Wow, I got tagged as a “Thinking Blogger” by Tiel Ansari over at Knocking From Inside. Thanks Tiel! I have a dozen posts to finish, but this one needs to be first, so here goes…
Okay, from the looks of things, I get to post about five blogs that make you think, and pass the tag on to them. They then get to post about five other blogs. Etc.
These are the specifics:
1. If, and only if, you get tagged, write a post with links to five blogs that make you think,
2. Link to this post so that people can easily find the exact origin of the meme,
3. Optional: Proudly display the 'Thinking Blogger Award.' (Shown above right.)
The, uh, other side of this is I have to shoot 5 blogs out of the sky that I think are worthy. This was good logic until it came to me, where it will probably become tarnished by diminishing returns.
I like blogs that are fun and informative. I try to make mine that way, rants one day, political pundit the next, a goofy cartoon with political/sexual/tentacle undertones, movie reviews (they’re not ALL cheesy, dammit Tiel!) and the occasional DEEP THOUGHT. What’s life without interesting variety?
These are the ones that currently occupy my top shelf, right next to the Scotch:
I’m NOT doing this one because Tiel nominated me. I have been a lurker on her blog ever since I discovered it, and to be blunt, I love her poetry. I have started another blog for poetry of my own, inspired by her…Sadly, I am no poet, and can’t bring myself to post any of my scribblings. Which Tiel also quite often offers advice about to aspiring poets, how cool is that? In any case, the woman knows her stuff, and she writes from a place not so littered with clouds and dandelions like so many “modern” poets.
If you like my blog, you can thank Mushtaq Ali for it’s existence. It was Mushtaq who pushed me to start writing my own blog, probably because he was sick of my bogarding his comments section all the time. Mushtaq offers advice and education on a plethora of subjects, from art to religion, music, science, and of course martial arts. He also is a source of constant prodding for me to get off my ass and DO SOMETHING. Last week he made me look something up in Sanskrit. Fucking SANSKRIT. What’s next, damn hieroglyphs??! No, really, it’s like having George Bernard Shaw’s evil twin brother for dinner.
He really does look like George Bernard Shaw’s twin, by the by.
I like this blog, there is a real shortage of good advice for aspiring teachers out there and this guy is doing his best to fill the gap. It strays into the metaphysical from time to time, but never too much for me to smack my head and mutter “Christ”. I test a lot of the theories he puts forth, and he gives a generous portion of technical and theoretical points to let the teacher mix them into their own unique concept.
Barry Deutsch, aka Ampersand, the political comic artist. His site alone is fantastic, but his blog is everything I aspire to be with mine. I practically live there, and his political cartoons constantly provoke me to either scream “Yes, preach it brother!” or “Dude, WTF?!?!?!” Sometimes both at the same time. Barry also has several guest contributors as well, and the varying points of view make for a blog that I leave in my constant refresh window. Stop by and check it out, but make sure you have some coffee first.
Steve Perry – the guy who sang “Don’t Stop Believing”- also gives advice on writing, martial arts, and things that are…Very Old.
Very.
Old.
Steve is a science fiction author, and as down-homey as they get. But he’s willing to share his secrets practically for free, and after digging through half a dozen writing courses I find his blog easier to read and digest into application. Besides, so few people have such a genuine sense of humor, and I prefer to read his stories to any ten of the so-called “enlightened” political pundits out their today. Also, he's great to learn a different perspective from, especially in the Martial Arts realm.
As you can see, we are an incestuous group, and most of us know each other personally. Also, this list is absolutely nebulous. If I were to re-post it in a month, I would have a few different blogs listed, but these are very worthwhile, by and large.
Thanks again for the tag, Tiel. It’s great knowing that people find what I have to say interesting, and coming from you, it's a real compliment.
I wonder if this is how Barry Manilow felt when he recorded “Mandy”?
2 comments:
You have a poetry blog? I wanna see!
As for the tag, hey, you deserve it.
It's an EMPTY poetry blog, Tiel. No way am I going to post my sappy crap for the world to read.
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