I can’t help it. I’m overloaded with a bunch-o-junk in my head. And I can’t concentrate on more than one thing for longer than a minute. None of it is stand alone, blog post worthy. But generally, none of my posts are. I’m so lucky to have friends that come humor me 🙂
So. There is this 11 year old girl that lives with me. Supposedly, I gave birth to her. It’s questionable because this little girl that I remember was so sweet and easy going. The kind of kid that other Mom’s wished for.
The one that is living with me is over-emotional, indecisive and moody. Wait, I did mention that she is 11, right?
Anyways. The last couple of years, she has gone away to sleepover camp. And has LOVED it. Except for the hiking or canoe trip AND bug bites. Other than that, she comes home from camp when the month is over and plans who she is going to bunk with the following year.
This year, however, since this over-emotional, indecisive and moody child has taken the place of my sweet and easy-going child, she decided she didn’t want to go. After I had signed her up and had begun paying for it.
She would have been leaving on Tuesday with her older sister. On the bus.
Their luggage is supposed to be dropped off on Sunday. THIS Sunday.
And my daughter, after weeks of claiming that she was NOT going. After weeks of arguing back and forth with me that she’d rather be bored and whiny.
She announced today that she’s decided that she is going to go to camp after all. And I need to take her shopping to get all the shit that she needs. So that her luggage can be ready to be dropped off on Sunday.
SIGH.
So it appears that my daughters are going to BOTH be going to camp. Tuesday. Before I leave for Blogher!
BUHBYE!!
OK.
So there is this PR black-out thingamabob controversy going on.
I don’t do a ton of reviews. Well, hardly any at all.
And I don’t do many giveaways. Because it’s too much work and no one pays. It’s not worth it to me. I have a giveaway going on now but I happen to like this PR company. They are awesome and wonderful to deal with.
There is another PR company that I’ll be wooing soon.
At first I thought the black-out was a genius idea. An allocated amount of time in August for bloggers to just be bloggers. No reviews. No giveaways. No nothing. Just getting back to basics and BLOG.
But then I started thinking about this.
It’s not so genius.
You see. The giveaway and review bloggers have made this choice. They aren’t being forced, with any type of weapon to their head (I’m assuming) to do reviews or giveaways. It’s a decision that has been made, while in a fully conscious state. It’s not like they put up the review or giveaway and had this sudden realization that, “holy shit I’m not getting paid!” *forehead slap*
So this black out. It’s sort of, well, silly. Because if you don’t want to review. And if you don’t want to do giveaways. Then…just don’t do it.
The claim is that it’s nothing against any of the PR companies. But is it? Is there, perhaps, a passive-aggressive statement being made?
I’ve started a review blog, which will be launched when I get back from Blogher. I’m fully aware of the fact that my chances of getting paid to review are low. But I still have made this decision that I’m kind of interested in pursuing this. I think it’s neat to get all this stuff. Try it out. And talk about it. The good, bad and UGLY. Because we ALL KNOW I have a bad habit of speaking my mind.
If I get paid…terrific.
But it’s MY decision as to whether or not I’ll review everything that comes my way.
You see I can type, very easily:
Dear PR Company,
No thank you, I’m not interested at this time. But please keep me in mind for future products.
Thank You,
Melissa
XOXO
End ramble.
You should wear your apron at BlogHer, cuz it’s just that cute. Tee hee.
No one has every offered me money to blog, but if they did I certainly wouldn’t turn them away! But I agree, it seems strange to call it a PR blackout if it isn’t PR unfreindly. Seems they could have posed a return for a week to personal blogging only. Or just left it alone, because like you said, people always have the choice to just say no when they want to.
So even though she tortured you, its a good thing she is going, right? Now you know they weill be safe and well while you are off having fun (without me *pout*).
Okay. My daughter, age 10-goingonboardingschoolifherattitudedoesn’tchange, is the same way. Now she was never “easy going”, but holy mood swings batman! There are times I just look at that child and say “please go take a bubble bath. Mommy’s hormones can’t mingle with yours.”
Review blogs? Well, obviously you won’t catch me doing them. I HATED doing reviews for The Experiment’s sites. I wrote 2. I think only one I let them hit publish on. I was used as a “have no other choice will you PLEASE do me a favor” and I (stupidly) would agree. So intimidating.
Plus, I like to think no one gives a darn what I think. Which is why I don’t *really* even promote my own horrible blog!
Things like this almost make me glad I don’t have daughters.
My girl… it wasn’t her. When she reached double digits I went all stupid. Now that she’s weeks away from turning 20, I’m just beginning to get smart again. They will eventually outgrow the pissy kid stage.
Hope the girls enjoy their stay at camp.
I don’t do reviews but I’d love to…and NO BLOCK OUT FOR ME…if they need some one else to do a review I’d love them to come my way. I can understand how it takes up a lot of time and some need a break BLAH BLAH BLAH…much noted then all I got to say is maybe others who want to step into the world of reviews will have an opportunity.
There I said it Thanks NICE POST
Can’t wait to see your new review launch after BLOGHER 🙂
I think my 11 year old son and your 11 year old daughter should meet. They seem to be perfect for each other and have so much in common…over-emotional, indecisive and moody ;o)
Well said:)
I wrote about this tonight myself 🙂
I totally get where you are coming from, and I think that’s the point- no one is forcing people to do reviews. Rallying people against the PR hacks is not going to stop women from over-scheduling themselves and taking on more than they can handle.
Great post. I never understand the “woe is me” attitude some people have about blogging. Write what you want. Don’t write what you don’t want. It”s your blog. End of story.
WIth an approach like that, you’re going to be a natural.
Best of luck with your review blog!
Having taught middle school, I know the age well. Stock up on…. well, whatever elixir gets you through.
I wouldn’t mind the free stuff, but I don’t need the pressure. “What do you mean, I have to do this TODAY!!! It’s not raining and the pool is open!”
But I’m just lazy that way.
My 5-year-old is over-emotional, moody, and indecisive. Does that mean she’ll be better or worse at 11.
I tremble at the thought.
Where are you going to find time to do a review blog ? You are like super woman.. give me some of your powers!!
Well, I’m in favor of a let’s get back-to-basics blogging, so I was totally okay with it, but now I read more opnions about it, I’m a little mixed. I think maybe it comes down to pedantics — had they worded it differently, it would not have sparked such controversy. Maybe? I feel a blog post coming on!
I definitely don’t look forward to that stage. My daughter is not one of those easy going kids, so I fear I’m really in for it.
I love that letter regarding the PR’s. I may have to borrow that. I never know what to say!
So if mine is already a moody snot face do I get an angel in 9-10 years?! WOOT
Me, I like reviews paid or not, trying new stuff that I would never buy otherwise sweet. The blackout thing…GIVE. ME. A. BREAK. I mean who do they think they are? Really they are making no statement, other than they are too chicken shit to say HEY, I don’t want to do some reviews right now but I so appreciate you thinking of my blog as a great vessel for promotion.
I like to blog, bitch, moan, I really don’t even promote my blog….I just go hop on other blogs to read and then they come back….it’s like being an addict and seeing your dealer on occasion. Reviews or not, whatever, if they think they are using me…Muwahahahaha have you seen my blog….yeah, not much to speak of…just a bunch of nutties.