This show is absolutely filled to the brim with absurdity and so much of what is wrong with our society, but if I had to choose the cake-topper from last night, it would definitely be Lynn's comment to her daughter about how she was "practically a playboy bunny already!" Oh right, and she said it while at consultation for plastic surgery where, when he wasn't molesting her brow and showing her how she could look like the cat lady, the doctor mentioned a mother/daughter recovery! OH, AND this was all because her daughter's birthday was coming up and she already got a bmw the year before so, hey, why not a nose job!?! #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@Conchie Birdie: What makes this whole thing especially ironic is that we know from the previews that Lynn and her family get served with eviction papers for failure to pay rent on their home in a future episode. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
Can't imagine why Raquel has low self-esteem....apparently her mother can't either. Excuse me while a say a silent prayer of thanks for winning the mom lottery. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@RockyMay: tell me about it. i feel so bad for them in that they clearly have no positive female (possible male either) role models in their lives. when i asked my mom for a nose job in high school she laughed and said 'what the hell kind of a family do you think this is? you're gorgeous and bat shit crazy.' which was the perfect answer and the end of that discussion. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
I think this show does more to prove how out of wack real estate has been in the past 10 -15 years in certain areas than anything else. The reason why Tamra can't afford her house is because she paid too much for it years ago. These houses were built expensively, sold for nearly half of what they were worth and now everyone's watching the bubble deflate and wondering, "How did we get here?"
You got here by living above your means, thinking you were wealthy when you were just doing well and believing that the lifestyles of rich and famous were obtainable. They aren't. Y'all wanna know when the reality show bubble is gonna burst - six months. Mainly because these nouveau riche sillies have literally sucked up all their famous time. We will actually see real reality soon and Im excited. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
I have to agree with Jeanna's statement re: Vicky. I mean, the woman took a separate luggage for her books and laptop on her vacation. To Italy. With her daughter.
Recession or no, you're doing OK, why not just take a break from work for a minute or two and enjoy the fruits of your labor without having to lug it around everywhere you go? #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@littletater: And was so much the Ugly American, complaining about the hotel and saying "This is authentic food!" I was jealous because on my trip I would have been rapt on a tour of the ancient Roman architecture. Those two were looking for shopping! Sigh. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
If you go to Paris or London during the summer months you'll find that most of the people crowded into the local McDonalds and Burger Kings are Americans. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@Alys Brangwin can't stop the beat: Haha, especially the whole "I can't understand them! They speak Italian! Languagebarrierblahblahblah! Where's the Merlot in this piece?"
Ugh. Trash. Have a fucking Tuscan wine and STFU. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@littletater: Oh yes, I forgot about the "Merlot and Cabs" talk. Seriously lady, you are in Italy. Drown yourself in CHIANTI while you have the chance! #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@Alys Brangwin can't stop the beat: And then she had the nerve to say she preferred shopping at her OC mall. Did you catch the look on the face of the desk guy at the hotel over the luggage? I couldn't help but laugh at Vicki's mother. She reminded me of the cranky aunt in National Lampoon's Family Vacation. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
While I don't have sympathy per se for people like Tamra, I can really see how people can get in these situations.
My father is a salesman whose salary is 100% commission. He's had the job for 15 years, and while his income fluctuates, overall the range of his earnings has been fairly consistent, within about 10-15% variation. My parents live in southern California, and their lifestyle is nothing like the OC Housewives! No facelifts, no Rolexes, no Mercedes, minimal credit debt- a comfortable middle class lifestyle. However, when you've been making a certain amount of money for a long time, your expenses adjust to live within those means.
Over the past 2 or so years, my father's income has dropped about 50%. He's still making more than most people in America, but when your monthly expenses are based on $x and you suddenly only have 1/2 $x it's a big adjustment, even if 1/2 $x is still a decent income. He works so hard, but people just aren't buying like they used to. My mother hasn't worked in 30 years, and it isn't like there are tons of jobs right now anyway.
My parents are relatively lucky, as my father still has a job and they're not backwards on their house. However, people like the Housewives, who were probably living above their means to begin with, flaunting their wealth and shallowness on TV...my sympathy for them is pretty limited. Renting a house and spending money on facelifts just doesn't seem like prudent planning! At any rate, I can understand how you get into Tamra or Lynn's situation, even if some of it is their own fault.
@SheelaNaGig: I think your comment was really insightful, although I will disagree with your last paragraph.
For Lynne, a facelift was part of $x and x:lifestyle she livd, and now she only has 1/3 $x and she hasn't figured out how to do without yet. I'm not defending her, because if she really is evicted in a later episode, she obviously needs to get her head on straight, but I can still see how she ended up her situation.
Ha! These ladies are out of their minds. It looks like Vicki had the only parents who didn't give their daughters money when they needed it. Half of my friends are unemployed and have the same lifestyle they do when they are employed...because of their parents. Um, I would have to move 1,000 miles back home and live with my parents if I lost my job. My parent's don't subscribe to the "we worked hard for our money, so we'll just give you ours so you can have fun, sweetie! Don't forget to be pretty and take care of yourself!"
I work 15 hours a day and although I'm struggling to save, I'm not struggling to live. My life doesn't rock, but at least I'm not about to be evicted.
Also, I find it hard to commiserate with Tamra, Gretchen, and Lynne when they don't have jobs. "We can't afford our houses!" Um, that's because it's not free... #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@JinxyMcDeath: I got laid off and downsized quickly and immediately. I can make ends meet now in my way more affordable lifestyle. And strangely, I like living smaller a lot more. And having roommates!
My parents are having a hard time with it tho...they offered to pay to keep me afloat until I could find another high-paying, soul sucking gig and I had to turn them down. I wouldn't date a guy who lived off mom and dad-it's a self respect thing, isn't it? #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@JinxyMcDeath: But! They married "rich"! They did everything right! Life should be "easy"!
It takes a lot of talent to try to be a gold digger and fail at that. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@LittleEdie: living small can be very satisfying... especially when you consider what you could do with the money you're not spending when you DO find a gig... trips. or even charitable giving. it's amazing. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@lermanzo: My parents have never been in a financial position to give me money. And after being un/underemployed for several months this year, I enjoy living small. I even donate now and buy more drinks for my friends! And of course, I hate clothes shopping. And for the first time EVER, I have been able to save up a few months rent - just in case this happens again. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
It is disgusting to me that a plastic surgeon is telling that girl (how old is she?!) that she needs a nose job to rid herself of a "bump". That girl would be considered gorgeous anywhere she went and does not need work done. I can't believe her mom is encouraging plastic surgery as a way to build self-esteem. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
Alys Brangwin can't stop the beat promoted this comment
Edited by Armed with Vitriol at 11/13/09 1:54 PM
Armed with Vitriol was starred
Armed with Vitriol was unstarred
@bluebears: The Republicans I know in her situation blame the housing meltdown on banks being "forced" under the Community Reinvestment Act to "give loans to illegal aliens and poor people who thought they were entitled to a house". They don't blame it on lack of regulation or short-sighted corporate titans. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@Gumbina80: unfortunately, the regulations that were in place to to guard from that kind of short-sightedness were removed during the clinton administration when he signed the NAFTA bill, effectively opening the floodgates for community reinvestment loans. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@puhctek: It wasn't really NAFTA. It was the repeal of Glass Stegall with the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act in 1999. Though, yes, it was during the Clinton era. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
I believe Lynn is one of the worst reality show mothers I have ever seen. She is teaching both of her daughters that they are worth nothing more than their looks. Unfortunately for one of them, those looks just aren't up to snuff. I don't understand how she thinks she's helping her daughter by passing on all of her insecurities and false ideals of what makes a woman beautiful. Lynne is obviously terrified of her husband leaving her for a younger woman, and of looking like a woman her age. The problem is with all of these surgeries, tannings, etc, she just looks desperate! I don't know why she would want to pass that desperation on to her daughter. Teach her to love herself, give her money to go take an art class....give her SOMETHING besides a shitty self-image. When your daughter says she feels like she "can't compete with her mom", you aren't doing the mother thing so well. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@Monkey1979: also, i think that girl is beautiful just the way she is. someone needs to tell her that she's beautiful. just not fake plastic OC beautiful. but real, wonderful, spectacular beautiful. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@Monkey1979: Because Lynn only has that. One of my friends from college was that girl to her parents, they realized she was a pretty face and needed to get married young to get "the most for it". It was sad, because I knew my friend could have done so much more, but when you are raised like that, its hard to break away. Lynn is just perpetuating what she learned. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
I guess im the only one that feels bad for them. I feel bad for them just like I do everyone else hit by the housing market. They just did what everyone else did, went along in their life how they always have and did not expect the economy to plummet. Just because their monetary figures are on a different scale than most American's doesn't mean they deserved it. The one getting plastic surgery for her daughter I do hate, though! Wow, great role model. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@JoaquinPhoenix's Hairstylist: meh. I think there's a difference between being underwater on your house because the housing market crashed and treating your house like a credit card for the last 10 yrs or so. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@bluebears: We have no evidence that they were being anymore stupid or foolish than anyone else who was hurt when the housing bubble popped. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@sekushinonyanko: I don't know. What we know about Tamra and Simon, she never worked (she tried to sell real estate for the first time when she got on the show, she talked about it) and Simon managed a car dealership. A nice one but still, doesn't sound like the type of people who could afford a multi-million dollar house and like what, 4 kids? And expensive shit up the wazoo (diamond watch?) plastic surgery? Sounds like some pretty convincing circumstantial evidence to a life lived on credit to me. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@bluebears: also: paying for things you've obligated yourself to rather than getting a face lift.
also: stop shopping because you don't have cash on hand to pay the mortgage.
also: don't these people have financial planners? if i had that kind of money, i would. and a responsible planner would tell them to save 10% of their income. at least.
their stupid choices are coming to bear. they were like the grasshopper in the story... the ants (like Vicki) are winners. always. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@bluebears: i only think of it because my best friend is one. and they've had to tell lots of people to curtail spending or xyz will happen... and some listen. some don't.
@bluebears: And most of them seem to admit to not saving at all. Did they put noting in IRAs or CDs or anything? You'd think with all the cash they had before they would have spent some on a financial planner. They're adults and I think they can be blamed for being so short-sighted with their money.
Plus, as Viki pointed out, Tamara still goes to a (probably expensive) gym and shops and gets her hair and nails done. If you're really that cash-strapped, CUT BACK! #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@mipsy6: yeah. girlfriend has NO ROOTS! and perfect nails! i haven't had a manicure in over a year. because i don't have the money. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@JoaquinPhoenix's Hairstylist: I'm kind of tired of everyone blaming this kind of financial catastrophe on "these idiots must not have saved any money". I saved enough money for six months living expenses and I've saved 10% throughout my working life, and that money is gone, gone. Just staying afloat as an owner of a retail shop for OVER A YEAR will deplete anyone's savings during a recession as severe as this. We don't know about their saving habits, but we do know about their spending habits, and of course, they should curtail their spending. But a lot of people who were conscientious savers and spendthrifts are suffering now in addition to these women. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
I see a lot of Tamra hate, and I can understand. However, she probably doesn't have any marketable skills and there aren't a lot of jobs out there. I don't have children, but I have heard that day care is so outrageously expensive that it's not worth it most of the time. I'm not saying she shouldn't try to find a job, but is it realistic that she would find one that would cover daycare for her kids? #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@femme-bot: Yeah, sucks, but the way to do it would be have one work during the day and one at night. My husband's a chef and that's how a lot of couples in the industry work. We don't have kids, but it works out pretty well with letting the dogs out. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@lermanzo: Poor people also get a lot more sympathy and understanding when they are in tight situations, not to mention help from the government, charities, etc. Just sayin' that its never easy to be financially strapped, no matter how much money you "used" to have. The economy has hit us all pretty hard. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
@FaceMonkey: as a poor person, i know i get none of that help or sympathy from anyone. just looks and sometimes chastisement for not making different choices and for not pulling myself up by my bootstraps.
also, most of that "help" you're talking about has a million strings attached and won't cover much of what needs to be paid. and you'll be made to feel every penny. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
Although I've never related to Jeana or felt particularly warm towards her, I'm sorry to see her leave the show. She and Vicki add an "older and wiser" element that I like. They've both been burnt, and they both make their own money (and seem to be the main breadwinners in their families). We so rarely see women their age on television! I think their strengths and weaknesses are interesting, and their story trajectories have more depth (to me) than the ones of the younger women. The new blonde with the big boobs just seems like a snore. I was looking forward to seeing Jeana try to date again.
The "cuff bracelet" woman is older but is missing the "older and wiser" factor. Perhaps because she's been coddled by a husband her whole life? I don't know. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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You got here by living above your means, thinking you were wealthy when you were just doing well and believing that the lifestyles of rich and famous were obtainable. They aren't. Y'all wanna know when the reality show bubble is gonna burst - six months. Mainly because these nouveau riche sillies have literally sucked up all their famous time. We will actually see real reality soon and Im excited. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
11/13/09
Recession or no, you're doing OK, why not just take a break from work for a minute or two and enjoy the fruits of your labor without having to lug it around everywhere you go? #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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If you go to Paris or London during the summer months you'll find that most of the people crowded into the local McDonalds and Burger Kings are Americans. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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Ugh. Trash. Have a fucking Tuscan wine and STFU. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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My father is a salesman whose salary is 100% commission. He's had the job for 15 years, and while his income fluctuates, overall the range of his earnings has been fairly consistent, within about 10-15% variation. My parents live in southern California, and their lifestyle is nothing like the OC Housewives! No facelifts, no Rolexes, no Mercedes, minimal credit debt- a comfortable middle class lifestyle. However, when you've been making a certain amount of money for a long time, your expenses adjust to live within those means.
Over the past 2 or so years, my father's income has dropped about 50%. He's still making more than most people in America, but when your monthly expenses are based on $x and you suddenly only have 1/2 $x it's a big adjustment, even if 1/2 $x is still a decent income. He works so hard, but people just aren't buying like they used to. My mother hasn't worked in 30 years, and it isn't like there are tons of jobs right now anyway.
My parents are relatively lucky, as my father still has a job and they're not backwards on their house. However, people like the Housewives, who were probably living above their means to begin with, flaunting their wealth and shallowness on TV...my sympathy for them is pretty limited. Renting a house and spending money on facelifts just doesn't seem like prudent planning! At any rate, I can understand how you get into Tamra or Lynn's situation, even if some of it is their own fault.
11/14/09
For Lynne, a facelift was part of $x and x:lifestyle she livd, and now she only has 1/3 $x and she hasn't figured out how to do without yet. I'm not defending her, because if she really is evicted in a later episode, she obviously needs to get her head on straight, but I can still see how she ended up her situation.
Also, the best of luck to your family, living is SoCal is hard right now. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
11/13/09
I work 15 hours a day and although I'm struggling to save, I'm not struggling to live. My life doesn't rock, but at least I'm not about to be evicted.
Also, I find it hard to commiserate with Tamra, Gretchen, and Lynne when they don't have jobs. "We can't afford our houses!" Um, that's because it's not free... #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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think anyone is taking care of my ass? no. except me. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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My parents are having a hard time with it tho...they offered to pay to keep me afloat until I could find another high-paying, soul sucking gig and I had to turn them down. I wouldn't date a guy who lived off mom and dad-it's a self respect thing, isn't it? #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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It takes a lot of talent to try to be a gold digger and fail at that. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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eta: I wonder is she's still a Republican
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#tips
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also: stop shopping because you don't have cash on hand to pay the mortgage.
also: don't these people have financial planners? if i had that kind of money, i would. and a responsible planner would tell them to save 10% of their income. at least.
their stupid choices are coming to bear. they were like the grasshopper in the story... the ants (like Vicki) are winners. always. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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foreclosure and bankruptcy is especially ugly when there are 7 figures involved. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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Plus, as Viki pointed out, Tamara still goes to a (probably expensive) gym and shops and gets her hair and nails done. If you're really that cash-strapped, CUT BACK! #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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poor people have to actually solve real problems like having to work multiple jobs so they leave their kids at home alone.
cry me a river. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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also, most of that "help" you're talking about has a million strings attached and won't cover much of what needs to be paid. and you'll be made to feel every penny. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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The "cuff bracelet" woman is older but is missing the "older and wiser" factor. Perhaps because she's been coddled by a husband her whole life? I don't know. #therealhousewivesoftheocbroke
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