TwisterMc – Blog on a Stick
May 25, 2010 by Sara · Leave a Comment
Thomas McMahon designs and maintains the TwisterMc website and Blog on a Stick. Thomas is an internet guru of sorts living in the western suburbs of the Twin Cities. Minneapolis. During the day he works at TopRank Marketing doing search engine optimization, blog marketing, and web design. During the evening, and often in the early morning, Thomas loves to program and design, with TwisterMc serving as a gallery of sorts for his work. Of course, he also loves to blog. The topics he covers in Blog on a Stick run the gamut from open-source software and tech-talk to internet marketing and pop-culture.
What first inspired you to start the TwisterMc.com?
I’d had free websites in the past and felt the constrictions so I moved to my own hosting and domain. It wasn’t out of need necessarily, but want. Wanting to control my own site, wanting to learn and create.
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of maintaining a blog? How do you choose to address it?
The most challenging part for me is finding time to do all the things I want to do. Weither that’s creating new posts, adding plugins, or tweaking the design, I find myself wanting to do more than I have time to. To balance it, I take some time late at night or early in the morning to try and get what I can done but also remember that there are other things in life that are more important.
You have many web creations scattered around your site, from Firefox themes to blog plug-ins to Adobe Air apps. What is one website widget, plug-in, or other device you can’t live without that you would recommend to help other bloggers?
I think WordPress is the one thing I can’t live without. It’s the once piece of software that makes everything easier. There would be no way for me to run multiple sites, or have so many features on my blog, without it.
What’s the best thing a blogger can give to his readers?
I think the best thing a blogger can give their readers is tips that they can take away and use. I for one like to learn from other bloggers, to learn about new software, techniques or something that I can take with me when I’m done. I think that sharing knowledge in the form of tips or tutorials is what makes a good blog.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
Some of the blogs I like to read include:
Firefox Facts
The Unofficial Apple Weblog
Beautiful Pixels
Smoking Apples
Bittbox
LifeDev
Lifehacker
Webworker Daily
I also keep an eye on Twitter for good how-to posts.
What do you think makes the Twin Cities / Minnesota the best place to live? Why?
I’ve lived in Minnesota all my life, so it’s hard to picture myself elsewhere. I think that the Twin Cities has a lot to offer from free activities like Como Zoo, Sculpture Garden and the many miles of walking/biking trails to the Science Museum, Arboretum and Valleyfair, and plenty of other attractions that won’t break the bank. I’m also a big fan of the four seasons and don’t know what I’d do without a good winter snowstorm or hot and stormy summer afternoon.
The Snyder 5
May 18, 2010 by Sara · Leave a Comment
The Snyder 5 is a blog about a family of Snyders. Five of them, in fact! By profession, blogger Molly is a full-time marketing and PR professional. The rest of her time is spent as a wife, mother, and of course, blogger. The Snyder 5 blog has been a way for Molly to document her life, as well as the lives of her husband and three young sons. Over the past few years, though, the blog has evolved to include much more than family stories. Recently, the Snyder 5 blog was featured on the front page of the Mothers’ Day issues of the Pioneer Press to discuss one of Molly’s major ongoing projects, the 500 Pound Declutter. Last year, she was featured on the Star Tribune website to discuss saving for college for children through the Upromise program. Through the Snyder 5 blog, Molly is sharing her knowledge and experiences as a mom and marketer, while inspiring readers and making them laugh.
How long have you been blogging? What blog(s) did you write prior to The Snyder 5?
I started blogging in the fall of 2007. It was simply a way to announce to family and friends that we were expecting our third baby (making us no longer The Snyder 4, but instead The Snyder 5.) Let’s be honest here, by the third baby most people don’t want weekly pregnancy update emails.
I figured by having a blog, those who were interested would come and read, and those who weren’t, well, they wouldn’t.
Clearly, almost three years later, I am no longer pregnant. And since then, The Snyder 5 has grown into a place where I reflect, write, learn, share and, above all, laugh.
How much of a family affair is writing The Snyder 5? Do the kids get into it?
The voice is mine. Brian and kids are certainly aware of it and enjoy being a part of it. And, by now, they all know the look I get in my eyes when something sparks an idea that I will write about.
How has blogging changed your life?
By profession, I am a marketing communications person. So I spend my days telling other people’s stories. Blogging has been a way for me to tell our own. And in doing so, I have been able to connect with people I never would have known otherwise.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
I read a lot of blogs. However, I don’t do well with “favorite” lists. I think it goes back to an awkward adolescence and never being on cool kid lists then. So I always have a fear of leaving someone off a list. I will say that I like blogs and people that are real and honest. Blogs that don’t preach. Blogs that reflect. And blogs, with people behind them, who want to connect, not just pontificate. I have been able to connect with an amazing group of bloggers here in Minnesota that exhibit all of those traits.
If you could narrow it down to one answer, what do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?
I love the integrity of Minnesota and Minnesotans. Making a gross generalization, but we are real people here doing real things. There isn’t a lot of fluff. What you see is what you get.
What is your biggest blog-related or family-related goal for 2010?
A lot has changed, on some levels, for our blog over the past year. A year ago, my parents and a few close friends were the only ones reading. Today, the great majority of people who stop by, I have never met in person. But even so, my goal is to stay true to who I am, and who we are, and keep on doing what we are doing. Writing, reflecting, sharing and laughing.
Twin Cities Restaurant Blog
May 11, 2010 by Sara · Leave a Comment
Kristi Sauer is a teacher by profession, restaurant-diner by hobby. She is not a professional food critic, she is just a normal gal with a serious “Foodie” streak. She started the Twin Cities Restaurant Blog because she enjoys trying new restaurants and wanted to offer other diners a comprehensive peak into each place she visits. She provides readers with an honest, objective opinion and detailed information about the establishments she patronizes. In addition to critiquing the food, she reviews the restaurant’s Features, Atmosphere, Menu, Prices, Specials, Service, and Overall Impression. Her blog was started in early 2007 and though she has still only visited a small fraction of restaurants around the Greater Twin Cities, she is slowly but surely eating her way around the metro and loving every morsel of it.
How long did you think about it before you started the Twin Cities Restaurant blog and what was the catalyst for your first post?
I first started a personal blog in early 2005 and about a year later I started thinking about creating a blog solely based upon my dining experiences to share with others. At that time there were very few personal, independent restaurant bloggers. In fact I couldn’t find any others in the Twin Cities! I thought about the idea for at least six months before purchasing the domain name, twincitiesrestaurantblog.com. The very first post I wrote was in February 2007 after my 30th birthday dinner at Boca Chica Mexican Restaurante. At that time I did not have a template in mind for each of my reviews, so the review was very basic. The Twin Cities Restaurant Blog has come a long way in the three years since the site launched!
Blogging about restaurants and the food they serve has a unique set of challenges. One specifically comes to mind, and that is how do you decide which restaurants to try? Do you have a set “schedule” for eating out?
There are literally thousands of restaurants around the Twin Cities and it can be difficult sometimes deciding where to go. Many of the restaurants I have reviewed are in the Northeastern suburbs because that is the area in which I live. I do, however, have a list of restaurants around the Cities that I would like to try and I am steadily making my way down that list. My general rule of thumb is that if I am going to go out to eat, I am going to try a restaurant that I have not tried before. I have also tried several restaurants after being invited out by various people in the business (owners, managers, marketing/PR, etc)
What has been the response from restaurants you’ve critiqued on your blog? Without naming names, has a restaurant ever responded negatively to one of your reviews?
Actually, no. I think because my reviews are mostly informational (and honest!), most restaurants have been pleased to get the exposure. I actually have many restaurants who invite me to come out to their restaurant just to be featured on the blog.
Although I have never received a negative response from a restaurant, there are always disgruntled customers who leave negative comments on the TCRB about a particular restaurant. People love to tell everyone about their bad experience.
If you were to narrow it down to one, what’s your favorite local place to eat? What do you like about that restaurant?
This question isn’t fair to ask a Foodie!! I do have a handful of favorite restaurants though, mostly the ones in my geographical area that I have been to many, many times.
The Twin Cities has lost some high-profile and beloved restaurants in recent years. Is there one you think was a particular loss to the area? What made it so special?
My heart breaks just a little every time I hear of another restaurant closing, but none of them have personally affected me. I was sad however, when I heard that Fuddruckers started shutting down their doors locally. Great family restaurant, I have many fond memories of eating at the Roseville location as a kid.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local bloggers?
I subscribe to probably two hundred blogs, so it would be nearly impossible to name them all, but some of the local blogs I enjoy reading are:
Michelle Sauer Photography – beautiful portrait photography
Heavy Table – Lots of eye-candy and info for a Foodie to look at!
What other blogs/websites do you maintain?
I have kept a personal blog for five years now, called Mi Vida Ocupada, which means “My Busy Life” in Spanish. I am a girl who always has a million things going on and this blog is the place where I tell stories, post photos, book reviews, and all sorts of other fun stuff.
Another project that I started in April 2009 is a site called Photo Hunt Challenges. I am really into photography and love a good challenge so I started a site devoted to Photography Challenges! On the first day of every-other-month I post a list of 20 items/techniques (open to interpretation) and participants have the entire month to take photos for each item on the list. Anyone and everyone is welcome to play along. Participants represent all skill levels and all types of cameras. On the first day of the following month each participant uploads their photos into an online gallery like Flickr or Picasa, then I go through ALL Participant Entries and pick my favorites for each item on the list. Throughout the month I then post all the favorites for each item together (in a separate blog post for each item on the list) with a poll for people to vote for their favorite. Voters are encouraged to vote for favorite photo rather than a particular person. I do not have any prizes to give out but the photographer of each winning photograph is given recognition on the site. Participants come from all over the world and I encourage anyone interested in Photography to check it out!
Birdchick
May 4, 2010 by Sara · Leave a Comment
Sharon Stiteler, writer of the Birdchick website and blog, started out in the bird feeding industry and worked for a Twin Cities wild bird feeding company for about 8 years. But her heart was set on avoiding a “real” job and getting paid to go birding, a goal at which she has been fairy successful at achieving since 1997. She currently is a part-time National Park Ranger for the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. She also writes articles for several publications including WildBird Magazine, Birding Business and Outdoor News. Additionally, she has penned two books: City Birds/Country Birds tells readers how to attract birds anywhere from an urban apartment to a rural yard; and Disapproving Rabbits, which started as a blog and has managed to become part of the Internet lexicon.
How did you become interested in birding?
When I was 7 years old, I saw a Peterson Field Guide to birds and snapped. I was especially intrigued by the pileated woodpecker. I thought it was cool that there was a woodpecker that was crow-sized.
What inspired you to write your first blog post for Birdchick?
In 2004, I was frustrated trying to get some of my work published. There were few birding websites at that time and I had the opportunity to do cool things like hawk trapping, hanging with peregrine researchers, take people places they may not normally get to see and dispell birding misinformaiton. I was getting a tattoo and the guys at the parlor recognized me from my KARE 11 appearances as the Bird Lady. They said I needed a website and I had been looking for a new name since there are already several “bird ladies” out there and just term implied a specific type of woman–which I’m not. So, Birdchick was born.
What is your biggest challenge for developing new content for your blog?
Now there are a glut of birding blogs and it’s more of a challenge to come up with unique content. I now keep my blog as my online nature journal of things I find interesting which includes caterpillar ranging and my beekeeping adventures.
What do you hope readers take away from reading the Birdchick blog?
You can find cool birds anywhere, no matter where you live. When I get an email that reads someone noticed something like a catbird or yellow-rumped warbler for the first time, I’m honored and know that my blog is doing what I intended.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
I like burdr, 10,000 Birds and the Music of Nature blog. Locally…Minnesota Birdnerd. I like Roger, he’s a teacher and bird bander. I enjoy reading about his banding adventures.
If you could narrow it down to one answer, what do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?
It’s a major metro area, but it’s green–there are a ton of parks and bike trails.
What is one of your non-blog related goals for 2010?
Hard question…what isn’t blog fodder? I’d love to get my book about my beekeeping adventures published.
