BLOGLOVIN
­

WhyDid Wisdom: (BFFN) Best Friends For Now

By |July 5th, 2011|WhyDid Wisdom|
Share
Email, RSS Follow

A girlfriend of mine came to me a week or so ago bummed out about one of her friends.  She couldn’t understand why her friend was acting stand off-ish and asked whether or not she should confront her.  We then got to talking about friends, friendships, and good ol’ relationships.

I feel like I’ve been lucky enough to know some of the best girls in the world.  Each of them special for one reason or another.  (I’ve also known some real assholes too, but let’s not focus on that).  No matter how great some of my gal pals have been, only some have lasted while others were merely temporary friends during a specific period in my life.  Not every person you meet is going to be your friend, let alone, your “best” friend.

Human relationships, whether platonic or romantic, are very difficult.  Just because you aren’t “dating” your friend, doesn’t make it any less difficult and, at times, can make it that much more complicated.  For instance, if a guy hung up on you, bailed on your plans repeatedly, or talked down to you in front of people, you’d probably dump him, right?  It wouldn’t matter that you two had spent a summer at camp in upstate New York when you were twelve.  So, why on earth would you want a “friend” who treated you that way?  Sounds more like a frenemy (not to mention unhealthy relationship) to me.

You must be honest with yourself and decide what type of friendship this is.  Friends come in all different formats, you know.  While you may have shared a love of frat parties in college or dated best friends post college, sometimes we hold onto memories rather than reality.  You must re-evaluate from time to time in order to ensure you are partaking in a healthy and mutually beneficial friendship.

Categorizing your friendships and being honest with yourself certainly doesn’t make cutting ties any easier.  Trust me, there are people who I thought for sure would be by my side at my wedding, but they won’t even be in attendance now.  It’s crazy, but people change and so do relationships.  You have to take the friendship for what it was worth.  Tuck away all the great memories and the lessons you learned and appreciate that person for who she is.

By no means, am I implying that friendships should be temporary or taken any less seriously.  Just make sure you are engaging with people who make you the best “you” possible and who have your best interest at heart.  Don’t be a friendship slut.  A best friend is a very special title and should be reserved for only those  who truly deserve it.

xx,

WhyDid

 

WhyDid Wisdom: Imitation: Flattery or Infringement?

By |April 5th, 2011|WhyDid Wisdom|
Share
Email, RSS Follow

They say “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”  First of all, I’d like to know who “they” are.  Probably people who like to copy.  Also, I’m going to go ahead and beg to differ.  Being copied (also known as being ripped off) is a lot of things, but flattering probably isn’t the first word that comes to mind when it’s happening to you.  Frustrated, disappointed, disgusted, pissed.  Those are the words that spring into my head.

Whether someone is copying the way you dress, the way you talk, your mannerisms, or quite literally copying your work, being copied is downright infuriating.

Last week, a link was sent to me from a friend.  When I clicked on it, I was incredibly disheartened to see a post that was basically screen captured from the pages of WhyDid.  This wasn’t the first time a situation like that has happened, but in this instance it was especially upsetting.  Said individual was profiting financially by hijacking my work.  Sadly, in the world of blogging, it is difficult to regulate this type of piracy.  I’m not alone in this either.  Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere suffered from a similar situation last week as well and I get the inkling that there are dozens more of you who can relate.  Luckily for us, there is a little something called “intellectual property” and there are lawyers out there who specialize in this category alone due to the ever expanding presence of the internet.

Every day, I work hard to create original content for my readers.  Integrity and originality is something that truly matters to me and while it may be much more time consuming in many ways, at least I can sleep at night (after I’m done blogging, of course).

Rather than dwell on this tacky incident of copied creativity,  I have decided to gather a few blogging guidelines and courtesies so that we all may blog and tweet and tumbl in a more peaceful world.

  • If you see something, say something. Blogging is just like writing book reports in grade school.  Whenever you are quoting stats or information from another source or using someone else’s image, it is imperative to include a link back to the source of the information.  There is so much great content out there and linking back to it is the perfect way to build a community and make friends (rather than enemies) in the blogosphere.  I know I’m always grateful when people link back to me and I’m more likely to link back to them in the future.
  • Positive Feedback. Granted, from time to time we receive comments that are not exactly the kind of feedback that is appreciated (let alone warranted).  Not approving malicious comments or personal attacks is one thing, but removing or not approving comments that question your stance on a particular topic or calling you out for misinformation is just cowardly.  The reason you have a blog is because you (should) have an opinion.  Stand behind it.  (If you want to curb the type of comments your readers leave, put together a comment policy).
  • Full Disclosure. When blogging about something you love it is important to be clear as to whether you received a product or service gratis.  Yes, there are actual FTC rules about this.  Your readers look to you for tips, guidance, and suggestions.  If you are simply writing or reviewing a product because you’re being paid for the plug, it’s mandatory to disclose that.  There’s a big difference between blogging about something you love just because and singing its praises because you’re cashing in.  Make the differentiation.
  • Do your homework. By doing careful reconnaissance work, checking your links, and sorting the facts, your blogs will be more credible and held in higher regard.  The internet is full of smatterings of opinions and incorrect information.  Don’t be part of that.  Be a leader, not a follower.

The above are just the tip of the iceberg.  If you’re interested in learning more, check out these ten rules for responsible blogging.

While, this time I was able to channel my anger into a positivity, the next time I see one of my carefully constructed posts on someone else’s blog, I’m not sure I’ll be able to be as mild mannered… especially since I know you’re reading this post…

xx,

WhyDid

Photo via Visual Photos

Why Don’t You Write? Why Don’t You Call?

By |March 3rd, 2011|WhyDid Wisdom|
Share
Email, RSS Follow

You never write.  You never call.

Sound familiar?  Probably something you’ve heard from mom or dad or maybe even grandma.  Our parents have had to give in to text messaging and joining Facebook just to keep tabs on us.  My entire family is now on Facebook and quite honestly, it’s frightening.  Remember when Facebook was simply a place for people with college email addresses?  Remember when you didn’t have to police your tagged photos? Anyway –not my point.

Our generation relies heavily on the internet and our cell phones.  I bet a lot of you can’t even go fifteen minutes without touching your iPhone/Blackberry. Go ahead, try it… I’ll wait.  While a lot of this is fantastic and we are lucky to have so much technology at our fingertips, we’ve kind of turned into blithering idiots.

Yes, yes, we know how to code and tag and blog and tweet.  Unfortunately, we can hardly compose a sentence anymore and I can’t even imagine what we would do without spellcheck.  Guys ask girls out via text message (lame) and people meet on Twitter (lamer).  No one knows how to even pick up the phone anymore (lamest). When did we become so technologically dependent?  Our grandparents would be appalled by our social etiquette (or lack thereof).  I don’t care if they have invented “netiquette.”  That is just a cop out word created to make us feel better about our social inadequacies.

customizable stationery from Paperless Post

Giving someone a Facebook “shoutout” on their birthday or a “Happy Thanksgiving” mass text during the holidays is just plain impersonal.  Send me a mass text, I dare you.  Newsflash: an e-mail does not = a letter.  Seriously, when is the last time you sent a hand written “thank you” note?  I’m surprised the paper industry is still in business!  We don’t even send out actual paper invitations anymore (unless we’re talking wedding- which is probably single handedly what’s keeping paper stores afloat).  Instead we send evites and Facebook event invitations.  What are we? Heathens?

An ex boyfriend once mailed me a card a month into dating to tell me how much he had enjoyed the past few weeks we’d spent together.  We lived in the same city, there was no need to actually mail me something, but the simple gesture won serious bonus points in my book.  (Step one in Bamboozle 101).  Sure, I said ex boyfriend, but I dated him for another 15 months after that darn card- so it counts for something.

Have you ever been into a stationery store?  It’s like fashion for paper!  Not sure why you wouldn’t take delight in designing your own stationery or picking out beautifully created notecards. OR if you’re really crafty, you could even make your own!

stationery from Retta Le Ritz

You have no idea how much it means to receive a handwritten note, or if you’re lucky, letter from someone.  I mean, how do you plan on scrapbooking an email?  So, I urge you to put down your phone.  Close your laptop.  And pick up a pen.  Perhaps this is one instance where going back in time could benefit us greatly.

xx,

WhyDid

WhyDid Wisdom: Sloth Prevention 101

By |January 11th, 2011|WhyDid Wisdom|
Share
Email, RSS Follow

When you work in a creative field, at times you can feel completely sucked dry without an ounce of creativity to spare. It isn’t a job where you see immediate results like sales figures or dolla dolla bills ya’ll, so it is easy to get discouraged.  Creativity comes from a personal place and demands you to constantly put a piece of yourself out there.  At times, it can be completely and utterly exhausting. When I get to that point, it is very very easy for me to want to “sloth.”  However, we all know that slothing is not a healthy place to be.

So, this is as much for me as it is for you:

  • Get Up! There is nothing I love more than lounging in bed all day with my computer.  I mean, who doesn’t want to be able to “work” from bed? Well, beds = slothing. Plus, it’s pretty easy to get caught in a Millionaire Matchmaker marathon (not that I would know or anything). By getting up and making some coffee or tea and opening the blinds for some natural light, you will already be gearing up for a great day.
  • Get Out! Being out in the world will often times trigger something in that pretty little head of yours. Inspiration often strikes you when you least expect it.  Be sure to bring a note pad or better yet, send yourself a text!
  • Read something. (and I do not mean The Superficial or Perez).  Read a book. By reading someone else’s great work, you will most certainly feel inspired to create your own masterpiece. BTW, totes nothing wrong with reading gossip blogs… guilty pleasure and great source of fugly celeb outfits.
  • Disconnect. By being constantly inundated with texts, BBM’s, IM’s,Facebook, Twitter, and on and on…. it’s really easy to get distracted. As Rachel Zoe might say, “Shut. It. Down.”
  • Gimme a break. I know that many of us have “deadlines” but when you try and force a square peg into a round hole… well, you know the outcome.  Take a little break and work on something else.  When you come back to your project, you’ll have a fresh perspective.

With that said, I’m closing my Mac and going to sip on some coffee before taking a run.  When I return, expect something rivaling that of the Sistine Chapel… or at least another post.

xx,

WhyDid

WhyDid Wisdom: My Hedgehog Ate My Homework…

By |July 12th, 2010|WhyDid Wisdom|
Share
Email, RSS Follow

baby-hedgehog-3At some point in everyone’s life, one decides he/she needs a hedgehog. Last Wednesday was that day for me.

I know, I know. You’re really wondering how on earth I came upon this totally well adjusted idea. Well, that stupid Baskin Robbins commercial with the porcupine reminded me of a dear friend so I proceeded to YouTube it. As  you may or may not know, YouTube then bombards you with other videos that might interest you. I was sucked into a blackhole of cuteness. After about twenty minutes (read 2.5 hours) of browsing my quilled friends, I realized that hedgehogs rather than porcupines were, in fact, my new animal crush.

Had I known of a pet store that readily stocked hedgehogs, I would have had one that afternoon. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately), the pet stores I know of in New York only supply over priced puppies from puppy mills and the designer clothing they wear. Damn. So, I did what any other normal person would do. Googled images of hedgehogs until my heart nearly exploded with sheer joy. Visit us for the best cat doors at a glance.

While perusing photos of these sweet little rodents, I stumbled upon some Wiki answers and was intrigued. After some research, I found out that hedgehogs are “biters.” Perfect. I read the “step by step” directions as to what to do when your “hedgie” bites you. While the articles suggested that a hedgehog bite is no more painful than that of a hamster, I decided that perhaps I should reconsider my desire for a pet hedgehog.

Yawning

The moral of my story? It is important to do your homework. Had I not done a little digging, I would currently be sitting here trying to post a Craigslist ad for a “free hedgie” but unable to type because my fingers would be bandaged due to my bite wounds. Whether it be a new car, career, boyfriend, beauty product, or pet, it is wise to do a little background check before delving into the unknown. I’m all for spontaneity and living by the seat of your pants, but a little knowledge never hurt anyone (which is more than I can say for hedgehogs).

xx,

WhyDid

© COPYRIGHT WHYDID.COM 2015

BLOGLOVIN