An Apology To Christy and My Readers
Think Before You Speak
It seems my last post upset a few people and I never intended for anyone to take it personally. When I said that writing a paid review was basically being paid to lie, it’s just how I felt at the time and I was in no way judging anyone who writes them.
I often write from the perspective of devil’s advocate in order to incite discussion so that I and my readers can learn. My friend Christy from Christy’s Coffee Break voiced angst in her recent post Hurt Feelings - Some Christy Drama. I am really sorry Christy.
The truth is, I shouldn’t have said what I did in such an absolute, judgmental way. Some writers don’t reveal their highs an lows but I tend to write what I feel. Sometimes I have to get something off my chest so I can progress and learn something valuable.
I have been wanting to do something much more serious in blogging and have been evaluating options for months. I was extremely frustrated when I wrote that post and I did not hold back.
Lesson Learned
I have learned something. I wish I had learned it in another way, but it happened and now I must move forward. It really bothered me after writing my 1st paid post, that I was basically being told what to write. I don’t know why it got to me the way it did, but I knew I wanted to feel that what I was doing wasn’t wrong.
Writing paid posts is new to me and I take so much pride in what I write, I need to have some serious feedback to show me another perspective. Well Christy, you definitely gave me a different way of seeing things!
Some comments including Christy’s on my last post, Blogging For Money is a Dirty Job
shared the idea that if you pick what you really like and feel positive about, then you are giving an honest opinion.
I will take this lesson with me into the future as I write sponsored posts and I know that I shouldn’t be so hard on myself or others when I do. Whether I meant to upset anyone or not, I did. In the future when I am frustrated or angry, I will remember this incident so I don’t upset someone as nice as Christy.
Christy (and anyone else who might have been offended), I hope you’ll forgive me and I will definitely not forget what I’ve learned. I respect you and your work and I will use much more discretion when writing in the future.
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Hola Bobby, I hope that Christy will forgive u too, esp after reading how sorry u are in this post. I guess we should learn to be more tactful in our writing, I try to be! Smile Bobby!
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Happy Anniversary!
Big hugs Bobby. I love both you and Christy. I admire and respect you for stating how you feel — either way — and then also being able to apologize. Everyone who knows you, knows you would never intentionally hurt a soul. I don’t do paid posts, not because I feel the are bad, but I didn’t want to go that direction either. I have started getting products sent to me to talk about in my blog, but it’s not paid except for the free product. I am never told what to say though and the sender takes the risk that I may not like it. I got some fancy, expensive chocolate the other day that I will be blogging about soon. Want some?
Polliwog’s last blog post..Daddy?s Football Girl
Polliwog is so cute to offer u some of her fancy chocs!
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Happy Anniversary!
I feel terrible Paula. I was venting some frustration and next time I’ll be more prudent in my choices in moments like that. I don’t really feel that way, I was just overloaded with stress and I wrote it. I feel worse than horrible.
Hi Marzie, I wish I had never written it, but I have learned a lesson.
I wish I was in the mood for chocolate Marzie
Even chocs can’t cheer u up?? How a bout a special GP hug?
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Happy Anniversary!
That’s good that you were able to apologize yes I could see how that could offend some people because not everyone lies when they do their reviews. I only do reviews for products I’m familiar with.
I also try to look at it this way would I want someone to make a blanket statement about me or a group that I’m affiliated with? Definitely not.
I choose my words carefully, especially when I write, because we’re not in person and I cannot quickly say, no I did not mean it that way. That’s why when I make a “statement” I’ll say this is my opinion based on the people I’ve encountered. I’ll also say that I know everyone is not like that. I can not speak for everyone just the ones I’ve encountered.
I’ve been away from blogging for about a week. I sent you a quick email earlier I’ll follow up with you later today. I’m doing my rounds and visiting my blogging buddies before I start my day.
I’ve missed everyone.
Opal Tribble’s last blog post..Being Busy Is Contagious
At the risk of upsetting whomever, I think you should say what you think, this IS your blog. Don’t sweat it, we can’t always be understood.
sassy’s last blog post..Dearest Internet, I never really felt understood until I met you.
What I would like to say is… I really admire you. If I were in your place I would have been indignant and angry and and and and fire back an angry post of my own. Yet reading your patient replies and this post, I find it amazing how you have held your own. I think Christy will come around soon….
If there’s a lesson to be learnt here… it’s me from you.
BObo’s last blog post..A First of many Firsts
Hi Bobby,
Nice of you to show you are sorry for hurting anyone’s feelings. I read your original post and it didn’t hurt my feelings. Everyone is entitled to their opinions and maybe taking something someone says so personal brings on hurt feelings. As long as you feel good in what you’re doing, the opinion of others shouldn’t hurt or discourage someone. This is my opinion of course…We can’t please everyone so the saying goes….I participate in PPP and I choose carefully what I write about and try to bring quality to each post. Some of my PPP are the most commented on and I even feel it’s bringing a tip, awareness or even helpful to some of my readers. I even learned a thing or two about some products and/or services. PPP also allows me to challenge my mind to write a good post…sorta like improv…you need to come up with something of quality in a short amount of time. Original content…so far this has been working and my ratings,comments are showing it.
Maybe try it again Bobby and you will see a different view. Life is all about learning, making mistakes and that’s how we grow as a person…you are a gentle soul with a big heart….
PS: If you don’t want the chocolate, can I have it?!
Andrea’s last blog post..A Male’s Perspective on “It’s A Male Thing”
Oh boy, I never meant you to feel bad, or to feel you had to write a blog post to say that you’re sorry. I feel so bad Bobby, and I’m sorry.
The absolute truth is that you are one of my blogging hero’s, you stand up for everyone and you are so smart. I’ve put you on a pedestal in my own mind. If I didn’t value your opinion the way I do your post would not have even bothered me. That’s the problem, I care too much about what you have to say!
I am so super sorry and I really don’t want you to feel bad. I need to stop and think before I do anything as thinking things through has definitely never been one of my strong points.
People love your posts because you do say whatever you are thinking. I am way too emotional, and I need to learn to try to not take things so personally. Maybe one of these days I’ll toughen up a bit.
I definitely don’t want to add any kind of negativity into your life, you are one of my favorite bloggers Bobby.
Christy’s last blog post..Criss Angel - Double Card Prediction
Wow, such a serious post to stumble onto! I’m up for a special GP hug!
Speedy sent me over here to say hi as part of a fun tag, so here I am!
I hope that you have a great day, if that is at all possible!
All right, here is my second attempt at a comment….I am all up for a special hug (along with GP), too!
Speedy sent me over to say hi…..so here I am! I hope that you have a great day, if possible. It is the weekend! Enjoy it!
Julie’s last blog post..Joss Whedon is coming back to TV! Woooohoooo!
Looks like you are stirring up the Yuwie Money Pit stew, too
Hope all is well now. I’m sure you didn’t mean to hurt anyone. You’re just a passionate man who says what’s on his mind. Say, what did Angelina say when she got home last night? j/k
Rolando’s last blog post..Body Shock
Ok Marzie!!! You made me smile
Thanks for making me feel better 
It’s nice to have you back Opal!!!!
Hi Sassy!! I wrote a horror story in highschool in 1st person, from the mind of a psycho. It read like a confession which made it really creepy. I had several friends who didn’t like me for writing a fiction story!!!!!
Hi Bobo!!! Of course Christy and I will be friends. Even better than before! That’s my problem, I vent anger in my writing. I will always do that but will think more next time
Christy takes a lot of pride in her work, ppp or any post. Not everyone does! I’ll be looking at paid reviews in a better light. I’ll really check the place out and pick ones I feel good about.
Andrea, you better stay away from my chocolate
See, I knew all would turn out well in the end.
Dawn’s last blog post..I need opinions, people!
Thanks Christy!!!!!!!!!! Wow I feel better. Lets remember this as a lesson we both have learned from. Here’s to a positive future
You take your paid reviews seriously and put a lot into it. I didn’t realize that I could put my honest effort in PPP, etc. and write something good and honest.
I was wrong, and I think I learned a lot. Were friends….that’s all that matters to me. You are one of my favorite bloggers too Christy, and you are one of the hardest working. Thanks SOOOO much! You made me feel way better
Hi Julie!!! It’s nice to have you here. Not so serious posts…coming up
Ok Julie…I will hug you and GP simultaneously…WOW
Hi Debbie!!! Devils who?
I maybe stirring up Yuwie, but I may have to mug a Yuwie employee to get some money…LOL! 
Hi Rolando!!! Angelina had 12 children with her and was on the phone to Brad
I called my long time mistress, Jessica Alba to come by to keep me company
Bobby, I can finally enter your site once again. Been receiving errors that last week
Sorry to hear about some debating over a post you wrote that angered Christy.
I think everyone has their rights to voice out their opinion. I’m quite neutral to what you have written. Let’s just hope that those offended will forgive you through this post.
We are here for you, Bobby
Janice’s last blog post..CouponChief is here !
Yay! Bobby is feeling much better and Christy came by too, so all is well again in Revellian!
Genie Princess’s last blog post..Happy Anniversary!
See, that’s why you’re the nicest guy on the web.
(Even though, to be honest, I personally get offended by PPP. There’s something about it that reminds me of the Bush administration. Anyway, we don’t have to get into that again. You’re a lucky guy to be able to ignore your own ego).
I have been tempted but very reluctant to join the pay per post movement. These last two posts and all the comments give me a lot of food for thought - and have made my decision even more difficult.
Neena’s last blog post..A Baby Toy Giveaway at GoodyBlog
What the hell! Are we all-of-a-sudden first-graders now?!? Have we forgotten what blogging is all about?!
NO need to apologize for your thoughts and opinions, Bobby! No need at all. Blogging was created for a reason…out of a deep, universal need. It’s a way in which you can share your thoughts and opinions…WITHOUT having to worry about what others think!
OK, so you don’t personally like “paid opinion” posts. So friggin’ what! Should those who do them get their panties all in a bunch? I think not.
Christy writes, “I’m disappointed at the way that bloggers treat one another. Each of the different types of bloggers attack the other types of bloggers for what they write or don’t write, for what they believe in, and on and on.”
Uh, Christy, that’s precisely what you’re doing in your post about it! Love ya darlin’, but it doesn’t make any sense at all to complain about the very same thing you do yourself.
Bottom line…lighten up! Sheesh. We’re bloggers, not first-graders. Yes, we have very strong opinions…but so ddoes everyone else in this world!
One important thing to ponder: If we can’t get along in the blogosphere, then how the hell will we get along in real life?!?
Shine on,
Aaron
I did too Dawn! I planned the entire ordeal for months and it was another textbook perfectly executed non-inverted reversed anti-psychological, crowd migratory driven, intuitively imploded hypno-dynamic, macro social reverse hypnosis.
As a ploy of protecting my true intention, I just explained what will surely make people think I am just trying to be funny…and it works as nobody believes this was actually the work of 3 inner circle members of the Illuminati
Hi Janice! Last week I had the FBI and top secret agents trying to hack into my site to steal my secret files…LOL!!! I think I have it fixed now. How can I be against paid reviews when I am writing them myself!!!!!
Hi Marzie!!!! Yes I feel great! I feel even better when you visit me…he he
Hi People in the Sun!!! If it had been a guy complaining, I would’ve ignored it…LOL
Hi Neena!!! I would join PPP and Smorty. Really check out the sites that have opportunities to review for pay. Look at several and find one you like. I’m not going to write every post that they offer. I will really look at the site.
If you do that, you’ll write a much better article because you have really looked at the site.
What’s up Aaron! I just like to keep the ladies happy. Had it been you or that wildly insane character Mark from MeandMyDrum…I would’ve laughed in your faces and written 10 highly offensive follow ups, each one more horrible than the last
Aaron…if you hadn’t guessed by now, Christy and I were doing this to boost ratings
LOL. Obviously, you haven’t gotten it yet.
Hmmm, yes, very interesting. LOL. Perhaps you would’ve laughed in my (and Mark’s) face, given the right amount of time. Nonetheless here we are. And only time will tell.
I like to incite heated discussions which create tension but always resolve in closer relationships
Well Aaron, that will never happen. You and Mark probably wouldn’t even notice, or even if if you did notice me say something offensive to either of you, you probably wouldn’t care.
That Bush Mackel character warned me that you were trouble…I should have listened. How on Earth can I trust someone who is friends with that Brown Baron?
Hi Bobby! sorry about the things over with Christy but I am glad it’s all over now. Looks like you don’t need my comfort anymore!
Seriously, I am really glad and i really think that this drama have make your relationship with chirsty stronger. It’s not a bad thing taht this had happened afterall!
Hugs & Love to both of you!
Jean Chia
Jean’s last blog post..Naan’s Corner, Ampang Jaya
“How on Earth can I trust someone who is friends with that Brown Baron?”
LOL, good point!
But trust me, that Bush Mackel character is the most trouble of all! 
Btw, are comments still going funny? My last one hasn’t shown up. It was the one where I wrote a funny poem for you and Christy.
I see that I’ve missed a little episode heh. I’m glad everything was cleared up. You and Christy are shining lights in my eyes.
As to that Brown Baron person, he’s a troublemaker yep
Brown Baron’s last blog post..Attributor: Track Your Content Across The Web
Hats off to you for doing what you have to do. That’s all I can say. Peace!
Markk’s last blog post..Fun Time: Scratch My Back & I’ll Scratch Yours!
Hi, Bobby!
I know exactly how you feel. In fact, I refuse to do any paid posts on The Kat House. That is my blogging home - a place for me to be myself, to talk about whatever is on my mind at the time. My friends and readers stop by to see what is going on in my life and my thoughts - not what products I am being paid to advertise. I don’t ever plan to change that.
I don’t have an issue with bloggers who do choose to do a lot of advertising. There have been times when I’ve found interesting paid posts.
I absolutely love writing blog reviews, as you know. That’s what BlogsWeLuv is all about. But I review blogs I love, and I am never paid a cent to write them. I like it that way.
On the other hand, it would be a dream come true to be a professional blogger. However, with my ideas about these kinds of things, I doubt that will ever happen. Now, if I could be hired by a company to write a daily blog for them - that would be great!
Oh, and on a separate note, I’m in the ring with my gloves. Bring it, boy!
Tish’s last blog post..A Few Thoughts on Love
Thanks Jean! I am so glad to see you!!!!!!!
Hi Aaron! I didn’t see a poem, I looked through all spammed messages too. As far as I know, everything seems to be working fine!
Thanks Brown Baron! I feel foolish for writing what I did, but today is a brand new day
Thanks Markk! I should rename my blog Scatterbrain Dot Com
BOBBY! You have my support- you have been a wonderful friend.
mr fong’s last blog post..Unofficial Ping.sg outing!
glad this miss communication is settled…..often when we write things….we don’t often think of how it is taken!!…..wtg!…Bobby for the apology!…..i see Christy is happy with that!…..and all is good!!…..
darlene’s last blog post..I Have Nothing !!!
oh bobby, i wasn’t able to check this out sooner, didn’t know you’ve been into such situation… good thing all is settled between you and christy… i’ll be checking out her post too afterwards… it is so nice of you to reach out and offer apology at once. as the saying goes, “what’s done is done” but what important is, at the end of the day, we were able to learn lessons from it and become a better us.
if all disagreements and misunderstandings could be settled like this at once without the need of firing back to inflict more damage, then i guess all will be in good terms and life would be easier and happier.
time to go… i’m rushing over christy’s place now… bye!
ooopppss… i remember that special hug from GP… i like one too
what about a group hug now!!! 
@}– ruby –{@’s last blog post..Happy Birthday Nelda!!!
Wow Aaron,
Take a chill pill, I rarely vent on my blog. Although I shouldn’t be venting on there at all. I totally agree that Bobby shouldn’t have to apologize on his own blog. He went above and beyond to do so because he’s a kind person.
At least now I know what a jerk you really are, it’s fun to watch you get your panties all in a bunch.
Christy’s last blog post..35 and Counting….