Category Archives: Work Videos

Have You Tried to Talk to This Person?

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Sure you have. We all have because we ARE this person. Sometimes in my capacity as a restaurant co-owner/chef wife, I talk to tables, welcome them, make sure they are doing well. I don’t sit in their lap and overstay my welcome, but I’ve noticed that for some it’s fine to click away on their phone the whole time while I’m talking. Now, I get it if someone looks up and says, “A message from my boss. Sorry, just a sec.”  But I know sometimes it’s just the mindless scroll. Obviously, since they are patrons I pretend I don’t see it … kind of like you pretend to not hear a fart.

When I was shooting an internet show [I don't want to use the real name. Let's say it rhymes with 'SerHey'], it was a running joke about how much the main host was on her smart phone. I know her and like her, but this was not good for team building and it was distracting to the work. One day I shared the “stage” with another rotating co-host and as we settled in on the set to do THE JOB WE ARE BEING PAID TO DO, she pulled out the smart phone and click, click, clack, clack. I grabbed it from her and flung it across the couch, “NO phones on set.” The entire crew cheered. I wish the producer had mandated this as a rule from the get go… seems like basic professionalism, but with a society of super involved folk, we need reminding. The gal I did this to took it the right way. “Oh, you are right, so used to that here.”

Later though she pulled it out AGAIN. I said something along the line of, “Come on!”

She said, “I’m emailing my agent (or manager). I’ve got nothing going on. I’ve got to get something going on.” Translation to those outside of showbiz, I only have two days of work this week and I’m hoping I’ve an audition, meeting, showcase to hopefully pay my rent and stop the voices in my head.

Me: “Look around. Do you think the camera guys, the PA getting the lunch are going, “Ah, I’ve made it, I’m working a couple days this week on an internet show NO ONE has heard of at a lousy rate.” We all want something else to be ‘going on’.

Thus, was the germ of this video play.

Bucket List

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I may be the last person in the world who got that “Bucket List” refers to “kicking the bucket.”  I thought it was just some movie I didn’t go see.  But, now that I get it it inspired this little rant/introspection. As we near the end of the year people start talking about resolutions or goals.  We all have our hopes and aspirations.

PDA posture

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When I’m at the park or play date or pumpkin patch with my kids and I tap out something on my Blackberry, I can feel a little guilty.  Shouldn’t I be focused on them and not on my technology?  Am I addicted to getting and sending messages?  Well, yes, I am… But it occured to me recently that having a PDA has allowed me to make a living and be with my kids.  I can be on the beach with them and get an email that someone would like to hire me to do a TV show segment.  I can reply, “yes….”  Thus, book the job and still be with my kids.

I can get an email, “Would you be cool having XYZ has sponsor on Coolmom?  ’Yes, I would I love that product, and I love to monetize when I can, now Rex don’t climb on that goat…’”  You see how that works?

If only I could stand correctly…

Daphne Brogdon’s office

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How do work at home mother’s do it?  I am doing it part time and I still don’t think I’m doing it.  You don’t get the water cooler chat and there is little reason to groom yourself and you can also just get sick of being at home! Hard to stay focused on work tasks when also caring for kids.  I think everyone else is more organized or better at it than I.

Also, where is that assistant?  Hmm, maybe I’ll just create one.

Princess Pen

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I think part of being a good parent is embracing your dorkiness. I was just at the park with Vivien for her sports class, and I had on a navy hoodie, brown velvet sweat pants, and worn sneakers.  No makeup, no shower (hey, bath the night before). One dad strode into the park with newsboy cap, leather blazer and posture that said, “These kids haven’t beaten me down!”  I thought I wish I had an outfit on. I wish I had clothes that match.  But, then again, why? I’m chasing after Rex crawling through the grass and sand. I’m lugging a bag over my shoulders full of snacks, water and diapers. A bag that would ruin the line of any stylish outfit. So, why bother? Why not just be covered and utilitarian and embrace it.

Yeah, I don’t dress up, I’m in momcognito.

Yeah, my roots are deep, and my nails are jagged because I’m too tired or too busy to leave my kids to attend to that.

And yeah, when I go to work ,my motherhood can betray my attempt at professionalism.

Have you ever had a moment like this at work?

Water Cooler

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A Cool Mom Classic:

This is how desperate I get for light conversation with an adult: I watch my own vlogs for company. Hey, it’s someone I agree with! But it’s not just moms who find working from home a tad lonely.

My friend Heather produces the Dr. Dean Edell show (my old job) from her apartment in San Francisco. But she is a social animal. She thinks work parties are fun, so it’s a crime that she no longer partakes in that. Not to mention all the cute outfits she doesn’t put together and because there are no people to compliment her on it. We have “The Office” to show the tedium of work life, but since we are social creatures, there are worse fates than making fun of your boss.

Who do you chat with at home?

Home Office: Do Not Disturb

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Another of the ongoing myths placed on modern humans is that it’s great to work at home. Yes, you use less gas, but it’s hard to tell your family to shut their pie holes when your office is in the middle of the kitchen. Kids and husbands are heat-seeking missiles. They sense a life force, and they come for you…

I find inspiration from a sitcom from my youth.

Foul Mouth At Work

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I had a dream last night that I was in a room with Bill Clinton, and I asked him if he wanted to have a liaison (although in the dream, I said it in a more crude manner). He turned me down! Instead of thinking he had learned his lesson, reinvested in his marriage, and didn’t want to embarrass his wife anymore, I thought, “Oh God, I must really look like hell. I have really let myself look bad if Bill Clinton won’t hit this!”

Sometimes we can see the changes this motherhood thing makes in you, and so many other times, they slowly creep up on you. It even affects how I am at work, hence the need for this vlog about foul language at work.

Don’t Hug Me

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Fresh on the heels of a working mom being the first ever woman on a Republican presidential ticket, here is a workingwoman issue. Being touched at work. I don’t mean in a sexual harassment kind of way. This isn’t the kind of touching that’s going to bring a lawsuit or make anyone cry. But, how do you feel with touchy feely co-workers? Maybe it’s a California thing…

Day-Off Smackdown

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Isn’t funny how when movies and books and music depict romance they don’t cover the real particulars of relationships? For instance, who is more entitled to a day off from the kids, mom or dad?

Well, I have decided where Hollywood and literature have let us down, I will try to pick up the ball.