I love blogs in the way they kind of bridge this gap between what feels like an almost literary resource and a social medium. I love how when you read a blog you're getting a little bit of great writing (a little bit of journal, journalism, short story, art - depending) and a little bit of an scrolling/on-going conversation.
I've just recently started really FOLLOWING certain bloggers, which is to say reading them the way I watch TV, with a kind of episodic devotion. Speaking of which, Holy Shit NURSE JACKIE!
I thought I'd give some props here to my current fav: Ironing Board Collective
The IBC is a "Bi-coastal fashion writing" blog, with different writers posting on certain days of the week. All the writers on the blog are AWES, but I got hooked on this because of Michelle Tea, who I've been kind of a huge fan of since I stole a copy of Valencia from my roommate (who would later perform with MT so, so there).The first post I noticed of hers was this one, which appeared on my FB feed the way a stray Advil appears in your purse when you have a hangover. MAGIC.
So, here's the thing. I'm not actually a big FASHION person. I don't know designers. Certainly if there was a flip card test of designers, like those tacky ones they do on ANTM, I would be completely stumped. I could tell you what I like and I like to like things, but that's pretty much the long and short of it.
Here's something else, Michelle Tea clearly LOVES fashion and she knows her shit. She's never just "here's a photo of a poncho." She's all, "What can I tell you about ponchos and how cool they are and who wears them in a cool way you never even thought of." I get that vibe when I read this blog that I get from reading really good non-fiction, that satisfied, brain-filly vibe. Like, I read this blog and I want to SHARE this wisdom in a way that is half way between Grade 5 show off and Lesbian potluck sisterhood.
Another reason I might love this blog is cuz MT's tangents in this blog are like Eddie Izzard tangents. Actually, Eddie Izzard should read this blog. So should you. It's amazing.
Other online blog type things to follow/devote yourself to:
Hark a Vagrant! - where Kate Beaton devotes herself to the funny
SuperMutant Magic Academy - where Jillian Tamaki is essentially creating a super hero comic stream of epic proportions
Christine Bougie's Blog - which is not only the blog of one of Canada's most amazing musicians but also an incredible blog for arty types who are also in love with the art of being fastidiously organized
Obviously there's more but I think that's good for now.
xo
mariko
PS - I now officially have a next stand up "gig." You all should really come. Some of the funniest homos I know will be there.