I'm feeling very honored - yesterday there was an article by Jessica Grose about Living Oprah (I'm talking about the project, not referring to myself in 3rd person) in the New York Times. I was so thrilled. If you didn't get a chance to read it, please click here and let me know what you think.
So, today's rerun about the Gift of Fear was one I can't argue with. I think any urging to follow one's intuition - as long as one is not a wacko sociopath - is a good thing. I already followed Oprah's suggestion on this show - to buy Gavin de Becker's book. She also told us to give a copy to our daughter. I have no daughter. Therefore, she does not get a book.
Also, some excitement. My cat, whom some of you have seen on this site attacking my leopard-print flats (yes, Oprah told us we all needed a pair), seems very lonely and in need of a friend. So, we will be using the advice about pet adoption dolled out on Oprah.com to look for a new cat. We're planning to do this on Thursday. We could use all the good feline thoughts you can send.
Monday, August 18, 2008
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27 comments:
Cheered when we saw the article yesterday morning! Hooray for you and the press. Hoping *you* liked the article!
I own a copy of The Gift of Fear and lend it to anyone who will take it--probably about 5 people so far.
Yay kitty!
Robyn,
I'm not sure if my post went through yesterday, but I am also tracking my own life with Oprah. I watched today's episode and wrote about my own take on the show at www.dailymoxie.com.
I'm excited to have found a kindred spirit and look forward to following your exciting adventure.
Congratulations on the fantastic article in the New York Times! I linked to it on my website, as well!
Hey,
Just ran across your NYT profile! I too read Oprah cover to cover (guilty pleasure) but oftentimes can't abide by the show. The *earnestness* with which she wants to help me brings out my inner rebel and do some shlumpadinka shovelling of food. That being said, I am really interested in hearing how your experiment goes...
and as for your cat, are you sure she needs company, or just some Shiatsu and leopard-print flats? (sorry couldn't resist)
Someone posted a link to this site on a message board I visit. I spent a good chunk of yesterday reading the whole thing from the beginning. It's fabulous! Now that I'm caught up, I'll be able to comment.
I agree that the GoF guy made many good points but I'm still a little disturbed over how it seemed like they were blaming the victim in each scenario. It was like "you got raped?" well that's what you get for being nice and not immediately calling the police when your eyebrow twitched!
That said, I do plan on getting his book from the library.
Other than "adopt a pet from a shelter", you're not going to get much advice on cats from Oprah. She's a dog person through and through. Not surprising, really. If Oprah isn't a "pack leader", who is? Search for "dog" you get training, benefits of ownership, celebrity dogs...search for "cat" and you get "Cora", "woman who hordes" and women afraid to get their ears pierced!
I saw the Sunday preview notice in the Saturday Times and clipped it so I would remember to look up your website. Tonight's my first glimpse of your experiment. On one hand, I'm impressed because once I was an Oprah disciple too. Then one day (it was the show where Nate had redesigned her dressing room) I was shocked at the material excess and couldn't stomach another chapter in "The World According to Oprah."
But lately she's lured me back and I've watched some reruns. I think I'm going to enjoy your blog alot.
I'm really sick of the expression "that said" or "that being said" We know it was said we just read it!
I read your article in the Times and found it so interesting, that now I'm following it. Watch out for the copy cats...take care
Lovely article. And you are so beautiful! I was thinking about what your husband said, and I'm wondering how it will be when the year is over for you. It would be sad if any of the blow to your self esteem that Oprah so unwittingly inflicts cause any permanent harm.
Loved your analogy of Oprah as the popular girl in school. That is so true!
Hi there
I am from Nova Scotia and just finished reading an article about this blog in The Chronicle Herald, our newspaper. I found your experiment interesting, so I decided to check you out :)
I live in Nova Scotia Cananda and the article appeared today in our provincial paper. I too am a devote Oprah worshipper. She is my God and I treasure each and every she does. I am already worried that she may not renew her contract and what will we do without the daily fix of Oprah??? I don't get my fix from the magazine but may have to someday.
I read the article. I don't usually watch Oprah, but plan to write her about some stuff. I have tried a variation of the vision board with a vision scrapebook. I haven't used it for a while- but I keep in mind what I want to accomplish and commit to my personal soul/being and personal God, that is a true spirit (I'm not a christian), to assist me to reach my goal. while I would like to meet Ophra and ask for her assistance, I know it may be impossible to actually do that since so many people are already falling over each other to get her attention. What concerns me is that you are going out to buy shoes just because she endorsed them.
The person who says owning a cat is like a cobra type person, I maybe taking that person's words out of context, I disagree. Cats are very indepenant creatures. Dog people are loyal, easy to train and very docile. Cat people are free thinkers and don't easily follow others without considering what may happen. When you get your second cat, watch the two very closely. We have two cats and they don't always get a long with each other. The older one is usually hissing and spitting at the younger one because he doesn't want to be bugged or to play.
Congratulations to you! You must be floating on Cloud 9 over that article. Now, will you be featured on Oprah, I wonder?
I own cats, so I'll give you cat advice. Always buy two. Cats go in pairs. They keep each other from being lonely. Also, be careful because cats are very territorial; it'll take some time for them to get used to each other since they aren't from the same litter. Separate food and water bowls and litter boxes. When you can, bathe them both so they have the same initial scent; it sometimes makes the 'getting used to you' phase go a little faster. I'll reiterate what someone already said: adopt from the pound or a feline rescue. Oh, and if you get bored while surfing for the things Oprah says you need, spread cat nip on the floor, sit back, and watch the show. Two high cats are so much more fun to watch than just one!
Robyn, to what extent are you consciously aware that the NY Times article on you is infinitely sad? Please know: It is. See my pages below without delay:
Abandon Oprahism:
http://tinyurl.com/5s3xcs
and
Become a True Individual:
http://tinyurl.com/6eah7m
Best,
J
*Yowza* is right! I come back from vacation and see you've been a busy gal!
LOVED seeing you in your home--doing the "LO thing"....so cool!
MTV
I thought it was a really good article! The picture of you with you vision board is actually really pretty. Most people aren't blessed with looking good @ that angle!!
As for adopting a pet -
try petfinder.com. Lots less pavement pounding than going shelter to shelter. I also find I feel enormous guilt when I leave the shelters. I feel like I should somehow be able to take them ALL home.
FEAR NOT TOMORROW.... GOD IS ALREAYY THERE
LIVING BERNICE
Hey, LO!
Congrats on deciding to get another kitty. Beware of those who will try to guilt you into getting two "because they're litter-mates." That's what happened to me--I got a brother and sister when I really just wanted the boy. I gave in because I thought it would be good for them. Well, it turns out they hate each other. They can't stand it if the other one is in the room with them, but they do share food and water bowls and the litter box. We had much better success with a stray that showed up in our yard. He was a young punk who decided he wasn't going to be intimidated by the girl cat and chose the boy cat to be best buds with. At first our old guy didn't know how to deal with such affection from another cat, but now they hang out and chase each other. I guess my point is, choose a cat for its personality and things will be great! Have fun!
o - you're so sweet. it's really overwhelming, to be honest, but i'm feeling pretty lucky!
yogajen - wow, great book review! i have my copy, but haven't read it yet.
jocelyn, good luck with everything! thanks so much for the support and kudos.
breton kvetchner - i tried the shiatsu on my cat, Wasabi, he seemed VERY angry with me.
baltimoron. awesome! best compliment i could get.
brigitte. your comment really resonates with me because i feel like much of the advice on oprah's show is delivered in this manner...as if you either take the "right" path or you are put to shame.
jeri. argh! why oh why can't cats be accepted as full citizens in oprah's world of pets?!
sheri. why oh why is she so magnetic? you're not alone - lots of folks get turned off and then get drawn back into the fold. think of this as your support group :)
anon. good advice. i'm not used to being self-protective, so i'm trying to be wary and careful...that being said, i'm glad you wrote. bwahahaha!
paula. you are amazingly nice! thanks for the kindness. it is much appreciated.
paula haynes. i love nova scotia! i'm so happy i made it to your media. thanks for letting me know!
anon #2 - i can't tell - are you joking or do you really love Ms. W? i'm happy you're here, on way or the other! welcome!
anon #3 - i'm hoping my current cat (who just turned 1) is going to be more flexible than an older cat, but i'm nervous for sure. i should add happy cats to my vision board!!!
mya barrett. yes! it's amazing. and surreal. as you know, i'm a yoga teacher - we don't get a lot of publicity! thanks so much for the kitty advice. i feel like my little guy needs company BIG TIME. i hope this words. you've been helpful!
jackson, i'm not so sure we have different theories on this. just different methods in addressing the issue.
mtv!!! i'm so glad you're back. you've been missed. my mother says hello.
ms. anne. aw shucks. it might have been a lucky shot! :) wow - thanks for the petfinder help. i had no idea about it.
bernice - i'm speechless
dawn-michelle, thanks - i was actually worried that i wasn't able to get Wasabi a sibling from the same litter (we found him, tiny, alone, abadoned and hungry and HAD to take him in!). i love hearing you were able to find another cat who fit in so well. i'm hoping the same thing happens with us.
g'night y'all!
xo
LO
Go to Tree House Humane Society to get kitty a friend. Over 300 kitties, so you're bound to find one you like. They can also give you good advice on introducing a new kitty to your current one. (Yes, I'm biased; I volunteer there.) Whereever you go, I wish you good kitty karma.
Love the blog. I feel like Oprah is generally a force for good, but there's a lot of ego and self-importance there that really bothers me.
Hey, great blog. I have often thought about whether it's possible to follow ALL Oprah's advice when there's soooo much of it. The thing with the fear thing that really gets me is when Oprah says "There's ALWAYS a warning sign". I don't know if she says it on this show but she definitely has said this before and it's just obviously a total crock. You mean to say that EVERY time some attack happens the person could have avoided it? This really bothers me.
She actually does this a lot. The most deplorable thing she ever did was use that poor woman who had her children burn in a car fire while she dashed in to drop off the family parrot to avoid unstrapping and unloading and reloading four kids in and out of the car.
Apparently we were supposed to learn something from her 'mistake' - all the while the woman herself sat their with her horribly burned toddler on her lap. What I learned was that life is terribly, tragically, monstrously unfair at times and some people are naive enough to think that a lesson can be made of everything. Whoa ...thanks for that... needed to vent!!
orora, great advice. thanks for the link. will you be there tomorrow?
anon, whew! that was a really good vent! i'm with you on this completely.
thanks so much for writing!
xo
LO
Are you going to hold on to the book in case you have a future daughter? :-) I think you should ... and just when you think you've put Oprah firmly behind you, you'll have to re-declutter your home in order to find that Oprah guru book you put away for your unborn daughter 18 years go.
Great article...I hope you don't become to engrossed in how Oprah says you "should" look. I think you are beautiful right now, just the way you are.
Congratulations on your NYT piece.
I was also pleasantly surprised when I saw you in Red Eye last week (didn't they do a story on you already or was that another Chicago based newspaper?)
Anyway, I enjoy your posts about this interesting project; it would make a good book.
I read about this in this weekend's Sydney Morning Herald.
Really, really interesting project.
Half way through the project, I've got a lot of catching up to do.
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