The Death of Blogging has been touted for years now. Even the term “micro-blogging” for services such as Twitter has fallen out of favor, being replaced by “social media” and the like. Therefore, it’s very encouraging when I come across new blogs that have lots of potential. Some of these have been around and I’ve just now stumbled on them. Some are relatively new. What they have in common is that they are independent bloggers, much like myself, and are not part of some big conglomerate like the Gawker blogs or HuffPo, and they have a local flavor to them.
First up is The Carpetbagger’s Blog. I’ve followed Jacob K’s exploits for years on Flickr. Jacob has a knack for finding those oddities that make the South what it is. As a transplant from Indiana, he has found these quirks both fascinating and endearing. Back in August he started a blog to document some of these discoveries, and to better explain some of his photos. Recent articles include a post about Harrison Mayes and the crosses that he planted all over Appalachia, a post about Confederate Flags and all the forms they can take, and a post about wrestling – not Greco-Roman, and not WWF, but the local wannabes. Jacob’s writing is insightful, and he gives lots of great information about these various subjects.
Another long-time Flickr friend goes by the moniker Eartha Kitsch. She’s had her blog online since 2010, but I just stumbled onto the link for it from Jacob’s blog. Like Jacob, Eartha likes to take photos of the weirdness and kitschy stuff she encounters. Her Ranch Dressing blog covers some of that, but tends to be more of a personal journal.
Nicole Livengood is a self-professed “foodie”. Her Gap Creek Gourmet blog is a blend of personal life, restaurant reviews, and other happenings around Greenville.
Of course, I would be remiss in not shouting out to fellow explorer Mark Elbrecht. Mark’s Outdoors in Upstate South Carolina blog is relatively new – about a year old. Mark and I have been on expeditions together, and often provide each other blog fodder and information about topics we happen to be researching.
Finally, I’m always glad to see that there are some of us persistent long-timers still around. This includes my friend Duck Hunter, Brian “Mr. Miata“, Brad’s Rapid Eye Reality, Eric’s A Day’s Drive from Greenville, and Laura Lew’s Specs Appeal. More power to you, guys, and don’t let anyone tell you that blogging is dead. It isn’t.
Some good finds! Thanks for the encouragement. I’m not dead yet! I’m getting better. I think I’ll go for a walk.
Thanks for the mention, Tom. And Ed, you did not deny being a zombie. I find that that very suspicious.
Tom, thanks for the iPad session at Ed Tech; I really enjoyed it. Didn’t know you had a blog. Mine has been on the ‘net since ’04, though I haven’t recently posted due to lack of inactivity. If you can, I’d appreciate a visit at http://rodandquill.com/.