Rita Arens's Blog, page 46

Transcript: Idiots Out Walking Around

Yesterday I was in CVS picking up my prescription and a photo that I thought was going to make an awesome Father's Day gift but was just really disappointing instead. I was staring at it, wishing it were much cooler, when a man next to me noticed my Iowa Hawkeyes t-shirt. Following is the exchange between two people being inexplicably rude and only one of them realizing it.

Him: "You know what Iowa stands for?"

Me: "Yes."

Him: (taken aback) "Uh, I suppose you've heard them all."

Me: "Yes, I s...

And Then I Had to Cut My Dress Off

On Monday night, I sat across the aisle from Gloria Steinemat a premiere of Jane Fonda's new movie with Catherine Keener, Peace, Love & Misunderstanding. I sat next to my BlogHer editor-in-chief, Stacy Morrison, who as usual was wearing shoes much more fabulous than mine. The whole thing was at the New York City Museum of Modern Art.

What makes this even better is that I'm typing this from my normal office in Kansas City while wearing a running skort and a baseball hat.

When Stacy told me abo...

Jennifer Weiner & Jenny Lawson at BEA Bloggers Conference

Blogging conference keynotes are like other keynotes until they aren't. The keynotes at BEA Bloggers Conference were hilarious.

First up was Jennifer Weiner, who has been pumping out almost a novel a year for the past twelve or so years. She had a lot to say about theNew York Times, chick lit (or really, do we have to call it that?) and the ups and downs of her writing career. I found her funny and approachable, especially when she told us to let her know if her bra showed while she was talki...

Gone Photoblog: Book Expo America 2012

I have funny stories from my trip to Book Expo America to speak at its subconference, Book Bloggers Conference. However, as always happens when you return from a business trip at 10 pm during the work week, I'M DYING. So, tomorrow! In the meantime, please to enjoy some fuzzy, crappy pictures I took with my phone!

Horseless carriages. I SLAY ME!!!

Panel beginning to fill up -- it had great attendance, phew!

Book Blogger Convention co-founderMichelle Franz and my partner in bookish crime at...

Headed Out to NYC

I'm getting ready to take off for New York City to speak at Book Bloggers Conference, which is part of Book Expo America. The opening keynote is author Jennifer Weiner, and the closing remarks -- wow, is the world small -- are by my friend Jenny Lawson, also known as The Bloggess.

My session is on monetizing book blogs. I'm excited to meet and talk shop with my fellow panelists.

So You Want to Make Money?

Syndication, Monetization and Affiliate Programs for your Blog

Moderator:Scott Fox, Clic...

Once Again, I'm the Prude Mom

I can't do it. I can't do it! I can't buy my eight-year-old daughter a bikini. Or even a tankini. I do not want to see her exposed midriff!

I see other little girls at the pool wearing bikinis. They look cute. My mom friends let their girls wear bikinis and tankinis. I'm not judging.

But there we were in Target looking at the swimwear selection. She was begging for a bikini, and I kept looking at her and looking at the swimwear, and looking at her.

"Nope. Not happening," I said, and picked ou...

Make the Technology Stop

I wrote a post today for BlogHer admitting that I really can't stand being plugged in all the time -- so I'm not. I know many, many "normal" people who have no problem avoiding social media and email, but not too many people like me -- bloggers, people who work in new media. Am I the only one?

I have a confession to make: I have no problem unplugging.Hello, my name is Rita, I work on the Internet, and I frequently leave the house without my phone. There, I said it.

I started blogging in 2004...

Extreme Yoga

My doctor told me I should do yoga for my upper back pain. She told me this on the same day that she gave me a referral to a surgeon and a gastro doctor. Me not really being the yoga type, I bought Jillian Michael's version. It's a half hour of teeth-gnashing, panting hell, and that is the beginner version. For someone who has been lifting weights for the past fifteen years, Jillian Michaels can be quite humbling.

I had to take about two weeks off from Jillian due to the incisions in my leg....

Totally Random Reason for Tummy Problems

I'm not going to go into details, people, don't worry. But many commenters mentioned having tummy problems often amped by anxiety, and I've had really bad tummy problems for the past several years. Two years ago, I got a colonoscopy and we never quite solved them (but at least I know I don't have Crohn's or celiac disease or colon cancer, at least I didn't two years ago).

Around the time I told my primary care doctor about The Lump (cue DJ Nibbles!), I told her about my tummy problems and she...

The Light Bulb Went Off

Scene: Gas station. Vicki is parked, and I'm pumping gas. Vicki's top is down. Stop it -- she's a convertible.

Little Angel: (with a clear view of the pump since the top is down) $1, $2, $3

Me: Yup.

Little Angel: That's going really fast.

Me: Yup. Vicki's got a fifteen-gallon tank. It's going to be like $50.

Little Angel: $15, $16 ... (on up to $48).

Me: Huh, gas prices must've gone down.

Little Angel: It costs that much money just to put gas in the car?

Me: Ha. Yes.

Little Angel: No wonder y...