Sunday, March 7, 2010

BernThis! An Interview With Jessica Bern

When I became a mom, I was forced to come to a harsh realization: just because you've had a child (as I have) does not mean we can automatically be friends. I've had a hard time finding mom friends that I connected with.

Similar to my "real life" experience, I've also had a hard time finding mom blogs that I like. When I do find one, I latch onto it like a nursing babe.

This is how I feel about Jessica Bern's blog, Bernthis.

I love this woman. Guess where she's from? One of my favorite countries: Canada!

She created the "Bernthis web series" which are hilarious anecdotes from her life. One of my favorites is called "Born Stupid." It's about the fact that she is the youngest sibling in her family and the dumbest. She became an actress, while her sister became a pediatric gastroenterologist.

Ms. Bern agreed to answer a few questions for us about her life and blog. I'll let Jessica reveal the rest! Here's what she had to say:

1. Jessica, you're funny. Do you think being a younger sibling had anything to do with the fact that you're hilarious?

My place in the birth order only solidified that I was bound to be the dumbest in my family, according to an article in Time magazine. My webisode, "Born Stupid" was based on this premise and sadly it seems to be true. My sister is a pediatric gastroentorologist (I've now tried to spell that three times and I still haven't gotten it right). My middle sister has a masters in public health from John's Hopkins and then there is me, the blogger. Can you hear my parent's crying right now? I can.

2. What inspired you to create the "Bernthis Web Series?" Tell us about it?

The web series came about because I'd written these essays about my divorce and someone suggested turning them into videos. At that time, my career in advertising had cooled quite a bit as it seems, an angry, bitter about to be divorcee wasn't very "hot" at the time and I figured why not, so I hired an amazing director/editor and off we went.


3. Describe Phoebe, your daughter, in three words, what would they be and why?

Phoebe in three words: (is this a family friendly site?) kidding. actually, I'm not. No, really, I am...a liar, that is.....okay, sorry, I got off track there. Phoebe in three words? Outgoing, energetic, Gives up too easily. How many is that? 6? okay, any chance you could squish the last four together into one word? Yeah, okay, hmmm, three words: Outgoing, energetic, empathetic.

4. If you were forced to teach children, what grade would you teach and why?

4. Forced, would be the correct word, as technically, I'm not really a kid person. I love mine but chances are yours will annoy me, especially if I'm trying to talk to their mother and they start whining over stupid things like how they haven't been fed in three days or they're not feeling well, even though they haven't puked in well over an hour. You know, stuff like that. However, if I had to pick a grade I would say I would choose fifth or sixth grade. At that stage they still have and iota of respect authority and you can have the greatest impact on them. By age 12, the hormones kick in and well, God help us all.

5. Do you love Canada?

I love Canada. I was Canadian until 2000. I would love it a lot more if the draft was reinstated, that I can say for sure. I love the people there. I do. Especially now that my uncie is gone. He was a total asshole to my dad and ever since he kicked it the nice factor in Montreal alone has grown exponentially.

6. Why do you hate cottage cheese?

I don't hate cottage cheese. Cottage cheese if you can hear me, I mean that. I just don't have the desire to eat four pounds of it a day like I did when I first found the lactose free version.

7. You're Jewish, right?

I am Jewish, yes. I have great admiration for all my people have been through although I will never get over the fact that if they'd only had a few more minutes, I wouldn't have to give up pasta for 8 days straight and we wouldn't have to deal with all this "Kosher for Passover, warning, it's tasteless" stuff at all.

8. Where in Canada are you from?

I was born in Toronto although with my mouth you'd start to wonder if Toronto was a small island located in the middle of Brooklyn.

9. Did you move from Canada to southern cali in 2000?

I came to the US when I was almost two years old. It was hard. I was really close with a lot of 16 month olds I met in this one playgroup. Great bunch of folks. I think what I miss most about that is our game night. We played, "puke on the most expensive thing in your house." It was hilarious although our parents never seemed to find the "funny" in it.

10. What astrological sign are you?

I'm a Cancer. I had a one out of twelve shot that I would be born under a sign that would remind people of the loss of a loved one every time I said it and yay me, I "won". Vegas, here I come. I'm thinking of taking the title to my home and putting it on "red."

And now, for your viewing pleasure, here is "Born Stupid" from the Bernthis web series!



To read Jessica's blog or watch more of the Bernthis web series, click on the burnt toast below!



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35 comments:

  1. Jessica = hilarious. :) Nice post.

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  2. She is hilarious, isn't she! Thanks Becky!

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  3. I didn't know you were a Canuck! We're practically related! Identical backgrounds...Except I'm not Jewish, from Canada, and not that big on cottage cheese unless it's large curd and 100% dairy and has never been frozen, Mom! (I can say that because my mom never reads my blog either...or my comments.)

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  4. Jessica is seriously one of the funniest women I know online. And I've had the great pleasure of talking to her on the phone, several times, and she is just as funny in person.

    She is one of those bloggers I truly, truly look forward to reading and I don't do it because I feel like I have to out of reciprocation.

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  5. That was a VERY funny interview and a VERY funny video. Seriously Jess, if I had known it was going to be that funny I would have watched it sooner. I'm a horrrrible person. With 4 R's so you believe me.

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  6. I would only be so lucky to talk to this hilarious lady on the phone.

    She is awesome. Maybe it's the Jewish connection, or our mutual affinity for spending Friday nights with household cleaning products? That's another one of my favorite videos!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5ZFOWw1vRA

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  7. Don't you hate it when you wash and wash and still can't get that bitter divorcee smell off?

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  8. I'm a long time follower of BernThis so of course I followered her here.

    I have a hard time finding mom friends too. I'm currently stalking a hip young mom with a tattoo on the back of her neck I keep running into at the park.

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  9. Awesome interview. Love Jessica's blog & so happy to find yours. Literally I just posted on being friends with your kids. Peerenting, as Modern Family calls it. The only blog I can get my husband to read is Jessica's.

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  10. Jessica is so WRONG about the oldest being the most likely to succeed. Both my sisters, younger than me, married men who made plenty enough that my sisters never had to work. And here I am, slaving my ass off all these years, three husbands later and always had to work to earn my keep. How smart is THAT?

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  11. This was so informative. I had no idea that Jewish people lived in Canada. Seriously though, Jessica is one of my favorites. Great interview.

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  12. The diaspora let us Jews everywhere! Even Canada!

    F.L. So not fair!

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  13. Loved the interview. So are you guys gonna meet?

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  14. Jessica, if you're ever in New York, we should do coffee and cottage cheese!

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  15. Jessica is my kinda mom, too. Doesn't take the role too seriously. I mean, come on, women have been pushing out babies since caveman times.

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  16. Great interview Jessica rocks! She makes me laugh especially her videos.

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  17. Very much enjoyed the interview! Thanks for sharing!

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  18. I actually do hate cottage cheese. Both the entire concept and the taste. It insults cheese and cottages.

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  19. Jessica is a constant source of entertainment. I love her! Thanks for the very insightful and fun interview! :)

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  20. Love that video!
    And you Jessica, but of course, you already knew that.

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  21. I speak to this woman at least twice a week and had no idea she was Canadian.

    So yes, "Liar", like mother like daughter.

    p.s. very very funny interview
    p.p.s Sara, you look exactly like someone I went to high school with in your blog header. Don't worry, everyone says I look exactly like their Aunt.

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  22. People say I have a "familiar face." Well you're Jewish too, right Ann? It could be a tribe thing...

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  23. great interview! Jessica, of course, is just great!

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  24. Great interview and video. Keep us laughing, i say.

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  25. Fantastic interview! Jessica is awesome for many reasons, now including that she introduced me to a new, cool blog!

    Congrats all around!

    :-D Anna

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  26. I'm so glad you liked the interview, Anna! I'm gonna check out your blog right this very...here I go!

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  27. Jessica is hilarious! I love her blog... great interview.

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  28. Loved the interview. Jessica, as usual, is simply hilarious. Great post.

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  29. Twitter is never boring when Jessica's on, which is great considering my reputation for getting bored easily.

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  30. Nicely done. I really enjoyed this.

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