March 10, 2008

Because Facebook Still Sucks

Have you heard yet?

I left two sick kids at home to arrive in Austin and hear all about the flirty woman fawning over Mark Zuckerberg at SXSW. Then I got to stand next to Robert Scoble as he was shown what Sarah Lacy was saying on Twitter, after what he said on Twitter, and it was all Melrose Place from then on out.

I missed the keynote, but from the clips I’ve seen the interview was pretty fluffy. Not Katie Couric/Colin Farrell Fluffy, but close. Was it appropriate for SXSW? Probably. Was it advisable for SXSW or Facebook? Yeah…that’s where I have issues.

For many, many months the rumblings have grown and now it’s common knowledge that Facebook sucks. IT SUCKS.

We all either just use it for Scrabulous or we are on it because we can’t figure out how to delete our accounts. I mean, I’m already a hottie over there and on a wagon train in the Oregon Trail, what more could I possibly use it for?

Point is, everyone complains out it all the time. Beacon is slammed repeatedly and mocked, everyone is sick of Zombies.

It might be popular as hell with my high school cousin and students, but I’m not a student. I don’t see too many high schoolers here at SXSW.

So why in the hell would SXSW book- and would Mark Zuckerberg accept- to sit in front of a bunch of geeks (that’s me too) and yap about the thing they love to RIP the most? Throw in a ’soft’ interview and the recipe for disaster is huge.

Remember when Microsoft brought the Be Jane women out to BlogHer ‘06? Yeah, this was worse. Imagine that level of tense and uncomfy with heckling. As people were walking out they were heckling, as people walked into a common area on the 3rd floor they were still heckling and totally mocking.

But let’s be clear, I’m not mad I missed the hair tossing and ‘in my new book’ references on stage. I’m pissed because I was under the impression that I’d be able to stand in line and ask Mr. Facebook a question.

I broke laws getting from the airport to the convention center so I could have a nice chat with Mark about breastfeeding.

No really.

Instead I walked into the convention center and heard nothing but “dude that sucked” and “is she dating him?” and “that was some lame ass shit man.” And what is worse, Facebook- a bonafide social media monster, has a CEO that doesn’t engage with his audience. A CEO that doesn’t listen to the MOMS pissed off about pro anorexia groups being allowed to remain while women posting a pic of their child eating is removed. Who doesn’t hear why Beacon was so widely panned. Or why some people might be offended and deserve a response to the hate groups seething on the site.

So forgive me if I’m not shocked this was a huge mess.

Here I flew 4 hours and raced because I thought this was my chance to ‘join the discussion’ with a man responsible for a big brush up in my little mom-o-sphere. In my social media life. And assumed since this was social media we all might get a chance to say…talk.

Huh.
Guess not.

On a much happier note, I got to bowl with a pink ball. I mean, come on…that totally makes up for not being able to yell at Facebook boy.

March 6, 2008

Enjoy while I pack and take temperatures

My daughter is sick and I’m getting ready for SXSW, so today I give you fun links to enjoy:

First and foremost, my favorite educator via boob tube, PBS, has THE thing that will keep your preschooler busy while you blog, or watch election returns.

PBS Kids PLAY has had my 5yr old and 3yr old engrossed for a few weeks now. Yes, it’s a download. Yes, it’s in beta. But if you want them to LEARN not just play Vegas style games and buy new lamps for their stuffed Pony, DOWNLOAD NOW. You can set time limits, those wacky PBS characters make them take stretch breaks. We love it and it’s guilt free.

Speaking of Vegas Style games and new lamps for stuffed ponies…CRAZY GeekMommy, understanding my plight as a Mom who desperately wanted her own WebKinz, sent me QT Vest, the Terrier.

The kids promptly stole her

Oh but wait-it doesn’t end there. Another crazed mamma , who’s daughter my son is destined to woo and marry (yes, I said woo) is sending another Webkinz which I SWORE on my new PINK DELL notebook would be only for Mommy, not the kids. And DUH, of course she sent a poodle.

I’m proud to announce I’ve joined MOMocrats. Look for much more of my ranting soon.

I just noticed Sarah and I both were thinking of Better Off Dead recently. What happened to the chick in that movie? Anyone? Fraaunch bread…Frauunch fries…and of course…he put his testicles all over me…his what? his testicles!

I’ve finished the Other Boleyn Girl and do NOT want to see the movie. No one can be as hot as King Henry from the Tudors and there is no way Natalie Portman has the swagger to pull off Anne Boleyn. Even at her SNL thug best. I just can’t see it. I’m trying, I just can’t.

Baby girl is  awake and back at 102.1 degrees. Go click away.

February 20, 2008

Gut Check

Why is it we doubt our instincts?

When I had my first child in 2003, I doubted my instincts constantly. I read all the books and listened to everyone’s advice. But I always had my own instinct on how it should be done. Eventually I went with my gut. Breastfeeding, co-sleeping, all those issues everyone researches and debates…I went with my gut. It was based in fact, but littered with emotion.

Now, as my youngest turns three and my first born five…I am positive my gut was correct.

It’s really not unlike my gut decision to vote for Senator Obama. I read all the books, I researched the issues and listened to the advice. But in the end I went with my gut. It was emotional, but based in fact and information.

On February 5th I cast my vote for Senator Barack Obama. On February 12th I asked Senator Hillary Clinton to step down. On February 19th I am convinced my gut was correct. Seriously, go click on that last highlighted portion-Baratunde is my new blog crush.

While I watch the pundits spin tonight’s Wisconsin and Hawaii wins and hear them discuss the enormous weight of the next primaries, I’m packing for Ohio.

I’ve found my winter coat, which is good news because it’s been snowing.

This California girl also went out and got some tight/nylon type things for her legs thinking my usual sleeve-less dress with strappy, toe-less heels might not work so well in below freezing temperatures.

Why? Because another gut decision is proving itself successful and I’m off to Cincinnati to do some Photrade.com work.

To be fair, I also make some really insane, emotional, gut decisions.

For instance-look what I’m doing at SXSW Interactive Festival. It should be noted my Diva demands for my appearance include an 8lbs., pink, Hello Kitty bowling ball. Vodka Martinis-extra dirty, on demand. 4 bags of Fritos (which I don’t really like, but seemed like a Britney thing to do). Fiji Water-iced. And one of every t-shirt from vcwear.com, to be donated to the unfunded start-ups of my choosing.

Gut check says I should also go leave post-it notes all over the house for various reasons from exactly which child gets which medicine and at what dose to “the butt wipes are in the cabinet upstairs.”

My gut and I will check in from Ohio soon, if I survive the weather.

February 14, 2008

I Ain’t Got Nuthin’ But Love For Ya’*

Much like when I wrote an open letter to Michelle Obama in December of 2006, I now find myself scratching my head at the response to my letter to Senator Hillary Clinton.

You people are crazy.

Alright, not all of you. In fact, I owe hugs and beers to many of you for your support. Even if you did not agree with my “whacky” idea that a candidate quit the race, you were respectful in your discussion. So thanks. And let’s face it, respectful in discussion is more than I usually am, so you get bonus points from me for keeping a level head.

The rest of you may just want to keep watching American Idol and worrying about Britney instead of coming back to this blog.

Some thoughts as I scan the hundreds of comments over at Huffington Post, at Digg, and here on Queen of Spain:

-candidates drop out of races all the damn time and states continue to vote in primaries that don’t matter. I live in California. My primary vote never mattered until this year. I’ve voted in PLENTY of elections in which it was already decided by the time my state got a chance. Guess what? You still get to vote in a general election. No really. I swear.

-If you don’t think Senator Clinton is divisive, read the comments in the last post.

-I don’t want anyone to give up on “fighting” for us or for themselves. Please. I realize the race is still neck and neck, I’m not a moron. What I was asking of the Senator was to sacrifice due to her inability to win over those Hillary-haters. She’s had time, it’s not working. That means if she wins (and mind you, if she does I am 100% behind her) we will be in a very similar situation as we are with George W. Sure, she’s on my team…but that does not change the hate. Yes, of course there are Senator Obama haters. OF COURSE. I just haven’t seen the same level of divisiveness with him. If anything, he’s winning many over.

-Superdelegates. Or as my son calls them, Super-sniff-my-butts, because he misheard me talking about them on the phone. But really, we might as well call them Super-sniff-my-butts. I’m really not liking these scenarios where Obama wins the popular vote and Clinton convinces more Superdelegates. Scary. And worthy of a revolution. As if the electoral college isn’t bad enough, now we’re faced with a frightening Superdelegate situation. Whoo hoo Democracy.

-What I was asking Senator Clinton do to was earth shattering and I realize that. I do not want a repeat of South Carolina. I do not want to see this party fight it out until the END of August and the convention leaving a bitter taste in all our mouths. The momentum of Obama’s campaign, coupled with the grassroots base and the divisiveness of Clinton does nothing but lead me to an early September of not just disenfranchised voters but near riots. I can’t be the only one who sees this coming.

-It’s Valentine’s Day. Let’s at least pretend to get along. I’m looking at the Wisconsin ads now and am quickly becoming disgusted at both campaigns when I see where this is heading. It is not pretty and it is most certainly politics as usual.

We can talk more about this tomorrow-live on ooVoo. Tell me why you hated, loved, wanted to rip to shreds my letter to Senator Clinton. Tell me if you have a better idea how to heal this country. Or are you over the idea of bringing everyone back together? Would you rather just win in November and oppress those right-wingers for a few decades?

In the meantime, I’m off to hug some Valentines…

*titled especially for the grammar nazi’s