i just haven't

been good about reading other blogs this week, and i apologize.  was a tough week, and i'm just now shedding my howard hughes state of reclusivity and peeking out into the world since i locked all the doors and let my brain rest on friday afternoon.

it has been my experience that there are tons of good blogs out there in j-land, blogspot, etc.  and i have enjoyed them immensely.  among my favorites is real live preacher, from texas.  he isn't on aol, you can find him at reallivepreacher.com.  he's unlike any pastor i've ever read. he started out anonymously, and you can bet your bottom dollar there was a reason for that.  he was unlike any pastor i've ever read - threw in a cuss word every now and then, wrote of times his faith faltered, wrote about what angered him.  he is an amazing talent - and he can preach to me anytime.  he's genuine, and i respect him.  i took the liberty of emailing him, and he always responded.  to make a long story short - he was found out by members of his congregation.  he was also discovered by a publisher, and now has a book out.  the title is the same as his blog.  Real Live Preacher.

ironically, i can't remember the name of the next blog that made a lasting impression on me, but i can tell you this - it was hilariously written by a warped mind, and the first time i read it, i literally HOWLED. my family thought i had finally fallen over the edge - tears were streaming down my face, i had laughed to hard. the blog was complete fiction (i hope), and the character writing the blog was the housewife from hell.  i'll have to find the name, and when i do, i'll let you know about it.

the next blog on my long list is aunt dubby's ugly green couch, which the author stopped writing. i hate that - aunt dubby was great!  i hope she's out there mooning over antonio banderas, or even better, has moved in with him.  she would like that.

this morning, after abandoning seclusion, i pulled up my local newspaper online and lo and behold - six of their reporters now have blogs.  it's a good way to involve the public in current events, opinions, etc...and hopefully, the project won't degenerate into flame wars, etc. but you never know.  it's a risk, but i'm sure the editors have a firm grasp over posted responses.

blogging has become HUGE.  it's interesting to see how the media utilizes them, how some authors are discovered, and what people use them for - i.e., self-promotion to the opposite sex, editorializing, or just plain journaling.  it's also a wonderful way to "meet" some good people.  i've been quite fortunate in that department.

y'all are great.

hugs,

mara