As the voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010 FINISHES, I thought I'd do a post a day for a week giving you reasons to go ahead and VOTE FOR ME :) Today's the last day!
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
Reason #3: Endorsements
Reason #2: Redesign
Reason #1: I Love It
I love sharing my dance experiences. I love translating dance into words. I love giving a voice to dancers. I love hearing from readers and meeting new people. I love checking my stats and seeing that people care about what I have to say. I love connecting with other blogs. I love giving insight to a relatively closed off world. I love discovering new dance companies and giving them reviews they otherwise wouldn't get. I love having a natural outlet for my writing. I love dancing. And I love blogging.
Showing posts with label vote for off center 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vote for off center 2010. Show all posts
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
7 Reasons to Vote for My Blog: #2 - Redesign
As the voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010 approaches, I thought I'd do a post a day for a week giving you reasons to go ahead and VOTE FOR ME :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
Reason #3: Endorsements
Reason #2: Redesign
Image is everything. Since starting the blog 3 years ago I've redesigned a few times to make things more appealing and readable. Back in the day my tagline was "Off Center: the ramblings of a hopeless ballerina." Somehow the pathetic "hopeless" was dropped along the way and now I'm just "a New York dancer and writer." But besides the description, I did a major visual overhaul this summer of both the blog and my website. I *think* it's a lot better than it was.
My tweets and other websites are pretty easily accessible up top, and the archives and tags are all organized on the right. I'm using a lot more photos and videos in my post and have better formatting (though Blogger is still finicky at times...). I removed the gigantic old top banner I used to have with my photo (tacky!) and opted for bright simplicity. I hope it's easily navigable and fun to look at while reading (some other blogs I know are b-o-r-i-n-g). And it coincides with my Twitter and main site, all pink and black and white :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
Reason #3: Endorsements
Reason #2: Redesign
Image is everything. Since starting the blog 3 years ago I've redesigned a few times to make things more appealing and readable. Back in the day my tagline was "Off Center: the ramblings of a hopeless ballerina." Somehow the pathetic "hopeless" was dropped along the way and now I'm just "a New York dancer and writer." But besides the description, I did a major visual overhaul this summer of both the blog and my website. I *think* it's a lot better than it was.
My tweets and other websites are pretty easily accessible up top, and the archives and tags are all organized on the right. I'm using a lot more photos and videos in my post and have better formatting (though Blogger is still finicky at times...). I removed the gigantic old top banner I used to have with my photo (tacky!) and opted for bright simplicity. I hope it's easily navigable and fun to look at while reading (some other blogs I know are b-o-r-i-n-g). And it coincides with my Twitter and main site, all pink and black and white :)
Monday, December 27, 2010
Help! Voting Round of Top Dance Blogs 2010 Has Begun!
In case you missed it, I'm in the final running for Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010 in the Dancer Musings category AND the Top 20 category.
Many thanks to all who commented to help me get through the first round - but now's when I really need your support!
If you can, please take a sec to head over to Dance Advantage here and vote! You can only vote once for one blog in each category...so be sure to click "Off Center" for Dancer Musings and Top 20! I was in 3rd place for both categories at the end of the commenting round...so let's make this a winner :)
I've been posting 7 reasons why you should vote for my blog here, so take a peak at those. More to come this week.
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
Reason #3: Endorsements
Reason #2: Redesign
Reason #1: I Love It
Happy Snow Day Voting!
Many thanks to all who commented to help me get through the first round - but now's when I really need your support!
If you can, please take a sec to head over to Dance Advantage here and vote! You can only vote once for one blog in each category...so be sure to click "Off Center" for Dancer Musings and Top 20! I was in 3rd place for both categories at the end of the commenting round...so let's make this a winner :)
I've been posting 7 reasons why you should vote for my blog here, so take a peak at those. More to come this week.
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
Reason #3: Endorsements
Reason #2: Redesign
Reason #1: I Love It
Happy Snow Day Voting!
7 Reasons to Vote for My Blog: #3 - Endorsements
As the voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010 approaches, I thought I'd do a post a day for a week giving you reasons to go ahead and VOTE FOR ME :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
Reason #3: Endorsements
A little self-serving bragging just for one sec (to convince you to vote! A good reason :)...
Vanity Fair has twice given a shoutout to the blog, calling it "one of the precious sources of inspiration" and "sprightly."
Career Transition for Dancers had me as a guest speaker for a seminar called, "The Art of Blogging" last year.
Media Bistro quotes me in an article about arts criticism, and The Huffington Post mentions my "prominent blog."
And even though the NY Times didn't mention the blog, I have to include that link here just because :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
Reason #3: Endorsements
A little self-serving bragging just for one sec (to convince you to vote! A good reason :)...
Vanity Fair has twice given a shoutout to the blog, calling it "one of the precious sources of inspiration" and "sprightly."
Career Transition for Dancers had me as a guest speaker for a seminar called, "The Art of Blogging" last year.
Media Bistro quotes me in an article about arts criticism, and The Huffington Post mentions my "prominent blog."
And even though the NY Times didn't mention the blog, I have to include that link here just because :)
Sunday, December 26, 2010
7 Reasons to Vote for My Blog: #4 - Writing Quality
As the voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010 approaches, I thought I'd do a post a day for a week giving you reasons to go ahead and VOTE FOR ME :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
So, maybe this is subjective but...outside of dance, my second career and passion is writing. I have a BA degree in Communication Arts (focus in journalism) and a Masters degree in Publishing. I've written about dance for Pointe Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine, Movmnt Magazine, ExploreDance.com, and numerous other dance websites. I took a writing class with a NY Times dance critic, was the Features/Arts editor of my college paper, and interned at 4 magazines (including The New Yorker).
Even though blogging is meant to be casual and quick, quality should not be sacrificed. I am by no means perfect - most of the time I'm blogging in a hurry and forget to go back to edit - but I think I've got a little credible edge there...?
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
Reason #4: Writing Quality
So, maybe this is subjective but...outside of dance, my second career and passion is writing. I have a BA degree in Communication Arts (focus in journalism) and a Masters degree in Publishing. I've written about dance for Pointe Magazine, Dance Teacher Magazine, Movmnt Magazine, ExploreDance.com, and numerous other dance websites. I took a writing class with a NY Times dance critic, was the Features/Arts editor of my college paper, and interned at 4 magazines (including The New Yorker).
Even though blogging is meant to be casual and quick, quality should not be sacrificed. I am by no means perfect - most of the time I'm blogging in a hurry and forget to go back to edit - but I think I've got a little credible edge there...?
Saturday, December 25, 2010
7 Reasons to Vote for My Blog: #5 - Community
As the voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010 approaches, I thought I'd do a post a day for a week giving you reasons to go ahead and VOTE FOR ME :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
There's no doubt that the dance world is small, as is the tight-knit online dance network. As a blogger, dancer, writer, teacher, assistant director, and fan, I really try to be active in our community. I link to fellow dance bloggers frequently and list them to the right. I tweet like crazy and follow/am followed by dance tweeps around the world (Daniil Simkin has me "listed" as a colleague :o ). I edit and put out a monthly e-newsletter with my ballet teacher for 3,000+ subscribers.
In real life, I know and am friends with many fellow NYC dance bloggers in person. I attend many major dance events in the city and do my best to report back on them here or review them for people out of town. I've worked and trained with amazing dancers and friends who are now all over the world, and I try to use those connections to bring interesting outside stories to the blog (like these interviews). And I really work towards spreading the word about our beautiful art form and dance communitity.
(I thought this would be a good one to talk about today since it's Christmas! Merry Christmas to all my friends, fellow bloggers, and readers out there :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Reason #5: Community
There's no doubt that the dance world is small, as is the tight-knit online dance network. As a blogger, dancer, writer, teacher, assistant director, and fan, I really try to be active in our community. I link to fellow dance bloggers frequently and list them to the right. I tweet like crazy and follow/am followed by dance tweeps around the world (Daniil Simkin has me "listed" as a colleague :o ). I edit and put out a monthly e-newsletter with my ballet teacher for 3,000+ subscribers.
In real life, I know and am friends with many fellow NYC dance bloggers in person. I attend many major dance events in the city and do my best to report back on them here or review them for people out of town. I've worked and trained with amazing dancers and friends who are now all over the world, and I try to use those connections to bring interesting outside stories to the blog (like these interviews). And I really work towards spreading the word about our beautiful art form and dance communitity.
(I thought this would be a good one to talk about today since it's Christmas! Merry Christmas to all my friends, fellow bloggers, and readers out there :)
Friday, December 24, 2010
7 Reasons to Vote for My Blog: #6 - No Ads
As the voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010 approaches, I thought I'd do a post a day for a week giving you reasons to go ahead and VOTE FOR ME :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Guess what? Ballet is not a moneymaker. Journalism is not a moneymaker. So...dance writing/journalism/blogging is NOT a moneymaker. Yes, it's hard to spend so much time on the blog without getting paid. Outside of my psycho-busy ballet life I have a 30-hour per week job to pay the rent. But advertising is annoying. I don't want to sell anything, and I don't want your money. I want your vote ;)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
Reason #6: No Ads
Guess what? Ballet is not a moneymaker. Journalism is not a moneymaker. So...dance writing/journalism/blogging is NOT a moneymaker. Yes, it's hard to spend so much time on the blog without getting paid. Outside of my psycho-busy ballet life I have a 30-hour per week job to pay the rent. But advertising is annoying. I don't want to sell anything, and I don't want your money. I want your vote ;)
Thursday, December 23, 2010
7 Reasons To Vote for My Blog: #7 - I'm Ancient
As the voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010 approaches, I thought I'd do a post a day for a week giving you reasons to go ahead and VOTE FOR ME :)
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
As my overview post earlier today explains, this blog has been around. I started blogging back in July 2007. And with the exception of dance critic Eva Yaa Asantewa's blog InfiniteBody (started in April 2007), I'm the oldest blog on the Top 20 List. I've been mostly consistent through those years, with a brief haitus during my NY Times era (someone else was chronicling my life, so I thought I'd take a break...). Doesn't sticking through the prehistoric ages of dance blogging mean anything ;) ?
Vote for Off Center
Reason #7: I'm Ancient
As my overview post earlier today explains, this blog has been around. I started blogging back in July 2007. And with the exception of dance critic Eva Yaa Asantewa's blog InfiniteBody (started in April 2007), I'm the oldest blog on the Top 20 List. I've been mostly consistent through those years, with a brief haitus during my NY Times era (someone else was chronicling my life, so I thought I'd take a break...). Doesn't sticking through the prehistoric ages of dance blogging mean anything ;) ?
Good News & Bad News
First the good news...
Off Center has made it to the final voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010! I'm entered in the Dancer Musings category, competing now against Miami City Ballet dancer Rebecca King's blog, Tendus Under a Palm Tree (we're both Rock School alumni!), and Norweigen ballet dancer Henrik's blog, Tights and Tiaras. And then I'm also in the Top 20 category, currently at #3! Exciting!
A HUGE thank you to friends, family, and loyal blog readers who commented on my initial competition post and helped me make it through the comment round! I truly appreciate everyone's effors and support for the blog...it means a lot! But now I'll need more help :) Starting Monday December 27 at 10am EST the final voting round begins. You'll be able to vote only once, for one blog in each category. So...consider Off Center! I'll post voting details and links as soon as they're available, but just a heads up :) You can see the list of competitors in other categories here (it's fun to explore new blogs!)
The bad news...
After taking a week and a half of from dancing per PT's orders, the stupid foot is still hurting. Last night my physical therapist decided it may now be peroneal tendinitis, and so he's going to try to treat it as if that's what the continued pain is until I see the doctor again in January. But...ugh! I'm teninitis = inflammation. But I don't know what I'm doing to keep it inflamed if I'm not dancing?! The solution for this is rest and ice, which I've been doing for way too long now. So frustrating to not have this nearly 4 year old problem solved even post-surgery :/ Whatever - my Christmas present to myself is taking ballet class on Christmas night!
Off Center has made it to the final voting round of Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs 2010! I'm entered in the Dancer Musings category, competing now against Miami City Ballet dancer Rebecca King's blog, Tendus Under a Palm Tree (we're both Rock School alumni!), and Norweigen ballet dancer Henrik's blog, Tights and Tiaras. And then I'm also in the Top 20 category, currently at #3! Exciting!
A HUGE thank you to friends, family, and loyal blog readers who commented on my initial competition post and helped me make it through the comment round! I truly appreciate everyone's effors and support for the blog...it means a lot! But now I'll need more help :) Starting Monday December 27 at 10am EST the final voting round begins. You'll be able to vote only once, for one blog in each category. So...consider Off Center! I'll post voting details and links as soon as they're available, but just a heads up :) You can see the list of competitors in other categories here (it's fun to explore new blogs!)
The bad news...
After taking a week and a half of from dancing per PT's orders, the stupid foot is still hurting. Last night my physical therapist decided it may now be peroneal tendinitis, and so he's going to try to treat it as if that's what the continued pain is until I see the doctor again in January. But...ugh! I'm teninitis = inflammation. But I don't know what I'm doing to keep it inflamed if I'm not dancing?! The solution for this is rest and ice, which I've been doing for way too long now. So frustrating to not have this nearly 4 year old problem solved even post-surgery :/ Whatever - my Christmas present to myself is taking ballet class on Christmas night!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Last Day to Vote for 1st Round!
Hi friends (and new readers via HuffPo!),
Today is the last day of the voting round for Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs of 2010! If you want to help out, please post a comment on THIS POST! This round is judged by number of comments so...let's go!
Hopefully after today I'll enter the final voting round...details to come, and that's where I'll really need your help...
Today is the last day of the voting round for Dance Advantage's Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs of 2010! If you want to help out, please post a comment on THIS POST! This round is judged by number of comments so...let's go!
Hopefully after today I'll enter the final voting round...details to come, and that's where I'll really need your help...
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Help! Reader’s Choice Top Dance Blogs of 2010
So...I've been blogging here on Off Center since the summer of 2007. Yes, I've taken time off. Yes, I've had some slow times (ahem, lately...). But I really feel like the blog has been a big part of my dancing life over the years.You've been with me through beginnings, Nutcrackers, graduations, summer intensives, performance reviews, rats and realities, bear heads and Santa beards, the best time of my life, and the worst. Even people from The New York Times and Vanity Fair have been supportive. I am forever grateful for the amazing people I've met through the blog, the opportunities that have come up, and the kind words I've heard in response to my experiences.
But now I need YOUR help...
Dance Advantage is hosting the Reader's Choice Top Dance Blogs of 2010 and I'm entering in the Dancer Musings Category.
Here's the deal: the more comments on this post, the better. If you comment here showing your support and I'm one of the top 10 most supported, I enter the voting round after December 22. Voting takes place December 27-30. So...comment away :)
For your (or mostly my) enjoyment - a photo timeline of the blog coming soon...
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