Claire of Clairedulalune
Tell us about yourself:
Hello, my name is Claire and I live with the big fella in Liverpool! I am regrettably not a true scouser as I moved here six years ago from Belfast. May I be honorary? My blog is scouse at least and so is the big fella!
What is your blog about?
It is a wee blog of capturing magic in everyday life. I run about different parts of Liverpool with my camera and transform the pictures into adventures and fairy tales. You may well recognize some of the places we have been to. I sometimes draw illustrations of the adventures also. If you would like to join us on our adventures please fly over here:
http://clairedulalune.blogspot.com/search/label/Adventures
What do you like most about Liverpool?
The people, the beautiful city, parks and history! Always something to do!
Save the Scandinavian Church in Liverpool
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Gustav Adolf and I'm 125 years old this November. I've lived at 138 Park Lane all this time, and on the whole I've been very happy there. But you know, suddenly people start threatening to kill me, and let me tell you; I don't much care for that. Plenty of life left in me still. This Swedish witch helps me with the blog. She's quite daft, actually, but I put up with her. Some of her friends have also written here, and I think she said that even more of them are planning interesting blog posts. I was named after an old King. He was dead long before I was born. These days people from all five Nordic countries come to me. They all have some weird, but interesting, habits and traditions, which they practise inside me. Singing, eating, dancing. All sorts. It's nearly time for that girl with fire in her hair to sing on the stairs again. I like that. Especially the little ones who put battery candles in their mouths. I think all Nordic creatures must be naturally daft.
What is your blog about?
My blog is all about survival. And a little bit about entertaining people. I understand that blogging is THE thing to do these days, so my friends who all love me and need me, came up with this blogging malarkey. The 'bosses' in Uppsala (that's in Sweden, you know) want to close me down. They seem to think that a new church in Thailand would be nice. I'm sure it will, but over my dead body... (Hmm, maybe that wasn't a good thing to say.)
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
Well, there have been radio programmes about me. Phone-ins and such like. Mind you, that was pre-blog. It's just good that my friends all get together and work so hard to help me.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
Lovely place. I've been very happy here in Park Lane. Except for when that enormous crane almost fell on top of me in the summer. Got a little scared then. I like being close to the water. Love water. Yellow submarines, and stuff.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
I'm a church. I don't read an awful lot, actually. Sorry. I'm sure it'd be interesting.
Neil from Northern Uproar
Tell us about yourself.
I'm Neil, I've just turned 30 and I work in the games industry. I've been writing for as long as I can remember, it's only recently I've started to channel it towards my blog and various pieces of fiction (mostly short stories and a novel that is taking forever and a day to try and complete).
What is your blog about?
My blog Northern Uproar is a mish mash of social commentary whether it be on music, politics or current affairs. I'd like to say I try to keep it on the level and impartial but more often than not my own personal opinion wins through. It's my blog, so I'm entitled to my own soapbox corner of the internet I guess. Northern Uproar is just my view and hope it would prompt other people to voice theirs, as I like hearing good, bad, and downright ugly opinions as they ultimately help shape mine.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
The most interesting thing that happened was posting a post regarding Jon McClure (lead singer of Reverend And The Makers) and his project The Ark magazine. He is setting it up to compete with the likes of NME that he has become disillusioned with. He saw the blog and passed it around on Twitter, we had a few emails back and forth and I'm hoping to be on board with The Ark in some way shape or form in the Merseyside area.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
What's not to like? The people, the history, the culture and the social aspects are all cool and unique and it is why I spend the lions share of my time here.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
It was the Feeling Listless blog that first attracted my attention to the Liverpool blogging community, so that was my starting point. Following Liverpool Blogs on Twitter means I've got a whole range of them at my fingertips and I read pretty much any link that gets posted. I just like absorbing information, particularly when it is relevant to the local area, and it means you find out about alot of things going on in the City that may slip under my radar.
Peter Guy from GetIntoThis
Tell us about yourself.
Hey, my name is Pete, and I'm a sports reporter and page designer for the Liverpool Daily Post and Echo. Music's my big passion and I can usually be found in Korova arguing about the merits of the 'next big thing' to anyone that'll humour me. I love roast dinners, Chris Morris, the Coen Brothers, Prince, oh and The Wire - but who doesn't!?
What is your blog about?
My blog, Getintothis, is a review and discussion site primarily taking a fun look at the independent and leftfield music scene with an emphasis on what's bubbling in the Liverpool musical underground. I hope to provide a mini platform to the very many artists in town and beyond that deserve recognition while also taking a swipe at the ridiculous side of industry.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
The funniest - and most surprising - happening was my local fruit seller on Old Hall Street saying he enjoyed reading my interview with RZA from the Wu-Tang Clan - I didn't expect that while buying a Granny Smith!
I've interviewed some of my heroes (Efrim from cult Canadian band Godspeed You! Black Emporer and Irmin Schmidt from legendary krautrock band Can), had feedback from respected industry writers and made many friends with people who were previously names on the back of record sleeves but the most satisfying element has been meeting so many artists and fans in and around Liverpool who just buzz off music.
I quickly realised that the blog doesn't have to be about just what I like and listen to, but also what others can bring to the table - this in itself has lent a kind of community feel to it, with regular contributors and the likes of Liverpool music festival Sound City using it as a host for all their reviews.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
I recently read Paul Du Noyer's Liverpool: Wonderous Place and that perfectly encapsulated what Liverpool's about for me - it's a gateway to excitement. The arts, music and vibrance is in a permanent state of development. There's a stale stereotype of Liverpool which is wrapped up in Merseybeat and even that Northern 90s attitude - but this is an image created by tired outsiders too lazy to dig beneath.
Some of Liverpool's talent is so ahead of the game (check out a.P.A.T.t. and Wave Machines) others are only now catching on. Just in the last year places like Static Gallery and Kazimier have sprung up out of nowhere creating new musical cornerstones of the City. Liverpool is always on it.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
When not reading the hundreds of music sites out there, I'll have a gander at: http://www.audiobounty.com/
http://gobshitesmiscellany.blogspot.com/
http://markmcnulty.typepad.com/
http://gwladtidings.merseyblogs.co.uk/
http://robbohuyton.blogspot.com/
Pete is soon off to Dubai Sound City to cover the music festival with the Liverpool Sound City team. It starts next Thursday through til Sat (Nov 5-7) and he'll be doing tweet style reviews with photos by Mark McNulty.
Lauren from Iconic Fashion.
Tell us about yourself and what is your blog about?
My name is Lauren and I run Liverpool based fashion blog, IRONIC FASHION. I've been writing the blog since February 09 and I have loved how far I have come with it. I'm a 21 year old student from Mossley Hill, but studying International Fashion Marketing in Manchester.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
I love the different opportunities that come from writing the blog; I was made up the first time I got asked to write a hair care product review! By far the most exciting thing that has happened to me via the blog happened about a month ago. I was contacted by a company in Hollywood who asked me to write for their new website - theewebsite.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
The thing I love most about Liverpool is the character of the city. Everybody has such individual personalities it's brilliant. During last year's Brouhaha carnival I was asked by people from Toxteth TV, "What is culture to you?" I just replied, "This is culture. It's Toxteth, it's people and it's vibrancy of the city."
adebond of the world according to adebond
Tell us about yourself.
adebond is the name I use as an online persona to separate my presence on the web from family and friends in the real world who really aren't that interested. I'm a married father of one, an ex-officer in the Royal Navy and now an aspiring Project Manager. I've called Liverpool home for about 6 years but originally hail from the mean streets of Essex.
What is your blog about?
The tag line on my blog is 'Tech, Photography & Mindless Drivel' and that just about sums it up. I'm absolutely addicted to shiny new gadgets that I have absolutely no need for and comment on the latest news in consumer electronics. I've also recently developed a passion for photography and post images from different events I've attended. Occasionally I will rant about things that are on my mind and have got me particularly riled up.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
Personally, the most satisfying thing about writing a blog is just getting your voice and opinions out there. It's a great outlet for no other reason than knowing that you've put a post out there that can be discovered, read and appreciated by anyone with an Internet connection. When you get positive feedback it just makes it feel all the more worthwhile. The most important thing I've learnt is that there is a big online community out there and being part of it takes a lot of effort but is ultimately rewarding. If you like someones blog or images or tweets then let them know and pass it on.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
What I love about Liverpool is that there is always something going on. There is absolutely no excuse to be sat around bored with nothing to do. A quick search of the tourist websites, art blogs or local papers will produce literally hundreds of things to get out there, to see and to do. The important thing is just to get involved.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
I've got a long list of local Twitter users that I follow and the Liverpool group column I've created on TweetDeck is the first one I check each day. Most of the blogs I read are photography related from some great local photogs and include:
Vanilla Days
Digital Relish
Matt Thomas
Aperture Priority
Lee Carus Photography
Claire Pitt of A Little Piece of Me
Tell us about yourself.
Hey the name is Claire, but usually online I go by crpitt. I am currently training to be counsellor/therapist. Love fannying about on the internet, all things mental health, doodling, music and other stuff.
What is your blog about?
The blog was originally just going to be an ongoing personal journal for my counselling studies, reflecting on what we had learnt in class and so on. It rapidly evolved into more than that as I started talking about all sorts of things. I suppose if you look at the main tags used it would be: Photography, Personal,Counselling,Funny,Cartoons, Doodles, Mum,blog and Family. As I have gotten more involved with my counselling studies, I would like to think that the blog will go that way too and there will be more of a focus on Mental Health.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
My blog is nearly three years old now, so I have learnt some things about blogging. Weird stuff like HTML that makes it easier to click thingies and whatsits. Before blogging I only used the internet for online shopping and emails, now my eyes have been forced open and I see what a valuable tool it can be. The most interesting thing that has happened has probably been the feedback from people that have appreciated some of the things that I written in regards to mental health. Also meeting up with some fantastic people, proving that online life and real life can collide.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
The people most definitely, followed closely by the City and its history, architecture and culture.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
I have an awful tendency to subscribe to many an interesting read and my google reader is full of poor blogs languishing away unloved. So it is usually the ones that use twitter to promote their latest offerings, like Robin Brown and Alison Gow. I think they do a great job at highlighting the latest happenings in the world of social media. You may think social media is not your thing, but if you love twitter and blogging, you are in that world anyways. In the world of Photographic blogs I loved Peter Carr's images, I think they capture what I love about Liverpool.
Jimmy Rice of Plenty More Fish Out Of Water
Tell us about yourself.
I’m a 28-year-old wannabe sitcom writer. Currently a journalist on the official Liverpool FC website.
What is your blog about?
Excruciating dates with really odd women, road rage chases and challenging idiots in the cinema with my girlfriend’s umbrella.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
People who read it won’t go on dates with me.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
Crosby beach. They should clean it, though.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
http://tomkins-blogs.typepad.com/paul_tomkins_blog/
Jane Gallagher of The Small Fabric Of My Life
Tell us about yourself.
I am a freelance writer and divide my time between writing for the nationals and working as a writer in residence at a Lancashire prison.
What is your blog about?
The Small Fabric Of My Life is a continuation of my year-long blog workthatwardrobe and includes footnotes on fashion, family, friends and fun.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
I was sent a £175.00 dress to wear by the fashion house Isabella Oliver after their PR spotted my blog. I have learned that the more you give out in the blogging world the more you get back.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
The vibrancy of the people, the architecture, the waterfront and the fact that everyone in the world knows where you live.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
Alison Gow’s Headlines and Deadlines. When I started my journalistic career at The Ormskirk Advertiser in 1989 we used typewriters and copy paper with carbon. I moved to The Liverpool Echo in 1992 where I stayed until 2003 and witnessed many changes. Alison’s blog charts the ever-changing times.
Paula Keaveney
Tell us about yourself.
I am a City Councillor and am involved in broader politics too. An active Lib Dem I live in Garston and represent Cressington ward. In my other life I work at Edge Hill University as a Lecturer. I would say what I do in my spare time but I am not sure I have any. Having said that I do love quizzes and was on BBC's Mastermind not too long ago.
What is the blog about?
Its really about politics and more specifically about the political and campaigning things I am involved in in Liverpool and in the ward. I do add in more general political stuff and some personal comment but the main thought in setting it up was to find another way of communicating with local people and getting some feedback.
The most interesting thing that has happened and what is learned.
I've managed to get some feedback from local people that probably wouldn't have happened otherwise and this has actually led to my taking some actions on some problems that were flagged up. I do also get the odd media enquiry as a result of something I have written.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
I think its the scale. You can pretty much walk around and across the City Centre in a way you can't manage somewhere like London. I lived in Edinburgh for a while and this had the same feeling of scale. I love the parks too, and walking by the shore - the Speke/Garston coastal reserve is a good place to go for a walk and a think.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
Well I read the other political ones - although there arent that many. I read some of the journalists' ones too like Dale Street Blues.
If you're also a Liverpool blogger and would like have your own profile, click here.
Graham Holland of It's A Frog's Life
What is your blog about?
My blog is the shownotes for a podcast I've been running for the last three years. The show is called the It's A Frog's Life Acoustic Podcast and goes out every two weeks or so. On the show I play some of the best podsafe, acoustic music from Liverpool and across the UK
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog?
I've met lots of other podcasters, all passionate about independent music. I've also discovered tons of great new music myself, which I really enjoy sharing with people around the world. I find it really interesting when I get emails from people in different countries who listen to the show!
Have you learnt anything?
I've learnt that there's more to music than what we're fed by the radio stations and record companies.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
The people and the passion - passion about music, sport, art, and life.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
David Coethica, Jade Wright & Art in Liverpool (Defnet Media)
Mark Lea of marklea.com
Tell us about yourself:
Photographer and guitarist. Taught guitar and performing arts for 20 years, needed a change... photography was it.
What is your blog about?
My Liverpool photographer blog is a vehicle for me to showcase my work outside the confines of a commercial portfolio. Instead of worrying that every image is perfect, I use it to provide an overview into what I'm working on and to air some views about things that interest me.
I also intend (when I find some time) to pen some articles about the state of photography, and probably some tutorials too.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
Well it's a relatively new blog, so I would have to say this interview is the most exciting thing thus far.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
Without question it's the people and their sharp wit.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
Overheard in Liverpool.com
The "Art in Liverpool" blog
Neil Macdonald of ScyFi Love
Tell us about yourself.
Husband, dad, journalist on the Post and Echo web team, sci-fi fan
What is your blog about?
Science fiction in all its forms, but sci-fi that I feel a personal connection with.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog?
Loads of interesting stuff, but probably the coolest thing was interviewing Duncan Jones, director of the indie sci-fi film Moon and David Bowie's son.
Have you learnt anything?
Apart from some webby skills I'd say the biggest thing was the importance of being part of the online community, of engaging in the conversation.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
Everything - I love the whole deal. A passionate advocate for the city and its people.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
Alison Gow's Headlines and Deadlines, Live For Films by Phil Edwards, most stuff from Robin Brown, Feeling Listless and the Post and Echo bloggers
Peter Goodbody of p3do
Tell us about yourself.
My real name is Peter Goodbody. I blog at www.p3dro.co.uk - which is a photo blog. I also post photos on flickr under the user name mobilevirgin and I'm @p3dro on Twitter. I'm also a member of the Fab Collective - a group of Liverpool photographers who share a passion for Liverpool, its people, its places and its faces.
I have another job that pays the mortgage.
What is your blog about?
Its mostly about what I see and where I go. Generally that's Liverpool, but not always. Its pretty laconic. I don't say much - I post pictures. But that way people see what I see and get an insight into the way I see the world.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog?
Yeah, I've met people in real life. Internet user names have become real people to me. And mostly they're cool people.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
Living here.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
http://mattthomas.co.uk/
http://www.vanilladays.com/
http://blog.formidablephotography.com/
http://www.aperturepriority.co.uk/
http://www.simonbarrowphotography.co.uk
http://www.artinliverpool.com/
http://blog.fact.co.uk/
Moira Kenny from Diary of a middle aged artist
What is your blog about?
Diary of a middle aged artist is a little bit of social history in the making. It is exceptionally boring mapping the trials of tribulations of an artist/researcher working in the City bringing up teenage sons, a Liverpool/Irish family. I don't know why anyone would read it.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog? Have you learnt anything?
Since I had my phone cut off and use internet cafes' I have witnessed how many people watch porn in public places.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
I don't need to travel to work internationally.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
None I am embarressed to say but I have checked yours out a couple of times and recommended it to someone yesterday (and I mean that most sincerely)
Montague Blister from Strange Games
What is your blog about?
I write a blog all about strange, archaic, violent childrens games, adult games and odd sports...games such as Slapsies etc... It's not Liverpool focused like a many of the blogs in your list, but if anyone has any knowledge of local games that they think might interest me I would be delighted to hear from them.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog?
The best thing to happen as a result of the blog is that Harper Collins are publishing my 'book of the blog' at the end of October...available in all good bookshops etc.
Have you learnt anything?
I guess I've learnt the rules of Finger Jousting and many other fine games that everyone should know about.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
The best thing about Liverpool is the people.
Scott from Round The Merseyrail We Go
Tell us about yourself.
I'm Scott, a 32 year old Council worker who lives on the Wirral (so technically not Liverpool at all!). I live with my partner of 12 years. I usually describe myself as a standard gay James Bond fan with a fondness for wine, train stations and telly...
What is your blog about?
Round The Merseyrail We Go started out as my attempt to visit every Merseyrail station - Northern and Wirral Lines. It's developed over the last two years, to the extent that now I'm trying to visit every station on the Merseyrail map, from Chester to Preston, and from West Kirby to Warrington. I'm also interested in art and architecture on the network, so I write about any new developments there.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog?
Last Christmas the Echo had a full page feature on the blog, which was very flattering, but at the same time pretty embarrassing - I had my photo taken outside Lime Street by a photographer from the paper in the middle of the afternoon, as though I were famous!
Have you learnt anything?
The thing I've learnt most is that there are some beautiful, wonderful places around Merseyside that people don't know about, that are only a few minutes walk from a train station.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
I'm originally from down south, and I came up north to study in Ormskirk. One night, a couple of weeks after I started living here, I missed the last train home and I had to walk round the city centre all night. I came upon St George's Plateau, not knowing it was there; St George's Hall was lit up, and the Walker Gallery, and the Wellington Memorial, and my heart leapt and I knew I was in love with the city. There is nowhere else like it - it's astonishingly beautiful and vibrant, and the people are passionate, interesting and fun. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
I don't read many other blogs, though I do read http://www.roberthampton.me.uk/ and http://lookuplookaround.blogspot.com/, both of which are written by friends. I'm also a regular reader of the Liverpool forum on http://www.skyscrapercity.com.
Phil from Live for Films.
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Phil and I am the bloke who does Live for Films. I've got a wife, two young kids and a job and run LFF in my spare time. People seem to like it.
What is your blog about?
It is about all things film, plus a bit of comics, TV and video games thrown into the mix. Oh and toys. Basically whatever thing I find interesting I put it on the site.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog?
Well it is just over a year old now and for a site to let my friends know about film news I have had people all over the world read it. It has also given me the chance to interview great authors (Neal Asher and Michael Marshall Smith), filmmakers (Duncan Jones, Andrew Barker, Ryan Denmark and more) plus I got to attend the Public Enemies screening and press conference where I was lucky enough to get the chance to ask Johnny Depp a question. Who would have thunk it.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
Cool people, great city, amazing buildings, excellent shops and a nice feel to the place
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
As many as I can.
Alison Gow from Headlines and Deadlines.
Tell us about yourself.
I'm a journalist, working in regional newspapers for 20 years. Deputy editor of the Liverpool Daily Post for 2 years before becoming executive editor, digital, for Trinity Mirror Merseyside. Welsh, married, skier, motorcyclist, Dark Tower fanatic. Oh and a blogger.
What is your blog about?
My blog, Headlines and Deadlines, is about the changing newspaper industry, newsgathering using social media tools, and my vague attempts to learn new things.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog?
Blogging led to me taking part in a UCLan debate alongside Kevin Anderson (Guardian blogs editor) and Robert Peston (BBC) on the economic crisis and the media's role. I wish my bitch of a Maths teacher could have seen it...
Have you learnt anything?
I have learned so much - from fellow bloggers who challenge my ideas with their (better) theories, from seeing how others interact, and from trying out new apps and following others' blogs. It's taught me a lasting lesson about my role as a journalist, and where newspapers really sit in terms of their value. (Hint: it's nowhere near as high as meeja execs would like to think...)
What do you like most about Liverpool?
After 5 years here I still marvel at my luck moving to Liverpool. The waterfront is my favourite place but it's random things like the Superlambanana, St Lukes Church and the optimism of the Saturday queue outside Primark that gladden my heart. And the fact that so many Scousers still believe, on the whole, in the Echo.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
Feeling Listless and Liverpool Blogs, Pool of Life, Graham Bandage's Lovely World, Robin's Culture Blog, Vanilla Days (and several other photoblogs) Overheard In Liverpool, ScyfiLove, and the Post & Echo bloggers.
Dr Anthony J. Evans from The Filter
Tell us about yourself.
Economist, writer, coach. Used to live in Liverpool.
What is your blog about?
My co-bloggers have written some wonderful articles based on their own fields of expertise (music, architecture, literature), but my posts try to provide a prophylactic against popular economic fallacies.
What's the most interesting thing which has happened as a result of the blog?
Receiving eye witness accounts (and photographs) of the Belarus protests in 2005, before it really hit the mainstream media.
Have you learnt anything?
Don't patronise people.
What do you like most about Liverpool?
The Blue Angel.
What other Liverpool blogs do you read?
None. If i'm missing something drop me a line.
