In preparation for a blog post I threw a question up on a number of social networks last night asking friends and followers to name a blog they would recommend someone read if they could only read one blog for all of 2009.   I have already gotten a number of responses from a number of sources and I’m getting really excited about the post.

Following that I thought to myself, what blogs could I recommend to my readers that may interest them?  What are some of the blogs that aren’t already on all of the lists out there that I read? Alas, this post was born.  I read a number of blogs on a number of subjects; from SEO to Social Media and Parenting to Design.  From my list of over 190 blog subscriptions I have compiled a list of my top 5 that I find the most influential or useful.  There are a TON of great reads in my reader, but these ones stand out time and time again.

The Fire Horse Trail: David Harry’s SEO Blog -  David Harry does an outstanding job at covering news and info on search and internet marketing, but what I like about his blog is that unlike a number of  SEM blogs out there he doesn’t just regurgitate a bunch of information.  Most of the time he is exploring facets of search that most search bloggers aren’t paying attention to or talking about; from personalized search to search patents, David has offered a wealth of information and ideas that don’t fall within the norm of search marketing blog topics.

Mashable – OK this is probably one of the bigger ones and I’m sure it’s probably been on some lists, but I know there are still a number of people out there who don’t read it or know about it.  Mashable is the one blog I have to keep up with every day.  If I only read one blog in my reader before selecting ‘Mark all as read’ it’s Mashable.  Why you ask?  Because there is a wealth of information and resources presented on Mashable.  I also love that they like lists, I’m a list person so if you can give me a list of  100+ More Ways To Organize Your Life you’re ok in my book.  Not to mention their news covers search, social media, gadgets, startups and more.  There’s a little bit of something for everyone on Mashable.

TwiTip – A sideblog of Problogger Darren Rowse, TwiTip shares some tips on how to get the most out of Twitter.  A newer blog which only started in October of this year it has offered some really interesting ideas on ways to better your twitter relationships and generate stronger traffic to your blog or website with twitter. Some tips have included use of Twitter landing pages and What To Do When You Lose Twitter Followers.

Jon Swanson’s Levite Chronicles – What I love about Levite Chronicles and Jon Swanson’s writing is that it makes me think.  It always throws some sort of different perspective at me that I rarely consider.  It’s one of those blogs that make you stop and reflect after you read some of the posts.  In a world that moves at the speed of light and we are surrounded by information overload, this is one blog that actually slows it all down for a moment and helps you refocus.

PluginID – Another blog to come out of 2008 and another sideblog, this of ViperChill blogger Glen Allsopp, PluginID has one purpose; to help people plugin to their identity and aid in their personal development.  Again a very inspirational blog, which has caught my attention a number of times and made me reflect on who I am and how I live my life.  If you’re still trying to find yourself or make yourself, or simply just need a reminder as to who you are at the core this is the blog for you.

I hope you each find some value in at least one of these blogs and that you are able to add it to your reader for 2009.  For now I will leave you with the same question I opened the post with, if someone could read only one blog for the duration of 2009 what blog would it be and why?  I’d love to hear your responses and the list of entries will be posted in Friday’s blog.

This was originally posted on my Myspace page, but feel it applies here in many ways as well…

Ok, so I’m sure by now someone is offended and crying over my latest blog. Let me make something clear, my blogs against illegals aren’t directed at Mexican’s as a whole. And if you’re Mexican, and offended then you obviously think illegal immigration is ok, and if that’s the case then so be it. That is your view and you are ok to think that way, just as much as I am ok to think it’s not ok.

You can think I’m a racist, you can think I’m ignorant, you can think I’m arrogant. The bottom line is that it’s simply how I feel. My feelings about this are not unwarranted. And I have brought forth my concerns more than once in my blogs. Blogs are a place to share ideas, information, and opinions…This is what I do with my blog. Feel free to agree, or disagree, but again realize it is just a personal opinion towards a certain group of people not towards mexicans as a whole.

Do I sometimes attack mexicans in general? Yes, sometimes I do…Yes, I realize I may offend some of my mexican friends. But realize that most mexicans I know or are friends with do not fit in the category of mexicans I have so many issues with.

You aren’t rude and disregard those around you and their personal space. You don’t let your kids run amok in the store unsupervised or left to tear apart the toy section because you don’t want to deal with them while you shop. You have some sense of respect for others, their belongings, and their personal space. Agree with my POV, or not, you know exactly the types of Mexicans I am referring to. If you live in Corona, you’ll see them everytime you’re at the store…

If you’re my friend or know me, then you know I feel this way. If you decide you’re no longer my friend because of this, then so be it. If you’re willing to let a difference in views on social issues get in the way of our friendship, then you obviously aren’t a friend worth having around. This is who I am, this is how I feel. I have just as many issues with groups of whites, blacks, and various other races, but an opportunity to write about these issues rarely presents itself. I’ve said on more than one occasion, openly, that I am an equal opportunity racist and have issues with every race in some way or another.

With that said, I think I have laid everything out for you to make a decision. This is how I feel, this is who I am, and I will continue to write about topics that may be “racially sensitive” if I see fit. I hope you take this opportunity to come to a decision as to 1) how you will react to these posts in the future and 2) if you intend on continuing our friendship. If you decide to axe the latter of the two, then I wish all the best to you in the future. And if this is your decision, kindly remove me from your friends list so that I am aware of your decision and so that you are not somehow offended by future musings.