A Whole Lotta Pork (Political or Otherwise)
“This is Zeola,” the deep, soulful voice greeted me on the other end of the telephone line.
“Hey, there, it’s Belle. Can I speak to Mamma?” I had exactly twenty minutes to unload on Mamma before I had to be at Housing Works Book Store for Jonathan Lethem’s reading. I wasn’t quite sure how I could be both tactful and timely in recounting to her my work woes…
October 20th, 2005 at 3:57 pm
my god, you are so entertaining and captivating - I especially love the “slow buttermilk coating every word” I love checking this out every day!
October 20th, 2005 at 4:27 pm
Gorgeous. More, please.
October 20th, 2005 at 5:16 pm
the end came too quick.
Belle — marvelous writing regardless of the medium. You have a bright future with whatever you do, wherever you end up.
I’m happy that I was able to witness the beginning of a marvelous journey.
Plus, don’t you luv the way Lethem writes?
October 20th, 2005 at 5:25 pm
I understand work frustrations…always do what your gut tells you to do and it’ll all work out. I’m beginning to learn that the hard way
Great writing
October 20th, 2005 at 5:49 pm
Pass the bacon please.
October 20th, 2005 at 7:57 pm
great stuff belle!
October 21st, 2005 at 12:06 am
You should really write a novel, Belle. I know that I would read it. Sometimes I do wonder though, if I am reading because a girl I once really loved had fallen for the myth that is NYC (as well as I have).
October 21st, 2005 at 2:07 am
so whatcha gonna do now belle? goodluck!
October 21st, 2005 at 7:08 am
i am guessing you havent left your job at the News Channel yet. If you do… What would you do? Where would you go? I’m a firm believer that if you’re not happy with your job or where you work… LEAVE! So if you do loeave… good luck with all your plans. You are so talented anyways
October 21st, 2005 at 9:02 am
Kindly continue.
Your take on the City reminds me of when I moved there for schooling.
But where my take was distinctly Midwestern, yours is stunningling redstate Southern.
October 21st, 2005 at 9:55 am
btw, how long were you at “the center of the thinking conservative world”
October 21st, 2005 at 10:30 am
Forget journalism. Your writing would make beautiful fiction with all of its descriptiveness. So much color, so vivid.
October 21st, 2005 at 11:36 am
Belle-beautiful writing, as usual. Your mother & the cook (& the Episcopal church!)–it all reminds me of my distant Southern home.
Keep writing and thank you for lessening my homesickness.
October 21st, 2005 at 2:47 pm
Belle,
Some of the best love songs ever written were from pain and disillusionment. Please don’t do anything drastic…look at what your pen is bleeding…
October 21st, 2005 at 3:49 pm
Hmmmm… I don’t quite understand Cynthia… What have I done or said that is so drastic?
October 21st, 2005 at 3:59 pm
I was referring to the idea in your post about quitting your job..not sure if you are writing fictionally or not. Just wanted to say that sometimes the hard things in life produce the best response..your pen bleeding is a figure of speech at how well your writing is. Some of the greatest words (stories, letters, etc..) ever written were from a place of struggle. Not to say you wouldn’t be writing well without the conflicts your job brings but it is a great catalyst. Catch my drift?
October 21st, 2005 at 5:24 pm
You are going to have to read the archives. These are 3 year old stories. As of a month ago, she was not gainfully employed.
October 21st, 2005 at 6:10 pm
Understood, Ms. Cynthia… Thank you for clarifying.
October 21st, 2005 at 11:34 pm
Very funny. Life is too short for you to have a job you hate - so leave and get something better.
October 23rd, 2005 at 10:08 am
If I have learned anything in my 34 years on this earth it is that you have to do things that make you happy.
I used to teach English and I worked so hard to get the job and spent a ton of $ on schooling and after 6 months, I came to the frightening realization that it wasn’t for me. I picked up and blindly moved to NYC not knowing what I was going to do next. My father was so upset he wouldn’t speak with me for a year; he’d just mail me teaching job ads cut from the NY Times. At the time, I knew in my heart I was doing the right thing and I have no regrets. Follow your heart and find what makes you happy. You’ll never regret it.
October 25th, 2005 at 6:49 pm
Better to dream a new dream than to cling to shreds of a tattered old one.
October 26th, 2005 at 2:23 am
Belle, you’ve given the reader a good glimpse into your psyche, and how tragically enlightening it is. The privileged daughter of wealthy southern Republicans, studies journalism because she wants to right the wrongs of the world and stand up for the “everyman.” After completing school, she stomps off in a cloud of dust to the big city against the wishes of her family and gets a job with a respected news agency, which she hates, although not enough to keep her from daydreaming about replacing the current “info babe,” whose vanity she marvels at, admires and shares. Ultimately, the southern girl needs to down another drink before telling her mom, and the maid, she’s miserable and surrounded each working day by members of the right-wing militia. Does that about sum it up? I am sure you are much more layered, nuanced and intellectually savvy than those dullards at the News Channel, with all their conservative thinkin. You probably even consider the maid a part of the family, at least when it‘s fashionable to discuss over cocktails or coffee and croissants? How very inclusive, or progressive? Ultimately, while you are a gifted writer, it’s sadly the same old socialist sophistry, just served in a seemingly sweet, southern, chick-lit package. But after all, the “left” proclaims that FOX News is just right-wing propaganda being parlayed by pretty faces, so you may have a shot yet! Although, toppling the likes of CNN’s Paula Zahn, or NBC’s Katie Couric, as the perky, purveyors of progressive truth, might prove difficult. If you look as good as your male adorers dream, and ruminate liberally on all things political, you’ll probably do just fine at another news agency. It is somewhat amusing though, that you landed a job, or even wanted one, with the singular news channel that provides both perspectives on the pressing issues of the day.
November 5th, 2005 at 11:00 am
If this post - not to mention the whole vomitous blog - is not some exaggeration, it one again makes me sorry that the Civil War was waged. The North should have just let the South secede. Other than the food (which is fabulous, I admit), there was pretty much nothing worth keeping. Of course, I live above 14th Street and mingle with the rabble of the City, so what do I know?