As someone who writes their thoughts and rambles on the internet, it makes sense that I would enjoy the thoughts and rambles of others who do the same. I personally do it for a variety of reasons: using it as a personal journal (admittedly, it’s very cathartic), documenting my experiences (for others and so I don’t forget details), sharing something I find interesting (because if my friends and family hear me geek out one more time they’ll probably lose it), and to stay active and creative in my writing (nowadays my writings are large, scientific projects, and I sorely miss English-class-type writing). It has become a no-pressure hobby of mine, something I add to when I have time or need an outlet, and I’ve managed to keep it up for some time. I mean, I switched over to this domain in January 2021 but I had been using my Weebly site for at least a few years prior, on and off.

Regardless, throughout all this time I enjoyed stumbling upon other blogs and taking a peek into the lives of others in the same way I secretly hope someone is peering into mine. The blogs I find particularly intriguing are the ones that have not been active in a few years; they are unedited windows into the recent past. Many are still styled in what would have been popular then, holding words and opinions and adventures that were written by someone from a different moment. This is not to say I don’t appreciate still-running blogs, but rather that there is something compelling about the old, completely forgotten– except for that one post with a pie recipe that still gets passed around on Pinterest– ones just the same. I am particularly guilty of finding random blogs and quickly binge reading parts them, and for that I apologize if any I share with you any that have boring, weird, or questionable content at any point. It is unfortunate that most blogs with the best personal travel stories also include some sort of ultra-spiritual juice cleanse attempt or the occasional voluntourism vibe. C’est la vie, c’est l’internet?

Below is a list of the blogs I’ve read at least some of and found interesting. I plan to keep adding to this post as I find more (without adding “[EDIT]” dates), also because a lot of the ones I want to share are saved as in random bookmark folders and Google docs on various devices. Feel free to comment and suggest some to me as well! In no particular order:

● The Philosophical Fish
     https://www.thephilosophicalfish.ca/
     Still running: Yes
     About: Photography, hiking, and scientific rambles of a female fish biologist in Northwest Canada
     Why I like it: Lots of existential thoughts, photography challenges, and gorgeous nature photos
     Warnings: None

● Matt Cutts: Gadgets, Google, and SEO
     https://www.mattcutts.com/blog/
     Still running: Yes? Very sparse posting as of late
     About: Previously SEO officer of Google, now part of USDS who writes about his life
     Why I like it: Interesting 30-Day Challenges
     Warnings: Losing a loved one

● Eat Pray Maui
     https://medium.com/@ErinComeaux
     Still running: No
     About: A nurse from the bayou moves to Hawaii to reëvaluate life
     Why I like it: Positive growth, authentic photos, living vicariously through her
     Warnings: Mature content (sobriety, religion, trauma, mental illness), very mild colonialism vibes

● Colline’s Blog
     https://collinesblog.com/
     Still running: No? Her IG is though
     About: French Immersion teacher who likes to read and craft
     Why I like it: Mostly for the book reviews, writing prompts, and language education posts
     Warnings: None

● Entomology Manchester
     https://entomologymanchester.wordpress.com/
     Still running: Yes
     About: Scientific and cultural writings on insects
     Why I like it: Some posts are poetry + entomogy, what’s not to love?
     Warnings: None (I mean, if you have a problem with bugs I would not recommend this.)

● Japanese Language and Culture
     http://blog.livedoor.jp/chikocafe-langcafe_japanese/
     Still running: No
     About: Japanese culture and language
     Why I like it: Mix of linguistic info and travel photos
     Warnings: None

● Get a Life, PhD
     http://getalifephd.blogspot.com/
     Still running: Yes?
     About: Sociology professor talks about the life/academia balance
     Why I like it: Tiny slices of life of a researcher mixed with helpful classroom tips
     Warnings: None

● The Mad Scientist Confectioner’s Club
     http://jasonya.com/wp/
     Still running: No
     About: Computational biologist’s confectionery and comic journey
     Why I like it: I have been wanting to try his truffle recipes for some time now
     Warnings: None

● Chippy the Dog
     https://chippythedog.tumblr.com/
     Still running: Yes
     About: Cartoon dog with cute messages
     Why I like it: Feel-good and reminds me of early 2000’s e-cards
     Warnings: None

● Cranberry Blossom
     https://judicreations.wordpress.com/
     Still running: No
     About: Middle-aged mom narrating her life
     Why I like it: Recipes, random things that remind me of home, craft ideas
     Warnings: Sometimes very cheesy

● Lindie Botes
     https://lindiebotes.com/blog
     Still running: Yes
     About: YouTube polyglot sharing language tips
     Why I like it: Very positive, never makes you feel inadequate, cool languages
     Warnings: None!

● The Twiddletails Blog
     https://twiddletails.blogspot.com/
     Still running: Yes
     About: Quilting tutorials and projects
     Why I like it: Overall easy to follow, lots of diagrams
     Warnings: None!

● The Habit
     https://thehabit.co/blog/
     Still running: Yes
     About: Writing topics and musings
     Why I like it: Mostly short, thought-provoking posts
     Warnings: None!