owning it

I was introduced to a great list of tips on how to blog. Read it, really, it's that good. It's good enough that I'm writing a post about it months after first reading it, testament that it has struck a cord with me.

The one point that goes through my mind fairly often:

26. Don't be afraid to come across as an asswipe. own your asswipeness.

Own it.

I sent out an email asking if Henry's application was received. (I was sneaky and sent it the day the lottery was being held, but really I was just freaking out because they hadn't cashed my check, meaning they didn't have his application, meaning he wouldn't be in the lottery and his entire academic career would be ruined, okay, maybe not the last part). His application was for a public school Chinese Immersion program, where his chances of getting in were a little less than 50%. It's still a small program, so my email went directly to the principal. I titled the email

"Chinese Immersion application recieved?"

That's right, I sent the email off misspelling received. How could I have forgotten 'I before E except after C'. Duh.

She replied politely that it was there, but I was devastated. I felt like I was sitting in the principal office myself, hands in my lap, looking down at them, making excuses. "Yes, I know I'm a horrible speller. I've been in the lowest spelling group since elementary school. Please, Principal, don't black-list my son because I'm a horrible mother who can't spell".

So, there I sat rereading the email wondering what I should do, forget about the misspelling (maybe she didn't notice) and just reply with a simple thank you or own it.

Then it went through my head once again "own your asswipeness".

So, I did.

2 days later he got his acceptance letter.

So people, go forth, own your own asswipeness.
(It just might work to your benefit.)