Ephemeris

“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.” - Vincent van Gogh

An ephemeris is a table giving the coordinates of a celestial body, and is often used by navigators, say, in order to determine longitude while at sea, or by astrologers to follow celestial objects as they move in the sky.

I like to think of the internet as a kind of virtual sky filled with stars -- each of these stars sheds light on something, and very often, one leads to another and they all connect as virtual constellations. 

So here is my ephemeris:  the list of all those stars out there on the interwebs that enlighten me, that entertain me, that make me think or question or who lead me off in a new direction:

Bruce Murray -- host of The Zedcast, who inspired me to re-write my Life List.

Sage Tyrtle -- host of Quirky Nomads, and the person responsible for my returning to journal writing.

Chris Brogan -- who constantly makes me think.  I never comment on his blog because I always think I'll sound like a dork next to his thoughtful commenters, but it's on my Life List to change that habit this year.

Mark Blevis and Bob Goyetche -- partly because they host the Canadian Podcast Buffet and always talk about things in terms I can understand; partly because they are two of the driving forces behind Podcasters Across Borders; mostly because they are funny and clever and generous and inspiring.

Dave Brodbeck and Isabelle Michaud of the Broca's Area podcast, for a number of reasons, but mostly because they manage to take the discussion they start on the podcast and carry it on into their comments, which says to me that they know how to make meaningful connections with people.

Andrea and Cat, who often end up in the shadows of their husbands, but who work just as hard behind the scenes, are just as thoughtful in what they produce themselves, and who make me glad to have been able to spend a little time with them.