On Valentine’s Day, I had the honor of being the featured blogger at SITS (Secret Is In the Sauce). Due to this, I’ve met so many wonderful bloggers, and am still catching up with comments.
I was taken aback, though, when I realized I had been censored. The first thing I noticed was my blog header was cropped, removing me entirely.
My interview was very nice, but I was startled by the warning posted at the end.
Luckily, the turn out was incredible, and those that commented were supportive of my header.
Later I realized that my favorite posts were not included in the published interview, so I’ll include them here now.
Here are 3 of my personal favorite posts: FB Profile Hack combines humor and tech, while A Haunting at Chuck E Cheese adds humor and photoshop to the supernatural. The salacious Man Stories took me out of my comfort zone which I found exhilarating.
I’m not sure how featured bloggers are chosen, but I can share how I was picked. In October 2010 I was contacted by one of the SITS leaders and asked to host a “tribe” (group of bloggers with similar style). For my efforts, I would be featured. A few months later, I received a schedule with a tentative date for being showcased, and was interviewed via email prior to the Valentine’s Day.
All in all, I am still a member of SITS and encourage you to get involved if you haven’t already.
• Is your header censor-worthy?
• Do you read blogs with your child/ren on your lap? (I actually do!)
• Which celebrity would you photoshop your head onto?
Comment By: Angie
February 25th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Very interesting! I did notice when you were featured that no “favorite” posts were included as is the usual, but honestly … I didn’t even see the warning at the bottom. I’m so glad I stopped by your site though, my sister and I both subscribed!
As for your questions:
1. Yes, our header could be censored as we are both topless!
2. There is no way my child will sit on my lap while I’m on my laptop, but I do often hold her while standing at the kitchen counter reading blogs.
3. I have to say that I think J Lo is a tough choice to beat. I’d totally like to see my head on her bod!
Comment By: Jean
February 25th, 2011 at 11:48 am
Thank you, Angie! I’m so glad you subscribed, and that I found your blog in return. That’s the real reward.
You know, I didn’t even notice your toplessness! LOL!
J Lo is an excellent choice for photoshopping. Your head would fit nicely upon her neck.
Comment By: Sedate Me
February 25th, 2011 at 1:22 pm
I checked out your header about 0.04 seconds after reading the sentence. If I posted that on my website, I’d probably wind up in jail as a child pornographer.
Comment By: Mindy
February 25th, 2011 at 10:50 am
Ditto what my sister said above. I missed the part about no “favorite” posts but did notice your header immediately as I visited your blog. Are you sure it wasn’t J Lo that put her head on your body? 😉 Interesting though indeed. I, too, am glad I stopped by – I’m thoroughly entertained by your writing!
Yo questions:
1. Ditto my sis. We’re also only in our granny panties.
2. My kid is old enough that she has boobs so she wouldn’t be alarmed at the sight of them so blogs that include them are not censored by this mama.
3. I don’t have enough time today, this month or this year to name all the people whose bodies I’d pop my head onto…
Comment By: Jean
February 25th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Thank you, Mindy! You and Angie in your granny panties is such a cute picture and header!
I should photoshop JLo’s head onto my body just for fun. LOL!
My girls say they have boobs, and I let them think that. They are already wearing training bras, but shhhh… don’t tell them I told you.
Comment By: Kimberly
February 25th, 2011 at 11:33 am
I recently was featured on another blog and was surprised to discover in my introduction, the blogger sort of “warned” her readers about the language used on my blog.
And I’m pretty tame compared to lots of other mommy bloggers 🙂
Comment By: Jean
February 25th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Kimberly, I know what you mean! Some bloggers let the f-bombs fly!
I hope the warning didn’t stop visitors.
It does take you aback to think someone sees you as something you’re not.
Comment By: Anonymous
February 25th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Flying f-bombs? Had anybody specific in mind?
Comment By: Sedate Me
February 25th, 2011 at 1:23 pm
F-bombs? Had anybody in mind with that comment?
Comment By: Kimberly
February 25th, 2011 at 11:35 am
Oh…and the bod I’d want with my head attached: Nicole Kidman. She and I are about the same lovely shade of paler than pale.
Comment By: Jean
February 25th, 2011 at 11:53 am
Nicole Kidman is lovely, and that pale skin is sure to stay wrinkle-free. 🙂
Comment By: Beth
February 25th, 2011 at 12:36 pm
I’m finally gonna get a blog back up again, and while I haven’t gotten far enough yet to design a header, I’m guessing it’ll be pretty tame.
I’m really surprised that your header warranted a warning. They’re boobs, for Pete’s sake, and only a peek at that.
As far as the photoshopped body of choice, I’d have to go with Diane Lane. That woman has it all.
Comment By: Jean
February 25th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Beth, that is exciting news! Cannot wait to read your blog again. Let me know where & when.
I was surprised about the warning too.
Oh, Diane Lane is fabulous! Great choice!
Comment By: Sedate Me
February 25th, 2011 at 2:15 pm
Utterly, utterly, ridiculous. If there’s one thing that burns my ass (nay, motherfuckin’ ass) every single time, it’s censorship.
This is another example of the inane “logic” behind “protecting children” by making sure everyone gets treated as if they were children.
“Oh look! It’s a partial glimpse of something everybody had mashed in their face for half their pre-walking life and something half the population spends their adult life wanting to get mashed in their face. Danger, Will Robinson! Danger! Danger!”
Jesus Fucking Christ!!! Kids notice boobs in exactly the same way adults notice empty dinner plates. But because, in this fucked up Puritan society, anything remotely connected with anything sexual is “evil” (unless used to sell consumer products) Jean’s humorous art work gets tossed down The Memory Hole and warning signs get posted everywhere.
I wonder if it would be “OK” if Jean put her head on a CSI autopsy? Probably.
Comment By: Jean
February 25th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
Sedate Me, thank you! I was fired up, but held my tongue (self censorship). I’m so glad you speak your mind!!
Comment By: Gina
February 25th, 2011 at 6:19 pm
I have been censoring myself ever since I read SITS guidelines about being a featured blogger. But if they are going to censor when I get my day, yes “when”, then I should continue to be myself…and btw, I love your picture up there! ♥
Comment By: Jean
February 25th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Hmmm… I might have forgot to read their guidelines. I’ve had to create my profile 3x there now with their constant redesign. I’m sure many are slipping through the cracks. Get your day, Gina! And, thank you!
Comment By: Jean
February 25th, 2011 at 8:43 pm
Now following you @ twitter, btw, Gina!
Comment By: Jessica
February 25th, 2011 at 10:38 pm
I did notice that the header posted on SITS was different than the one on your blog. My header is child appropriate and I usually have a 7yo looking over my shoulder when I am going through my reader so I have to be careful of what is on my screen when she is around.
Comment By: Jean
February 26th, 2011 at 8:12 am
Hi Jessica – I enjoyed reading your blog today, and have subscribed. Feedburner is such a convenient option!
Comment By: Jason
February 26th, 2011 at 7:57 am
I can’t understand the censorship – your header doesn’t seem offensive at all! Nor do I see the need for the warning.
I thoroughly enjoy dropping by your blog and hopefully many more people will drop by also to see your wonderful commentary.
All the best!
Jason
Comment By: Jean
February 26th, 2011 at 8:14 am
Thank you, Jason! I was wondering if I desensitized myself to how offensive it is, but… honestly, I always thought it was funny, not indecent.
It was great to catch up with you last night. Sorry, again, for my absence.
Comment By: Sherri
February 26th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Jean , I was surprised about that too! I didn’t think there was anything @ all to censor. I love your blog header and your blogs! As long as you are in the blogosphere and weblogging world I will always be a fan of yours. On a good note it seems the sensorship made people more curious. Lol this is when I discovered that’s J Lo’s body w your head. Scandalous! I love it!
My header is not censorship worthy and I’d
maybe photoshop my head on Giada DeLaurentis. She’s adorable!
Comment By: Jean
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Sherri, thank you for always standing by my side. You’ve seen this darned header all the way back to my MySpace days. Sure didn’t raise any eyebrows there.
I will always be a fan of yours too.
Comment By: Jenny Matlock
February 28th, 2011 at 7:03 am
Maybe they just didn’t want nursing babies to get all excited or something….mwahahahahahahahhaha!
I have a naked typewriter in my header so I don’t think I’m safe either.
I saw that censorship advisement and it made me laugh.
You’re a good sport!
Comment By: Jean
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:40 pm
Jenny, I hadn’t noticed how naked your typewriter was!! You go!
Comment By: Sedate Me
February 28th, 2011 at 8:46 am
Is your header censor-worthy?
Once I get my website up and running, every single page will be chock-a-block full of “censor-worthy” material and so will the header, even if I have to photoshop a picture of a killer whale sodomizing a puppy.
Do you read blogs with your child/ren on your lap?
Unless you want your little darlings(/devils?) to see pictures of an orca boning a cockapoo, you may want to avoid my website, should it ever materialize.
I only do this shit at work, so my (four legged) children don’t get to see it. But I do play computer games with them on my lap.
Which celebrity would you photoshop your head onto?
There are a quite a few female celebrities I would love to put my head (and various other body parts) onto their bodies.
Comment By: Jean
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:39 pm
Oh, Sedate Me, you never disappoint me. Still patiently awaiting the reveal of your blog.
Comment By: Sedate Me
March 7th, 2011 at 7:48 am
“You never disappoint me.”
Yeah, that’s what all the women tell me.
If I ever get around to getting a website, you might get a few annoying requests for technical assistance. Don’t worry. I’ll pay you back for it in
oral sexmargaritas.Comment By: MommaKiss
February 28th, 2011 at 9:23 am
I don’t know if I could handle the censorship. At. All.
My head on a body? I’d love to have the wild abandon of Helena Bohnam Carter (or however the heck you spell it.
Comment By: Jean
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:38 pm
Hi MommaKiss — Helena does have that wild, carefree look. I enjoy seeing her make heads turn!
Comment By: Lisa
February 28th, 2011 at 9:56 am
I’ve been reading your blog since last August I think and I had no idea your head was photoshopped on JLo’s body. Now I can see it of course. I actually thought it was you and I even showed my husband. We were both of the mindset of “You go girl”. As far as censorship, I’m sure none of the reader’s kiddos have ever seen JLo and her bodacious booty, lol.
Comment By: Jean
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Hi Lisa! Thank you for always stopping by. My own husband even thought that was my body. LOL! He must have forgotten his glasses.
Comment By: Amber
February 28th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I’m pretty horrible at photoshop, so I might have to recruit you to photoshop me onto a Jessica… Alba, Biel, you take your pick!
As for the censorship… I don’t think my blog name would be allowed. It’s not like it says anything bad in the title, just the implication of it. And, ironically, that isn’t what I was going for when I chose it! My blog is (for the most part) squeaky clean.
Comment By: Jean
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Any time, Amber. You pick any Jessica and supply your head, and I’ll do the rest.
I love the name of your blog.
Comment By: acleansurface
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:19 am
This is my first visit to your site. Congratulations on being featured, that is exciting. I like the header.
Comment By: Jean
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:34 pm
Thank you so much, Acleansurface. I’ll be right over, and hopefully will learn your real name.
Comment By: Unknown Mami
March 2nd, 2011 at 1:55 pm
I love your header and find it hilarious! I take no offense in getting a little peek at JLo’s boobies.
Comment By: Jean
March 2nd, 2011 at 6:30 pm
Thank you, Mami! JLo’s got it going on, and I’m happy to borrow it. 🙂
Comment By: The Girl from the Ghetto
March 2nd, 2011 at 11:46 pm
I can’t believe you were censored–bizarre! I stopped by SITS, but I don’t understand it.
Comment By: Jean
March 3rd, 2011 at 12:13 pm
It has changed a lot since I signed up, Girl From The Ghetto. Every time they redesign, members have to sign up again. The tribe I was assigned to has been disbanded, and we’re encouraged to participate in group discussions. The feature I really like is the blogger of the day.
Comment By: Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop.
March 4th, 2011 at 9:37 am
I did see the warning which is EXACTLY why I clicked through! I couldn’t wait to see the picture!!! Love it. I’m way too lame to require censoring. I really should work on it.
I signed up with SITS about 8 months ago. I feel like such a whore going and commenting every day in hopes of one day being *featured*. But I haven’t stopped doing it.
Comment By: Jean
March 5th, 2011 at 9:08 am
Amy, I hope you get featured soon! I commented every day too, but now, not so much. :-/
Comment By: Mama Mary
March 4th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
DUDE…I am really humbled and embarrassed that I never realized that was the JLo dress in your header. How could I not know that??? I love you AND J LO and that dress! So glad I found you via SITS and you were the best tribe leader ever! xo
Comment By: Jean
March 5th, 2011 at 9:08 am
No worries, Mary. The dress has been out of the lime-light for a while.
Our tribe was short lived, but getting to know you has been the icing on the cake! Thank you!
Comment By: Tony McGurk
March 5th, 2011 at 4:54 am
I always thought that was all you in the header…
The warning probably made people come over here to see what all the fuss was about
Comment By: Jean
March 5th, 2011 at 9:06 am
Ha! I actually have a little more to work with than J Lo. LOL! Thanks Tony!
Comment By: Sedate Me
March 7th, 2011 at 8:00 am
Yeah, I think you probably would look good that dress. I also agree with your hubbie about that celebri-criminal junkie Lohan’s white dress too. Give the man a treat someday.
And feel free to put a (real) picture of you in either dress in your header.
Comment By: Angelia Sims Hardy
March 10th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
I’m glad you spoke up about that. I saw that and was wondering???? I didn’t think your header was bad or worth a special censorship notice. But who knows?!
Gee- RATED J for Jean. HA.
I love SITS, but it is soooo different from when I joined. SO SO different.
Comment By: Jean
March 11th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Angelia – I didn’t join SITS until I saw your SITS Day blog. In the short time that I’ve been involved, it has changed a lot. Can’t say it’s all for good either. 🙁
Comment By: Crystal
March 10th, 2011 at 10:46 pm
Oh my gosh, are you serious? They really had that warning post on there. Haha, that’s funny!
Anyway, congratulations on being featured. That is so exciting!!!
Comment By: Jean
March 11th, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Thank you, Crystal! Yep, the warning was seriously in their intro. of my blog. Crazy, I say!
Comment By: Jason
March 22nd, 2011 at 12:08 am
Hi Jean,
just to let you know that I’ve shut OptomStudent down (for several reasons…). But don’t fear – I’ll be up and running with a new blog in the very near future (and of course, I’ll continue to drop by :D)
I look forward to your next post!
Jason
Comment By: Jean
March 22nd, 2011 at 8:36 am
I’m sorry to hear that, Jason. Please do let me know when you start blogging again and where I can find you. Thanks!
Sorry so quiet here.
Comment By: Jason
March 24th, 2011 at 7:47 am
Hi Jean, back on the blog scene (albeit in a temporary location). Being a student with little money means the fancy things online are out of budget!
Speak soon 🙂
Comment By: Jean
April 3rd, 2011 at 8:44 am
Jason, thank you for letting me know where I can find you. I’ve updated my blogroll with your new location.
Comment By: Charlotte
March 23rd, 2011 at 11:09 am
Eeeeeep! I’m so sorry I missed your SITS day (*I admit, my blog hopping has been a bit sporadic as of late). I can’t believe they cropped your header though! I’m sorry, but that seems a bit ridiculous. Why would anyone be offended by that? I like your header and always thought it was very cheeky 🙂
I was a bit worried about my SITS day as my content is a bit different from what’s often featured over there… But I think it’s our differences that make us unique, right?
Comment By: Jean
April 3rd, 2011 at 8:44 am
Hi Charlotte. Thanks for stopping by. I hope you have been well, and I hope you are the featured SITS blogger soon (without censorship).
Comment By: Megan (Best of Fates)
April 14th, 2011 at 7:26 am
I don’t have kids, so feel free to be as profane as you’d like!
And now I’m somewhat sad that I don’t think there’s anything in my header worth censoring.
Am I a blogging loser?
Frick.
Comment By: Jean
April 14th, 2011 at 9:18 am
If I couldn’t see your dress peeking out from your trenchcoat, you could appear to be a flasher.
You are the anti-loser.
I’m the loser for not blogging in 2 months. Gah!
Comment By: Helena
April 24th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Jean, I am so lame! I’ve been gone from the blog world for forever, and I completely missed your SITS Day, and all this crazy censorship. Just so you know, I would pin that picture of you up on my locker door any day 😉
How ya been?
Comment By: Traci
May 18th, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Although my politics are liberal I’m pretty reserved myself (I can’t bring myself to let my boobs pop out, too drafty I guess) and even I think that boobs are boobs(almost every baby has seen one) who cares. Maybe if you’re trying to keep your teenage boys away from boobs that’s one thing but who reads their blog with their teenage son on their lap (a weirdo, that’s who.)
My face on Salma Hayak maybe? I would keep my chubby body if I could have Aishwarya Rai’s face.
Comment By: Jean
May 19th, 2011 at 11:46 am
LOL, Traci! Just picturing having a teenage boy on my lap while blog surfing.
Salma’s rocking it. And I’m not sure who Aishwarya is, but she sounds like a knock out.
Comment By: Georgia
May 19th, 2011 at 6:48 am
Censored?? Jean?? Jean Censored? You are the most wholesome blogger I know. They are a tad uptight if you ask me. 🙂
Comment By: Jean
May 19th, 2011 at 11:45 am
Wholesome. Awww, Georgia, that’s what I love about you. Thanks for always being so uplifting and looking on the bright side.