…And true love lives on lollipops and crisps” Thom Yorke
Well since it’s the last day of August I’d better get a last review Out There.
Today’s is a little more personal. Rob and Maria are good friends of mine who are due to get hitched any day now and by gum! What a cool site to catalogue all that’s happening!
Oh dear- no reviews in a week!
Better come up with something good: here, have this. The Big Smoker catalogues life in London, and very well it does too! The content is modern (lots of in-the-news-but-not-necessarily-lifted-straight-from-the-BBC-site) and interesting and jolly good to read. And mostly it got on here because they did a) a piece on Pete Doherty from the Libertines (why do I find it all so interesting? Why?) and b) a Valentine’s Day card involving arrows (traditional) and a homicidal flying monkey (non-traditional. Hm.)
Ooh, and it got an award
He’s short. He’s feathered. He’s got attitude. He’s the Penguin Of Doom.
So watch out puny human- this super-intelligent, bewinged terror is probably out to get you and free the oppressed penguin masses.
You have been warned.
Off the west coast of Scotland lie the magical-sounding islands of Coll, Tiree, Mull, Iona, Lismore, Kerrera, Seil, Easdale, Luing, and Colonsay. Ever wondered what island life in faraway north Scotland is like? Read on: residents of these ten islands have created a community for bloggers called Island Blogging, a rather lovely site with lots of colour and pictures detailing life on the islands.
There are maps of the area, galleries, links to the 39 or so blogs (there is even a section where you can click on any one island and read all of the blogs originating from there), house rules: it has a real community feel and is something special!
And now for one of the Most Famous Weblogs Ever.
I’ve just read a couple of articles about it- the second made me think twice about posting this but since the blogger’s last post was on the !0th of April with the succinct content of “I think Hiatus is the word. Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen.” I thought I’d give it a go. I’ve wanted to have a read of this blog as it’s been so relevant in world news over the last year or two.
…discoveries, is not ‘Eureka!’ (I found it!) but ‘That’s funny …’” Isaac Asimov
Now here’s a cool blog.
Science Blog started life as Ben Sullivan’s (a journalist and bit of an all-rounder by the looks of it) Techblog. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a site dedicated to reporting the goings-on in the science world. I guess by now you’ll know one of the major criteria for a blog to be reported on here: clear and easy navigation. Science Blog certainly is that. The content and features are good, too. There are “intrographs” for the newest articles with the ability to link to the whole article, a translator for the site- even an avantgo link for those of a PDA-disposition.
The popular topics list (including articles on ageing, nanotechnology and reproductive health) at the top of the main page shows up with mainly health-related topics- showing to my mind that this isn’t something limited to techheads and holders of phd’s. It’s a site dedicated to getting the current thinking out there to ordinary joe’s like myself.
Something for science buffs: Science blog has a project which encourages people to start their own science blogs: “As part of several new offerings, Science Blog is providing free blog hosting to science-minded individuals. The goal is to create a well of insights on everything from energy and the environment to computers and chemistry.”
when we’re in this terrible trouble, I can’t understand!” Jack Worthing, The Importance of Being Earnest
Well I’ll bet you all know this one. If you don’t then Literatea is here to help in those foggy hours of nescience.
What’s not to like? The quintessential British site (well- what Furrerners such as myself used to think Brits were like, then came over to live and realised that many in actual fact are like) is all about Tea. Biscuits. Toast. Chocolate Biscuitty Bar things. Sitting down and scoffing these delights and others.
You can see a description of Biscuit of the Week, read the mission statement (“Well I think we should all sit down and have a nice cup of tea, and some biscuits, nice ones mind you. Oh and some cake would be nice as well. Lovely.”), buy Stuff and learn how to make Underpant Toast. Yummy.
Ooh, have I found some cool blog-related stuff in my travels to find good weblogs today. More on that later, however.
Blog of the Day goes to Petite Anglaise- the “diary of an English thirtysomething in Paris”.
The Premise: The everyday happenings of an English lady living in France
The Look: Very well laid-out and easy to read and navigate. It’s bright and not too fussy but with enough detail to keep it inneresting.
Highlights: “31 Things” is a list (and who doesn’t like lists?) of things about Petite. Random coolness!
Today’s Blog is qwghlm.co.uk.
This blog is only part of a site which I think is rather nifty by a young man called Chris Applegate. I like this one because he uses the news- this isn’t just an angsty ramble but more of a think-out-loud on issues that are current and often controversial. Chris blogs his own views, of course, but it’s well-written and (because often it’s not just what’s written but how the thing is presented) is easy to read because the site looks good- a lovely and clear background, easy-to-read font (and size) and clear links on the side.
Other good features here include the (possibly famous- I’d heard of it anyway) Daily Mail-o-matic and lots of geeky info (not on the blog page if Too Much Information isn’t your thing) for those who just love the techy stuff.
…Oh my God, I’m losing my perspicacity! Aaaaa!” Lisa Simpson
What does every bored person who has friends jetting off to far-flung places in the Graveyard Month* need? A jolly good review! More stuff to surf whilst bored and trying to manage in the heat during those dull hours of nine to five!
With this need in mind for all bloggers everywhere I’m making August the month for reviews of weblogs. I’ll do all the hard work for you so sit back with a cup of tea/H20 (much healthier)/pina colada and Literatea and let’s get reviewing.
*My own classification. August is the Graveyard Month in the UK as most people are on holiday either in body or mind. The latter group consists mainly of those of us who cannily went away before high season and now regret it as it’s worn off and we’re dead jealous of everyone else sunning themselves in France, Italy and Miami.