You and Meme and the Bottle Makes Three Tonight
I am so happy with this post! Not because it is any good (it certainly will not evoke tears of sympathy like my last one), but because I no longer have to wake up each morning and think, “oh what a wonderful day this is going to... OH drat! I still have those memes to complete!” My apologies to JO-N who tagged me for the “Best Memories of 2007” because by the time I could get around to it, “year in review” posts became passé. Other than that, I’m blogger-guilt free!
Meme #1: The Chain Email Meme
Sandy at Momisodes tagged me for this one. In the cosmic order of things, we are interlinked. She moved to Boston from SoCal and I moved to SoCal from Boston. We high-fived each other somewhere over Kansas. I guess I would call this one the Today Show quickie interview?
1. How long have you been blogging?
It feels like forever, but it’s only been about 4 months. I’m a total newb. Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt you're glib. YOU don't know the history of psychiatry. I DO.
2. What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?
Boredom and the fact that I don’t enjoy books (very few can hold my attention, and I totally cannot read fiction). Back in August, I got a new job that required me to commute 4 hours a day round-trip on the LA Metro. Normal people would just take advantage of that time to catch up on their reading. But since I tend to fall asleep when I read words on a page, I decided to start this blog rather than miss my stops. Prior to launching my blog, I had never read a single blog. Nowadays, I could literally spend 8 hours a day just catching up with posts in my Google Reader. I can’t believe I waited this long. Blogs are like a reality show with characters that I’m actually interested in. Since I jumped into this on a whim, I really don’t have a mentor, per se. However, the two bloggers who extended a hand to pull me into the blogging community are Joeprah and CardioGirl. Cardiogirl was actually the first commenter on my site whom I did not personally bug to “please check out my blog.”
3. Are you trying to make money online, or just doing it for fun?
I’m realistic. If I were to run ads on my site, I’d be lucky to pull in $3 a month. Not worth the aesthetic detriment to my site. However, I will run an ad to plug my friends (which I plan on doing soon). I will also gladly run beer ads for free beer, Cheez-It Stix ads for free Cheez-It Stix, Chevy ads for a free Chevy... you get the idea. Don’t get me wrong, I can be a total sell-out. But for now, it’s pure fun by default.
4. What 3 things do you love about being online?
I can be totally connected at all times with almost anyone in the world.
I can escape my real world for a while when I log on.
I can escape my virtual world when I log off.
Bonus: drinking and blogging isn’t illegal yet.
5. What 3 things do you struggle with online?
I’m so much cooler online.
Not squandering Marcus’ college savings 99 cents at a time on iTunes.
That I can "Maximize the dimensions of your willy by New Year! Great abatements for our super-p!ll are now valid in our store!Don't miss this opportunity! Our offer is obviously worth your regard!" and that AngelBaby45 is “tired this afternoon. I am nice girl that would like to chat with you. Email me at Eva@HonorDays.info only, because I am using my friend's email to write this. You will see some of my private pics.”
… oh! The temptation! Damn you internet!!!
My turn to interview some folks. Let’s see, how about:
- Ashley at First Impressions. She likes to review things. Smart -- free baby stuff. I need to start reviewing beer. Be sure to visit her webstore too: FirstImpressionsBaby.com
- My neighbor Miss @ Rura and Miss. In geographic terms she is literally my neighbor, as I recently found out she lives one town over from me.
Just you two for now. I need to save up my tag-ees for other ones!
* * * *
Meme #2 Discipline Meme
Tagged by John @ Daddeeyah.com
Time to get serious. Discipline is a very controversial topic that involves personal, historical and cultural factors – AH, who am I kidding! Me? Serious?
Let’s just put it this way. I can’t smack, spank, or hit my kid. Period. There are more effective and sinister ways to get your kid to do what you want him to do. Just a few examples:
- Hold a knife to his Bionicle’s throat.
- Dangle his Lego Sandcrawler over a ravine (the phrase “this hurts me more than it hurts you” would totally apply here).
- Make him eat Cauliflower.
- Unsave his Lego Star Wars videogame progress (6 months of work down the tubes kiddo! You really want something to whine about?).
- Disconnect our Charter Internet Service (I have a Verizon Wireless PC card. You? A Pop-Up book. Enjoy!)
- Replace his Star Wars figures with Polly Pocket.
With all due respect to the others who posted about this topic (whom I think were mostly non-American), I just can’t smack my kid. Maybe it’s a cultural thing? I dunno. I mean look at him. I don’t care if he’s burning my house down, I couldn’t spank this:
However, I could totally spank this! Please may I? Just once? (Sorry Lisa... aren't spouses allowed one celebrity obsession?)
Jenna "I love BusyDad" Fischer
* * * *
Meme #3 My CD
This one was fun and easy. Superfun, wicked awesome, posts-15-times-a-day-and-makes-me-feel-like-a-lazy-ass Mishie @ Secret Agent Mama tagged me for this.
How to Play:
1. Go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random - The first article title on the page is the name of your band.
2. Click http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3 - The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.
3. Visit http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/ - The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4.Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together, and post the result.
Buy it now, folks. Once the execs get wind of this, I may just leave this blog behind to become a rock star.
Who do I want on tour with me? How about:
- Judith Shakespeare @ The Only Thing I Know (I know you are a graphic design master and this is so below your skillset, but...)
- Lotus @ Sarcastic Mom (because you are funny and I want everyone here to see your last post with the pics of your baby flipping everyone off).
- Jenny @ Mommin’ It Up (I promise to have CVS ECBs in the green room on our tour rider to support your couponing habit).
BusyDad
33 Comments
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (33)
I almost spit out my Coke when I read the Tom Cruise impersonation.
I don't spank either - but it's not because they're too cute. I mean they are but that's not why...if that makes sense. Anyhoo - I train dogs, and I know that they don't respond to violence well - it only instills fear. So the same obviously goes for humans I figure.
I came to that revelation recently while scolding someone for smacking their dog for humping. :)
And I think it's adorable that you have a crush on Jenna Fischer. She's so...normal.
-----
[BusyDad] True - I think that when it works, it works for the wrong reason. Fear is no way to grow up. It's like curing symptoms vs curing a disease. Oh, and normal is SO underrated!
A perfect blend! This is great!
-----
[BusyDad] Am I a master Meme Distiller now? :)
Great meme compilation if I do say so myself :-)
I respect your parenting views and laughed at your "threatening" tactics! You're a hoot!
Yes, your 'spank or not' post is much shorter and sweeter than mine :-)
-----
[BusyDad] laughter over anger! That's how I roll ... and I wonder how my kid learned to say "Dad, if you don't let me go to Legoland I won't let you have any beer!"
Pure perfection, dude! It's not 15 times a day, it's only 5.7 now. ;)
I was tagged for the discipline meme, and have yet to do it. I don't know if I will. Maybe, if the kids would stop screaming through the duct tape I could concentrate. Spanking? Who needs spanking when there is duct tape and insulated closets.
Joking. I'm joking. Maybe.
-----
[BusyDad] Haha - you just gave me one more use for duct tape. I knew you were smarter than the average mom!
LMAO! I think I may have peed a little reading this!
Holy commute batman! 4 hours? In LA? How do you not go batty?
Thank goodness I'm not the only one who who does not enjoy fiction. I'll high five your ass in Kansas again just for that ;)
"Unsave his Lego Star Wars videogame progress"-- you're a sick, sick man...
Your little man is a-dor-able :)
Thanks for playing!
-----
[BusyDad] Thanks Sandy! And thanks for the tag. Actually, with a Google reader of biblical proportions now, 4 hours just ain't enough anymore. You know what does drive me batty? How intermittent my wireless PC card signal can get on the train. I literally growl out loud when I lose the signal. Which doesn't even raise a brow on the LA Metro.
Very funny! I am game! I will post mine on Friday! But you MIGHT have to give me a CVS gift card!!
-----
[BusyDad] Can't wait to see your CD. Hellooo Cleveland! When we make it one day, we'll fill the pool up with CVS gift cards and Cristal.
I peed my pants at the glib part. Good stuff! You are a meme warrior!! You are so fun to read, hella funny!!
ps. I totally want to be interviewed by you!
-----
[BusyDad] A meme warrior? How cool is that! I do believe that no one out there in the vastness of the internet has ever held that title before. Hold on while I google that... dammit, there is a "Meme Warrior" out there. How about... "Glib Meme Warrior"? Nope. Let it be known that I'm claiming that right now.
Memes! I have several to catch up on. Eventually. Maybe.
-----
[BusyDad] It does wonders for your blogging conscience once you get them done. I feel like a new man.
Bwahahahaha... I feel that I should warn you that, by tagging me, you are now officially added to my
littleever-growing list of people who will get tagged for every random, silly, inane, intrusive, "make-up bible verses to rhyme with your last name" meme that passes my way.:)Oh and don't feel bad about the iTunes thing, I've already gone through that first kid's savings and have moved on to number two's... Community College, here we come!
-----
[BusyDad] Look at the bright side, you can get three times as many iTunes as I can! I'm bad at rhymes though. My rapping career was stymied by that. How about just the random, silly, inane ones?
Great 3 in 1 meme. I couldn't spank my kids if they give me that look but when they are naughty, they don't usually look like that, do they? Anyway, I don't spank my kids either.
-----
[BusyDad] Haha you're right. Good point! They definitely give you a different "I dare you" look when they are being bad. Thank goodness for expendable toy hostages. And sorry for passing on your 2007 meme. For the record, it was a great year because I started this blog.
I laughed a lot at this post.
"I'm so much cooler online."
Ha, I can idenfify with THAT one for sure. I'm a spazz dork geek. Wait... I'm kinda that online, too... hm. Time to re-evaluate.
You tagged me for a meme I have never seen before, and so far, it's my favorite that I've ever been tagged for! Thanks! :-D
-----
[BusyDad] ha, yeah. I read my post later and thought, "wait, am I even cool online? What a bold assumption!"
Your meme-fu is mighty.
-----
[BusyDad] Thank you for visiting my humble blog, Dan. I was raised by a band of traveling meme monks. As I acclimated myself to the modern world, I had no idea that my childhood training would come in so handy. I wrote this one while balancing on a pole and being flogged by bamboo sticks.
Lucky me with having NEVER been tagged for a meme...unlucky you with needing a bottle to complete all of yours:)
-----
[BusyDad] Looks like somebody just got themselves signed up for the BusyDad tag list ;) And being a "glass half full" kinda guy, I like to think lucky me for having an excuse to open up that bottle.
OMG I LOVE that discipline list!!!! Lego Star Wars?? You have no idea. I promised my guys a freakin Wii if they beat their Lego Star Wars game. It was really just a way to keep them occupied so I could blog or do something else meaningless.... They beat it on Tuesday. I'm screwed.
I LOVE the comment about him burning your house down. I can just see the flames rising and you just looking down at him holding the flame thrower and saying "Awwww" LMAO. (And of course Fury owns a Flame Thrower. What kid his age DOESN'T?)
And? So much cooler online? Me too.
Oh! And? I gave you something on my blog. Go lookie.
And???? Sorry my comment is so long. This entry rocked.
-----
[BusyDad] Thank you for that! I promise that if we ever run into each other at the Santa Anita Mall, I'll thank you in person with some Dippin Dots. I'll just look for someone who looks like you but is a tad uncool. And you do the same. And I'm sorry you have to get a Wii now ... where did you say you lived?
Okay, I've visited a few times and I just have to say that I love reading your blog!! Your relationship with your son is AMAZING and I love how you put it into words so easily. And I am totally cracking up at your threats because that's exactly what I do here too! My favorite is "tying Teddy to the ceiling fan and flipping that switch on high". They usually shape up with that one! I'll be back, thanks for the laughs!
-----
[BusyDad] I'm so happy you commented today, Amy. I found out that today is National De-Lurking Day, but it was too late to do a post about it. Now I can rest easy that I at least got one de-lurker today :) Your Guantanamo Teddy Bear trick is awesome! Mind if I add that one to my "black book"?
Ah, yes, the memes. Remember the good old days when chain letters were sent through the mail and you could just throw them in the trash or burn them and no one would be the wiser?
-----
[BusyDad] Ah the good old days. Clicking the forward button just doesn't require the same level of commitment to annoying your friends as handwriting 8 copies of the same letter out, stamping them and dropping them in a mailbox. What's happened to us?
Oh BusyDad, you are too good to me. But I have to say having my name in the vicinity of Joeprah really does make me feel like you said, "I am good friends with Oprah and Cardiogirl."
I know, Joeprah is the anti-Oprah, but he still feels like a blog celebrity to me. And to have my name in a sentence with his is. Awesome. Thanks for that!
I loved the following lines:
"Matt, Matt, Matt, Matt you're glib. YOU don't know the history of psychiatry. I DO."
And later
"(I have a Verizon Wireless PC card. You? A Pop-Up book. Enjoy!)"
Thanks for the shout out, BD, good Karma begets good Karma. I predict 25 new readers for you!
-----
[BusyDad] The way I look at it, I was shouting my lungs out into a canyon before you came along, tapped me on the shoulder and said, "hey, psst... busydad, turn around, shout over there, where the people are." And Joeprah was the guy who walked me around the gathering and said "heeey! Vinnie, I'd like you to meet BD, he's a friend of ours." Thanks for getting it all started for me!
Dude, I understand now WHY you're so cool online. You're drunk all the time. Ha ha ha. I think I'll have get a bottle of Wh...(dry heave)... Whis... (gag) Whiskey! There I said it and my mouth is watering but not in a good way. I'll do that sometime just to see how many people I can visit and comment on in the time before I pass out and see how much my buzz rating goes up. ;) Loved your Tom Cruise impression, however, as you know I love him more, so easy there, tiger. Back off my man.
-----
[BusyDad] Hey, shhh! Keep it down! My mom's lurking. When you drink and comment, your buzz level certainly goes up quickly, your buzz rating? Not so sure...
you are a funny, funny guy! no way could you hit that kid...waaaaay too cute! but, i love the options that you chose for discipline, instead. i'm going to have to use the one about unsaving the video games...that would take me very far, in my house...they would all be my little slaves, if i would just utter the word...deleting ratchet and clank. oh, how i love you for that one!!!
xoxo
-----
[BusyDad] Funny? Funny how? Funny like I'm a clown? I amuse you? [I am so sorry - Goodfellas is my favorite movie of ALL TIME. Could not resist. Even if it just screams "dork"]. Luckily I have not had to follow thru on deleting game progress. If I did, I think Fury would carry that grudge into his teenage years. But let me know how it goes if you ever resort to it.
Is Fury younger in that pic? Great pic either way. Fischer...umm yeah, agreed. LOL. Dude, you are crazy with the memes. I give you props for simply following through. Funny, original stuff as always man. Are you really into beer? What are you into currently...don't say coors light. Perhaps we could do dueling dad beer reviews or something... Peace man!
-----
[BusyDad] Good eye on catching Fury's age (I think he just turned 4 when that was taken - he's 5 1/2 now) and good taste in women (dammit, I may just have to take you out. I'm trying to narrow down the competition). I'm no expert on beer, but I love it. I can't decide what my number one favorite is, but it wavers between Newcastle and Bass. Guinness comes in a close second, but I have to be in the mood for it because it's like a meal unto itself, and I'm always up for a tasty microbrew (not tasty as in cranberry or other berry infused, but tasty as in small batch handcrafted depth of flavor). Dueling beer reviews sounds like a blast! Have your people call mine.
LOL... Jenna Fischer? My husband was SHOCKED at how goodlooking she is when she isn't on The Office.
No spanking in our house, either. Not happening. Not ever. I may steal some of your ideas for when Kiddo is older. Right now, I can pretty much pick him up and carry him wherever I want him to go, so punishment is really unnecessary.
-----
[BusyDad] Funny thing is the first time I saw her was actually on the Office. I had never seen the show and surfed to it by accident and I was like "whoa... new favorite show." You wanna know what worked wonders when Fury was just a baby/early toddler? When he was misbehaving, I would pick him up, make funny sounds and run around. Whether it made him happy or scared the crap out of him, I'm not sure. But it was a great baby version of Ctrl/Alt/Del.
Oh, I couldn't spank Fury, either! His punishment in my house would be to eat my King Ranch Chicken. Casserole dishes always get my kids to straighten up! ;-)
And BD, we're ALL much cooler in our blogs than in real life.
-----
[BusyDad] Hmmm gives me an idea. We could collaborate on a book titled "Punishment Cuisine: You'll Wish All You Had to Eat Were Peas."
That's why we just had to see Walk Hard even if it meant driving to another theater because the one we went to wasn't playing it.
And... Brad Paisley are ya?
-----
[d Hubby] And everytime she was on screen you'd give me a mean look! Haha!! And great, now I'm getting sued by Brad Paisley for plagiarism.
Hey, let me know if you come up with a free beer advertising gig! Huckdoll will gladly strip the AdFreeBlog labels off for free beer. Or any free alcohol bevvies for that matter...
-----
[BusyDad] Good to know we have our priorities straight, Huckdoll. I hold my friends to the highest of standards.
Dude! I'm totally drinking and blogging right now!
-----
[BusyDad] Were we separated at birth?? Our kids engage in the same antics, our blogs have the same vibe, and now this. You're doing better than I usually do. When I do it, I misspell words in my comments and make no sense.
okay, the Tom Cruise reference? i almost peed my pants....ha! what an ignoramus! ;-)
i can't spank my kids either. my parents used spankings when we were younger, but only a few times...it just wasn't something they did much. they would rather give you that "i'm really disappointed in you" speech that made you want to jump off a cliff! ;-)
we use the toy threats...but yours are far more creative and evil...i like it! i'm gonna have to show your list to my hubby, and then we can brain storm!
great meme's!
-----
[BusyDad] Thanks! and ugh. I swear, if I had lived near any cliffs, I would have jumped. I didn't get it much (I was a good boy!) but the few times I got the "I'm disappointed" speech, I felt SO BAD. Nothing drives progress and eats away your mind like good old fashioned guilt!
Fab post, once again, BD! We don't spank either, wasn't ever even a consideration.
I, too, loved the Tom Cruise-ish response and LOVE The Office (hope that WGA strike ends soon - just b/c of The Office).
But, dude, that #4 method of discipline is too cruel! I remember when the kids and I were obsessed with Luigi's Mansion on GameCube and someone accidentally erased the file. UGH it was painful! But that was only about a week's worth of progress. Six months of Lego StarWars?! Oy! Harsh.
Oh, and I love that picture of Fury!
-----
[BuzzeeDad] The StarWars is definitely a last resort. I need to factor in retaliation if I'm ever gonna press that button. I know a 5 year old who would cut my brake cables if I were to pull that one!
Hey...thanks for coming over. I'm a bit bummed....no one carded me :(
-----
[BuzzeeDad] They never carded Lindsay Lohan either. Your Cristal is waiting in the back.
Your blog is hilarious! I love the pictures of you and your son. He looks so deliriously happy to spend time with you. It reminds me of my boyfriend when he is with his kids; he is by far their favorite toy, and they adore him! Looking forward to reading more...no pressure!
-----
[BusyDad] Hey, thank you :) and thanks for visiting. Don’t worry, as long as my kid keeps doing nutty things, I'll keep the tales a comin!
That was some serious meme action there! The album one really was fun, almost irresistible. I may have to steal that.
-----
[BusyDad] Thanks and I appreciate the visit! And I'm never one to stifle creative inspiration - steal and and run with it. Let me know so I can check it out!