There is an audition at BlogHer for a mom blogger reality show called “Project Mom”, and I’m crazy enough to think that I’d be an excellent candidate for it***
(What do YOU think about this idea? )
Now for the tough part of the application.
They want to know who I am.
What sets me apart?
What is my story?
It’s an interesting question. I’ve been trying to find “me” my whole life. To be comfortable in my own skin, my own story and with who I am. It’s been a long journey and one that continues to challenge me.
My name is Loralee Choate, and my story is about loss.
(TOTAL downer answer, I know. But wait till the end of the story, dudes!)
My losses are considerable.
I lost my son. When Matthew died my heart broke so hard I thought it stopped along with my son’s. BUT I SURVIVED.
I lost a marriage. A story familiar to so many people. I was too young, too poor, just too…TOO.
I lost my plan to be a professional opera singer but I got to become a SAH mom and a blogger instead.
I lost my religion. A big deal for anyone but a *really* big deal in Utah. But I gained a sense of peace.
I lost our immediate plan of owning our own home to pay medical debt, but now I have the JOY of my life.
I lost my political identity. But speaking out about my insurance story and being invited to The White House gave me a backbone.
I lost the normal shape/function of my leg because of a near-fatal blood clot. But I learned to finally love them.
I lost half my body weight. Being obese caused a lot of heartache but it also gave me my sense of humor as a coping mechanism.
I lost my sense of humor. But then I TOTALLY FOUND IT AGAIN.
So, yes…my story is about loss and how it has changed and shaped me.
BUT is also about how I have survived!
What I have done to kick that loss in posterior and triumph to come out on the other side. I may come out a little (or a lot) worse for wear, but I ALWAYS make it through, even if by the skin of my teeth.
These losses of mine continue to challenge, come up, throw curve balls at me and shape me EVERY SINGLE DAY.
BUT…
With the exception of loosing my son, I’m grateful for the loss I’ve had.
Because somewhere along the path of fighting my way through it all?
NOW if only I could lose my hormonal, PMS-driven case of EMO that’s making me do weird things like incessant Lifetime channel watching, craving peanut butter on cheese slices and pretty much sobbing at EVERYTHING while curled in the fetal position throwing chocolate at myself.
Sigh…
***Thanks for your opinions, dear readers. I welcome all of them. I need to be clear I am just THINKING about this. I have very little information and want to get a WHOLE LOT MORE INFO and thought before I’d do anything. This is just to get an interview. Whether or not I would actually go through with it depends on many factors that I just don’t know yet. But at least I know I really respect the creators so that makes me at least want to throw my hat in the ring! Thank you so much for your concern! xo)
And besides all that, you’re HOT!
(Don’t worry, Loralee, you can pay me later.)
Oh. And I think you’d be amazing – as you are at anything you do.
I wanna see your hot ass on TV.
You’re one of the most real bloggers out there. I think it’s a great idea!
I think you’d be great!!
I think you’re swell. You’ve already proven you can do whatever you put your mind to. So go for it.
I’d PAY to watch you on tv. :)
I’ll be your agent & your groupie!
I think you’d rock! A couple of thoughts:
1) It’s good to think about if our family is cool with it. While sometimes I think about doing something “reality”-ish or sharing a story (right now it’s mostly about getting into shape), I know my husband wouldn’t feel right about our life being out there….
2) I think your story is about loss and overcoming it. The second half of each of those examples is just as important as the first and is an even bigger part of defining who you are.
Good luck!
I don’t think I would do it. I know YOU know who you are, but do you want to put that identity in the hands of show editors who only have ratings in mind? It is to their benefit the more freaky, weird and crazy they can make you seem. Do you want to become a character? If you thought the bloggy drama this weekend was nuts, wait til you get on TV.
I have a friend who was a TV news anchor in a small market. He had people climb the tree outside his house to see in his bedroom. People who wrote him passionate love notes and stalked him. People who sent him money because “he is a good man who will know what to do with it.”
Tread carefully. Think hard.
Ditto, but good luck either way.
I first thought NO WAY EVER.
But…someone I REALLY respect is involved in the project and it made me think of it a bit differently.
You have to apply to get information and I guarantee you….if it has a whiff if not-great, I’m out of there.
I think there are things out there that have also been really good…I just don’t know which this is.
I think it would be awesome to see you on a reality show. Having a HOT blogger on tv would be great for ratings. ;)
I’ll be honest. My first reaction is no. But only because I’d be afraid of how the show might change its participants. Than I stop and think about who you are and what you’ve been through and how you are still you, but stronger. If anyone was meant for a show like this, it’s you. Go for it, loralee. I’d break my No Reality TV rule just to see you rock your honest and lovely self on prime time.
I’m not afraid of it changing me, I’m afraid it would change too much of my life and be done poorly. All huge considerations and I am not sure what it all entails yet. I’m just looking to talk to people at BlogHer and find out what the fuss is all about.
Two words: Kate Gosselin.
But Lorelee doesn’t have enough kids!!!
Please tell me I have better hair…
You have a blog? Who knew. I would totally watch that.
You would be perfect! I love reading your blog and seeing you TV would be inspiring! Best of luck Loralee.
I’d totally vote for you
If your family would be for it, then I say go for it. I know that P (the man know the blogosphere around by only his first initial) would DIE if I wanted to do a reality thing (though he and his best friend have joked, off and on, about doing the Amazing Race).
Bring the drama… you’d be great at it. Naturally.
You are a wonderful, strong, brilliant, beautiful, sex, smart, drop dead gorgeous, witty, hot, woman.
(Did you get the hint I think you’re hot?)
I don’t know what I would do if I ever lost a child. Actually, I do. Go completely insane and live in a padded room for the rest of my life. You are a very strong woman. VERY VERY strong woman.
And that is why you are loved by many! <3
You are certainly a great candidate, but I echo Suebob’s comment. On you blog, you are in control, on TV there will be a host of editors and producers who call the shots. It’s a whole different ballgame. We had a family friend appear on What Not to Wear and I was practically crying when I saw her episode…and not happy tears.
Good luck whatever you decide!
It’s a fear for certain.
I say do what you feel is best for you and your family. I think you could totally rock it!
Oh gosh.. I love this. You have lost so much. but you have gained so much more..
When I first heard about this show, I immediately thought it would be perfect for you!!
Good luck… xoxo
Beautifully honest.
As the co-presidents of your un-official fan club…we are so blessed to have you in our lives. We think others would benefit from knowing you, also. We admire and support you in all you do.
I think you would do fabulously! You have such a warm personality– it is a joy to read your blogging.
With that said– I agree to you looking at it from all angles because there are a precious FEW relationships that survive reality TV because it isn’t “reality” at all– it is carefully edited, sensational, ratings driven TV.
Follow your heart. ???
Heck yes it’s about loss. You lost your chance to marry me in Vegas when you had to change your arrangements for BBC in Phoenix. ;-P
I think that the show could be an amazing experience and you would DEFINITELY keep everyone entertained (just as you do on here)! I would vote for ya!
I’d watch!
Of course, with the multitude of mommy bloggers out there, the editors had better tread lightly … Good luck!
I could never do it… and I think you would be much better at it, but I second (third, fourth, whatever) the comments about thinking it through very carefully. I know how strong you are but I also know that TV producers are only out for ratings and, well, misery SELLS. People want to see someone worse off than they are themselves. I worry that they would try to draw out the bad parts to get you sobbing on camera constantly and it would just kill me (and every single other member of your circle of friends and family) to watch you relive these things over and over again just for ratings.
That said, if you think it through, discuss it with the friends and family that it would most closely effect and still decide it is right for you then you know I will support your decision and cheer you on every week!
do it! i would certainly watch….you have a lot to say…..and a lot of people would love to listen
Loralee- You know how much I love and adore you. You know how much I admire you, and you know how proud of you I am. That said, keep something in mind. People are f***ing crazy. I know a little about how reality shows are put together. They’re going to edit the video to be the most entertaining, and that might not put you in the best light. In fact, the editing might (and will) make you look pretty awful at times. Also, the troll who hijacked the last post because she thought your boobs were excessively displayed? She’s NOTHING compared to complete and total batshit crazy mouth breathing losers who will lodge nasty, vicious gossip campaigns just for the fun of watching you get dragged through the mud. Remember the reality show about the supposed millionaire who was marrying that woman? Remember what went down after that? It was only a 15-minutes of fame moment, but to this day that woman’s life is STILL a little upside down.
All I’m saying is think about this *very* seriously. An automatic oh-my-god-I’m-going-to-be-on-television-and-really-really-famous first reaction is good, but this might not end up so wonderful. As your friend and someone who wants only the best for you, I’d caution you that the law of unintended consequences could bite you in the butt. Keep your eyes wide open here.
Well, that is the thing, David. I’ve turned down TV before because I couldn’t trust the people in charge of it.
I don’t have the “omg! TELEVISION” drive. I’ve done way too much theater and stuff to work any fame mongering out of my system long ago. Actually, any fame is the least appealing part of this to me.
It sounds interesting and like I said up above, I first thought NO. WAY. IN . HELL. But then someone I found out someone VERY respectable is involved in the process and it made me think again.
I’m just getting more information.
My family, kids and blog, job come first in my consideration. You know?
xo
“My family, kids and blog, job come first in my consideration. You know?”
Good. Because this could jeopardize all of them. And what’s the upside? 15 minutes of fame, which again, ain’t exactly a barrel of monkeys. Of course if you offered me a barrel of monkeys, I’d be mortally insulted and ask why a nice rack of smoked St. Louis ribs with potato salad and a glass of fresh iced tea wasn’t possible, maybe with a slice of cherry pie for dessert. Monkeys smell bad, and I don’t live in Jamaica, so *that* many bananas I just don’t have. But that’s neither here nor there, and completely beside the point.
The more I think about this, the more I believe the potential for heartache, humiliation, public scorn and major badness in damn near every facet of your life far outweighs the very, VERY small chance that it has a good or even inconsequential outcome.
I vote no. Don’t do it. Let someone else deal with the humiliation. You don’t need this, and neither does your family or the rest of us who think you’re even better than perfectly smoked St. Louis ribs, potato salad, iced tea and fresh baked cherry pie.
I think this is very insightful, and probably right on target. TV people are not going to have anyone’s best interest at heart. They have dollar bills at heart. BE CAREFUL!
umm, you KNOW I’d be glued to a program featuring you. I was one of your readers near the beginning of your bloggership. The thing that brought me there, has kept me there. Your inherent personality. I have my fingers double crossed for you.
Rally rally and rally. And rally some more. Your honest and funny voice is one that almost everyone can relate to-reality tv needs YOU. Good luck!
Hey, peanut butter and chocolate are important.
I love you te death, but I don’t think reality television is wise. It involves people besides yourself (such as family members), and opens your life up to more public scrutiny. You already know who you are, you don’t need a television show.
That’s my personal opinion.
You’ve got my vote as I enjoy your blog. You would be fun to watch on TV!!!
I’m not a tv fan and if this gig affected your blog too much, I’d be disappointed! I don’t want to read about what life is like as a reality star. I like your day-to-day life and observations. Just remember all the TV actors that try to do movies…it rarely works out well. Stick with what works. I also agree with David’s comments about them not necessarily putting you in the best light.
Nah. I wouldn’t do it if that were the case. I love my blog. I am not even remotely married to this…I am applying to find out more information, you know? xo
I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to see a show that focused on baby loss. It’s so freakin taboo, and that needs to end.
Wow honey, what a story! I think you would be amazing.
And I’m with you…I submitted but I want to know a whole lot more before I jump off that bridge. But it doesn’t hurt to throw your name into a hat to learn more.
You would rock it lady! :) I would love to see you on the show. I’d love to see me on the show too ;)
I would LOVE to see you on this show. Not only have you lost severely but you have gained and helped so many others grow and learn from you and your example.
that’s great! i know that i’ll watch for sure!
I can’t imagine a more colorful personality (meant in the best possible way)to oogle on TV. Plus, if any dress fluffing were required, I’d my life long with could come true!
wow! i am amazed! and so happy to find your blog with this post! you are beautiful and have such an inspiring blog! i think you’d be an amazing addition to this reality tv show and one that would actually make me watch :) thank you so much for being so inspiring!
best wishes to you!
juliette
You ROCK in every way! I adore you and you would be fabulous!!!
As for the “Reality TV” thing – I agree that because we know who is involved and what their goals and vision are, I feel way more comfortable auditioning. And we will be able to tell early on if we want to get out!
HUGS – can’t wait to party with you in NYC!!!!
Your words about this are amazing and you never fail to do that with your readers. I truly hope that you get what you would like from this opportunity. Wishing you the best and hoping to meet up with you at BlogHer.
I’d do it only if you trust the producers…
gawh, i REALLY hope this involves your aereolas (i think i misspelled that) because they’re amazing.
I can’t wait to hear how this all shakes out after the interview. I love your story and I’d love to hear more. I hope this turns out to be a wonderful project for you. Good Luck!