Last night’s Ruby focused on our favorite Southern gal trying to overcome two of the obstacles in the way of her becoming an independent woman (cue the Destiny’s Child). Because of her obesity-related health problems, Ruby had been on disability for the past 10 years. Now that she’s more than 100 pounds smaller and much more mobile, she’s eager to work again.
After attempting to guide a bus tour of Savannah (rejected because the boss didn’t appreciate her mid-tour restaurant recommendations and murder stories) and work at her favorite tanning salon, Tan-Tastic (a no on account of the physical labor of cleaning the tanning beds), she finally found a match: working at a local hair salon. It’s really perfect for her — Ruby is definitely a people person. This way, she gets to schmooze folks while making appointments, washing hair, and tidying the salon.
I found her insistence on describing her body in such childish terms very disturbing. The woman is 45 years old and she can’t seem to look at life or herself with any kind maturity and the way she makes her friend’s codepedent in taking care of all apects of Ruby’s life is starting to bug me: “Yeah, Ruby is typing a resume!” “Ruby went to the doctor’s today!” “Ruby is worried about a test–oh no!” How much attention does one human being need?
You know, it didn’t occur to me until reading this short recap that the childish language regarding her body may well be another key to the childhood she can’t recall. I’m more and more worried that there was molestation in her past. That would be so very sad, but also may be an amazing educational opportunity. It will be interesting to see if we ever get to see her uncover what’s blocking all her memory’s of almost a dozen years of her childhood.
I think her choice of words have a lot to do with the insecurity she’s had to deal with because of her obesity. I can’t judge her; we don’t know what she’s been through… I’m so happy about the part time job at the salon; perfect for her, indeed. I pray that all goes well and that she will forget about that “EX” boyfriend. I’m not sure I can watch next week since he will be on the episode.
I think the new salon job is perfect and I’m impressed that the place hired her honestly, mainly because it seems so stylish and modern…I thought maybe the manager would think that due to her size, Ruby may give the place a different imagine. Good for the manager for giving her a chance! This may just be the stepping stone that will lead to even better things for her.
I don’t have a problem with nicknames for bodyparts…i think she’s just having some fun with words. But the whole 10 year hiatus from seeing a gyno is very unnacceptable and i’m shocked that her BFF Georgia did not make her go, especially being a nurse!
I think the walk was a good motivator for her and Ruby should aim for another one, like a goal to be able to run some of it or something.
I do agree with Duffy that her friends dote on her too much. I mean if they cared so much for her, how did they not help her sooner and let her get to this point? I wonder if they just coddled her too much.
What bothers me the most about Ruby’s speech habits is her insistance on always calling thin people “skinny” or saying that she wants to be “skinny.” I doubt that she will ever be “skinny” which means underweight – she should aspire to be within a normal range.
Ruby is not the only person who uses cutesy names. Does the name Oprah sound familiar? Her use of “Vajayjay”.
I don’t know– this show seems to have changed. I found it much more inspirational last season. This season, I do find her a bit annoying. I found the childish “heiney hole” and “breasticles” annoying. I also noticed that she kept exclaiming “I’m so hacky” instead of “happy” and have no clue what that might mean. She does seem terribly dependent on here friends and I, too, wondered about the issues in her past– in terms of they ended last season with them in the forefront and haven’t mentioned it this time.
I also get extremely annoyed with her friends eating garbage in front of her. At least her “ex” which no one seems to like is supportive. Her friends though will sit and eat 1000 meal of complete garbage and then wonder why she’s whining. Way to be supportive! Of course, the way she seems to need them for everything she does, I guess they have no choice…
I was really bothered by all the cutesy talk too, and the whining is still getting on my nerves. It’s a good point that her friends coddle her too much – it goes beyond supportive. A good example of her childlike behavior was when she received a letter from the doctor marked “confidential”. Is there any adult that doesn’t know what that means? And I think probably Ruby knew what it meant, but she needed Jeff treat her like a baby and give her the support she needed to open the envelope. I know some of this is played for effect because of the cameras, but it seems to go too far.
I think there’s a bit of arrested development with Ruby. I’m sure being heavy all her life has had a profound effect on her but her sing-song speech as well as these absurd names are perfect examples of this. I do wish her the best and hope her journey continues forward. But the one word I hear over and over is “fear” or “afraid”. She obviously has the love of many friends and family but they need to help her grow up.
Love Ruby and she has gone through so much in her weight loss mentally and physically I can excuse her slang and body image. Come on EW! I don’t remember seeing some 300 pound woman on your cover of the hottest sexiest stars. Has Ruby remembered anything yet of her youth (she had no memories before 13, right?) I believe her body image has something to do with that missing time. You go Ruby! I am proud how she wants to be off of disability and work.
She’s been collecting disability for 10 years just because she’s overweight?!? So she gets to stay at home and live off constant checks from the government for ten years because she couldn’t control her eating habits. Amazing. What a country we live in.
Hi I am a heavy all my life. the blessing I have had is I have had kids and a husben and a job that I love, but even with all that I know that it is time that I take better care of my self. so I have started my juerny and have lost 25 pounds it has been very slow but I have started and will not stop until I lost 100 Pounds. I know that the juerny is a life time but I am ready.
I really like this show. Yeah, her tone can get a bit annoying, but I think it’s more cultural. Also not being comfortable with clinical anatomy terms seems to be more of a “ladies don’t say those things in public” kind of a thing.
They did a recap of the first season, and talked about all her slang terms. “hacky” is happy + wacky.
neden olmasin:)
I think that the premis of the show is good and shows the struggles that someone that is obese goes through on a daily basis, in saying that though the constant whinning and childish talk is very annoying. I appreciate that she is trying to better her life and help others along the way but if any of those people claim to be her friend they would address the childish talk. “HACKY” and so on. She is a grown adult she needs to speak like one. I’m sure that customers comment on this behavior and it could be bad for business.