Telephobia

Growing up, I do not remember having any irrational fear of heights. Roller coasters and planes were fun! Of course, whenever I stand on a ledge, I sometimes imagine falling and become afraid, but that's not very interesting. However, as a child I do remember having a horrendous fear of...

(Google images)

THE TELEPHONE...

The sun was setting and the house was dark. The parents were out of the house and Brent was out with his friends. Only Mark and I were left. I was 6 years old.

"Ring" "Ring" "Ring"... 

I never pick up the phone. Since my parents were out, and Mark wasn't paying attention, it was my duty to pick up the phone. I felt brave.

"Click"

Hello?

Hellloooo little girl. I know where you live and I am going to KILL YOU! MUHAhahahahah!

AHHhhhhhhhhhhh!!

*STAB* STAB* BAM* BAM*

 Then I would die.

This is the scenario of what I thought would happen to me if I ever picked up the phone. I do not know the exact reason for my irrational fear, but it probably has to do with too many scary movies or violent news (courtesy of my brother and dad). For this reason, whenever he had the chance, Mark would throw a ringing phone in my direction.  I would then burst into tears and run away.

This, my friends, is the face of EVIL!

-Alison

Are you afraid of heights?

Fear of Falling from Domestic Sanity on Vimeo.

Back to School

As I was rummaging through some of my incomplete diaries, I came across my old book of poems. These poems were probably written when I was around 8 years old. I will be sharing my artistic insights randomly. Since school is starting for some, I thought I would share my school poem with incorrect spellings and all :)

School

School dosen't suck

Wish you could get bucks

You get to play

Teachers say you may

Time goes buy fast

hours past

then you go home

And play with fome

Good luck to everyone who has school! Don't study too much and remember play with lots and lots of foam :)

-Alison

Reddit Gold: Negative?

My sister wants me to write about the negative aspects of our recent Reddit experience.  I cannot reread the comments section of our video post because I really don't want to revisit all that hostility.  So instead of quoting like the previous post, I'm just going to speak on the gist of what happened that made our bear cry.

When Alison posted our video (labeled "My brother spent months making this video to try and promote his failing t-shirt company") on Reddit, it was actually about our 15-20th try.  She brought up reposting it a month after our last try and I approved not expecting any results.

Then, all of a sudden, our two posts made the front page.  After this lucky turn of events, someone built this success to be some sort of conspiracy, and our video was wiped off the front page as well as the video page.  We didn't break any of the rules and have yet to receive a response from the staff as to why it was removed.  Another commentator on Youtube accused us of stealing artwork.  He saw my post from about ten months ago which ended up being my first design for this company and assumed I stole it.  The user went as far to say that on Reddit I stated I would never sell that artwork.  I find it pretty humorous that all these people think a brother and sister are like Pinky and the Brain, brilliantly scheming to take over Reddit's front page and stealing artwork.

Now onto the majority of the comments on the video section.  What did I get from it?  Basically it felt like we built a target on our company and a number of people took turns spitting on it.  They were saying, "You suck!  This is why you suck!  You and your company are stupid!  You should have never tried!"  Constructive criticism is something I can bear, but many of the comments had an extremely condescending tone.  I totally understand why people love to socially dominate others online, I just wonder if they have ever considered encouraging themselves and others to be better people.

I'm going to close thanking all the people that did take the time to silently up vote us to the front page, as well as the few commentators that wrote uplifting messages and got down voted to hell.  I am grateful knowing that there are a lot of people out there that still have consideration and class on the internet.


-Mark

Reddit Gold: Positive.

So if you didn't already know, our post went CRAZY yesterday! Not one, but TWO of our posts made it on the front page of Reddit! The first was the picture from our earlier blog. The other was our promotional video. I couldn't stop refreshing my page. I think I spent six straight hours staring at my computer and refreshing. It was unreal. I jumped and screamed out of my seat a couple of times.

Though there was a lot of negative comments, especially in the video, today I am going to focus on the positive! Mark will report on the negative and answer some questions since he is the more negative of the three of us >:)

So the best comments came from our picture. If you haven't seen our video game picture, you can find it here.

Here are the highlights! There are more, but there is no way I'm going through 1000 comments...

  

When I first started reading the below comment, I thought it was going to be about me since all the people I know that read reddit are guys ...  but NOoo. Its about Mark's body -_____-

Other great comments:

While most comments about Mark were about his muscles, many of my comments had to do with the confusion of my gender -___-. It was sadly amusing... Oh yeah, for those that aren't reddit literate OP means original poster! I just learned that yesterday! Even though I was sitting most of the day, I did learn something ^___^

Also, not everything about me was about gender confusion. I did receive some compliments on my back! Someone posted our picture in 9gag and I think this is my most favorite comment about me!  :)

I think its quite hilarious how people can judge so much by looking at our backs. All in all it was an exciting experience, filled with lots of funny comments and heart warming stories of other peoples gaming experience with their siblings. I'm glad that our picture could spark so many great memories!


-Alison

Video Games

My brother was so generous and kind. He let me play a video game with him! 

A single player game.

Even with age, some things never change...

-Alison

My Awkward Life pt.1

(Fake names used throughout)

My early experiences with girls were quite tumultuous.  My very first friends were girls.  

It was day one of kindergarten.  I remember when I walked into the classroom a swarm of eyes turned to stare at me in synchronized motion.  At first I was apprehensive, but in retrospect, making friends at that age was easier than taking a poop.

By the time I knew it, I was playing Barbie and house with all the girls.  I have to admit that I did play with Barbies before I ever got into G.I. Joe.  I used to take naked Ken and naked Barbie and they would take lots of baths together.  Somehow things were a lot more interesting when they didn't have any pants.  The girls played with these dolls in a totally different fashion at the playground.  Why do they have to do normal things?  Why can't they just be naked all the time and have naked bath parties?  This is boring.  

In First grade, a girl with chestnut brown hair and a tanned complexion ran up to me on the playground.

"Do you like me?"

"Yes."

I had no idea what Kelly was talking about.  I was six years old and liked all my classmates.  Her face beamed as she ran back into the bushes to play with the other girls.  

Moments later another girl asked me if I liked Jane.  I naturally said yes.  Confusion between my friends started to surface.  They returned after their short meeting for more questioning.

"Wait you said you liked me?"

"Didn't you say you liked Jane?"

Too many questions.  Two to be exact.  My mind was a blank cloud of discombobulation. What was going on?  Can't we just play naked Barbie?

-Mark

Mr. Bear #1

My first attempt at making our bear. It didn't turn out like our logo... However,  I think he fits our theme. If you don't know already, our bear symbolizes everyone's inner child. So since the one I created is a bit more tattered, he is probably the inner child of an older soul. He has gone through many years of being ignored, made fun of, and told that his dreams are unrealistic. Don't let your inner child be this abused! Let him out to play every once in a while :)

-Alison

Success?...not so much...

In the previous blog, I talked about how I was successfully incorporated into the "About" section on our website. I was really excited about being included! However, did you see what they wrote?! I was like...

Well, they did let me take control of this blog so I guess...

I may not complain about the lack of information in the "about" section...

                                                                                                           ^the evil brother that edited the "about" section.

-Alison

So begins our journey...

Welcome to Domestic Sanity's first ever blog! Introducing me, Alison, the sister. You may be wondering if Domestic Sanity is trying to pull a fast one on you. You might assume that these two brothers are scheming a fake sister to add a "woman's touch" to their business. Though my arrival to this family was a surprise, I ensure you that I am real (see photos!).  Luckily, I have been put in charge of this public blog. My existence is now made known.*

If you see the pictures, it is quite obvious that the bear was my idea. Actually, my bear is even better. It has two eyes!

So what is this blog going to be about? Besides me rambling about my evil brothers (Don't worry, they will have special guest blogs), I will be including random memories, articles, and updates on the business. If you enjoy learning more about us or reading articles that may spark memories of your childhood, then join us in our journey. If you don't, well... Thanks for stopping by! :)

*I have just been informed that I will be now included in the "about" section. Public blog = success!

-Alison