A & E Channel: Family Plot and Intervention

[Cathleen]

Bump... the shows are on this evening.

Jenny, I thought that dog was hilarious! Chuck is a character.

That intervention was a tough one.... last weeks too. I didn't think she would accept the help or stay with it. The follow-up was so great, to see her with five months clean was wonderful. It's hell to go through and being told your life will be better is hard to accept. Life won't become easy or perfect but being clean gives you the opportunity to really feel and live life.

It would be nice to get other updates too. The one that sticks out in my mind was the man with the gambling addiction. I wanted to smack him! He actually thought it was his parents responsibility to give him their money, get him out of his debts - he really believed that!! I still shake my head on that one. His personality and demeanor was so histrionic but it wasn't fake with him, he was clearly out of control and out of touch with reality. I wonder what happened to him - he didn't stay at the rehab. sad

 

[dollface007]

It would be nice to get other updates too. The one that sticks out in my mind was the man with the gambling addiction. I wanted to smack him! He actually thought it was his parents responsibility to give him their money, get him out of his debts - he really believed that!! I still shake my head on that one. His personality and demeanor was so histrionic but it wasn't fake with him, he was clearly out of control and out of touch with reality. I wonder what happened to him - he didn't stay at the rehab. sad

I watch Intervention pretty religiously. I usually feel compassion for a lot of these addicts, despite their horrible behavior, but it seems like the gambling addicts are the biggest bastards of them all! Gabe, the shrieking banshee gambling addict, is pretty despicable. His sense of entitlement is truly astonishing. You'd think a genius would have figured out that the house ALWAYS wins...but not Gabe. I can't say I feel too sorry for his parents either.

 

[Cathleen]

I've been watching Family Plots while trying to make some dinner. Even though I've been cutting onions I know the tears in my eyes are from the care and tenderness of John, one of the assistants at the funeral home.

The way he interacts with familys is touching. His quiet reverence for the familys and the deceased are special. Of all the employees it is his demeanor that seems incredibly peaceful and sincere.

The show really is something to see.

 

[krazeekat]

Ughhh ... we don't have A&E here, looks like I'm missing quite a few good shows.

 

[Cathleen]

Ughhh ... we don't have A&E here, looks like I'm missing quite a few good shows.

I wonder if they have streaming video on their website. I'm checking through it now. Maybe you'll find something more quickly Kat.

http://www.aetv.com/

 

[krazeekat]

I wonder if they have streaming video on their website. I'm checking through it now. Maybe you'll find something more quickly Kat.

http://www.aetv.com/

Thanks so much for the link Cate. The first thing that caught my eye was the Criss Angel's Mindfreak sweepstakes. OMG .. I totally love this man! I'd give up my kingdom just to see this man perform.





Oh wait ... what kingdom? *lol*

 

[Cathleen]

Thanks so much for the link Cate. The first thing that caught my eye was the Criss Angel's Mindfreak sweepstakes. OMG .. I totally love this man! I'd give up my kingdom just to see this man perform.





Oh wait ... what kingdom? *lol*

I've seen some of the advertisements for the show... it looks spooky and dark and I'd probably be watching from under a blanket.

What is he like?

You're welcome for the link.

 

[krazeekat]

I've seen some of the advertisements for the show... it looks spooky and dark and I'd probably be watching from under a blanket.

What is he like?

You're welcome for the link.

He is so awesome! He's so much better than Davidwhat'shisname, I guess if you're into goth you'll like his shows. But even if you don't the illusions are just mindblowing enough to keep you at the edge of your seat. Of course it helps that he's so gorgeous, I drool everytime I see his shows on tv *pants*

I have his picture as my desktop wallpaper

 

[Cathleen]

He is so awesome! He's so much better than Davidwhat'shisname, I guess if you're into goth you'll like his shows. But even if you don't the illusions are just mindblowing enough to keep you at the edge of your seat. Of course it helps that he's so gorgeous, I drool everytime I see his shows on tv *pants*

I have his picture as my desktop wallpaper

I'm not into Goth and I guess that was what hit me as dark.

I think I'll have to take a look at the show soon... David Blaine is errie to watch. For me it's like watching a train wreck, you don't want to see it but you can't not watch either. But there is something about him that would make me stand at least a few steps back.

 

[krazeekat]

I'm not into Goth and I guess that was what hit me as dark.

I think I'll have to take a look at the show soon... David Blaine is errie to watch. For me it's like watching a train wreck, you don't want to see it but you can't not watch either. But there is something about him that would make me stand at least a few steps back.

Blaine is meh, well at least to me he is.

Yes, that's my inner goth peeking out again

 

[Cathleen]

FYI

Intervention is beginning a new season tonight, first episode will be an update on some of the people shown recently.

 

[Cathleen]

Wow! On Family Plots, they are showing a product called Life Gems.

They take the cremated remains of a loved one, use the carbon and then make gems - they just showed a ring and earings made using the remains of Rick's son.

Amazing... I can't imagine what kind of feeling that must be.

http://www*****gem.com/

 

[GiveawayGirl]

Wow! On Family Plots, they are showing a product called Life Gems.

They take the cremated remains of a loved one, use the carbon and then make gems - they just showed a ring and earings made using the remains of Rick's son.

Amazing... I can't imagine what kind of feeling that must be.

http://www*****gem.com/

Spend a little time poking around and look who you find Hiya, Cate. How are you?

Did you watch Intervention this week? They updated your whiner guy......he's still a big fat whiner!

And I agree with you about the Life Gems...they were gorgeous and a very cool idea!

A&E is my Sunday night standard!

 

[Cathleen]

Spend a little time poking around and look who you find Hiya, Cate. How are you?

Did you watch Intervention this week? They updated your whiner guy......he's still a big fat whiner!

And I agree with you about the Life Gems...they were gorgeous and a very cool idea!

A&E is my Sunday night standard!

GG!! What a wonderful surprise to see your name appear. I was speaking with a friend last night about how nice it would be to have you around some. I hope all is well with you and yours, I'm sure your very busy with school approaching but it's nice to see your post.

I did see the show Sunday, but couldn't give it my complete attention. I did catch the whiner... I had hoped he'd have better success. I hope at least he will see what his family scacrificed for him.

I've been thinking of those Life Gems a lot this week. It is just something I never could have imagined. It's intriging.

 

[GiveawayGirl]

GG!! What a wonderful surprise to see your name appear. I was speaking with a friend last night about how nice it would be to have you around some. I hope all is well with you and yours, I'm sure your very busy with school approaching but it's nice to see your post.

I did see the show Sunday, but couldn't give it my complete attention. I did catch the whiner... I had hoped he'd have better success. I hope at least he will see what his family scacrificed for him.

I've been thinking of those Life Gems a lot this week. It is just something I never could have imagined. It's intriging.

No wonder my ears were ringing!

All is well in my little corner of the world. Life just keeps me exceptionally busy lately. I hope all is good with you.

The whiner was a disappointment. He seems to think that his family owes it to him to continue rescuing him when he's made a mess of his life all by himself. I was horrified when they said his parents are supporting 75% of his monthly expenses. It was very disappointing when they offered him a chance to reenter rehab and he turned it down. There's some serious denial going on in that man's life!

The Life Gems have caused me to do a lot of thinking since I saw them. I've never considered cremation before but I keep thinking it would be a very cool thing to have made for my children. Of course, they aren't old enough to understand it yet and may think it's really gross!

 

[SweetErika]

No wonder my ears were ringing!

All is well in my little corner of the world. Life just keeps me exceptionally busy lately. I hope all is good with you.

The whiner was a disappointment. He seems to think that his family owes it to him to continue rescuing him when he's made a mess of his life all by himself. I was horrified when they said his parents are supporting 75% of his monthly expenses. It was very disappointing when they offered him a chance to reenter rehab and he turned it down. There's some serious denial going on in that man's life!

Thanks to Cate, I caught this episode too. I didn't see the original one featuring The Whiner, but I was really shocked and disappointed to see he seemingly wasn't better at all and his family hadn't followed through on their word. I thought his former friend did a good job though, and it was really heartwarming to see the families of those in recovery really supporting the former addicts through the process...especially Sara's family.

The Life Gems have caused me to do a lot of thinking since I saw them. I've never considered cremation before but I keep thinking it would be a very cool thing to have made for my children. Of course, they aren't old enough to understand it yet and may think it's really gross!

My mom got everything in order for me last year, and one of her requests was to be cremated and have diamonds made out of the remains. It did freak me out at the time, but I'm taking to the idea more and more.

On a related note, I sleep better at night knowing everything's already laid out and exactly what my mom wants physically, spiritually, and financially in the event of illness and death. My father-in-law has prepared in the same way, and though I'm sure both of them will be around for another 30 years or so, it's a blessing to know neither my husband nor I will have to just hope we're making the right decisions in a grief-stricken state.

 

[GiveawayGirl]

Thanks to Cate, I caught this episode too. I didn't see the original one featuring The Whiner, but I was really shocked and disappointed to see he seemingly wasn't better at all and his family hadn't followed through on their word. I thought his former friend did a good job though, and it was really heartwarming to see the families of those in recovery really supporting the former addicts through the process...especially Sara's family.


My mom got everything in order for me last year, and one of her requests was to be cremated and have diamonds made out of the remains. It did freak me out at the time, but I'm taking to the idea more and more.

On a related note, I sleep better at night knowing everything's already laid out and exactly what my mom wants physically, spiritually, and financially in the event of illness and death. My father-in-law has prepared in the same way, and though I'm sure both of them will be around for another 30 years or so, it's a blessing to know neither my husband nor I will have to just hope we're making the right decisions in a grief-stricken state.

I think you hit the nail on the head, Erika. The Whiner's family did not stick to the consequences they set forth at the intervention so they made it easy for him to quit rehab. They continue to enable him and he will never find the motivation to recover. He was so filled with excuses that it made me sad. Especially when they talked about how intelligent he is and what a promising future he was on the road to before he gambled it all away.

The more I think about it, I really like the Life Gem idea. I suppose it isn't really any grosser than making my children change my diapers in my old age and I already threaten them with that now!

 

[Cathleen]

GG, I hope your ears were ringing... whatever it was that brought you back I'm just glad.

That gambler on Intervention just drives me nuts. Yes, his family is doing the wrong thing and he has no incentive to get clean. I wonder if there has been any family counselling, as well as individual... it doesn't appear there has been.

I thought his friend did the best by him, and the best for himself. People need to feel the consequences of their behavior (good and bad) in order to truly learn. You can't learn to walk if someone is holding you all the time.

 

[GiveawayGirl]

GG, I hope your ears were ringing... whatever it was that brought you back I'm just glad.

That gambler on Intervention just drives me nuts. Yes, his family is doing the wrong thing and he has no incentive to get clean. I wonder if there has been any family counselling, as well as individual... it doesn't appear there has been.

I thought his friend did the best by him, and the best for himself. People need to feel the consequences of their behavior (good and bad) in order to truly learn. You can't learn to walk if someone is holding you all the time.

Cathleen, you are too kind. I'm never far away; I just don't always have something to say (hard to believe, I know!).

As for our Whiner....I'm not sure my opinion of his friend is quite as benevolent as yours. I question his motivations. Why did he even bother to meet him in the park? Whiner-boy didn't have any money to give him and if he had, he could have mailed it or delivered it. The friend could have refused to see him altogether. I wonder how much of his behavior was simply wanting to posture on television instead of having the Whiner's best interests at heart. I guess I'm just too cynical.

 

[dollface007]

Didn't you just love Gabe's (The Whiner's...well, I call him "The Shrieker") thinly veiled threats that he would commit suicide if his parents didn't continue to support him financially? By the way, he and other Intervention addicts were on Larry King last week, and he said the same thing on that show. He makes me want to vomit.

As for his friend, I think his curiosity probably got the best of him, so he agreed to meet Gabe at the park. I'm glad he didn't give into the bullshit.

 

[SweetErika]

As for our Whiner....I'm not sure my opinion of his friend is quite as benevolent as yours. I question his motivations. Why did he even bother to meet him in the park? Whiner-boy didn't have any money to give him and if he had, he could have mailed it or delivered it. The friend could have refused to see him altogether. I wonder how much of his behavior was simply wanting to posture on television instead of having the Whiner's best interests at heart. I guess I'm just too cynical.

You certainly bring up some good points I didn't think of!

As for his friend, I think his curiosity probably got the best of him, so he agreed to meet Gabe at the park. I'm glad he didn't give into the bullshit.

I may not have done the same, but I can see where he might have felt it was a way to get some closure, too.

 

[GiveawayGirl]

I may not have done the same, but I can see where he might have felt it was a way to get some closure, too.

This is a really good point! I hadn't really thought about the emotional damage that the Whiner had caused to his friend. I think closure may be exactly what motivated him. Unfortunately, I don't think he'll get a true sense of closure. I foresee the Whiner using the fact that he owes his friend money as a way to manipulate the friend into remaining a part of his life.