***Post Update: For all of you curious to watch me make an arse of myself, the producers at Connect with Mark Kelley have obliged your requests and put my television mockery on line for your viewing pleasure.
So grab some popcorn, say a Hail Mary, and thank the Heavens above that I’m not your Mother and then click this link.
Don’t say I didn’t warn you.***
This summer, as I was sweltering at my uncle’s funeral, with rivulets of sweat trickling between my breasts and making my boobs itchy, Opportunity knocked at my door.
There I was, discreetly trying scratch the itch away, not realizing no matter how discreet I thought I was, I was still sitting in a torn folding lawn chair parked next to a broken RV trailer sitting on wooden blocks, scratching at my boobs like a monkey in a zoo.
There is no accounting for Opportunity‘s timing. Nor is there, as my parents would like to point out, any accounting for how I always manage to be that one chick sitting there scratching her tits in public.
(I, myself, have a theory about that but in the interests of not being disowned, again, I’ll keep my mouth shut.)
So, like the rube unknowingly inviting a vampire in, I opened the door.
I’d totally be the chick who asks the homicidal psychopath in for tea because I had nothing better planned for the afternoon.
(Can you tell it’s only days after Halloween and I have spent far too many hours of my life watching scary movies?)
Ahem.
So it was on that hot and sunny day as the boob sweat threatened to drown me that I was offered an unexpected job.
On television.

It could have been the beer I had chugged moments before, it could have been grief had clouded my usually impeccable judgment (shut up) or perhaps I was suffering from heat stroke, but whatever it was, I heard myself agreeing.
To be on television.
Why yes. I do have rocks for brains. Thanks for asking.
I always wanted to be the female version of Ron Burgundy. It’s like the heavens opened up and offered me the opportunity to ‘Stay Classy‘ on a silver platter.
Ladies and gentlemen, can I please have your attention. I’ve just been handed an urgent and horrifying news story. I need all of you, to stop what you’re doing and listen. Cannonball!
So this is how I found myself staring at the television screen last week with my children beside me, listening to them heckle and mock me as I counted all my double chins staring back at me.
Once I got past the whole Vanity Destroying Self-Esteem factor of seeing myself on the boob tube, I began to realize the benefits of this opportunity staring me in the face.
Not only was I just given access to an entirely new medium in which I can make my husband squirm uncomfortably as I air our dirty laundry in public but I can use this opportunity to get really flexible with myself as I learn to talk with one foot permanently embedded in my mouth!
I do love me the taste of my own toe jam.
If that weren’t enough to convince me of the brilliance of this choice, just seeing the rabid fear on my children’s face as they braced for the inevitable embarrassment they are sure I’m about to gift upon them was enough to cement my choice and reaffirm my decision to appear on a national prime time television.
Suddenly, a whole new realm of parenting possibilities opened before me. I could use this position on television as a means to keep my spawn in check. Forget to do your homework? You wouldn’t want me mentioning that on television would you? Back talk your mother? Oh, payback will be sweet when I go on air wearing curlers while munching on a piece of straw to talk about how you used to run around naked in the playground.
The threats of parental punishment are limitless, really.
(However, if any CBC producers are reading this, I promise you it’s a hollow threat. I’d never make an ass out of myself just to teach my kids a lesson.
Don’t read my blog archives though, okay?)
The very best part of being asked to be part of a news program like this? Sending pictures of David Hasselhoff in a bikini to the very professional host of the show.
Sorry about that Mark. Blame the writers of Mamapop. They made me do it.
Er, I meant, the best part of my appearance is it is lends street cred to my blogging for my husband, who actually (misguidedly) believes I now have a REAL job.
You know, opposed to the fake job of pounding out these posts to invisible people while maintaining our household, doing all the shopping, driving and parenting of our three children.
(Wait! Does that make me sound bitter?)
Anyways, if I’m really lucky maybe I’ll get so famous I’ll inspire an entire line of Halloween wigs like that chick with eight kids and a douchey soon to be ex-husband.
I’d totally wear that haircut. If I were blind and all the camera’s in the world were broken.
I’ll settle for not entirely and completely humiliating myself on a weekly basis.
What can I say? My bar isn’t raised that high.

*I appear on tonight’s episode of Connect With Mark Kelley on CBC’s Newsworld Network. Don’t ask me if you can view it in the States, cuz I have no idea.*








GreenInOC
Thanks Aurelia for posting the link.
Just in case you aren’t interested in what comes before Redneck Mommy, skip to about 30:57 and there she is!
Can’t wait to see your new wigs!!
Out-Numbered
OK Katie Couric. A few questions:
1) By National Television, you mean Canada? Is it a Hockey show? Curling? Just curious.
2) I had no idea porn was on the non-paid channels.
3) “Discovered by the Germans in 1904, they named it San Diego, which of course in German means a whale’s vagina.”
Mayo Out!
kyooty
OK I did get to see it. Holy Accent from the West Batman! I think you did a good job with that scarf. Supper is a Daily event here. I cook supper every night and we sit down to eat it usually as a family. Quiet? nope not going to happen
Carrie
Pleas post links each week so we can applaud you from down here in the states!
Loved it! And am now convinced, more than ever, that my craziness is due in part to the fact that we’ve always sat down to family dinners…despite my ridiculously poor organizational skills!
Andre
I would watch it online but CBC makes it so damn hard to view their videos. Anyway, congrats on moving up (sideways?) in the world.
Andre
PS. That photo of David Hasselhoff in the speedo makes me feel like I really need to take a shower right away to wash away the “ickiness” that now covers me like a blanket of luke-warm slug slime.
Haley-O (Cheaty)
SWEET GIG!!! I’m so excited I get to laugh at you on TV now on a WEEKLY BASIS.
Also, two words: WILL FERRELL!!!!!
rachel-asouthernfairytale
You are beyond perfect for that. You were adorable and I will cry if you ever sport that do… (although I had it about 8 years ago but, not that with that degree of bangage)
um.. yeah
David
Just watched the TV segment. Oh my god! I had no idea you were so adorable. I’ve been reading your blog for only a couple months now (The archives too) and I developed a crush on you because of your writing (which shows your brilliance, humor, strength and sensitivity) but holy crap! you are beautiful! You should be on tv everyday! That smile! Those cheeks! Your eyes! Your style! Just perfect.
Khadra
That was awesome!! And you’re so freaking cute!
Heidi Ericson
Loved to watch your segment. We sat down together to eat every night. I’m glad we did. The only thing on TV at that time was the news so missing TV wasn’t a bad thing. Now that we are grown those dinners are some of our best memories. We’d laugh and share and had some great times. Get your kids involved in the process and it won’t be so bad. Don’t give up on family dinners.
Pooba~
Watch your video… and was thinking how it worked for me… I had my kids DOING something to contribute to the festivities…
One could set the table, one could do the clean up one could peal the potatoes, one could stir the fiery cauldron… and you could just stand there and crack the whip…
Amelia
Your son has a girlfriend? Did I miss that post? Do tell!
Adventures In Babywearing
I watched it- you are Adorable. And you are so right about the blood sugars.
I do have to say that I had sit down dinners with my family growing up and, well, I can’t say I never got into any trouble.
Steph
Kristen
I can not believe that you told the entire country (well, at least those that watch that show) that your daughter wants to shave her legs… and you are still living. If my mom had done that to me at 13, I totally would have rebelled and committed murder.
Too funny… I hope I am as great a mom as you are!
Sincerely, Jenni
I gave you an award over at my blog today! Congratulations!
http://sincerelyjenni.blogspot.com/2009/11/i-can-feel-love.html
tysdaddy
Watched the video. And, seriously, fencing with knives?! You’ve been peeking through my windows haven’t you? Snoop around again and I’m calling the cops!
Great job, Tanis. And congrats . . .