The Sheila Variations

Blogs and stuff ...

Being completely bored and irritated by 99.9% of political blogging these days (expressed perfectly FOR me right here by Michele), I've gone scrolling about looking for fun new blogs, written by interesting people who write about what interest them. So much of blogging about politics takes the exact same format from blog to blog: Blogger rants about the MSM (yet within same post, blogger links to some MSM article for the information it provides). Blogger puts up link, and then either makes snarky comment OR (and this is even worse), links to ANOTHER blogger's comments about it, and then writes: "Indeed". Or "Heh." Life's too short for me to waste time on blogs like that anymore. (I'm not referring to Glenn Reynolds here, by the way. That format was pretty much invented by him, and therefore it's original. He's not a writer, really - at least not on his blog. He provides LINKS. I like that about him.) I understand people read and write blogs for a variety of reasons ... to let off steam, to participate, to whatever ... and that's fine. My personal taste, though, is I gravitate towards CONTENT. I want good CONTENT and I want to feel the personality of the blogger. That's what keeps me coming back.

The political vitriol was what I gravitated towards in 2002, when I discovered blogs. I was in a rage, I needed to be with others who were in a rage. And while I still have rage, I no longer want to just hang out being outraged all the time. I don't want to stand in a cranky group of people, all nodding at how right we are, and how everything sucks. There are a ton of people who don't feel the way I do, obviously, and that's FINE. No biggie there, it's just that I am TIRED TIRED TIRED (to quote Chris Rock).

Here are some of my new favorite blogs. You might have heard of some of them, some might be new to you. Some have been on my blog-roll for a while, but some are brand new. They're all awesome, and I'm happy to pass on the goods:

Miscellaneous, Etc. - He's been around forever (looking into his archives is dizzying). His 10-minute movie reviews are addictive. I read them all.

Progressive Boink. I mean, please. Read this. I discovered this site yesterday because Michele linked to a spectacular post called 25 Sesame Street memories. It's so good. SO GOOD. Michele wrote: "This is the best thing I've read in weeks. Maybe even months." Absolutely. Sesame Street lovers? You do not want to miss that post.

Book World. Really interesting posts on books the blogger is reading. Her post on Don Quixote was what got me hooked into her blog.

Faustus. I. Love. This. Blog. My only complaint is that he doesn't post 10 times a day. Please read this post entitled: Faustus Places a Personal Ad Part 1. Don't ask questions - just do it!

Freudian Slippers. Versatile content, great observations, cool photo of Vivien Leigh ... what more would you want??

Save the Humans. Fuhgeddaboutit. I'm addicted. Too much to even discuss. I'll just leave you with this ... but know that that site is a deep pool of content (editorials, Top 10 lists) ... My new addiction. Great stuff, great writing - funny and bracing.

Susie Bright's Journal. I've always very much liked Susie Bright's columns - she's quite a fine writer, and I like her sexy stance (along with many other women) against the anti-male feminists. (She was pilloried for it by the shrill feminists, and still is. She has been banish-ed from the clicque. Grade-school shite.) But she still keeps doing her thing, writing what she wants to write, being honest. I admire her a lot. Her writing is awesome.

Virginia Postrel. Finally. I've been reading her for a couple years.

The Between. I've been reading this moving and very very well-written blog for some time. A couple things to point out: his wonderful review of Royal Tenenbaums. Yes! Feel just the same way about that film! And also, this killer of a post about his mother. I'll never forget it. It packs a huge punch. He's a wonderful writer, and I never know what he's going to post. Going to his blog every day is a surprise, and a delight.

Literary Vamp. Finally! Been checking in with her periodically for months - let's make it official. Another really interesting blog about books.

Ruthless Reviews. Not really a blog, but it doesn't matter. There are a group of guys writing "ruthless reviews" there, and I have to say that this is one of the most vicious brilliant sites I've ever come across. It is VICIOUS. If you are prone to say stuff like, "God, but that's so mean..." then you will not be amused by it. Here's the Worst Films of 2004, for example. heh heh. I need a place to visit when I'm feeling really mean and misanthropic - but one of the reasons I love and appreciate Ruthless Reviews is because the writers' contempt is at least expressed in a comedic way. And please - who can EVER forget the comedy of this. I was actually unable to read that one at work, because I could not hold back the guffaws. It's painfully funny.

I hope you enjoy clicking through those - they're truly wonderful, each in their own way. Places I love visiting.

Posted by sheila