The first time I learned I had a disease was when my parents shipped me off to a Teenage Weight Loss Clinic (FAT CAMP) in New Mexico. As my camp counselor Ryan (hated him on sight) explained it, I wasn't a two hundred and ninety pound thirteen year old because I refused to move and gorged on Little Debbie Brownies and pounder bags of peanut M&Ms, I was fat because I had a disease. A disease called addiction. He grilled me, tyring to find the "trigger" for my "emotional blocks", but I wanted no part of it. One day, Ryan forced me to share during Group Boo-Hoo Hour. "It's time to stop running." Actually, it was probably time to start, but thanks for the advice, Chunk. "What has brought you here, Flipit?"
I wanted to bite out his jugular, but instead I mustered up the courage to tell a love story. A love between a box of chemical brownies and a little boy who enjoyed living his life to the fullest. Skinny people were mean, and sex was gross (I still thought I was supposed to do it with girls back then), so what's the point of it all? I wanted to watch Hollywood Squares after school while my mom was at Junior league and eat til I passed out on the papazan. Was that so wrong? I wasn't looking to be "cured". I'll never forget the stunned silence. I like to think that in their heads, the fat kids were cheering. Ryan looked at me like I drowned his puppy, and I couldn't help but smile.
I gained 11 pounds at fat camp, and brought a few kids with me. One of the proudest moments in my life is taking down the Mayor of Excuses Village.
This week, Top Design taught us camp beats drab, floor's a whore, and being yourself is key, unless of course you're a horrible, horrible person.
I may have had some reservations about this show (scratch the had), but when it came on this Wednesday, I white lady-beatboxed along with the theme song, and all week I've been humming "hey! Hey he-ey" over and over again. Watching Top Design feels like coming home. It's a place I can say "grrrrl" out in the open and snap my fingers a lot. Home, sweet home. You always feel a little annoyed and ashamed when you go back there, but no one knows you better.
The Designers have some chill time before the next challenge. Ryan and the Wiggum kid play footsie and giggle while Goil obsesses over his new toy, Ryan's skateboard. Goil spends the rest of the episode jumping on things that roll. Seriously. He finds something with rollers attached for almost every scene he's in.
Butch knows everyone hates him, so he gives a speech. He has been HIV positive for thirteen years, and is medicated. Before he came on the show, he was given a huge shot of testosterone and it made him a little grumpy. Well it sure didn't make you any manlier. What was he like before the shot?
He stresses heavily that he is not making excuses. Of course he is, but it's one of the better excuses I've heard. Hormones can make a person crazy. Ask Alexis Arquette.
This news does soften him in the eyes of the other contestants, even though they aren't gushing. Elizabeth babbles nonsensically. "John's suffering. I just hope he can feel well. I hope...inside his soul, he can feel...well." I'm gonna really fall in love with this chick in a couple of weeks when she's overworked and under-rested. I have a feeling she's a goldmine.
Ryan says you gotta hand it to Butch. "He's an aging prizefighter on some level." Ouch. You're lucky you said that privately to a camera man because if Butch heard that he would have had your ass in a sling. Literally.






Comments (18)
Holy crap! Where'd you find that picture of those fat babies?
1 of 18 | Posted by Ubiquitous
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Posted on February 11, 2007 8:05 PM
Love your recaps, and always look forward to them. I haven't watched this show before, but I'm going to start.
2 of 18 | Posted by Casey
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Posted on February 11, 2007 8:45 PM
I seriously hate the "See ya later decorator" line. It sucks balls.
Why do some losers do that "I am really a winner" bullshit. No - you are NOT. Thanks for playing now go home.
And what was with Kelly's channeling an 80's Madonna in that fugly outfit. That was way bad.
I too will miss the drama that was Anna. RIP.
hb
3 of 18 | Posted by HoneyBunny
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Posted on February 11, 2007 9:41 PM
Awesome, awesome, awesome. THis show is bad. But I watch (mostly to hear your comments on it later). PREACH IT FLIP.
I will share in the silent "holla" to Anna Nicole.
4 of 18 | Posted by photochild
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Posted on February 11, 2007 10:00 PM
I missed the episode, so I really appreciated the pics of the final projects. Thanks Flipit
5 of 18 | Posted by Fitz
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Posted on February 11, 2007 10:53 PM
Awesome recap!
I loved how they kept referring to Target as "a department store", and made it a point not to name it. Please, I recognize any Target layout at 60 paces.
6 of 18 | Posted by Laurie
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Posted on February 12, 2007 7:03 AM
Your best recap yet Flipit - you've really hit your stride. I look forward to these - thanks for the laughs!
7 of 18 | Posted by lynnenyc
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Posted on February 12, 2007 8:09 AM
Seriously, just say Target. Target is awesome!
8 of 18 | Posted by Emilita33
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Posted on February 12, 2007 9:59 AM
Yay Monday!
Thanks guys! Glad to know I'm not the only one watching this show!
If you don't have enough gayness and or cheesiness in your life, get a gay cheesy RINGTONE of Johnathan's "See you later, decorator!" line.
That's for you, HB!
HEART
9 of 18 | Posted by Flipit
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Posted on February 12, 2007 10:34 AM
This show is only worth watching because of your recaps...... Somehow I am not gettng into this as I do TC or PR... maybe because it is new.... but I will keep trying.
Thanks Flipit, You make me wait for the recaps and it is always worth it.... By the Way does anyone else get Top Design at 11 PM at night..?? here in Arizona we actually have to watch until midnight to see the new show on Wednesday.... maybe this is why I am questioning it's worth.
10 of 18 | Posted by GIFFORDSAZ
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Posted on February 12, 2007 10:50 AM
flipit - great recap for a so-so show!
Thanks for the Target reca product placement. I was expecting to go to the Target website and instead I get Isaac. Wahoo!
11 of 18 | Posted by Barfly
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Posted on February 12, 2007 11:03 AM
I dont know anyone's names yet, but I wanted to slap the judge/madonna wannabe when she told the winner "i've been to theme parks...and be careful not to go overboard." First of all, the theme parks part of that statement was completely irrelevant. That would be like if I had said to Gay Dad "I've been to Hollywood, so be careful not to go overboard." Secondly, that room was fucking awesome! I mean, I'm not saying I want to live in that room now, but maybe 15 years ago at the age of 7 I would have been excited about it since I love love love love pirates. That would be a dream room for any kid who loves pirates...
I also thought they were a little harsh on Hawaiian Blazer...I mean it obviously wasn't the best room, but it wasn't terrible, considering the kid did say her cat was her best friend...
12 of 18 | Posted by Rock Star
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Posted on February 12, 2007 12:03 PM
Great recap Flipit! I was so upset by that judge's fingerless gloves that I couldn't concentrate on the rest of the show. Thanks for filling me in.
13 of 18 | Posted by angiemarie
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Posted on February 12, 2007 5:01 PM
thanks for the amazing recap, i.ve been a lurker reading all your recaps from the glorious past...oh top chef, but this really is your best work yet!
please keep up the good work, its the only thing that keeps me sane in the midst of college madness.
14 of 18 | Posted by sheloveslennon
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Posted on February 12, 2007 7:51 PM
GIFFORDSAZ, we folks here in Arizona get the show at 11 because we don't participate in daylight savings time. That's why when the show is scheduled for 10, it's not on until 11, but come April, things will be back to normal. I never understood it myself, luckily my DVR does all the thinking for me and knew when the rest of the country changed their clocks, it had to adjust it's cable schedule. But yeah, it sucks, hate that stupid change. But I'd rather get tv shows an hour later for a few months than screw up my whole schedule by forgetting to change my clocks. I guess it evens out. We get unbearable heat, but we also get ummm, no clock confusion?
Anycrap. I love Top Design. I love it because it's so bad. I really have no favorites. I don't care who wins. It's the giddy fun of watching it all come crashing down. I really can't say much more, I completely agree with just about everything Flipit says. From Gay Dad to fingerless gloves, I'm with you, Flipit. I must ask though, where did you get the Wiggum comparison from? I assume it's because Michael is so clueless, but he's nowhere near as lovable as Ralph Wiggum.
PS - I would love a room designed around a cat. But my cat's an asshole, so he doesn't deserve a room.
15 of 18 | Posted by brendahamLincoln
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Posted on February 14, 2007 12:29 AM
First of all, I think brendaham is my favorite name ever.
Second, I call Michael Ralph Wiggum because of his big Matt Groening eyes and the shape of his mouth. He doesn't look like Ralph in the cartoon, but rather Ralph much later in life, after all the childhood torture turned him into a bug eyed gay weirdo. Stretch? Maybe, but trust me, after thinkin' about him like that, you will see it!
And third, lurkers, speak your mind! Holla, sheloveslennon!
HEART
16 of 18 | Posted by Flipit
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Posted on February 14, 2007 12:54 PM
Oh man, that totally makes sense now that you said the eyes thing. If I picture Michael with a hat that has a springy hot dog on top, it's even more clear.
Thanks for the name props, yo. I thought it sounded better than gaybraham, because while it's just as clever, I am not gay nor a dude named Abraham. People just wouldn't appreciate a good name for a good name's sake. Too literal, yanno?
I also think I have a favorite now, and his name is Goil.
17 of 18 | Posted by brendahamLincoln
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Posted on February 15, 2007 9:55 AM
Flipit dear, has the lack of water in the apartment stalled your Sunday submission of Top Design? Did you end up at the YMCA per my suggestion? I have noticed maybe one post from you this whole weekend over at the forums.... I miss you.... I miss your recaps.... have you forsaken us my beloved?
18 of 18 | Posted by GIFFORDSAZ
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Posted on February 18, 2007 10:46 PM