I only have so much time to waste, sitting on my ass while staring at the computer screen, while I should be doing something worthwhile–like avoiding my wife before she gives me another chore to accomplish; I haven’t even got the last list halfway done.
“Yes, dear…I’ll clean up the garage…very soon…”
For some inexplicable reason (possibly chore aversion?) I took up writing this Global Humor Adventure travel writing blogsite.
It was certainly not based on some innate ability to actually write something of particular interest or amusement to anyone except myself–and truth be known, I am kind of getting over myself fairly quickly.
At least it pays the bills.
No wait: it doesn’t do that, either.
But, for many other traveling blogeriests, apparently it does.
Like Nora Dunn, for one.
Nora is one of the twelve-gabillion travel bloggers out there, but one who is managing to make some money while she is on the road (or trail, or outback, or ocean, or…).
Ms. Dunn recently got published in a book about living large, which caught my interest as I thought this was a book about traveling to find the best bakeries and breweries around the planet, as this fit my current philosophical (and unfortunately, physical) stature of wishing to live the large life, as witnessed by my inflation in pant size the last few years.
And, as is the case in the blogosphere, bloggers write a lot about other bloggers who comment on other bloggers who then link some bloggers in their blogroll who blog about being blogged about.
Basically, it’s kind of like a self-perpetuating, never ending loop.
Take for instance just this one list of travel blogs.
And when you start reading the comments, below individual travel blogs, many–if not most–link to yet even more blogsites.
As a matter of fact, if you–yes, you…the person reading this very sentence–does not have your own blogsite, you either have better things to do or are too busy ripping music into your iPod.
Back to Nora. Sometimes non-travel blogsites even get into the travel writing realm (hey, get back into your own topic), as this one money blogger guy had Nora provide a list of ways to save money while traveling.
You may remember my treatise on the utilization of lists by travel writers: just check the cover on any travel magazine on the news stand.
I am not going to repeat Nora’s points, because that would be a crass, lazy technique on my part to just quote someone else, rather than write something original.
Wait, that sounds like a good idea…Nora says…
Nah, you read the piece for yourself.
And make sure to check out the comments: a sometimes-amusing amalgamation of accusations, including one that suggests that things falls into her lap just because she is a “hot chick.”
(I am confused. I thought the hot chick was the fall-er into someone’s lap, not the fall-ee.)
The pictures included herein are from the article linked above, and are ONLY included so you can judge for yourself the validity of the aforementioned comment, not just because–as someone alluded to in a blog comment on Nora’s site–she has amazingly svelte and perfectly proportioned, long shapely legs.
No, that would be sexist and it would just not be right.
Finally, as to the subject of this post. There are so many damn travel blogs, I find it difficult to sift the kernels from the chaff.
Many provide money-saving tips or suggestions on how to travel or where to travel.
Some are simple travelogues, not much more than a personal journal of the author.
A limited number are funny, and I wish I could find more in this category (like this guy L.P. who strangely, writes for L.P.).
So, travel blogs ARE like neighbors.
A few good ones are appreciated and invited into our lives.
But having too many around, especially ones with poor personal traits, just become annoying nuisances.
Hopefully, you will categorize me as one of the former.
Will it help if I promise to bring over the beer and not spill nacho cheese on your couch?
are you knocking my list of travel blogs here?! all those sites there are travel related!
@Nomadicmatt, I’ve added half of your travel blog list in my reader and now its becoming so difficult to read half of those half.
Matt – no, I am not knocking ANY lists of travel blogs; just pointing out there are so many of them.
Nabeel hits on my point, exactly.
Who has the time to read them. And it is difficult to figure out which ones are the best at their genre.
I used your list BECAUSE it is so comprehensive.
But if there are people who actually have time to read ALL of the ones you list on a regular basis, and leave a few comments, and write their own travel blog (because we ALL have one, right?), well…I’m not sure what kind of life that person has away from their LCD screen.
As an Official Old Person, I am still clinging to my travel magazines and newspapers, you know the ones printed with ink on paper (maybe you have seen one in a museum).
And then there are those chores.
Ah…precious time.
Thanks for the awesome mention! I’m blushing bigtime.
You may notice in the more recent comments in the article over at I Will Teach You To Be Rich, that a brave soul has come to my defense from the fellow who suggested that being a “hot chick” paves the way. My defender even suggested that some “hot” women might have an even tougher time traveling the world in some countries where men generally have the upper hand (ie: Asia). Go figure!
And as for 10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget, even your beer-loving tendencies can be nurtured….there’s an article in it called “21 Great Uses For Beer”. Enjoy!
Does the 21 Great Uses For Beer include putting a fire out in your crotch after you drop your, eh…”cigarette” on your lap? I thought not. (Not that’s ever happened to me.)
If being a hot chick really “paves the way,” how would that work for a truly hirsute, slightly pudgy, balding blogger?
Again, congrats Nora. Anyone can create a travel blog, as evidenced on these pages, but few can get a book published.
Lately I am just in search of travel blogs to read on..
thanks
RT – well there are plenty of travel blogs to peruse. Some are funny, some are not; some are just because and some are purely for commercial purposes.
Take your choice.