Molly, Me and the Fussy tee in the NY Times. REPRESENT, yo.

A test shot from the photo session.  Dr. L's Worst, Molly and her homework, and my Kitchen Aid mixer in the background.

Two weeks ago, a New York Times reporter followed a link trail to our relief blogs.  She liked what she saw and emailed me to request an interview.  You'll be pleased to learn that I resisted responding in a manner that reflected my true feelings at that moment: 

"Holy CRAP, the NEW YORK TIMES!  You want to interview ME? YEAH! Bring IT!"

Instead, I replied in a lady-like, genteel fashion and consented to the interview.  After hitting 'send', I promptly grabbed the phone and called the hubs to holler:

"Holy CRAP, the NEW YORK TIMES! They're gonna interview ME! YEAH! Bring IT!"

When I spoke with the reporter, I had to get a grip on my freaky self all over again and realize that an interview about Hurricane Katrina disaster relief was not the occasion to inquire if Judith Miller was really a total bitch around the office, or if David Brooks is as confusing in person as he is in print. We had a good old time, covered a lot of ground and gushed about the awesome Mississippi Mama/boots-on-the-ground Victoria Powell, who was  interviewed for this article, as well. We had to end our jolly chat as she needed to pick up her kids and I had to pick up mine.  It was a comfort to learn that mommy mainstream media reporters were just as enslaved to their kids' schedules as mommy new media bloggers.

Several days later, a photographer named Anne Dowie left a voice mail to arrange a photo session at Chez Dr. Laura's Worst. 'Anne Dowie'!  I recognized the name immediately; we lived in the same San Francisco apartment building  in the late 70s.  Anne was a lovely and engaging neighbor, just starting her photography career, and I was in college, drinking five lattes a day down the street in North Beach.  Anne is still lovely and fascinating and we had a ball doing the photo shoot.  I brewed up a giant pot of coffee, in honor of my extreme caffeinated North Beach days.

Our relief blog story will be published  in print and online on Monday, November 14th. We'll be featured in the Times' annual 'Giving' section. Hopefully, this will result in a desperately needed boost in blog traffic, and donations for the folks who are still recovering from the disaster. 

So, it was a good deal all around - The Times reporter was a homie-mom, I met up with an old acquaintance, and the blogs will get some big time, badass and free-of-charge publicity. And, while I'm being noble, I get to show off my gorgeous kid to Times readers around the planet, and spread the sacred word of Mrs. Kennedy's mommy blogging gospel, displayed across my heaving and aging bosoms: 

"Writing well is the best revenge."

Comments

[landismom]

That is so great. I'm sure there is considerable compassion fatigue out there about the whole Gulf Coast situation, and I hope that people's desire to give can be reignited by this article.

[impossiblejane]

Holy CRAP! THE NEW YORK TIMES!!!!! OH MY GOD, OH MY GOD. I'm so excited. Can't wait to see it in print. Congratulations. Rock on with that bad self of yours. Speaking of good strong coffee the coffee I'm drinking now is swill. i'll be over to get me some of that good coffee.
xxoo, Jane

[Jo]

Yo! That's AWESOME! Wow! You're like totally FAMOUS! I'm so damn impressed.

[Lin]

BRAVA!!!

[susanna]

HOLY CRAP!

That's awesome. You deserve some attention and so does your cause!

Goat Girl

[Elisson]

Grace, I am impressed. You is Da Bomb, Momma!

[Kris]

I'm with Jane and Susanna. HOLY CRAP! THE NY TIMES???? Your rock! I'm so impressed and can't wait to read it.

[Jenny]

Fantastic news, Grace! You're getting quite a resume of media appearances - all well deserved. You're a rock star.

Did you tell Mrs. Kennedy her shirt is going to be in the NYT?

[pam]

HOLY CRAP!! I'm SO excited FOR you, I'm shouting all THE wrong words! ::snicker:: Please publish the article or e-mail it, for us non-subscribers!

[Donna]

HOLY CRAP is RIGHT!!!

I'm looking forward to reading it!

[Sour Duck]

That's terrific! (And a nice photo of you and Molly.)

[lu]

OMG, can I have your autograph?? Rock star, indeed.

[nina]

The rockstar goddess rocks on!! That is so very fabulous, Ms. Grace. We are all so proud of you. And I'm so glad you're wearing your fussy shirt in the NYT. Congrats, my dear.

[kathryn]

Grace,

I've got nuthin' ta say - I lurk all the time and wanted to say HI!

So, um...Hi!

[laurie]

I followed a link here from someone else's blog and I am insanely in love with your title, which is arguably the BEST blog title ever!

And how cool are you, interviewed by the big guns! The NYT!

[Shaunna]

Kudos, can't wait to read it.

[elswhere]

Woo-hoo!

I may even go out and BUY the NYT next Monday.

[Tonya]

Gawd, "bring it!" is right! I'm so tickled for you! You really do rock, Gracie!

[Bakerina]

On the day that this comes out, I'm going to buy a copy of the Times on my way to work and point it out to everyone I know, frequently and repeatedly, like a proud auntie.

[Michelle]

Whoohoo! I also was interviewed by them (education stuff), but ended up giving the reporter the names of folks who could give her the most direct info. I was estatic, even so. I can't EVEN IMAGINE how excited and thrilled you must be! I am thrilled for you, that is for certain!

[Busy Mom]

Fantastic and well deserved!

[bonnie]

BRAVA, Grace!

They look like perky, Bikram bosoms to me, you sweet, young thing.