I went into town for some errands but I don't do anything before getting a latte, so I took care of that first and got some treats for Chhaya. She knows when we go to Kaladi and expects her treats. Look at her taking the treat out of my mouth, she is very gentle. In fact, she knows the command "gentle". Super smart, just like her Mommy.
This is what my purse looks like, it's what a dancers purse should always look like (give and take a few items). Cash and dog treats, somewhere on the bottom there is also a chap stick (Baby Lips) a pink Hello Kitty mirror and a rose quartz rock.
I got a package today but you will have to check back another time to find out what's in it.....to keep things interesting.
Now I'm home and it is amazingly beautiful and actually really warm outside, I will get nekkid and tan for a while and then walk Chhaya.
But before I go I have some stuff to get off my chest. I've had some issues with a person in my life for a few days now. It's been bothering me quite a bit and I felt rather sad today because of the whole mess. That person told me that I have said that I have a lot of readers of the blog (just a fraction of the mess). The way she put it sounded negative, like I am bragging about writing a blog and having "lots" of readers. First of all, having a blog is nothing to brag about, anyone can write one and millions of people do, so I would never brag about something like that, besides that is not who I am. I think there are like 70 million blogs on Tumblr so come on now! Have I ever mentioned to her that I have readers? Yes, when something blog related comes up. I mean, I write this blog every day so why shouldn't I be able to talk about it with my friends? Do I have a lot of readers? I don't know. About a year ago I thought I had about 30 000 readers a day, I was like whaaaat and got very excited! I had a different statistic program then, not as detailed as the one I use today. My friend KISA (Knight In Shining Armor) that also helps me out a lot with the technical aspects of the blog (confusing if you are not a computer language person) gently told me that most of those visitors were actually spam, he brought me down from my happy cloud of thinking I had that crazy amount of readers.
Thank You KISA!
I know people read the blog because I've had complete strangers approach me to let me know that they do (mostly other dancers) and just a few days ago I got a comment from a person that found the blog by looking up info for INGROWN HAIRS, yes..... (!) ha ha and found my blog and is now a reader. I don't tell a bunch of people about my blog, in fact I told one person about it in April and May combined (in person). I know I could spread the word in many ways, like have thousands of Facebook friends and each time I write an entry tell them about it. I could make stickers and advertise the blog like that. I could comment on other blogs or chat rooms and spam them with my blog. I do read other people's blogs and when I do comment I will leave a link to my blog, this is what you do. I only comment if I have something relevant or encouraging to say, maybe even question some stuff, give my input. Many bloggers like having a discussion going, it gives the blog "life', especially some of the wonderful feminist blogs I read out of Sweden, those are the ones I comment on and one other blog in the US.
I always comment as myself because I have no need to be anonymous or hide behind a different name. Most of the readers of my blog are silent, meaning they read but never or rarely comment. Which is fine, that's just how it is and some people don't want to put in that extra effort it takes to comment or don't want to stick out their nose like that. Some of them tell me in person that they read my blog and bring up a specific entry to me and other times I get a private message. For example, Boss Lady (the manager at work) reads my blog, she tells me in person but she doesn't leave comments ever. What is disappointing is when I know for a fact that some of my personal friends read it on a regular basis but have nothing to say, neither to me personally or by leaving an occasional comment. Like they pretend they don't read it or something. I am not asking for praises or admiration but it would be nice to get some feedback once in a while from a close friend. A girl that I was friends with for a long time told me that she didn't read and comment because she felt resentment that I write a blog, since she considered herself to be a writer and a photographer. I would have to specifically ask her to give me input on entries that I thought she would find interesting or ask her if she ever read the blog, she reluctantly read it a little and did leave a few nice and thoughtful comments and then it finally came out that in fact she felt resentful. That is just sad, like why? I don't consider myself a writer or a photographer, although I write this blog on an almost daily basis and take pictures to go with what I write. Blogging is not my source of income, I do this because I enjoy it. It doesn't really matter how many readers I have, I know that I'm not writing a column for People magazine or Time, it's a personal blog about me, my regular life and my opinions. And if I can reach a handful of people and entertain them, put a smile on their face or encourage them to do something positive, maybe get a good discussion started - that is plenty for me, that makes me happy. I can say this much, if anyone of my friends did something creative where I could leave input in any way, I would gladly do so.
I have no problem showing my friends encouragement and sharing that with them. If a friend had a blog - I would read it and comment. If they wrote a book, I would read it. If they painted, I would be interested in seeing their art. To me, that is part of being a friend, you lift each other up and encourage each other. I know some of my friends rarely or ever read anything (some people don't read, I don't get that but that's how it is) and that's fine, I'm not going to force them to read the blog. But when a friend reads kind of in secret and never gives any input or some other friend resents me, simply because I write a blog and she doesn't.....then what kind of a friend is that?
Ahhhhhh......I feel a little better now.....or do I? It's now time to get nekkid and tan! And to all my readers, I appreciate you a lot!
Mandy on :
I like hearing other people's stories.
And writing comments is so easy, you can really think about the perfect thing to write, which is nice when you are shy and socially awkward....
The outdoorsy pictures make me jealous though.
TATIANA Post author on :
Annette on :
TATIANA Post author on :
🙂
Annette on :
TATIANA Post author on :
"So wear them in 20 minute increments until you start to feel comfortable, then in 40 minute increments. Keep this up until you can wear them for an hour and not fall. Wear them while you do household chores or while cooking. Then try squatting and moving around....movements beside just walking. Once you can wear them and not fall, try walking faster and faster until you can do a light jog in them...just from one end of the house to the other. Then you will have mastered the shoes!"
Annette on :
Jeff on :
Tatiana, I really enjoy reading your posts, as well as catching up on some of your older posts. I must say, I am very intrigued by EDC. I had never heard of it before, but it sounds totally awesome! I wish I were 20 years younger! They never had stuff like that (at least not in the midwest) when I was an "appropriate age" to go to those things. I am pissed that I missed out on the rave scene.
Jeff on :
TATIANA Post author on :
I love a song by Massive Attack called Heat Miser, I use it for stage sometimes (at work). I love Trip Like I Do by The Crystal Method too (a Vegas duo) and many of their other songs, also use for stage sometimes.
I think yes, the down tempo or chill music started out in the rave scene or club scene....but I'm not sure, although I have been to many events with chill out rooms.
You know what's even better than EDC? Burning Man. I have a lot of Burning Man entries, just look in my archives from September of last year.....or look up burningman.com
And you can never be too old or too anything for Burning Man.....you just have to be open to the experience.
AMAZING!
Jeff on :
I had not heard Heat Miser by Massive Attack, but I really like it! If you want to know what typifies my taste in music listen to: Spinning by Zero 7, As the Rush Comes by Motorcycle (Gabriel and Dresden chillout mix), Breathe Me by Sia, (Have some totally quiet, undisturbed, introspective time for that one!) Breathe by Telepopmusik, Lebanese Blonde by Thievery Corporation, The Sea by Morcheeba, Glory Box by Portishead… The list goes on and on but I had to stop somewhere! (Sorry the list is so long, but I don’t know many people who appreciate this type of music!) I also like tons of other genres of course, pretty much anything except country and opera! I have heard of Burning Man of course, but I have never been. Another festival that I have always been curious about is Coachella…
TATIANA Post author on :
Bil on :
TATIANA Post author on :
Awww.....thank you and thank you for reading!
🙂
Hayley on :
It's nice to see pics of Ak when I'm not there... I like to check in and see what funny things are going on at GTC; and the pics of Chaya, and other thoughts you have, are interesting... Your blog actually makes me wish I wrote more, as I did in college. You are a good writer, and have a good voice. Keep up the good work... Maybe I'll see you in a July
TATIANA Post author on :
🙂
Writing is fun....maybe you can write a blog too?
Alexandra on :
Not for spite, but you do comment on a blog that I read. That is why, I am here.
I think you shouldn't care what other people think about your blogging. I think its a pretty entertaining writing, and the pics are stunning.
TATIANA Post author on :
Yes, I do comment on a few blogs that I read on a regular basis, one in the US and some Swedish blogs. Absolutely. Like I say, when I have something to say.....whether it's something encouraging or related to the topic etc. But I don't spam random blogs.....no I don't do that. And I do comment once in a while in a forum for dancers only, I have linked to my blog there a few times also.
Oh Alexandra.....I don't really care if people like my blog or not....if they read it, they must like something about it. That's how I look at it.
And hey....thanks for reading and commenting!