Standing in the Spotlight

Oh yikes. I completely believe that. That’s a really good rule to have. He may want to, or he may want to stay away from the cameras completely. I saw a video the other day of Hilary Duff putting her kid in the car, and the kid was really upset there were paparazzi there. I think it’s really awful to take pictures of kids without their permission, and without the parents’ permission.

Yeah it’s fucking ridiculous. Like the way the laws work is that if you’re in your house you can’t sell the pictures but as soon as you step outside you can. It’s just a hot mess, and why I’ve always supported the bills that make it illegal. 

Wow. Well, I hope the pure spite works out for you. Seriously. It must be a tough balancing act though, with your show, your music career and your personal life commitments. I know that it’s near-constant juggling for me with my work and home life.

I mean there’s a lot of overlap between the three, and it wasn’t really until I met Dante that I even had a lot of personal things that stayed on the personal front. So I’m still working on that, but I don’t really mind the overlap as much. 

Thank you! sometimes I have them. If you do and it’s good, I’ll buy some off ya!

Please, if it’s good I’ll give you some for free for giving me the idea. The big thing here is the IF because I can’t cook. Like at all. So I can’t see that translating well to wine making. 

Dante: [sighs] I know you'd help out if the shop was hurting. Like you did during the lockdown last year, but it wasn't even about that for me. Even with the couple of weeks being closed from the storm, we're... [grins his teeth] we're doing okay. But I hate the this guy was acting like he could bully me into selling the shop and taking cheap shots at small businesses.

That’s an interesting spectrum of reasons. Do you think you’ll keep the show going for much longer or do you have an end in sight?

Oh, I absolutely have to have at least 21 seasons. Maybe 25. And yes, that is the spite talking again because the Kardashians are ending with season 20. But really I’m just happy to be on the air as long as people want to watch. 

Oooo mangoes. Excellent fruit choice. But yes, my doctor said that the yoga’s a plus. I’m really excited to see them which I know will make the whole labor part worth it. The snuggles are going to be so nice though. When I try to get them from Demetri, he either tries to turn it into some kind of pretend attack from the “Obi monster” and wants to play-fight, or he does something gross and totally ruins the moment. Has that been your favorite part of being a parent to a baby–the snuggles?

Yeah, I know someday Hendrix is going to be like that, so I’m taking the cuddles as they come. And i’m not sure I would say favorite, more like one of many. I just love getting to experience all his firsts.

Honestly, I’m not really interested in those groups. I’ve heard bad things about really judgey moms… No thanks. That’s a really good thing. And I don’t blame you for not having him filmed. 

Yeah one of my bandmates was in one for awhile and it was a DISASTER. But I don’t plan on having him on the show until he’s old enough to decide for himself and understands what that really means. It’s a band rule, because things can get rough for celebrity kids. 

Dante: No. Not really. Some big shot came into the shop wanting to buy me out. I told him I wasn't looking to sell and he kept pressing the matter and pushing my buttons, trying to throw money at me at every angle. I tried to let it go but I've been too pissed and I'm not getting anything done, so I'm leaving.

Dante: [slams passenger door while holding his phone] Hey. I'm taking an early day and heading home in a little bit.

Yeah, exactly! And other than pickle juice, I kinda lucked out with my longer lasting craving of different fruits, so I wanna keep on the healthy track. Honestly I’ve been a bit of a basket case: mopey, tired and achy one minute and moody and antsy the next. But I’m still trying to stick to as much of my routine with taking walks and doing yoga each day as much as I can. Thankfully the twins will be here soon though.

Yeah, that sounds great. I mean I crave fruit all the time anyway so that just sounds like heaven. Like you can ask Dante how many times I’ve made him pick up mangoes from the grocery store. But I’m sure that the yoga helps, though actually having them there will probably be amazing. I definitely recommend getting all of the baby snuggles that you can. 

You’ll get there. I know you will. I don’t think they’re one in the same but focus more on what you want for you. The rest will adjust.

Thanks. It’s just an adjustment, but I’m sure that I’ll get there too. Eventually. 

danteaarons​:

“Oh yeah?” Dante asked, pleasantly surprised for Emerald about having knocked out some work for a few months all in one day. “Are you guys expected to film every day while this storm’s got us snowed in?” He couldn’t remember having asked that when it first came up at the band and production team would all be staying through this.

Noticing that Hendrix’s tiny breaths were evened out again he chanced shifting the little boy carefully away from his chest and stood up again. “Yeah, when he wakes up from his nap, I’ll see if I can get him to do it for you. Kinda sounds like a bunch of hiccups but it’s cute.” Dante set Hendrix in his crib and pulled a thick blanket up to his chest. When he climbed back into the bed beside his wife, he said, “Thanks. It’s beef stew. Figured something like that would be good on a snow day. And it makes nice leftovers.”

“Not every day, we’re doing a snowed in plotline so we’re trying to get an episode’s worth of stuff in there, and then some of the things that we have to do but none of us like doing, but I think we’re going to take tomorrow off to just have a snow day,” Emerald admitted, “Though if we have a snowball fight that’ll probably get filmed, but you’re welcome to join us if we’re being ridiculous like that.” 

Emerald watched her son sleep, glad that the boy was able to settle down as he was transfered to the crib, “That sounds amazing. And you’re definitely right about the leftovers. I’ll probably be eating it for as long as we have it.” 

That’s impressive. What keeps you going in wanting to share your life in that way?

Partially spite.  I hate the Kardashians and how annoying they are so I like stealing their views and showing something that actually shows better role models.  Plus it also gives a lot of insight into the music business that I think a lot of people don’t realize, so it helps beat a lot of the myths. And I like the connection that it gives me with my fans, because it’s very different than just interacting through social media because it lets them see that I’m a real person and I make mistakes and I struggle, which is easily forgotten when you’re always only on social media. 

Huh. Well yikes. That’s doubly awful.

Ugh I really hope there isn’t a next time that’s this bad. I miss summertime already lol. But that sounds like Emmy and that should be a lot of fun! And yeah the cocoa’s been really nice. I do miss having wine. I know a glass once in a while isn’t so bad but I’ve been erring on the side of caution.

I miss it too. But I can’t really blame you. I’m not sure a ton about how it works, but from what I can tell the drinking a glass of wine during pregancy advice is still new-ish so I’d be cautious too.  How have you been feeling? 

You’ve had a long and successful career already. I don’t think you have to prove anything to anyone. And if you want to scale back on work, then speak up to your bandmates, label and producers, and whoever else you need to talk to.

Yeah, I’ll figure it out. I just need to think about what I want and not what will make my mom realize that she’s missing out. Which kind of feels one and the same, but I guess it’s not really. 

danteaarons​:

“Sounds like it was a little tedious at the same time,” Dante noted, guessing that they were probably having to repeat the same songs and parts of songs again and again for filming purposes. “It’s good to hear you’re done for the day though.”

His voice remained low as he shifted on the bed a bit and dropped his gaze to his wife. “Not too bad. Did a little laundry and dinner’s in the crockpot. I got Hendrix to laugh earlier though, making funny noises at him. When he wakes up from his nap, I’ll see if I can get him to do it again for you.”

“It was, but at least I won’t have to do it again for months,” Emerald smiled, “It’s been kind of nice being able to get some of the boring things out of the way for the season, so we can just focus on the actual fun parts of filming the rest of the season,” Emerald smiled, though she was also glad that the day was over because she was exhausted. 

“Well that sounds like a fun day, though I’m a little disappointed that I missed him laughing.  I’m sure that he’ll do it again. But hopefully that will be sooner rather than later,” she smiled, “What did you make for dinner? It smelled good when I walked in.” 

You must be, I’d imagine. How long has your show been on?

Seven years now? I think? I’m not entirely sure. It’s been most of my professional career.