Who can name the movie I just quoted?
While you are thinking about it or web searching (aka cheating), allow me to introduce myself. I’m Veronica and I have a somewhat neglected blog called Viva la Feminista. But don’t let that fool ya, I’m a writing machine! haha…I contribute to Kenneth Cole’s AWEARNESS blog, Girl w/Pen and WIMN’s Voices. You might also recognize me as the woman holding a mic on page 3 of the current issue of Ms. magazine. I’m a mom blogger. Not mommy cause as a friend of mine says, “Only my daughter calls me mommy.” And really, my 6-year-old daughter calls me “mama”.
Thanks to Jill for inviting me over here for a summer guest blogging appearance. I’ve been reading Feministe since its infancy, so it’s an honor to be asked to vacay over here for two weeks. I don’t have a plan on what to write on over here, so enjoy the blogging salad I’m about to throw at you.
But today I want to share with you a story about mom bloggers, swag and how we are using it for good.
You might have read or heard stories coming out of Blogher 2009 about the amount of free shit that was given out. Companies have set their targets on mom bloggers (ok, certain demographically appropriate ones) for this free stuff in the hopes that we are so grateful we’ll write about it and you all will run out and buy it. One of my dear friends, Self-Made Mom, came home and decided to auction her swag pile on eBay:
so in a moment of materialistic Zen, I decided to do something a little rash (for me at least.) I’m auctioning it all off on eBay for charity (The Chicago Abortion Fund.) If you’re pissed you didn’t get Crocs (which aren’t in the bag, btw because I knew I wouldn’t wear them although they looked comfy), or you really want that Little Giraffe neck pillow, or you’re yearning for some more zip drives, PLEASE BID.
The auction is over and the winning bid was $182.50. Isn’t that awesome? A small bag of freebies will have a new home and CAF will have a nice new donation. I hear that someone might be rounding up that check to $300, which is CAF’s average sized grant.
And honestly that’s why I blog. To get my ideas out into the world, connect with others and see what we can do. Self-Made Mom told me nothing of her plan until it was already in motion. And yes, part of my grand scheme is to do that in the momosphere. I do believe that our fierce desire to see justice in this world on behalf of our children is a force that needs to be better harnessed. I also believe that we’re getting there…one blog at a time.
Comment policy: If it offends me it’s gone. I try to have a high tolerance for debate, but personal attacks on me or others will not be tolerated.
As for the quote? Charlotte’s Web.