by Chickenliver | December 16th, 2008
I was at a Christmas party recently standing around talking to people and the subject of the recession came up. Now since this party was at the home of one of my husbands work friends I know that most of them are going to be okay, but who knows what the future holds. I honestly didn’t know all of them or all their stories so there just might have been; an unemployed, home foreclosing, no health care, can’t make their electrical bill amongst us. You know most people don’t go around with a shirt that says, “I’m collecting unemployment and eating beans for the next month.”
There are some people who I personally know who don’t have any idea what it is to struggle. Before or now. So when they think of the recession to them it just means not as many trips to Nordstroms and cutting back on the port intake.
I can say that we’re going to be okay, but I can’t say it hasn’t effected us. Because things are a changing, from the cost of food, and electricity and freezes on getting more credit it’s just all around us.
So when someone makes a gift guide and forewarns that she is very aware that times are tight, you might expect things like…..AC/DC” new cd..$12.00. Or a nice cozy blanket to decorate the house and warm your body because you’ve turned down the heat. Maybe board games instead of video games. Maybe instead of giving each other gifts you give to charities. I’m going to divulge that my husband and I aren’t exchanging gifts we’ve instead donated to two charities. Because honestly I don’t really need anything. Sure I want a lot, but need…naw not really. (Edited–I need to add for full disclosure we will be getting new pajama’s it’s a family tradition to open them up on x-mas eve so we will be getting one gift a piece from each other.)I don’t think you’re a bad person if you do buy gifts, but there’s gifts and then there’s gluttony. I sure as hell don’t need a scarf that cost $138, or fucking tea pot for $165! ONE HUNDRERED and SIXTY FIVE DOLLARS!! Seriously? You can buy some very nice ones at Pier one or Cost plus, I mean what fucking planet are you living on? Planet Ree Drummond? The land of $14,000 dollar floors. Because people watching their budgets can’t do that.
Then your husbands list, with the $1,000 camera lens (edited to add that I found it for $300 less, but I’m not making money off of Amazon’s affiliate program either .I also didn’t feed you a line of bull saying I get that times are tough cause you know you’d get the best deal if that were true). Not the camera mind you, just the lens. I mean really that’s just rubbing it in people’s faces. Look at us, we’re loaded, and you…..well you just keeping reading us and we’ll stay that way.
Heather you and Jon are so fucking out of touch. I mean you are certifiable…but this is just MEAN.
I agree, to some extent, with what you’re saying, but I didn’t find it nearly as offensive as the advertisements on t.v. The implication there is that one should expect: a big screen t.v., a gps system, or maybe a car for Christmas. This is insanity. It raises the bar so that kids who watch t.v. are disappointed with their parents purchases, even if they spend several hundred dollars on each kid.
I thought Heather’s list had a fair number of reasonably priced gifts. I saw the things you mentioned but it didn’t phase me, because there will always be a disparity between those who can afford stuff and those who can’t. Her blog is read mostly by adults (I hope) and I think they can figure stuff out. But the advertising all around us is affecting our kids expectations of what a gift should cost, and that bothers me more.
I’m so glad somebody (Heather) actually posted something non-budget friendly and frankly some of their items still are within many people’s budgets. Not all of us are being hit by the recession though we know plenty of people who are. We’d still like to get our recession-suffering friends nice gifts and sometimes that means a $165 scarf if that’s what they want.
I thought keeping it real was the goal here? If she posted budget items you’d probably say “quit trying to act like you’re one of us when you’re making $40,000/month.”
People seem to like Heather’s taste and it seems appropriate that she’d post suggestions even if some of them are expensive.
CL, you are spot on as always. Longtime lurker, first time poster.
I wouldn’t ask for a $32 throw pillow that shows a dog, no matter how cute, recovering from some veterinary procedure, either. Good lord, I can’t believe they think this is cutting back.
Presumably people want more unique gift suggestions than AC/DC’s new CD. Sometimes I agree with your criticisms but this is not one of those times. There’s actually quite a range of prices for gifts.
AHAHAHAHAHAHAH….you and you’re husband giving to charities? What a crock of bullshit. Who are you kidding? AHAHAHAHAHAHHAH
Oh man, they do blow. I usually love dooce’s style section because I’m kinda hip to her style. I usually see what’s on there to think of how I can draw/make/find cheaply the same sort of thing. For instance she was touting some rose ring a few months back and I really liked it. I can’t remember how much it was on her site but I found one at Claire’s just like it in the cheap-o bins and it was $2.75. I wear it frequently.
But to give their ideas of a wish-list during this time of year is very insensitive and just shows how out of touch they are most of the time. Copper or stainless steel 1k dryers much?
P.S. I like what you’ve shared already – Board games instead of video games? LOVES IT.
P.S. I just want to add, that after reading the post, I found that most of dooce’s items are fairly reasonable and cute… and are good suggestions. I wouldn’t buy most of what she had on there because once you add shipping, the cost goes way up. But she wasn’t completely out of the loop like I thought.
I know, I know. They are a bunch of bragging PANHANDLERS. And lovin’ it. Sometimes I wish the economy would tank just for people like them. Awww. I guess they will be shopping at Dollar General. I believe what you say is their gift guide, more like their little Christmas Panhandling List. Won’t be visiting their sites to give them another page impression. And Momversation? Sponsored by Target. Not in my house. Bring on the KMart Blue Light Specials!
Obviously AC/DC isn’t for everyone, I’m just saying there’s less expensive things than what’s listed. Sure she threw in a couple 12 dollars things but the excess outweighed the cheap.
Apparently you missed the whole woe is me, we have high health cost and we are just like you post.
I suggested donating to a fund to get that stick out of your ass, but there’s not enough money in the world I’m afraid.
Yep, she’s out of touch. That sort of post is offensive to regular people who are just trying to get by.
Since people are sending her gifts all the time, Eww and the wrong birthing books, I thought it was a wish list. LOL
I’m no fan of Dooce, but I did think both her and Jon’s list had a wide variety of gift suggestions for any budget. And it did seem that they put a lot of thought into it.
I, too, would have liked to have seen some suggestions for gifts to charity, say maybe to Brad Pitt’s New Orleans village where you can make a donation of any size earmarked for a specific thing, such as a waterheater or earth-friendly flooring.
Then I saw the Best Buy logo and figured they had a little guidance.
i agree that they’re completely out of touch with reality. someone else who’s out of touch? miss suburban bliss herself. she posted her holiday gift guide a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.suburbanbliss.net/suburbanbliss/2008/12/a-little-of-thi.html
I’m a teacher. If ANY of my students got me a $75 *bell* for my desk I would immediately return it and use the money for, you know, supplies for my classroom. And $20 for a little crocheted thing to keep my apple in? Uhm, no. I’d much rather my students give me something they made, or buy supplies for the classroom, or donate to a charity, than waste their/their parents’ money on something tacky like that crap.
Out of touch.
Ok, for disclosure’s sake I don’t like Dooce.
That said, I expected the list to be much worse than it was. She had alot of things on there in the $20-30 range. She put some bigger items as well, but I wasn’t completely blown away.
I didn’t click through the other links, but I don’t think this one was that bad.
What I had a problem with was how specific some of the items were, as though they were asking for them from the public or from companies that make said items. Is that just in my head or is it truly possible for them to do this?
Sorry I hit submit before reading over that shit. What I mean is I don’t necessarily have a problem with the prices as much as the specifications of some of the suggestions (i.e. lens). We might be in a recession but whatever money we spend on Christmas we’re putting back into the economy is kind of the way I see it, but being greedy and wanting shit for free when others are struggling, THAT I have a problem with if that was their angle.
Well, I for one LOVED that that post seemed to be sponsered by Best Buy-thus the reason for video games vs. board games.
Also, the first thing I thought was “I know y’all love my writing SO much that you want to buy me some of these fine things”. According to her, her readers send her shit all the time. Why not give them a list so you stop getting crap you don’t want?
But that was just my first impression. I also agree with your analysis.
We haven’t been affected by the recession either, we’re blessed. The over paying of items annoys the sugar out of me. I liken it to people saying “oh God I’m so fat” when they are no where near fat. My husband and I are buying gifts, because we get underwear and socks on our birthdays and Christmas, and no one wants us running around commando. I’ll make sacrifices, but I’m not giving up my 5 for $6 pack of Hanes Her Ways.
I don’t care what someone does with their money, but don’t pretend that a $165 teapot is the norm.
Have had this on my mind: Heather makes $40K/month on her site, that’s $480,000 per year. Plus, Jon’s site gets a ton of hits, then she has her books and the momversation, etc etc — they’re clearing $600K annually, I’d say.
Considering that, I think the way they live is actually quite modest. Maybe I’m just from a culture that flaunts money, but ’round these parts if you’re making $600K people will know it (which is, I know, not ideal, but that’s just how it is).
Heather could be dressed head to toe in couture and she and Jon could be driving an S-class or some lux SUV. I guess they travel a lot but it’s not like they’re staying at the Paris Ritz (which they totally could). Their cameras are related their business/former professions and in relation to their budget are not all that expensive. You may disagree with me but keep in mind the money they’re working with. I can tell you right now I’d be at a resort in Maldives half the year.
In any case this is not a response to your post (which I think has some valid points), just a somewhat related observation.
Dana over at thedanafiles.com is at it again. She’s wallowing in her barren misery. She can’t seem to get pregnant, which is worth screaming and crying and whining about, day after day and month after month. How’s in the holy heck does her husband stand her? It’s not like she’s pretty or anything, so she must be good at bj’s or taking it in the back door. There is truth to that old addshe about fat chicks giving good head, right? Anyway, it’s not enough SHE can’t get pregnant, she spews her venom in the general direction of anyone who DOES get knocked up. She can’t even muster a congratulatory thought when friends and acquaintances end up pregnant – she’s so wrapped up in her jealousy and hatred and pure mental illness. I sure wish dana would get some professional help, or at the very least, shut the duck up!
Dana over at thedanafiles.com is at it again. She’s wallowing in her barren misery. She can’t seem to get pregnant, which is worth screaming and crying and whining about, day after day and month after month. How’s in the holy heck does her husband stand her? And I feel sorry for her kid. It’s like he’s just not good enough. Anyway, it’s not like dana’s pretty or anything, so she must be good at bj’s or taking it in the back door. There is truth to that old addshe about fat chicks giving good head, right? Anyway, it’s not enough SHE can’t get pregnant, she spews her venom in the general direction of anyone who DOES get knocked up. She can’t even muster a congratulatory thought when friends and acquaintances end up pregnant – she’s so wrapped up in her jealousy and hatred and pure mental illness. I sure wish dana would get some professional help, or at the very least, shut the duck up!
Hey This Bitch Wants To Be A PW Wannottaaa Be???
Ohhh yesss, the winner will announced at 12….NOT
want to get more hits on her fucking page!!
guess the
http://raisintoast.typepad.com/
forgot to post the winner?
Hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
ALL those two do is shop nowadays. Daily Style anyone? They’ve come a long way from living in the basement stealing dad’s coldcuts.
Yeah, right, “several frantic emails from guys” needing shopping help. Their fans don’t seem stupid, but…
Heather and Vagina Jon will help you. It’s easy.
You click on a link of products Heather and Vagina Jon think are “cool”.
Heather and Vagina Jon receive money by you clicking on a link. They go shopping. Easy.
Merry Christmas.
So because the economy is in the toilet, everyone in the blogpsphere is supposed to sing kum-bi-ya (sorr if it is misspelled) around the campfire, eat beans and weenies and ride it out together without one iota of indulgence?
Did it ever occur to you that people who cannot afford these things might just like drifiting out of reality once in a while to experience finer living through reading a blog unlike their own life? Not saying Dooce is some kind of style guru, but I mean come on.
Same goes for PW, it is well known that people entertain themselves with images that fascinate – to some (and I am not saying I am part of this group) escapism is the only way to deal with the rest of the crap that the stressful day brings.
I think it’s perfectly fine considering the pickle our economy is in if people want to read about a lifestyle unlike their own and frankly I get sick of all the whining about the cost of groceries made by women (and men) slurping Starbucks each day. We have yet to see real suffering here.
I have become an out of touch dork, because I didn’t even know there was a new AC/DC out. Damn! I have all the others, so I’ll get the new one for my stocking. Hubs never thinks to get something for my stocking.
I couldn’t really think of anything I wanted this year, so I ordered new sheets, wrapped them, and put To Me from Santa. Yep,sheets.
Hubs asked for……..a tie. Granted, it is a Jerry Garcia he found (on sale), but Good Lord, Man, a tie!??!
By putting aside $5 a week from my mocha fund, I saved enough to get the kidlets the Wii they so wanted last Christmas and a couple of games. I’m giving Santa credit because the younger girl still believes in Santa or pretends to for my benefit.
I couldn’t think of anything I wanted for my birthday in August. After I received my sheets, I saw that cool e-reader thingy on Amazon. Zero guilt as I ordered it as a late gift for my last birthday, late Christmas gift, early birthday gift for my next birthday. If I divide the $359 (super-saver shipping, of course) by 365 days, it equals zero guilt on my part.
Besides, hubs had rather me pack him a lunch of balogna on white bread with mayo & a bruised apple on the side than lower himself to eat that fancy buffet at his work any day.
I’m still not sure why you think it is appropriate for you to dictate what others should or should not be spending on anything. When consumers stop spending money whether they can afford to or not, a recession is created. A recession, by definition, occurs when there are two consecutive quarters of negative growth. So, in essence, you are contributing to the creation of the current recession by TELLING others NOT to spend money on things that you deem “gluttonous”. Both Ree Drummond and Dooce seem to have more than enough money to sustain themselves, purchase gifts that you might think are frivolous, AND DONATE TO CHARITY. Do you understand that when people stop spending $14,000 on flooring, or $1000.00 on a camera lens, the individuals who are in those businesses end up in the same position as those who you feel so sorry for???
Think it through. Your ridiculous arguments ring of soul-searing jealousy, and that Chicken Liver, is just MEAN.
Because I’m god. Pretty much unless I’m them/her/him I don’t have the right?
Seriously I get that not spending creates a recession, but flaunting is another thing.
BTW Heather and Jon are hoping that those companies or some readers send them some of these things. Why do you think she took the time to make such a detailed list? Because she loves you all so much?
not.
Bought the AC/DC for one of my 80’s music loving children.
Melly,
That was one of the things that bothered me too. Look I have some very wealthy friends and you know what, $165 for a friend for a tea pot is not the norm either. Really I’d tell them they’re crazy to spend that much on a tea pot!
No they will get some of these items, bet your boots they will. I have had a whole six offers from advertisers to put things on my site too. I’m nobody, so you know they’re looking at Dooce as a Vehicle to promote.
My best friend is a principle and her husband is a High School English teacher. Both of them would poop a twinkie if they received that bell, or a stupid Dollie. I know that they’re constantly purchasing things for the school that isn’t covered by the budget. I also know that the boxes of tissues, glue sticks and scissors I send in every once in a while is appreciated more than a stupid bell would be. I agree OUT of touch…well that’s not really a surprise, she’s friends with Dooce.
I’m saying it again. They are a bunch of PANHANDLERS. Getting stuff for free. They live for it.
You do know you’re linking to the camera lens through Dooce’s affiliate link, so if anyone *does* take a fancy to it after clicking through from this site they’re going to get a nice cut…? (Ah, affiliate linking. The selfless side of gift guides…)
I think once you make/have a certain amount of money you completely lose touch with the real world- as in not knowing what the average person can afford. Dooce likes that Itsy stuff and when she takes pics of the stuff she has she’ll link to it. I laugh out loud when I see a tiny wee pillow that cost $78. BUT the funniest thing I read there is when readers send her stuff! That cracks me up. That’s like me sending Oprah a gift from the dollar store.
I don’t really understand why this is offensive. There are always going to be many things I can’t afford in the world, recession or no recession. I don’t feel like Heather and Jon incidentally pointing that out, through a Christmas gift guide, is rubbing their wealth in my face at all. Look, I don’t think that having a popular website that makes money off of its readers automatically means that you have to be ultra-sensitive to every little way that someone could get their feelings hurt. Yes, Heather makes money off of us, just like every other moderately wealthy person/corporation in the country and no she is not indebted to us for that fact. I can stop my contribution to the revenue stream at any time that I want. If she wants to recommend I purchase a $135 UGLY scarf than thanks but no thanks.
I just really don’t have time to go check out anyone’s list of things to buy because I’m frantically trying to figure out how to get tickets for The Robin and Dr. Phil’s Christmas Show 2009 ! Are you kidding me? The people in that audience yesterday walked away with $1,000’s of dollars’ worth of loot. And, when they scanned the audience, it was apparent that there were couples.. They got double.
OK ChickenLiver, you have connections. I know you do. Get me at least O.N.E. ticket, ok?
Gawd, that made me laugh.
Yes, CL, you ARE a god! And don’t let any stoopid jackie-jackass tell you otherwise.
If you don’t find time to post again before Christmas (holy crap, eight days away), I hope you and yours have a very merry one! You’ve made this year a more entertaining one and laughing is still recession-proof and free. It’s also healthy for you, so you’re actually doing the blogosphere more good than people even realize. It’s easy: Read CL, laugh at morons, release endorphins, fight off cold and flu germs and be healthy and happy!!!
Thanks Kim,
Same to you and yours.
Spinker,
Ah, thank you for pointing that out. I changed it and in the process found it for $300 less. Because hey I’m not trying to make money off of you.
I just wish I was famous enough to get free shit just for making a list on my site…maybe I’ll try that!
ooohhh do it Holly. Maybe dooce or PW will send you something…like a calender?
Even though I generally disagreed with CL’s criticisms of the Christmas list, I have to agree that the Daily Style section has gotten a little ridiculous. I seem to recall it started with a bottle of Method hand soap. Now it’s expensive paintings, art prints, jewelry, etc., and it’s all stuff she owns (and I’m sure the sellers are so grateful to be mentioned that they send her even more of their stuff). My snarky side also snickers that she’s gone from a very Mormon “shabby chic” aesthetic to mid-century modern, because it’s trendy and it’s what all her friends (Maggie Mason, Alice whats-her-name, etc.) like. It’s kind of hard to buy into the style recommendations of someone who simply follows the herd.
#38: EXACTLY. Thank you for putting it more eloquently than I could.
Oh, you guys will never be happy! Dooce’s list had a huge range of stuff, and yeah, I’m probably not going to buy a teapot at all, much less one that costs $150 but have you seen the gift guides in most magazines? Way worse, way more expensive, and 100% sponsored. When are you going to get it that Dooce.com is a business just like any other media outlet? And I don’t see you guys writing to Martha Stewart, Oprah, or Domino magazine to complain about their gift guides with $3,000 coffee tables, OK?
Take a chill pill.
Also, CL, I think some of your commenters might be onto something with this whole bash-people and get traffic thing–I’ve never heard of some of these bloggers people are “complaining” about, and I’m a total internet whore junkie! Good for them, though, for showing initiative, I say.
Comment 47 made me laugh.
Whomever said Dooce does live a fairly modest life- this is true in some aspects b/c her readers have reported in comments seeing her in Target and what not shopping for purses and shit.
What gets on my nerves about comments on Chick Live’s blog is when other people post links to blogs that dont have shit to do with who she posted about. Maybe Im just grumpy and want to complain. Wah! Still gets on my nerves.
But like I said yesterday I appreciate this place b/c it’s somewhere I can come and voice my opinions or questions I have about these popular bloggers. I think Chick Live should change this blog into a gossip mag about popular bloggers myself.
So you really think people read Dooce and PW because they are regular people just like us, or because they are all out looking for a dose of reality? Same reason Berveryly HIlls 90201 was such a big hit. Come on. Everyone love’s the life of the rich and famous. Real or not. Tongue in cheek or not. PW and Dooce are entertainment and both do their jobs of entertaining quite well. Most of the gifts were quite reasonable and even a little, yawn, every day. Now whether or not you actually get one or give one of these is an entirely different story. But looking at interesting gifts during lunch hour that I’ll never give nor get gave me some entertainment and a few minutes of dreaming. She earned her ad impressions from me and there’s not a whole lot more to it than that.
#48…..I couldn’t agree with you more — Their Blog is their lively hood; it’s how they make a living and a damn well good living at that. It’s not about being a Mommyblogger — it’s more about good writing and being a smart business woman. Good for Dooce and Jon for being smart and making a good living to support however many children they chose to have. They’re not hurting anybody.
Anybody who makes fun of mental illness and then claims to donate to a charity instead of exchanging Xmas presents with her husband isn’t “keeping it real” at all.
BTW, Chicken, don’t you don’t that bands like AC/DC promote a drug culture? How could you possibly allow your children to listen to music like that? I bet when they grow up they’ll be on drugs………….or in need of deep therapy. Don’tcha think?
AND ….about Dooce’s Xmas list? I wouldn’t dream of spending 165.00 on a Teapot either, but my sister wouldn’t think twice about it. Different strokes for different folks — doesn’t matter how much money you make. And yes, I could afford a 165.00 teapot. Actually, anybody with good credit can. Keep it in perspective — it’s just not that big of a deal……unless of course you have self esteem issues or think you’re smarter than the average bear and know whats best for everybody.
Daisymae.
I don’t buy things on credit (Amex & Gas card paid in full every month)and I’m sad that a lot of americans half to purchase Christmas on credit.
The child in question is in college, he’s old enough to figure things out.
Daisy you think you are alpha bear of this place dontcha.
Daisy Mae, Ive seen you post comment after comment slamming this blog. You do realize how hypocritical you’re being, right? I mean, no one can possibly be that dense. Why are you still reading and posting on this blog? I don’t get it. Why are you not taking your own advice?
AC/DC is all about the drinking silly! Rock on.
Sorry, I’m feeling bitchy. Listening to or purchasing an AC/DC cd is about as harmful as reading douche’s gift guide. In other words, very little harm done, stop worrying so much!
I wouldn’t mind if she was honest.
Lots of people write me asking for advice. So I’ve thrown together a little list. If you click and buy stuff on the list from my site, I’ll get some money.
But don’t pretend it’s some sort of selfless public service.
It’s the hypocrisy man.
HA – wait until you Chicken Liver Lovers see one of Stephanie Klein’s lists. They usually have $1500 purses and other very highly priced, utterly useless items from Williams-Sonoma. When I suggested that she was getting paid (in some form) to post the links, she got highly insulted. Oh, these shallow bitches – when will they learn?
Actually, you are a false god. Don’t try to distinguish yourself from the individuals you dislike so intently. And don’t be so hateful. It is truly unbecoming on you.
Chicken liver, we don’t use credit either, because we were really stupid when we were in college and now we’re picking up the pieces.
I’m just glad we stopped before we accepted any more “awesome” credit limit increases!
Anyways, I’ve seen adds at banks for “holiday loans” to me this just screams bad things. I know it’s so hard to look at your kids and say “Santa probably won’t bring the PS3 this year…” but sometimes it has to be done. I think the silver lining in all of this financial turmoil is that it is forcing us all to reevaluate how we spend.
Just flew back on my broom to see if you’ve gotten me tickets yet? Since my phone still aiin’t ringin’ I guess it still ain’t you.
P.S. I thought AC/DC had something to do with my electrical outlets. No?
#54….of course– listening to AC/DC is about as harmful as reading Dooce’s xmas list or reading her blog. DUH! However many people think that rock ‘n roll of that nature is the gateway to a life of drinking and drugs. Just as CL thinks the children of Mommy bloggers will need therapy. It just doesn’t work that way.
CL….Who gives a rats ass if you don’t buy things on credit. I don’t either. Big deal. Yet you feel sorry for people that do? Why? You’re not paying their bill. Just give people a little credit once in awhile for the choices they make that are different from your choices.
And I get why you don’t like me posting CL — I rain on your parade. I don’t drink your cool aid and obviously you don’t like it. You’re no better than either Dooce or PW…..you delete anything you don’t like reading and then tell the masses how you’re above all that……what a crock. Talking out both sides of your mouth doesn’t become you.
Merry Christmas though.
I don’t think her list is so bad. There is a full range of items and prices.
Really, what’s the big deal? If that’s what she likes, who gives a shiat?
Sweet Herald……
I’m dense. In fact, I’m so dense you shouldn’t read a word I have to say. I read Dooce once in awhile and while I don’t agree with everything she writes, I do think she is a good writer. She is witty and wildly entertaining without being mean and nasty on a daily basis. I like her Daily style ….. and I don’t give a damn how much money she makes nor do I think her daughter will need therapy because her MoM writes a blog and includes her in the blog. I don’t like PW because I don’t care much for cows and her stories bore me. I don’t give a rats ass about how sexy ass chaps is, really, I don’t. And I really don’t wanna read about Pesky Tim. Too me, thats boring. But obviously I’m in the minority because she has a ton followers who hang on every word she writes. AND don’t forget she makes a ton of money doing it. She’s a smart business woman. Both her and Dooce are. They make their living in a more public way than most would choose to do but that is their right. And if people really wanna be honest around here how many of you wouldn’t do what they’re doing — if you had the good business sense to pull it off? Who wouldn’t like working for themselves? Who wouldn’t like making 40k a month? Who wouldn’t like working from home — and traveling — and working about what? 20 hours a week? Yeah, lets keep it real and be honest. You guys bitch and complain about about keeping it real — how many of you would walk away from a silly B L O G that made you 40k a month and most likely more than that? I know I wouldn’t. But I’m dense. So WTF. I just come here and raise a little hell. I like giving people a taste of their own medicine. Isn’t that what this blog is all about?
Okay, I have to say to the person who called Jon Armstrong Vagina Jon, “That shit if funny.”
I rarely read his blog because it’s boring as hell. I go there about once or twice a year if someone brings up something idiotic that he’s said, but what is with him using the word “vagina” in his tags, titles, etc.?
That just makes me want to crawl out of my own skin.
But I did go check out Dooce’s post/Christmas list and not much surprised me there. Dooce is obviously fishing for stuff. I mean she buys bird figurines and all kinds of crap with birds so hence the bird themed gifts.
Vagina Jon’s list cracked me up because, like his blog, it’s boring.
Well, I did see two things on Jon’s list that made me laugh: the shaving brush (hello, when does he ever shave or even shower), and the Carrie Fisher book “Wishful Drinking”.
Things that Vagina Jon has in common with Carrie Fisher:
1. They both have vaginas.
2. They both share the exact same problems except that Carrie Fisher grew up famous and is getting help for her problems. Also, it looks like she’s got a big “honesty” thing going on.
Let’s just hope that they both get a few copies of Fisher’s new book and instead of thinking, “Oh, I’m glad I’m not like that” they actually see themselves in there someplace. A little looking inward never hurt anyone.
After looking at Dooce’s blog, here’s the thing that I can’t stop thinking about: her forehead.
WHAT IS WITH THAT FOREHEAD??? FRANKENSTEIN MUCH???
That one’s for you Dooce, in all caps, cuz I know you read everything about yourself and I know you love the all caps.
WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS WRONG WITH YOUR FOREHEAD??? PLEASE GOD GET YOURSELF A PLASTIC SURGEON OR AT LEAST SOME HAIR PLUGS TO COVER THAT SHIT UP. REALLY, THAT THING IS FUCKING HUGE.
God, maybe they should buy each other sex change operations for Christmas. He has a vagina already (and the mannerisms to match) and she has the face of a man.
Thanks ChickenLiver. I feel so much better now.
Who wants to conribute to my Send Me and My Daughters to DisneyWorld Fund? $5 a piece is reasonable, isn’t it?
Damn, now someone will agree and I don’t even have a fund such as that. I missed my bus.
Yeah, well, send $5 to the Humane Society instead. I’ll stay home, homeless pets will eat, all ends well.
Okie Dokie,
Thank you for my morning snort.
You can come here and disagree, because I let you.
Actually I’d walk away from a billion dollars if it was hurting my family. They don’t work 20 hours a week btw, ever read how long ree takes to upload ONE recipe. You have any idea how long it took to make that buyers guide? All day or more i”m sure with the researching.
I’m amazed with all the people who still come here (how many times a day?) to accuse CL of doing the exact same they are doing here. It’s so hypocritical. Lots of two-faced women who should get the f**k off their high horse and take a good look in the mirror before spewing their venom here.
Don’t let them get to you CL, you’re doing a great job here. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Okie Dokie–
I refer to Heather’s “man” (oops, I’m back, just had to vomit a little…) as Vagina Jon because he’s such a sensitive feminist I really think he does have one hidden in his clogs.
Heather’s blog can be entertaining what with her craziness but Vagina Jon’s blog is soooo boring and he’s so self righteous, He’s such a smarmy little, well you know, Vagina Jon.
Speaking of sex change operations:
http://www.starpulse.com/Music/Cyrus,_Billy_Ray/gallery/Billy-Ray-Cyrus-hm03/
http://dooce.com/about
Just sayin’….
Why in Dog’s name did she pick that photo of herself. Oh, I get it. Vagina Jon picked it because he’s a woman and she looks like a guy.
Thanks for the clarification.
You’re welcome.
Regarding Stephanie Klein- she doesnt have ads all over her page like the other bloggers. Come on now.
Okie Dokie, I laughed out loud and even snorted a little at your comment!
Dooce doesn’t bother me near as much as VJ…he just seems so…icky. I don’t know what it is, but I just don’t like him.
I don’t think she’s a great writer, but I like anyone who has the guts to say what they want to say…I think she’s pretty honest. Whether you agree with her or not, she puts herself out there and I kind of admire that. Same with Stephanie Klein. If I had to hang out with her, I’d slit my wrists, but at least she’s putting her self out there. That’s my problem with PW. It’s not advertised as fiction just for pure entertainment. She advertises it as her life and says she’s “keepin it real.” That irritates me far worse than just two crazy bitches who’ll say anything. You don’t have to put that you are irritated with your husband in order to keep it real. Dooce never does…yet her blog rings true. When she says nice things about VJ, I genuinely believe what she says, even though it makes me throw up in my mouth a little. When PW says that about Ass Chaps, it makes me think she’s trying too hard.
And this is just a place I can share that opinion, so that’s why I like it. I don’t always agree with CL either, but I feel like you get what you came here for.
No, your opinions are not dense. But the fact that you give Chick Live so much shit for blogging on the topics she blogs, and condemn her for putting a vehicle like this up for others to throw out their opinions on bloggers (including your own which I’ve read time and time again) makes you dense, not to mention hypocritical. That’s my point.
Good post Cl, though I’m not sure which I’m laughing harder at. The comments about Jon or the lecture you got from DaisyMae. Nah … I know , it’s the lecture from DaisyMae.
Merry Christmas everyone, enjoy those PJ’s , if your sending anything to me I love flannel.
Did SK really need to post photos of her kids in the tub on her site? Sure the naughty bits are all covered (by VERY small snowflakes) but this level of oversharing makes me uncomfortable.
The list was made so they could get more income. It’s an ad space is all. Face it..these sites are BUSINESSES. BUSINESSES PERIOD. Dooce, PW, whoever, couldn’t give a rat’s ass what people can or can’t afford- they are in it for the income themselves. That ladies and gents is a BUSINESS. That’s why all their followers and fans make most of us laugh. You can see them praising and wooing their “star” in the comments and actually thinking the writers of these businesses give a damn about their adoration or opinions. What they care about is getting clicks and depositing their checks in the bank from the advertisers. Really no need to get upset about what they are doing because they are BUSINESS OWNERS and as BUSINESS OWNERS it’s their job to sell their goods. I think sites like this (yous- CL) are more disgusted with the fan base of people that swallow their line of crap as gospel. It just likes to say “Hey SHEEPLE, these folks aren’t keeping it ‘real’ or the kind of people you want to emulate- they feed you crap to keep you coming back.” SOLENT GREEN IS SHEEPLE!
Look at this site (CL’s) as kind of like pulling the curtains back on the great and powerful wizard of Oz to just reveal a lot of smoke and mirrors and a regular flawed person. A person that OWNS the Emerald City though.
Mimi v2.0, I agree about the SK kids photos. Over the top, even with snowflakes. She could have cropped them quite a bit.
Damn the success of a good writer and even better business woman!
Wow!
The phrase “More money than brains” instantly springs to my mind.
#64 Okie Dokie? LMAO–best comment EVER.
#79 Elasticwaitbandlady, funny, great blog! I was cracking up
at the Kohls Ad.
My computer apparently ate this comment once, but here goes:
Does anyone know what happened to Leta Speaks, the one linked to by Chicken Liver in her sidebar?
Maybe I’m just blocked or maybe the author took it down. Or maybe he/she got whacked by the Armstrong long arm of the internet.
Heather and Jon Armstrong, if anyone doesn’t know, are fuck buddies, I mean drinking buddies with Ev Williams, founder of blogger. I’m just saying. If he knows who you are, so do the Armstrongs.
My advice to anyone who blogs, or comments, about these fuckers is to go here https://www.torproject.org/download and download Tor. It’s self-explanatory and don’t leave tracks anywhere.
If you think that they won’t go after you in the real world, your mistaken. They aren’t nice people. That’s a lot of people don’t like them. They are hypocrits in the worst ways. The Leta blog make fun of them, not Leta so you can bet that if it isn’t down now, it will be. Of course, they would use Leta as the excuse to get it taken down, her age or whatever. But, the truth would be that they are using their personal friendships to censor what’s written about them on the web.
Get a Tor website. If anyone wants to read, they have to download Tor but the Armstrongs or PW or anyone else who thinks they own everyone, will not succeed in shutting you up or fiinding out who you are. You can say whatever you like.
“Being a geek is hard” ?!?!?
WTF?
I guess being a douchebag is easy.
Actually, fly, I posted the winner, but only after fussing with TypePad for hours on end. The stinkin’ editor page would not load. Then we went out with the children to celebrate our boy’s birthday. When I got home, it was finally loading. Sorry for the delay in posting the winner(s).
Susan
http://www.raisin-toast.com
Wow…anyone see PW’s latest post about her 11 year old daughter driving a truck?
We’re about to be lambasted with another snow storm so in case my shakey at best power grid craps out on me for a day or so I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas ! Good thing I bought out the Hardware store supply of LED lights and batteries.
Oh and I forgot to add the new AC/DC cd is killer. Also, if you get the chance, see their new tour. That show was better than some piece of crap a douchebag pussy can pick out.
Hey! There’s a good idea for a gift: promise to take someone to a concert of their choice.
RedSoxFan – I don’t have a problem with a farm kid driving (I’m from the Midwest – it’s a way of life out here), I just wish she was wearing a seatbelt. Perhaps she is but it’s out of view for the angle?
#85… yes.. i did…. and did you read that all four of her children were in the truck with the 11 yr old driving in the snow and ice???
Nice…. listen, I’m all about kids doin’ stuff on the ranch and all… but that truck could have slid on the snow…. i sometimes question her judgement…. Oh and good luck righting this post on her site… how could you “Keep It Real” when you only leave positive messages?? what’s “real” about that???
obviously I meant “writing”…. haven’t had coffee yet!!!!
3 out of 4 momversation husbands are douchebags. Daphne’s husband is the lone one just for the fact he said he was adamant about her not blogging about their kids. Otherwise? Yuck!
The Aitch,
I saw that too. I was thinking Jon said “he realized that he should just get over her sharing Leta with the net.” I have to respect Maggie Mason’s husband too that he said that he knows that Hanks friends will rip on him when he’s a teen so they need to be watchful of what they say. Honestly there’s not a lot of fodder for them do to that in comparison to poor Leta Armstrong. I also agree Daphne’s husband is the lone wise man.
I have cousins who were farmkids out in Iowa and yeah, I know they drive on the farm at a young age. But, the fact that all 4 kids were in the truck on snow and ice with an 11 year old behind the wheel while PW sat in the passenger side of the truck with MM was really flabbergasting. PW and MM may be wealthy but there don’t seem to be a lot of brains or good judgement between the two of them. Then again, my hubby is an emergency physician so I hear all kinds of stories and pretty much everything looks like a safety hazard to me!! Actually, a few posters on her site did mention the above concerns to her — wonder if the comments are still there!!
I’m starting to wonder if Heather and Jon actually write this blog. That would be farkin’ hilarious. Hits, hits, hits, babies!
RedSoxFan – You make a good point and I do remember thinking “why are MM & PW in one truck and the kids (w/underage driver) in the other?” Why can’t PW drive one and MM the other? They can still make their kids get out and pull the lever and get hit on the head (her baby hit his head on something and she totally missed it getting the photo for her site). Yes, kids get hurt, but I dunno… it was all just a weird post of parents not paying attention. I’m not saying they’re *bad* parents just that, like you said, they don’t always seem to think things through.
OMG! you are such a hypocrite CL! My comment was way on topic and you refuse to post it.
This is not on topic. Not even close.
I think this blog is the best thing to happen to the internets. C.L gives us a freedom we really can’t have on any other blog. So thank you c.l.
I also think that you should make money with this. I checked out your stats and you’re brining in more money then douchomat, and a lot of other popular blogs. Why not make some change off of this place? If you’re interested my company will do the layout for free and host you free for 6 months. I think you’re a benefit to this community and I want you out there for other to see. I’d love for your voice to be on momversation, and possibly speaking at blogher. Why not? Just because you speak your mind you shouldn’t be allowed there. Isn’t that what this whole blogher and mommy bloggers are about–giving voice to all? At least you’d be telling the truth and not blowing smoke up the asses of those who attended. What do you think? I’ll contact you via email with more information.
Thank you,
Clara
You knew it was just a matter of too little time before the long chin of the armstrongs got Leta Speaks taken off the airwaves. Heather and VJ provided all of the personal information about themselves and Leta on their own blogs that made LS possible but they sure didn’t like it when the mirror was held up.
LS may have been unflattering to Heather and VJ, but it made Leta sound like a really nice teenager trying to be normal after having her whole childhood and every personal detail exposed to the entire world.
Anyone who bitches at CL for stuff said about Heather and VJ on this site should get a grip. As Heather herself said, “Thanks for the Traffic!” and she means it.
CL, those people on a REAL budget who have seen REAL hard times do not buy their teapots from Pier One or Cost Plus. They buy them at the Dollar Store or a yard sale for 25 cents or they go without a teapot!
Just me,
There are hard times and there is poverty. I know that one can lead to the other, but I was making a point about the cost of a tea pot that Heather was trying to say was a economic hardship friendly gift.
I’m just posting to let you know that I’m officially changing my anon name here to something else, I’ll let you know what it is when I have something to add. I don’t want my comments confused with the other “Just Me.”
She can have it now.
And I’m talking about the “Just Me” who is comment #100 – that is not me. I’m someone different.
No wonder I get a load of shit when I try to say something nice.
Did anyone notice that even Oprah didn’t do a “Favorite Things” this year, instead did a round up of the best of years’ past? Because she felt it would not be appropriate to do so in our economy with so many hurting?
I’m not saying that a gift guide is bad, but it is interesting that the great and powerful Oz…I mean, Oprah, made this decision and talked about it on her show, despite the sad audience members who were not going home with their arms laden with unnecessary merchandise.
And more than the whole ruckus about the gift guide, did anyone see the part (could have been in daily photo section) where Jon had ran over the newspaper with the snowblower, so now it was broken? I think the family in Utah needs a new one of those so they don’t get fined for “non snow removal” again by their HOA!
Priorities, I guess.
Just Me – I’m changin’ my name too. Someone else used it in defense of PW. That’s not cool.
Hey you can still read “commentsareopen.blogspot.com” and “letaspeaks.blogspot.com” in the Google cache.
Written by same person? Both sites disappeared. WTF? Maybe they should repost them on wordpress. Seems to be no censorship here from the Armstrongs.
Speaking of gifts, did anyone notice PW is giving away her camera today? Literally, the camera she has used for the last 2 years. It’s a nice camera, but still seems kind of cheap to me
Okie Dokie and anyone else interested,
See? That is the thing about all this anon commenting. People can’t keep track of what they call themselves and then use someone else’s “name”. And maybe it isn’t intentional but it is a pain in the neck!
So frustrating. Too bad their isn’t a feature that identifies if a name is already being used and alerts the commenter at the time they’re making the comment to chose a different one. Like when you pick a screen name or a password, you can check to see if it’s already taken!
“too bad THERE” not their. Jeez. My high school English teacher would NOT be proud!
Some people will be happier with a much used camera that came from her than a new one. Ree, OTOH, gets a tax writeoff for donating it and I’m betting that a sponsor gives her a new camera.
Anyone looked at the lodge lately? Holy crap! For the money they are spending on making the new wood look old, they could fly a poor family in from the DR and let them live there and abuse it. Not that they would, of course, but they could.
Ahhh…thank you for my evening snort.
Hi, Chicken Liver! I thought I’d comment quickly and say hello because, as you know, I’ve been in a slump these last few months, and thus haven’t been online and reading as much as I used to. I am soooo glad you’re still here, snarking it up. It’s gonna take me a while to catch up with your posts, but I’m so happy you’re still here, tearing shit up. Just thought I’d say hello, and tell you that I hope you are well.
CL – Just wanted to let you know I do not follow Dooce. I have no idea who she is. Don’t care either. Sorry. Cat
‘I’m just posting to let you know that I’m officially changing my anon name here to something else, I’ll let you know what it is when I have something to add. I don’t want my comments confused with the other “Just Me.”
She can have it now.’
@formerly known as just me—-Get over yourself. I am a regular lurker here but rarely comment. I vividly recall comments by Just Me (because I usually agree with her) long before you came along.
@Breanna…PW thinks she is soooo famous that we would
be sooo flipping “Honored” to have her wore out camera!
And for that raisin tosted lady,(is raisin short for “pruneface) after going over her blog, yes, i see that she does alot of PW copy cat shit….even posting the same ugly pic (of herself), over & over&over,,,,”eeeks” ,,,once was to many times!
Now she thinks she can give photo lessons too….Ohhhh Please spare me!
But we ALL know she is a huge fan of CL….wonder when she try to copy you to CL? I`m sure it will be only a matter of time!!
Renee, you’re bitching at the wrong person. It’s ok though – with al lthe confusion, this is the kind of stuff that happens. That’s why people have to change their anon names.
Now, if we’d all just say our peace like adults, instead of crap like that, the conversation would be a lot more interesting.
Sigh.
Oh, gregarious1,
Who is it, exactly, you are saying will copy CL? I’m just a tad bit confused on the “she.” Also, I really cannot understand why it is so terrible to receive a used but workable camera, plus lens. Is the memory stick still attached? Is that what’s wrong?
Aki
Okay, I made the jump and checked out raisin toast and I am actually pretty pissed. As an educated, experienced designer, who has a career id graphic design, I take serious offense to this poor man’s Pioneer Woman. I mean, you call “auto color”, bad cloning and flattening a layer a friggin photoshop tutorial? KILL ME NOW! The chick can’t even anti-alias her type! And, she uses HOBO? Frickin Hobo? She probably thinks comic sans is a fancy type!
Gah, I’m so pissed!
I’m not a gigantic fan of Ree’s blog but at least she has an eye for composition and some knowledge.
@Alrighy Then
I don’t know what I said that was not “adult,” but no, I was not bitching at the wrong person. “just me” was whining about her name being taken. I pointed out that “Just Me” (caps) was here first. I’m not confused. Maybe you are.
There. Now you can go back to being “adult” and having “interesting” things to say.
The Aitch: I’d like to know who nominated Raisin Toast for Best Humor Blog. Must be the same fawning PW fans who sputter out copious LOL’s, and LMAO’s at her cornball bumpkin prose that wouldn’t even make it onto a Hee-Haw script.
To all the ones who are so critical to Raisin Toast – have you built a site that’s better? You are all just jealous. That’s all. I’ve been to her site and she has had some pretty informative articles. Maybe not all of them are informative, but at least she isn’t spewing a lot of vomit like you bitches over here. It amazes me that there are such crazy ass jealous ugly bitches in this forum. It is like a bunch of middle school pimple faced girls who think they are special. I’ll bet not a one of you is educated, and if you are, then all you’ve made of your life is a to come to this place to grind an ax and hurt other people. Get a life. All of you need to get a fucking life. Maybe if you actually read some of the so called “shit” on Raisin Toast you might learn how to be a nicer person. I feel sorry for all of you shallow people. Get an education. Get a life. and Get off of other’s people backs who you are just jealous of anyway. If you’re so much better, prove it by your actions, your website, your blog, your pictures, your photoshop tutorials, your cooking, whatever. If you are so damned smart – then put the link to your fucking website or blog and flaunt it like you flaunt your bad attitude.
@Aki …the toasted prune lady…AKA PW wannabe!
AKA, raisin toast.
Sit back and watch…She has been cloning her page, after PW for sometime now….even starting to sound just like her…ohhh puke!
PW started posting videos , toasted prune did the same, even asked how…PW will post vintage pics, toasted prune does the same…yet, toasted prune states PW HAD TO PAY for her page!
CL will be cloned as well, it`s only a matter of time!
It’s a sad thing to see such a nasty and bitter display of so-called human beings. To attack raisin-toast in such a mean-spirited manner just shows the lack of intelligence and class of people who obviously have no life of their own. Suggestion: do better things with your time and energy…..like helping someone or doing something kind. You might find you like yourselves!!! and people wonder why this world is in so much trouble.
Susan you’re an idiot. I can see your IP everytime you leave a comment. You left this one and the one under the name Shabby girl.
Susan aka rasin toast lady,
The spewing of vomit was a dead give away even without the IP. You got coal in your stocking didn’t you.
LAUGH!
Busted, bitch. That was funny and one of the reasons I like Chick Live so much.
Anyone coming over here and getting this upset over a board where people are discussing what they dislike (and like) about popular bloggers, stop yourself. You are posting on this very same board, and spouting your own opinion. Do you not realize how hypocritical that is? No one has to be “ugly” and “uneducated” and “pimple faced” to offer an opinion.
Way to show maturity, lady.
I sent you an email CL and told you who sent those comments. I also told you to delete them as they only serve to fuel the fire. ShabbyGirl above is a family member – and a rather bold one I might add, and I don’t condone her obvious angst to defend me anymore than I condone your readers obvious angst to hurt others and put their families in danger. Lady is my dear friend who spent the holidays with us. I am saddened that you have a site that only fuels the flames of hatred in an already hateful world. As mothers we should try to bring more good into this world, not hate.
Susan
http://www.raisin-toast.com
Raisin toast – you just got burned! Love how you do that CL!
YES! I love it, love it, love it!!!! I think she did get some coal….
Susan are you kidding me? I mean seriously, I’m not going to swallow that line of crap. I told you in email I’ve cleared 5 comments from you, three with different user names. Like I said in email I don’t care who you are, or what you say–except for the part where you try to convince me people from this site are making REAL life threats on you because you copied PW. Shabbygirl and Lady are you, one in the same. Now Susan….I think you’d better call Target and get that refill on Prozac because I have a feeling you missed a dose.
@ShabbyGirl…so how much did toasted prune pay you to write that?
And another thing Susan….did your FAT ASSED Panty wearing
hubby of yours ever get a job? Did your daughter call ya on Christmas, the one you ran off?
NO, I didnt think so! Biotch!
@ShabbyGirl…Do you eat with that fowl mouth of yours? Mercy!
@CL,
dunno susan’s situation, but there are many many reasons why many could have the same IP.
If you post from a library, everyone posting from there will have the same IP.
My entire corporation of over 1000 employees have the same IP if they post from a work computer.
there are 3 different computers in my home and every single one of us logs the same IP.
Bottom line, anyone who is on the same network will have the same IP.
How can you be so certain that people who post under the same IP are the same person? Where I work, in my department alone, there is an entire group of us who read your site. We introduced it to each other. When we comment, guess what? Same IP. But NOT the same person. My work site is large and I am hard pressed to believe that your site hasn’t spread. don’t know who does and doesn’t comment, but we all would have the same IP.
Slightly off-topic: I think that a lot of RaisinToast/Susan’s outlook can be summed up by the helplessness she intimates during the entry about her husband’s mandatory departure from his job. It truly pains me to hear people rail about life-decisions they’ve made. It was one decision. It didn’t sort out. Screaming blame publicly seems counter-productive? (I could be wrong.) Temporarily cathartic, perhaps, but in the spirit (i.e., being positive/moving forward) she’s suggested and expected from CL and others on this blog, I find it odd that she’d continue to engage in a spar here that can’t be, and seemingly was never intended to be, “won”.
Too Lazy,
I know that about IP’s. But one, she’s admitted that they came from her house, but somehow friends and family just got ahold of the laptop and she didn’t know it. Two, they’re written in the same manner, using similar sayings and words.
Trust me I know.
Lawsy Mercy! Raisin Toast DOES love her some PW – she’s the one who sent her the painting of her dead dog, Nell!
http://creativemoms.ning.com/photo/2279126:Photo:32?context=user
This Raisin Toast woman scares the holy bejeebus outta me. She wants to be Ree so badly it’s pathetic. Incredibly scary even. She fails miserable though, but how she tries is plain eerie. Same style, same sort of icon. Yikes. The woman is probably suffering from a serious idenity crisis and definitely has some deep-seated issues.
Kiki……. It’s deep-seeded.
*snicker*
Katy
deep-seat·ed (dpstd)
adj.
1. Being so far below the surface as to be unsusceptible to superficial examination, study, or treatment: a deep-seated infection.
2. Deeply rooted; ingrained:
*sigh*
Actually it’s deep-seated; look it up.
Yes, it is deep-seated!
*blush* for Katy
Raisin toast could do a series of dead dogs that PW had. How creative would that be?
I am sure there are many more to follow!!!!
Raisin toast is only letting her friends enter her $500.00 giveaway for Target…..cuz she wants to look big and important like PW, truth is, Raisin toast is about to lose her frigging home.
Raisin toast only lets her friends enter her big ole give away….i say thats because it`s fake……she tries hard to be big and important like PW….but then she cant afford to give a $500.00 giveaway, just make look as so, and only lets her friends enter, so she wont have to fork it over!! She is about to lose her frigging house for crying out loud, she must think we fall for her shit!! She is so fake.
HA!
carry on!
omg, why would you come on here and correct someone if you weren’t 100% sure you were right? how embarrassing!
“Shabbygirl”-
Being educated means challenging things. Everyone here has been smart enough to question what all of these popular bloggers just expect readers to believe about their lives and their motives for blogging. I guarantee you that CL’s readers are much better educated than the masses who blindly worship PW and her ilk.
There are better things to be embarrassed about in life, Holly.
Sure there are, Katy, but boy oh boy, did it make you look foolish. Especially the *snicker* part was rich!!
#147 C~
I agree. I find it insulting that I’m considered “uneducated” because I comment on the Sheeple mentality of those who frequent Heather and PW’s sites. It scares me just how much these people worship them.
And yet, when we make comments about the fact, we’re accused of being uneducated, mean-spirited, high-school-ish, middle-school-ish, pimple-faced girls who just want to be popular, etc., etc. *barf*
What’s pathetic to me is when people come to this site, blasting CL and calling her a hypocrite because she write about her opinion. She’s only a hypocrite (and those of us who agree with her) because her OPINION isn’t what they think it should be. Bwuh?
It’s an OPINION. We’re all entitled to one and yet we’re the bad girls from school who wished we were popular because our opinions are WRONG.
*rolls eyes*
Dana
Katy, I didn’t say it was the worst thing in the world. I just said it was embarrassing.
What can I say? I aim to please…. At least I am not the President of the United…….oops…;-)
Dana,
I don’t think it is wrong to have a strong opinion on what PW and Dooce do it all, especially if you don’t agree with them or you think they are insincere. In fact, I think that all worthy writers garner fans and critics.
But there is a difference in having a contrary opinion and stating it, rather than picking apart every single thing a person writes, trashing them personally, and resorting to calling people names…… And I am speaking to both sides of this argument.
Do I like Dooce? Yes, I think she is a wonderful writer. That doesn’t make me a sycophant. Do I read PW? Well, I had never heard of her until I came here and to be honest, I find her writing a little dull, yet embellished…But, more power to her, I feel proud for any woman who can garner such success. I just wish I would have thought of a way to market my completely boring recipes and make it into a book that people want to read…..Seriously, I am Martha Stewart compared to her recipes…. but I digress;)
The point is this,are either sites really hurting me to the point where I feel the need to be nasty towards these women personally? No.
Would I drop some constructive opinions and criticisms? Sure…..
” PW, I think your cookbook is pretty basic and you could use a culinary course. Also, I throw up a little when you type constantly about how “in love” you are. It’s a tad off putting and it makes me think you are not being honest. But, your audience seems to dig it, so what evs.”
“Dooce, please stop wearing that yellow color, it washes you out and it’s just not flattering. Also, “Momversation” is way dumb. Stop doing it.”
But to suggest that a person is “mean” because they compiled a stupid gift guide with items ranging from $5 to $400 in price is not valid…. Especially when you stoop to school yard levels insulting this person’s looks, hair, and their husband’s masculinity….. I mean, why bother?
Also, I find it disheartening that a group of women find that insinuating that a man has a vagina, makes him “less”. It makes me really sad. For one, women have vaginas and as a feminist, I think women rock. No, I’m not gay. Also, I happen to think vaginas are pretty incredible… Not only are they capable of orgasms men could only dream of, they also bring children into the world, and I happen to think that is fantastic and heroic.
So, all in all, I think CL has some good zingers, and now that I have given up cigarettes and beer, I do enjoy this guilty pleasure. But, don’t think for a second that I think I am better than anyone here…. I just wish that women could start to embrace each other more, instead of living up to patriarchal stereotypes by tearing each other down.
Take care.
“I just wish that women could start to embrace each other more, instead of living up to patriarchal stereotypes by tearing each other down.”
All this, after you just publically corrected (and wrongly, I might add) another commenter on this site for what you thought was a misspelling?
For god’s sake. I may not agree with all of CL’s posts and opinions, but if I need a good laugh, the comments never dissappoint.
Katy, I agree with you. I disagree with the content of some of the sites but also disagree with tearing them down personally. I have been guilty of it in the past and realize it is not becoming to any of us as women.
That doesn’t mean I can’t still read you, CL!
I agree that women need to be more “constructive” in their opinions too, but I find it odd that people come here saying this at the same time they are trying to embarrass another commenter.
Isn’t this the EXACT type of behavior that we should be avoiding?
It is so ridiculously hypocritical and yes, we are all guilty of snarking when we shouldn’t and it is right to own up to that behavior. like Holly points out above.
LOL…awesome point, Alrighty Then.
I just looked at Dooce’s site and all it does is make me angry. Seriously, she’s out of touch.
There are wars going on all over the world. People are starving. People in our own country, US, are homeless and hungry. We’re preparing for a president who has said that he’ll see that energy prices are raised.
I think that these people who make an easy living off of the internet are going to see a huge backlash from people who are losing their homes, their jobs or just witnessing it going on around them. There will be a backlash against the rich and lazy in general.
Anyway, my point is this – my new years resolution, stop reading Dooce. I can read here and comment and it doesn’t make me angry or depressed. It’s not a spiteful thing to have a place to make fun of twats and men with vaginas. A note here to the person who doesn’t understand the whole business of making fun of a man who has a vagina: men are not supposed to have vaginas. That’s why it’s funny. If there were no penises, vaginas wouldn’t be birth canals, etc. Men should have balls and penises.
Vaginas aside, I just plain don’t relate to a site any longer which is written by someone who is so different than I. When I first started reading Heather Armstrong’s site, I identified with her struggles, but we no longer share the same problems. As far as I can see, she no longer has any problems.
I’m sure that I’m not her only reader who just doesn’t get it any longer. Her technorati “popular blogger” rating has gone up, but the number of links she has coming in has gone down. That tells me that she appears to be more popular because other popular blogs have dropped out and many bloggers to linked to other blogs have dropped out. She isn’t more popular, there are just fewer blogs.
Am I the only one who has to rethink my budget and figure in that blogging and internet service might be quickly become unimportant as it becomes more and more difficult to pay the mortgage and buy food and fuel? I don’t think so.
Dooce is just no longer something that I enjoy. I think that it really boils down to her stupid little jokes about problems that she creates are just not funny. She used to be sort of an “every woman” but how many women relate to someone who’s getting rich off of exploiting her own family? It’s sort of a sick thing to look at for those of us who’ve made a conscious decision to not exploit our families for money by blogging about their private lives.
I’m not a religious person but I do think that her blog and other’s like it represent a decline in family values. It’s a simple question of moral values, basic moral values. And now, thrown into the mix, there’s the simple obvious fact that many of the people who’ve made her rich, her readers, are facing financial hardships and she continues to thrive and show us on a daily basis how well she’s doing while continuing to not give anything back. She should do something for her readers. If she thinks that her posts are giving something back, she should remember that she’s being paid dearly to spend and hour a day writing about her travels and linking back to her own favorite posts that she’s written throughout the year.
She needs to give something back or people like me won’t even read her site to make fun. It’s reached the point of which it’s no longer funny. It’s depressing to read her site. I agree that it’s nice to read stuff that takes you out of your own problems but this is someone who, before she put ads on her site, pulled in readers because she appeared to be taking risks, but it’s no longer brave when you make fun of your own family for money. This is a perfect example of how money does change someone. Her website isn’t the same because her problems are not the same. Period.
Time for this blog-reader to move on. I have no problem reading sites written by people who aren’t stuggling financially, but the Armstrongs are not struggling, and are in fact thriving because of her blog and her readers and she still defiantly refuses to give back. She doesn’t link to anyone except her very close friends and she insists on censoring anyone who doesn’t agree with her very narrow minded view of parenting.
Technorati says that she’s an authority. An authority on what? How to fuck up your kid and make money off of it. It certainly speaks of what our country has become and why so many people are disgusted by us, that we would hold such a person in high regard and try to emulate her lifestyle. Backlash to follow by all but the very stupid, smug and out of touch.
Okie Dokie,
I am a tad confused. By your previous post (#157) it is insulting to say that a man has a vagina because he is not supposed to have a vagina. By the same logic, is it just as insulting to say that a woman has balls because she is not supposed to have balls?
Please explain quickly, as I must have verification on this matter before insinuating that a female I do not like has balls.
Aki
I’ve been wanting to scream about Dooce’s Christmas list for a while and I finally found this awesome site. Love how Best Buy sponsored that greed fest.