Quick Before it Melts

Wednesday 17 December 2008

These friends of mine

Today, I’m tired.  The last couple of days have been full of crap for me.  If you hadn’t noticed, QBiM suffered a prolonged outage that scared the heck out of me.  I don’t think I was ever in real danger of losing the whole thing, but the fact that I didn’t really have a reliable back-up of the blog worried me enough to ensure that as soon as things got back up online, I would save save save everything I’ve done here over the last few years.

It also got me thinking about all the “friends” I’ve made in the blogging world–virtual friends whom I’ve never met in person , but I do know exist.  They have been there to help this technologically-challenged guy figured out html codes, tricky CSS styles, and dish dirt on everything from Arcade Fire to Zero 7.  No blog is an island, I say, and I truly couldn’t and wouldn’t be where I am right now without some help from my online friends.

Tim from The Face of Today and the Contrast Podcast is always willing to welcome me back when I get my butt in gear and deliver a contribution to his weekly Contrast Podcast.  It’s no small feat piecing together a weekly podcast that involves contributions from  upwards of 15 bloggers and listeners, and Tim does it with seeming ease.  He’s taking a much needed break over the holidays, but he has a series of Podcast at the ready, counting down this year’s Festive Fifty.  Head on over and check it out.

Another Tim, over at The Blue Walrus, has been a super help with some of the technical aspects of running a blog, and I have to thank him for all his expertise.

Of course I could never forget to thank dear, sweet Connor and Nathaniel of I Guess I’m Floating, who’ve always been super supportive and encouraging, and have linked back to some of my posts, always ensuring that my hit count for the day goes through the roof.  IGIF readers think highly of their opinions, so thanks for helping me reach a few more readers, guys.  I’m looking forward to their year-end list for 2008.

Marcy over at Lost In Your Inbox is just a doll, and she too has been very helpful with some of the technical stuff.  She has great taste in music, and is dedicated to her blog, which makes for a great mix.

Although I haven’t talked with him in awhile, I can always count on Chris from Culture Bully to offer some help and support when needed, on top of pointing me in the direction of some great music.

Allan from AWMusic (formerly Allen’s World Of Music) was very gracious and offered to help me out if my recent hosting issue didn’t get resolved, and for that I am grateful.  I didn’t have to take him up on his offer, but it was very welcome just the same.

Matt of Song, By Toad, may reside on the other side of the Atlantic, but he’s a kindred spirit.  I love the fact that he’s gone on to start his own label, helping to promote many of the great bands he’s hearing in Edinburgh.  Please do check his blog out.

I’m regularly impress with the amazing effort Mark and Beck put into Twisted Ear.  It’s not a blog, but a great place to read album reviews written by common people, like me and you, and get a different perspective on music news.  Infinitely more interesting than Pitchfork or Stereogum.  It’s with sadness that I have to report that Twisted Ear may come to an end in 2009, so be sure to stop by and wish them the best with their life’s pursuits!

So, yes, today I am tired, but today, I am also thankful for the fine folks listed above.  Be a dear and drop by and say hello (if you don’t already go there).  And be sure to come back here tomorrow, when I hope to have some more music for you.  Today, go out and get your music from these nice people,–AND I’M SERIOUS–tell them that I sent you.

Jim

by J. Di Gioia | 6 Comments »

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 17th, 2008 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Soapbox. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.