Gloria Neal's Blog

Oprah is moving on...what will my TIVO do?  More importantly, what will women (and men) all over this country do?  Probably follow her to her cable network OWN (Oprah Winfrey Network).

For me, I love tracing the transformation of Oprah Winfrey.  She has gone from having two names (Oprah Winfrey), to one name (Oprah), to no name(O).  Right now if you said "O," half the people in the world would know who you're talking about.  She's that big!  I love it.  This woman has earned everything she has gotten and will continue to get.  She has taught us all the lessons--whether we wanted to learn them or not. 

My husband always knew when I had been watching Oprah because I would ask him something "feely-touchy" when he came home from work.  He would say "...have you been watching Oprah again?"   But fast forward to present day...Now my husband asks me "...who did Oprah have on today?"  Isn't that funny.  While I busy watching Oprah, he was being transformed just as I was but in a differnt way.  Go figure!

I'm not depressed or sad.  I'm excited.  For me, this is a time to rejoice.  After 25 years, Oprah has earned a well deserved break from daytime tv.  But once she is through resting, you'd better be ready for another 25-year magic carpet ride that will no doubt have your children talking about living their best lives.  Ready or not, Oprah 2.0 will soon be ready for a tv near you!

Would you choose a healthier alternative than popcorn if you could when you go to theaters?     

The 'popcorn police' say those movie munchies might be widening your waistband.  However, that still might not be enough to get you to stop eating movie theater popcorn.  I have been thinking about this all afternoon.  I understand that we have to really be mindful of what we put into our mouths but it's very challenging to do when you're at the movies.

So, let me put this in perspective-- I can sit in the dark; drift off into the land of make believe and sinfully sink my teeth into a tub of chemicals that would make lard look like a whole grain?  Common sense tells me that most people are not going to give that up!  But being aware that there are some healthier alternatives is also good to know about.

Here are some links to the theaters around the Denver metro area offering healthier alternatives. 

http://www.cinemagrill.com/

http://www.cinebarre.com/thornton.html

http://www.landmarktheatres.com/market/Denver/Denver_Frameset_GWV.htm

FYI:  According to a study released from Emory University, by 2018 Colorado will be the only state to have an obesity rate lower than 30%.  The good news is:  Colorado will be the only state with an obesity rate lower than 30%.  The bad news is:  It won't make a bit of difference since we'll all be paying for it in higher premiums.

CBS Sportscaster Jim Nantz has agreed to pay almost a $1,000,000 a year in alimony to his ex-wife Lorrie, and that breaks down to about $72,000 a month.  But do you think Ms. Nantz is entitled to that amount of (ali)money after being married to him for 26 years?

Most of the people I spoke to this morning have been quick to ask the question "Why can't she support herself?"  She can support herself, but this is not about that.  This is about what's fair.  If you are married to someone for as long as she was married to Jim, then the marriage is somewhat of an investment.  Everytime Jim was promoted, Lorrie wasn't.  She was either doing everything Jim wasn't or she was making sure someone else was hired to do everything Jim wasn't. 

Also during that period, Lorrie grew accustomed to a certain way of life.  In the eyes of the law Jim can afford to keep her (and their daughter) living in that lifestyle.  Lorrie is getting a little more than $72,000 a month, which is a lot of money.  But rough estimates are that Jim brings home more than $300,000 a month.  He can afford it.  Not only that, Jim's income will continue to grow, but Lorrie will have to start from ground zero.  Pay up BIG DADDY!  It might have been cheaper to keep her, but that ship has sailed!

Is flying while drunk the same as driving while drunk and should pilots who are caught flying while drunk be allowed to ever fly again?

How fast can you say "no!"  You have got to be kidding me!   Maybe you need me to say it in another language--Nein!, Nne!, Voch! Nyet!  Anyway you slice it, it all means the same thing--you can't fly. If the rule is you can't touch the throttle until 8 hours after your last bottle, then don't touch the throttle!  

If there was ever a time I need a person present and accounted for, it's at 38,000 feet!  If you're a pilot I need you engaged honey, focused, like you are trying to move an object with your mind!  To believe anything else means you have mental issues.  Any pilot who is flying precious cargo (me, as well as other humans) should have nothing else (other than flying) on his or her mind--not what's on their laptop; not what they're gonna cook for dinner when they get home; not why their spouse ticked them off; not why Timmy skipped school--NOTHING...accept peacefully descending and getting me back to my problems.

I understand that alcoholism (if that's what we are talking about here) is a disease.  I get it.  However, that's all the more reason why those who have it should not have "wings" ever!   It's too easy to relapse.  Now, if we are talking about someone who just tied one on because of everyday problems, that's still a problem because he tied it on right before a trans-atlantic flight. His judgment was impaired even before his judgment was impaired.  Honey, stay away from the throttle til you can get your "bottle" under control....and once you do, get another job.   The price is way to high for second chances with this one.

What is going on with all the fighting in female soccer?  Do we value sportsmanship or do we want to win at all costs?

First, let me get to the "squeakiest" wheel in this incident.  To the young lady from the Univ of New Mexico who likes pulling hair so hard, her opponent could have gotten whip lash--you haven't pulled the "right" ponytail honey--trust me!  As a result of your childish antics, you have now put a big bullseye on your back for anyone who wants to "one-ups-man" you.  Now, those who have a chip on their shoulder are going to try to provoke you so that they too can prove a point.  Good luck!

There is no question there is a problem.  With all the slaps on the wrists of male players who break the rules in sports, it's no wonder the females are beginning to follow suit.  Not only are the males reinstated, they have instant street "cred" as a result of being bad boys.  Hell, the girls can't help but think "...if I can't beat 'em, join em!"

This doesn't excuse the behavior but it certainly points to a clear warning that there is more to come.  These girls are no ladies!

Should chocolate milk be removed from schools because of sugar content?

The dairy industry is launching a campaign today to get kids to drink more chocolate milk. Meanwhile, some schools all across the country are trying to answer the question about whether or not they should keep chocolate milk in schools.

If you watched this morning, you know I don't like milk.  It all started in kindergarten.  Apparently, according to my teacher (I don't remember her name) I was a bad "role" model.  How could I be a role model?  Hell, we were all the same age in kindergarten!  Anyway, I had to stand outside my classroom til my mom came to get me because I refused to drink my milk.   I guess the teacher couldn't show some compassion and understanding and just give me a piece of cheese.  NO, she had to scar me for life!  I probably would have tried milk had it not been for "Cruella!" 

Anyway, back to choco-milk.  I think chocolate milk should stay in school.  It may have a lot of sugar but it also has a lot of other good nutrients in it that kids need.  Plus, kids burn sugar faster when they are active.  Here's a thought--the dairy industry should team up with the fitness industry.  It could be the "Drink Milk/Burn Calories!" Campaign.   

All the things we fret over when it comes to our kids, it makes me wonder who are we really helping.  My generation and many generations before me had chocolate milk in school and we all turned out fine.  How 'bout this--Let's focus on getting drugs out of school first...then focus on chocolate milk!    "Got Drugs?"

Is it racial profiling to closely examine the background and religious beliefs of the soldier suspected of committing this nation's latest mass shooting (Fort Hood, Texas) or is it acceptable behavior in this post 9-11 world?

This might not be "p-c," but I really don't care at this point!  When you shoot dozens of people killing many in the process at an Army Post; when those people shot happen to be fine men and women serving this country; when the suspect turns out be an officer who could have ties to terrorism, in my opinion everything about him is in play!  How's that for letting the chips fall where they may?

Maybe Maj Hasan doesn't have ties to any radical groups. Maybe he was just having "the mother" of all bad days coupled with an undiagnosed mental problem.  If so, let the investigation of his life bare that out.  I don't see anything wrong with taking a closer look because of his name and/or religion.  For the record, I would be saying the same thing if his name was "Joe Schmoe."  "Joe" may or may not have ties to terrorism, but I no longer live in a world where we can give the "Hasan's" or the "Joe's" of the world the benefit of the doubt.

It's a damn shame when our soldiers who were preparing to go to war get "taken-out" by an officer (psychiatrist) who's suppose to be helping them prepare to deal with the rigors of war!  Even though I recognize there's probably a mental health issue here, I still can't help but feel this person needs to go to jail.

As for my military brothers and sisters, my heart and prayers go out to you and your families.  Yesterday, many of you were looking forward to spending the weekend with your significant others.  Today, some of you are making funeral arrangements.  There are no words.

How soon is too soon for Santa to show up and for Christmas decorations to go up?

I know that this isn't possible...but in a perfect world there would be a law that states Santa can't show up until the day after Christmas, and Christmas lights can't go up til December 1st.  In addition to all that, Christmas lights have to be taken down by Jan 15th of the new year.  Plus, Thanksgiving would be celebrated in some form or fashion every week in November until turkey day.  Now, I know all that isn't possible, but ...if this was the United States of Glo, it would be law!

Honey, Santa is reminding me of a relative that has outworn his welcome during the holidays.  I'm seeing "the white bearded man" too much, for too long.

Now, for those who say "...well Glo, you know this really isn't a holiday for you."  I say "bah-hum-bug!"  I love Christmas just like the next person, but I don't love Christmas at the expense of Thanksgiving.  I do not want to fah-lah-lah-lah-lah during a cookoout.  At this point, I fully expect to see Santa at Safeway in the turkey section holding a Butterball? LOL

If we could just slow down, so we can all catch up, that would be great!

Is Denver really the most stressed out city in the nation?  According to a survey just released by the American Psychological Association, we are!  But do you believe it?

Are you kidding me? 

Denver more stressed than New York or LA?!  Well, maybe.

Maybe folks living in those places have leared to deal with stress more effectively than we do here.  Maybe the kind of stress we are experiencing in Denver is new to us here.  That's one argument.  Another one is maybe we address our stress concerns when we go to the doctor making it easier to track the stress/health ratio.  Maybe we were more honest about our stress levels...and maybe there is a tooth fairy!  C'mon--you can't tell me that traffic on I-25 compares to that "parking lot" known as the 405 in L-A!

I'm not "poo-pooing" the APA's survey, but it does make you wonder if some psychologists are trying to drum up business in Denver!  Did I say that?

It's called Swine Flu Etiquette...BUT some say it's rude behavior under any name.  Do you think it's rude to not shake someone's hand because of concerns about swine flu?

Okay, who came up with these new etiquette rules pertaining to the swine flu pandemic?  I can understand not shaking hands, but why can't I just say that I'm not shaking your hands because of my swine flu concerns?  Why do I have to touch your elbow if I'm a man or rub my butt to yours if I'm a woman? (watch my story on swine flu etiquette) Hello!   I think it's perfectly okay to say I'm not shaking your hand because of my flu concerns. If they don't understand, you probably didn't want to do business with them anyway.  Plus, look at all the other ways we can get swine flu--touching money, passing our credit cards, pressing our cell phones to our faces and the list goes on and on.

Still, Anna Post, great-great grandaughter of Emily Post (Ms Manners herself) says with everyone "pinging" around the globe, exchanging germs--this could be the beginning of a huge social shift.  What was once considered rude is now considered somewhat acceptable.  Maybe...or maybe we've all gone anti-bacterial crazy. But until they can get the swine flu vaccine to the right people in a fashion that doesn't require folks to stand in line for 3 to 4 hours, we'll probably continue to lose our minds about swine '09!