Folks may be wondering, with all the nip–tuck operations I am doing on the blog, why there are three strangers to the top right of this page. After I was voted off 25 Peeps (jeepers, I make it sound like the blogosphere’s Big Brother, without the sexual assaults), there were a few good people I wanted to champion. (For an explanation of the 25 Peeps site, go to my first post earlier this year about it.)
   The first person, who is no longer there either, was Citizen Brand’s Mike Swenson. Then, Atul at Things I’ve Noticed, who also got voted off before me. I knew Mike prior to his appearance at 25 Peeps, but Atul I discovered through it.
   I managed 12 days and am now no. 49 in the 25 Peeps Hall of Fame, but in that time, the site has introduced me to some decent folks whose blogs I will visit regularly.
   These three folks are the following. Lynn shares her poetry at Sprigs, Shane’s (or Camera Guy No. 2, according to Lynn, since I was the first) blog is called Daddy, Coder, Gamer, Photographer, and Sandalina is going through the days leading up to her wedding at Sandalina Bambina (surely a reason to visit). They were kind enough to promote me, or mention me, and it’s the least I can do in return—and I am happy to say all three are now regularly among the top at 25 Peeps, thanks partly to clicks of readers of this blog. Thank you. And thank you for keeping the people wearing next to nothing lower on the scale, including the man with his bum cleavage and—um, what do you call a necklace you wear on your waist above your ass?
   Given the way the blogosphere works, as well as coComment, I’ve surfed to must-read blogs that have given me some real enjoyment, including Citizen of the Month (via Sprigs). And as I type this, I realize my friend Charles—the Queer Chef, whom I met via K’s blog—is now on 25 Peeps as well.
   Considering that we all applied months ago, the coincidences were interesting to see, not to mention that four guys had the idea to pose with their cameras in their 25 Peeps photos. (Charles, I might try to find a pic of you without your boyfriend to put up at right. I probably wouldn’t have a het couple having a snog, either, but more significantly, I see more of Odd than I do of you in your pic!)
   The fascinating thing is how connections can be quickly formed, not just because there is a common cause—to see someone stay at 25 Peeps—but because we all find some fellowship at having been, or being, 25 Peeps alumni. Not that much ties us together otherwise, other than enjoying the blogosphere—something I felt when I was surfing on specialized bulletin boards in the 1980s and early 1990s, or when email became commonplace soon after. Similarly, Randy Thomas’s ‘Longest Comment Thread Ever’ has seen me connect with people, notably John (a.k.a. Stickyweb), who works in TV in Australia.
   There is such a thing as blog spam, which is annoying the experience. And, I imagine, we will have to deal with that, too, as blogs become more commonplace. I no longer enjoy email, so will a day come when I will not enjoy the blogosphere, because spammers have ruined the experience? Yesterday alone, Blogger caught nine spams, waiting for my (dis)approval. Not a nice way to begin the day.
   What can we do to prevent this from ruining our experiences? Throw more technology at it, advertise the fact that comments are moderated, or hope the countries promoting these get their act together and stop these spams?
   Incidentally, over the last four days I have noticed a healthy rise of those folks reading me via their readers. Thank you for including my blog among your daily reads. Please do send me some feedback as to which posts you are enjoying most: the work ones or the social ones, or whether I have the balance right. Posted by Jack Yan, 07:18  permalink

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