Economic Cutback On Coffee?

World spread economic woes dominate newspaper headlines. Wall Street Journal Online even dedicates entire page to the Motor City’s crisis. Everyone knows we are in the begining of a long, disasterous economic crisis that keeps growing, but do we “feel” it?

Stopping at the grocery store for a few simple things, filling only a handheld basket, I dish out $100 each time. Even as my mind acknowledges the large debit I am about to make for simple necessities like milk, eggs, bread, and coffee, I still swipe my card. So does everyone else around me.
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Idealism Shaped By Childhood

If you’ve taken any psychology class in college, or have dime of common sense, you understand the threads of “who you are” are woven in childhood. During childhood, you form the core expectations of how other’s will react to your actions. Your ideals can also be shaped by noninteracting sources such as books, tv, music, and imagination.

My idealism of what it meant to be a “woman” was shaped by two contrasting sources. Every Sunday, after “Meet the Press” was over, my father and I would spend all afternoon watching old movies. I adored the 1940’s movies which centered around the war and included fabulous dancing by Fred Astaire.
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Mommybloggers Have Done It Again

I don’t have to explain Motrin’s recent ad campaign to engage mom’s via social media.  Thanks to out of control mommybloggers who fail to run their community as a business, the entire world knows how “angry” these woman are.

But why?  Why are these moms so pissed off over Motrin addressing a mom specific activity?  You don’t see CEO’s, accountants, or ad executives getting all pissed off when Motrin depicts a business person with a headache in a meeting.  So where is this “mommybloggers” list of acceptable ad campaigns versus crossing the boundaries?  I am sure Gerber, Little Tykes, Motrin, Tylonal, Tyson, and Charmin would like to know before they dump thousands of dollars into another ad campaign geared towards moms.

I could understand if Motrin made the ad campaign stating:

“I’m  a mom.  Got the kids to bed, husband banged me so hard up against the wall my back hurts!  What a mom does for her family! Whew”.  

That could have been considered over the top…but over lugging a fat baby?  Hello, that shit does hurt!

Queen of Spain stated her disappointment in her fellow mommyblogger’s over the top reaction.  I was amazed by her secret society undertone of “Companies will continue to have no choice but to engage mommybloggers. They are not going anywhere. We are here and they have to deal with us.”

The influence of mothers and the family unit for marketing isn’t a recent development.  Unlike how Queen of Spain makes the triumphant road to recognition seem “activist” like, CPG’s have always targeted moms.   They target their consumers by interests, which “mommybloggers” have labeled their own interests to be hauling a kid around!  10 or 20 years ago it was through “Parent” or “Good Housekeeping” magazine.  At the same time, CPG’s 10-20 years ago targeted hunters, sports fans, business execs, etc. through print and tv media.  The world is now turned to use social media advertising as it’s primary over the dying print newspapers.  Simply because CPG’s know that in order to reach mom’s on the web they advertise on “mom” blogs, to reach business owners they advertise on “BNet”, etc does not make mommybloggers this new found “force” to reckon with.

There is one congratulations that I need to make to mommybloggers:  You have effectively made yourselves out to picky, indecisive, psychotic bitches.  Instead of coming back with your own YouTube video of mom’s using Tylenol over Motrin, you did what the world expected of you – BITCH.  If I was a CPG ad exec, I would pull all my paid advertising on any mommyblog.  What’s the use of trying to engage consumers who won’t accept what they market themselves (I mean..mommy blogs talk about parenting, right?), and say you are not worth our money.   CPG’s can take away the “power” they gave your blogs fellow mommys.  Be careful who you burn.

Thanks TimeWarner!

This weekend I immersed myself into a crap ton of work. Staying up late into the night, I used the tv as background noise. In doing so, I realised two things:

1. Lifetime Movie Network Channel portrays all woman as psychotic bitches.  So terrifying that I almost wanted to deny having a vagina!

2. Great sex-toy shopping & education at 4am. Hosted by two woman who kept their cool while holding a double ended dildo claiming “this is great fun for everyone.” in a professional tone. Next time, have my credit card ready!

So thanks TimeWarner, you where finally useful after Elections ended!

It’s Snow’n Outside, Babe

In the middle of the afternoon, the first snow started to fall.  Starting out damp but transforming into large, white, fluffy flakes which the ground drank as quickly as they fell.  I have been ready for this day for weeks.  Dressed in a knit sweater, scarf, and Christmas tree assembled behind me, I gazed out my window at the true first signs of winter.

I adore the holiday season as much as anyone else.  The blanket of snow that softly cover the ground.  Bare tree limbs dusted with white, silence that moves throughout as life rests.  The smell of warm ovens, thick sweaters, burning fires, and endless songs ringing of Emmanuel’s birth.  Christmas is the season that builds memories each year.  Requiring no vacations to spur the day’s fondness,  only true companionship to brand it’s mark forever.

I cannot say the past several Christmas season where one of joy and happiness.  Somehow I shared my Christmas with strangers who never wanted to share it with me. This season will be different.  I am going to reclaim the season’s warmth and mystery with old holiday habits from my childhood.  Destined to create memories for this season that I will crown with a smile.  

I have found the key to deep and lasting happiness.  It’s not whether you’re a Northerner living among the Georgia Baptists, or an American standing at the top of  Japanese mountain.  The beautiful house in the suburbs, or a spacious loft in the city will not bring you happiness alone.  It’s feeling of being “home” that brings happiness.  Home, is where you build and foster relationships of people who love you, care for you, believe in you, and comfort you.  

I know I will find my “home” and be content with life, when I plant myself where I can grow surrounded by others.  Other’s who smile with me, cry with me, laugh with me, and share life with me.  It won’t matter if my home is a row of Home Depot “man” sheds out in the middle nowhere, as long as I can share the first snow fall with them.

Gen Y’s: The Respected Vs. Asses

For the most part, I tend to dislike most Gen Y’s on the web.  Thanks to really self-centered blog sites like Brazen Careerist.   Mainly because they rant and rave about how “smart”, “innovative”, and “world changing” they are, but they fail to PROVE it.  

I don’t count knowing how to throw up a WordPress blog and blabbing how the older generations screwed up the economy and the broke ass Gen Y’s are gonna fix, as innovative.  Wow, ya figured out something a Gen X / Babyboomer created!  Congrats!

 I find alot of the hyped up Gen Y’s got mommy and daddy’s help for college, first house payment, and maybe still expect underwear for Christmas.  I can’t respect business, economic, sociological, or political advice from someone who doesn’t even take on adult responsibilities.  It’s kinda like looking for sex advice from a virgin.  There is however, several Gen Y’s I actually like.  

Phil DeFranco is one smart Gen Y.  Ya, he use an established free resource like YouTube as his front, but he doesn’t claim “expertise” on world, economic, or social issues.  He doesn’t hate on the generations before him or claim to save the fucking world. He gives back by engaging young people into the news, and gets amazing exposure at the same time. It’s all about give back, and Phil’s gets that. Most Gen Y’s…it’s all about “ME”. 

I also really like him for his recent post:

“Waking up early reminds me of the misery that was, when I went to college. I’d have to go to class M-W-F from 8am-5pm and then Th-Su I’d work 8pm-8am at a 3rd shift call center. It sucked, but like most things in my life, I did it off the stubborn fact that I wanted to say I did it on my own, without my parents. “- Phil DeFranco.

Key point: He work his ass off to be where he is today.  He didn’t suck a shit ton of free resources and never pay back.  Phily D is one smart Gen Y.

The Truth Always Surfaces

As kids, my sibling and I where raised to “finish” our plates. My sibling hated brussel spouts with a passion. In trying to outsmart the Plate Police, my sibling would hide the green veggies behind the old, dusty iron fire distinguisher in the hall closet.

For the moment, my sibling would have victory. In the long run, the truth of her NOT finishing her plate always surfaced. Typically around late spring, when the house would warm, and well, those good for ya veggies started to really stink.

It’s a life lesson. No matter how much you really want to hide your inner dreams, fears, feelings, likes, and dislikes, the real you will eventually surface. Sometimes we try to pass off our anger or dislikes from a source that really isn’t the TRUE source.

I’ve had a bad couple weeks… Crammed with just a crap load to do, holidays coming (ooooh I love Christmas!), obligations to take care of, and the list goes on and on. I’ve needed a sanctuary where I could forget about all the crap sitting at home waiting to drown me alive, and I wanted it to be my work. My work was my sanctuary, and still is. I just tried to bag it in with all the other not so cool crap and toss it to the side as something that needed change.

My truth surfaced tonight. Weeding through various job boards, my heart saddened with a deep pain. I realized I will never find a job like this ever again….and how much I love my work, boss, and even those nagging clients.

I’m old enough to know that you can’t hold onto something forever, but young enough to strive to recreate it sometime in the future.

Apple’s iPhone is Like..Marriage.

It’s pure lust at first site. The Apple iPhone 3G.

It sits high on a white pedestal, thousands of people desiring to touch it’s sleek body, all wanting to claim one for their own. They wait patiently for it’s evolution to full maturity released like a debunte’ arriving to take it’s place next to ….you.

You are the proud owner of an iPhone 3G. It’s a perfect fit. Nice smooth, round body slides perfectly into your palm. It’s face is clear of imperfections as you stare into it’s bright glow. Your tongue gravitates towards it, and finally lick it. The taste lingers in your mouth, and you go back for more. Pressing it’s buttons, adding applications, and taking pictures of the greatest moments together. With your iPhone, your social network expands. Your Tweets are limitless, Facebook poking on the go, and dancing together with Bob Dylan from iTunes. It’s the perfect marriage.

Wait. Marriage also comes with commitment, and this one is 2yrs. The honeymoon phase slowly dies down. The iPhone’s battery performance now denies you, only when you desire it the most. It’s sleek design is now smothered with finger prints and residue you can’t explain. You question where has my iPhone been?!!

Finally the day comes, you receive the first AT&T bill.

“Holy Fuck! WHY IS THIS COSTING ME SO MUCH $$$$$$?!!”

Congratulations on your new iPhone…it’s hot and sexy but also comes with a lifetime commitment that will run you dry!

A Rockin Tweet

The best thing about social networking like Twitter, is complete strangers (I actually thought this was a chic when I started to follow HIM..oops!) share some of the BEST stuff.  This is the most romantic song…

Waste by Phish

Thanks for the Tweet man!

Really??

I think I have finally defined the one of the most hurtful things in the world.  Ah, for everyone its something..might be stubbing your big toe, or watching a love one suffer.

For me, I get immensely hurt when I though something was “special”, “unique”, to me, isn’t really special at all.  I think everyone wants to be special, feel special, in some way, to someone.  I guess that explains the depth of hurt when you realize, you’re not that special.  

You’re just another girl, gen y or gen x, blogger, mom, girlfriend, hockey player, dancer, employee, etc…just passing through until something fresh and new comes along.