ANNOUNCEMENT! THE COMPETITIVE EDGE BY MEREDITH ON DANCER'S TOOLBOX

I'm excited to share the announcement released Friday, October 28, 2016 from Dance Apps Inc.

"Dance Apps Inc. is excited to be partnering with Meredith Pennington, Dance Mogul Magazine, and other voices in the dance community for a weekly blog! Check it out in our app with NappyTabs, Dancer's Toolbox, in the 'more' tab!"

I am excited to be a part of this and already have my first post up, "There is a Time and Place to Show Your Individuality". I will be writing for them weekly and I will also be posting more often on here, The Competitive Edge by Meredith. I am so grateful to all of you from all over the world who have taken the time to read and support my blog! Please take time out to follow AND subscribe to The Competitive Edge by Meredith for the latest news and posts updates! Also, please go to the app store and download this awesome free app for your phone. I will certainly appreciate it. 

I love what I do. I love all things dance! It is a part of my soul. Thank you for going on part of my life's adventure with me.

Dance hard. Dance smart. And with a very grateful heart,
Meredith
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SHOULD I COMPLAIN OR SHOULD I BITE MY TONGUE?

When it comes to your child or student, and a parent or teacher believes their child or student has been wronged, feelings can get hurt and sometimes things can escalate to the point where things are heated. As a parent of child currently involved in competitive athletics, as a former studio owner and teacher who took dancers to several competitions a year, I understand! I understand for ALL points of view! But when should you get involved and actually make a complaint and when should you bite your tongue? It's important to remember that as a parent and as a studio owner and/or teacher, children's little eyes (no matter their age), are on you, and you are setting an example that will stick with them for a lifetime. Dance teaches so much more than technique and choreography. Dance teaches life lessons. This is why it is so important that we as adults watch our behavior in any dance environment as we are shaping future generations. Our choices and behaviors as adults will make an impact in how these children behave today and as adults themselves. Our choices and behaviors as adults will make an impact on the attitudes these children have today and as adults. It's like the children's song says, "Be careful little eyes what you see. Be careful little ears what you hear. Be careful little hands what you do. Be careful little feet where you go. Be careful little mouth what you say." I have learned that children don't miss a thing!

When you are thinking of voicing a complaint, or present questions to your teacher and/or studio owner as a parent about something studio, class, or competition related, or as a studio owner to the competition director, there are a few questions to ask yourself before proceeding. Is your complaint subjective and/or emotionally based, or factually based? If you say it is factually based, do you have hard core evidence to support your claim or do you have hearsay or a subjective opinion to support your claim? It is important to remember that hearsay is gossip and not reliable fact. Also, keep in my mind that a subjective opinion is an opinion. At a dance studio, the ruling subjective opinion is that of the studio owner. At a competition, as far as a score is concerned, the ruling subjective opinion is that of the dance professionals that are seated on that particular judging panel, otherwise, in my subjective opinion for my blog, it is score tampering. I know that I have disagreed on a few occasions at competitions, but I had to sit back, go away by myself, and evaluate the situation as a whole taking my emotions out of it. I had to look solely at the facts. As a studio owner, sometimes that was difficult as I was tired and had parents that disagreed as well. Emotions were high, but I had to look at the facts without my personal opinions attached. Sometimes it was hard to go against my clientele and not complain to the competition director, but it was not the right thing to do based on the facts. By the time we got back to the studio, my clientele would have had thought about it and agreed with the decision. All would be well. If something needed to be addressed with the dancers, it would be discussed then at the studio. As a parent today with my child in sports, I find myself in the same situation at times. I have to do the same thing today as I did then. Evaluate the situation based on the facts not how I feel as "mom". I am glad I had the practice as a studio owner because I admit, it can be tough.

On a side note, I was fortunate enough to have a wise woman guide me and become my mentor when I was a young studio owner. She had already owned a successful dance studio for many years. She encouraged me and gave me invaluable advice. Although she lived in another state, she was only a phone call away. One piece of advice she gave me was if a problem was discussed in my lobby or anywhere else with anyone else before it was address with me, not to address the problem when it was finally brought to my attention. My chin hit the floor at first, but she was right. Gossip is always wrong and this was no different. If you are a parent, I encourage you to go directly to your studio owner without the "lobby talk". This will help your relationship and will ensure the best possible longterm solution to whatever the issue may be. I still have wonderful relationships to this day with the parents that had to sign that piece of paper. (Yes, they signed a contract about this so there was no confusion on the issue.) The mutual love and respect will be there forever....and ever....and ever. 

I hope this help if you find yourself in a situation where you are considering questioning a decision at a dance competition or at your dance studio. Dance is for everyone and should be a wonderful overall experience. That overall experience will be combined with successes and failures that should equal to one big gigantic victory overall. That total victory will help each child to grow into an amazing, strong, well round person! 

Dance hard. Dance smart. 

Meredith
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ARE YOU DANCING SMART?

Dance hard. Dance Smart. I say it all the time. I use it in hashtags on almost all of my Instagram posts. I end every single blog post with it. Most people think they know what dance hard means but they really know? And what exactly is "dance smart"? 

Just because a dancer puts forth a lot of energy doesn't necessarily mean they are putting forth a lot of effort. Energy is important. You must have energy to be entertaining. But effort is even more important. What do I mean by effort? Effort is striving to complete each step correctly and each movement to the fullest before moving on to the next step and movement. Effort is trying your hardest to demand your body to hold correct body placement at all times and execute all elements with technical proficiency. When a dancer truly dances hard, they have put forth tremendous effort not just energy. Your body will only do what you demand it to do. Dancing hard is pushing past any limitations one may have put on themselves, putting in effort and energy at all times, giving more than you think you have, and finishing a class or performance stronger than you began even when you are tired. 

Dancing smart means applying the knowledge given to you....and applying all the time. It means never being lazy giving your body an opportunity to create bad habits. In dance class, you are training your body for performance. What do I mean by this? This is a four part answer. First, a dancer should always have something on their face. When would a dancer ever perform expressionless? They wouldn't so why would a dancer train expressionless. A dancer is training for performance whether it be for a recital, community event, competition, an audition, or for company performance. For example, during training if a dancer is learning a turn, they should smile. Creating a genuine, easy, natural, peaceful smile can be difficult. The best place to learn it is while learning a turn. A dancer should learn choreography with a face. They should train center floor and across the floor with a face. A dancer should ALWAYS dance with something on their face. Always. Secondly, dancing smart means NEVER MARK or practice incorrectly giving the body an opportunity to create incorrect muscle memory. When it comes to choreography, this can cause the dancer to forget the actual steps, whether it be what comes next or how it should be done. It is easy to forget details when you mark. Third, a dancer must train in straight lines and formations. Again, training leads to choreography. Choreography consists of lines and formations. It all begins with training. Finally, to dance smart means to apply the corrections given the first time and don't ever forget the corrections. I was taught if a correction was given to anyone in a class to always assume it was directed towards me and apply it. That is good rule to follow! Dancers who dance smart progress at a much faster rate. When you dance smart, you are able to master skills more quickly and move to the next level at a more rapid rate. To advance, you have to have a solid foundation. You cannot have a solid foundation unless you dance smart.

Dancing hard and dancing smart go hand in hand. Is it hard to always do everything correctly with something on your face? Yes, it is. But a dancer has to try, and try, and try again. Being a "mover" is easy. Being a dancer requires hard work and mental stamina. I love teaching and pushing dancers past limitations they may have put on themselves. Seeing them realize them difference between what they thought was dancing hard and actually dancing hard and dancing smart is the best!! I love it twice!!

My wonderful, kind, beautiful, ballet teacher, Madame Majewska, didn't mix words and she did said it best. "You can be an uncontrollable mover or you can be a dancer. You have the knowledge. The choice is yours." 

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith

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THE STRUGGLE OF FINDING A NEW DANCE COMPETITION TO ATTEND

Selecting a dance competition to attend is in many ways like selecting a dance studio for your child to attend. There are hundreds out there, but that doesn't mean they are all a good fit for you. There are dance studios that fit the needs of every child just as there are competitions that fit the needs of every studio. It can be a struggle finding a new dance competition to attend. But how do you find the right competitions for you? 

When looking for a new dance competition to attention, begin your quest by asking the right questions to the right people. Start with friends first. Ask those you trust in the business. Ask other dance teachers and other competition owners and directors of competitions you enjoy attending if they can suggest any competitions to you. Personal references are great because they know you and what you are looking for, and can give you information on their experiences and relationships with others. 

Another good source of reference is online review sites. Studio owners, dance teachers, parents, and dancers can leave comments about their personal experiences and rate individual competitions and conventions for others to read. On these sites in the States, I would say most people leave honest comments, however, a few do go on there just to bash competitions and conventions so sometimes you have to be careful. We have these resources here in the United States, and I'm assuming that in other countries they have websites or social media review sites like these as well. (And thank you to the people who live in the other 33 countries who read my blog! I appreciate you and the people here in the States!!!)

Go directly to the competition's website. Look it over. Check out the pictures, read the rules. Rules are important. Look at the dates, cities, and venue locations. Even check out past years results. These websites are easy to find either through a web search or directly through a review site. 

Last but certainly not least, call the competition to ask any specific questions you may have. But here is the important part: don't just ask whoever may answer the phone. Just as with any business, people are hired for specific things. You want to speak to the person best suited to answer your questions. I am assuming you don't want the person working in the office in charge of human resources or accounting answering your questions about the rules and actual event, especially since they are not at the event. Ask to speak to the owner, competition director, show producer, etc. Tell the person who answers you have specific questions about the competition and the event itself, how it is actually run (not in theory but actually run), and would like to speak to those mentioned above or someone who currently works on the road at events. 

Now to your questions. Be sure to get to the root of your actual questions before you call. Know exactly what you want to ask and why you are asking. Be specific in your questions. This will help you get answers. When you "ask questions" that are actually statements, not questions, you don't get any answers you get a discussion that may still leave you confused and just may take up a lot of your time. When you ask root questions, you get the answers you are seeking quickly and you don't get a "sales pitch". Your time is valuable and you probably have others to call. A determination is usually made very quickly in a person's tone and with their answers if they are genuine, sincere, and a good fit for you and your clientele.  

If you have been wondering how to find a new competition that's right for you, I hope this helps. Competition should be a fun, learning experience for all. It's always great to give a child the opportunity to perform in a positive and encouraging environment. I hope you all find and attend the right competitions for you this upcoming year. Have a fantastic 2017 competition season!!! 

Dance hard. Dance smart. 
Meredith 

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APPROPRIATENESS ... DARE I GO THERE?

Before you begin reading this, I feel it is very important to remind you, the reader, that this is my PERSONAL opinion on point deductions for any subjective reason, including reasons that may have some level of emotional or personal bias behind it. I do not represent or speak for anyone other than myself. My opinion does not reflect on anyone else, any friends, or any company.

I have kept my personal thoughts on appropriateness and subjective point deductions to myself over the years. Only recently, did I share for the very first time my personal view on the matter with a close friend with whom I have no working relationship, however, is involved in dance, and my friend encouraged me to share since it is a point of view that may give a different perspective on this sensitive subject. I have listened earnestly and taken to heart to what others have said over the years. I appreciate and respect everyone's thoughts, beliefs, and opinions very much. No matter what side of the issue people come from, I understand. Everyone has a point and I value their opinion and again, I do understand. Digging a little deeper into the subject, here are my thoughts. I have tried to take all emotion and feeling out of the equation and focus on hard core black and white, no gray area, facts to come to my opinion on the matter. My conclusion and personal opinion happens to be a little different from others, or worded differently, I have heard. Opinions are just that, opinions, and are neither right nor wrong. So for what it's worth, and not to start a debate or argument of any kind, here's just some food for thought. 

What is and is not appropriate at dance competition is a touchy subject and no one is ever really happy with anyone else's answer is but their own. Why is that? Because what is and isn't appropriate is subjective, just as a judge's score is subjective to their training and thought pattern. Appropriateness could mean anything from costuming to choreography to music to behavior.  Everyone's moral standards and preferences are different, from judges to audience members. They are varied to a degree, even if only by a very small degree. All judges (and teachers) are trained but their training may be different; they may come from different locations, maybe even from different countries; their personalities vary.  This is why you can compete against the same dancers and studios at a variety of competitions but the results can be entirely different. With different judges, even one different judge on the panel, you get a different outcome. This is true for every routine, regardless of anything that you may personally consider questionable. Whether it be music, choreography, subject matter, or costuming, there will always be someone who disagrees or just doesn't like the number. Sometimes a person in the audience, dancer, or teacher simply doesn't like a routine because of who it is or what studio they are representing. I'm just being honest. We all know this can be true. Sometimes there may be people who disagree with a certain person or persons behavior while others see no problem. We all have different standards of what we as individuals think is acceptable and what is not. This not only goes for parents, teachers, and studio owners, but for judges, competition staff, competition directors, and competition owners because we are all the same in the end....WE ARE ALL HUMAN. It's human nature and normal. 

Who do I personally believe should be be involved in the actual scoring? In my opinion, the judges and the judges alone. I personally believe the judges should be the only ones who have anything to do with the adjudication. I know there can be talk such as "I don't agree with the judging", or "those scores just can't be right", or "I think they are changing scores" when they may not agree but it is those judges' opinion on that given day.  I believe when a competition hires a panel of judges, the scores, results, and the outcome are in their hands alone. The judges' subjective opinions coming together as one final score and final decision without any outside influences keep the competition fair, ethical and of the upmost integrity. I know when I judged, there were times when people didn't always agree with our outcome and as a teacher there where times I didn't necessarily agree either. As a director, I can say there have been times that I haven't agreed with the outcome. With all of that being said, it is what the judges determine it to be. As a parent, I personally want things to be fair, ethical, and of the highest level of integrity for my son. As a former studio owner, and as a working guest teacher/choreographer, I want the same for all teachers and dancers involved in competition. So here's my personal stance. If every time someone complained on a routine or studio and the director approached the judges and/or tally making the decision to deduct points or disqualify based on their personal opinion or someone's opinion other than the judges' subjective opinion, isn't that score tampering? If a director or owner disagreed with routine and interfered by influencing judging, or just deducting points on their own, isn't that score tampering? Which all goes back to my point of dance is very subjective and judges are hired to make not only decisions based on proper technique but if they feel a routine is inappropriate in their subjective opinion. They are the ones who have the authority to score the routine lower wherever and whenever they see fit. Why? Because they are the judges hired to keep everything ethical, fair, and of the highest level of integrity. If someone other than the judges start getting involved with deducting points and involving their subjective opinions where scoring is involved (in many cases only going by word of mouth and hearsay because they have not seen the routine or the behavior), where do we draw the line with who can affect a score and when? In other words, change a score based on anything down to a random complaint. It's a fine line. For me, and my PERSONAL opinion, not working for or speaking for anyone else, my belief is the people sitting in the judging chairs hold the power of all scoring and have the responsibility of keeping things ethical. If a competition doesn't like the way the judges chose to score or apply deductions, they always have the right not to use them again.

Thank you for taking the time to read my PERSONAL thoughts on this controversial subject. Again, it is not my wish to strike up an argument or debate; just food for thought on this subject in another light from a different perspective.

Dance hard. Dance smart. 

Meredith 
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LAST MINUTE COMPETITION CHANGES...THEY ARE MORE DIFFICULT THAN YOU MAY THINK

As get further and further into competition season, things seem to get busier and more hectic. We all become overwhelmed wishing there were just a few more hours in the day. I say this from my personal experience as a studio owner, competitive teacher, traveling judge, and national director. At first, we have a little more time and a little more energy. Then, we become sleep deprived as we seem to go go go and run ourselves into ground trying to make the never ending deadlines. As exhausted as we are, we know customers expect friendliness. Just like a studio owner and/or teacher, a competition owner and employee, must always remain calm, friendly, and helpful to clientele. After all, everyone is in the dance business together and good customer service is important. 

Last minute changes to competition entries aren't as easy as one may be lead to believe. The goal of this blog is to help bridge the gap of understanding why competitions "can't just change" this and that especially on the fly even in the age of computers and technology. Think of changes like this: It's like when a dancer is suddenly taken out of a dance just prior to the performance and the dance must be completely reworked. One formation change has had major effects and consequences on the rest of the staging and special parts. That one change has lead to chaos and a multitude of changes effecting several people, and ultimately the entire dance. You never expected it to be that way but that is how it turned out. As a teacher, you know that panic! That ripple effect just changes so much; it basically changes the entire piece. We have all been there at one point or another and it isn't fun. With all of the rules competitions have with leveling, ages, divisions, competing against yourself, scheduling, who is and isn't eligible for overalls, etc., it can become a nightmare in the office and on the road at the event. Once a tentative schedule has gone out, everything is basically ready to go. It's ready to go to print. There is a tentative time schedule that has gone out to everyone that has been determined by your entries, along with everyone else's entries. People are starting to plan their arrival times on top of many other things as you know. Of course, things happen. People get the flu, break a leg, etc. Awful, unfortunate things happen, and when they do, people have understanding hearts. Please notify your competition as soon as possible and sometimes, unfortunately, that is the day of competition. It happens. These situations are not what I'm writing about. 

MY BIGGEST PIECE OF ADVISE:

1) Check your entries well in advance of the competition! Check them well before the tentative schedule is sent out and well before the the cut off date. Have someone double check you after you have entered each competition. I know many people enter months in advance since a lot of competitions sell out so early. If you enter months in advance, periodically check your entries to make sure they are still accurate. I cannot stress enough how important it is to go back and review all of your entries very closely. You may need to correct routines that may have changed since registration. The competition will certainly appreciate you and your efforts to make sure your entries are correct. I know I make mistakes and I feel better having someone double check me. You will have less stress as the competition approaches and you will be more secure knowing your entries are correct! 

2) Review the tentative schedule with your entries the day it is released. Go over it with a fine tooth comb as we say in the south.  When you notice that something is entered in the wrong category, age, division, level, there is a dancer missing, etc., please contact the competition immediately. Do not delay! Many competitions produce more than one show per weekend so they have a significant work load and a short period of time to accomplish it all. They will love you twice for being so professional and on top of things. Your attention to detail and quickness to respond will be greatly appreciated by all! 

I hope this helps you understand why early corrections are vital and gives you a better understanding to inside of the competition office. There are many rules and changes can cause a great deal of confusion once the entries have all been processed and a program has been put into place. Many moving parts take place before an actual event. 

I hope everyone has a finish to the season and a wonderful national finals! 

Dance hard. Dance smart. 

Meredith
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I AM THANKFUL

I am incredibly thankful for DANCE. Dance has given so much to me, and through dance my life continues to be blessed more and more as times passes. This month on my Instagram, I have shared some of the MANY things that I am so thankful for, some things and people who have been a blessing to me, and just SOME things in life I am truly grateful for, both big and small. To end the month of November and in honor of Thanksgiving, I wanted to post on my blog a "thank you" to a few more people, and tell you about a few more who have made a difference in my life.

I am thankful my parents who took this shy little girl to dance class week after week until I came out of my shell. All the conventions, camps, workshops, and all the lessons they paid for, and all of the driving back and forth they did for me, all without complaint. I am forever grateful to my parents for giving me this lifelong gift that continues to give and bless me each and every day though others I have met, worked with, call friends, and my career. I owe it all to them. THEY gave me a future...this future. I appreciate and love them more with every day that passes. 

There are not hours in the day to thank my ALL of teachers properly. Because of them, I love to dance, to teach dance, to create dance, and to watch dance. I LOVE EVERYTHING DANCE, because of those special women and men. From childhood into adulthood, from studios to universities, to camps and conventions, they all made a difference. They created my drive, and instilled my worth ethic. They demanded respect and taught me to respect myself, others and the art. They encouraged me, inspired me, believed in me, pushed me to excel, and turned me into the persistent determined person I am today. They taught me to always strive for excellence, nothing less. These teachers taught more than just dance lessons, more than technique, more than choreography. They taught life lessons. Lessons that I have used in all areas and aspects of my life.

I have had numerous opportunities throughout my training and 20+ year career span that have brought spectacular people and wonderful friends into my life. I am amazed by each opportunity that has come my way. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have been a studio owner. When I was happy, business was great, and thought I would do it forever, God let me know He had another plan. I didn't understand then, but I do now. God indeed had plan. Through those students, I learned to how to teach and knew my passion was sharing knowledge and watching others grow and be their best. Helping others to succeed, not only in dance but in life, is in my heart and is what my purpose is here on Earth. I love those students and their families for cultivating that desire in heart and in the end, pushing me forward in my life's path. They forever changed me. They say that teachers make in impact on students but I also think it works the other way around too. I learned from them, and couldn't, and wouldn't, be half the teacher I am without them. 

I'm thankful for my high school English teacher. Because of her, writing this blog and writing for Dance Apps Inc. app with NappyTabs, Dancer's Toolbox, is possible. I am so humbled and grateful for Dance Apps Inc. believing in me and having me be a part of this project. I have to admit, I never in a MILLION years thought I would write anything, and here I am with this blog and writing for someone else. 

You, my readers, I am so grateful for you. Every country, every person who has taken their valuable time to read my blog, and every person who has taken time to read Dancer's Dish on the Dancer's Toolbox app, YOU have warmed my heart and brought a smile to my face more times than I can count. Thank you!

I am thankful for every single person, friend, teacher, mentor, dancer, and opportunity that has come into my life through the beautiful, strong, yet delicate, art of dance. My friends, whether you were or have been in my life for a brief moment in time, you were or have been in my life for years, or just recently came into my life, you were and ARE a blessing to me. I quote the famous song often, "I get by with a little help from my friends". I AM THANKFUL FOR YOU. All of the dancers I have been privileged enough to watch (and some watch grow up before my eyes) at dance competitions and at studios, they have touched my heart as I've watched them push the art form past any and all physical limitations. I have loved getting to know these sweet dancers I see year after year and their precious families from all across the country. Every student that I have ever had to honor to teach on a weekly basis, what am honor it has been. I have been touched by all of "my students" and love them more than I could ever put into words. I absolutely love the fun and fabulous dance teachers I have met at competitions or in their studios. We may only see each other once or a few times a year but we always seem to pick up right where we left off. The same goes for that dance friend I may not have seen for 10 years but it's still like no time as passed. That's how you know you really built a true friendship. I AM SO THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. You all have touch my life and I am blessed in many ways because of you.

For the studio owners who have believed in me over the past 20 years, bringing me into your studio to work with your dancers, I am eternally grateful. Thank you for the honor. It's a privilege to be a part of your dancers' education and training. I love what I do and YOU allow me to share what I love, and share the knowledge that my wonderful teachers have graciously given to me. THANK YOU. I also love having the opportunity to learn from you. AND you never know what you can learn from a child. I thank you for the opportunity not only to teach and educate but to choreograph. It brings me unspeakable joy, and it's just the coolest thing to see your thoughts come to life in reality. It's amazing. Thank you for trusting me to create on your dancers. A special thank you to the studios in California, Michigan, and Louisiana that gave me my start and first jobs in guest teaching and guest choreography. They believed in me and took a chance on me. I will always have a special place in my heart for them and those dancers.  

I am thankful for my mentor that came into my life when I was 21. She made me a dance educator. She trained me in judging, and asked the important question my first year of working as an adjudicator, "How long do you want to be in this business?" She then said, "Well, let me teach you." She taught me how to judge and how to be a good judge. She also took me from a dancer to a teacher to an educator. She taught me the difference, and more importantly she showed me the difference. I struggled with the transition in each stage, and she carefully and loving guided me though. When she called me a dance educator, I cried. Most importantly, she has remained a true and dear friend all these years. I adore her and owe her so much. I am forever grateful. 

I must thank the one who brought me into the "competition world". He taught me starting at a very young age about business, merchandise, customer service, and all about the industry. I learned what I liked and didn't like, how things should be done and shouldn't be done. I also met some incredibly great people through him and that job.  Last but certainly not least, I must thank the one who kept me in the "competition world" when I thought I wanted or needed to leave it. He showed me that I still had a passion for the business, and that no matter what, sincerity and honesty was always the right way. He gave me hope again in this what can be a crazy world. He extended his hand of friendship and became a brother. Both of these men took a chance on this "southern belle". I thank them from the bottom of my heart for believing in this loud, opinionated, strong-willed,  determined, spit-fire, southern, sometimes hot mess, of a woman. 

God provides amazing opportunities, and if you trust Him and push past your fears, wonderful things can happen. I give thanks and remind myself of this daily. God opens the door, but I must trust and walk through the door. I am thankful that He continues to push me out of my comfort zones, that he prunes my life (even when it's almost too difficult to bear), and that he provides opportunities that surpass my wildest dreams. My life didn't turn out, and isn't going as I planned it, but as He planned it. I have to admit, His plan sure did turn out way better than mine. I AM THANKFUL.

Dance hard. Dance smart. 

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com