BlogCrush – Carlos Miceli
Every week I’ll be updating The Webb with a little ditty about my most recent blogcrush – a blog that I follow frequently and find inspiration, laughter and deep thoughts from. You know who they are, those bloggers that you’ve never even met but you feel a strange connection…you almost have a little crush on them? These are most definitely folks on my blog roll, and if you are reading and subscribing to The Webb they should be on yours, too.
They always say that opposites attract and that is definitely the case for this week’s #BlogCrush. From the first post I read on Owl Sparks, I knew that Carlos Miceli was a person who would challenge my thoughts and beliefs in a way that would make me a better person in the end. Lately, whenever I am commenting on other blogs the conversations I have had with Carlos spring to mind and I find myself dissenting from popular opinion and pre-empting many thoughts with “Blame Carlos, he’s been making me think outside the box on his blog!”
I started following CarlosMic on Twitter mostly because one of my other #BlogCrushes told me to. I started reading his blog when he Tweeted that he had a post to guest write for someone that didn’t quite fit the model of his blog. While the Webb didn’t win the honor of hosting Carlos’ first guest post, I did win the honor of adding his Owl Sparks to my Google Reader.
The first and most astonishing thing that you will take from Carlos’ about section (cunningly titled “The Owl” perhaps by his blog designer) is that English is not his first language. An Argentinian hat lover, occasionally a thread of Spanish meanders it’s way into his comments and I’m amazed by his dexterity at switching between languages. Most importantly, as his Twitter profile states, “It’s all about Respect.”
For all the long and paragraphy posts that you find here on the Webb, Owl Sparks puts up short and insightful posts designed to draw his readers in as he questions a variety of topics from social media to change to philosophy and people in general. While I am a bit particular and uber-competitive, Carlos is more laid back and focused. There are points we will probably never agree on, and then there are compromises and middle grounds that we find that teach both of us about life outside the blog.
If you are looking for a quick read that will make you think for hours after your browser has closed by a pretty amazing “English as a second language” writer, then Owl Sparks is one you should definitely add to your reader.
Who is your #BlogCrush in the blogosphere? Make sure to update it on your blog on Tuesdays! Wanna learn how #BlogCrush works? Check out the guide.
You've left The Owl speechless, which is a hard thing to do!
I'm honored Elisa, and genuinely happy that my blog can "spark" some thinking. Reading what you've written about me and my blog made my whole week, it shows me that I'm on the right path, that people are enjoying it.
Besides, I welcome respectful disagreement, and you bring that a lot, so you're always welcome my friend!
Thank you again for this, you've really put a smile on my face!
Carlos
I absolutely love Carlos' blog and like you I don't always agree, but rather than dismiss it I always find a way to really connect with Carlos' writing and challenge my own thoughts in a way that really takes my line of thinking to the next level (regardless of whether or not I end up agreeing or not.) Kudos to him for being able to do that so effortlessly.
And kudos to you. Each time I read your #blogcrush I'm more impressed by the way you're able to capture the 'true spirit' if you will of each of these bloggers and their content. That's a tribute to your writing. I should hire you to write the blurbs for August's Top 10 Gen Y Blogs
R
Great stuff once again Elisa. Carlos is like an edgier Seth Godin – his posting style is extremely unique and he's able to make some pretty profound statements in just a few short sentences (I could learn a thing or two when it comes to a less-wordy writing style). Cheers to Carlos for entering into the blogging scene with a bang!
Another fabulous choice! Carlos is a great guy and a fantastic blogger, definitely crush-worthy. I am constantly in awe of how much insight and intelligence he can fit into a few lines. Carlos really gets people thinking and I always enjoy the discussions that his posts inspire. Congrats Carlos!
Elisa: I agree with Ryan, you really do capture the 'true spirit' of the people you feature here. It's obvious that you take the time to get to know them and their blogs , which makes it even more of an honor for those who are chosen. Well done!
Carlos – Well, that’s good to know because I am always up for some healthy discussion on topics. I think you and I definitely have some very blazing opposing viewpoints so it makes for some great debate, that I learn a lot from. Hopefully it is reciprocated as well!
Ryan – Haha, thanks! I love being able to surprise good bloggers with a profile weekly revealing what I like about their blog and how I interpret their “voice.” As a blogger myself (when my computer works!) I know it’s hard sometimes to get a feel of what draws people to a blog, so it’s nice to be able to offer that to my peers. As for the Top 10, I’d love to help however I can, but I leave the writing up to you. The Top 10 was most definitely one of the ideas that the #blogcrush sprang from!
Matt – I’m gonna tell you a secret…I don’t actually read a lot of Seth Godin *ducks head* I know, I’m a bad social media follower! But if his style is similar to Carlos’, I might just be tempted to check that out. As for the wordy posts, well, you read the Webb, you know I’m challenged by the same issue!
Sam – I know! I feel like it’s that old phrase “You have more *insert great adjective here* in your pinky finger than I have in my whole body” with the way that Carlos is able to start such great discussion and thoughts from so few words. I love checking out his stuff whenever it posts. And thanks for the kind words, it definitely takes some efforts to get to know each blog better to update my crushing, so it’s good to know that they efforts pay off and others enjoy the stuff I’m finding!
Carlos is so well deserved of your #BlogCrush! I'm amazed at his eloquence and intelligence, especially because he is speaking in his second language! His thoughts are poignant and always thought provoking, as well.