Sunday
Nov072004
The Story Behind The Story
Sunday, November 7, 2004 at 11:09PM
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
8:00 a.m.
It is a typical day, like any other--except:
Subject: Atlanta Constitution reporter seeks interview.
"Hi, my name is Phil Kloer, I'm the pop culture writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, doing a story on Desperate Housewives..." Well, okay.
The Rebel Housewife Rules: To Heck With Domestic Bliss! has been out since September 1st--seven weeks, and despite the best efforts of myself and my publisher, we've had no success getting any love in the hometown newspaper. The pop culture writer wants to talk? Great! About Desperate Housewives? Fantastic! I call. We talk. It's fun--LOVE that show! I offer to send Phil a signed copy of The Rebel Housewife Rules to thank him for the interview and his interest...and off I go to my early-birthday weekend getaway in Florida.
Phil's article runs on the front page of the AJC Living Section, Friday, October 22, 2004, and, subsequently, all over the country: Viewers identify with 'Desperate Housewives.' He quotes me twice, and mentions The Rebel Housewife Rules! Thank you, Phil--my new best friend!
I didn't know about the Desperate Housewives article until we got home late Sunday afternoon, but I was ecstatic in Florida over an email I received on Friday:
Subject: Now for the book!
"Sherri: We're gonna do a story on the book and website. I'd like to talk to you Monday if possible...Also we're gonna need to get a photo, maybe on Tuesday if that works." Woo hoo!
Wait now--a picture?! I've been in the sun in Florida for four days--I'm a grown-out, sun-bleached-to-strawberry, redheaded mess! With a hair appointment Tuesday night! No worries--I'll just put him off one day, so I can look simply stunning in photos for my hometown.
No such luck. Monday AM: "Sherri: Hope you had a nice trip to Florida. Wednesday is not going to work for me cause of deadlines. Could we possibly do it Tuesday? I'd like to come out to your house and bring a photographer. We're talking a really nice piece in Sunday Living to promote the Nov. 9 appearance! Let me know, Phil."
Obviously, Phil has my number, and knows all the buttons to push: "deadlines", "Sunday living"...of course it's more than a little media ho like me can stand! I immediately begin a frantic search for Jenna, my hair stylist. The salon is closed on Monday. I leave an emergency message. Look, this is serious stuff: I'd already come across a bit...well, frumpy in my TV interview--but hey, I was being "authentic"! There was no way I was going to lose 20lbs overnight, or morph into a fashion plate Betty Buckhead before Phil showed up with his photographer--the hair was the only thing I had!
10:00 a.m.
Jenna and I manage to work out a quick-fix plan, arrange to meet at the salon at 1:00 p.m. No time to perform the total makeover we've been discussing, but at least we can get the red amped up.
12:30 p.m.
Call from school--dash to pick up Headwound Harry/Zach.
1:30 p.m.
At the salon. Zach has stopped bleeding, very minor gash. He hangs a sleeping bag hammock in the back of the SUV and stretches out to watch movies while I'm in with Jenna.
2:45 p.m.
Pulling into the driveway.
2:50 p.m.
Nick, the AJC photographer, arrives.
2:55 p.m.
The bus arrives -- no Haleigh.
3:00 p.m.
Working the phone to find Haleigh -- Phil arrives.
"I have one with a head wound watching movies in the truck, and one missing in action--Welcome to my world!"
The vibe from both Phil and Nick, once Haleigh is located: "This is GREAT!"
(Hardly what they expected, I gather.)
And yet, this is my life--and I LOVE the article:
Metro housewife is a rebel with a cause
8:00 a.m.
It is a typical day, like any other--except:
- It is the day before my 37th birthday (how is it possible to be so old?!);
- I am recovering from a wonderful early-birthday weekend getaway in Florida with my hubby. ("Re-entry," i.e. catching up with kids, laundry, mail, messages, etc., is always difficult.)
- I am on deadline, finishing a feature article for a magazine (Feb. '05 issue), due by Friday;
- Five days to Halloween...One week to Election Day...
- Oh, and an Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) reporter and photographer will be at the house this afternoon about 3:00 p.m. for an interview with The Rebel Housewife!
Subject: Atlanta Constitution reporter seeks interview.
"Hi, my name is Phil Kloer, I'm the pop culture writer for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, doing a story on Desperate Housewives..." Well, okay.
The Rebel Housewife Rules: To Heck With Domestic Bliss! has been out since September 1st--seven weeks, and despite the best efforts of myself and my publisher, we've had no success getting any love in the hometown newspaper. The pop culture writer wants to talk? Great! About Desperate Housewives? Fantastic! I call. We talk. It's fun--LOVE that show! I offer to send Phil a signed copy of The Rebel Housewife Rules to thank him for the interview and his interest...and off I go to my early-birthday weekend getaway in Florida.
Phil's article runs on the front page of the AJC Living Section, Friday, October 22, 2004, and, subsequently, all over the country: Viewers identify with 'Desperate Housewives.' He quotes me twice, and mentions The Rebel Housewife Rules! Thank you, Phil--my new best friend!
I didn't know about the Desperate Housewives article until we got home late Sunday afternoon, but I was ecstatic in Florida over an email I received on Friday:
Subject: Now for the book!
"Sherri: We're gonna do a story on the book and website. I'd like to talk to you Monday if possible...Also we're gonna need to get a photo, maybe on Tuesday if that works." Woo hoo!
Wait now--a picture?! I've been in the sun in Florida for four days--I'm a grown-out, sun-bleached-to-strawberry, redheaded mess! With a hair appointment Tuesday night! No worries--I'll just put him off one day, so I can look simply stunning in photos for my hometown.
No such luck. Monday AM: "Sherri: Hope you had a nice trip to Florida. Wednesday is not going to work for me cause of deadlines. Could we possibly do it Tuesday? I'd like to come out to your house and bring a photographer. We're talking a really nice piece in Sunday Living to promote the Nov. 9 appearance! Let me know, Phil."
Obviously, Phil has my number, and knows all the buttons to push: "deadlines", "Sunday living"...of course it's more than a little media ho like me can stand! I immediately begin a frantic search for Jenna, my hair stylist. The salon is closed on Monday. I leave an emergency message. Look, this is serious stuff: I'd already come across a bit...well, frumpy in my TV interview--but hey, I was being "authentic"! There was no way I was going to lose 20lbs overnight, or morph into a fashion plate Betty Buckhead before Phil showed up with his photographer--the hair was the only thing I had!
10:00 a.m.
Jenna and I manage to work out a quick-fix plan, arrange to meet at the salon at 1:00 p.m. No time to perform the total makeover we've been discussing, but at least we can get the red amped up.
12:30 p.m.
Call from school--dash to pick up Headwound Harry/Zach.
1:30 p.m.
At the salon. Zach has stopped bleeding, very minor gash. He hangs a sleeping bag hammock in the back of the SUV and stretches out to watch movies while I'm in with Jenna.
2:45 p.m.
Pulling into the driveway.
2:50 p.m.
Nick, the AJC photographer, arrives.
2:55 p.m.
The bus arrives -- no Haleigh.
3:00 p.m.
Working the phone to find Haleigh -- Phil arrives.
"I have one with a head wound watching movies in the truck, and one missing in action--Welcome to my world!"
The vibe from both Phil and Nick, once Haleigh is located: "This is GREAT!"
(Hardly what they expected, I gather.)
And yet, this is my life--and I LOVE the article:
Metro housewife is a rebel with a cause