Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Hot or Not?

Well, Diva Dee dished it out over at So Many Blogs, So Little Time, and my blog has officially been reviewed. Was it good, bad, and/or ugly? Go read to find out.

Then come back.

I'll wait.

...

*Am humming "Strangers in the Night"*

...

Back now? Good.

So honestly, everything she said about the template is stuff I already knew. Some of you may remember when I used to have the more green-themed template. Was it still pretty unoriginal? Yes, but I liked it better than the blue. I'm not even sure why I stayed with the blue as long as I did. About a week ago I started looking into other templates I could use. The problem seems to be that with the new Blogger - using the Layouts template design, instead of Classic - I can't just put in a free template code and be done with it. Anyone want to take me by the hand and help me find something good and easy to manage? Diva Dee? Graham?

In the meantime, you'll notice I've switched templates again. While it's still boring, I like the simple white better than I liked the blue, so while I'm looking for something better, I'll stick with this. I also like the header graphic, though I'm still messing with it - I know, for example, that you can't read the blog title or description very well over the pics. I also know that my labels are currently not appearing in the sidebar, because I put in code for a label cloud before I decided to switch templates, so now I need to start over (but at least I know how and know it works). I'll be tweaking a bit over the next few days, so don't mind the dust as the site undergoes a bit of construction. I promise the content will be as rough-and-tumble as ever. Because apparently, my words are the one thing I've really got going for me.

Thanks, Diva Dee, for the kind review. I was terrified of you all these weeks for nothing.

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Update: As you can see, we've had sort of a major overhaul. Personally, I really like it. So even though I don't think you'll be able to convince me to change it, I'm still curious to know what y'all think.

Comments are there. Please discuss.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

I was terrified at just the thought of them reviewing me. You are SOOO brave and they are so right about your writing! You are an incredible writer and I am happy that this was recognized. Congrats...keep on being you!

flutter said...

she's right about your writing, you know.

Seth said...

Just as flutter said, Lara, your writing really is right on par with everything Diva Dee said... I don't know that I've ever met a writer who not only knows how to express everything that they're experiencing, but who is also able to find the words to get those emotions across to their audience. You are one of the people who can do that, and to be honest, sometimes I come home from school to read your blog so that I remember what "great" writing looks like.

Mayberry said...

You are very brave. I'm so glad she recognized and celebrated your writing!

I do like the white too. I find it hard to read light type on dark backgrounds. Probably because I am old and decrepit.

BetteJo said...

She is totally right about your writing, it really is fabulous! While your template isn't necessarily exciting (coming from someone whose blog is all color and moving parts), one thing Diva Dee didn't mention that I think really adds something - are the pictures you post of yourself. You just sprinkle them in, un-self-consciously, depicting your mood and sharing yourself with us. That personalizes your blog so much, I think, so I really hope if you change your template you don't leave out the pics!!

BetteJo said...

Oh, and I don't think I want Diva Dee anywhere near my blog! *chewing my fingernails*

Anonymous said...

Well deserved, girl.

And at least you don't use too many exclamation marks !!!!!!! ;)

Yuriko said...

Yay for you! :) I knew you could do it!

Wolf Lover Girl said...

I love the new banner! That's very cool!

~ Wolf Lover Girl

dancing dragon said...

I'm surprised that there aren't free Blogger Layouts templates floating around. It's doable, and the Layouts page itself can be customized too. Maybe it hasn't been around long enough.

I think BlogCrowds has converted some existing WordPress templates to Blogger Layouts templates, but I haven't looked in detail.

Anyway, great review, with the only complaint being the template!

Lara said...

dancing dragon - thanks much for the suggestion! i'll go check them out. and yes, some other places do seem to have some templates, so i'm going to look into some of those. not sure yet. :)

Anonymous said...

I have ALWAYS loved and admired you writing. It's the way you put your heart into it. Do Diva Dee got it right! I also like the white template alot and can't wait to see the final result!

Tandava said...

Hmm, so she's right about the writing, and far too obsessed with templates. And as far as *that* goes, two of her three suggestions were about your archive links and really pretty pointless. Random visitors don't necessarily want to browse chronological archives. You've got your "best of" posts up near the top, and that's far more important.

I like the new header so far, and look forward to seeing the next iteration. As for completely new templates, yeah, I don't know if many of the free template sites have started doing Layouts versions of their stuff yet, since it's still relatively new (not to mention tricky) compared to the Classic templates.

If you do find something you like and need help making specific tweaks, I could probably help out a bit. Like making a tag cloud or whatever.

Juka said...

I like the fish. A lot. In fact, I am so enamored of the fish, I now don't read your posts. I just come to the blog, and stare at the fish.

Mm, sushi...

dancing dragon said...

Oh cool. I like the goldfish and the new subtitle. I usually don't look much at template header images, to go straight to the words, but I looked at the goldfish! And this template is better than anything I saw at BlogCrowds. I'm checking out finalsense.com too...

Yuriko said...

OooooooooOOOooooooo! New template.. like the fishies..

Guilty Secret said...

Great review, congratulations :)

Anonymous said...

Told ya so.

Anonymous said...

Hi Lara, great review! She's right, you are a great writer. I like the new template. It looks very fresh and young, somehow hopeful! I agree with bettejo about your pictures - they do add to the "mood" of a post. I think I'm going to try and find a new template for myself too!

Lady M said...

Congrats on the review! I'm glad that Diva Dee took the time to study your great writing.

Love the fish.

Anonymous said...

I love, love, love the fish. I don't love the grey letters on the white because I, too, am old and decrepit and can't quite suss everything out. And? I look like ridiculous when I squinch up my face and peer at the screen like some demented granny who forgot her reading glasses. Demented, yes, granny, not so much. Not yet, anyway.