Feb 21, 2009

[Darla Shine]

I am watching the Oscars. All the glitz and glamour. The beautiful gowns and huge diamonds. It is fun. I like to see who wins and who wore what. Jennifer Anniston presented tonight and while she was up on stage the camera guy Brad and Angelina in the audience.

Earlier today as I left he Borders book store, there was a woman standing in the exit lane with a sign, 'homeless, hungry, need money.' I pulled my bag over and was trying to find some cash. I never have cash. I found two dollars and I felt stupid to only give her two dollars, I should give more, but then the light turned green and I had to move so towards her I went but then the jerk behind me was beeping his horn and I couldn't get to her. But really what would my two bucks have done?

Back to the Oscars. How much do you think was worn in jewels? Do you think Hollywood will be hurt by the recession?
Heath Ledger wins an Oscar for his small role in Batman. Maybe it was a nice thing to do but it wasn't like he died serving in Iraq? Hs mother was there and she went up on stage with one of the most gorgeous gowns I have seen tonight. Very shiny, frilly, and maybe not the dark, subdued dress I would have imagined this grieving mother wearing.

The homeless woman was wearing a green slicker. It was pouring, freezing rain. Why was she homeles? My daughter asked? Is she lying, said my son? Why can't she get a job? Where is her family? How do you end up begging for money in the parking lot of Borders in the suburbs of America?

Tomorrow morning the losers, not the winners, but
'losing nominees in the six major categories will receive gift baskets stuffed with nearly $50,000 worth of goodies.' And this isn't the winner. What are the winners getting in their Oscar goody bag?

Now ladies I have been to plenty of parties and I have received plenty of goody bags, but my bags have had things like tee shirts, tick tacks and books in them. What on earh are they putting in these bags for 50k and how can that woman in the Borders lot get her hands on one?

[MariaGT]

Hi Darla, I'm also watching the Oscars and couldn't help thinking that instead of using all of those Swarovsky crystals for decorating purposes, couldn't they have used that money to help all of the unemployed people in our country instead? On a much lighter note-my favorite dresses so far, penelope cruz and sarah jessica parker.

[dawn]

How does a woman become homeless? Who knows. could be she was a crack head...or maybe an alcoholic. But I'm pretty sure there are other alternatives to begging in a parking lot. There are resources..churches, shelters, public assistance..I'm not trying to be a jerk, but so what if people went and got dressed up tonight and celebrated their art? The whole world can't stop because there is a woman begging in borders parking lot. What would your two dollars do? Well if shes a drunk or a crack head it will go toward that..if she is a Mom it might go towards milk for her kids. When your poor and homeless, a quarter is a lot of money Darla. Hollywood is only going to get hurt by the recession because people are feeling guilty for spending money, which is stupid, they should spend money. We need them to spend money, not make them feel guilty. We can't just give give give to people who are down on their luck. Thats my opinion only. We need to let this ride out..period. I really don't know why were bailing out anyone in a home. So they lose their house and have to go live in an apartment..so what? I don't get it. If they could afford the house then they could stay there. This whole recession is giving me a headache..I just don't know what happened to common sense..who cares if the movie industry had a gala to celebrate their craft. Good for them. A lot of people have jobs because of them. Let them spend their money.

[Darla Shine]

I love the Hollywood scene. Let them party. I just think it's hypocritical for them to accept these swag bags. Since they were all out stumping for Obama, why hasn't one of them said they were wearing last year's dress or not accepting the Winston diamond necklace that cost 2 million? I just think everyone is full of crap.

[mamaof4]

:meuh::meuh:Darla, it's funny you said that. Just yesterday I was talking to someone about how upside down and backward ass this world is.. I mean you have movie stars and sports figures making millions and then you have policemen and firemen making 45,000. And God bless the firemen that do it voluntarily. Then the saddest part is you have our men and women who are fighting for out country who come home and just live. Nothing specail just live. My husbands best friend just got back from afghanastan. He is just living. No new car. Yes he has a house. But nothing out of the ordinary and here he just came back from WAR.... What is wrong with this world. Hollywood is far too overated. Yes I enjoy movies and I am sure at times it is hard work. But do I think it is worth millions of dollars? NO!!!! Our jobs as full time moms I believe is the hardest job in the world. I would rather get paid with the love I get back from my family then be on a big screen for big money!!!

[Knit Mom of 3]

Makes me wonder if as a nation our fawning over the dream world of the rich and famous isn't part of the problem. They live lavish lifestyles for doing what many of us can only fantasize. (My husband thinks it is sad how much the athletes make when it would be his fantasy job. Just to have that much talent.)

We see these pictures in the magazines, we watch the specials that show their homes and clothing. We then see the scaled down versions on HGTV and Fine Living and think, "Hey, my home should look like that." Compared to the ultra-rich these little luxuries seem reasonable.

Sorry, I know I am rambling a bit, but thought by throwing my jumbled thoughts out someone here might be better able to help me get it out.

[Nina Q]

Dawn,
loved your summing up the housing issue.
Agree almost to a T.

Darla,
I am offended by the salaries in Tinseltown. The agents, the studio heads, the big name actors. I find THAT offensive.

[helen]

I didn't watch last night. Just not interested. I'm just so sick of the greed, materialism, and lack of judgement nowadays. it all just makes me sick and like Dawn I am so tired of this recession already. Daughter's teacher at school actually told all the students that they may be the first generation to have it harder than their own parents. how sad is that but I do see some truth to it.

[shoppingmamma]

So they lose their house and have to go live in an apartment..so what? I don't get it. If they could afford the house then they could stay there.


So What??? I find this statement very sad.... NOT everyone bought a house they couldn't afford back when banks were approving them like crazy. MANY people have lost their JOBS.... and so they have to go live in an aparment or such...you make it sound like not a big deal when in fact for many it's a HUGE deal - sometimes that is just the last straw! Many people are just hanging on and to be able to stay in a house that they WORKED for and made their HOME would make all the difference!!! I have known a few that had to do this and loosing their home just started this downward spiral of despair and depression.... it's a HUGE deal!!!

[shoppingmamma]

I agree Darla with what you said.

I didn't watch last night - could really care less. I agree alot of these stars were backing Obama and were all for him so would have been nice to see a few make a "statement" and wear a "recycled" dress or not take those ridiculous baskets. Yes Hollywood does employ alot of people but let's see how many millions they get per film when people stop going because they can't afford the $10 movie ticket!!!

[Nina Q]

Jill,
I suppose the sticking point is that somehow people have gotten the impression that they deserve things they can't afford or earn.

Yes, it would suck to have the military close down and my husband to have lost his job. But why would we think that we deserve to stay in a house that we could no longer afford?

[shoppingmamma]

Jill,
I suppose the sticking point is that somehow people have gotten the impression that they deserve things they can't afford or earn.

Yes, it would suck to have the military close down and my husband to have lost his job. But why would we think that we deserve to stay in a house that we could no longer afford?


I don't want to get this started yet again - it was all debated on another thread.

My point is that yes, maybe some people do have an attitude of "deserving" this or that. But there are LOTS others that for whatever reason are in bad situations - maybe job loss, maybe bad advice years ago from so-called and trusted "experts". I, too, am tired of the "deserving" attitude .....I am tired of hearing people say that people that are loosing their home and jobs "deserve" to have this happen. The economic situation now and the recession may have opened up alot of people's eyes to what reality is and what they can and can't afford and I hope that people make changes as necessary and grow and learn. I do think many were living a lie and living beyond their means and this is an excellent learning opportunity. In general I do agree the US is out of control with spending. But it would be nice if people could realize this and refinance to be able to stay in their homes or be able to sell their homes and find something more suitable. I LOVE Darla's idea she talked about multiple times on her show about lowering interest rates across the board! I think that regardless of people's past decisions people this is affecting do NOT "DESERVE" to have bad things happen to them.....

[shoppingmamma]

This thread made me remember the Oscar's in the mid 90's where Sharon Stone showed up in things out of her closet - a designer skirt, a designer dress she wore as a coat and a GAP T.....

[shoppingmamma]

Jill,.

Yes, it would suck to have the military close down and my husband to have lost his job. But why would we think that we deserve to stay in a house that we could no longer afford?

I also wouldn't think you DESERVED to loose your home either...sometimes good people just need a break. When my hubby lost his job in Sept our mortgage company was WONDERFUL - we asked if we could delay a payment and they sent us some forms and moved all the payments til the end of the year to the end of the loan. Probably not the smartest decision financially but it helped us to stay current with other bills (his unemployment check for the MONTH was less than what he made at his job in a WEEK) and stay in our home and get caught up, a new job and back on track..... just because someone has a temporary set back I don't think they deserve to loose everything they worked so hard for.

[Nina Q]

Ok.
Maybe I don't know what the word "deserve" means. Or maybe it means different things to different people. And I have no intention of debating this with you again either. I know that we can agree to disagree, and that we'll be ok with that!

[dawn]

I hate the word deserve...hate it.

[Caliwife]

I cannot remember who said it on tv but someone said that this years awards show was going to be understated. I'm not against them having their show or anything but I didn't see anything understated last night.

[starbucksqueen]

So What??? I find this statement very sad.... NOT everyone bought a house they couldn't afford back when banks were approving them like crazy. MANY people have lost their JOBS.... and so they have to go live in an aparment or such...you make it sound like not a big deal when in fact for many it's a HUGE deal - sometimes that is just the last straw! Many people are just hanging on and to be able to stay in a house that they WORKED for and made their HOME would make all the difference!!! I have known a few that had to do this and loosing their home just started this downward spiral of despair and depression.... it's a HUGE deal!!!

Thanks Jill. I agree. Not everyone bought a home they could not afford or that was too pricey. They had a job that could pay for it and might not have one now. Not always their fault....

[shoppingmamma]

Ok.
Maybe I don't know what the word "deserve" means. Or maybe it means different things to different people.

FYI ~ I think we are both right

deserve definition

de·serve (di zʉrv′)
transitive verb -·served′, -·serv′·ing
to have a right to because of acts or qualities; be worthy of (reward, punishment, etc.);

[captbarth]

http://www.lasplash.com/publish/Celebrity_Talk_102/Extra_TV_s_Oscar_Swag_Bag_Goodies.php

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/movieawards/oscars/2009-02-19-swag-suites_N.htm