This New Blog of the Week is long overdue for a little recognition. I had it in my mind to showcase this a month or so ago but I kinda thought I was hitting too may writing blogs. It’s now time to let this one shine.
Every once in a while you run across a blog whose comments section is almost more fun to read than the posts! This is probably the truest example that I have found of that theory. This blogger has such a loyal following and those folks leave the greatest comments, due I think in no small part to how the blog owner responds and engages his audience.
This blog is not strictly writing. In fact there is a lot of great life stuff here. Check out these titles of late:
When Quitting is the Only Sane Option Left
You’re the World’s Coolest Blogger If Only…
Surefire – But Often Ignored – Trick to Superb Writing
The Art of Criticizing a Blogging Buddy
And here’s an excerpt from his latest post:
Twitter lists are meant to be exclusionary
Well, Mr. Brogan, with all due respect that argument is hogwash.
That’s why they’re called list in the first place. If you include nearly everybody, where’s the value in that?
If indeed one’s feeling hinges on the inclusion or non-inclusion to anybody’s list then that person needs to be on a therapist’s couch and not on Twitter. Twitter lists are meant for ordinary people like us to pass on our recommendations based on interests, passions, friendships, and other shared values no matter how banal or weird they maybe. It’s not meant to stroke someone’s needy, fragile ego.
His style is a hoot. He pulls no punches, yet he is gentle and responsive.
I love reading his blog and following him on Twitter because I never really know exactly what I’m going to get.
I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite blogs:
Writing to Exhale
The blog owner is Jan Geronimo and he is just stinkin’ awesome. Go over to Exhale and love up some of his posts, will ya?
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Great choice, George! The ability to appreciate Jan’s unique style is a mark of brilliance. And that’s not just a matter of opinion but rather a well-documented, scientific, empirically-challenged fact.
I was first introduced to Jan about a month ago. I can honestly tell you that Jan is irreverent, hilarious, honest and clever. Even behind the scenes, when he is not “on stage”. He has a way of seeing through the crap, but (usually, not always) using his cleverness and natural diplomacy to get his point across.
I can’t wait to read more of his stuff going forward. I hope to find you in the comments section so we can bandy about with mirth and conviction.
.-= Heather Kephart´s last blog ..My Feet by Joe Joe =-.
Thanks Heather.
It’s good to see you here. Yes, Jan is a very unique person in a sea of non-uniques.
I love his stuff and look forward to the comments here.
George
Thanks, Heather. Great summation of qualities I aspire to have in this life time.
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.
Wow! Congratulations Jan!
Heyya George, nice to visit here.
It’s true that Jan is as engaging on his blog as he is described – he visits our blogs too and engages us there. He’s a great blogging friend and neighbor.
His feature on your uber blog is much deserved! woot!
.-= reyjr´s last blog ..Pacquiao defeats Cotto! =-.
Reyjr,
Hey thanks for stopping by! I see you all over the Twitterverse.
Yep, that Jan is something else!
George
Haha. Yes I was the past few days. I’ve just been Tweeting a lot about the Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto bout. It’s over now so back to normal programming. lol. :p
Yes Jan is awesome. We refer to him as “Lolo Jan” or LJ which means Granpa Jan – a term of endearment.
.-= reyjr´s last blog ..Pacquiao defeats Cotto! =-.
@Rey: I’m relieved you qualified Grandpa as a term of endearment. I’m chomping at the bit, and in the great words of Heather, ready to empirically challenge that fact! LOL. All is well, Rey.
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.
Haha! LJ, we have settled this before have we not? That the blogosphere is a stage and we are all performers and age doesn’t matter ladidada…
Hehehe.
Is it only me and Elmot now who refer to you as LJ?
.-= reyjr´s last blog ..Pacquiao defeats Cotto! =-.
George, I’m stumped. Isn’t my blog a little too bewhiskered to be featured in your series? Ah well, let me just say I’m very honored and thankful and hopeful that though you may have misgivings later that you don’t take it back. The deed is done after all.
I’m so excited and happy that I’m having a Homer Simpson moment. You know, when he exclaims, “I’m in a place where I don’t know where I am!”
Thanks, George!
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.
Jan,
Congrats, buddy.
Your blog is perfect for this series. It deserves to be showcased because I think the whole darned world needs to know about you and what you’re doing.
I’m proud to know you, Jan.
George
Hi George,
I’m sure I won’t be the last person who’ll be jumping up/down with glee upon seeing Jan’s recognition here. ^^ He’s indeed a fun, talented writer that pulls no punches. Great sense of humor while providing insightful posts. Interestingly this guy is very generous and supportive. The pick is well deserved.
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
.-= Ching Ya´s last blog ..6 Twitter Lists Applications to Expand Your Network =-.
Thanks a lot, Ching Ya.
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.
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Hi Mr. Tumblemoose!
I just met Jan few days ago and *ahem* immediately fell in love with his blog and his demeanor.
Congrats Jan!
Great pick, George!!
In fact, the excerpt you chose for this post is what initially reeled me in. I think we must be on the same wavelength, George. Or, maybe it’s just that tiara and Kilt?
Have a great Monday, everyone.
.-= lori´s last blog ..Front Porch: Not A Typical Day in the Park =-.
@Lori: My visit to your blog was because of the commentluv link of your post here, right here in George’s great blog. So I have to be grateful as well to George for making it easy connecting with great writers in the blogosphere. He sure does have tons of them around.
Thanks for the kind words, Lori. I’m excited reading more of your front porch stories!
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.
Awesome, you two. I’m glad you connected. I think more than anything else, that is what this is all about.
George
Hello George, I’m delighted that you’ve featured one of the few writers in the blogosphere whom I truly admire. Jan is a cut above the rest: a certified raconteur, a prolific writer and a truly generous person.
When I first read one of his posts entitled “Ten Tricks to Bring Sexy Back into Your Blog” http://www.writingtoexhale.com/2009/04/ten-tricks-to-bring-sexy-back-into-your.html- , I kept chuckling while reading it because of the how he wrote the piece with flair and aplomb. The article impressed me a lot that I had to dig into his archives as I had hungered for more.
I was also fascinated at the large number of his readers/commentators who usually left well-thought-of comments which were really participative. I had been previously exposed to one liner comments, it was refreshing to read the meaningful exchange of Jan and his readers. The comments were also one of the things I looked forward to when I visit his blog.
He values his readers so much that they keep going back – I’m one of them- I keep going back for more. I could also let my hair down there in his blog particularly in the comments section and he wouldn’t mind.
Coffee and drinks are also served, at times, George…lol. You may want to have a cup.
Thanks for featuring Jan. Just like you, I wish that more people would be able to read his posts and enjoy and learn simultaneously from his well written, witty and informative posts.
5 stars for this Blog of the Week!
.-= Jena Isle´s last blog ..Guess Who’s in This Video! =-.
@Jen: I was amused when I saw that you tweeted an old post of mine. Never occurred to me that you’d be using it as Exhibit A here. Thanks a lot, Jen. Promise, I’d never get nervous again when I notice you rummaging in my archives again.
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.
The man is just great and there is nothing more to say as I am in fear of loosing him… (he might just blow up) with so much nice things we have to say about him, lol.
This is really a very nice initiative form your part George.
.-= DiTesco´s last blog ..Forget Making Money Online – It Sucks #2 =-.
Thanks, Ditesco. Don’t worry, I’ve great friends who keep me grounded all the time. They have no use for swellheaded guys, you see.
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.
Wow, another winner! Can’t wait to check out Jan’s site, George!
.-= Michele | aka Raw Juice Girl´s last blog ..Raw Tuna Fish-Less Himala Salad Recipe =-.
The quality of sites you are finding to feature here is amazing…another great pick! Jan, welcome to the Tumblemoose clan!!
Matt
.-= Matt | Small Biz Bee´s last blog ..Win $150 from Smallbizbee.com (Sponsored by BizSugar) =-.
Michelle and Matt: Thanks, guys.
.-= jan geronimo´s last blog ..Read My Lips: Twitter Lists Are Meant to be Exclusionary =-.
“Hey! That’s my friend!”
Sorry, I just have to say that, cause I’m really proud that I know this blogger featured here.
And you are right George, Jan’s comment section is really fun to read. There was a time we didn’t call it comment section anymore… we called it “Home”
Well, he isn’t the most influential blog for 2009 for nothing
Way to go Jan!
…and thank you George!
.-= Roy´s last blog ..Chapters =-.
Keep them coming George – a very postive thing to be doing.
.-= Iain Broome´s last blog ..How to write smarter in Microsoft Word with Document Map =-.
Thanks Iain,
Always nice to see you here. Jan has done a remarkable job with his site.
Cheers
George
You have done it again, you sold me this blog too.
Thanks George.
.-= Wilma Ham´s last blog ..Ann-Marie on Intimacy on Blogs =-.
Great, Wilma!
I bet you’ll love Jan’s stuff!
George
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Hi George,
Jan’s blog is another wonderful pick. And I agree, he’s such fun to read, not only on his blog, but in his comment section and on Twitter, too. I like how he teaches all of us that blogging doesn’t have to be serious.
.-= Barbara Swafford´s last blog ..The Battle Over Comments – Part 2 =-.