Mood:  sharp

Last night, I got to see the multi-talented David Pogue speak on LSU's campus. I was most excited to see Pogue for his work as a tech columnist for The New York Times. However, he has excelled in other areas, too. He is an Emmy Award-winning tech correspondent for CBS News, a former composer for Broadway musicals, and a Yale graduate. Pretty effing cool, right?

Technically, he came to campus for a Q-and-A. However, he started things off with a little snippet of his life, which I found very interesting. Pogue said he spent 10 years writing Broadway shows that were never produced. Then, a computer program called Finale made its debut. Finale is a program that would write the music you played. While Pogue was familiar with the program, famous composers and pop artists wanted him to teach them how to use it.

Apparently, Pogue's Yale degree gave him a great ability to explain things. So in 2000, The New York Times asked him if he would take over the weekly technology column.

Pogue has no background in journalism. But, after seven months of interviews (ten in total), he was given his column which he still has today—every Thursday, "State of the Art."

Pogue then started blogging (becoming the first New York Times writer to blog) in addition to his column and creating home videos corresponding with his column topic. He was doing all of the extra work for free, until he received an offer from Fox News, and later from CNBC.

Pogue said two things in his discussion that really struck me: 1. "You will have more fun with the campus satire magazine, than with The New York Times." And 2. "I've never called myself a reporter, I write an opinion column...It's been fun and none of it did I plan. I was supposed to be a Broadway guy."

Sigh.

While I do chase the idea of someday being published in The New York Times, I've never thought of it in terms of actually working there. I hope one day I am published in the Modern Love column or my wedding announcement is in the pages or a review for my best-selling book (one can dream, right?). 

So, the fact that Pogue has a steady gig at The Times is a catch-22 for me—like, how the eff did that happen? But then on the other hand, there is this idea now bouncing around in my head that someone with ABSOLUTELY NO journalism background can make it in the writing world (no offense, Pogue). I think I'll go with the latter train of thought.

So yes, I have had some fun writing for the smaller papers and magazines, doing radio, learning web writing...but I'm not giving up on the bigger scheme of things.

To my second point, I simply think it's amazing the turns life takes before we know it. Things happen that we never plan for, and often, I find those are the things that give us the most joy. So cheers for the unknown!

What I took away from Pogue's visit was another something he said about advice he received from one of his professors at Yale. Pogue said he'd never had a B in his life, but one professor would never give him an A. So when he went to him for help, the professor told him "every piece of writing is fundamentally intended to be persuasive." When you think about it, it's true! Pogue says he uses that advice in his work as a critic—for every column he writes, he is on a mission to persuade the reader that he is correct.

Genius.

Pogue answered several questions from the audience (mainly students who obviously had a journalism assignment), but then, to my delight, he sat down at a piano (the first piano ever in the LSU journalism building) and played.

He took songs we all know and changed the words to comment on technology...songs like, "Apps, I did it Again." Pretty funny.

I'm so glad I got this opportunity. Meeting other writers will never cease to amaze me. I love learning about their process, their successes and failures, their ideas. But most of all, I find inspiration that we have so much in common.   

Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, August 30, 2010 7:43 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  bright

In one of my favorite childhood movies, Harriet the Spy (starring Michelle Trachtenberg, based off of the 1964 novel by Louise Fitzhugh), gets chosen to be newspaper editor even after her classmates found and read her spy notebook which contained all sorts of dirt on them. For the first issue of Harriet's paper, she writes a letter from the editor:

"I am on a mission to be a great writer. A good friend once told me that all great writers try to see everything. Okay, here goes: I knew this guy once. He used to be a bajillionaire. Now he rides a bike. Want to know the freaky part? He says the bike's better. Please write in if you think he's lying.

There's a difference between looking at stuff and really seeing it...to really see, you've got to get a closer look. I've noticed that, sometimes, stuff you think is broken forever is actually totally fixable. But some stuff is supposed to fall apart...

For those of you who don't know, a retraction is when a newspaper takes something back. This newspaper would like to retract certain statements in a certain notebook which may have hurt certain people's feelings..."

Well, Harriet M. Welsch is a better woman than I, because here at The Witty Writer empire, we don't do retractions.

Many times throughout my writing career, I've been asked to correct myself because I've pissed someone off. There was the time in high school when I wrote an editorial about the lack of wheelchair accessibility in the building, the time in college when I wrote about greeks being fake (after the infamous DePauw incident) or a lead singer being hot, and the time I spilled my guts on a blog over a 30-Day Breakup Guide.

But, with nearly 500 readers a day, this blog cannot nor will not please everyone. In fact, there is only one person it aims to please:

Me.

Blog: (noun) a website on which an individual or group of users produces an ongoing narrative.

Opinion: (noun) a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.

So for the record, this little collection of writing which I've kept for nearly three years is a blog created using my opinions. I have not, nor will I never, pretend my opinions are facts—I'm not a complete idiot.  

Trust me, when readers (you all) don't like something I've said, you make sure I know it. You leave me comments, you e-mail me (wittywriter7@gmail.com), you call me and you text me.

But I have learned two things about people who disagree with things I write:

1. They are avid readers.

When I wrote a series of columns in college, my dad told me getting a letter to the editor was the biggest compliment. As a writer, of course I want to think everyone reads every word I put down—but let's face facts, people don't read much beyond the first line of an article. So instead of being insulted by a reader ranting off about something I said, it's actually quite flattering. Not only did that person read all that I had to say, they thought about it and felt so strongly over it, they had to let me know in some fashion. Chances are, after a reader spills his/her guts to a writer, they are going to read the next installment to see if the writer acknowledges him/her.

And so a fan is born. What better reason to write than to spark passion?

2. They have nerves—that were just destroyed.

Meet my new writer hero, Michael Hastings. His article, The Runaway General, appeared in Rolling Stone magazine, issue 1108/1109 in late July of this year. 

The article is about Gen. Stanley McChrystal—President Obama's top commander in Afghanistan (at the time). Like most articles in Rolling Stone, this one was raw, leaving no quote off-the-record. After what I assume was a fabulous interview, came the release of McChrystal's true feelings—calling President Obama "uncomfortable and intimidated", sandwiched between childish remarks about Vice President Joe Biden. The article also explores McChrystal's past which is infamous for breaking the rules and ignoring authority.

Only days later, McChrystal was fired for insubordination after his disrespectful remarks about the president and other leaders. Hastings became the most well-known journalist in a matter of seconds—telling the public that nothing McChrystal said was off-the-record.

Yet, less than a month later, Hastings was denied permission to embed with a military unit in Afghanistan.

The truth hurts, doesn't it?

Although embeds are not a right, what does the military have to hide? The fact they can't respect authority or aren't taking things as seriously as they should, perhaps? Oops, touched a nerve on the guilty party. Although everyone has a right to withhold information, what does that ultimately say—no comment.

I've had people say, write, and publish things about me that aren't true. But I don't feel the need to prove anyone wrong—I'm the only one that must be happy with the person I am.

While all comments and complaints are welcome my way, know that I've figured you out. As usual, Shakespeare's Hamlet can explain it better than me: "The lady doth protest too much." The subjects persistent denial of something is an overcompensation for the truth. 

As always, I appreciate all of my readers. But if I'm pissing you off enough, I'm certainly not forcing you to read a damn thing.

"Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away."-Elvis Presley  

Sincerely yours,

Holly A. Phillips

Editor-In-Chief

Witty Writer 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Friday, August 20, 2010 7:42 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  silly

"Like a postcard from the West capturing a moment in time, the sun has fallen; stacking hues of violet and rose provide a backdrop to a trail of horses, trotting in the sand. The dust rises at their hooves, eventually reaching their manes. But this picturesque moment isn't out west, it is off Old Jefferson highway in Prairieville, La."

Late last month, I spent a Friday evening at a barn—partially known as the LSU Equestrian Club stables. A large part of being a writer is actually experiencing what it is you're writing about, or at the very least, being around someone who is participating in what you're writing about. So that Friday evening, I did everything but ride a horse. I pet them, fed them, and nearly rolled in the dust with them.

I watched the ladies in the club run through a typical practice—going over "flat," which is walking, trotting, and cantering; running through jumps, anywhere from one foot to three feet high. It really was something.

Just like Jamie Cullum says, I'm a pointless nostalgic. Being at the stables reminded me of my childhood when I showed horses for 4H at the Bartholomew County Fair. After the barrel races and showing, I liked to watch the riders who rode equestrian style—their uniforms were always so polished and their horses had perfectly braided manes.

The LSU ladies even practiced in their (partial) uniforms, wearing the tailored pants, boots, LSU shirts, and wool helmet. They didn't have to wear the jacket, which thank God, because it was a bajillion degrees outside.

What I admired most about this club (like most) is that they are self-funded. Other universities sponsor their clubs, putting them in top notch uniforms, with horses, a stable, and traveling equipment. LSU, however, doesn't help this club. Some of the women have their own horses, which they pay for themselves ($450/month, just to board them). They travel to competitions on their own—but they are just as great, and often better, than the teams with brass helmets.

The coach impressed me. She is currently earning her PhD at LSU and obviously has that leader personality. She is hoping one day the club will get enough funding to compete at the varsity level and be a part of the SEC. Until then, she said, they must rely on the goodness of the Baton Rouge community.

I sure had a blast hanging out with these ladies, and their horses (Speedy, Tango, CR, Woody, and Moose).

Read my story, and check out the fabulous photo gallery here: LSU Equestrian Club looks forward to competition season.  

Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Friday, August 13, 2010 7:46 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  chillin'

I was surprised when I actually got to set up an interview with him—it was hit or miss with top university officials wanting to do interviews with a student journalist for the student newspaper (the reputation has nearly ruined us for years). 

I was nervous. The topic was a bit controversial—the decision to require freshmen to live on campus. Frankly, I didn't see what the big deal was; I lived on campus my first few years of school and I loved it. But I know the value of having the choice to do what you want, and it definitely was not up to me to make the decision.

When his secretary called me into his office from the waiting room, I was stunned. His office was big and beautiful, filled with cabinets and closets and a grand desk of dark chestnut. I felt like I was in the Oval Office—only in here, the details were different.

There was a picture of him shaking hands with President George W. Bush, right next to a complete spacesuit. There I was, dressed from summer school carrying my trusty yellow steno pad. But our Chancellor, Sean O'Keefe was inviting, and we sat in his sitting area created with an antique couch and tufted chairs. There was a glass bowl of gold and purple chocolates on the table between us.

I had heard about his strong republican connections and his work at NASA—when O'Keefe was hired in the early months of 2005, our community celebrated. Here was a man who was good enough to serve as the Director of National Securities Studies (partnership between Syracuse University and Johns Hopkins University), serve as dean of the graduate school at Penn State University, and held an endowed chair at the Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Of course, he was better known for his work with presidents—serving on two Bush administrations on four different occasions. He served on the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations staff for eight years and was staff director of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee before working for Dick Cheney's (then Defense Secretary) Pentagon management team. 

He joined President Bush's administration as deputy assistant to the president and later as the deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget until 2001, when he became NASA administrator, before coming to LSU.

Our community was certain LSU would become well-known because of O'Keefe, while also raising private funding efforts. But it wasn't long before the public (and internal) support failed O'Keefe.

In August 2006, the LSU system was disappointed in the way individual campuses were being overseen. When System Chief Executive Lombardi was hired in 2007, support shifted from O'Keefe to Lombardi, and it was no secret who the favorite was. A few O'Keefe supporters made their feelings known in ads and letters—to them, there was no valid reason to let O'Keefe go. Afterall, he had done a great job of increasing federal research finances and had improved tenure for LSU professors.

But on January 16, 2008, O'Keefe announced his resignation. In a written statement, he said:

"It is evident to me that LSU needs a campus leader who enjoys the full confidence of the board and the president."

The reason for my interview with O'Keefe that summer of 2007, was about the decision to board freshman. It seemed the higher-ups didn't know who to trust in making it—orignally, the decision was left up to the Chancellor, but when he made up his mind, the board decided they wanted their input. No one was trusting O'Keefe.

"[Jenkins] thought it should go to the board; they wanted the debate to continue," O'Keefe said. "Everyone will get a chance to voice their opinion. It's important to know various opinions of the community."

My article also stated that the board assisting in big decisions was a common procedure and even rejected a claim made by The Advocate on O'Keefe's behalf.

My article ran as planned and, to this day, I stand by it as the best news article I've written.

But my coworkers didn't see it that way. Instead, they sat me down, told me they wanted me to redo the interview with intent to break O'Keefe down—in their minds, O'Keefe was hiding something and I wasn't digging far enough.

Yellow journalism, anyone?

I refused to pollute my integrity, and that of my career as a writer. I have, and always will be, honest in my interviews and the work that comes out of them. I might ask difficult questions or cover controversial topics, but the answer I get is the one I use—it is not for me to decide who is lying to me and who isn't.

I was ashamed that I had worked with these people for years; students who called themselves journalists that were out to bring down our chancellor. It is people like that that have ruined it for us all—made us all out to look like sensational liars.

My article, "Residency Decision Moves to Board," was the last one I wrote for the student paper (read it here). I quit. 

I hadn't thought much about that interview until I arrived at my office Tuesday to hear that O'Keefe and his son were on the plane that crashed into the side of a mountain on its way to an Alaskan fishing trip. The LSU community was waiting on pins and needles to find out O'Keefe's fate. Around 2:30 p.m., just after Sen. Ted Stevens death was confirmed, we got word O'Keefe and his son Keven were two of the four survivors.

Wednesday, it was reported that the O'Keefes were listed in critical condition with broken bones, but are expected to survive. From the news broadcast I heard Wednesday morning, it is a wonder that anyone was able to survive.

It isn't often we get a second chance at life, and it's probably less likely that we get a second chance to speak with the person. While O'Keefe and I certainly don't see eye-to-eye on most things, I am relieved that he gets a second chance at the rest of his life. I'm also relieved that I can write him a letter telling him that he's taught me the same lesson twice, in two very different ways—when you get pushed around, push back.

In the end, we both have the world under our feet.  

Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Thursday, August 12, 2010 7:46 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | View Comments (2) | Permalink

Mood:  flirty

For the August issue of House & Home Magazine, I got the chance to write on a new topic (meaning not kitchens or bathrooms)—rooms for children. For this feature, I wrote about a bathroom, an attic bedroom, a Parisian playroom, and a chic study. 

After completing this assignment, I can say I'm jealous of a few little ankle biters in the state of Louisiana—their rooms are nicer than mine! But nonetheless, I really enjoyed working on this article.

The bedroom/study had to be my favorite. It has bright green apple walls with all white furniture and accessories—including a sculpture of a horse's head. The room is very modern and clean, which was established by using furniture from IKEA. The flooring is actually concrete, but is hidden with a large black and white area rug that compliments the white accessories and fabrics.

The bathroom, in another home, also featured bright green. This bathroom was meant for a brother and sister to share, so the designer had to include both of their likes in it. The sister likes frogs, while the brother has a thing for University of Louisiana, so the bathroom is red and green—but it definitely doesn't look like Christmas.

The walls are lime green, as are the cabinets, but they were washed over with a dark maroon to tone them down. Above the sinks is a large strip of metallic mosaic tiles which include red, green, and other pearlized hues.

The Parisian playroom is really something to see—the details are what make this room come to life. The walls were painted in creme and pink stripes and decorated with turquoise royal crown appliques. There is a large chalkboard on the wall for playing school (something I loved doing as a child), along with canvas paintings of candelabras.

The designer of this room, who is also the child's mother, told me the inspiration for the room came from the fabric used on the window treatments, which featured Paris icons—the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triumphe, etc.  

My favorite part about this room was the wall of cubbies holding pink baskets for toys, and a closet just for dress-up clothes. That is one LUCKY  7-year-old girl.

The attic bedroom was built as a guest bedroom for a set of grandchildren. What amazed me about this room was how many different patterns were used, and it still didn't clash. The whole room is done up in forest greens and creamy whites, with antique furniture, prints and dolls. Aside from all of the unique angles and crevices, you'd never know it was an attic!

While I enjoyed my new assignment, I knew it wouldn't last for long—I am currently on deadline for a kitchen article that will be featured in September. However, the September issue will be my one year anniversary with House & Home. My first article was on kitchens, too—how fitting! 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 11:49 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  not sure

Late last month, LSU celebrated the birthday of its beloved tiger, Mike VI. Our live mascot turned five, not only during the Chinese Year of the Tiger, but also in the same year the university celebrates 150 years of existence. 

Odd coincidence, or is it?

I still have trouble actually calling myself a writer, even though it's what I'm doing nearly every minute of my waking life, and it's what pays my bills and funds my drinking habits. There was never a moment in my life when I had that realization where I told myself—I'm going to be a writer.

The closest I came to that moment was in high school, when I took my first journalism class. I was fortunate enough to get proper training on how to be a good reporter, and how to use those values in my writing (thank you Kim Green and Jim Streisel).

As I move through my life as a writer, I often wonder, does being a writer make be look at things with more meaning, or is that simply who I am—which makes me a writer? I've got the Egg vs. Chicken syndrome. Not that the answer really matters.

When I heard Mike VI's birthday was approaching, I knew the story was perfect for me. As an animal lover, I'm happy to put animals in the best spotlight possible. That goes for any subject I am writing on—I'm never out to make a bad name for someone. However, I do believe in the truth, so if that's the painful part, well then that's not my problem.

I consulted the LSU Vet School for my information, naturally, since they are the ones who care for Mike. They gave me loads of information, I did a few interviews, and wrote my story. I even turned in my draft to the Vet School (which for the record is against my right as a writer) and received very little criticism.

Until that afternoon.

The very same person who gave me the information on Mike was retracting it, saying I brought up the past. The past, which is also the truth, included moments when previous live mascots had not been in PETA-worthy care. Everyone on campus knows the story about one of the Mikes getting out into the street after student pranksters cut his habitat open. 

Frankly, I don't care about that particular instance. That, along with several other paragraphs, were removed from my story by request of the Vet School in defense for PETA.

Honestly, I'm perfectly fine with that. I have no problem being edited and corrected—I may be cocky, but I know I'm not perfect. What I'm not fine with is an interviewee going into a situation expecting the journalist to fail and create a bad reputation just because of my job title.

Much like a chef, if you hand me the wrong ingredients, the final product is going to end up like shit. So give me incorrect information and yes, your prophecy has been fulfilled, I failed.

Who knew a tiger could be so controversial?

The end result was still a celebration of one of my favorite Hoosiers—Mike VI. Happy Birthday!

Read the story here. 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Thursday, August 5, 2010 8:11 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  blue

"Setting aside alone time can be a challenge, even in the privacy of our own homes. Whether big or small, these bathrooms provide a quiet getaway for their homeowners and guests . From the modern Mediterranean escape with an aromatherapy steam shower, and the feminine shimmer in the pretty powder room all the way to the natural spa setup with river stone flooring, the dark tea-stained half-bathroom, and the spacious slate shower, these spaces provide a private oasis."

Aah, thus is the first paragraph of my story, Soaking Up The Surroundings, in the July 2010 issue of House & Home Magazine. Once again, I got to write about bathrooms. I think I say this every time, but really, this group of bathrooms was really amazing—roll a mattress in there and plug in a fridge and I would never leave.

Seriously.

LIMITLESS LUXURY—the first bathroom featured in the story is owned by a gentleman who's home has been featured two other times before: once for his insanely beautiful pool and again for his breathtaking kitchen. This bathroom is nothing short of amazing. Literally, when I saw the first glimpse of it, I said ddddaaaamn!

Designed and decorated in a Mediterranean flair, this is a stunning room. The focal point is a large square tub in clean, white porcelain, surrounded by two columns of yellow travertine (imported from Turkey), weighing 1500 pounds each. The ceiling above the tub was hand painted, raised, and completed with a octogonal chandelier.

Behind the bathtub is a shower/steam room, complete with aromatherapy and teak seats for relaxing. The shower floor is a tiled mosaic of yellow travertine, while the walls are all honey onyx.

HINTS OF GLIMMER—While this bathroom isn't as large as the first, I love the feminine qualities it features. The walls are painted in a faux finish, using a light color palette. My favorite parts about this bathroom are the crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the room, along with the glass bowl sink with textured swirls.

GRANDEUR APLENTY—The third home features a powder room, along with a bathroom. The powder room is simply a small room under a staircase that has an antique chest with a sink. Above it is an immaculate mirror, flanked by candlesticks. The best part about the powder room is the wallpaper—a shimmery olive background with a damask silvery turquoise print. The baseboards are taller than usual, which looks very chic.

The highlight of the master bathroom in this home is definitely the shower, which has a commercial grade steamer along with three body sprays. My favorite part of the shower is the entry: a double set of frameless glass doors.

NATURAL ELEMENTS—Although this bathroom is only 45-square feet, it looks much larger because the space was used so efficiently. The shower wall is a frameless piece of glass, which opens the room up, instead of sectioning it off with a tub or a shower curtain. The counter with the sink was custom built, made from stained concrete in a curved shape to provide more room to move. The bowl sink sits atop the counter, in colored glass. The coolest part about this bathroom is the flooring, which is made up of pebbled-tile.

DAY & NIGHT—This home had two bathrooms, one decorated in white marble and the other with dark, tea-stained elements. The white bathroom featured a large jacuzzi tub, surrounded in white marble tile with black granite inlays. The walls are a faux-finished cream, matching the marble.

The half-bathroom had tea and tobacco-stained walls, that appear endless as their seaming is curved into the ceiling—no sharp edges. The chandelier, mirror, and chest are all finished in dark stains.

For the upcoming August issue of House & Home Magazine, I completed a feature on children's rooms, which includes a bathroom, a study nook, a playroom, and a bedroom. Completing this assignment made me wish I was a kid again (as if I didn't already).  

Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:38 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, July 19, 2010 12:39 PM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  accident prone

Last night, I got the opportunity to spend some time with the LSU cycling club. To say they are an interesting bunch would be a severe understatement—I might even say they are just a little bad ass. 

In May, a member of the club was involved in a hit-and-run accident on a road designated for bike training. The member, and LSU graduate student, was hit during his morning ride, and thrown into a ditch, where he was left for fellow cyclists to find him minutes later.

As a team, the members sat with his family in the hospital, awaiting answers—he suffered life-threatening injuries and needed blood. But he lived. Something the club didn't think would happen.

Days after the accident, local police found the vehicle they were looking for. However, the owner of the vehicle wasn't driving his car that morning. Thankfully, the guilty party surrendered—the manager of a popular restaurant right off campus.

In the meantime, the cycling club threw together a benefit and a blood drive for their friend, resulting in $5600 toward his medical bills and 125 units of blood in his name—an amount the local blood center had never seen from one group.

While the team has gone through its ups and downs in terms of membership, they are on a high right now with 35 members, 15 of which are active competitors.

Although the club members are certainly a jovial bunch, it seems they are always warding off a stigma. They are pushing for people to know that they simply love riding bikes. They don't compete all the time, they are in the club mainly for social reasons, and they will follow the rules of the road as long as motorists do, too.

When we met last night for our photo shoot, I was surprised to see just how close all of them are. And they are a diverse group at that; breaking the cyclist stereotype left and right.

For the shoot, the photographer and I designed a route that would be the most scenic—around the lakes, through campus, and back to the road where the accident occurred. With the photographer in the back of my car, I had 10 cyclists following me at 10 miles an hour. From the outside, I'm sure it looked silly, but what came of it was amazing—photos that capture a team who loves to ride, while being among friends.

It's been awhile since I've written a feature for LSU, and I'm glad I could come out of the gate with one about a dynamic group of students.

To the LSU cyclists, thank you for reminding me why I love to write. I promise to always leave you three feet of space on the road.  

Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Friday, July 2, 2010 10:37 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  bright

I'm really up on my blogs these days, and i hope you all can keep up with me! I discovered a new blog by recommendation of one of my FAVORITE blogs (http://www.2birds1blog.com). 

Meet "I Hate My 9 to 5" {http://ihatemy9to5.com/} 

This is an anonymous collection of horror stories from the workplace. Think of it as sort of an, eff my life—work edition. And boy, is it hilarious.

Let me give you an example.

June 23, 2010:

Today my boss called me to go over and pick apart a simple spreadsheet I had created line by line just to make me feel stupid. She asked me questions that she knew I knew the answers to. I hate her.

And another.

June 11, 2010:

Email from our unpaid intern...

"Hey man to be honest with you I partied too much this weekend and I got sick. I'm feeling like shit. I don't think I'll make it in tomorrow, but I should definitely be feeling better by Thursday. Hope all is well"

And one more, just for good measure.

April 2, 2010:

Exactly at 2pm, I place one hand on my keyboard, on hand on the mouse, skillfully position my head and take a nice hour nap in my cubicle. Most days, I wake up and my screen saver is on...I'm sure some passing by has witnessed this very natural activity.

Do you love it, or do you love it? What are your work horror stories? 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Tuesday, June 29, 2010 9:10 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink

Mood:  crushed out

Recently, I stumbled across a blog that really tickles my fancy. It's created by Wordpress and titled "Here's the Problem." The blog was created by two ladies, Lisa and Kara, two 20-somethings who work in Los Angeles' entertainment industry. 

Each entry is short, but very funny. The entries follow the same format—they name a problem, usually something pop culture-related, and then list the "actual" problem.

Par example. Yesterday's entry:

"Here's the problem: Vienna and Jake broke up (I know people, I was shocked too). And Vienna has not wasted any of her precious time telling her story to the media. She even managed to call Jake a 'fame whore.' Classy.

Actual problem: Jakey boy may be a fame whore but you, Vienna are justa plain ole' whore."

This touches my heart.

The ladies do their fair share of blogging about Jersey Shore, Lindsey Lohan, and they even have a few entries on The Hills. 

Check it out at: http://herestheproblem.wordpress.com/ 

Posted by wittywriter7 at 9:33 AM CDT

Updated: Friday, June 25, 2010 9:41 AM CDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink