The Local News

Welcome Alexis Massie. Thanks to a short bout of bickering within the online journaling community, Alexis has decided to 'pull the plug' on her journal. However, Alexis continues to write a 'pseudo journal' entitled "The Local News." Alexis describes the Local News this way: "Sometimes I write stories. Other times I write what can only be described as rants. Other times, I write stupid little nonsensical blurbs of no consequence and no meaning." While waiting for her return to journaling, please check out her article on the "Demise of the Online Journal." If you don't agree with her opinions here, it will still leave you with something to think about...

nobody knows anything

Here is a very established and easily navigated journal. It is also quite extensive. Diane started her journal as "The Paperwork," and has recently revamped her journal and retitled it as "nobody knows anything." The major changes are that the design is crisper, and each entry contains a "quote of the day" as well as some "running news." Diane's first entry in the Paperwork was on June 5th, 1996. Diane maintains her archives well, and there is a lot of reading to do here. As far as content, Diane's writing is immaculate (she used to be a technical writer). Diane's journal entries feature a very nice sense of both irony and humor, as well as boasting a large cast of characters, drawn with detail and introspection. Please read Diane's article called "Why Web Journals Suck."

Nine Lives

Karawynn Long, "intermittent skiffy writer." Great content here with short sci-fi stories by Karawynn, along with her journal, entitled "Nine Lives." Karawynn states "This is personal; this is me and my so-called life and whatever I feel like babbling about at the moment, shallow or deep." Karawynn's journal has stories about her (very temporary) employment for Microsoft, discussions on polyamory, living in Seattle, and more. The journal is excellent, but the reader must register with Karawynn first. Acceptance is almost instantaneous, however, and the reader will have their password within hours.

Dear Lizzie

Another fine example of content over flash. 'Lizzie' of "Lizzie's Journal," or "DJR," is a 28 yr. old (29 this July 18th) lawyer who lives in California, and has continued her journal through times of turmoil and jubilance alike. The first incarnation of Lizzie's journal was fairly dark, with a sweeping 'gothic'color scheme. Now it has changed to a lighter, more pleasant color scheme. Lizzie has over a year of entries within her archive, and some of the more enjoyable reading includes the details of her meeting "Aaron," her boyfriend, as well as her thoughts on the quality of online journaling.

Dreaming Among the Jade Clouds

And finally, last but not least, we have Ginkgo. Ginkgo's entries are rich in substance, and very nicely augmented by her use of photography. Ginkgo received her degree in Color Technology from the Brooks Institute of photography, Santa Barbara. Ginkgo's archives go back as far as August 1997, and each month has a thematic scheme to it. Ginkgo's journal is an open letter to her friends and acquaintances, as well as an online journal. Ginkgo describes her journal as a creative outlet, a way for "my words, my thoughts, my graphics, and the other images I choose to walk beside my words. Ginkgo's journal highlights her splendid use of graphics, photographs, and subtle design. Ginkgo is currently working on her own webring, called the "Mandlebrot Set," named after the Mandlebrot fractal.