Behold, the Memphis accent
One of the many projects I've been working on recently is a set of discussions called Momversations with a group of other lovely mothers including Maggie and Alice and Rebecca. Once or twice a week we all sit down by ourselves in our own homes across the country and talk into a camera about a different topic, and in the last month we've covered pregnancy weight gain, balancing work and motherhood, celebrity gossip, and sex after baby. Sometimes this can be weird because I'm always in the room by myself talking to this little piece of electronic equipment, and if you were standing on the other side of the door you would totally think I was talking to myself. Not that creepy when I'm discussing the grocery budget (maybe a little bit), but it did seem inappropriate to talk to a tiny machine about my vagina. Let's be honest, there's a time and a place for that kind of disclosure, and that place is on a blog in front of hundreds of thousands of strangers.
I didn't know what to expect when I signed up for this, and fortunately everything about the experience has been really pleasant. Everything except for having to put on make-up several times a week. I know, that's a total First World complaint, how about I amputate a couple of my limbs or have a giant tree fall through my living room and then see how much work it is to whip on some lip gloss. It's just that the first trimester of pregnancy has stripped me of all sense of vanity and decency, and I've had to reshoot more than one video because of an accidental fart. When I'm applying mascara all I can think about is how I could be better spending that time eating pie.
Here's a sampling of the videos, you can see all of them over at the Momversation website:
Mommy, where do babies come from?
Losing the Baby Weight
Why Do We Care About Suri Cruise?
Sex After Baby
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Daddy Scratches said:
You mommies with your "Mommy Blogs" and "Momversations" ... you kinda give this Daddy Blogger vagina envy ... sort of. You know, like, except for the part where babies come out of them.
12.04.08 - 02:51 PM / 1Kristan said:
FIRST! But probably not really...
12.04.08 - 02:51 PM / 2Kristan said:
Ah see? I knew it was too good to be true. Oh well. :P
I vote that next time you choose pie over mascara, and eat it in front of the little machine, and it's okay if you fart, We the Internet will still love you.
Excuse me while I go find out why indeed we care about Suri Cruise...
12.04.08 - 02:52 PM / 3Momma Ruth said:
I love the momversations! They're so funny - and much like I do when reading this website - I sit there nodding my head going "Yesss! That's exactly it!" outloud. A perfect addition to a wonderful website! Love 'em!
12.04.08 - 02:54 PM / 4Wendy said:
I have been a big fan of dooce since summer. Not very long I know. But I've been busy being a Mom and surfing and now blogging myself. I have to say I've been enjoying the momversation vids. They're short and funny. I've been wondering why they don't seem to have a huge following because the vids definitely have some huge advertisers. I'm not sure if the claim as the most outspoken Mommy bloggers is true, but I do know they are the most savvy. More power to them.
12.04.08 - 02:55 PM / 5Ames said:
I'm totally addicted to the Momversation series. They are always so freakin' funny. And the southern accent... I have it too. Except I don't say "CROWN" for those little things you color with.
12.04.08 - 02:59 PM / 6Elizabeth said:
I love the momversation videos!!!
12.04.08 - 03:02 PM / 7Autumn said:
I left all my farts in my pregnancy videos... gives 'em character.
12.04.08 - 03:05 PM / 8Marisa said:
Okay seriously, I am not a mommy, and certainly not a mommy blogger, but your website cracks me the hell up. You tell it like it is and I love that.
This?
I've had to reshoot more than one video because of an accidental fart.
..is kickass.
12.04.08 - 03:05 PM / 9kbreints said:
What a great idea!
12.04.08 - 03:05 PM / 10robyn said:
I loooove Momversation! And what a great title for them...
12.04.08 - 03:05 PM / 11AmyH said:
awesome. I loved the conversation about post-partem s-e-x.
12.04.08 - 03:06 PM / 12Kelly said:
I love the momversations. I also think it's really neat to find out what some of my favorite bloggers sounds like. The southern accents always trip me out.
12.04.08 - 03:06 PM / 13Rebecca said:
Momversations indeed! Let's all be dooshbag Moms together! And then brilliant, creative moms on...those other days. Oh, the beauty of bearing souls.
12.04.08 - 03:12 PM / 14Heidi Renée said:
I'm not a mom, and I love the Momversations!
12.04.08 - 03:12 PM / 15Phoo-D said:
I love the video component! When I read your blog I hear a voice in my head since you write in first person. But now I can have your voice in my head! Hmmm...that maybe a bit concerning...=)
12.04.08 - 03:13 PM / 16lily said:
Memphis? You're from Memphis? *sigh* I lived there for 10 years myself. I just read that in your About section when I read the title of this post! Very cool.
12.04.08 - 03:14 PM / 17Brandy in Canada said:
Love the momversations, even though I'm not a mom or a mom to be.
It's actually a bit scary how many "mommy blogs" I read for someone without children.
12.04.08 - 03:20 PM / 18Kim in Alaska said:
Has anyone ever told you how much you look like Cameron Diaz? Seriously!
12.04.08 - 03:21 PM / 19Jack & Jill Put Up A Blog said:
Very cool. I have been watching them. I dig 'em for sure. I understand about the pain in the arse of getting ready, being a work from home person too. I am sitting here, freezing, in slippers with a blanket wrapped around my waist like a bath towel. Lovely.
12.04.08 - 03:22 PM / 20Raychelle said:
Not a mommy, not even close to being a mommy, but I totally get excited when a new momversation shows up in my reader. I like to think of it as gathering information for when I do decide to grow up & have a child. Or I'm just a big dork...either way :)
12.04.08 - 03:22 PM / 21Caitlin said:
I've been watching the momversations since the first one. I find it sort of..grotesquely fascinating? Especially since I have no children of my own. I've enjoyed them all!
12.04.08 - 03:25 PM / 22Just Me... the Crazy Rancher's Wife said:
I laughed right out loud while I read your description of talking about your vagina to the little webcam and that any passerby would think you were talking to yourself... strangely enough, I could envision myself doing the same thing, only my family wouldn't think twice about it... me? talking to myself? They would just shake their heads and think, "there she goes again"...
What does that say about me?
Love your blog- think I'm here to stay!
12.04.08 - 03:26 PM / 23repliderium.com said:
I vote that you eat pie WHILE you talk! I think stuff like this could be a valuable resource for moms- particularly new ones. (I don't count, my kids all have 4 legs & not in that cool Indian goddess sort of way)Just regular woman talking about stuff that happens. I like it!
12.04.08 - 03:26 PM / 24Emily said:
I completely heart the Memphis accent because, ah--I have the exact same one. Though, since I'm still in Memphis as we speak, I think mine is still a bit more intact. :-) Keep it up. Pregnant with my first baby, and your blog is making it even more fun!
12.04.08 - 03:28 PM / 25Becky said:
I don't know what on my computer keeps the videos from loading. Sometimes I can see them, sometimes not. Even as a non-mother, I think it's a good addition to your blogs.
12.04.08 - 03:30 PM / 26Ava's Nanny said:
Love the momversation sidebar.
hehehe, fart.
even the word is secretly funny if you're sleep deprived.
12.04.08 - 03:32 PM / 27Elisha said:
I love the momversations and I'm not a mom! I'll even watch the episodes that you're not in! :)
Your blog is great! I was introduced to it a couple years ago though I have remained quiet. I will say that I've yet to curse you, even to myself.
Leta is beautiful and congrats on the new baby! Can't wait to read about the new adventures!
12.04.08 - 03:34 PM / 28Leilani said:
Well, I may a *little* bias, but I love the "Memphis" accent!
I have gotten away with so many things in my life just by opening my mouth and allowing that Southern twang to roll.
:-) :-) :-)
Love, love, love the Momversations and this blog!
I'm so hooked.
Good job!
Leilani
12.04.08 - 03:34 PM / 29Broke But Still Drinking said:
I talk to my computer but there is no camera so that gets a little weird.
12.04.08 - 03:35 PM / 30