So, I'm Kinda a Sore Loser

I'm always amazed when I watch the Academy Awards. The glitz and glamor is quite impressive. Never is there so much hype over who's wearing what and who's arriving with who. But that's not the part that impresses me the most. What takes the cake for me is the composure the losers keep on their faces just as they realize they didn't win.

It usually goes something like this:
Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock, Anne Hatheway and Julia Roberts are nominated for Best Actress. ...(I know this has never been an actual match up but just try to follow me).

The video plays snippets of each of them in their starring roles, then cuts back to a five shot of them just before they announce the winner. All of them staring with painted smiles as the host opens the envelope... And reads the name printed inside... JULIA ROBERTS! And everyone claps. And they keep the cameras rolling on the 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th place losers because... Well, because it's heartless, and we're all waiting for one of them to crack. But that you won't see... Because they're actors. That's what they DO.

Now me on the other hand... I couldn't act if you paid me. I was in a play once after taking acting classes in the fourth grade. When it was time for me to recite my lines I froze, and perspired. My parents asked themselves why they decided to shell out money for these classes. AND SCENE... That was the end of my acting career.

But it's not just on stage that I can't pull off a different character. I can't lie with a straight face, I suck at poker... Or a slightly more childish version of the game which I prefer... Old Maid. You can read my face like a billboard.

So when it comes to my emotions... Disappointment to be more specific, I'm not good at it. I broke out in hysterics after I didn't make the 8th grade dance team. Tears. Wailing. Snot... The whole nine yards. So needless to say if I was up for an Oscar and my loser face was planted on the big screen a split second after my heart being ripped out, it wouldn't be a pretty sight. I'd probably step on the gown of the chick who beat me as she's walking to collect her award. Or maybe I'd pull a Kanye, stand up and tell her I'mma let her finish but I really was the best actress of the year.

I can play the scenarios in my mind all night long but it doesn't really matter cause I'll never be up for best actress... Or an acting award of any sort. But if I was, and I lost, I'd probably be a sore loser. Sadly that's how I am. I like to win.

And I say all of this to tell you that I'm trying to win a photo contest this week. It's for the best Holly Jolly Belly Photo. I don't have as much of a belly as some of the entrants even though I ate as many cheeseburgers as I could before this photo. But even though Spawnie isn't as big as some of the competition yet... Quite honestly I think mine is one of the cutest ones in the bunch, and after all of the torture I put my husband through in helping me capture this photo I will be pretty ticked off sad if I don't win.

What am I up for you ask? Well... if I win I get a trimester worth of bellybars for one thing, but the BIGGEST thing I REALLY REALLY want to win is the AVENT Twin Electric Breast Pump. Yes... a breast pump. I never thought I'd be dying to win one of these but I guess that's just goes to show how grown up I'm becoming... Or that I'm really excited to see what being milked like a cow feels like. Either way, I'm in it to win it and I'd REALLY appreciate your help! And guess what? My birthday is Thursday, the last day of the contest. So consider a vote your birthday present to me! Because really... I'd hate to spend the evening of my birthday doing something like this:Except picture a beautiful Macbook Pro, sadly destroyed by my hysteria, and me behind the camera... Tears. Wailing. Snot. Luckily I'd be in the privacy of my own home--No big screen to display my horrid reaction. But my husband and dog would fall victim to my violence.

Please don't let that happen to me them! Go to Bellybar's Facebook Page and vote for this adorable photo. Your kindness would be greatly appreciated! Oh, and I just saw you can vote for more than one, so while you're there also vote for Gena Morris. She has an adorable picture with bells around her tummy!Oh, and if you're feeling extra kind and want to give me a second birthday present, give me a "thumbs up" for Best Mommy Blogger here.

UPDATE: THE POLL IS OPEN NOW... VOTE HERE. You can vote once PER DAY!!

The Contest I MUST Win!

I've never posted about a contest I've entered before, cause... Well, I guess they were never worth the extra 3 entries or whatever I'd get for posting about it. I figure I clutter feeds enough with all of my ramblings.

This contest I decided to post about for two reasons... 1. I have to in order to enter and 2. It's my first ever Vlog (video blog) and I think it's worth mentioning, no?

I think it's also perhaps entertaining to see me in action, talking and rambling in real life, just like I do here on this blog.

Let me tell you... When I started blogging last November I had no idea I'd get so into it! I really just liked to jot my thoughts and fluctuating feelings about my parenting transition down in one spot, and it's turned into a place I love to turn for advice and encouragement.

Just recently I was introduced to BlogHer. It's a website that's about women bloggers, and a place for women bloggers to connect. I didn't know what the big deal was, and the name kept coming up over and over again so I decided to join... What the heck right? Well, not long after joining I hear about a blog conference in Chicago where all these women get together. No sooner had I thought of asking my company if they'd pay for it (not likely) had the event sold out! Of course that made me sad. I really was looking forward to learning more about blogging and seeing all of the things I can do with a blog... Besides just write here!

Well when I heard about The Blogrollers, and their 4th Wheel Contest, I just knew this was my chance!! They're cruising from Atlanta (my hometown) to Chicago (where I was born) to go to this conference, which I pretty much think that means it's meant for me to go. Maybe I could even fly to ATL a little early to see my pregnant BFF and blog about that too, oooh, that ideas! Oh, and Chevy is giving them a car to use, and they're getting hotels and stuff like that sponsored! How cool is that? I. Must. Win.

Keepin' it real though... (I'm not just kissing butt) I think I could learn a lot from these women hosting the contest. They're all successful authors, two of them journalists, and they all get so much done career wise, while also being moms. I admire that and I hope that a trip with them could help me learn how to get to that point one day. I could trap them and ask all the mommy dirt questions I can think of!! *Evil Laugh*

I haven't been this competitive since... I don't know when but all I know is I HAVE to win! I even ordered custom designed business cards from Danielle, assuming I'd win. Getting ahead of myself?--Maybe, but I call it The Secret!I've been working SO MUCH lately, and I haven't had a lot of time to work on my video but I was off of work yesterday and spent the whole day working on it! I was going to hold off until the last night (Sunday) to post it so no one could steal my ideas but since I've never uploaded to YouTube before and since I'm working through next Tuesday, I figured I'd try now.

Unfortunately, nudity wasn't allowed so there went that strategy! I had to leave it up to my wits. I imagine all of the videos will be pretty good, so I think it'll come down to what kind of person they're interested in hanging out with. Ummm, let's just say I'm cool. Oh, AND I don't drink.. Which doesn't mean I'm boring, it just means I can be the DD! I hope you like it and I hope Wifey, Chatterbox, Denene, and all of their guest judges like it and choose Future Mama! (Let's all use The Secret so they will ok?)

I'm feeling good about it... Not just because of The Secret either, but because I think I'm unique. Yea... I mean how many mommy bloggers do you know who aren't moms? Hello!

Let me know what you think of my video and my first ever Vlog and YouTube upload!! I'm not gonna lie, I was a little embarrassed. When I see myself on TV I'm usually more professional than this but hey, you've gotta let loose every now and then right?


(Added 5/23)PS: Some people have been asking if you can vote and what not. As far as I know this isn't a "voting" thing, but you can comment on my YouTube video so they can see people like it :) and you can always visit their page as my groupies and harass @theblogrollers on Twitter if you like :o)