General Archives - Alex Davison Defines Wines

All posts filed under “General”

May 22, 2015

The Psychology of Turnout

It is high time to have a serious discussion about turnout. Some people have it, and some people do not, but for everyone the benefits of turnout are easy to see. Compared to people with no turnout, people with turnout score higher on standardized tests, are more likely to give change to people on the street, have more tastefully decorated homes, and are able to form much more meaningful relationships with others.

Turnout enables this couple to have a deeply fulfilling relationship

People with turnout are well liked, form friendships easily, are assumed to be very trustworthy, and often earn more than people without turnout. Almost all successful actors have turnout, and the majority of public figures including politicians on the local and national level have turnout.

People without turnout are often seen as less important than those with turnout. They appear less trustworthy and less kind, and are even regarded as bad people despite any amount of evidence to the contrary. They are often seen as unable to maintain proper hygiene, and are usually thought of as not good with dogs or children.

Lack of turnout makes this man a poor companion and general weenie

A lack of turnout translates to an average 10 to 15 thousand dollars less income in a lifetime, as well as more time spent employed in work that is not enjoyable. People without turnout often have low opinions of themselves, and frequently underrate their abilities.

The psychological power that turnout holds is no longer conjecture. Numerous studies of the psychology of turnout prove that humans favor those with turnout, despite claims of having no bias. For example, several studies have shown that when two identical resumes are sent to employers, only the person with turnout is called in for an interview.

Or Would you call in this one? (Definitely this one)

Would you call this Michelle in for an interview?

Do you make decisions based on turnout? Are your friends turned out? What about your favorite celebrities? Comment and share your turnout experiences!

May 18, 2015

comment 0

Translating Teacher Talk

Those who take it know that ballet class is often accompanied by a barrage of commentary from the teacher. While these remarks may seem self-explanatory, often they have a deeper or even completely different meaning and should not be taken at face value (maybe because teachers are trying to keep students on their toes! Haha!). Finally, in response to numerous requests for a ‘dance teacher translation guide,’ I have created the following dance teacher translation guide.

Here are some commonly heard dance teacher expressions, followed by their actual meanings.

None of you have any real talent

She says: ‘good,’ to an individual.
She means: ‘I hate you.’

She says ‘good,’ to the group.
She means ‘I was not even watching.’

He says ‘better,’ to an individual.
He means ‘better,’ but leaves unstated that it would be impossible to do worse.

He says ‘quiet please,’ to the group.
He means ‘next person who talks will be killed.’

He says ‘quiet please,’ to an individual.
He means ‘I am going to kill you.’

This next combo involves you all leaving and me never having to see you again

Let’s do a combo involving you all leaving and me never having to see you again

She asks ‘who can show this step?’ to the group.
She means ‘I have become so jaded that I no longer think any of you are capable of even the simplest step.’

She asks ‘can you show this step?’ to an individual.
She means ‘do you have any redeeming qualities?’

He says ‘who remembers the combination from last week?’
He means ‘I do not remember the combination from last week.’

He asks ‘why don’t you do that every time?’
He means: ‘usually you are just awful.’

See girls? This is why only Cassie will make it

She says ‘really jump!’
She means ‘you need to lose some weight.’

She says ‘light hand on the barre!’
She means ‘everything you are doing is so bad that the only thing I can even begin to correct is your hand on the barre.’

Let’s see you talk back after dancing with all of these tacks in your shoe

He says ‘let’s skip adagio.’
He means ‘there’s still a chance you could make it as some kind of jazz dancer.’

He says ‘why aren’t you doing what we talked about last time?’
He means ‘why do I even bother with you?’

She says ‘That costume looks great!’
She means ‘There is literally nothing else I can compliment you on.’

She says ‘I have really enjoyed teaching you this year.’
She means ‘I have been drinking.’

Please feel free to comment with other phrases and translations!

January 19, 2015

comment 0

Creating a Great Resume

I am often asked by aspiring professional dancers how to create a great resume. Obviously, building the experience to create a truly great resume takes many years and a fantastic amount of work. However, creating just a resume using Word or Pages is very simple when you lie.

To make a great resume, you first need to know what a resume includes when it is built on the exploits of people who have actually accomplished great things. For example, let us take a look at several resumes by eminent classical musicians.

Example 1: “Itzhak Perlman has performed with every major orchestra and at venerable concert halls around the globe.” This line is perfect for a resume, because it is basically saying that every major orchestra in the world wants Itzhak Perlman to play with them, and potential employers eat that up.

Example 2: “Lang Lang has played sold out recitals and concerts in every major city in the world.” Similar to example 1, this example is great for a resume because it is basically saying that every major city in the world wants Lang Lang to come and play a concert. Potential employers eat that up.

Example 3: “Joshua Bell has played with every major orchestra and every major concert hall in the world.” Similar to examples 1 and 2, this example is great for a resume because it is basically saying that everyone in the world wants to hear Joshua Bell play, and potential employers eat that up.

Example 4: “Yo Yo Ma is the most famous Cellist in the history of classical music. Men want to be him, and women want to be with him.” If you have reached a level at which every single person on Earth has heard of you, this is the example to use.

When you start your resume, it will not be anywhere near as impressive as these examples. Do not worry! All your resume needs is a little embellishment. This means highlighting the things that are unique to you and sound impressive, even if they are meaningless.

For example:

“(Your Name) has danced at every single barre spot in every single studio at (Your Ballet School).”

“(Your Name) has danced with every single boy/girl in partnering class.”

Be sure to avoid using any of the following examples, which may seem impressive but come off desperate:

“(Your Name) makes it a point to get to class on time each day.”

“(Your Name) is dedicated to learning every combination.”

“(Your Name) does his/her best each and very class.”

Including these on your resume is something like impressing a date with your ability to wash and dress yourself. After a certain amount of experience, certain things are just expected.

Have a specific resume question? Ask it!

January 12, 2015

comment 0

Asians

Asians are good at ballet. This means they are threatening to other dancers. Nowhere is this truer than in the competition circuit, which is not real life. Often competitors relate to me their feelings that no matter how hard they work, asians seem to always be better. “Asians are guarding all the doors and holding all the keys,” they say.

And I agree. But there is hope. So far, asians have been all but invincible in competitions, and no one can stand up against their rule. But sooner or later, someone is going to have to face them.

“Someone, meaning me?” you ask?

I will not lie to you. I’ve seen an asian punch through eleven pirouettes; men have emptied entire bank accounts traveling to competitions and never topped them. Yet their strength and their speed are still based in a world that is built on rules. Because of that, they can never be as strong or as fast as you can be.

“What are you saying, that I can triple tour?” you ask?

I am saying that when you are ready…

you won’t have to.

November 21, 2014

comment 0

The Journey of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Proper Shampoo

While stretching, many young dancers realize that lessening the tension in one area of the body will lessen the tension in all areas. Russia, which has historically been on the forefront of dance excellence, quickly realized the potential to extend this lesson to all areas of life.

If you want to achieve your dreams; if you want to be flexible and successful, start with your shampoo.

July 22, 2014

comment 0

Hello World!

Hello there! Welcome to Alex Davison’s Advice for People who Dance. If you are seeking advice from Alex Davison about dancing, geared toward people who dance, congratulations you’ve found it! I work hard to bring you the very best in dance advice from a currently non-dancer who works in the service industry. Because who doesn’t need that.

I am working hard!

Please know: As a blogger, I am highly opinionated. I make no claim to present a balanced view of any subject, and, in fact, I find creating posts much easier without any research, fact-checking, or deep-thinking of any kind. (Since you are reading a blog, I know you relate! Ha! Just kidding).

I am outdoorsy!

I love dance and I enjoy writing. With this blog I am combining both. (Crazy talk!). I also believe a sense of humor is essential, and that we should never take anything too seriously. (Especially dance forms that are centuries old and called ballet).

Enjoy this blog! It is a labor of love and I am glad to share it with you. I sincerely enjoy all comments, so go ahead and share your thoughts, and if they do not show up you’ll know exactly how much I like you!

Your friend,

Alex

I am your friend!