O! beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock
The meat it feeds on.
~William Shakespeare, Othello
This post is fueled by gallons of coffee, mountains of cinnamon rolls and all other fragrance combinations that make me feel good! Fox News tells me that smells determine some of our moods. Um maybe that's why dirty laundry ticks me off!
Twitter is my new favorite method of communication. Thanks to Auds and Mommie Pie and the other 20 or so faithful friends I Tweet each day, I no longer rely soley on Yahoo, Aol, and MSN to deliver my friends immediate thoughts. Slightly addictive. Highly informative. When it works, Twitter is a good thing. I don't think that they've worked all the kinks out yet, as reliability isn't its strong suit. But like all fledgeling birds, it will eventually get its big bird wings and soar.
You're So Vain
As you know today is the kick off of Bloghernot '08. In way of explanation, to those of you who haven't had the pleasure, or who are just in the dark, Bloghernot is NOT in the words of Tootsie Farklepants and I quote :
...not a slam or slight in any way at the BlogHer 2008 conference. There's just a whole bunch of us bloggers that couldn't make it to San Francisco, for whatever reason which may be, but not limited to, one of the following: lack of funds, logistics, no babysitter, previous commitments, nothing to wear, too pregnant, giving birth, just gave birth, fear of flying, fear of driving, fear of hitchhiking, fear of large groups, fear of alcohol, couldn't justify the expense, can't walk that far, didn't meet their goal weight... like I said, whatever the reason, wish we were there but aren't. Please visit Mommypie for a complete list of scheduled sessions for the day.
Which brings us to a tweet I received today. The suggestion was that we (the Bloghernot 08 participants) were jealous of the participants of the unnamed conference occurring on the west coast, USA, this week. Now, mind you the tweet was from a boy. I would say a man, but this one's definitely a boy. Why he's participating in that conference as anything but a sponsor, I don't know. My final tweet back to him was to 'GET A LIFE'. Though it's doubtful that he will, I said it. Being jealous of anyone takes far too much time and energy. I need all of both of those to get my book finished and keep ehubby in clean clothes and food. Nevermind, try and keep my tiny little marketing company working at top speed. Give me a break! Please know, little lord tweeter, I have a life. I have suffered though 20 years of conferences for one thing or another, eaten enough banquet chicken and bullets to float an army and heard enough frightend virgin speakers that I took to wearing ear protection to keep my hearing amid all the microphone screeches.
So jealous? Ummm, no. Comfortable in my own skin, in my own office, in my own bed at the end of the day? A resounding yes!
In all seriousness though, I do wish the best for the success of Blogher 08. Thanks to the conference in past years, our niche is now a top top market and that's a good thing.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.
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Tags: Blogher, Bloghernot, cinnamon rolls, faithful friends, green eyed monster, tootsie, west coast usa
July 18th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
You already know my thoughts on this one…thanks to Twitter. LOL.
Having said all that, I admit to being a teensy bit upset that I couldn’t attend BlogHer, but it is what it is, and I don’t think the fact that some of us who *can’t go chose to find another way to network is any kind of “statement” about BlogHer or what we personally think of it.
Stephs last blog post..Phoning it in
July 18th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
@Steph: Yes Mam. Well frankly Blogher has been a big shot in the arm to the niche and to women bloggers in general. Its a good thing. I’m in the network. I just could not justify $100’s of dollars in this economy to trapse cross country. There I said it, I’m a tightwad!
July 18th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
Okay, I’ll admit it - I’m jealous as hell. Not so much about BlogHer but about SAN FRANCISCO!!! Haven’t been there since a Grateful Dead concert in 1991! Alcatraz! The Golden Gate! Nob Hill! (Wait, that’s Boston.) The Empire State Building! (New York? Hee hee, oops.) Disneyland! (San Diego? Ummm…)
Okay, I’ve drowned a few of my sorrows in some BlogHerNot cocktails. So sue me.
bejewells last blog post..BlogHerNot Stalking 101: The Dos and Don’ts
July 18th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
@bejewell: BJ you’re the bestest! Thanks for poppin in! Come back often,comment much, laugh your butt off. That’s what the bird is for!
July 19th, 2008 at 3:43 am
BlogHer’s obviously an amazing time - I would LOVE to have gone. But as a single working parent, hopping a plane to S.F. just ain’t gonna happen.
So, I threw together a little event for all of us who couldn’t go. I was NOT motivated by jealousy, regardless of what your twatter may think. Honestly, it didn’t even cross my mind. I just thought it’d be a good time and something cool for everyone staying home. Never have I thought ill of BlogHer or those fortunate enough to attend.
It’s all in good fun. And people seem to be enjoying themselves. Sounds like someone needs to grow up.
mommypies last blog post..Farklepants is already drunk.
July 19th, 2008 at 6:39 am
I think we’d all love to be at the real thing - it’s an amazing conference. But alas, we’re moms - and we’re not rolling in it, so alas - we make the best of it and have a kick ass conference that could prove over time to be even better! Hell, we do everything virtually anyway.
MommyPie is a genius. I love Twitter to … I’ll have to find you!
Ms. Single Mamas last blog post..Must Love Kids: Tracy Paye Interview
July 19th, 2008 at 7:13 am
I live 20 minutes away from SF and I’m not there. Some of us just couldn’t make it.
So while they’re bonding and passing moo cards (note to self; figure out what those are). We’re bonding and passing tweets.
And totally learning about roadside toilets.
threeundertwos last blog post..My Stars and Stripes Quilt
July 19th, 2008 at 7:21 am
No one said some of us weren’t jealous! But we’re happy making lemonade…albeit strongly spiked with vodka. And I didn’t have time to get a pedicure this week anyway. And most of our stuff is in storage, so my fancy footwear (which seems to be de rigeur) would have been limited to my Rainbow flip flops. As my blog title suggests:
LIVE AND LET…DI!!!
Dis last blog post..Crashing the BLOGHERNOT ‘08 Party
July 19th, 2008 at 8:31 am
@mommypie: And that’s the Truf……….pfffffffffffffffffft
July 19th, 2008 at 8:34 am
@Ms. Single Mama: Motherhood the mother of invention! We’ve had some unbelieveable meet and greets and some great opportunities to read some blogs we haven’t seen. What could be better?
July 19th, 2008 at 8:35 am
@Di: ohhhhhhh I have rainbow bright flip flops! We could be bff!
July 19th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Here’s the nuance the twit didn’t get: one can be envious of something great of which one cannot partake while at the same time NOT being bitter about the lack. Can’t afford a trip to the big party? Have a b-b-q in your backyard. It’s pretty basic: make the good times come to you, and they will — lampshade hats and all (Bejewell and Auds, I’m looking at you). Party on!
MommyTimes last blog post..Do You Blog Rush? Should You? Should I?
July 19th, 2008 at 10:11 am
well I am jealous! but this is pretty fun!!! I am in my pjs, sans bra, drinkin’ my coffee and cozied up on a couch.
no swag though. I should buy myself something next year. a little goodie bag.
I added you to my twitter friends. I won’t be twittering you hate mail, natch…. my twitter is “thatgirlblogs”
that girls last blog post..New Bedding — Decorateur Part Deux
July 19th, 2008 at 11:51 am
In my wanderings around the blogosphere I happened upon a link to the BlogHerNot 08 conference. I think it is a brilliant idea and not for once did I get the feeling that folks were jealous. I guess because I read the disclaimer (it seems as if some folk missed that). Anyhow, I have had a great time. I am new to blogging and will probably catch BlogHer here in Atlanta in October (if I sell enough cakes that is). And I am going to try and catch-up with BlogHerNot on twitter (like I need another addiction!).
Cutie Booty Cakess last blog post..Presenting……..Pretty in Pink
July 19th, 2008 at 11:59 am
@MommyTime: Nail on the head sistah! Thanks!
July 19th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
@that girl: Thanks for dropping by! Welcome to the addiction
July 19th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
@Cutie Booty Cakes: Always glad to have NEW visitors! Welcome to the tremendously addictive world of blogging and twitter. Gotcha!
July 19th, 2008 at 12:43 pm
Not much I can add that you — or your brilliant commenters — didn’t.
But you’re exactly right: BlogHerNots are not ripping on BlogHers, we’re simply connecting under the auspices of a different get-together.
Jealousy is so often more about the person accusing you of being jealous, than it is about the accused.
San Diego Mommas last blog post..BlogHer? La La La La La I Can’t Hear You!
July 19th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
@San Diego Momma: Spot On Deb! By the way…You Look Mahvelous!
July 19th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Thanks for organizing BlogHerNot - I think it’s great for a new blogger like myself to network and learn a few tips without having to fly clear across the country. I never considered it a jealousy-inspired losers party - it seems to simply be an affordable atlernative. I don’t use twitter so I’m not in the know but it does seem to me that some people use it as a way to be rude in real time. I’m new to your blog and plan to be back.
susies last blog post..Theme Thursday - UnRefined
July 19th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
@susie: you’re right, some morons use twitter to be rude and obnoxious, but that’s life. Those people have always exploited technology for their own purposes. Twitter’s addictive, kind of like IM’s were in the beginning. But it surely has its place and if you want to get the word out/up quickly? Tweet your heart out! Come back often!
July 19th, 2008 at 3:27 pm
Sometimes I wonder if I need to jump on the Twitter bandwagon, then I hear about some of the drama and I reconsider. MommyPie has done a great thing for those of us who simply couldn’t make the conference. My reader is growing at an alarming rate, I’ve laughed out loud and didn’t have to invest half my mortgage payment to do it. Boo Hiss to the party poopers!
Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommys last blog post..Snippets
July 19th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
At the risk of redundancy, I’m going to republish the comment I left for Mamabeeotch, because truthfully, I don’t think it will ever see the light of day over at her place. But it sums up my feelings succinctly on this whole jealousy thing.
*************
“…The blog that I read that linked to you (that I will not return the favor by linking to) was the one that got my back up…”
Well now that’s gonna have all of us, who DID participate in BlogHerNot wondering if it was one of us that got your back up.
Whilst I probably shouldn’t try and expound on what MommyPie (the brilliance behind BHN ‘08) said, I will.
Had it not been for this little casual gathering of witty smartasses and awesome writers (much like the big original itself being held in San Fran) I probably would not have discovered an entire group of women out there who have suffered the loss of a child, like myself. Had it not been through some additional linky love, I wouldn’t have discovered the group of women who are all suffering from one form or another of PTSD which has turned me into the almost total recluse I am which precludes me from even THINKING about getting on a plane, let alone jetting 3000 miles across the country to surround myself with PEOPLE. Oiy!
In a word, this was fun. I got to make a jackass of myself and find some other amazing reads. It’s really that simple.
I’ve been writing my entire life. And no where, not even amongst my peers in the publishing world, is the sense of camaraderie like it is amongst women who have earned themselves the moniker of mommy-blogger. And not all of us, some hugely talented - more so than even some of the names featured at BlogHer, were able to attend the conference this year, for whatever reason. But I think it does ALL of us, whether we do this as our livelihood, a hobby, or as a pathway to something bigger and better, a HUGE disservice to assume we’re jealous of those who were able to go.
That’s just my 2.5 cents.
Audrey at Barking Mad
July 19th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
@Auds: Much more well spoken than my 2 cents. You’re still the most awesome Auds I know!
July 19th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
@Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy: Mel, the drama’s everywhere hon. Ya just gotta learn to blow it off. Not a biggie. Sometimes though, it makes for some interesting comments!
July 19th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
Do they ever do like more regional like conferences? A plane ticket to SF from MS would cost as much as my mortgage right now with gas prices so high-Just not convenient for me-
Drama Mamas last blog post..Scattered, smothered, covered and hitched
July 19th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
@Drama Mama: yeah they’re doing some local stuff this year. I’m not sure, but I think New Orleans is on the list. If it is we’ll have to ride together!