Something prompted me last night to think about all of the blogs I read regularly (or semi-regularly), most of which are listed in my sidebar, and where that list came from. It’s sometimes surprising the links you have with people you meet online. With the technology available today, the world is a lot smaller than it used to be, and seems to continue to grow smaller. Here’s a rundown of some of the connections I’ve made over the last couple of years.

Of the bloggers I read:

One is a family member - my nephew Ben, who attends Harding and is currently spending the semester in Greece.

One I knew growing up in my hometown - Todd - and recently we were attending the same church before he moved to Rwanda.

A few I know personally. I knew Greg in college at Harding, I know Jeff because our wives grew up together, I know Grant because he was a pastor at a church we visited here in Little Rock, and I know Keith because we used to go to church together.

A couple are from my college years, although I wouldn’t really say I knew them at the time. Mike preached at the College Church during my time in Searcy, and Mark came to teach at Harding while I was there.

Some I’ve “met” only online, but found out afterwards that we have mutual friends. They would include Scott, Mike, Jason, Phil, Amy, Wade, Justin and David.

A few either have attended, or are attending, Harding, and it’s likely we know some of the same people as well. Although any mutual acquaintances would probably would be faculty-type folks, since I was long gone before these guys showed up there. Matt, Kenny, Coleman and Greg would fall into this category.

One is an artist whose music I listen to (Shaun).

Several are authors whose books I’ve read - Scot, Bruce, Jim, John Alan and Craig.

Most of the rest are just others to which I have no real link other than online. I discovered them from various sources, including some of those listed above.

So, that’s most of what I’m reading on a regular basis in the “blogosphere” and a little about how I’ve come to do so. With the exception of my nephew and also Keith, who I see occasionally here in town, I don’t/won’t often see the ones I do know since they live elsewhere. And, I hope someday to be able to meet those who I’ve not met personally. Until then, I’ll continue to read.

Morning playlist

Here’s a dump of what’s playing in my media player right now.

12 Stones - Bitter
Armored Saint - Can U Deliver
Asia - Heat of the Moment
Autograph - Turn up the Radio
Ben Folds - Jesusland
Big Country - In A Big Country
Blue Oyster Cult - Don’t Fear the Reaper
Brent Bourgeois - A Little More Like Jesus
Bride - Under The Influence
The Cars - Just What I Needed
Charlie Peacock - Everything That’s On My Mind
The Choir - Beautiful Scandalous Night
Corey Hart - Sunglasses at Night
The Cult - Fire Woman
ELO - Sweet Talking Woman
Everclear - I Want to Die a Beautiful Death
Fastway - All Fired Up
Foreigner - Juke Box Hero
Godsmack - Sick Of Life
Honeymoon Suite - Bad Attitude
Huey Lewis & The News - Back In Time
John Mellencamp - Rodeo Clown
Josh Ritter - Here at the Right Time
Josh Ritter - Monster Ballads
Kansas - Play the Game Tonight
Krokus - Ballroom Blitz
Mark Erelli - Hartfordtown 1944
Mark Erelli - Imaginary Wars
Matt Woods - Misconception
Men At Work - Who Can It Be Now
Michael McDermott - 20 Miles South Of Nowhere
MxPx - Heard That Sound    * currently playing at post time
One Bad Pig & Johnny Cash - The Man In Black
Queen - Another One Bites The Dust
Rainbow - Long Live Rock ‘N’ Roll
Rush - Distant Early Warning
Styx - Renegade
The Tubes - She’s A Beauty
The Who - Won’t Get Fooled Again

This afternoon I think I’ll be listening to some more clips on eMusic - the month rolls over and my new downloads will be available on Sunday. I’m pretty sure I’m going to download these from The Mob and The Decemberists, as well as the rest of this Matt Woods disc. I also believe I’ll be listening to previous downloads Last Chance Lounge and Rock Garden this afternoon as well.