Life in balance. Five people dropped me from the folks they read on lj this week, and five added me. In addition, I removed two people that haven’t posted in the last three months, and added two, myself. (that’s my rule of thumb… don’t add unless folks are removed. I think about 100 authors to read is plenty diverse, and I can’t keep on top of more than that.)

There was a time that I thought I’d never go over 40 authors on my linked list… but now, I think this many is just right… some folks post very rarely, but with very high quality work, ( like , , , or for example – all great to add, and it’s like a present when they post. a rare gift, found when you least expect it. from once a week, to less than once a season), or with lives that post more frequently that I’m keen to stay on top of. has a great kind heart and fantastic photos entered regularly.

I really like my friend’s list. entertaining, enlightening, very little lj drama, talented artists (be it 2-d, 3d, digital, or other), a few *very* close friends, short stories, good poetry, bad poetry, haiku slams, people growing up, baby & kitty pictures, news links, real day to day life, programming reference, and some real intelligence. There are a lot of different points of view, and a ton of kind, generous hearts. I can look at each person on my friend’s page and know right way why they’re on my list. Thanks for sharing your stuff with me!

Something I like to do is to sneak and read the people that’re reading me, too. I’m really sort of surprised at the diversity here. There’s a couple of people that are a stone’s throw from me, and others that are on the other side of the planet…I look forward to the regional search reactivating. (I sort of have an urge to make a planet corkboard, and stick pins where everyone is. (sort of like guestmap, only it traces folk’s IP, and sticks the pins automatically. sort of like this)

I’m anxious to see the community break 500 members… when I put it together about a year ago, I had no idea that it would take off as well as it has. I’d say about 3 or 4 entries a day, and approximately 5 replies per entry, if my math is right. I think that counts as a healthy community. (heck, I’d be happy with 1/10th the posts…the replies are what really makes the community work…a nice support system has developed)