10 New Reasons I (Really) Like The Blogosphere

August 18th, 2007 • Click to view Related Articles
Filed Under: Featured Articles

As many of you know, I’m an unabashed lover of the blogosphere - in fact, I’ve left a trail of love notes on this very site in the months past (known as “Why I Like Blogging So Much”, Parts 1,2,3, 4 and 5), and have probably blathered away on comments to your blogs about how this wonderful and fantastic medium of communication has changed my life.

Well, darned if this past couple of months I’ve had enough new experiences where I just HAVE to spring forth with yet more platitudes about the blogging world.

The catalyst for a lot of this was my decision to start the “Starbucker Meme” back in June - while I’ve yet to present my wrap up of that adventure (that’s a tease - I think you’ll enjoy what I have in store), the new blogs I’ve discovered as a result have expanded my already plentiful bounty of virtual friends and revealed yet another group of creative writers.
A couple of other recent discoveries have come from old friends who keep finding new friends of their own, and as usual are only too happy to promote them and their writing.

Here are my 10 New Reasons I (Really) Like the Blogosphere:

  1. Tim Draayer pointed me to one of the best pieces I’ve read in quite a long time, an essay by Perry Marshall called “Old-Fashioned Discernment in the Age of the Internet“. Read it and find out what Perry considers to be the “#1 Success Skill”.
  2. Here’s another revelation - cats can blog! I bet you are saying, “yeah, right“, but check out the musings of Patches on “Claw~less/Ball~less”. Check out how this feline cleverly uses a wine cork. Yes, I can now check the box, I have seen everything……
  3. Ever wonder what it’s like these days for “Gen Y-ers” as they take their shot at changing the world? Look no further than a Modite, an excellent blog by Rebecca Thorman. Look at the post “Three workplace weaknesses that are really Gen Y strengths” and you’ll see what I mean.
  4. So you like a little of that “outside the box” marketing advice? Well, Ryan Karpeles provides it in spades. Anyone who can classify Bob Dylan as an “ultimate marketer” is keeping me on my mental toes. A “living light bulb” indeed!
  5. If you like your daily dose of blogospheric wisdom with a dash of wit and a chaser of unfiltered emotion, go read Liv at “Madness, Madness, I Say!”. She’ll draw you into her “overthought” world and won’t let you go. When you comment (and you will) tell Liv “T-Star” sent you.
  6. This next reason came into my view circuitously, from Vern (The Idea dude) through Liz Strauss’ Successful Blog, on a post Vern wrote called “Believing Dots”. Stephen Hopson was cited for his writings about overcoming adversity on “Adversity University”, and after reading through only just a few of his posts, I could tell that this was a blog I could draw plenty of inspiration from. See for yourself.
  7. Sometimes blogs can take a specific topic and really run with it - in this case, traveling. Heather Dugan has chronicled her adventures (with some pretty cool pictures to boot) in her blog “Footsteps”. I could really relate to her post on traveling alone (since I do a lot of it).
  8. I like it when a blog is just a bit unpredictable - that’s always an enticement to come back since you are always wondering what direction the writer will go next. “Terri, Terri Quite Contrary” fits that bill quite nicely. Heck, the subtitle says it all - “you never know what you are going to get“. Rock on, Terri!
  9. Back in June I reported that I started taking yoga lessons from my wife - I’m happy to report I’m still at it, and my “down dog” and “Warrior 2″ (among other poses) are getting better each time I practice. Because of this journey I’ve had the opportunity to virtually meet other yogis like Asia at Asia’s Pranablog . Even if you are not into Yoga you can appreciate the advice and wisdom she brings to her site (and there are some beautiful photos of Asia in several poses that really demonstrate how this is done).
  10. Lastly, I always like a blogger who can pick a great “pen name” - like Starbucker, for instance. :-) I discovered Gal Morale through a link at Tom’s QAQNA site, and she is an unabashed promoter of workplaces “where employees get Standing Ovations and customers have a Celebrity Experience”. Since I’m on that team too I intend to make many more visits to this great site.

There you have it - 10 more reasons why I really like the blogosphere. Have a great weekend everyone!

There Are 12 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by ME Strauss on 18 August 2007:

    I can hear your voice throughout this entire post. I was just laughing as if we were on the phone. “A clever pen name like Starbucker.” Really? Are you trying to pass that off as a pen name AGAIN. :)
    Liz

  2. Comment by liv on 19 August 2007:

    Thanks for the linky love. I’ve just spent my weekend with Patches’ owner, Ms. Chica… wait till you see what trouble we’ll get into next!

  3. Comment by Tim Draayer on 19 August 2007:

    You’re right, there are many great reasons to love the blogesphere and as you know its changed my life in many was as well. Thanks for the linkage and take care!

  4. Comment by Stephen J. Hopson on 19 August 2007:

    Thank you for the link love! I discovered it through the Google Alert email I got this morning. What a nice surprise!

    You have a very unique last name “Starbucker.” Is that really your last name or a pen name? Either way, it is quite memorable b/c I believe I had heard of it somewhere on the blogsphere, someplace. Very unique!

    Thanks again for the link love, it is hugely appreciated.

    Stephen

  5. Comment by Terry Starbucker on 19 August 2007:

    Hi Liz, Liv, Tim and Stephan - thanks for your comments.

    Liz in re-reading this post I see what you mean (ha). And about my name…….let’s just say that with a name like Starbucker, I better be drinking good coffee!
    :-)

    Liv, I can’t wait to read about the adventures of the three of you this past weekend, and you are quite welcome. Keep up the “madness”!

    Tim, I’m sure you would have many great reasons to love the blogosphere too - I can’t wait to read about it (I guess that’s a hint!). You take care too.

    Stephen, you’re welcome. Apparently there is a little bit of mystery on whether or not Starbucker is my real name (see Liz’s commment above). Let’s just say it is my real name in the blogosphere! ;-)

    All the best to you all!

  6. Comment by Footsteps on 19 August 2007:

    Thanks for the kind comments! I’ve enjoyed your site on a (very!)frequent basis.

    Heather(”Footsteps”)

  7. Comment by Ryan Karpeles on 19 August 2007:

    Thanks for the kind words, Terry. The number of reasons to love this space (and the people within it) keep growing every day. I’m constantly amazed at how blessed we are to have access to this medium.

    Have a great week :)

  8. Comment by Terry Starbucker on 20 August 2007:

    Hi Heather and Ryan - thanks for stopping by!

    I hope you both keep gracing our blogosphere with your great writing for a long time to come.

    All the best!

  9. Comment by Donna Cutting on 26 August 2007:

    Hey Terry!

    Thanks for the mention and for the compliment. So kind of you. And, as you can see, I am now a frequent visitor of your fantastic site.

    Warmly,
    Donna Cutting
    aka Gal Morale

  10. Comment by Terry Starbucker on 31 August 2007:

    Hi Donna, thanks for your comment and kind words. Welcome aboard!

  11. Comment by Stephen J. Hopson on 29 September 2007:

    “Starbucker”

    It’s me, Stephen Hopson again. I was going through my files and came across the “Google Alerts” that brought me to your site originally.

    I came back and did some browsing, growing more and more inspired by the minute and ended up subscribing to your RSS feed. I hope to be seeing some new articles from your blog soon!

    By the way, since you are all about providing positive inspiration, would you be interested in showing your readers a YouTube video that I posted over at my blog about the impact my fifth grade teacher made on my life so many years ago?

    If so, please let me know and I’ll send you the link to my blog post about it. Some people are uplifted and inspired while others seem to think it’s a commerical for my speaking business. I guess it’s all a matter of perception, isn’t it?

    Anyhow, hope to hear from you soon! You can reach me at stephen(at)sjhopson.com

    Stephen

  12. Comment by Terry Starbucker on 30 September 2007:

    Hi Stephen - thanks for your kind words, and for subscribing to my blog. I look forward to our future conversations! I’d be happy to take a look at your video and consider it for posting - I’ll drop you an e-mail. All the best.

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