posted
For those of you who have refused every year to consume the Black Eyed Peas as tradition tell us to, get ready to start shoveling next year. I am one of those who hates those stupid traditions. Boy was that a mistake. I have not had them durn peas on New Years Eve ever. I have pretty much been on the fast track down the whole time. Last year in May I hit Rock bottom. Lost my Job (just over broke), lost my apartment, lost my way. For * months I was living in my car. Not getting any jobs and looking like the only work or money I was going to receive was the little My Brother-In-Law could work me. Luckily There was a karaoke Bar that opened up in town. Anyone who knows me knows I love to sing and that I do it well. "Geee...," She sighs, "he sure sings swell." So I would frequent this bar every night. The owner who was also the Entertainer told me to keep coming back. All he cared about was that I was a gentleman, I had a great voice, people loved listening to me sing, and even though I was drinking water I was a warm body that would promote other bodies. He didn't know my situation for a long time. One day I went up to him and asked if he needed any help with the show on his nights off. It was then that he learned that I lived in my car. I loved this Bar. I loved these people. I suddenly had a Home. For the first time in my life, people were actually comming up to me introducing themselves, giving me compliments, and when they learned of my situation helping me with job suggestions. All of a sudden the introverted extrovert was comming out in me. The bar Rick's MAIN EVENT was planing a big New Years Eve party. Stacy Jones the owner and entertainer told me that I could come out and not to worry about the 25 dollar cover charge. I offered to help him with anything he needed that night so I would not feel like I was being a charity case. He liked that and asked me to help work the door and check ID's that night. I don't know why but I ate a spoonfull of Black Eyed Peas that night. The next day my Brother-in-Law made me eat a bowlfull while he watched. He wanted to make sure I had plenty in my system. One week later the bar manager suddenly asked me to help out behind the bar. I was elated. I busted my ass and did what came naturally. All of a sudden I was asked to work two nights a week as barback. Hell I was going to be there anyway. Then they asked me to do some painting that needed to be done around the bar. The next night Stacy told me go see a friend; he had talked me up and recommended me for a job. All of a sudden I had three jobs. Then I am asked to host the monday and sunday night shows. For seven Years I was a karaoke Host in Colorado. I blew them away. It is now three weeks later and I am having to turn down work because I dont have enough time in the day. It looks like I have a new place to live this week. We will see how that pans out. Both bosse are arguing (jokingly) over when they each get to work me. They both have big plans for me in the expansions of their operations.
Life is good Due to a couple of silly spoonfulls of Black Eyed Peas.
posted
I'm only dimly aware of the existence of black-eyed peas as something that people might eat, much less something to which traditions could be attached.
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I can't believe this many people haven't heard of this. I grew up eating black eyed peas and cabbage on New Year's day. Seems to be a big thing in New Orleans.
Cabbage is for money and black eyed peas is for luck. I don't know exactly whence this tradition came, but there you go.
(aside: I actually didn't eat them this year, I guess we'll see how things turn out. Actually not so perfect so far.)
Posts: 3056 | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'm also happy for the turnaround for you, Yebor1. Let's not give all the credit to peas and luck, though.
IMO, life's a combination of of luck and initiative. You got some luck in someone taking an interest and giving you a break - the "busting ass" part was all you. That part has nothing to do with luck.
Posts: 4344 | Registered: Mar 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Glad your life is turning around Yebor; you've had a tough time of it. Congratulations on the sudden change of fortune!
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
I thought it was a southern tradition because the way I heard it you have to eat hopping john (black eyed peas mixed with rice) and fatback (any pork cut will do, but the profaner forms of pork bring the most luck). <laughs> It's not a tradition my family follows, (since my mother's mother's mother was from Ohio we're basically just transplanted yankees), but that's the way I've always heard it.
Posts: 2843 | Registered: A Long Time Ago!
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've been eating black-eyed peas on New Year's Day all my life. I truly believe that terrible bad luck will plague me if I do not.
New Year's Day is a holiday in the South (or at least the part where I grew up). It's not just for sleeping off New Year's Eve debauchery. All holiday decorations must be taken down and thrown away - it's bad luck to keep them up. There is a huge family supper and no matter what else is on the menu, it always includes black-eyed peas for luck and greens for money. The greens are usually collards, but my aunt always makes spinach because all of my cousins and I hate collards. It's particularly nice for my family because we are not all of the same faith (don't ask) and we get an evening to celebrate in a secular manner.
We were always told that the custom is from the War Between the States (aka the Civil War aka the War of Northern Aggression ). When the Yankees moved through the South, they burned homes and crops. They left the black-eyed peas (or "cow-peas") because they thought they were weeds. Many of our ancestors survived the winter on the black-eyed peas, which was pretty lucky.
Posts: 3037 | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I am not that fond of Black Eyed Peas anymore. I ate them like gangbusters growing up. Now I prefer a nice juicy and properly seasoned Ranch Style Bean with my Rib Eye.
posted
I mentioned once to a friend that I'd never eaten black-eyed peas. She gaped at me in shock and asked "What do you eat on New Years Day???"
It was such a non-sequitur to me. I never ate anything particular for New Years. She explained the tradition (I guess it's common in the South? She was from Texas).
I have had black-eyed peas since, when others have brought them for pot-lucks. One fellow I used to work with always made black-eyed pea chile, which was very tasty. But I'm not even sure if the stores here carry them.
Posts: 26 | Registered: Dec 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Hmmm... My family always eats pork and sauerkraut for New Year's. Next year it'll be black eyed peas for me! Posts: 1295 | Registered: Jan 2003
| IP: Logged |
Printer-friendly view of this topic
![[Hat]](graemlins/hat.gif)
![[Grumble]](graemlins/grumble.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
). When the Yankees moved through the South, they burned homes and crops. They left the black-eyed peas (or "cow-peas") because they thought they were weeds. Many of our ancestors survived the winter on the black-eyed peas, which was pretty lucky.
