OWN - Programming that I would LOVE to see

The sad news came a few days ago that Oprah axed the Rosie show from her OWN network.  I have to admit, I only watched a couple of the shows that featured the studio audience and was less than impressed with it.  But, then I watched the one on one interviews and found them to be MUCH more entertaining.  It's a shame really...Rosie can be a great gabber but somewhere along the way she's lost HER way.

Now, I'm not saying that Oprah has all the answers and that her channel doesn't have some programming that needs to be addressed...but, the programming that is in place is quality.  For example, I love Super Soul Sunday.  The laid back feel, the nature backdrop and lofty subjects is perfect for Sundays.

My next favorite series is "Master Class".  I would LOVE to see Shirley MacLaine do a series of these...My God woman, give her a show on your network.  "Out on a Limb" was only the beginning and it would be interesting to see her offerings that she has compiled over the years.

There is also one show series that I think everyone would like to see:  "Office Politics".  Whether you lay brick for a living, bag groceries or sit behind a computer screen all day; people have to learn about Office Politics in order to survive in our world.  There are all the same players:  the backstabbers, the do-gooders, the ambitious at any cost people, the bosses with blindness and those of us stuck in the middle.

When does it start?  On the playground and it continues until Social Security issues a retirement check.  That's alot of years to try and figure out this complicated maze of politics.

More Musings Later- 

I've been doing some musing...(that's the name of this blog, right?)

Not that it takes much effort, but I sometimes just like to pay attention to what other people are saying. It gives alot of insight into what they are like as people, their strengths, weaknesses and so on. Read on and you'll see what I mean.

Statements from people I've observed recently

"...Why am I still talking about weight after all these years?"

"...If I could live the rest of my life as a thin person, then I would be happy..."

"...I never go out of the house wearing sweats..."

"...I've always wanted to learn how to play chess..."

"...I would feel stupid acting like that..."

"...Why is this happening to me? It's always something!"

"...I'm eaten up with guilt..."

"...I remember when..."

****************************************************

Now, I won't tell you who said what because that would infringe on someone's privacy. I WILL tell you that the first statement is someone that made that announcement on television, so my rule of anonymity doesn't apply. The woman who is seen as having all the answers in life and is a multi-millionaire (or even billionaire by now).

Yep, Oprah Winfrey. I think it took courage for her to say that phrase. Because everyone DOES think she is perfect.

I guess the point I am trying to convey is we all have moments of weakness. And, sometimes it may surprise you to realize that the one person that you thought was a pillar of strength, struggles as well. Somehow, it always helped me too. Do I always look to Oprah? no, not always. But I do think she will get a gold star in heaven for all that she has done while on this earth.

I remember a woman was in her audience one day and Oprah was having a "garage sale" of her shoes and clothes for charity. The woman found a pair of Oprah's shoes and bought them for what she could afford to donate to the Angel Foundation. Apparently, this woman had a very difficult life and struggled to make ends meet each month. But, like a little girl buying her Cinderella shoes, she bought them and took them home with her to the South Side of Chicago.

She remembered the times when Oprah recounted stories of her difficult childhood growing up in Mississippi and then in Nashville. Being abused at a young age, experimenting with drugs, teen pregnancy and so on. And, now she is one of the most influential media stars of our time.

The woman placed Oprah's shoes on the floor of her bedroom and she kicked off her own shoes and carefully stepped into Oprah's shoes. She stood completely still and closed her eyes. Before she knew it, her eyes were filled with tears.

A year later, Oprah held another charity "garage sale" for her charity. The woman who bought her shoes brought them back to the show. Oprah looked stunned when the woman asked if she could bring them back so someone else could buy them.

"What? You don't like them?" she asked incredulously.

"No, I love them. When I bought them, I thought my life was over. I was so tired of the hardships and the money problems and family problems. Just once...Just once...I wanted to stand in your shoes. You've been where I was. You know what it's like. But now, I've stood in your shoes and it gave me strength. Those shoes brought you from where I was to where you are now. Everyone should have a chance to stand in your shoes."

Some shoes are not only good for the sole, they are great for the soul.

More Musings Later -

Corporate Greed Has Failed America

Yep, that's about the same face she had on today's airing of Oprah. Suze Orman was one pissed woman. Hell hath no fury like a financial guru when talking about a country's failed financial system. I'd hate to make her mad, I'm telling you.



Today's episode was very interesting AND timely. Today Oprah and Suze discussed the famous 2 words that everyone on Wall Street was asking: WHAT HAPPENED? Well, let me tell you that Suze told everyone why and what for.



After she was completely lathered up ranting about CEO's reckless management of their companies strictly to get their multi-million dollar bonuses, salaries and stock options. When Oprah asked, "How serious is this problem of our economy?" Ms. Orman still in full lather, glared at Oprah for effect and said emphatically, "This is as serious as the crash of 1929." You could have heard a pin drop in the studio.

She then began stating what life was going to be like for Americans as a result of this fiasco.

• People won't be able to secure home loans (or car loans for that matter) unless they really can afford them. This means there will be alot LESS home ownership and much more rental properties.
• Until the gas issue is resolved, bringing back the 1970's "odd and even" gas fillup schedule.
• Eating out will be a rarity for most people, staying home will be the norm.
• People will keep their cars for 10 years or more instead of buying new cars with any frequency.
• Charge cards will be a thing of the past. Our society is already moving toward a Cash Basis.
• Student Loans will be almost impossible to get.
• Leasing cars will also be a thing of the past.

Today I watched a financial expert tell everyone that our entire financial world is being turned upside down. I saw her tell a family that was $90,000 in debt that "You can't afford to live in your home. Move into an apartment or stay with family." It's becoming scary out there...





Now, where did I put my $600 "stimulus tax refund?" I will probably need it to help pay with other Americans the $600 trillion dollars that Dubya allowed to spiral out of control.

Oh, and did you hear on the news that Nashville, TN is the only city in the entire 50 states of these United States to run out of gas? Am I the only one that knows that this is another crock of crap?

More Musings Later-

What would you do if you had a Million Bucks?

How many times have you wondered about that? I've done it all my life.

I remember when I was young, I would spend time with my grandparents at their small home in Port Arthur, Texas. I noticed one day a glass doorknob to their bedroom and was captivated.

"Why don't you sell the doorknob, Mamaw?" I would ask increduously.

"Why? It's just a glass doorknob," she replied.

"No it's not! It's the biggest diamond I've ever seen!" I was convinced she and my grandfather were "rich as creases" as they used to say and just not telling me about it!

Well, today I thought about what I would do if I had a million dollars...

Believe it or not, the very first thing I would do (I swear) would be to go to bed and not worry about getting up at any certain time in the morning. (That's my PDiddy talking though).

I would buy a private jet and hire a pilot to fly me, my partner and furry kids to:

• Key West to see Ernest Hemingway's house and watering hole and 9 toed cats.
• Chicago and see the Oprah show
• 
  
  
• Maine to sail around the coast
• Boston to have a drink at where they filmed "Cheers" and to lay some flowers on my friend, Pearl's grave. She was the one who taught me to love vodka martinis. Cheers old girl! (Hallow?)
• New York to have dinner at one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants and 1 of Bobby Flay's restaurants.
• California - to see San Francisco, Malibu, San Diego and other lovely coastline cities.
• Then, I would have the pilot fly us to Hawaii for a few days.
• After a couple or three days, I would fly to the places I have written about that have captivated me through other's eyes:
• Manila, Hong Kong (I would want to see the fortune tellers I have heard about there), Thailand to see Loi Kroh Road, the most mystical road in the world, and Beijing, China...to look up my good friend that I've never met, Alan Solomon.

The last of my selfish expenditures would be the purchase and creation of my own restaurant.

Called: "The Ghostwriter's Den". It will be furnished with overstuffed couches and chairs similar to Steak and Ale, with rich colors and fancy schmancy fair. All of my books would be framed and hung on the wall and other author friends would also have their books on the wall (but only if they held a book signing during the day there). The vodka martini would be called instead, "Taryn's Tini".

Once people have feasted on the finest of food, steak, chicken, seafood, sushi and more...then there would be the option of retiring to the library to read, browse books etc. while having an after dinner brandy or cordial.

ADJOINED to the "Ghostwriter's Den would be a casual place totally separated called, "The Writer's Pub". It would be a short order food place with tap beers, drink specials with tv's in every corner with either news, sports or some other interesting show.

The Pub would also feature games such as poker every night, cards, bridge, checkers, chess and other games. A great place belly up and get a cold beer and great sandwich or salad.

Who would run this operation? Gordon Ramsey...

Aaahhh, don't you love to dream? I think tomorrow I will go to the hardware store and purchase a glass doorknob to put on our bedroom door. Cause, you never know if you have a diamond or not.

More Musings Later-

I've Got A Secret, A Ticket and a Corkboard!

I've got a Secret, do you?

Did you catch Oprah Winfrey's show yesterday? It's one of the incredible perks of being self-employed. I am up to my eyeballs in work, but I made myself stop and watch for 60 glorious minutes.

She had a panel that discussed "The Secret," the book that I have read cover to cover and believe in, with its simplistic message. The idea is to train yourself to think positive thoughts, determine what you want and then focus on it. Believe me, it's easy to get off-track on this, especially when 'life happens'. But, it takes diligence. Are you thinking or worrying right now? DON'T. Replace the thought with a positive affirmation.

I swear it works. I see some of you smirking out there....go ahead, try it!

I've Got a Ticket, Do You?

To Lisa Williams, that is! You remember her, don't you? She is the English medium that briefly had a television show on the Bravo Network.

Lisa Williams, Clairvoyant

I LOVE this woman! Not only is she the most accurate clairvoyant I've ever seen, she is so herself. My favorite part of the show was when she would walk around on a crowded street and pick people out of the crowd and give them messages from loved ones and acquaintances. The looks on those people's faces when Lisa began her reading was incredible.

She uses her gift with wisdom too. That is something that is sorely missing in alot of people these days. So, I will be seated at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN watching her work.

I'm sure that the "Mother Church of Country Music" will never be the same again. It would be interesting to hear if there are messages from performers from beyond that have stood on that very stage. Remember, more than Country Music artists have played there.

Some of the artists: Elvis, Fanny Brice, Tallula Bankhead, Ethel Barrymore, Enrico Caruso, Charlie Chaplin, Betty Grable, Katherine Hepburn and Carol Channing to name a few.

I'll let you know what she has to say that night in Nashville.

And a Corkboard

I don't have it yet, but will get it as soon as possible. This relates to the Secret, but I will put pictures, affirmations and anything else I think of that I want in my life. It will be "My Time" when I post pics or reminders on this board.

Ya know, sometimes Life can make you feel like you've been hit with a two by four, but it just makes the other times feel fabulous.

Ain't life great?

Cheers!

More Musings Later-

I'm busier than a 1 legged man in a butt kicking contest...

Man....here it is 11pm on a Friday night and I'm finally winding down. Life couldn't get much better...I'm in the midst of writing 2 fiction books and am LOVING it. Yes, Virginia, I really get paid to do something I love.

Did anyone watch Oprah today? I firmly believe that there is something to "The Secret". As Dr. Phil used to say, "If you can verbalize it, you can achieve it."

Amen.
More Musings Later-