Blog Solidarity

Please consider checking out these gems amidst the flotsam and jetsam of the Blogosphere

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“We work in the dark, we do what we can, we give what we have.

Our doubt is our passion and our passion is our task.

The rest is the madness of art.”

~Henry James

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Dawn Runs Amok v.1

This was my first effort at a blog. Created in 2k6 as a concept blog, it was intended to be a intimate journal of the days before and after having brain surgery for a disease called Arnold-Chiari Malformation. However, as my condition worsened, and the day drew nearer, I became…stranger, and so did my journal. I could have gone back and edited out the bizarre, fragmented parts, and perhaps created a more informative narrative. But after long consideration, I decided to leave it as is.

This is a record of what happened from my personal perspective, within, and without.

Finally, I would like to add that, despite my highly cantankerous nature, my family and friends stood by me throughout the grueling Massacre in Miami, and for that I will always be humbly grateful.

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Now, let’s move on to the really interesting blogs…

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Mulberry on Snow is the main blog of my dear friend and cohort, Stephanie McManus.
Mulberry on Snow, is as subtle and provacative as the vision the title inspires in my imagination.

Both ‘Mulberry on Snow’ and ‘The Attic‘, her first blog, are captivating visions through a digital looking glass into the world of poet, Stephanie McManus. In my mind, Stephanie is a poet of the old school. In her wordcraft she is fearless and prolific; dedicated to growing in her art, she shows that like any true poet, she is willing to climb way out on a branch and gleefully start sawing behind her. A multi-faceted writer who is by turns insightful and whimsical, perceptive and daring, Stephanie quickly earned my respect and friendship.

For my part, I seek out poets who not only forge connections between Life and how we perceive it, but who are also unafraid to draw upon their own life experiences to illustrate these connections. Seemingly ineffable relationships that only become apparent once a poet has translated the symbols into words.
Stephanie does this with a vibrant, unique style and a confident voice. In our minds, an attic is often a place of forlorn shadows, of cobwebs, and long-forgotten boxes of memory. However, The Attic, and Mulberry on Snow are sun-drenched yet mysterious labyrinths of words and ideas. I suggest wandering in, and getting yourself good and lost.

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Life In Spenard

“One Artist, One Bike, and a Love of the Human Skull”

Based in the strange and infamous area of Anchorage called Spenard, this Alaskan artist has one of the most creative blogs I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. In addition to being a locally respected artist, she also has the fortitude and determination found in explorers and professional athletes. Having never owned a car, she rides her bike year round, in an environment that is harsh and unforgiving. Even in urban Alaska, winter is not to be trifled with. However, she rides through the worst that Alaska throws at her, and has for decades.

Advocate for Free Speech via an Independent media, ardent enemy of the ever-growing ThoughtPolice, and a true Rabble Rouser in the finest tradition. This artist will give you the warm fuzzies for the imminent Revolution, which is but waiting for we Rabble to Rise.

Between her beautiful art, admirable lifestyle, and her unique take on our world, this blog makes for some very compelling reading.

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The Mudflats

Featuring the extremely talented “AK Muckraker” The Mudflats is a must-read if you want to learn about the 3 Ringed Circus known as Alaskan Politics. Often getting the scoop on the local press, the Mudflats is known locally for fearless and ethical political journalism.

After the mainstream news outlets are finished insulting your intelligence, go to the Mudflats for a dose of truth, a sliver of justice, a monkey wrench in the cogs of the Alaskan political machine.

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Rancho Spenardo

“An Alaskan Ex-Pat living the not-so-simple life in rural Alabama”

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Written by a former Alaska team member for the National Poetry Slam, Rancho Spenardo is eloquent, and provides a rare glimpse into the life of an adventurous spirit. Jackie inherited a farm in rural Alabama and left the relatively urban streets of Anchorage for a tough farm life in the Lower 48.

Living off of the land, and her Franken-coop of chickens, she writes of the daily challenges a person faces when living at the edge of poverty. However, what she may lack in terms of money, she is nevertheless wealthy beyond measure in terms of imagination, determination, and an remarkable ability to adapt to whatever she encounters. With a wry, witty sense of humor, and a sparkle of the sardonic, she writes where others often fear to tread.

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Echostains

Art, Life, and musings through visual and written communication

Bookstains

With Echostains, this talented artist has created a blog that is a pleasure both to the eye and the brain. The vivid palette of her mind is reflected in her prolific postings that span the spacious world of art. As with the other blogs included here, there is a wealth of archived creativity on both sites that is easy to get lost in, like a good museum.

Sister blog to Echostains, Bookstains is primarily focused on the written word; with original poetry, book reviews, and essays, both blogs are a window into a wonderfully curious, and intelligent mind.

Unlike many bloggers who limit readers only to comments, with her journals this artist is very interactive with her readers, creating poetry challenges and other ways to connect with her artistically. In particular, I found that aspect very refreshing. I highly recommend both blogs if you love art, literature, and poetry.

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The Attic

The Attic is a vision through a digital looking glass into the world of poet Stephanie McManus. In my mind, Stephanie is a poet of the old school. In her wordcraft she is fearless and prolific; dedicated to growing in her art, she shows that like any true poet, she is willing to climb way out on a branch and gleefully start sawing behind her. A multi-faceted writer, by turns insightful and whimsical, perceptive and daring, Stephanie quickly earned my respect.

For my part, I seek out poets who not only forge connections between Life and how we perceive it, but who are also unafraid to draw upon their own life experiences to illustrate these connections. Seemingly ineffable relationships that only become apparent once a poet has translated the symbols into words.
Stephanie does this with a vibrant, unique style and a confident voice. In our minds, an attic is often a place of forlorn shadows, of cobwebs, and long-forgotten boxes of memory. However Stepanie’s Attic is a sun-drenched yet mysterious labyrinth of words and ideas; I suggest wandering in, and getting yourself good and lost.

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Please Stay tuned,

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