Friends in far places - Part 1

I discovered so many great weblogs recently that I have fallen behind in a number of important areas. I have missed adding some of them to my list of blogs. I have not added them to my list of RSS feeds. And, most important of all, I have not taken the time to share them with you.

I am going to make Friends in Far Places a weekly feature, until I catch up with my backlog of interesting sites to share.

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Since I discovered the Tokyo Times, I am never at a loss for interesting ground-level news from Japan.

Lee Chapman, a British bloke who ended up living and teaching in Tokyo writes about his adopted country in a thoroughly endearing way. Arriving in 1998, for a year, or maybe two, he is still there. And it looks like he’ll be there for a fair bit longer too.

He captures an unexpected side of Japanese character in this amazing story about a horse with a 105 race losing streak. His affectionate reporting of Japanese approaches to common Western social problems, like smoking, will give you a different viewpoint of the Japanese culture.

Wayne Hurlburt writes multiple blogs in Canada, or is that Canadian?

A man of many talents, he has provided me with fresh insights about marketing, Public Relations, and the unknown world, for me, of Roller Derbies. His Business World Blog always has timely marketing tips like this one on Viral Marketing.

He offers many well-researched tips for expanding your visitor traffic. It will pay dividends if you take the time to read some of his posts like this one. I have seen my traffic increase whenever I have implemented one of Wayne's suggestions.

G'day Mate always has amusing tidbits from Down Under. His recent post on the advantages of borrowing the company car is a classic. As is this photo:

One of my favorite business bloggers is Jennifer Rice, who always has something interesting to offer. She recently stumbled upon Robert Scoble's Corporate Weblog Manifesto..

I am pleased that I have visitors from India like Charukesi. He has a thoughtful post on cell phone spam.

Last minute updates:

While collecting links for this post, I discovered a new business/personal blog, A Penny For... which I expect to visit often. I also discovered another blog about branding.

I am not going to be able to catch up tonight. There are many more friends I have yet to mention. I will do my best to do another round-up as soon as possible.

Comments

[David Young]

David,
Thanks for the mention. It's always good to have new friends!

[Beth W.]

I like the idea of a weekly column on your new finds, and look forward to exploring them. Time for sleep in the next life!! :)

[Wayne Hurlbert]

Thanks for the mention David. I'll convert you to a roller derby fan too. That is a project of mine! ;-)

I think your Friends in Far Places is a great idea that introduces new blogs to people who might have not known of them before. You are providing a tremendous service to the blogging community.

Now, just one more question: Where do you find all these wonderful and creative ideas??? :-)

[Denny]

These are great sites. And you found them FOR me!

[oldcatman]

...the world at the click of mouse! At our age, think how our lives might have changed/been effected by, if we would of had the internet in our teens! David, have you read my 16 year old blogging friend, Joel (www.explodinggopher.tk/)--read a dynamic
young mind!

[David St Lawrence]

He writes passionately, but with little regard for facts. I was very much the same at 16.

Weblogs open up the world for all people who write with passion and conviction. Imagine if the internet had existed in 1933. Hitler could have spewed his poison across the globe, instead of being limited to the beerhalls of Deutschland.

There are always those who listen for the worst about men in power, as well as those who would cheerfully malign all efforts to keep things on an even keel. The internet brings these individuals messages of hatred that stoke their paranoia.

Weblogs are like soapboxes. Fortunately we can still pick and choose who we will listen to. For now, messages of reason have as much opportunity to be heard as messages of hate. We must make sure we keep the lines of communication open.

All voices must be heard.

[ozguru]

Thanks you for the mention and the favourable words. A recommendation from you is high praise indeed.

[Lil]

I enjoyed visiting with you, and thanks for
the links to so many interesting blogs as well.
I have just survived a full year blogging, and while I have no idea how long I'll do it, it is getting easier, and more fun as I learn the technology gradually. I am impressed by those
who "go before us." It is a multitudinous world,
with every possible expression.

[Lee]

Thank you very much for the mention David.

Such nice words made my day.

[Todd]

David,

Thanks for squeezing me into the last minute additions.

[ozguru]

Thanks for the link (as always). I also appreciate the pointers to more blogs.