The Not-So-New Competitive Sport

It has come to my attention that not all bloggers are created equally. I noticed this quickly after surfing blog posts for, well, what was out there in blogging land. And so I wondered if it's just me or is there a real competive feel to the nature of the blog site? I found myself commenting, "Ooh, that's a lovely color scheme" at first...wait, look at the links of advertisers- how did she get them, and further, can I get them too? How is this person so adept at, not only creating a visually appealing site where she rests her daily opinion on, but apparently, she's also her children's track team captain, reads voraciously, has a great sense of self, cooks like an ACF Chef and has time to blog about it all!

Should we compare ourselves to those most competive, complete and well designed blog pages? Some have years of archives, have posted lists of a hundred URL's to which are subscribed to and beautifully presented with well adorned advertising, albeit in a rectangular fashion in some inconspicuous corner?I think some must have a ton of free time on their hands- How does one blogger manage to create mouthwatering foodstuff, take professional photos and write indepth content on a daily basis? Forget that the photography is flawless in pixelation, composition and content.

For me, the hook is the feeling of social connectivity and the great wisdom shared by a complete stranger- that I relate to. Sometimes it's just the awful truth of the matter that addressed, makes us all so human after all. In the end it is also that which appeals to my sense of neighborhood and trust in this person, this blogger, making me somehow akin to, a competitve soul.

Stage Right

Yumi Yamaguchi was a delightful dancer who graced the Rialto stage before her grand entrance onto New York ballet venues. Her parents would drop her and her brother off at the Rotaru Ballet studios for their many hours of classes and would return to pick them up still attired in their dark business suits, pleasantly bowing to any who might greet them.
Though she carried her weight in musculature, all one hundred and five pounds of lithe and grace with the tell-tale walk and stance of a dancer. I call it the turn-out walk; feet purposely implanting each step, yet not quite slew-footed, hips even and steady. The sign of muscle memory and training.

As ballet studios go, it was much the same as others with mother's and father's waiting in the long halls or in lobby. Little brothers would find others of their age to wander about with-
We chatted, made friends and talked about the beauty of dance through Pavel Rotaru and wife, Elwyn. There is no other technical school, with so much demanded in detail of it's trainees than the Russian school of dance. And so it was here at the Rotaru International Children's Ballet School in Atlanta, Georgia.

When I showed this photo to Yumi, she was thrilled at first. You see the colorful original Russian costumery and set design (Dragan) and this tiny little Japanese girl dancing the part of Clara- "I've been working on my turnout...that's great" she says pointing to her left boxed foot. Then sighs as she looks at her right. "But I will get it...Pavel would be happy".

The last time I spoke to her was a few years ago. She was off at school in New York, Joffrey, I think- Her linage serves her well. Pleasant and happy to know that I wanted to use her photos- Of course, I had her permission.