The Wrath of the Advice Goddess, huh? Hard to imagine you being out of control wrathful. Wrath with a smile? You looked very pretty and made your points succinctly. (The fact I agreed with you, doesn't matter, really, does it?)
Mimi
at January 20, 2007 7:29 PM
Congratulations, Amy! Fantastic coverage for you! I'll be curious to hear how the traffic on your site increases. As it should!
Lena
at January 20, 2007 8:48 PM
Amy, congrats to you. Your 15 minutes (hopefully longer) have officially begun.
"Critics ask: Should people be exposed to worldwide scorn, just for changing a diaper?"
Uh, if they're changing a diaper on a TABLE IN A RESTAURANT, then YES! Does no one know any more about the dangers of (sorry to be gross) mixing feces with food? Remember, that issue that caused the spinach scare just a couple of months ago??? Christalmighty.
Sorry, Amy - I loved your part in this, but that line above from the announcer struck me as being particularly egregious.
marion
at January 21, 2007 12:26 PM
I'm with you. Yes, they absolutely should.
Announcers and people who write about this portray what I'm doing with such skepticism; I think, because they aren't sure of what their values are, of what being civilized should mean. They have this really relativist view, when it's not really hard to figure out: "Do unto others..."
Do you think it's really yummy to have a messy diaper where you're going to eat? Well, then keep it the hell out of my dining experience!
Announcers and people who write about this portray what I'm doing with such skepticism; I think, because they aren't sure of what their values are, of what being civilized should mean. They have this really relativist view, when it's not really hard to figure out: "Do unto others..."
Actually, I think when most people discuss what you're doing they're just worried their own behavior will land them on your blog, whether it's completely deserved or not (and, yes, in most of the cases you've highlighted it has been). But someone could have a real emergency (i.e. not an eye doctor's appointment), unintentionally talk loudly on her cell phone in public, and find herself the object of ridicule on your blog when that's not her usual style at all except on the day, say, she learns her best friend is dying or that her house has been robbed. Same with driving badly. Everyone -- and that includes you -- has at some point not seen the car in his blind spot and almost hit someone else. If that someone else happened to be you, that person could become internet fodder, photograph and all, even if he was as absolutely horrified at what had just happened as you.
AAA
at January 21, 2007 4:06 PM
I'm guessing that if Amy overheard a phone conversation consisting mostly of, "What do you mean they don't expect her to make it? Oh my god!" she wouldn't blog it. I'm also thinking that, "What do you mean they took everything? What about my grandmother's jewelry?" wouldn't rank high on the blogslapping list. And if the conversation consisted entirely of, "uh-huhs," Amy wouldn't have any specific information with which to identify the person anyway. The problem with people being rude so often is that it lowers general tolerance for times when most people would understand breaking the rules, as it were. But someone discussing her eye appointment is going to be more likely to remember seeing Amy's segment on "Nightline" than someone who just found out that her friend is dying or that her house has been robbed, IMHO.
Also, I don't know about you, but I check my blind spot religiously. I have almost been hit by people who didn't check their blind spots, but I haven't almost hit anyone myself, though I admit I'm not as careful a driver as I should be in general. I see what you're saying about how everyone can make mistakes, but when you're at the wheel of a two-ton vehicle, your momentary mistake can kill someone. In general, drivers (including me!) do not drive with that awareness in the front of their mind. If blog-monitoring makes people more aware of that, good. I work on it every day. Then again, the car I drive is smaller than most of the other cars in the city where I live...
marion
at January 21, 2007 6:06 PM
Marion's exactly right. There are times you just give people a pass. Shit happens. You have a lost kid, or some other emergency, I'll even try to help you if I can. If you've got an eye appointment, or feel like gossiping, well, shut the hell up in public and do it at home.
Unlike my hit and run driver, whom, to this day, is remorseless about what he did, if I hit your car I'd be horrified, and very upset. But, I drive very carefully. I don't want to put anyone out -- damage their car, take their time to get it fixed...I take property rights very seriously...in addition to being terrified that I'd ever hurt or kill somebody.
Caring -- before and even if something does happen is the key. My hit and run driver's lack of remorse made me go after him until I nailed him. My next-door neighbor, on the other hand, scraped my car not long after I got it when he pulled in behind me. He left a message on my machine (best I can remember): "I am so sorry, I take full responsibility, I will pay ever dime, just let me know how much it is and I'll decide whether to take it to my insurance company or pay it out of pocket." The moment he said that, I got really lazy about getting it estimated. Ultimately, my hit and run driver, whom I knew I'd nail, had to pay for my bumper -- my whole bumper -- to be restored. I knew they had to do the whole thing, and I was hoping that's how it would work out. After I got it fixed, I went over and told my neighbor -- it was his reward for being a good guy. My hit and run driver was prosecuted. The judge (Kamins) said he never would've been without my efforts.
Amy, you looked fantastic and came across as very intelligent, articulate and reasonable. Keep up the good work, and may I say again that you really know how to work those bright colors!
deja pseu
at January 22, 2007 11:06 AM
Why, thank you. I figure it's always best to look visible on TV.
As a cyclist, I commute to work to get in additional training for my fat behind and get rid of the after work stress. It has worked for over 20 years and to say riding a bike is one of the better things I have done. Granted, there are times when drivers, especially with cell phones attempt to kill me.
To date, I have been hit by cars 5 times and have had numerous verbal exchanges with drivers. In some cases I would confront the little turds and say, "How would you like to explain to my why you killed me because you were too busy on your cell phone driving to ?!?" Typcially the little ... was not paying attention and driving a "little appendage" vehicle. After a few cracked helmets and some really bad road rash, I took to the internet and used a streaming video camera to document these dip sticks. After a few newspaper articles and some evening news coverage the attempts subsided, the random object from a vehicle stopped and people became more friendly. Strange, for Texas. Sorry to say, the site is down (no time)... But the camera is still there...
If you think the above is weird, one of my friends will get the license plate number of the offender and subscribe them to a cycling catalog from every known cycling shop that provides free catalogs.
Side note, like your site but I do not agree with everything it has to say, however, it gets us talking... which is the first step to resolving issues.
Regards,
cyberpunk1
cyberpunk1
at February 5, 2007 7:42 PM
You're welcome. And great that you did the streaming video thing. It's astonishing how many people don't understand that the road isn't theirs and it needs to be safely shared with bikers.
Excella-mundo.
Crid at January 20, 2007 2:41 PM
Merci!
Amy Alkon at January 20, 2007 2:48 PM
Re: Nightline
Well said Amy! Thank you.
Tad Marburg at January 20, 2007 4:52 PM
The Wrath of the Advice Goddess, huh? Hard to imagine you being out of control wrathful. Wrath with a smile? You looked very pretty and made your points succinctly. (The fact I agreed with you, doesn't matter, really, does it?)
Mimi at January 20, 2007 7:29 PM
Congratulations, Amy! Fantastic coverage for you! I'll be curious to hear how the traffic on your site increases. As it should!
Lena at January 20, 2007 8:48 PM
Amy, congrats to you. Your 15 minutes (hopefully longer) have officially begun.
This is for you.
qdpsteve at January 21, 2007 12:08 AM
The new phrase "blog slapping" makes me double in laughter. I think its because every time I hear it, I see amy hitting someone with a laptop.
scott at January 21, 2007 1:15 AM
Wow, Amy.
A) You look gorgeous B) Loved your big, friendly beam - with its hint of firecracker and C)terrific blog/professional placement.
I take my hat (battered cloche, trimmed with feathers - seen better days) off to you!
Jody Tresidder at January 21, 2007 4:57 AM
Well, thanks goodness it's up! I was so bummed yesterday, because I had it down for Monday instead! It was very cool, Amy!
Brenda at January 21, 2007 5:52 AM
Thank you very much, Jody, Scott, Brenda...and everybody.
Amy Alkon at January 21, 2007 7:06 AM
"Critics ask: Should people be exposed to worldwide scorn, just for changing a diaper?"
Uh, if they're changing a diaper on a TABLE IN A RESTAURANT, then YES! Does no one know any more about the dangers of (sorry to be gross) mixing feces with food? Remember, that issue that caused the spinach scare just a couple of months ago??? Christalmighty.
Sorry, Amy - I loved your part in this, but that line above from the announcer struck me as being particularly egregious.
marion at January 21, 2007 12:26 PM
I'm with you. Yes, they absolutely should.
Announcers and people who write about this portray what I'm doing with such skepticism; I think, because they aren't sure of what their values are, of what being civilized should mean. They have this really relativist view, when it's not really hard to figure out: "Do unto others..."
Do you think it's really yummy to have a messy diaper where you're going to eat? Well, then keep it the hell out of my dining experience!
Amy Alkon at January 21, 2007 3:26 PM
Announcers and people who write about this portray what I'm doing with such skepticism; I think, because they aren't sure of what their values are, of what being civilized should mean. They have this really relativist view, when it's not really hard to figure out: "Do unto others..."
Actually, I think when most people discuss what you're doing they're just worried their own behavior will land them on your blog, whether it's completely deserved or not (and, yes, in most of the cases you've highlighted it has been). But someone could have a real emergency (i.e. not an eye doctor's appointment), unintentionally talk loudly on her cell phone in public, and find herself the object of ridicule on your blog when that's not her usual style at all except on the day, say, she learns her best friend is dying or that her house has been robbed. Same with driving badly. Everyone -- and that includes you -- has at some point not seen the car in his blind spot and almost hit someone else. If that someone else happened to be you, that person could become internet fodder, photograph and all, even if he was as absolutely horrified at what had just happened as you.
AAA at January 21, 2007 4:06 PM
I'm guessing that if Amy overheard a phone conversation consisting mostly of, "What do you mean they don't expect her to make it? Oh my god!" she wouldn't blog it. I'm also thinking that, "What do you mean they took everything? What about my grandmother's jewelry?" wouldn't rank high on the blogslapping list. And if the conversation consisted entirely of, "uh-huhs," Amy wouldn't have any specific information with which to identify the person anyway. The problem with people being rude so often is that it lowers general tolerance for times when most people would understand breaking the rules, as it were. But someone discussing her eye appointment is going to be more likely to remember seeing Amy's segment on "Nightline" than someone who just found out that her friend is dying or that her house has been robbed, IMHO.
Also, I don't know about you, but I check my blind spot religiously. I have almost been hit by people who didn't check their blind spots, but I haven't almost hit anyone myself, though I admit I'm not as careful a driver as I should be in general. I see what you're saying about how everyone can make mistakes, but when you're at the wheel of a two-ton vehicle, your momentary mistake can kill someone. In general, drivers (including me!) do not drive with that awareness in the front of their mind. If blog-monitoring makes people more aware of that, good. I work on it every day. Then again, the car I drive is smaller than most of the other cars in the city where I live...
marion at January 21, 2007 6:06 PM
Marion's exactly right. There are times you just give people a pass. Shit happens. You have a lost kid, or some other emergency, I'll even try to help you if I can. If you've got an eye appointment, or feel like gossiping, well, shut the hell up in public and do it at home.
Amy Alkon at January 21, 2007 11:56 PM
Unlike my hit and run driver, whom, to this day, is remorseless about what he did, if I hit your car I'd be horrified, and very upset. But, I drive very carefully. I don't want to put anyone out -- damage their car, take their time to get it fixed...I take property rights very seriously...in addition to being terrified that I'd ever hurt or kill somebody.
Caring -- before and even if something does happen is the key. My hit and run driver's lack of remorse made me go after him until I nailed him. My next-door neighbor, on the other hand, scraped my car not long after I got it when he pulled in behind me. He left a message on my machine (best I can remember): "I am so sorry, I take full responsibility, I will pay ever dime, just let me know how much it is and I'll decide whether to take it to my insurance company or pay it out of pocket." The moment he said that, I got really lazy about getting it estimated. Ultimately, my hit and run driver, whom I knew I'd nail, had to pay for my bumper -- my whole bumper -- to be restored. I knew they had to do the whole thing, and I was hoping that's how it would work out. After I got it fixed, I went over and told my neighbor -- it was his reward for being a good guy. My hit and run driver was prosecuted. The judge (Kamins) said he never would've been without my efforts.
Amy Alkon at January 22, 2007 12:03 AM
Amy, you looked fantastic and came across as very intelligent, articulate and reasonable. Keep up the good work, and may I say again that you really know how to work those bright colors!
deja pseu at January 22, 2007 11:06 AM
Why, thank you. I figure it's always best to look visible on TV.
Amy Alkon at January 22, 2007 12:44 PM
Amy, you are awesome. And those pants are killer. Will you be my mentor?
Mary at January 23, 2007 6:47 PM
Get in line, sista! :-)
deja pseu at January 23, 2007 7:23 PM
Awww, thanks!
Amy Alkon at January 23, 2007 9:07 PM
Amy,
Thanks for the vent-site. Great concept...
As a cyclist, I commute to work to get in additional training for my fat behind and get rid of the after work stress. It has worked for over 20 years and to say riding a bike is one of the better things I have done. Granted, there are times when drivers, especially with cell phones attempt to kill me.
To date, I have been hit by cars 5 times and have had numerous verbal exchanges with drivers. In some cases I would confront the little turds and say, "How would you like to explain to my why you killed me because you were too busy on your cell phone driving to ?!?" Typcially the little ... was not paying attention and driving a "little appendage" vehicle. After a few cracked helmets and some really bad road rash, I took to the internet and used a streaming video camera to document these dip sticks. After a few newspaper articles and some evening news coverage the attempts subsided, the random object from a vehicle stopped and people became more friendly. Strange, for Texas. Sorry to say, the site is down (no time)... But the camera is still there...
If you think the above is weird, one of my friends will get the license plate number of the offender and subscribe them to a cycling catalog from every known cycling shop that provides free catalogs.
Side note, like your site but I do not agree with everything it has to say, however, it gets us talking... which is the first step to resolving issues.
Regards,
cyberpunk1
cyberpunk1 at February 5, 2007 7:42 PM
You're welcome. And great that you did the streaming video thing. It's astonishing how many people don't understand that the road isn't theirs and it needs to be safely shared with bikers.
Amy Alkon at February 6, 2007 4:36 AM
Leave a comment