Wanted to write this post for awhile now

Oh! Cool! For a couple of days, I thought I had to pick my five favorite blogs, which would be tough, as there are so many good ones from Saipan. Matter of fact, I have yet to find a group of bloggers from a community which write so well on a variety of issues. Despite the Saipan blogger schism of ’07 (nice one, Angelo) there is still a dedicated core group of members, along with some talented new comers, contributing to the loveliness which is Saipan.

In keeping with this meme’ rules; I’ve been tagged by Tamara and Glen. Two people I’ve never met, but feel as close to an uncle and aunt. Ha Ha. I’m actually between their ages, but their blogs are the ones I visit the most. Glen has the news and the jokes. Reading his blog; I don’t feel as if I’m far away from the Saipan political scene and I always leave with a laugh. Tamara, manages to combine the laughs, and shots of the beauty of the island and her family,along with the political insight of an insightful and well-balanced local resident/native, plus a huge photography talent. Being the almost sister-in-law of the island’s political star doesn’t hurt, but she puts effort and imagination into documenting political issues through her personal experiences and observations. I'm not against the fact; she likes the same foods, as the missus and me either.

Everyone else; I’ve received so much assistance, as a new dad, from the mom’s pages. Tami, the tree huggers wife, Deece, and Boni. I miss my three sisters and these ladies make up for my separation in so many ways. Actually, they all receive extra mentions; Tamara for her food tips, Deece for her humanity, faith and WWII, THW for her practical no holds-barred tips, and Boni for her practicalness and her almost super-human ability to impart her most heartfelt feelings onto the printed page.

Artsy types; Jane’s writers blog always stirs me, Kap is back and that is good, wish Harry would finish his damned book. Looking through his pictures is always fun for me and the missus, as are Marc C’s photo shop tutorials, David Khorram is just fine with both of us, wish we could make the comedy night. Bubble's, once she takes the camera off her wrist band, diving pics are artful plus the tooth care stuff is usually amusing and always informative. Mike Tripp, almost forgot him. I’m probably going to pay for his son’s college education with all the diving CD’s, I've purchased and plan to buy. What a piece of work that is. Latin identification and all the cool places to dive around. Wish the MVA would spend less on travel and just send the disk all over the mainland.

On the political side, which I don’t comment on much, but love to read about. Bruce, the sour grapes guy, and someone who went the extra mile for me, while I was on island. Jeff Turbitt, master of the well crafted paragraph, well thought out analysis' and the odd snappy line. Angelo with his devotion to all things Saipan and the environment. Brad is pretty cool, although I think he might be on the most wanted list somewhere. I owe him big for introducing me to utube, as there isn’t much available in English on the karaoke channels here. Middle Road can be and usually is, what a good paper should be. Walt for his .. Fill in this line for me someone. Walt was/is a big push, without him, there wouldn’t be this meme. He’s glue. Whenever things get rough, think of Walt and his vision.

Hope, I didn’t leave anyone out. Oh! Hope, the Gomez family, and Shazman. Great to see the new generation coming up in a literate fashion. Pmpkn is trying to make his way in the written world, but he’s a little limited these days. Still, he recognizes the comment block and tries to make his mark on the world, over the top of my poised fingers. My fervent wish; is he does as well, as the Saipan Bloggers. May the power stay on long enough to post your comments. Angelo, this meme was an excellant idea. From my own point of view; it gave me reason to thank people who have given me a great deal of help over the last few months and the excuse to finally write about the Saipan Bloggers.