In one of approximately nine million things I have written in the past month about stuff I have contributed elsewhere, esteemed reader – and one-time contributor! – Chelseawantsout weighs in thusly:
Is everything going to be an important announcement from now on? When are we going to get some unimportant announcements or important proclamations?
Ha! Good question! And the answer is, um… welllllll… sort of?
Basically, I am writing more for other people than I used to. This is very nice, because it often contributes to important life goals such as “buying food” and “eating the food” and “not falling behind on my rent thus causing my landlord who already pretty much hates me to make my life far more difficult than it has to be!” It’s work. And I like working! For example: today, you can find my thoughts on Tucker Max protests in Broadsheet. (There is a solid possibility that you will not agree with them! Regardless, I am impressed that I managed to write about Tucker Max at all without the post devolving into several thousand words of cursing and shaking my fist at the heavens.) You can also find the first post in what is scheduled to be an eight-week guest blogging stint over at Bitch Magazine (the blog is called “She Pop.” I will be writing about gender in pop music. Yes, I KNOW, it will be NUTTY).
Now: while I am totally honored that both of these places have let my work be associated with their general awesomeness and wonder, the fact is that the stuff I submit has to be really, really good to merit inclusion there. And so, there are sacrifices to be made. One of them is that, for a while, I will probably be posting a bit less often at Tiger Beatdown.
Which is not to say that I will not be posting at all! It’s highly unlikely that I will ever become sober or thoughtful enough to keep from mouthing off about the issues of the day over here. It’s just that, instead of doing five long posts a week here, I will be doing lots of posts all over (or trying to, anyway), and probably fewer than five of them will show up on this blog.
The thing is, I know that at this point Tiger Beatdown is basically its own entity. There’s stuff that fits here that just wouldn’t fit anywhere else. And vice versa. And, over the past few months, I’ve come to feel that it belongs to me less than it does to the people who read it. I owe all of you. And love the ones that I know! Therefore, I would sort of like to ask you – You, the Internet! – what it is that you’d like to see here. Would you want to see more of the shorter, sillier, or more personal stuff? Because, if so, you will probably get more posts per week. Or would you prefer that I stick exclusively to the ladybusiness-related issues, and probably post less? Because that’s fine too. I can always go back to Tumblr. OR LIVEJOURNAL.
The fate of Tiger Beatdown is in your hands! Choose wisely. Or, you know, just post whatever! That is also fine!
PS: I have not answered your reader e-mail. I have not answered ANYONE’s e-mail. I have not answered MY MOM’S e-mail. This is because I am busy. But, more importantly, it is because I am a jerk. I am going to work on catching up now.
46 Comments
Sady!
I have been so thrilled to see you on Broadsheet! I hope I speak for other readers when i say that it’s exciting to see your career progressing and your voice possibly reaching a broader readership. It’s also 100% just that you are finding paying work doing what you do so well.
As for what I would like to see on Tiger Beatdown: part of what drew me to your blog was your willingness to engage ladybusiness and modern culture (and some not-so-modern culture! I geeked out when I found your old Little Women and Jane Austen posts) in depth, at length, USING CAPS AND PUNCTUATION EXPRESSIVELY(!!!11!!1). It’s like watching the director’s cut of a film that you looooove: you want to appreciate it in all its minute detail and absurd length but recognize that it probably won’t be appropriate for certain audiences.
I guess what I’m saying is that there are obvious constraints on your (wonderful!) posts on Broadsheet, and I for one would occasionally like to read your work in its full, unfettered glory.
Also, Sexist Beatdown!
Have you considered maybe intro’ing new Tiger Beatdowners? Because a blog named this well can’t go quietly into that good night.
I’ll put in my vote for primarily ladybusiness related posts, just because I can find pictures of cats anywhere. But if “sillier” posts does not mean music videos from the 80s and/or pictures of various baby animals wearing outfits, that might be enjoyable.
I also agree with Tawny. Consolidate the ladybusiness powers into a ladybusiness empire, and shoot for world domination. Yay community organizing.
How about you post short silly stuff that’s related to lady business? Because I like the frequent posts (no pressure intended; I’m glad you’re getting paid gigs and I appreciate that you’re busy) and I also like the lady business.
Silliness AND lady business! Win win!
I’ve been silently lurking for some time now, and this post has prompted my first comment.
To be honest, I pretty much enjoy everything you post *cue embarassing gushing about your high-larious writing*, but I LOVE your pop culture/ladybusiness blogs the most. Especially any Apatow bashing – I’m always down with that.
Just be sure to keep up the good work, and give us a heads up when you’re published elsewhere, I’d hate to miss anything!
I love the Ladybusiness here, it was my initial attraction to Tigerbeatdown. But the simple truth is, now .. I just love your writing! I thoroughly enjoy reading all things! Silly and serious, and quite honestly they balance each other out so that reading here isn’t just depressing.
I lurves teh ladybidnez! And have appalling spelling evidently. I like it when you bring the personal into it, and second the idea of bringing in some backup beatdowners.
um, could someone please link me the little women post mentioned above? PLEASE?
I’ll read whatever you post. Don’t feel like you owe us, jaysus, (the entitlement of People on the Internet is sometimes rather astounding, as I’ve seen on my–gasp–livejournal) but post about what you feel like writing about. I think you’ve proven pretty conclusively that whatever you write, people end up reading it.
also, when you write on the blog i feel like you’re talking to ME, drinking some cheap wine on my cozy couch and making the enormous aching weight of ladybusiness infinitely more approachable and manageable. when you write elsewhere, i feel like you are talking to The World. both are great, but don’t forget about my couch! it’s so cozy!
i hope that doesn’t sound creepy as hell.
I’d like to see you post on pretty much every thing. You are just such a fun read and you really brighten my day.
Okay, fine, I’ll side with the other commenters: Sady’s brilliant. Duh! But as for substantive, constructive suggestions, I haven’t seen any yet and, as such, I offer the following concrete areas in which you might focus your future blogging:
1: Your favorite Zooey Deschanel movies (and quotes!)
2: Your favorite clothes.
3: Your efforts to eradicate misandry.
4: Any and all news about Millionaires.
5: Norman Mailer’s minor works.
6: Your least favorite animals.
Really, I see a lot of room for growth.
Ugh, that reminds me that I was supposed to polish up that other guest post I wrote for you forever ago and then forgot about. I should do that.
Saaaaady, you are totally wonderful. I second what Beth said about it seeming like you’re talking to me on the blog, especially when you quote me, like today. I like all your posts, even the non-ladybusiness-related ones (like your landlord debacle in play form). I don’t want you to feel like you can’t crap out a wacky post and have it be well received. It will be. I assure you, you shit gold.
In further Opinion from my Esteemed Self, I’d like to be able to, I don’t know, pay you or purchase some kind of Tiger Beatdown merchandise or something. Of course, I don’t want you to start thinking of Tiger Beatdown as a job that you Have to Do. But maybe you could have a cafepress store or a donation button or something. Have you ever considered the fact that some of your readers are real live professional artists who happen to think you’re the aardvark’s armpits (in a good way) and might be capable of designing t-shirts or mugs or something? I’m not saying it could be a steady source of income or anything, but it might provide you with some pocket money with which to purchase moon pies and penny whistles. You’re into those, right?
More sarcastic-mean-epic-hilarious beatdowns, please!
Or personal stuff. Anything you write is the best, Sady.
I vote ladybusiness please with plenty of Apatow bashing. Those are my favorite (but I’ll pretty much read anything you decide to write)!
Really, the writing tends to be so good I’m not going to be picky about the subject. I just hope that this site continues to direct us to where else in the ‘Netiverse your stuff is to be found.
I adore your humor. Anything funny is fabulous.
The ladybusiness is what brought me here, but I’ve grown to love the pop culture stuff as well as Sady’s flair for punctuation!11!
I also think that Sady is the “aardvark’s armpits” (which will NEVER stop being funny forever, amen) and I look forward to reading her here, there, and pretty much anywhere. 😀
On the serious: I would TOTALLY buy a Tiger Beatdown t-shirt, or tote bag.
Also, throw posts up to let us know where you ARE posting… kinda like this one!
Personal:political:: Sadybusiness:ladybusiness
So, I’ll take more of whatever you care to write.
I like the feminist literary reviews. When you do a long analysis of a book or short story or movie, you show me a perspective and context I’ve never seen before. Do more of those.
Hi, I’ve never commented here before, but I just wanted to let you know that I love reading your blog, and that my favourite posts by far have always been the book/movie reviews. But I’ll keep reading no matter what you post!
The ladybusiness is how I found this blog in the first place, so I like that the most! Also, I loved it when you briefly had a Tumblr (I am on it too, so yeah)
I’m with yosafbridge in that I’m a fan of Apato bashing too (Favourite!).
I also agree with Beth about the couch thing. And Chelsey about the donation-button, that’s a pretty darn terrific idea actually. I’m sure lots and lots of people would like contribute to your eating, and or buying food habits.
Also I’d love to make a t-shirt or two for the beatdownstore. I just do it out of my house here in sweden, don’t have a real business so it might not bring in the big bucks for you though.
Sometimes it seems like the male political blogs- I know this blog isn’t explicitly political, but I would think it had implicit political agendas- are given more professional respect because they don’t delve as much into personal type stuff. So from a crassly careerist perspective, I dunno, it might make some sense to stick largely to ladybusiness? But, fuck, do what you enjoy. I assume that life’s too short, although technically I think you would need to be dead to make that claim confidently.
I too prefer comments related to Ladybusiness, but silly things related to Ladybusiness are included in that preference.
I don’t read around that much on the web so I also really appreciate your posts that link us to your paid gigs as it makes it easy to wander over and read them.
Taking the title literally, I’m not that fond of the new veryplaintxt theme. I’d like a coloured background, at least in the margins. All that white space hurts my eyes…
I like the shorter sillier stuff though.
What I would like to see is: less whiteness. Culturally speaking, in the world at large, but visually speaking (can that be done?) specifically on this blog.
I, too, will read anything you write, Sady, and be the better for it, but I would sure like not having my eyeballs et by all this whiteness while doing it.
And, yeah, I remember all the way back to the beginning of this post where you said you’ve been busier than ever, which may not have been an invitation to come up with time-eating projects for you like redesigning your blog – sorry.
Lurve the snarkiness regarding the ladybusiness. Like the personal too!
Shorter is always better for those of us who fall asleep at our desks easily… just sayin’.
I’ll read anything you write. The only thing I’d like to see is the return of the ALL CAPS! AND EXCLAMATION POINTS!! I always hated them in other people’s writing (I’m looking at you, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), but you? You made me love them! I want you to be happy and excited and stuff. 🙂
i am totes with everyone who votes for lots of LADYBUSINESS. it is IMPOSSIBLY difficult to find anything else that is even half as funny, true, and wonderful as what you write anywhere else on the intertubes.
I’m going to have to disagree with the last comment and say: the longer the better! I mean, I love short entries, too, but I particularly appreciate when you delve down deep in your analysis of culture and ladybusiness.
Also, I think it would be good to use Tiger Beatdown as a home for posts that are too personal (or too angry) for other publications.
And I agree with the idea of a Tiger Beatdown store 🙂 BRANDING! That’s important in careers, right?
Oh, one last thing: Could there please be a search function like there was on the old Tiger Beatdown on Blogspot? (Maybe there is one and I can’t find it?) I am always digging through the archives to share some of your fabulous, brilliant thoughts with others.
I think the blog should be what you want it to be – it’s your vehicle after all – but I have to say what first attracted me, and what I love, is the analysis of sexism in pop culture.
I think that’s incredibly valuable in a world when that’s often ignored, accepted, or not even noticed – and a great comfort to those of us who do notice it that we’re not just insane / obsessed / seeing sexism everywhere where it doesn’t exist just because we’re crazy feminists. I also very much enjoy the posts where you dec-onstruct a flawed argument bit by bit and expose it in all its ill-thought-out-and-sexist glory.
So I would say, yay for the silly stuff too and please keep it up, but don’t move away entirely from the more thoughtful and incisive analysis – that’s what I love, and I think that it was it so good, and so unique in some ways, about Tiger Beatdown.
Speaking of Meta, Sady, they’re talking about you over at Pandagon. Are your ears burning?
I think the popular sentiment is that Sady could write about how the grass is green and the sky is blue, and we would all love it because she is awesome that way. I would read anything you write with gusto. I do like how you deconstruct flawed sexist arguments, or any topic about Ladybusiness in general.
@Snobographer: I don’t really read Pandagon, sadly.* I did click over to that post because it was linked on The Sexist, and I think Marcotte misconstrues and oversimplifies some of my points. I had a more nuanced and interesting discussion with Cara at The Curvature, and you can find it here: http://thecurvature.com/2009/09/08/some-thoughts-on-tucker-max/
*Any more, that is! I used to, once upon a time. I was just subscribing to too many blogs, and that one ended up getting cut.
Amanda frustrates the fuck out of me because her posts can be so incredibly rich and layered and then insert stuff that’s just so glibly reductive. She’ll do stuff like argue that wingnuts homeschool because they’re threatened by “normality.” What the fuck progressives are doing advocating for norms, I don’t know. But in the Tucker Max, as per her norm, there are a lot of good ideas in there, as far as proscriptions for effective protests. Tucker Max-ites aren’t more “fun” than feminists, by a damn longhsot, and it makes a fuckload of sense for feminists to publicly assert that.
Dear Sady,
How about this:
Why not use Tigerbeatdown to write what you feel like writing! And you can cross post/let us know what you’re writing elsewhere so we can keep up with that too! Personally, I am a huge fan of your movie/popculture/tvshow reviews, but I’ll read pretty much anything you write about
I’m new here. I’ve been lurking for a while and reading. So my very first comment is going to be to say that I love everything you’ve done, and I am going to keep reading whatever you come up with.
I know, I’m so helpful. 🙁
Augh, I should have said this sooner…
On the one hand, I want to say “Write what you want to write!” Because that’s what I do.
On the other hand, there’s a selfish part of me saying “Keeping writing feminist-related stuff! Long articles about things like rape culture and misogynistic films!”
But in the end, I think it’s best to write what you want.
@Samantha: Oh, I think Marcotte is pretty funny, actually! And I think a lot of her points sound simple because she’s trying to get them across in an accessible way. Weirdly, I think I stopped reading Pandagon because I found myself AGREEING with her too often, covering the same things, etc. and I didn’t want my take to be too influenced by hers. So, chalk this up to the one time in a million that we substantively disagree on something. And I get the sense that if we ever talked we’d find points of agreement even on that. But, you’re right, her suggestions are fairly constructive.
Older women exist. Really! You might want to, you know, consider that.
That is all. Back to lurking.
@Daisy: Um, not to be rude, but… huh? Is this in reference to something in the post, in the thread, or just a general observation? Because, yeah, I guess I do tend to focus on stuff that is relevant to me, a youngish woman, and to provide that perspective. And, furthermore, I am really interested in young women in general, who are (like me) born in the backlash generation, who were born into a world where many goals of the second wave had already been achieved, and for whom feminism has always been a reality but for whom feminism has also always been presented as a negative. How we reach those women, how they live, how feminism affects their lives… yeah, you could say that it’s a priority for me. But I don’t think I’m specifically excluding the older ladies. A lot of the stuff you’ll find here is just as relevant to them as to anyone else. I just can’t speak to their experiences with the same level of immediacy, because I don’t have them. If that makes sense.
_very_ drunk, not read through comments, but I really like your lady-business slant here. If I want to read personal stories (And I do!) I dunno, I’d appreciate separateness, so I can pick and choose me themes at times. Give access to livejournal lol?
Ehh.
Now having read comments and such, I know I should have put them all in one comment after reading ((What, is very drunk not an excuse, ohlol?))
Yeah, this reads to me as, sitting on my couch, drinking some beers, chilling with someone who gets my basic paradigm, but can have differences in opinion. This is comfy in ways articles for mainstream ((Therefore not me, sadly as I’m sure mainstream are more comfy generally)) cannot be to me.
I might be a little late to this party. I only recently discovered this site and its proving such an antidote to the usual pop culture sites I guiltily seek out each day. You’re so intelligent and thoughtful and articulate in your discussion its incredibly refreshing. Please include more pop culture stuff and pull a couple more of us out of the Matrix.