[testimonials] second group of ten

Some of you might be wondering by which criteria I select blogs to do testimonials on. It’s now become this way – I include three non-Blogpowerers from the sidebar, two ladies and the rest are Blogpowerers. Hope this selection has been written acceptably for the writees:

11] Pub Philosopher Two years old now as a blogger, the Socrates of the Saloon Bar, as Tom Paine calls him, rates his high points as the Cartoon Wars, the trial of Nick Griffin and the Religious Hatred Bill, when free speech became the big issue and his own hits went through the roof. Perusing all his ‘support badges’ and noticing Infinitives Unsplit in the blogroll, he is indeed one of the real libertarian bloggers, straight to the point and brooking no fools. I like the Pub Philosopher and may he keep on blogging. Someone buy this man a drink.

12] Out Story The eerie otherworldliness that greets you on entering this site disguises the razor wit and sharp observation in his analyses. Not one to get about other sites much, as far as I can see, which might not be so far, a visit to The Outside Story requires an investigative approach. There’s no profile and so, from his sidebar, one sees Right Links Exchange, a host of Amazon ads for books and a pretty clear indication that this is a Brit blogger and one of the better ones. Add him to your visiting list – you’ll be well rewarded.

13] Tea & Margaritas The concept itself is intriguing: tea, the consummate beverage, the bringer together of calm and bonhomie but margaritas as well, confirming that this is no maiden aunt we’re dealing with here. The fully titled Tea and Margaritas in my Garden has one wistfully contemplating that very garden. Addicted to loving, working, thinking, ranting, gardening, questioning, creating, playing, planning how to continue making home more like an English cottage inside and out and attempting to do her gardens on a budget, T&M is one busy Ontario, Canada lass who runs a ticker at the top of her site, counting down the days to spring. Lucky hubby, Elvis, Teddy, Angus and Isobell.

14] Heather Yaxley - Greenbanana The Greenbanana, [meme for continual improvement], blogs on everything and anything interesting, from a PR or motorsport perspective, being a teacher for the CIPR qualfication, part-time lecturer at Bournemouth University and head honcho at the Motor Industry Public Affairs Association [MIPAA] Limited. She loves quirky little snippets and factlets as well. With a strong sense of responsibility, posting on anything from the Dakar Rally to ‘social ghost towns’, Heather’s blog is what I’d describe as ‘computer snazzy’ – lean, clean and neat little links here and there. Definitely a must-read to add to your sidebar.

15] Buckeye Matt’s a young American from the Buckeye State who blogs in the day to day, realistic, chronicled style I like so much. After one of my own posts, you’d perhaps not know much more about me but in Matt’s case, what you see is what you get. He’s a master of the stream of consciousness, e.g., on a post about the troops in Somalia, he’ll suddenly follow it with: “On a lighter note, last night was quite fun. Nothing beats sitting around with a friend, watching Office Space, and drinking rum. Does life get any better? Yes, it does.” It does indeed, if you follow the man in the mask’s daily thoughts.

16] Macadamia As he himself says, he’s Conservative, middle aged, a tad opinionated ... seeking to change the world one mind at a time. The toon depicts an exploded computer and the caption: “It’s never done that before.” Scourge of the Liberals, Steven Harper fan, the Canadian Neocon, out of Ontario, is a Marauding Marsupial in theTTLB Ecosystem and a fearless blogger on all things patriotic. Macadamia is fast becoming a must-read site for fellow Canadians but an interesting perspective for the rest of us out there as well.

17] Lord Nazh Very difficult to load his site but with the most original design I’ve yet seen with that trademark toon at the top, Lord Nazh is not only a speaker of wisdom, with an American slant, he’s pretty handy with the computer as well. His loyalties are emblazoned across his header and so one wonders what’s to come, once one eventually gets to the posts. A Marauding Marsupial in theTTLB Ecosystem, Lord Nazh posts colourfully and despite his “very serious MAJOR personal issues going on right now”, posts quite often. A smorgasbord of comment.

18] In Search of High Places A young man who is, at once, open, genuine, fun loving and out to discuss and thereby to learn. His positioning on the Christian side of the ledger shouldn’t deter any genuine seeker of truth and lively discussions should ensue, such as that on ‘free will’, the old Erasmus conundrum. It’s blogs such as these that I see as the ‘real’ blogs – the search for higher places is a fine play on words and quite indicative of what Alex is about. Do visit and find out for yourself.

19] Imagined Community A man who knows. Hovering somewhere around the centre of the political spectrum, Ian’s idealism comes through in his blogname: Imagined Community. Social harmony is what he seeks and intelligent policy making is the road to ensuring it. Sadly, we are currently far from our ideal. Co-founder of Blogpower, Ian is closely linked with the blogosphere and the nature of those who link to and comment on his posts is also a measure of his calibre. Described as “a masochist on del.icio.us”, the computer-savvy Ian is sure to change his status from the Lowly Insect in theTTLB Ecosystem to something altogether on a higher plane. Stay tuned to this blogger.

20] The Tin Drummer: Ashes devotee, the Oxford educated, kebab eating Tin Drummer is the man with the golden voice, with a free-streaming consciousness, the Dale linked co-founder of Blogpower and fierce champion of the freedom of speech, who recalls only a percentage of his past life and that’s as it should be. He says: “I see no reason for governments to be treated with respect, nor for individual MPs to demand to be heard respectfully. If you can make yourself heard, and thereby respected, you deserve to be an MP. If not - tough.” Tom Paine further notes that “the trademark lurch in subject matter - is arresting.” Truth is, he’s not nearly as gung-ho as he seems, having a deep sensitivity towards and respect for others within his sphere and outside it. A fine blogger.

Next Sunday, I plan to run testimonials, whether the poor victims wish for them or not, for: Devil's K, React Snob, Bryan A, Bel is thinking, Finding life hard?, Liz, La Femme Contraire, Chicken Yoghurt, Andrew Allison; An Insomniac and Corporate Presenter .