Sharon Osbourne etc.

Temper often brings out true colours

So The View is off the air for a while. My spouse watches this every day and often I overhear the content. I heard about the latest hissy fit on another network.

I wrote a separate post about Meghan, Oprah and Piers (see "Harry and Meghan with Oprah" in this Blog) and expressed my views on Piers. But apparently he is a friend of Sharon and that gives her a much different perspective than his own viewers. I have seen clips now of the "incident" and I really didn't see what all the fuss was about from either Sharon or Sheryl. I did think that Sharon over-reacted and it did sound like "The lady doth protest too much, methinks." She was almost saying "How could I possibly be racist - after all I am here with you every day" - that's how it came across without being stated.

If I have a friend who is in trouble over comments made or views expressed, that does not make me guilty of anything. I should also be permitted a "no comment" approach. For example I sympathize with Chris Cuomo not weighing in on his brother Andrew even though they often shared opinions and their brotherhood on air in the past.

I worked in London for almost three years in the early '70s and for sure there was a sometimes not so subtle racial attitude. They had their own derogatory slang for non-whites. Let's face it, British Colonialism fostered racism everywhere once upon a time. It was not as blatant and violent as racism in America has been but it was systematic. Black people practically ran public transportation and held a lot of servant/charwoman/cleaner types of roles. Entire cities were predominantly black.

Where it really became unacceptable however is just before the break when Sharon started to drop the "F" bomb. That is when one's true nature shows itself. She is a very smart woman and can speak properly with the best of the educated British class. She has no doubt put up with more than most women could with Ozzie over the years but stayed for the most part. Good for her. I never watched an entire episode of their show, however,  nor any of the "reality" type shows. They were all staged with cameras and crew on site - no more "reality" than Judge Judy or the OJ trial. Everyone was performing for ratings - literally. Once again Sharon in particular dropped the "F" bomb every chance she could and so did her family. For me that defined their true audience.

It is tough to play hurt feelings and insult when you react with instinctive vulgarity. One's true colours come out in those moments. You didn't hear Sheryl use such language - not on camera at least.

Many of us left that behind in the school yard or at least know there is a time and a place for it. Public TV and its unknown audience is neither.

#thebrewsterblock

Maybe Mother Nature will have sympathy this year

Take Precautions - We are Facing a Spike

Here we are at the end of spring. Daylight Saving Time has kicked in again. COVID numbers are going in the right direction. Soon we will be outside enjoying our yards - even later on in the evening once the weather turns.

But still we have to be cautious. Once again we can't ignore all previous recommendations to protect ourselves - that could result in serious illness. Some will indeed get infected. It is always that way - even in good times this world still throws curve balls at us to keep us sharp. 

In truth this particular threat has been at the pandemic stage for decades. Maybe with advanced genetics we can come up with a way to tweak their own genes so they can do no physical harm to us. Then we could declare victory.

I have been lucky so far. I have tried to think of ways to protect myself and my spouse with something above and beyond what is available commercially but so far - nothing. In the meantime, I will try to enjoy myself until I have been exposed once too often and recognize the tell-tale symptoms.

Happens every year. This time I have to replace my netting and buy more spray - with DEET.

Damned mosquitoes - still cause disease. Still ruin it every year!

#thebrewsterblock

Piers Morgan Walks

Don't Hurry Back Piers!     

What kind of highly paid panellist on a talk show walks off his own set in a huff just because the going gets tough? I guess we just found out.

Remember when he landed a spot on CNN after Larry King retired? His last question of each guest was to ask how many times the person had truly been in love. I wonder about him? Maybe it was Meghan!

At the time I thought he was pompous, arrogant, and had an over-inflated opinion of himself. He once interviewed Chelsey Handler and acted like a young teenager on a first date. She put him down ROYALLY and called him a terrible interviewer to his face! I loved it! He seems to fancy himself as a flatterer and flirt extraordinaire! NOT!! I also remember once when he had Ted Turner on - I think Ted was still the big kahuna of CNN, and he obsequiously asked Ted how he - Piers - was doing!

I do think it took guts to take on the gun issue on American television but I believe it is one of the things that got him fired - poor judgement. His recent actions also show poor judgement and poor sportsmanship.

Meghan just was not interested Piers. Who could blame her? Maybe The Donald will find a spot for you and you can sound off all you want - with Trump's approval.

This sticky wicket is of your own making old chap! Oh well. Keep your pecker up!

#thebrewsterblock

Harry and Meghan with Oprah

Harry / Meghan Interview Changed my First Impression

How many watched the big interview last night? I must say I was hooked from the outset and I am not usually big on celebrity chatter. Kudos to Oprah for landing the big one and for the way she handled it.

I have to admit that I had pre-judged the entire thing and was negative on Meghan. This had nothing to do with race or any of that but just a negative feeling about the manner in which many Americans - Nancy Reagan for example - tend to behave towards the Brits and Royalty in particular. I was also influenced by the entire King Edward / Mrs. Simpson scandal decades ago.

I was totally wrong and found Meghan to be an utterly charming and poised young woman. Harry was also on his best behaviour. One had to admire the way he quickly shut down any probing into who discussed skin color with him and also what was said. I would go so far as to say that if either one of them was acting someone has to define a new Oscar category and they should each receive one. I did not see a moment of insincerity in the entire two hours.

It was very notable that both went out of their way to exonerate The Queen - their grandmother. She was apparently warm and welcoming to Meghan - hard to imagine but great to hear. It was very interesting to hear them distinguish between The Family, and The Firm. Both have treated them badly.

I was left with only two closely related questions. Since both protection and title were extended to other great grandchildren, why were both denied to this particular grandchild?

THAT one deserves an answer.

Here is wishing them and their present and future family a prosperous, happy, and safe life.

#thebrewsterblock

Rotator Cuff Problems? Read on ...

 Listen to the experts then listen to your body

Change of topic today - no CNN, Trump, Biden. This is personal - hopefully for many of you also. I suffer from sore shoulders that keep me awake at night. I have also overindulged in analysis of the problem - analysis paralysis - worse than the injury.

Many people who are north of the equator in years suffer from this - many from activity and many from lack of same - others from age. With the net, social media, Google etc. there is a ton of information out there - just look. Amateurs immediately say "Rotator Cuff" - not always the case. The people I have researched acknowledge that this is a very general term and the pain I feel could be one of many things, all part of the shoulder.

I printed out PDF's from Chiropractors, medical groups and associations and other places. I now have more exercises and therapy to try than there are hours in the day. There is a set of 18 I did religiously for about two weeks which took a good 1 1/2 hours to complete - made things worse. I even went to my GP who has worked with pro sports teams.

Here is one thing I am passing on today. I heard from several people who were where I am now but have recovered - I am overdoing things. The first reaction if you normally work out at a gym is that using no weight or working up to 3-5 pounds seems ridiculous when you might normally lift 25-35 lbs. with your arms. It is not.

Many of the legitimate websites say the same thing - for a long time light weights only , if you use any at all. We tend to forget that over-lifting probably hurt us in the first place. So here is an unprofessional list of 10 conclusions:

1. At all times if it hurts - STOP. Use less weight or no weight. If it still hurts ignore this exercise until you start to feel stronger and there is no pain...

2. From the many exercises you will collect choose only a dozen or so that did feel good. Maybe they relaxed things or let you know there are muscles you have NOT been including before.

3. No more than 30-40 minutes per session.

4. Include any stretches first.

5. Vary them up a bit each session.

6. Do not lift any heavy weights even if you think your shoulder is not involved. For almost anything above the waist or involving lifting with the hands, your shoulders are involved.

7. Many gym rats develop the large shoulder muscles for appearance but are not even aware of the others or how to strengthen them. This ADDS to the problem and might be what hurt you. It is like driving a car with one tire way over-inflated. It will lead to trouble.

8. It will take weeks to get better, if you ever do.

9. Go to a professional to see if you are trying to fix the wrong problem. It could just be arthritis for example.

10. Posture is important. Many years ago I focused on walking tall - shoulders back and not slouching. Since I have retired and am at a PC many hours daily, I am not as focused on this.

Lastly none of this will work without the willpower to do them regularly.

Here are a few of the sites I visited:

Best Rotator Cuff Strength Routine At Home - YouTube  (Dr. Kristie Ennis)

10 Best Rotator Cuff Exercises for Strengthening - Ask Doctor Jo - YouTube

Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program - OrthoInfo - AAOS

#thebrewsterblock