SO META

Last post of the day, guys ... promise ...

Okay, so I just have to share some of the blogs I have been reading with you guys. I blame them entirely for how long it has been (before today, I mean) since I blogged last - I have been trawling through these guys and thinking, "Oh my goodness, how can I become this awesome?!"

(This issue probably has a lot to do with the fact that the majority of the blogs I read have a clear central topic, and here in cactus-town, we definitely don't. But that's a prickly problem for another time.)

Anyway, here's my internet reading list. Enjoy! Click on stuff! And let me know what you think.


http://www.jabberwocky-magazine.com/
My most recent discovery. Monthly, online magazine, strong "speculative fiction" bent. Their taste in stories is so good that I wish they did art, too. Have a look at some of their back-issue covers; wouldn't those be some gorgeous posters?

http://www.jonacuff.com/stuffchristianslike/
I am a strong believer in clever self-mockery. Which is why I about died when I first opened up the Archives page on Stuff Christians Like (yes, it is a spin-off of http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/). 'A Christian will shank you at a buffet table'? Heck yes. Look out. Using 'I'll pray about that' as a euphemism for 'no'? Also yes. The secret bathroom at church? Been there. I am mightily amused.

http://www.bookslut.com/
Provocative name. Really excellent essays. I will admit, I haven't read as much of it as I'd like, because much of this is the kind of writing that demands your full attention; it doesn't make the best skimming-through material. But if you're interested in reading smart people talk about literature, come along.

http://www.thesartorialist.com/
Pretty pictures! Of clothes! I think I already posted about this website once...but whatever. Someday, I will have a grown-up wardrobe. Must begin researching now.

http://makeitmad.com/
Sadly, there is probably no more new content coming to this blog - Max's trip has come to an end (ish), and it looks like he won't be gracing us with any more posts. But check out the archives. It's good stuff.

http://tidingsofmagpies.blogspot.com/
This lady has good taste in poems, pretty pictures, and a wry wit besides. I look in on this page every once in awhile, and there's always something pretty to see. No long-term commitment necessary.

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/
Funniest. Thing. Ever. Go down and to the right and click on one of the 'best of' icons. Any one. Read the post that comes up. If you don't end up laughing until you cry/pee your pants, you are probably a zombie. Stay away from my brain.

http://www.thechurchofnopeople.com/
Written by a snarky pastor. This cactus would totes go to his church, were it not so far away. Failing that, his posts are both fun and thought-provoking. Check out the "best of", or a recent post, "Letters from a Teenage F-g". See what I mean?

http://www.theveryworstmissionary.com/
Written by a snarky missionary. I think Jamie and I would be pals if we met in real life. Valentine and I are especially impressed by her shameless use of profanity, even though her site is definitely more overtly Christian-affiliated than ours is. Badass.

http://www.elchupacabrawrites.com/
The Very Worst Missionary's other half. He's cool too, if not as snarky.

http://tribalwriter.com/
I have not read as much of Justine's work as I would like, but she is a very cool, very kick-butt lady (sorry, we've already used up the profanity quota for today). Her smartness does not just apply to you writerly types; anyone with a creative endeavor and need of a kick in the pants should read her.

http://www.windling.typepad.com/
Honestly, Terri Windling needs no introduction. Suffice to say that she is among my Top 10 Inspiring Ladies (of which, if you're interested, 5 are people I know personally, 1 is a fictional character, 2 are writers, and at least 1 would object to being referred to as a lady). Her Friday roundups of interesting/inspiring websites have been at least partially responsible for a few of my own blog posts.

http://keturahweathers.theworldrace.org/
http://plct.blogspot.com/
First, Keturah blogged her way through the World Race. Then she moved on to blogging about other things. Go over and show her some love!

http://sisterwisdom.com/blog/
My favorite writing teacher has a website! I haven't spent much time on it yet, but I'm just really excited to see what she's up to (aside from being a very busy mom, natch). A lot of her advice has a definite mom-ness bent, so not exactly applicable to me, but still...

http://www.fantasy-magazine.com/
Another online magazine, and so good. The fiction is beautiful, the interviews are both fun and informative, and the pictures are lovely (if incidental; art isn't really their focus). Come for a good story. Stay for a lot more good stories.

http://pennydreadfulvintage.blogspot.com/
I like reading people who can talk knowledgeably about clothes. It gives me hope that someday I will be able to express my own tastes in some way slightly more intelligent than, "I like pretty clothes."

http://laurennicolelove.blogspot.com/
A friend. An Inspiring Lady. She's also getting married, by the by, so go over and congratulate her!

That's it for now, friends. There are more, of course - there are always more - but at least now, the next time I vanish into the interwebs for weeks at a time, you'll know the reason why.
Thanks for reading!