Cynique

Eating is fundamental in the American experience. We are an overweight nation of delinquent dieters, furtively preoccupied with feeding our faces. And when it comes to holiday menus, nobody pays more homage to food than traditionalists who remain loyal to the time-consuming dishes that are anachroisms in a society which thrives on instant gratification. In fact, cooking from “scratch” is a badge of distinction reserved for those who spend hours in a kitchen, laboring over a hot stove, stirring and tasting, and wiping their hands on their aprons, Blacks, in their soul food mode, especially like to salivate over “Motha Dear’s” home-made recipes. And, although, with the advent of modern food processing, we’ve pretty much gotten past the generation of nose-twisters who resolutely proclaimed that they “don’t eat everybody’s chitlins” - the idea being that some folks don’t do a good job of cleaning this delicacy - there are still those among us who roll their eyes and purse their lips should a certain dish appear next to the greens and macaroni and pound cake on a table ladened with a holiday spread. As someone who balks at the idea of spending hours in the kitchen, I endorse the creativity that entails getting maxium results in a minimum amount of time. And, with Christmas dinner gatherings coming up, that is what inspires me to take this opportunity to give a thumbs up to the much-maligned “Stove Top Corn Bread Dressing”! To say that there are others who don’t share my enthusiasm for this product is a understatement. There’s an element of black folks who regard this packaged item as an insult to their palates, the serving of which is comparable to commiting fraud. Unless stuffing involves an old family recipe which requires a lot of time and attention to prepare, these purists would rather go without than betray their allegiance to grit. It doesn’t matter if turkey drippings straight from the roaster are substituted for the water and butter the Stove Top directions call for, - it makes no difference if green peppers, onions, and celery are tossed in, - or if the flavor is enhanced with seasoned salt and pungent sage. No amount of “doctoring up” is enough to sway the anti-stove top crowd. Aaah, but I have the ultimate pay back! What will add salt to the wounds of these purists, is the sight of me wincing before adding salt to the blah speciality that they have contributed to the menu. The coup d’etat comes when less-discriminating gluttons descend on the tasty 10-minute treat, scooping up “seconds”. Ummm, good. …defending Stove Top dressing…nervous about the future of my post office pension…frustrated with the Chicago Bears. Sigh. It’s enough to make a gal think about hopping aboard the next light beam bound for the “earth twin” that astronomers have just discovered in the midst of a galaxy far, far away...

MAN! Chicagoland woke up to a painful, mind-blowin hangover after that Bear/Bronco game! Surreal! If the Bears don't make the play-offs, Marion Barber will really be persona non grata in these parts. Local Sports-radio is blowing up with the Monday morning quarterbacking and a pall of depression has engulfed the city and suburbs . Next week we'll either be holding a wake for our hopes, or depending on the life support of a victory to revive our chances. Meanwhile, over at the United Center, the Bulls are snorting and stomping, ready to charge out of the pen. Hopefully they won't butt their fans and gore the prospects for a winning season.

Hi Crystal, With my yen for biographies, I'm getting ready to start "Sweetness", the controversial tell-all about the late great Chicago Bears running back, Walter Payton, who like so many celebrities had a dark side and a secret life.. For my last birthday, I was given a kindle-like device which I haven't put to use yet. I keep procrastinating. Why, I don't know! So, are you gearing up to turn out a batch of your famous rum balls?

"Up To No Good" by Carl Weber which I discussed in a another post was a rather racy book, with frequent references to sex in all of its lewd variations. When the 15-members of my book club, which consists of a fairly diverse cross section of females, took up the discussion of this book, the one subject which drew the most input was the porn vibe which resonated throughout the plot. As usual, most of these women complained because they are repelled by any book which is "too nasty", and contains too many references to sex. EU. Young ones, older ones, single ones, divorced ones, married ones and widowed ones, all had a reaction to the erotic aspects of this book. These strait-laced divas like drama but not sleaze and of course they want the books to end with everyone living happily ever after. Naturally, I am in the minority during these discussions and when me and a couple of others disagree with these prudes, they raise their eyebrows. On the other hand, we think they are tight-asses. On this most recent occasion, I found myself wondering if watching porn could turn these "madonnas" into "whores". I dunno. As I previously remarked in this post, with woman, the sex organ is the brain. In a marriage, emptying the garbage or helping with the kids can be foreplay for the wife. "Men give love to get sex and women give sex to get love" is an old cliche, but it still applies. During my 50-year marriage, my late husband and i would occasionally watch porn, and to us it was like comic relief. We managed to produce 5 kids without the benefit of celluloid aphrodisiacs. Sex toys, however, can certainly enhance intimacy because they involve one-on-one interaction and physical contact. When it comes to sex, I apply the same principle as I do to religion. Whatever, floats your boat.

Yea, Troy, I guess you do have to give Carey his props for what has apparently evolved into his being a glutton for punishment, - still here in spite of how he has to endure the "thorn in his side". Kudos also to Kola who had the fortitude to weather many storms, and also Crystal who is just plain "good people". I probably would've faded away long ago if there hadn't been so much opportunity for my devilment. But, that's what you get, Troy, for giving your posters free rein.

"Up To No Good" is my second book by Weber. I can't even remember the name of the first one I read, so I guess the only reason I got around to reading another release by him was because my book club made the choice for me. This is not to say that I didn't enjoy his writing, but it is to say that I wasn't impressed enough to become an avid fan. The answer to your question, Troy, is a familiar rationale. Weber's formulaic books are pop fiction, - like soap operas in content. He'd never be nominated for a Pulitzer or Nobel prize because the literary community doesn't take his genre seriously. Maybe sociologists and anthropologists would give some serious attention to Carl Weber's body of work because it mirrors African American culture.

I did use the edit feature to correct the spelling of Weber's name, Troy. (I should've left it at that instead of pleading guilty to the incorrect spelling.) Yep, Weber is well-known, tho his work, while enjoyable, is not taken that seriously. Why? Because it is indeed urban lit; but well-written urban lit. I'd consider him just a cut above Tyler Perry; more on a level with Zane. Kinda like a guilty pleasure.

Yikes! While doing the research for my book club assignment of presenting a profile of the author of "Up To No Good", I realized I was spelling the author's name wrong. Inexcusable! I apologize! My bad. It should be Carl WEBER, not WEBBER!

Back then, The Navy was very prejudiced. All Blacks could be were cooks and stewards so not a lot of them joined this branch of the military. Dorie Miller was a cook but during all of the chaos on that fateful day, he grabbed a machine gun and just started firing, although he was not a trained gunner.

And here, all this time, I thought "Twisted Sister" was a heavy metal rock band. It's amazing how some people gripe about what all goes on here because all they want to do is discuss books. What is stopping these folks from simply ignoring what bugs them?? All they have to do is focus on the Thumpers Corner forum, which is the original home of book discussions...

Really a love letter to Barack, and probably an anathema to Fox News, and that alone is enough to appreciate it. One thing this "Ode to Obama" briefly touched on, is how both Republicans and Democrats dance around the notion that what is going on in this countyry is a class war. All Republicans have to do to stifle the Democrats is to accuse them of fostering a "class war", and the Democrats shrink into silence for fear of being accused of promoting Socialism. But it is a class war! The upper class is fighting to maintain its wealth and privilege and the middleclass is entrenched in an untenable position while the lower classes will become the casualties of collateral damage. As my boy Chris Hayden use to say, "Jesus, if you comin back, hurry up." (Maybe I'll get religion, yet.)

I'm not ordinarily impressed with urban lit, but a novel of this genre was my book club's selection for this month, so I dutifully undertook the task that would allow me to participate in the group discussion that would take place at an upcoming meeting. The book was written by Carl Weber, who I am vaguely familiar with, and it is entitled "Up To No Good". In the version I had, the text was in large print and I'm sure this contributed to my finding it an easy read. My old eyes need all the help they can get. As I got into this tale of contemporary black life, the next thing I found encouraging was that the book had obviously been proof-read and edited. So I wasn't distracted by the typos and bad sentences and incorrect grammar that often clutter up self-published efforts. I vaguely remember hearing somewhere that Weber only comes up with a rough draft manuscript and then relies on a book doctor to turn out a finished product that is professional and polished. Thank you, Mr. Weber! The book was, indeed, well-written, and well-plotted, heavy on dialogue, and short on long descriptive passages, with just enough Zanesque sex scenes to spice things up. The story was a fairly plausible one replete with interesting plot twists and believable characters who, although not particularly likeable, were at least authentic in their stereotypical vein. Even the bittersweet ending had a certain appeal. As is the case in melodramatic novels, Carl Weber's "Up to No Good" dealt with people whose lives became entangled by circumstances that were the result of irresponsible behavior and the random events that complicated such matters, - while Fate, as usual, had the final say... My final say? I liked the book. it reminded me of how engrossing reading can be as a past time and revived my waning affinity for the printed word.

Oh Puleeze, carey. I can't believe that you are denying that you were bitching about controversy. Now you're flip flopping and trying to tout yourself as controversial when actually you are not. You aren't that deep. You're just contradictory, talking out of both sides of your mouth. You never refute arguments, you just whine about people not agreeing with you. Why don't you give some examples of my "truth-bending gutter gossip" instead of trying to portray yourself as something other than a bumbling name-caller who accuses others of "spewing venom". Is that any relation to - "whimsical rhetoric"?? Good grief. You're never more pathetic than when you're trying to articulate. You're so busy moping around, pining for the good ol days of the last century back when the internet was stagnant instead of organic, back when you were holding forth, stinking up the place with your diarrhea of the mouth. Where is your little posse now? They all wimped out I guess because they didn't want this forum to reflect the real world; they wanted it to sugar coat it. Bleh. And you kill me trying to pull rank as if your "seniority" is a big deal. I've been hangin around here since 1997 and I couldn't care less if you don't like my style.You just can't seem to wrap your brain around the idea that I am not seeking your sanction. Who cares about your disapproval? You ain't nobody. Poor ol fella. You've always wanted to be the moderator here, always wanted to set the tone for the discussions, always trying to whip others into line, always thinking you have people's number, never figuring out that you, yourself, ain't fooling anybody; you're just a blow-hard, wanna-be. Also, where are all these board members who have a problem with me? Why don't they come forward and speak up? Why are they all so tacit and timid? Maybe you can corral them into your sheep farm. You have your blog where you undoubtedly bask in your own admiration. Have all your fans from those wonderful old happy, foot-shuffling days followed you over there??? Or did they outgrow you and your irrelevance?? Easy to do. And while you're taking bows because of ironsmith's ambiguous comment, don't fool yourself into thinking that there aren't others out there who understand where Troy was coming from when he co-signed to my post.

Because, contrary to the dismay of those who want this dynamic discussion board to be a bland haven for those of one mind, I welcome your input, ironsmith, - whatever it entails. And since this subject continues to draw comments, I once again say what distractors continue to ignore. People who don't embrace religion are regularly bombarded with the evangelism of those who do - forever being preached to by Christians, in particular, who assume that everybody accepts their way as the indisputable truth. (Most of the Eastern religions suggest that individuals seek their own path to becoming one with the universe.) Currently non-Christians are being scolded for wishing others a "Happy Holiday" instead of a "Merry Christimas", Watta sin. As I continue to stress, spiritual free-thinkers are entitled to equal time in expressing their views. Sometimes we elect to fight "fire and brimstone" with "enlightenment and concrete logic".This doesn't mean we are trying to convince people to abandon what provides them with a source of comfort . There's something to be said for strong faith. It's a great tranquilizer. Obviously some people have a problem with a diversity of ideas. They want everybody to simultaneously smile and unanimously bob their heads in agreement. Finally, my complaints are directed to those to whom they apply. If you don't give a damn whether or not some people don't believe that Jesus walked on water, than I offer a hearty Amen. I don't much care, myself.

So Carey has a problem with this board being a place of controversy? Boo-Hoo. Pardon me, but is this site the brainchild of Troy Johnson or is it under the jurisdiction of Carey? It's hard to tell since Carey wants to run things and dictate what and how things should be discussed. Control freak that he is, Carey further wants to tell everybody how to behave and if their actions don't meet with his approval then he desperately stoops to character assassination. In the process the only thing he kills is his own credibility. I'm disappointed that "the great arbitrator" couldn't give me any examples of the deceit and poppy cock and confusion that he attributed to me. But he couldn't do this because these are just excuses used to deflect from the fact that he doesn't have the chops to counteract what I say. And he's the one with a habit of framing his arguments; this is why he has set up his own blog so he can try to win friends and influence people in a pathetic attempt to convince himself that he's a man of substance. Too bad the substance he personifies is egocentric bull shit.

Surely after what you have just written, Carey, you are not suggesting the Christians don't chastise those who don't share their beliefs. How can you infer that Christians don't aggressively rebut the arguments of agnostics and atheists? Are you really trying to portray Christians as passive peaceful people who don't villify those who they consider satanic for daring to question the Christian idea of god? How can you ignore all the negativity and hate that is justified with obscure references from the bible? How can you dismiss the dissension within the Christians ranks wherein the different denominations reject each other; Catholics vs Protestants, Baptists vs Methodists, Lutherans vs Jehovah's Witnesses, Everybody vs Mormons. Get outta here. In a subliminal attempt to make Christians the good guys and free thinkers the bad guys, you falsely accuse others here of trying to convince Christians to abandon their beliefs. Not so. I repeat: folks are entitled to rely on whatever floats their boats when it comes to coping with the this thing called Life. And to say that you are not trying to stifle free thought is ridiculous in light of your patronizing suggestion that everyone here should just politely agree and never challenge the bland platitudes of others - this in a forum which is an arena for controversy. Go somewhere and sit down and stop trying to manage people. Fortunately you inadvertly expose how the goal of all religions is to tout their way as the only way to achieve the happiness and peace of mind that spiritual people are able to generate without the contraints inspired by a fear of displeasing a white-haired old man in a flowing robe. Yes, I admit I am a contrarian and what you and your shady self need to realize is that you aren't exactly a positive force with your ongoing ad hominen attempts to attack and belittle the messengers whose messsages don't conform with your muddled, narrow-minded opinions.

Not surprising, our ol sermonizing Carey comes down from his mountain to voice what he thinks is some kind of a revelation. Puleeze.The idea that the 10 commandments are coping mechanisms is a “given“, which is why these caveats, along with the golden rule of “doing unto others as you would have them do unto you“, have their counterparts in ALL ancient philosophies and religions. Helloooo. Steeped in all of his holier-than-thou delusions, Carey begrudges people their right to acknowledge a god-force without putting it in the context of religion, and the idea that they can be humanitarians without ever having cracked the bible. Or does it seem to occur to him that using the bible as an infallible reference does not wash with people who question the intent and authenticity of those who cobbled this document together, co-opting parables and folk lore from the “pagan” religions that preceded Christianity, incorporating the whims of drunk monks who in their hand-written chronicles were free to distort and misinterprete, not to mention how much else was lost in the translation. A remarkable book? Yes. The gospel? Debateable. Predictably, Carey resorts to his usual habit of labeling people, calling anybody who doesn’t agree with him a “naysayer”, totally overlooking the fact that EVERYBODY on this thread agreed that people are entitled to embrace whatever provides them with peace and comfort, which in America is the Christian-Judeo religion. NOBODY tried to convince Christians that their beliefs were wrong. That is the real fool's errand. Christians are constantly proselytizing their dogma, always trying to convert others, always claiming god is on their side, always preaching about their way being the only way, which is why those who don’t follow their beliefs are entitled to equal time, - entitled to air a different point of view. Nobody has a monopoly on the truth.Furtherrmore, people who question organized religion are no more illiterate and ignorant than those who blindly accept it. Of course, in assessing my reply, Carey will resort to his favorite cop-out about “a fox smelling its own urine“, as is if this is an indication of anything other than the fact that he’s pissed off. Since I expressed rejection of organized religion, it’s reasonable to assume that I was among those he was griping about. So damned what? I willingly accept the role of being someone who responds to Carey’s attempt to repress free thought.

Believing that god is the end-all, be-all force of the universe is one thing; believing that god is a person who impregnated a Jewish virgin who gave birth to Jesus Christ who is the path to life after death, - which is the core belief of the Christian religion, - is another thing. Obviously, I prefer the first version. But Christians, in all of their humble arrogance believe the god can't be separated from their religion.

I agree. Any time a couple has to resort to anything other than the sensuality of their bodies to become aroused, the thrill is gone, - or was never there in the first place. They say, for women especially, that the brain is the sex organ. And attentive pampering is good foreplay. Is it any wonder that having a successful marriage requires a lot of work.

I find it interesting that you have such a perceptive view of the fallacies of Christianity yet you refer to yourself as a Christian. But I suspect this is not uncommon among the followers of Jesus. It's so much easier to just go along with religion. It's as good a way as any to envision the awesome power of the universe. Filtering Life's mysteries through the message of the bible apparently satisfies and comforts people. Anything to reinforce the hope for eternal life.

Herman Cain is certainly in good company when it comes to being a lying, lecher. But he's out of his league when it comes to being intellectually-equipped to deal with global affairs. By being a dumb womanizer, he embodies the worst of George Bush and Bill Clinton. It never seems to register with politicians that when you run for the highest office in the land, your dirty laundry will be exposed, and revealing yourself to be a hypocritical liar damages your credibility.

Funny! You may have a second career or the horizon.

All I could think about during the introduction was, with her high-pitched, sing-song voice, how reminiscent the young announcer was of the dreaded Kim Kardashisan. Or did her awkward, choreographed body language dispel her poor stage presence. The interview, itself, was interesting, and the interviewer, altho not a hottie, was confident, professional, and adept at keepin it real. IMO.

This week's bad news: The congressional super committee formed to reduce the nation's trillion dollar debt was unable to reach an agreement due to partisan gridlock. This week's good news: The players and owners have come to terms and the NBA season will open on Christmas day! Trivia tidbit for today: Cat urine >>glows<< under a black light.

If you think about it, the most common complaint against on-line dating is the deception that goes on there. You always hear about people who have been misled by someone they have met at one of these sites who has lied about their age, their weight, their profession and - their marital status! There is also an ongoing debate as to whether a married person who strikes up an acquaintance on line with someone of the opposite sex is actually cheating. These meeting places are a haven for married folks who want to fantansize about leading a more exciting life. As long as they can remain anonymous, people participating in surveys will admit the illicit things they do.