After eleven years living, dancing, teaching tango, and writing in Buenos Aires, I came home to L.A. in 2014, where I'm reconstructing my life.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Look Ma, I'm a Blogger!

I never would have believed a year ago when I started my own blog at the urging of my good friend Neil (http://milongas.blogspot.com/) that blogging would take such a chunk out of my day. OK, so I’m not writing posts all day long, but I’m thinking of things, and of course reading other blogs that turn out to be so fascinating!

I started tangocherie last March, so we’re blogging for almost one year now. But I was haphazard and a bit reluctant — maybe because I knew it might take over my life. And since my accident in Pilates class (2 broken ribs), it more or less has.

I was already checking out other blogs on Buenos Aires, tango, Argentina, but now I have my favorites which I read like the morning paper.

I do have some suggestions, though, for the blogosphere out there, albeit they are little ones: black background with white letters just kill my eyes and discourage me from reading more — especially early in the morning with my coffee at hand. I beg for light backgrounds and large letters.

#2 is that some blogs go on and on with lots of text, and interesting as it is, I would love to see the text broken up with some photos, or at least some white space. I don’t have a camera myself, but I try to use photos my friends take or that I steal from the net. What do you think?

I am fascinated with this whole phenomenon of online diaries, as if anybody gives a shit. But maybe we do.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Cherie, I'm "Tangospeak" - I agree immensely with you regarding white text against black background, it bothers my eyes a bit too.

As for text being too small - you usually can enlarge text by going to "View" from your browser window then clicking on "Make text bigger" - I think every browser has that option.

As for photos, it's hard for me to upload photos of other people doing the tango because I don't feel it's appropriate to do so without their permission. I'm still waiting for the day someone is going to tell me they recognize the couple in the header banner of my blog.I took that picture at Club Espagnol. It was such a perfect embodiment of tango for me that I couldn't resist.

Thank you for adding me to your list!

tangocherie said...

Dear Tangospeak,
That's a gorgeous photo you use as your header. When and if the couple recognize themselves, that can't help but be proud and flattered! (unless they're lying to their spouses about where they go on Thursday afternoons!)

But other types of photos can be used for illustrations besides dancers: salons, buildings, bandoneons, shoes, signs, organizers, or dancers from whom you've asked permission. You've already incorporated several like that in your blog.

Thanks for the "Make text bigger" suggestion for strained eyes, but unfortunately I usually use AOL's browser, which doesn't have that option. I know, I know, everyone hates AOL, and I do too, but I've been "stuck" with it for almost ten years now!

Besos!

miss tango said...

I am keeping the black! I love the lurid neon look, although I changed the type to pink, because a different friend was complaining.

Dios mios amor! How does one break their ribs in pilates?

See you soon at CE!

tangocherie said...

Hi Miss Tango Holly,

Well I do love pink and black, it's very sexy.

The way you break 2 ribs in Pilates class is to try very hard!! Plus you have to really be a boluda.

(Didn't see you last night at Club Espanol, but there were tons and tons of people. It was fun but very hot.)

Besitos!

La Planchadora said...

Hi Cherie,

Thanks for the bloglist - I have some new reading to do!

(I second the opinion about black text on white background being easiest to read! *Adjusts enormous glasses*)

miss tango said...

I left earlier than usual. All I wanted to do was eat, then I immediately fell into the deepest sleep.