July 23, 2008
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July 21, 2008
Spoiled, Not Stupid
BlogHer ‘08 squees have faded and hundreds of powerful women bloggers are now back home with their families.
Companies are furiously entering new email addresses into their databases and I am going through the three totebags filled with everything from gift cards for photo prints to thumb drives to toys for my children.
I’m used to it.
I’m not impressed.
I’m spoiled by the big stuff. The video game sytems and the hottest electronics. The humidfiers and the loaner hybrid SUV’s.
I’m spoiled.
But while I revel in my swag, I fully realize these ‘gifts’ are bribes.
I’m not stupid.
The assumption that I am, pisses me off.
Just like any business, some people will act professionally and some will not.
Just like any friendship, some people will latch on to a person to use them and some will not.
I’m not stupid.
There is an assumption floating around the internet that we silly mommybloggers have no idea how to handle all this ‘fame’ and ‘fortune.’
We are taking free stuff and not being transparent when we write about it. We’re taking free stuff and thumbing our noses at any offering that isn’t the best and most expensive.
I’m not stupid.
I’m wondering if the tech bloggers were all called spoiled when they started getting the new notebooks via UPS. I’m wondering if the fashion writers were called spoiled when new designers sent over their spring lines. I’m wondering if any publishing site, anywhere, at anytime, for any reason was called ’spoiled’ when they were sent the ‘newest’ or the ‘latest’ or the ‘most recent innovation.’
I’m not stupid.
It might make some of these larger names or sites or companies uncomfortable that this Mom of two in her PJ’s, drinking her morning coffee, conducts the business of blogging from her laptop while the rest of the industry toils.
I’m not stupid.
I’ve spent 3 years now wondering why you didn’t take me seriously. Annoyed you refused to acknowledge the revolution occurring. Pissed off I had to jump up and down screaming to have you notice me. Then, while being called spoiled, I realize something;
We do it better. We do it easier. We do it on our terms.
You are jealous.
I’m not stupid.
Hate. Criticize. Do whatever makes you feel better. I’m going to conduct the business of mommyblogging. The best of my community will continue to rise, the less transparent will fall. The typical cycle of any new medium will play itself out from rockstar, front page headlines to being replaced with the next best thing.
I’m not stupid.
And while it all plays out, my spoiled self will have paid some bills, met some amazing people, engaged in some unreal opportunities, all while you called me spoiled in my oversaturated market.
I’m not stupid.
I will also continue to do what I do, WHY I do it- for this hobby that became a business, but was always about my friends, my life, and my community.
I’m not stupid.
Spoiled…but not stupid.
July 17, 2008
Once again, I am amazed
I’m at BlogHer ‘08 in San Francisco.
But I wanted to quickly introduce you to BlogHer’s newest blogger.
Click. Read.
Welcome.
July 16, 2008
And With That, She’s Gone
I’m once again sitting in an airport, blogging.
I do that a lot these days.
Chatting with some MOMocrats this week, I realized the Democratic National Convention starts August 25th. The Republican National Convention starts September 1st.
So what? Right?
Kindergarten starts August 13th.
That means just a few weeks after my baby boy starts the very daunting task of navigating elementary school- his Mom is skipping town for two weeks.
Sure, I’ll be home for a weekend in the middle there somewhere…but mostly I will be entrenched in politics.
This is weighing on me. Heavily.
How will it affect his adjustment to a new school and environment? Will having his grandparents stay with us help? Hurt?
Am I the worst mother EVER for going?
Then, like a choir of angels, the MOMocrat women chimed in:
“Take a deep breath. You’re a great mom, your kids are adorable, and you are doing a terrific job of keeping it all in balance (even if it doesn’t feel that way).”
“I hear you Erin. Hang in there.
It’s why I keep asking about the self interest versus greater good interest.
The first day of the DNCC is the first day of school here. And even though it’s not a first for my first grader, we might be switching preschools for my younger one (or back or not or holy crap wtf).
NOBODY has the ideal. The key is to do the best we can with the lives we have and from here it seems like you are def. doing that. hang in there.”
“Erin, I am totally serious about this– what you are doing, covering the elections for BlogHer and MOMocrats– this is making the world a better place for ALL children. You are doing this stuff for your children. And one day they will know it and thank you for it.”
I didn’t ask if I could publish these, so I’m leaving their names off. But…they know who they are.
And I’m going to print these words and tape them to my laptop.
As I get situated in San Francisco for BlogHer ‘08, I’ll be very busy- calling home when I can to kids who may or may not feel like talking. As I talk with Liz Mair, Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, and all the wonderful women I know…I’m going to remember these words.
Simply…thank you.
