One of the very best things about the internets is discovering new sites, new POVs, new people. It might be the ONLY thing. But I will not be the one to make that statement!

I admit I’ve stayed under the radar for the past few years.
Ironman training tends to leave little time for anything else.
Recovery from IM training even more so.

But as 2012 dawned all bright and shiny new, I too have felt a rebirth of sorts.
My interests have moved beyond heartrates and cumulative loads. Post workout nutrition. Inflammation management. Back out into the Real World. (read: away from triathlon!)

In the past 2 months I have added more new blogs to my RSS feeder than ever before.
And guess what? None of them have anything to do with the above shite!
Couple that with a renewed interest in playing with photoshop … imagery in general… and I have connected with some fascinating new folks.

Which leads me to this:

One of my new sweet finds, Miss Sweet Pea, has bestowed me with this award, which has the distinction of being for “up and coming” blogs. Which makes me smile a little because it’s rather like the veteran entertainer who happens to receive the “New Music” award.

Yesterday I made a trip down memory lane via The WayBack Machine.
Y’know what? I’ve had jenworden.com since 2002.
10 years! oy!
And before that flawed.com (which alas is up for grabs so no archives available).
And before that? olio.org.
And before that … oh! yes! there is in fact a before that!… meadoworks.ns.ca.
And there was even a before THAT. Only I pre-date the time machine.
1994. So. 18 years I have been out here …”up and coming” indeed!

But as everyone knows, the only way out is through.
Out here, if you’re standing still you’re moving backwards.
I’ve stood still for far too long.

In the spirit of the award, I am to pass it on to 5 more “up and coming” blogs.
Truth be told I don’t pay attention to whether a site has a metric buttload of followers or not.
If it speaks “to me”? Then it warrants my time.

As an aside I watched the venerable Miss Betty White on Live From the Actors Studio over the weekend. She was talking about television. How it gets a bum rap. And how she sees it as a direct link, a one-on-one conversation that should not be underestimated.

This is how I see the web.
In spite of all the tutorials and retreats and conferences run by the marketing droids on how to exploit connect with one’s readers, this … THIS… these words. On this page. Are for you. Yes. YOU. And you only. From my lips to your ears. We, you and me, are having a conversation. I am not standing on a stage. I am not talking to madding throngs. Just you and me, babe. Against the world.

So. In no particular order.
Other than I read your words.
And connect with what you are saying…

1. Individualism … aka Petra incorporates gorgeous photos with spicy words. She is not about making you feel comfortable. And you know I love that!
2. Fanciful Devices … dark and steamy jewelry. Plus the girl is funny. Very very funny! And a sense of humour will always make my heart sing!
3. Picnics in the Park … do you ever wonder what it would be like to live someone else’s life? this is the draw for reading Greta’s blog. 4 home-schooled kids, decorating a house with DIY and 50s chic. I am more than intrigued!
4. Semiprecious Salvage … definitely NOT in the up and coming category, it should come as no surprise that Steph’s art is an inspiration to me. But she’s more than a pretty work. Her words are pretty awesome too. And  so often does she articulate what I cannot, that I can only think our brains and hearts are immeasurable linked.
5. Zero to 140.6 … okay. So I lied. Julie’s blog is about triathlon. That is, it was. The girl kicked that byotch (read: IM Coeur d’Alene aka IM CA) to the ground last year. And so life goes on. And she continues to write about it. In her sardonic, witty style.

Thanks … all of you… for being out here!

And thank you Miss Sweet Pea, for leading me down Memory Lane!