So, we did the Thanksgiving thing and it was great. The kids had a ball and I almost had the great pleasure of winning the family poker tournament (only to lose to my dastardly husband who used my 87 year old aunt as distraction). At least we’re keeping it in the family.
At any rate, I realized that this year blogging (well, reading blogs, which I like far more than posting) is very very high on my list of things for which I feel thankful, probably higher than it should be, but that’s another story that involves a dull tale of woe about the chapter I’m struggling with in my book. I’ll spare you. But, thank you, all of you, for your wonderful posts that make me laugh, think, and which sometimes push my buttons. And thank you for commenting here. I’m like a crack addict - I just love to hear from you. Thank you also to the lurkers. I’m glad you’re here. (Wince. I sound like the minister at church when she welcomes the congregation. Sorry.)
At any rate, while I was away, having a moment of blog appreciation, a funny thing happened. Tina, over at the new blog, Scatterplot, gave me a little linky love, which led to Eszter, from many places, including Crooked Timber, referencing my post on my son’s brithday. Steven Hart also picked it up, and someone added it at reddit.
These posts had the effect of a) temporarily spiking my average daily hits to a 700% increase (seriously), and b) starting a fairly heated little kerfuffle over childhood socialization at Crooked timber. Check out the thread and by all means, jump in!
Many thanks to both Tina (who I know a little and adore a lot) and Eszter (it’s nice to meet you!).
I must say, having all these unanticipated visitors made me feel a little like my Mother read my diary…or like I went to class and turned in a rough draft instead of my edited and redited final version. Mildly vulnerable and self-conscious. Is my fly down?
It also made me feel popular, but it’s Carrie-invited-to-the-prom kind of popular (very, very fleeting)…
not Sally Field getting the 1984 Oscar kind of popular…
Oh, wait, that was fleeting too. Still, of the many who stopped in, I hope a few of you will return, add your thoughts (especially ones I like), and make me even more thankful next year.
Jeremy
November 26, 2007 | 12:28 am1
I’ll admit to some confusion at first from thinking, “Wait, this person is Tina’s mom?”
Midodok
November 26, 2007 | 12:56 am2
Yeah, I felt sort of like a square when the first comments on my blog were from “mom”, ha ha! Thanks for encouragement early on, my blog has since been read by animation people around the world!
eszter
November 26, 2007 | 2:41 am3
I’ll definitely keep coming back, I like your blog, I read a bunch of your posts over the weekend. My one request: if you ever have an occasion to type out my name again, please spell it correctly.;-) “zs” makes for a very different sound in Hungarian than “sz” so it’s a non-trivial difference from my end.
As to the discussion over at CT, I was extremely disappointed with the thread in the beginning, but it’s gotten better as more people have made their way back from their Thanksgiving outings.
Tina
November 26, 2007 | 9:52 am4
Sorry to start the kerfuffle, but it’s great that people gave some thought to gender socialization along the way. I was just trying to get people to curb their consumerism, so that was a bonus.
mom
November 26, 2007 | 10:43 am5
No apologies at all Tina — are you kidding? You’re my hero! What fun!
And Eszter, I’m veeery sorry that I misspelled your name — it’s corrected above. My kids both have unique names (here in the US), so I’m generally more attentive to such details.
On the CT thread, I concur. As I read, I initially found the thread quite aggravating and even tedious (hmm, not unlike Bush’s state of the union addresses), but it develops well as it goes on. An interesting mix of a demand for generalizable empirical evidence on the one hand and anecdotal illustrations on the other. People certainly have strong opinions on the issue. I think in some ways, the nurture side makes people defensive. The nature side is so much easier and more comfortable — it’s out of our hands. Like the idea of meritocracy — if all this inequality is just the result of differing effort and ability, then social class is fair. If it’s the result of a structured system of differences that advantage some and disadvantage others…Ouch - less comfortable.
Midodok - so happy that your blog is triving. I’m not surprised; it’s a visual treat!
Jeremy - I know. I originally picked that name to be average, unremarkable, unmemorable (and ungoogle friendly), but many people have suggested that I freak them out. One person panicked and said she thought their Mom had discovered her blog.
Lisa @ Corporate Babysitter
November 26, 2007 | 1:08 pm6
Good for you for starting a kerfuffle. Plus, you’ve introduced me to some new blogs. Thanks.
The Modesto Kid
November 26, 2007 | 1:09 pm7
Hi Mom, I found your blog thanks to Eszter’s Crooked Timber post and am enjoying it greatly, and recommending it to everyone I know. (Well to a lot of people anyways.) Thanks, interesting stuff!
subarctic mama
November 26, 2007 | 11:39 pm8
I thought I should check in today because I suddenly started getting a bunch of hits from you. It’s cool to find the post that explains why. I’m glad people are finding you. Your blog is great.
Aphie
November 27, 2007 | 2:48 am9
I came over from bitchphd, and have spent the entire afternoon reading your archives. Wonderful!
I’m 14 weeks pregnant with my first and already find myself laying down the law to excited grandparents-to-be re: pink vs blue things. Don’t know if I’ll be able to maintain the battle against genderising of my child with as much fortitude as you’ve managed though.
mom
November 27, 2007 | 4:22 pm10
Welcome Aphie! Welcome Modesto Kid! So nice to meet new friends - and to see “old ones” (we go back what, like 4 months) like subarctic mama and Lisa.
and Aphie - I hope you have grandparents who listen! Please do share your experiences (and Congrats on your new friend!!!)
jessica
November 28, 2007 | 11:52 am11
congrats on stirring things up! bonus points for using the word kerfluffle!
Ellen
November 30, 2007 | 10:23 am12
If my digital camera was working, I would send a picture of the Shrek Chia pet my daughter received as an early Hanukkah present - rows of dead dry seed on its chalky head - a science experiment, perhaps?
We’ve fought the princess fight by not having the stuff around the house and encouraging friendships with boys as well as girls. Princess-y has become a negative adjective. But the fairy stuff is coming in tidal waves now. Vigilance.
mom
November 30, 2007 | 2:42 pm13
ooh - Ellen. Princess as an insult. My dream come true. In my house it’s code for any pretty girl/woman.