Steve, Oprah, and food. Oh My!

Ayy yo,

Despite the recent blizzard of 2010, me and the boyz managed to get together for our annual "Goodfellas Roast," where we get dressed up and have a good meal like the mobsters did in the Godfather movies when they'd to have a "sit down" (Hey, we're from Jersey what'd you expect?...)  At this time we also discuss any and erry'thing much like those cackling hens do on "The View."  Don't worry I'm not knocking the 'View' ladies, but I dare you to watch one entire episode of that show and tell me that you don't come away feeling mindnumb and awfully guilty like you've just ate a whole bag of Lay's Potato Chips by yourself in one sitting. 

This past roast however brought, I must say, a much smaller crowd than normal given that fluffy white terror falling from the sky, covering our lawns, bringing with it the dreaded blac**** waiting to pounce 'pon our steel-belted radial tires dem, threatening to bring us to a crashing halt like the lions do to the gazelles on the plains of the Serengeti.  However, acting as brave warriors preparing to do battle, we mounted our trusty steeds and headed off into the wild cold yonder; set to devour all sumptuous entrees in our way respectively.  It's been a few years since I've had WLS and since that time I've managed to adjust to my new eating lifestyle so that I no longer feel so bad during these outings, as I sit and watch these other big burly goombas o' mine order everything on the menu, dessert cart, and the wine list to boot.  No longer do I woefully sit there stuck on stupid like some sad dumpy pimply-faced schoolgirl encouraged by her mom to get dressed up in a frilly moo-moo and attend the high school prom with her equally unattractive geeky nasally congested cousin.  Nowadays, I feel good in my space regarding what I've done for my health and that has transferred to my outward appearance.  They say milk does the body good but with a proper diet, daily exercise, and a nicely tailored suit you'll be killin' 'em in da streets.  Believe me when I tell ya.

This year we sat around and bashed those Steve Harvey's books and their author's singular motive for writing them - Getting paid!  Now don't get it twisted: me and the boyz support anybody who is out there  on the grind trying to get theirs legally, but we tend to look at a ninja sideways when we peep the game inside the game.   (Side note: if you've bought one of those books and the very first chapter isn't dedicated to telling you to divorce yourself from your mama's, your sister's, your girlfriend's, your BFF's, that loud chick at the job's, or the sista with 20 kids still waiting at the bus stop's advice when it comes to you and your man, then you've been HAD and should be ashamed.) 

We also tore Oprah a new one on her move to civilian life away from the military rigors of TV that she faithfully served in for the past 25 years.  Oh yeah she had to get it.  Like most Americans, my boyz and I like Oprah.  We truly do and she didn't have to give us a car or a flat screen TV to buy us off either. 

But  (<--- big butt here....) 

Americans in my opinion are way too ADHD-minded and generally fickle to try and stick with you once you step outside of THEIR comfort zone entertainment-wise.  I'm sure you've seen it happen before, for example, when you've had a TV show that you just loved to watch and probably built your lifestyle around it somewhat.  Then all of a sudden out of nowhere the Thanksgiving break comes along; followed by a bombardment of Christmas TV programming; and the next thing you know some newly born fool in Hollywood gets the barn-burning brainstorm that your favorite show can be used to lead into other "crappy new shows" in need of help, provided that yours is moved to some un-Godly time 4 days away from it's original timeslot.  Change is good but not when it comes to that one night that we want to veg out in front of the tube with our fat-snacks and our hands down the front of our pants like Al Bundy.  Now you've lost interest in that once favorite show because it doesn't complete the puzzle that has become your life.  As a result, you're so angry that you don't even bother to DVR it on your cable box.  Unbeknownst to you the show simply fades away due to lack of ratings. 

Having said all of that I have some bad news in the way of a prediction for you, Oprah: That thing that made you great once will simply not be enough to carry your star power over an entire network.  Sorry.  Yeah she may call it OWN nowadays but give it 5 months and her backers will be trying to S-E-L-L it or write it off as a bad investment.  I sincerely doubt that she'll flop so badly that we'll see her standing on street corners with a hand-drawn sign that reads "I'll host for food" but if she plans on staying in her new line of work she'll quickly have to S-E-L-L-out and adopt much more racier programming than the light-hearted drivel that she serves up on her show now.  

Good luck Steve, Oprah, and to all of you fellow BAF'ers in this New Year.  I love this church!!!

Great post Aye! I confess, I bought one of Steve's books and while I found it contained some good points, I was not successful at implementing any of his so called techniques. I simple am not cut out to play "The Game" never have been. Sometimes I wish I were then I would not have had to pick my heart up as much. Thankfully I feel I have finally found the one AND as you said...no one has any advice for either of us when it comes to our relationship. He has stood by me...and it feel good not to be the only one that has the other person's back for a change.

As for Oprah, heck I don't think Oprah cares (as much)....she's probably looking for a good write off for those huge tax bills any way. Shoot...the money in her purse carries a purse of its own  I ain't mad at her...but you are right she might have to get with some of that Howard Stern stupid-foolery to keep the ratings aglow. I heard that shes already plans to go there though as a follow up to some previous show episodes....Actually will have a sex therapist ...taking people behind closed door  & showing them how to keep the fireworks a cracking in the bedroom.

Now...I know that there will be many that will stick it out with her...in anticipation of perhaps catching a peek of some bodacious tat tats on her show. Know what I mean?

Great post Aye!

Thanks for the love, Luv.

I confess, I bought one of Steve's books and while I found it contained some good points, I was not successful at implementing any of his so called techniques.
 
I hear ya.  Those techniques are all predicated on the notion that most men are players; however, most of the fellas that I know want that one woman to do the 4 basic things that a man desire (not need): Listen to his hopes and dreams, feed him (mentally, spiritually, and if she's a good cook all the better), bang his brains out (let him know that she's his and is willing to break his azz off something proper from time to time), and look pretty when the two of you go out on the town.  Simple right?! 
 
I simple am not cut out to play "The Game" never have been. Sometimes I wish I were then I would not have had to pick my heart up as much.

Confidence is the key to making any man respect a woman.  Without it she sends a signal to him that says "I'll let you spin me around anyway you want and if you don't I'll just simply say to myself that I'd just walk all over you if you stayed around..."
 
Thankfully I feel I have finally found the one AND as you said...no one has any advice for either of us when it comes to our relationship.

Ding, ding, DING!  You have won the prize and are on the road to happiness!

He has stood by me...and it feel good not to be the only one that has the other person's back for a change.

That's great.  Both of you sound like each other's keeper.

As for Oprah, heck I don't think Oprah cares (as much)....she's probably looking for a good write off for those huge tax bills any way.
 
I hear ya but to me she displays the type of personality that will make her want her next venture to succeed regardless of the odds.  I should know, I'm a lot like that too.

Shoot...the money in her purse carries a purse of its own  I ain't mad at her...but you are right she might have to get with some of that Howard Stern stupid-foolery to keep the ratings aglow. I heard that shes already plans to go there though as a follow up to some previous show episodes....Actually will have a sex therapist ...taking people behind closed door  & showing them how to keep the fireworks a cracking in the bedroom.

Yeah but with an Oprah-approved therapist he/she will be using watered down technical terms like "va jay-jay" and "tally-whacker."

Now...I know that there will be many that will stick it out with her...in anticipation of perhaps catching a peek of some bodacious tat tats on her show. Know what I mean?

Nope.  Not at all.

Hello & Happy New Year Ayy.  My girls and I get together annually for our "Deathrow" get-together.  We usually get together sometime between Christmas and new years but we are running late this year & our event is planned for the 29th of this month.  I'm the host this year we drink, eat, talk much trash & drink some more.  Our conversations range from politics, books, movies, family, relationships, Oprah, businesses, Hollywood stars and of course our jobs.

As you can see our type A personality sister gets a conversation of her own :)  I agree that unless she changes up from some of the feel good themes of the shows OWN  network is doomed.  People and advertisers  have the initial curiosity but to keep viewers Oprah is going to have to change things up a bit.   One question why has she given Gail a show ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?????????????????  I understand Gail's satellite radio show is doing well but a talk show haven't they tried that in the past?

I'm waiting for your how to relationship book.  I think anyone that has command of the written language and good promo can succeed with a relationship book.  For some reason folks think there is some magic formula or technique to a successful relationship.  Women say they don't understand men......I think we are always looking for something complex and deep to understand the needs of our men.  HOWEVER your 4 points of how to keep a man happy/interested are the money! (I think it was in another post)  I'm with you keep it simple dummy.  As women we tend to try to understand men from a "female" point of view which is flawed from the start.  That's why I don't think a women can raise a boy to be a man.  When women raise boys without much male intervention they tend to raise boys to be what a woman thinks a man is..........

Kudo's to the homeless man with the golden voice.  I pray all of the media vultures will not continue to exploit him but make sure he gets the addictions, financial and life counseling
that he needs.
Peace & Blessings

Hello & Happy New Year Ayy.  My girls and I get together annually for our "Deathrow" get-together. 

Deathrow huh?!  LOL.  Hey if it works for you go with it.

We usually get together sometime between Christmas and new years but we are running late this year & our event is planned for the 29th of this month.  I'm the host this year we drink, eat, talk much trash & drink some more.  Our conversations range from politics, books, movies, family, relationships, Oprah, businesses, Hollywood stars and of course our jobs.

Sounds like fun.  How long have they been in existence?

As you can see our type A personality sister gets a conversation of her own :)  I agree that unless she changes up from some of the feel good themes of the shows OWN  network is doomed. 

Yep. That's what my crystal ball says.

People and advertisers  have the initial curiosity but to keep viewers Oprah is going to have to change things up a bit.   One question why has she given Gail a show ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh?????????????????

I think she's gotta give her girl Gayle some shine and Gail has to earn her keep also.  She can't be #2 to the throne and not be able to bring something to the table. I'm just saying.

I understand Gail's satellite radio show is doing well but a talk show haven't they tried that in the past?

She sure has the face for a radio.  I'll give her that.

I'm waiting for your how to relationship book.

Mine?!  Nah.  I can't tell anybody how to relate to their mate. Period. I just happen to know that some of the bullsh_t that is being swapped back and forth amongst those not even in the relationship in question affects the relationship as a whole from both the outside as well as the inside.  Other than that I'm clueless.  

I think anyone that has command of the written language and good promo can succeed with a relationship book.

Oh yeah, I can see that. By the same token anyone can make a citizens arrest but do you really want people just running around dispensing their brand of justice without any real formal training or any standards to be held accountable to?  Nah.  Leave it to the pros, Yo.  Leave it to the pros.

For some reason folks think there is some magic formula or technique to a successful relationship.

You mean there isn't?   Well let me just take this bottled potion back to my nearest voodoo retailer and tell them I want a full refund.

Women say they don't understand men...  As women we tend to try to understand men from a "female" point of view which is flawed from the start.

Either that or try to subversively change their behaviour or "try and get him to a different place in his thinking..." that just leaves him confused that he's either not making her happy and/or here's another reason she's not as fun as she used to be. 
  
That's why I don't think a women can raise a boy to be a man.  When women raise boys without much male intervention they tend to raise boys to be what a woman thinks a man is...

I don't know.  I just think that the list of qualities women want in a man grows every second of every hour.  Listen to some of the testimonies of sistas who are fed up with the current state of things and they'll always say, "...he's not a real man,'cause a real man will ________..."  Given that the real man list grows again; thus we can never win. 

I totally agree with you regarding Steve Harvey. It is all about the money. He has been divorced too many times for me to even begin to listen to what he has to say. I don’t even listen to him on talk shows as I think the “playa" mentality is a load of **** The advice he gives even sounds stupid. As you previously stated, most men are not “playas". Most men are looking for a good women just as most women are looking for a good man.  
I have to disagree with you regarding the OWN network. I have always liked and respected Oprah for what she has accomplished but I was never a true fan or one *****gularly watched the show. I have to say that I have been pretty impressed with what I have seen on the OWN network. It’s still too early to tell but I think it may garner more viewers than one may expect. I was really surprised that I would be interested in many of the show topics but it drew me in and I have it set as one of my go to channel, right in line with HGTV, Travel channel and now OWN. I don’****ch much TV but when I do those are my channels.  
It may soon be my only channel as the Travel channel has not impressed me in the past few months and there is only so much House Hunters a person can watch. Now that I think about it, maybe I am so drawn to OWN is because my TV watching is so limited that I don’t know what else is out there.