of ANY kind. Much like Humphrey Bogart, owner of Rick’s Café Américain in Casablanca, commenting to Vichy police Captain Louis Renault along the fog-shrouded airport tarmac in the closing scene of the iconic movie, “Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”
Well, I’m at the half-year anniversary mark of entering the blogosphere, and I’d like to help everyone and anyone begin accumulating these merit badges, if you’re so inclined to sew them onto your scout sash.
Because my moniker is a black Borsalino hat over a cobblestone street, I’d like each and everyone of you to wear one yourself and start meandering along with me. It’s your choice, but donning a “B” puts you right up there with Bogie, Paul Newman (The Sting) and Alain Delon (Borsalino) — guys whose personae changed when they put on that hat. And, boy, did they know how to wear it!
I’m calling this The Palladian Traveler’s Tip-of-the-Hat blogger’s badge.
To jump-start this virtual fashion statement, anyone who is reading this post is welcome to try one on. Stylish on the ladies, cool on the guys, the TPT Borsalino comes in a one-size-fits-all with a variety of background colors so you can wear the hat that best compliments your blog motif. And if you tire of the one you selected, just come on back and pick out a new one. This is your hat shop as much as it’s mine — you have your own set of keys, so come in whenever you like.
If you decide to sport one on your site, be sure and pass the Borsalino on to some other blogger who’s head — and site — is hat worthy, or just send them the link to this post.
There are no acceptance speeches. No little-known-facts about your persona. No nominations. I only ask that you pass the hat along as often as you like to any fellow bloggers whose sites catch your eye and their content draws your interest. You be the judge.
Simply click on the hat with the background color you prefer (above), copy the imbedded URL ADDRESS, then create an IMAGE WIDGET and place it wherever you’d like on your blog.
I hope you’ll wear the TPT Borsalino in good health. Just remember to doff that hat whenever you meet someone on the street. It’s just good manners that all hat wearers — Bogie, Newman and Delon included — should follow.
Have a HATisfying day. You, too, Louie.
©The Palladian Traveler | ©Tom Palladio Images
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Such a brilliant idea Tom. You’ll be world famous!
Emily – World famous? Doubtful, but it’s an entertaining idea. Thanks for dropping the note. Did you grab a hat?
I need to grab a hat. I’m behind on the whole awards thing again.
I started following your blog because of that hat….I’m glad I did. What a great idea to share it with others. I don’t blog yet but I’m moving to Italy this year and as soon as I have a blog this will be the first badge on it!
Thanks for the promise of wearing one of my “Bs” once you launch your blog.
I love the hat, but do you think it would suit me? 😀
ABSOLUTELY!
Great Hat ….Being popular again for this generation 🙂
Jake – Feel free to take a Borsalino and virtually wear it on your blog.
What a great idea! Nice and fun post 🙂
Nicole – Feel free to grab a “B” and sport it on your blog. Or, not.
I appreciate your positive slant of the hat to the world – really like the chosen images in the post 🙂 Can’t put one of your Borsolino’s on myself because I’m definitely an ‘Awards gratefully declined’ blog – hope my Wingate & Finchley woolley hat will be acceptable (must post an image of it some time).
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Do post a shot of you sporting you woolly hat.
That will definitely be happening… Got three hats for you… just give me a week 🙂
I have had a Borsalino since a long time ago, a man’s hat, I wear it and show it off especially when I am in my working environment remodeling someone’s home.
Valentina – You’ll have to post a shot of you sporting your “B.”
will do Tom 🙂
You are full of good ideas! Those hats look great! 😀
Thanks Ioanna – I hope you picked one out.
I think i like the first one, the one on the pavement rocks! It makes me think that it got carried away by the wind as its owner was walking the narrow streets of a village. Yeap, that’s mine! 🙂
Ioanna – That version is the “official” TPT Borsalino on cobblestone. It did blow away, but I found it, dusted it off, and now have it back on my noggin’!
May I request a baseball cap instead? I like hats but I can’t use that when I am gardening. Emily spoke highly of you. Being a seeker, I must find out. Very welcoming site.
Seek — Sorry, but I travel the cobblestone to somewhere under the shade of a Borsalino. Try one on and see if you like it. You owe yourself a try-on. 🙂