About virtual friends

While discussing our differences in the recent posting on racism and political correctness, I came up with this idea of…well, you guys.

Because, I suddenly realized. I talk a lot about my friends. I told you about my old friends and my new friends. But I have not yet talked about you guys. My virtual friends, as I like to call you. Because, you and your comments make this blog come alive. Excuse the pompous expression. I thought I would bring your attention to this colourful box on the left hand side- the followers of this blog. I don’t know if you ever looked at those guys. Do. It is quite fascinating.

 

Most of them have an amazing background, stories to tell and cultures to share. Not to mention all of you who are reading this right now, but have no google profile or are not ( why not???!!)  followers of this blog. So, let’s talk about you, for a change. I want to know who you are. Where are you from? What colour and shape are you? Are you skinny, are you fat, are you funny? Are you boring? Are you an Islamic fundamentalist? Please, tell!

I know little about the followers. But thought it would be fun to talk about some of them. So, I picked out just a few from the list. The ones who either had some info on their profile, links to their own sites or simply sounded interesting- for whatever reason. Of course, I simply could not list all 120 (Hey, not long till 10,000 now! ), so I apologize if I missed you out.

Writers, journalists, photographers, artists and bloggers…from all over the world. And I just wanted to say it makes me feel pretty good knowing that people who follow and read this blog are interesting, in their own ways. Because, that makes this blog interesting, too- by association, if nothing else. I would hate it if I opened the followers section and saw a bunch of idiots. That would annoy me. Because, we say in Russian- Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are. I am quite pleased with my list. My list is pretty cool, so I say so myself.

So let me introduce just a few of my followers to you.

Ms Footloose: http://www.lifeintheexpatlane.com/

“I hail from the Netherlands and am an expat writer not living in paradise. I do not drink wine from my own grapes or tend my own olive groves. I have, however, visited my butcher’s bedroom in Palestine, eaten fertility sausage in Kenya, and almost landed in prison in Uganda. I follow my man around the globe and watch him work on agricultural and other business projects in developing countries.”

Lishota: http://lishtota.blogspot.com/

I'm bilingual blogger writing about everything I want, including personal notes, but mostly I comment on contemporary social change and cultural issues in post-Soviet Georgia (secularism, nationalism and ethnic identity, popculture, and etc.). 
I graduated Tbilisi State University (Cultural Studies), later The University of Edinburgh (Nationalism Studies), currently looking for a good PhD program. 
"isterika" is my blog's name, though my social nickname too, but you can also cite me as Shota Khinchagashvili. 

LINDA M. FAULKNER: http://lindamfaulkner.blogspot.com/

Writer of fiction and lots of good insurance stuff...living the good life in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana.

Oman Collective Intelligence- http://www.oman-collective-intelligence.com/

Been in Oman for several years; it's a great place led by a great man. I love this country and always will. I graduated in London and then got the best job in the world which took me to places like Angola, Sudan, Ecuador, Bolivia, Cape Verde, Romania, and some others. Of course i ended up here in Oman

An-Lu http://angela-lucy.blogspot.com/
Μου αρέσει η έκφραση "τριάντα-φεύγα". Με εκφράζει και ηλικιακά και διανοητικά. Δεν ντρέπομαι να παραδεχτώ ότι είμαι φευγάτη, ή έστω, θέλω να είμαι!-

(No idea what that means, maybe she or one of you could translate it for me?)

Dr Dx- an artist and a writer - http://uncledonniesstoriesabouteverything.blogspot.com/

Adrineh: http://leretourin3parts.blogspot.com/

Originally from Toronto, Canada, I began "Le Retour (in 3 Parts)" in 2008, when I returned to 3 cities close to my heart: Amsterdam, Paris, and Yerevan. In 2009, I decided to move to Yerevan (Armenia) where I currently live with my partner and try to survive the trials and tribulations of this so-called life
.

Sexgenderbody- http://sexgenderbody.com/

an open, honest conversation about sex, gender, body

 

Temo: http://www.google.com/profiles/bardzima

Freelance Journalist and Photographer at EurasiaNet.org, Bloomberg News, Liberali magazine (Georgia)
Tbilisi, Georgia

 

Colossusofrhodes- http://lifeislivingyou.blogspot.com/

Bill Kirton- http://livingwritingandotherstuff.blogspot.com/- 

I’ve been a university lecturer, actor, director, television presenter and RLF Writing Fellow at three Scottish universities. I’ve published three crime novels. The first two, Material Evidence and Rough Justice, appeared in hardback in the UK and then in paperback in the USA. The third, The Darkness, was published in paperback in the UK in December 2008. A historical crime novel, The Figurehead, is due for publication by Virtual Tales as a paperback and an ebook in the summer of 2009. Three of my short stories have appeared in the annual anthologies of the Crime Writers’ Association. My radio and stage plays have been produced in the UK, Australia, and the USA and I’ve written a prize-winning verse translation of Molière’s Sganarelle. I co-authored Just Write, a book aimed at demystifying academic writing projects for students.I've written and performed revue sketches and songs at the Edinburgh Festival fringe.Oh, and I like writing children’s stories.

Eric: http://poliscimedia.blogspot.com/

 I am an American, who started writing this blog in Azerbaijan. Then - I moved to Russia. Then I moved to the United States. I tend to move around a lot.

Jm Diaz- http://jmdiazfiction.blogspot.com/

It's not that I'm mean. It's just that I sometimes say things others only think, yet are afraid to voice themselves. Oh, and I'm not very good at talking about myself. That's why I make up people, and then place them in situations, and throw in a guy with a gun. I'm a writer, attempting to peel away from the world of Systems Engineering. Not that Information Technology is bad, its just that I don't love it. Not like I love storytelling. Pays the bills though.

Rick: http://ricksworld411.blogspot.com/

Long-term survivor for many years - homelessness, hiv/aids, hepatitis c, cirrhosis, alcoholism, addiction, and depression. It is my hope to share my unique experiences and perspective on life in a way that will help others.My spiritual beliefs are Christian, but I am Not a fan of organized religion.And I'm open to other people's beliefs. Life is a journey and we learn along the way. My best qualities are intelligence, open-mindedness, and willingness to accept others. Every day I wake up with a desire to better myself and make a difference in the world around me.

Colored Opinions blog: http://coloredopinions.blogspot.com/

Jefferson: http://igottheletter.blogspot.com/

I'm Jefferson, and I live in Jakarta, the biggest city in Indonesia. Maybe there aren't plenty of you that know about Indonesia. Jakarta is a really crowded city, and you will meet traffic jam everywhere, especially during busy hours. But I'm happy to live here, because Jakarta almost got everything. They got lots of shopping center, a huge amusement park, Sea World, etc. I just can't stand the traffic!

löki gale- http://farfromnome.blogspot.com/

Alaskan born and raised, I am a Peace Corps Volunteer in the mysterious country of Azerbaijan.

Svet and Kyle Keeton- http://blogger4you.blogspot.com/- a lovely pair of helpful bloggers who focus on giving advice on blogs and blogging- both in Russian and English.

Riyad Mamedov- http://riyadsthoughts.blogspot.com/

Who here does not yet know Riyad? An ex-colleague from Baku and an active commenter of this blog from day one, when none of you even knew it existed.

Fatalin: http://fatalin.blogspot.com/-a famous girl back home!

“Liberal feminist, theist, activist, ache for the earth, eager for justice, love life”

Working mum-...http://workingmumonverge.blogspot.com/

Lives in Manchester, UK. Has full-time job, 6 year old daughter and a football obsessed husband. Tries to maintain her sanity by singing in a renowned choir in spare time. Would like to have it all: fulfilling career, well adjusted child, perfect marriage and beautiful home. So far have achieved stressful job as teacher, demanding daughter, 16 years of marriage and an old house that "we're doing up".

And of course, Gabriela!

Now, you tell me. Aren’t they all fascinating? Different? Cool? Now it’s your turn. Just say hello and tell us where you are right now and why you are here. Go on, just this once!