I hold my own with a keyboard, but I’m maybe not so good with the internet.  But I got to wondering today whether we have other quality, well-supported blogs in Birmingham concerning the city in general.  Or the arts specifically.  So this is Daniel’s almost real-time quest to scout out the network for support in helping to make Birmingham just a little bit cooler.  I’m opening Google right now for a Kerouac tour…

I think the first place I already knew about was The Terminal (http://bhamterminal.com), which covers Birmingham generally and also has a specific page for arts and culture.  A feature I highly recommend for residents trying to figure out what to do around here is the Terminal’s Magic City Myspace Directory.  Excellent idea!

For local rock music, I just discovered bham.fm – billed as “music worth reading”.  A site with some good content.  There’s a list of what can only be local bands down the left side of the page.  Another excellent idea!  This is something I’ve wanted for years.  I’ll click down this list later and discover someone new to go see.  Eventually, I’d love to interview some local bands and start reviewing them on here.  There are also well-done lists of local venues and radio stations.

I don’t know if the Black & White and the Birmingham Weekly count, but I’m including them here for completeness.  If so, then the YP Blog probably counts.  How old is too old to be a “young professional”?  How much of a lawyer do I still have to be to be considered a “professional”?

Do I have to mention the Birmingham Injury Blog, since I’m a lawyer?  Seems kinda well-supported, actually.  The other side of Legal Schnauzer, maybe.

Super-quirky, Indian, artsy, Kamat’s Potpourri – the personal home page of the four members of the Kamat family.  These folks apparently share three doctorates, five masters degrees and seven other university degrees.  The website says it constitutes over a hundred person-years of work.

I love the library – do they count?  The Birmingham Public Library has a blog (http://bplolinenews.blogspot.com).  And I hope this excellent blogger continues to rock along, if just purely for the title.  (http://headsubhead.com)  I’ll go back later.

Wade Kwon – who I think went to high school at RLC way before I did – discusses Birmingham and Alabama (http://wadeonbirmingham.com).  Wade recently reached his 2000th post, so I expect he’ll be around for a while, if he doesn’t switch to Twitter – eek.  Another of Wade’s creations may be the Birmingham Blogging Academy, which I think some sort of ‘net decorum requires that I mention.

Howabout Erica Bunker’s D.I.Y. Style?  Does she qualify as Birmingham art?  Although I probably won’t spend much time on her site, I absolutely think so.  (http://www.ericabunker.com)  Very cool and as completely out-of-my-world as that time I called the Smocking Bird.

I have no idea who runs the website at (http://www.ebhm.org), but it’s been an essential resource of mine for local theatre.  And soccer – which makes me think I’d like this person.  Thank you, whoever you are.

A lot of politics out there in blog-land, isn’t there?  Well, not on here.  I keep a tidy house.

Amber Waves of Twang is good for music, plus it’s a pretty spectacular name for a blog.

Food can absolutely be art.  And a good independent guide to local restaurants in Birmingham is here (http://www.bhamdining.com).  Although I admit I’d be like, sort-of, the punk rocker of food.  More good food blogging possibly at: (http://www.bhamsandwich.com).

Extra music coverage from Birmingham Magazine by Carla Jean Whitley?

Super-cool-seeming little book blog, though without an obvious About Me click – I have no idea on the source.  (http://www.swagler.net)

freeThinkBham is a hard name to remember, but has some promise as a place I’ll go back to.  Its Event Finder may be worth the price of admission.  Or, since it’s free, more than the price.  Duh.

I’ll absolutely get back to Laura Axelrod’s site on “Writing, History, and Books”: Gasp! And thanks, Laura, for mentioning my old acquaintance Joe Musso.  Congratulations to Joe on somewhat dodging the constrictive lawyer pants.

Kickass – a painting blogger: Karin Fecteau.  Ms. Fecteau posts an original painting once a week.  A kindred spirit – we should meet!  I need to get off my butt and go paint.

Charles Buchanan’s Pop Goes The City seems promising.  Plus, I like some of his art.

I’m sure I missed some – and I really wish someone would let me know – because this internet thing is pretty cool.  Thanks Al Gore!