a moon, worn as if it had been a shell: The Perks of Blogging and Living in Hollywood ***

So, if you blog regularly you might get some pretty weird marketing emails in your inbox. Evidently, many people live off of their blogs or at least collect tidy sums from them. In the early days, I responded to a few and got some pretty beautiful Le Creuset pots and pans in the most amazing turquoise. That was worth reviewing weird products like sweat wipes for your adolescent and inserting links to barstool companies. I used to put ads on my blog, too, through the nightmarish mom's blog metropolis, but let's face it -- they're obnoxious and made me feel ashamed to participate in the grosser elements of our culture. Let's not even talk about the phrase mommy blogger. My blog is named after a line in a Yeats' poem, for goodness sake, and I slapped that name on it over six years ago because I didn't know what the hell I was doing. It couldn't be any more ponderous or even, arguably, pretentious, but c'est la vie for a moon, worn as if it had been a shell. I removed all ads from my blog a long time ago, and I just like it so much better. All me, all the time -- like Faye up there, after her big win. I sure didn't think that I'd attract some of the things I happen to attract now. Today, I received -- for the second time -- an appeal that I think you might enjoy.

My name is XXXXXX, and I am a producer for a major network here in Los Angeles. I saw that you ran the popular Elizabeth Aquino blog and I wanted to see if you or any of your friends would like to be a part of our new TV series. Please see the verbiage below:

NOW CASTING:

Are you and your family terrified of going to the doctor?

Are you afraid of what you’ll uncover?

Are you hiding symptoms from each other… and even yourself?

A MAJOR BROADCAST NETWORK and TWOFOUR AMERICA are now casting families for a radical experiment! This new and exciting show will help change your life and uncover all the things that might be lurking under the surface … ultimately improving your health, happiness, and your life forever - not just for yourself, but for the whole family.

We are looking for families in the greater Los Angeles area who are ready to undergo this transformative experience and face their doctor fears once and for all.

Families of all shapes and sizes are welcome, but families must include children and/or teens.

Good lord, ya'll. Should I respond? Maybe I'll do so in another post.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth, of the popular Elizabeth Aquino blog