wishbone clover

A White Girl Goes to Blogalicious

The Clever Girls at Blogalicious. Obviously I'm the one on the right, Sheila on the left and Stefania in the middle. Photo credit: Leiticia Barr

Last week I attended the fantastic Blogalicious Conference in Atlanta, GA. It was definitely one of the best blogging conferences I've ever been to, in terms of size, connecting with like-minded women and all-around organization.

And to think, I almost didn't go.

You see, Blogalicious 09 was the first blogging conference for women of color, and while I am many things, including colorful, I am as white as you can get.

So why did I attend?

Well, when my Clever Girls Collective partner (and BFF) Stefania suggested that we attend, I have to admit that my first thought was that there wasn't a place for me at the conference, and I questioned whether or not I should go.

But then at BlogHer during the Ford Factory Field Trip, I met the delightful MamaLaw Justices Fergie, Ny and Jonesie, the women who organized Blogalicious. And I heard that my buddies Heather B. and Renee J. Ross would be there. And I'd see Carol, my Uptake.com travel writing colleague. And new friends Mommy Niri and Letiticia/TechSavvyMama were going.

Not to mention that my other Clever Girls partner, Sheila would be there, and Stefania was giving the opening remarks!

I decided to go because so many people I respect and care about would be there. How could I miss such a good party?

October: All About Boobs

Hey, in case you're blind to the color pink, here's a reminder that it's Breast Cancer Awareness month. Please do a self-exam, and if you're 40 or over, schedule a mammogram.

No, it's not going to be the best feel up you've ever had, but it could save your life. I did it and lived to tell the tale over at 40whatever.

Look, I know you're avoiding and putting it off. We all do! I "forgot" to make my appointment for almost a whole year! Just remember that it's worth the effort, because if you have breast cancer lurking in your tatas, early detection can save your life.

And hey, if you really don't feel like even doing a self-exam, chances are there's someone around who wants lend a hand and grab your sweater puppies. Everyone loves touching boobs!

Grab your melons for health!

I Miss Maude, Too

Props to the brilliant as usual Go Fug Yourself Girls for posting the link to this priceless video of Bea Arthur as Carrie Bradshaw.

Thanks for the memories Maude. We miss you.

(Yes, that's Sally Struthers, Katherine Hellman and Mrs. Garret from the Facts of Life.)

Yeah, I'm Turning 40. Whatever.

In May I turn 40. My BFF Stefania hits the delightful mammogram milestone in October.

We've been talking about how to celebrate -- visit to Paris, do yoga in New Mexico where we can engineer an accidental meeting with Val Kilmer, or see Barry Manilow twice in one month.

Oh, wait, we did the Barry thing last year, so maybe this year we can meet Cher. Or Stevie Nicks. Whatever antics we come up with, of course we'll write about it, because that's what we do.

Obviously that means we need another blog. Say hello to 40 Whatever.

Weighing in on the "Jessica Simpson is Fat" Thing

This is my professional style writer opinion: People, get a clue!  J-Simp is a curvy girl with terrible taste in clothes.

But let's get one thing straight, Jessica's not fat, she's stacked.

She's been through the "high-waist-mistake fat wringer" before. For an illustration, please see the photo above from The John "I'm A Tool" Mayer Era.

Perhaps this time will teach her to donate all -- yes, Jessica all -- of her high-waisted pants to Goodwill or Dress for Success. This style will always look bad on her, no matter how much/poorly she accessorizes.

Leaving aside her wardrobe shortcoming, there is not a (straight) guy out there who wouldn't be pumped to hang out in a hot tub with a bikini wearing Jessica, right now. They might request ear plugs, to avoid hearing her inane chatter, but she would score high on any T&A assessment.

To summarize: say all you want about her clothes, but leave her ass alone.

Recovering from BlogHer

I just spent the past four days at the BlogHer conference hanging out with a bunch of cool women who like to overshare online. Some I met online first, so now I always think of them by their aliases, like Sassafrass, Xiaolin Mama, and bossy, and others I met IRL before reading them like Glennia, Charlene, and Danielle. And of course I was joined at the hip to my BFF Stefania, aka the famous Citymama who had a book signing during the conference! I'm so proud of her!

All wicked smart, and good writers, and everyone is incredibly supportive, even when it's a bad idea, like getting two drinks at once.

My favorite part was that Stefania stayed with me for the whole long weekend. She sums up the conference perfectly, like she always does. Also, that's a picture of her saying "shit," on camera. In a pink Momocrats trucker hat. How fucking cool is she? Love it!

All My Best Homies Count Cookies By The Sleeve

Recently  I had a "get to know you" coffee with a potential freelance client. This woman and I had chatted about our shared love of macaroons from Miette, an incredible French bakery at the Ferry Building, so we met there and got a cookie to nibble with our hot drinks.

The macaroon was delicious, and I had to force myself to eat it politely, in small bites instead of one big gulp. I was about to gleefully confess this to my new acquaintance when she said, "The one cookie is perfect! It's all I need for the whole day!"

No wonder she's so damn skinny, I thought.

How Mariah, Madonna, Gwyneth, Janet, et al Lost 20 lbs.

They never eat.

THE END.

Now Voyager, Rescue Porn For The Pudgy

I thought he was a tool in Casablanca, but Paul Henreid, and his cigarettes, are irresistible in Now Voyager.

There is a possibility that I suffer from former-smokeritis, and the attraction is nostalgia for the halcyon days of indoor smoking. I prefer to believe it has more to do with his safely exotic accent and wavy hair.

Now, Voyager turns up every time I'm home alone or channel surfing after Chief crashes for the night. Each time I am enthralled as he towers over Bette Davis and her crisp diction.

This is the fantasy of every pudgy girl with glasses. Escape from the daily pain of existence in the form of a "nervous illness" which requires a trip to the country, away from your troublesome family. Ah, the lure of a sanatorium rest-cure.

Purse Meme

Thank you BFF Stefania for tagging me with the Purse Meme. Just what wishbone clover needs: yet another post where I provide specific examples of how crazy I am. Yay! A million pictures and more detail than necessary after the jump.