Xxxicana’s Weblog

So, yesterday in my “Native Peoples of Latin America” class, we were discussing the ethics of ethnographic film.  I posed the question, do we (western anthropologists) have the right to enter into other people’s villages, homes, or lives to film?  I asked, should anthropologists be held to the “Prime Directive.”

deathly silence . . . . no one knew what I was talking about!!  I asked, don’t you people watch Star Trek?  no response.  “uhhh, no”, braved one young soul.  Akk!  What is this world coming to ????

art by: http://echosphere.net/star_trek_insp/star_trek_insp3.html

I guess my coolness quotient fell by many points.  What the heck do young people watch these days?

Ya know, I just never really concerned myself too much about financial issues — maybe because I spent so much time in self-imposed poverty (hint:  it’s called grad school).  Now that I am trying to build some type of economic stability, I’ve become kinda psycho about the process.  I opened a high interest account with an online bank.  Cool deal — I received a $25.00 opening bonus.  Bad news today when I attempted to open a checking account (they offer free bill pay, higher interest, etc.).   The bank closed my account down!!  But, I have to wait for at least 10 days to get my savings account funds transferred back to my bank — WTF????  The problem is that my identity could not be verified!  Since online banks can’t check out your physical ID, they ask a series of questions, including prior addresses, people you know, etc.                                                 I FAILED THE TEST!!!!

I was pretty annoyed.  But, I recalled that I had a copy of my credit report from last summer and there were some anomalies that I didn’t really think were all that important.  So, today I requested a full  blown credit report from all three bureaus.  OMG!  There were several names, addresses, phone numbers, a different ssn, collections, etc., on my report.  So, I called up one of the bureaus to report the discrenpencies.  I was told that my history has been mixed up with someone with a similar name . . . and just my luck, she’s a total loser!  (more than me).

Anyway, the very nice person on the line went through all the information and an investigation will be launched.  I should have a cleaned up history in about 30 days.

Moral of the story . . . check your credit history annually . . . just like they tell you.  Everyone is allowed one free report a year, here’s the link:   annualcreditreport.com (note: this is the only authorized online source).

So, yesterday was Ash Wednesday – and I made fish for dinner.  ?????  I didn’t consciously plan on fish, it just happened.  Some habits are hard to overcome — especially the Catholic ones.  Growing up, we NEVER celebrated Fat Tuesday, but were hyper vigilant about observing the Lenten season.  I think my mom just wanted an excuse to eat tuna casserole every Friday.  We attended stations of the cross every friggin Friday . . .  Jeezy Creezy!  There’s nothing like (metaphorical) self flagellation to instill good moral values in children! As a result, I continue to suffer from pangs of guilt, seek out martydom, and collect all sorts of random Catholic doodads!

What’s a post-marxist atheist ORDAINED MINISTER to do?  Don’t forget — I’m still available for ritual cleansings, marriages, exorcisms, blessings, and indulgences.  [BTW, I am sorry to say that I will not be officiating for Sam’s wedding.  Her fiance turned out to be a schmuck — maybe we’ll do BBQ anyway!].

You may wonder what started me on the Catholic jag — well, I was sitting here this morning reading my morning “papers” when I looked up and saw something nailed to the wall . . . and it’s not Christ on the Cross [again the diff between Catholics and Protestants is that we Catholics like our Jesus still ON cross].

WTF?  It’s Mister Man’s braid!!  I told him he has to take that thing down, it creeps me out!  But, it did remind me to post about his FUNKY transformation [tie in to blog title].  You can check out his photo documentary of the process (link is Ruminant Records) — but here are a few pics to tantalize:

BEFORE

AFTER

Needless to say, the change is dramatic [Mister Man, after all is never subtle!].  So, what’s my take? Well, we are not our hair — but hair styles can connote something about ourselves.  Mister Man went from Hippie Biker look to Irish Punk band look.  Maybe we’ll start to hear new styles of music out of him (he did start taking mandolin lessons).   I like his new look, I liked his old look — but most of all I like Ike Tom.

Oniontears asked why I hadn’t posted about Bill since he withdrew his name for Sec. of Commerce.  I guess I was just too bummed out about the whole thing.

I think Bill jinxed himself when he shaved off the beard.  He will remain as Governor of New Mexico, phew!  Maybe things will sort out and he will be able to take a leadership role in the future.  Meanwhile, Bill, I’ll light a candleito for you.

Today is Martin Luther King, Jr. day and tomorrow is Obama’s inaugeration.  Yipee!!!  Most Americans believe that MLK’s dream has been fulfilled!!  WHAT???  are they on crack?  By all economic, social, and political indicators, US society has a LONG way to go before we reach a state of equality.   Obama is a good start, but he ain’t the end all.  We still have a lot more work to do!!!  But, let’s celebrate the King today, and Obama tomorrow.

I was SO amazed by Onion Tears’ cooking that I attempted two of her dishes:  Ma po tofu and broccoli with ginger and garlic.  I thought the Ma po was great — Mister Man said it was just at his chiliness threshold (almost too hot to enjoy).  I sauted Chinese Broccoli (got it at a Vietnamese market here in town (called cai lang) and it turned out fab.  Chinese broccoli is less flowery head, more leafy — sort of a combo between broccolli and greens.  It is very tender and tasty.  I LOVE broccoli and will use the chinese type more frequently.   So, thanks Onion Tears for the inspiration.  (BTW, we did eat brown instead of white rice).

Well, I finished “The Omnivore’s Dillema” a few days ago and have moved on to “Fast Food Nation.”  I don’t know why I’ve gotten on this industrial food thread . . . but the books are great.  In between I read Suze Orman’s “Women and Money,” as part of my continuing education about real life issues.  I was pleased to find that I have achieved  some of the recommendations Suze makes — which for me has been no small feat.  Like many people, I find issues of finance, investing, and money to be difficult to confront.  Orman’s book straightforwardly sets out a plan to fulfill basic financial and legal needs that women must take care of.  I was watching Dave Ramsey last night and one woman called in saying her husband had just been thrown in the pokey for 10 years for financial misdeeds, she doesn’t work outside the home, and he had always taken care of all financial matters.  She hadn’t a clue as to how to cope with the legal issues, bill paying, harassment by creditors, and looming foreclosure on her home.  It was very sad (Ramsey hooked her up with a counselor to help her through).  I guess it must be my middle-agedom that has caused me to reflect on these things, plus our flailing economy.

Anyway, it is freakin’ cold out and I have class today . . .  so, TTFN while I start the process of layering.