Let's see... what have I been up to?
I bought the website I once worked for, www.EatJax.com.
I'm selling my house to move closer to my big kids' dad.
I have written lots of things.
Oh... and I made a movie!
I'd like to also give a shoutout to Linnnn - I visited the movie making site because of a movie I saw that she made on her blog. It's not her fault I twisted it for my own sick purposes, however.
I know, it's evil, childish, I'm ugly and my mother dresses me funny. Blah, blah, blah. I should be ashamed of myself. Don't stifle my artistic self-expression! Meh!
I bought the website I once worked for, www.EatJax.com.
I'm selling my house to move closer to my big kids' dad.
I have written lots of things.
Oh... and I made a movie!
I'd like to also give a shoutout to Linnnn - I visited the movie making site because of a movie I saw that she made on her blog. It's not her fault I twisted it for my own sick purposes, however.
I know, it's evil, childish, I'm ugly and my mother dresses me funny. Blah, blah, blah. I should be ashamed of myself. Don't stifle my artistic self-expression! Meh!
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Ryan Soberg
Colony of Losers
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Linnnn
vanessa seijo
Salon.com
Comments
Nick - Thank you!
That's it in a nutshell eh!
This made my decade.
Is it OK if I laugh my ass off?
Rock on.
Uh.... rated?
Too much. :-D
I had entirely too much fun doing this.
I'm sure I'll catch hell for it, but I couldn't resist.
We all have our weaknesses.
wicked girl. so wicked.
I will live blog to your film blog:
(must I discuss my va jay jay?)
(I am no suckup)
(but I am a poopy head for sure)
(I am stifled. or stiffed*.)
*stiff isn't always bad. turgid is downright nice.
(but that's sexstuff. and I will be regarded with disgust.)
(I had nice things but then I got a puppy)
you are definitely funnier than I thought you to be. as such, you are missed. are you back? did you go? hello. (goodbye?)
congrats on the acquisition and selling of the home. **
I miss you soooo much here! I hope only good bacon-flavoured* things are happening to you.
*spelled the British way just for you.
It's like a tiara, but my pants are still on.
OS is just lonely sexless middle-aged women? This is not fair. There is no way whatsoever that I can comment on that, joke about it, make witty reference to it, or decry it in any way shape, or form without instantly totally destroying myself like that guy in Hurt Locker. Which was directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who is probably never lonely, and very talented, like all of the women, middle-aged or not, here on this OS, the best of all possible worlds. Even for us guys. Who are here, too. Holding up our alternatively plumbed, lonely middle-aged end.
Seriously, you identify a very serious paradox about satisfying everyone or anyone on OS when we choose what to write about and it even seems to be meta-ish. Seriously.
Which is totally not the fault of the editors. Hi, Judy.
I think I'll go be a poopyhead without a community.
I'm glad you guys like it. Someone needed to give the steam pressure valve a thump around here.
Jodi, this is BRILLIANT!
Rated
Curse you Jodi!!!
And SHAME on you for the meta post!
-R-
So true, and yet, I still love it.
Blumenthal - But you can.
Blumenthal - But you can.
You totally rock, you mean girl. Congrats on buying the website. Wishing you MUCH success.
And the Big Bopper is a hamburger you can buy in Dollywood.
http://www.mysmokymtnvacations.com/content/view/61/1/
I poked around eatjax.com for a while yesterday and have it bookmarked. I like it. Congratulations!
Jodi, you have skewered this place like a Turkish Shish Kabob. Absolutely pee your pants brilliant.
I'm.so.lost...
I.think.I.put.names.to.it.and.shouldn't.have?
sorry.
*bows.out
The movie software product provides the voice but I am very familiar with the cadence and language you use for one of these characters. This was targeted to cause emotional pain and you succeeded.
You are a gifted writer and commentator.
You were also mean as hell and not because you don't want to take part in a social network. You should not have to. However, standing on the sidelines in the gym snarking at those who do choose to play or because the do not choose to rely exclusively on their intellect and writing skill is as unattractive and mean as it was in eighth grade. Jodi I was that girl in the eighth grade. I grew out of it.
Why haven't you?
It seems there is some question to my personality, maturity or sanity so – I’m just going to get this all out there in the open so that my vicious “cruelty” (not to mention Oscar contender for Best Meta Post EVER) can be properly understood. I respect you enough to not put this out there in a comment, though you didn’t mind repeating what you said to me in public, as well as trying to shame and scold me before I was allowed to give you an explanation. If that continues, I will be more than happy to post what I am about to tell you on Facebook and in the comments of my movie on OS. That’s not a threat, that’s me being fair to myself for once, rather than allowing anyone to shame me into silence.
This is actually an apology. You may think I might apologize for that movie, but actually, it is an apology for not doing this sooner.
First of all, that video was not just about Patricia. It was a commentary on what Open Salon can be and what it is. I’m not going to do the tired “pining for the old days” thing that so often happens. I’m going to explain how and why I did what I did and why I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner.
I was friends with Patricia. As you know, I have met her in real life twice. She has been to my home, I have cooked for her, she has met my family and held my babies. We have talked on the phone and I once drove five hours to be with you, her and other OSers. I believed that the leadership she displays on this website was about helping writers. I believed she was my friend and everyone else’s.
I started backing away after I saw things that made me believe she was manipulating people. I did talk to her on the phone when I wrote “Equal Rights for Men.” That was a scary time for me. I got a phone call from a woman who said my house should be burned down and I should be raped and beaten to see what it felt like. Two weeks later, someone called Child Protective Services. I got a phone call from a very nice case worker who knew it was some whackadoodle, just to warn me. Patricia was very helpful during that time. In fact, she’s ALWAYS helpful. Until she’s not.
As her leadership became pushier, I backed away further. This past summer, I got really busy with EatJax and my children. There was a lot of illness in our family with a brother-in-law fighting liver failure (he just got his transplant Tuesday) and The Man’s father having a heart valve replaced and being treated for colon cancer. I was busy. I didn’t comment much on ANYONE’s stuff. That’s when the emails started.
“Why aren’t you reading me?” or worse “Why are you rating and not commenting?” and “What do you have against me?” My best friends, Annie and Barry (1_Irritated_Mother & bbd) got the same emails. When she figured out we were in communication offsite, we were grouped together. 1_Mom has five children, including a set of preschool aged twins. Barry has a new book out, one in the pipe and his own family health issues, like everyone else. The emails got accusatory. We were “using” the site without “giving back to the community” and at one point, all three of us received an email accusing us of a “campaign of freezing her out.” I assured her that it wasn’t the case, but her pushing soon made that EXACTLY what happened. As you can imagine, I don’t like being told what I “should” or “have” to do. Barry and Annie aren’t really hip to that either.
The summer wore on and the emails got worse. In the fall, there was a lot of whispering behind the scenes about O’Really. “Everyone” knew that it was Patricia. I didn’t believe it – not because I trusted her, but because I didn’t think Floyd would have lied about her being his sister. I was told as early as October and I didn’t give a shit. Here’s a newsflash: just about everyone has an alter. At the end of October, I sent her a message and told her that I was embroidering kitchen towels for the folks I had met in real life. I wanted to know what color kitchen she had and what she’d like on it.
This is what I got back (It specifically says I can share it with others and I have left out the parts she told me in confidence. I’m not a complete bitch – some parts are missing.)
“There is plenty more that is not worth wasting my time writing about or discussing but I will say that I am more mindful now than ever that I need some love and care and it's not my job to take care of everyone else. I have felt alienated by many of my OS friends who never bother to read my posts and when people see me post a comment that says "I was here", it's my way of reminding them that I still respect them enough to visit them even if they do not feel (for whatever reason) to do the same with me. If that stings a little to read, please don't feel alone; feel free to share THIS part of my email with Barry and Ann. I have been mystified by what has felt like a deliberate absence from the three of you and am willing to speak about it now that I am putting it all out there.
Sorry for the dump, but I have felt more than beaten up for the past few months and have learned a lot along the way. I appreciate your wanting to do something for me for xmas but I own enough (too much) as it is. I would ask for a little more love and respect from people who I care about and love. This includes you.
In fact, I wish this for everybody.
Much love to you, Phoenix and the kids.”
I was appalled. I wrote back and told her I was sorry she felt that way and told her AGAIN that it’s not a campaign of terror, just that no one has the time. I sent her a Christmas card anyway. I’ve spent most of my life scared to death of pissing anyone off. I’ve had some wicked good therapy since then and I figured out that if I stick up for myself and speak my truth, I’m okay. I declared my independence with my New Year’s resolutions post.
I was asked to do a “best of” wrap up by Judy. I did it and I had a choice – just put it up and let it stand, or call everyone’s attention to the fact that “Teacher’s Pets” got asked to do it. I chose not to say, “I’m so special that I got asked by the editor to do this.” It was a lose-lose and I knew it. We had been working on another meetup, so I sent her a note, since I hadn’t spoken to her since she left the site one day after her tea towel email. I told her if she wasn’t comfortable with me coming, she was welcome to meet up with the others and I would sit it out. When the shit hit the fan on the “best of” posts, Patricia called.
She said she didn’t think there was any issue between us and it was fine for the meetup. Then she proceeded to give me all sorts of advice about sorting out the “best of” business. Of course, I should have handled that differently.
Little did I know that that very night, the private messages and emails would start.
Slowly at first, then growing steam, I was receiving forwarded messages, sometimes without comment with Patricia’s plan to bring about a “coup d’état” on OS. There would be a premade “cover as it should be” and everyone would simultaneously flood the feed with posts of that image to “send a message” to Judy Berman that the masses were displeased. Some of the messages didn’t even have the coup idea there. Just messages talking about how I had “failed” when it came to the lists and how pathetic I was. This wasn’t from one person, this was from NUMEROUS people.
I was devastated. I had tried SO hard to make everyone happy. OS was dead for me then. I had participated in a LOT of the meme stuff. Especially when we were all getting to know each other, I think it was great. Once every few weeks we’d play a little game, your interview an os’er, your life in 100 words, Annie even did “Best Sexy Songs” once.
Then the memes got closer and closer together. It seemed there was always something to do. I didn’t have time. I went down to just posting about food. I was ashamed when I would read, “I respect Jodi as a writer, but I’m sick of seeing her on the cover.” I spent more time defending my right to be here than actually writing.
The ONLY time I have ever been critical of someone else’s work here (I’m sure you remember the Plath dust up of a few weeks ago), I was characterized as a “mean girl” even though my reputation here was previously as the biggest ass kisser there was. I caught hell for being “too nice” – smoochie woochie!) but now I was a judgmental bitch. Knowledge and experience are seen as elitism here now. No one is allowed to have expertise. Everyone is just as smart and educated as everyone else. Everyone wins and everyone gets a trophy.
Finally, in March, my professional site was spam bombed with “Get your own cover” over and over. I had received threats like this in pms by pawn heads before. “Stop blowing Thomas for covers” or “Go write on your own site or you won’t have one.” I won’t even mention the nonsense that happens out in the open.
I bought the site I used to work for last week. Now, I don’t have to worry about getting fired if I speak my mind, cause a problem or have a little spam issue. So, I decided to come on back because I had something to say about the Senate Finance Committee. I opened up the site for four days in a row and it was FLOODED with NOTHING but memes. I had been scolded and lectured by Patricia more times than I could count about my “responsibilities” to the community. Yet, this is what the “community” has become. One person who pm’ed me today said, “The Chicken Soup for the Soul rabbit hole.” Forget all that for a moment – how many times have YOU heard, “So-and-so never comments on other people’s work. They just come and collect their EP and leave.”
Why shouldn’t they? The place has devolved to the point that no one WANTS any sort of criticism or constructive advice. The whole site wants to be petted and congratulated for just showing up!
I love this place, and God help me, I loved Patricia. But, for fuck’s sake, people shouldn’t have to follow the other lemmings – if you have something to write about, don’t wait for the latest dust up to blow over, don’t wait until “Economic Sunday” - just write it. Don’t EVER let ANYONE make you feel guilty about not participating. I have been made to feel guilty over and over and OVER. I am so fucking sick of being scolded for not playing along it’s RIDICULOUS.
I have absolutely no right to tell anyone what they should or shouldn’t write. BUT NEITHER DOES ANYONE ELSE. I got no less than FIFTEEN emails from people yesterday saying that they totally agreed with my movie, but they were AFRAID to rate it or comment. What are we, TWELVE? Find YOUR passion, display YOUR talent, speak YOUR truth. Be honest. I wasn’t for so damn long.
I toed the line, kissed the right asses and made the right friends. I did what I was told and this is what it got me. You don’t have to listen to me. I’m just a bit player in this dramatic little site. “But, Jodi! Isn’t this YOU telling us what to write?” Nope. Don’t care. I’m telling you why I did what I did. I have no right to tell you what to write and I’m absolutely certain that someone can dig up something I said or did that would shame the hell out of me. I’ve talked shit about people here behind their backs just like everyone else. I WAS mean to some people, though I never did it to their faces. I got tired and I DID just post my stuff, collect my EP and go home. I have no doubt that the next step is someone publishing every bad thing I ever did or said in public or in private.
I had something to say yesterday. If you look around OS and like what you see, then by all means, keep on keepin’ on. But, I’ve listened to everyone bitch about how we “chosen people” got all the glory. Well, most of the “chosen people” sailed for clearer skies a long time ago. Now the site is yours. Make it what YOU want it to be. But, I will not be bullied. That movie was just as much about what EVERYONE is making OS into than it is about Patricia.
Through it all, I don’t think she is a bad person. I’m sad that she chose to use me as an example of people who don’t “nurture other writers.” I wish we could have stayed friends, but after someone stabs you in the back once, it’s pretty stupid to keep going back and offering your front. But the truth is that if it wasn’t Patricia, who I truly believe thinks she is helping people, it would be someone else. There will always be leaders in communities and there is NOTHING wrong with that. But, when a community takes itself to the point of ridiculousness, someone will hit it with satire. That’s what I did yesterday.
I REFUSE to apologize for that. If you don’t like it or you thought it was “immature” then I’m sorry you feel that way. But, you of ALL people should understand what satire is. If it wasn’t true, you would have had NO idea what it was supposed to be, would you?
You are MORE than welcome to post THIS on your Facebook, OS, comments, Twitter it in little tiny parts or send smoke signals, email it to the Pope - I don’t care. But, if I’m bullied, chastised, scolded and bitched at on MY blog, I’ll be happy to post it myself. As you have said a million times, if you don’t like it, don’t read it. But don’t act like I’m immature or cruel because THIS time, the joke was on someone you adore. I hope she treats you better than she treated me.
I may be mean, I may be childish, I may be cruel, but I had a damn good reason that I kept to myself until I got really fed up. I'm sick of being told to shut up if people don't like what I'm saying.
I've got no more cheeks left. Go ahead and hit me. It's popular around here. Make me the bad guy. I don't care anymore.
Making fun of the foibles of others is what comedy is all about. When it's directed inwardly, it's considered self-deprecating humor. I think people should view this for what it is, a damned funny look at what this place has become over the last two years. As Rita noted, it is an encompassing piece that I'm sure many of us can see ourselves in.
Folks need to be able to laugh at themselves. And I want to thank Stellaa for such a stellar comment. Wish I'd have said that.
Guess you didn't catch that the first time.
Dorinda, you know me. You've talked to me on the phone, interacted with me here for two years and met me. Please take a breath, lay down the ouchies and ask yourself - what would possibly make someone who spent 18 hours embroidering your Christmas present do this?
I'm not insane. I'm not unhappy. I'm not sad because I'm chubby. I'm sick of people feeling like they have to play along instead of writing. I'm sick of being told that I can't play here if I don't participate in the comment circle jerk.
You were given that evidence, yet you insist this is about making me bow down and tell you I'm mean. I'M not mean, Dorinda. THIS is mean. All comedy is mean to SOMEONE. This was mean to all of us, me included. Patricia has installed herself as the leader here, and I say repeatedly that I truly believe that she thinks she's helping. She just needs to know that I know she stomped on me over and over to do it. And judging from the response here, I'm not the only one who felt that way.
You (and she) can make this all about her if you'd like. But it was about the community. Everyone here knew that.
This is what happens when someone who doesn't have to answer to anyone but themselves and has nothing to lose. I'm proud of my work, both here and anywhere else on the net. I promise you that the "meanness" here doesn't hold a CANDLE to what is proven above that she did to me. This isn't even CLOSE to an eye-for-an-eye. If I were like that, I would have published every single one of those emails in a seperate post months ago. I'd be happy to do that since every one of the people who sent them to me are begging me to do it right now. But, I want to only be responsible for what she said about me and I don't want people who are blissfully clueless about what she said about THEM to be hurt. I'm a bitch like that.
As for you, Dorinda. I like you. Really, I do. But, I'm surprised at you. I distinctly remember you equating "fat jokes" with racism. In fact, I've seen you say over and over that there is never an excuse to talk about people's weight. Is this responding in kind to what I did?
She's mentioned ONCE in the movie. If you think one of those people is supposed to be her, why would she be mentioned in the third person? Do people NOT suck up to her? Do I not say that I did it too? As for the memes, I mentioned ones she had nothing to do with. But, as usual, it's all about whoever has their feelings hurt the most.
It's a joke. I did it in the hopes that mirror might help some issues around here, not to specifically hurt Patricia, though for the reasons stated above, I didn't give a shit if I did. She doesn't lose any sleep over my feelings, I'll tell you that.
I am a genuinely nice person that has been more than decent to you and everyone else around here. But, if you keep poking the nicest dog with a stick, eventually it will bite you. If that makes me an animal then woof.
And yes, I'm fat. Everyone got that? I'm fat. What a shock. Call the media.
I am not on the 'inside' of any group situation nor have I ever been. So, I am not privy to the emails or the PMs or anything else. I have honestly been glad of this because I don't really have time for it and because it appears like there is drama often. I hate drama. I have conversed by PM with exactly two people from OS my entire time here, and we show each other pictures of our kids or discuss writing outside of OS. No drama, thank the lord.
From the outside, this appears to be an extremely insular argument. That is, mostly, I have no idea what anyone is discussing at all, and it appears to be a small group of people, not the vast masses of OS, ganging up on anyone. I don't get the inside snark. I feel that it's there. It's hard to miss that there's hostility once you really take a look, but it's impossible to tell why. I have no idea what anyone is discussing most of the time. I didn't know what 'moo' meant until I finally asked around. I didn't know what 'this is why we can't have nice things' means.
And I wonder, without taking away the legitimacy of anyone's feelings about anything, I swear, if these arguments are made into something a bit more communal than what they are. Only a few people complained about EPs or the ridiculous cover. The same people, usually. Everyone comes to look out of morbid curiosity, but only a few really complain. Only a few people are involved in these arguments as well, but unfortunately, when people I like to read post and have these arguments with each other, it is possible to inadvertently get involved (pardon the split infinitive), without really knowing that it's happened until it's too late. That is, I post a comment and then realize, "Well, shit. This is about some argument. Damn it." This has happened to me six times in the last three months. I'm slow on the uptake I admit, but I'm not that slow. It's just, if you don't have the context, you can't make an appropriate judgment on staying away and letting it spin itself out. People keep commenting that it is avoidable, but really, it's not completely.
As well, I think there are an enormous number of innocent people here, who have never complained about the site nor care about EPs or the cover, who might think nothing but good things about most of the people involved. People whose work is quite good as well.
I am sorry members of this site don't get along with each other. That happens. But as a person who did not want writers I loved to leave and as a person who never felt any animosity about who got what, I feel nothing but dismay about everyone's actions, hell, including my own for even caring about it so much.
Finally, I am sorry that you were hurt in any way, Jodi. I am sorry that you and Patricia have personal issues. I assumed originally those were about her alter-identity. (By the way, not everyone does have alter-identities. I don't. But I make no judgment either way about any of that. It isn't my business, to be honest.) Since you say it is not, it is not. But whether or no, I feel sad that anyone else is sad.
That said, I can speak only for myself. I can't see where you are responsible for anything happening on OS beyond your own interactions with Patricia, which should remain your business and your own blog, which is, of course, your responsibility. I'm not sure you should put on a hair shirt. I did listen to the movie after I inadvertently got involved when making a comment on FB that I did not know was part of an argument, a comment which turned out to be very unkind as well. I did think there was some unkindness in the movie, enough that I guess who it was about. I mean, you must know this, I'm assuming. You wrote it. I was dismayed because it seemed to arise out of nowhere. I was a bit amused at the notion by some of the commentators that satire somehow washes intention clean. But do I think you are an evil, heinous bitch? No. I think you are a good person, and a very good writer. You failed to sway me in that way. I'm afraid you'd have to do much crazier things than that to get the crown.
I have no intention of handing out any advice. No intention of asking anyone to shut up. But I do think the site is much more than the sum of all these arguments. There are a lot of talented people still here, doing interesting things. And I confess it: I like personal stories and hearing about personal lives so I do disagree with Stellaa about that. But conversely and with some understanding of the contradictory nature of saying this on top of my other arguments, I do hate these fights, which I feel overtake the site with mysterious octopus arms, entangling everyone in them.
But, the whole point of the movie was to give people the power to write what they want. Period. Thanks for your comment.
I know, it's evil, childish, I'm ugly and my mother dresses me funny. Blah, blah, blah. I should be ashamed of myself. Don't stifle my artistic self-expression! Meh!
i think she announced it wasn't nice already.
Dorinda, do you know why it's funny?
because it's true.
Do you know why it may have hurt some not-so-tender wallflower's feelings?
because it's true!
Pull yourself out of the appointed "niceness patrol" and stop trying to be "right".
i'll admit it. You're Right! The movie is exactly as described: childish, funny, satirical, and evil.
Why is it your ‘duty’ to be the killjoy of humor?
“You know that people here that have died because the walked into a bar, and the third guy didn’t help.”
The movie is only 'mean' to someone that would identify themselves with the 'bitch' roll because they have been condescending, domineering, and denigrated the quality writing and editorial success of others. If you think you are the character profile of the bitch, then you are a mean, condescending, petty, childish, demanding, insulting, domineering assmuncher that has to use the approval of others to make up for a profound inadequacies. If it’s not you, then learn how to take a joke.
Sorry, i’ll stop ranting and go lurk on another blog.
All satire has an edge. The best has a hard edge, because that's what cuts to the truth and creates a strong reaction in the audience. That's the purpose of satire.
I think that everyone who says they want OS to be "better" really means "I want it to be the way I want it to be." There is no objective truth about what OS is, or what it should be -- and that includes being "what it once was" (which, if you pay attention, you'll discover refer to different things depending on who is using that phrase).
Every single one of us could describe how we think OS should be, ideally -- and every description would be somewhat different. No one's right and no one's wrong on that. It's just personal preference, based on personal desires that we'd like this site to fulfill for us. The problem is thinking that one's personal preference is the key to The One True OS. That's blogging fundamentalism.
But no one here can control you unless you let them. Yes, the editor(s) control the EP's and the Cover, and....uh, wait, that's all they control! Otherwise we can write what we want and publish it. We can comment on whichever posts we want. We can recognize writers we like, form relationships and best of all, express ourselves freely with no editorial interference! I've said it before, but OS is a writer's paradise compared to the alternatives.
Of course, we humans have been known to lose paradise, too. Or so I read in a book once.
Even if you had said it, it's not my right to police your Facebook usage. I own up to my mistakes and I am honest. Neither of us had much responsibility for what happened there and I'd like your name cleared.
This will be repeated on my blog.
Lainey, I understand how you feel. However, as I've said this is NOT about Patricia. My comments about my beef with her are simply to explain why I didn't care if she was mentioned or if she was stung a bit by this.
She made her intentions and heart plain by coming back with "Yeah... well... you're FAT!" She didn't even have the guts to do it the way she did on Facebook, either. That's okay, 64 of our closest mutual friends saw it.
I'm not angry. I'm just done. I said my piece, I made my joke and I am not about to get into some vendetta bullshit because that's what's "done" around here. I'm not on other people's blogs bitching and whining. I'm not plotting my next "move" - I made my joke and I explained that it's not about her. She's mentioned ONCE in the THIRD person. Period.
The "open war" thing is a hell of a lot more childish than a joke that included the senate finance committee.
Yeah, that should have been taken out before I pasted. Whoopsies!
I kept my personal stuff in for a LONG time. Airing it wasn't the prettiest thing I've done, but as an "older" member here, I feel a responsibility to finally be honest if to no one else than myself. I tried to do this in private, but as you can see, I lost my temper finally.
I'm just glad I'm finally healthy (or sick) enough to be able to do that. Fear sucks.
I would like to thank everyone who commented. I really mean that. No matter what the subject matter, these little movies can be a great creative outlet. Honestly, I made the thing to make Annie laugh. (Just like most of my other really evil ideas.) When I saw the final product, I decided to share it in the hope that it could empower a few people to go ahead and write about the senate finance committee.
I'm saving my piece for my own site. I'm working on being more selfish. Love ya'll. Mean it.
Does not change that your POST was mean not necessarily you for all time. In that post and in posting of this email I honestly did not receive you crossed boundaries over what one learns online about people and reveals and what learns when part of their lives outside of here.
I had a right to say your post was cruel. I did not and would not go beyond that.
That selfish thing seems to be working for you.
Sorry for the confusion there, but I sent it as a reply right after you sent your message to me offering me a friendly ear. I forgive you for the nastiest of these remarks because I know where you're coming from. I used to be there. I know that probably doesn't mean anything to you, but it's true. There are no hard feelings on my end.
You had the right to say what you did and I had the right to disagree with you. I'm sorry we disagree, but this doesn't have to be like this. You may continue, I will not delete or even fuss at you, as I'm not now. I recognize and honor your right to your opinion, but I am done with the "selfish," "immature" and "fat" game.
I got all my little nastiness out. I got screwed by someone I thought was a friend. I gave a little shot during the video that I didn't mind because of that. I was pretty big about it until I was pushed, too. I was mean and petty and silly and nasty. I said that from the get go. I had the right to do that. But, it wasn't about her.
I've washed off my face, had a nap and I'm all good. I'm not ashamed of what I did and no amount of scolding, hair-splitting and name-calling will make me ashamed. I'm not stupid. I know revenge is coming quickly. I hold no ill will toward you or Patricia even though I know that. It's okay. I'm at peace with that.
I don't expect that to be returned, but I will not apologize for what I did. Take care of yourself, Dorinda. I truly mean that. But I ask you again to imagine what must have REALLY happened to make me do this.
I don't want to keep stirring the pot but I can't just let that go uncontested. WHAT boundaries were crossed by that movie, Dorinda?
This was satire, it was humor, and yes if anyone relates to either of the characters directly than it might even be mean. I'll reiterate, ALL HUMOR THAT POKES FUN AT FOIBLES, POKES FUN AT ANYONE, IS BY NECESSITY MEAN. It is part of the human condition to make fun of that which we don't like, that which we like, hell we make fun of EVERYTHING.
Nothing, as far as I could tell, was revealed in that little movie that wasn't easily ascertainable from actually spending time here. No one's privacy was violated, there were no public outings in that movie at all.
So, what boundaries were crossed? I'd like to know.
Unbelievable. Sounds like a 2010 remake of Dynasty. As I've said before, there is much to be proud of.
It's amazing to me how people think that everyone is 100% up on all the current feuds as well as relationships around here. Trust me, not everyone pays attention to that. Many people here mostly avoid reading meta posts, even if we do get sucked in once in a while -- sometimes, as here, through the back door. (Meaning a post and comments that follows mushroom into something FAR beyond what we thought we were commenting on!)
And saying that Cartouche is to OS as Obama is to the US just makes no sense to me, and I'm guessing it wouldn't to many others. Just because a person looms large for some people doesn't mean that's true for everyone. It's an amazing truth about life but truly everyone's experience is different -- including everyone's experience of OS!
As I said earlier, no one can control your experience of OS unless you let them. Really, it is possible to come to OS, write and post stuff, read and comment on people's posts that you want to -- and avoid the meta, avoid the "assignments," etc. Many people accomplish this every single time they come here and enjoy OS as a result.
Nobody has to do a damn thing here that they don't want to do. If someone feels that a person here holds power over them, it's because they handed that power over. If they want the power back, the thing to do is take it back and move on. End of story.
Also I think you are pretty fabulous for putting it out there and mainly for your great posts and EP’s. If people are jealous of your EP’s well too bad, that says a lot about them not you. If people call this mean then the bar has been set very low for mean.
Good Luck in all your endeavors. I think the movie is great.
I just come here to write things. And you rock in my book.
Nobody here has the right to demand an audience for their work, or tell other people what they can and cannot write about. This ain't a writing class with assigned topics and required feedback. It's a blog site. You do your thing, and I do mine.
Thanks for being so reasonable and rational about this--some very talented writers just plain have issues, and ain't nothing you can do about it.