Dr. Joy Browne's Blog

A publicist last week did me a real favor. Since I do theatre reviews I am fortunate to be invited to see shows and I usually get two tickets.  My friends always say they love the added perks of being my friends and being able to go see a show for free.  I had some out of town company in to visit and I really wanted them to come see the show with me.  I do not abuse this privilege but I called the publicist who invited me to this show and asked if it would be possible if I could buy two more tickets for my guests. She said it was sold out but she would get me two additional tickets.  We get to the show and I see her and she gives me the tickets and I asked if the other two tickets are in the vicinity of mine but she said she had not looked at them and was unsure.  I opened the envelope to find all four tickets next to each other in a spectacular row. I was thrilled. If someone does something bad and hurtful you tell them but if someone does something terrific, you tell them as well.  I ordered flowers from Pro Flowers, they are our sponsors and they are unusually good.  I used my own money and unfortunately was given no deal but they last for a very long time guaranteed. I came in to the office this morning to this lovely email that was the most gracious thank you note from the publicist.  How magical the words ‘thank-you’ are and go into detail to the person about what they did nice for you.  We have to be aware to say thank you and be specific about it. Maybe your spouse, neighbor, or best friend have done something nice for you so say thank you.  Everyone February is heart month and try to make it your resolution to say thank you to someone who has done something nice for you. I was out yesterday in a monsoon and had a huge umbrella and a man said to me “wow that’s a great umbrella for ten bux” while he said these words out loud all of a sudden my umbrella turns inside out and cracks and breaks.  Maybe I should have said ‘Thank You’!

Today is the day I give up chocolate for lent.  Let me explain to you why I started this custom 15 years ago.  I have a pretty healthy lifestyle: I don’t eat red meat, I don’t smoke, I workout regularly. So when it comes to making my life healthier there is not much to give up.  Lent is about sacrifice, clarification, and about giving something up that is significant. Everyday I tell people to stop and change what they are doing which is so hard! We are homeostatic creatures and don’t handle change very well.  I decided I needed to do something as difficult for me as all the difficult things I tell my listeners to change.  So chocolate it is!   This is very difficult for me because it is one of my few indulgences. If I tell people to stop smoking, stop having sex with strangers, and to stop yelling at their kids, I am going to have to forgo something significant for me. Beware Easter!!  One year at midnight, the Saturday night before Easter, I went all out and ate chocolate and we all know it keeps you wide awake!  I have never done that again… What are you giving up for lent that is difficult for you?  Send me an email about what you are going to try to change during this lent period.

And the Oscar Nominees are…..: Avatar, The Hurt Locker, Inglorious Bastards, Precious, Up In The Air, Invictus, Up, Blind Side, District 9, An Education, and  A Serious Man.  Best picture is between Avatar and Hurt Locker.  Did you know the two directors of these two movies, James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow, were once married!  This might cause some family feud!  Best actor I think will be between George Clooney and Jeff Bridges.   Best actress is between Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep.  I think it will end up being Meryl Streep.  Best supporting actor I think will be Christoph Waltz.  Best supporting role will definitely be Mo’nique.  There are not many surprises with the Oscars this year except there will be ten categories rather than nine. Stay tuned for when we get closer to the show we will discuss more.

The downtown location of where I broadcast from is very diverse.  I try to be a part of some of the charity organizations around the area.  When I used to be in Midtown I would help out with Women’s shelters but down here I am involved in the New York Rescue Mission.  The mayor proclaims “Souper Week” every year the week before the superbowl.  They bring in top chefs to make delicious soups. I went last night and fed 150 men and several women.  I served twenty gallons of soup!   Mark and Joanne Gastineau were supposed to be serving with me but they had some car troubles and were late.  They had this huge football and made me do the kick off.  I kicked it alright and made a huge hole and it deflated!   The Gastineau’s ended up showing and Mark told me I should join the team.  I bought them a new football and all was fixed!  This was a wonderful way to literally ‘kick off’ super bowl Sunday. Stay tuned for more…

You know, we should all be thankful for 800 numbers, because after all, 800-544-7070 is what you, the public call me on.  And after all, they are what have made syndicated programming possible to begin with.  Imagine if you folks in Canada had to call me up on a local New York City number?  Now I know you like my advice and all but I can’t imagine you’d want to shell out that kind of cash for just a few minutes of air time.  Phone numbers and the evolution of telephone use has really changed the world as we know it.  Back in the day you could conduct an affair from your home phone late at night.  But no no no, Tiger Woods, caller ID and monthly phone bills have the evidence right there in black and white.  And don’t forget about *69 and *67.  But I’ve got another phone fact that’ll actually help you or save you some money as well as some irritation.  You know, starting February 1^st you will be billed for all incoming calls and that includes telemarketers.  So if you want to avoid getting charged for all of those relentless telemarketing calls then you should register with “The National Do Not Call Registry” to block those pests permanently.  Register online at www.donotcall.gov or call toll free 1 888 382 1222 from the number you wish to register.