Lately, it’s been suggested that I might not be American enough. The reason? Partly because I am fan of ABC’s daytime television shows—namely soap operas. When I heard the network was planning to cancel two shows I was quite disheartened. I immediately joined the Facebook rally to boycott show advertisers until they threw their support behind keeping the shows on the air. (Thanks Hoover!)
When someone close to me asked why am I spending my free time Facebooking to save soap operas and not say, “other more important problems facing this country” I explained it this way: for 52 minutes a day it’s all about me. I’m not a wife, a friend, a colleague, aunt or anything else to anyone. It’s my time to immerse myself into a world where the drama flows freely and no one ever wears the same clothes twice. In short, it’s not the world in which I live. And I’m OK with that.
So I guess the question I should be asking this person in my life, is what defines an ‘American’ or their 'American-ness?' Is it the causes they support? And what are those important causes? And how do we measure –by what scale—do we rank the importance in how much attention we pay to them? Where does saving the whales, for example, rank on this scale of important causes? What about the national debt? Illegal immigration? Read my November 2010 blog post "NJ Slayings Underscore Need for Immigration Reform." How about mentioning the highest levels of unemployment rates this country hasn’t seen since the great depression? Trust me. Unemployment is high on my list of pet causes since I was once one of those people out of work.
Having listed just a few things I’m currently passionate about, I’m proud to be a soap opera-watching-anti-illegal immigration-save-the-whales-and-reduce-high-unemployment-rates-among-other-issues-AMERICAN!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Marriage Name Game
A recent Yahoo! blogger flirted with the idea to her current beau that she would keep her maiden name and simply hyphenate with the new surname once she gets married. Said boyfriend was offended and saw it as her not wanting to leave her old life behind and start anew as his wife.
Taking to the web, most respondents agreed that taking on the husband's last name is the right thing to do. Well, I guess I'm way too liberal for my own good, because I'm not doing what's being perceived as right.
I am hyphenated--for a couple of reasons. I started my career as a print journalist and LOVED seeing my name in print and now online. Also, there have been times when I worked as a freelancer and calling/pitching an editor who could review my pre-marriage work was the best way to go.
A friend of mine from college got married a few years ago, and I was sitting at a table during the reception when someone congratulated the new Mrs. X. She said no-no-no. I'm Dr. Y. (She's a PhD.)
Second, I feel like I get to maintain a certain level of self-identity. Speaking for myself and other hyphenates out there (and those who so bravely kept their maiden names), I joined my existing life with your existing life and am melding those experiences into something new and wonderful.
To be fair to friends who have taken on their spouses last names - I ain't mad at you either (especially Mrs. Smith-not the pie lady).
Taking to the web, most respondents agreed that taking on the husband's last name is the right thing to do. Well, I guess I'm way too liberal for my own good, because I'm not doing what's being perceived as right.
I am hyphenated--for a couple of reasons. I started my career as a print journalist and LOVED seeing my name in print and now online. Also, there have been times when I worked as a freelancer and calling/pitching an editor who could review my pre-marriage work was the best way to go.
A friend of mine from college got married a few years ago, and I was sitting at a table during the reception when someone congratulated the new Mrs. X. She said no-no-no. I'm Dr. Y. (She's a PhD.)
Second, I feel like I get to maintain a certain level of self-identity. Speaking for myself and other hyphenates out there (and those who so bravely kept their maiden names), I joined my existing life with your existing life and am melding those experiences into something new and wonderful.
To be fair to friends who have taken on their spouses last names - I ain't mad at you either (especially Mrs. Smith-not the pie lady).
Monday, December 13, 2010
Credit Checks for Care
A close friend of mine back home in New Jersey is recuperating from an emergency liver transplant. It's got me thinking of my own situation--unemployed with no health care plan. I'm also wondering, in light of recent events with the healthcare system here in Johnston County , if I became so ill here would I receive the level of extended care needed to keep me alive? Have we entered an era of credit checks for care?
I ask because, Johnston Health, currently operating at or close to the red, is now running credit checks on patients to gauge how likely the facility is to get paid for their services. While credit checks are nothing new, I thought hospitals' main goal is to heal what ails you.
So does the standard of care here in Johnston County become diminished (apparently you still get treatment even with bad credit) if you don't have the means to pay? And if not, why bother with the credit checks?
My friend's journey to the transplant list goes like this: she went to her local urgent care center where medical personnel couldn't believe she was still walking, let alone driving. Next she went to the local emergency room. Initially she was given the usual level of scorn and disdain for the gall of showing up to this facility seeking treatment, but was eventually admitted. Upon closer inspection of her health care plan, doctors began coming out of the woodwork and even going so far as to call in colleagues from their practice; and running lots of tests. Thank God for those Cadillac benefits!
My friend was then sent up to New York University Medical Center to receive her actual transplant.
So if I find myself in the emergency room here in Johnston County, do I tell you my social security number first or what ails me?
I ask because, Johnston Health, currently operating at or close to the red, is now running credit checks on patients to gauge how likely the facility is to get paid for their services. While credit checks are nothing new, I thought hospitals' main goal is to heal what ails you.
So does the standard of care here in Johnston County become diminished (apparently you still get treatment even with bad credit) if you don't have the means to pay? And if not, why bother with the credit checks?
My friend's journey to the transplant list goes like this: she went to her local urgent care center where medical personnel couldn't believe she was still walking, let alone driving. Next she went to the local emergency room. Initially she was given the usual level of scorn and disdain for the gall of showing up to this facility seeking treatment, but was eventually admitted. Upon closer inspection of her health care plan, doctors began coming out of the woodwork and even going so far as to call in colleagues from their practice; and running lots of tests. Thank God for those Cadillac benefits!
My friend was then sent up to New York University Medical Center to receive her actual transplant.
So if I find myself in the emergency room here in Johnston County, do I tell you my social security number first or what ails me?
Friday, November 5, 2010
NJ Slayings Underscore Need for Immigration Reform
The decision by a New Jersey Superior Court judge has once again pointed a spotlight on our need to greater control our borders against illegal immigrants. On Thursday, November 4, 2010, Melvin Jovel, 21, an illegal immigrant from Honduras, was sentenced to life in prison for the slayings of three New Jersey teenagers and the attempted murder of a fourth. Jovel received three consecutive life sentences in prison.
Jovel, and five other men, according to prosecutors, lined up the victims against a wall in Newark, NJ and shot each in the back of the head. All of the victims attended or planned to attend Delaware State University.
Jovel, according to newspaper reports, expressed no remorse as he addressed the court in Spanish. The lone surviving victim, angry at first, then calm, told Jovel he inspired her to inspire others to be closer to God.
What angers me most about this story is that Jovel has been allowed to live in this country illegally for most of his life. He has mooched off of the NJ school system and all of the resources at the teachers disposal --even more so since he didn't speak English--to prepare him to someday become a productive member of society. Then as if he hasn't taken enough from the state, Jovel, with the help of his friends, arbitrarily decided to take the life of three of New Jersey's brightest stars. Now the mooching continues as he gets to sit in prison for the rest of his life receiving three hot meals a day and a warm bed at night.
My final complaint is this: when will we decide to stop allowing illegal immigrants to cross our borders and snub their noses at our culture (he doesn't speak English) and our sense of right and wrong?
Jovel, and five other men, according to prosecutors, lined up the victims against a wall in Newark, NJ and shot each in the back of the head. All of the victims attended or planned to attend Delaware State University.
Jovel, according to newspaper reports, expressed no remorse as he addressed the court in Spanish. The lone surviving victim, angry at first, then calm, told Jovel he inspired her to inspire others to be closer to God.
What angers me most about this story is that Jovel has been allowed to live in this country illegally for most of his life. He has mooched off of the NJ school system and all of the resources at the teachers disposal --even more so since he didn't speak English--to prepare him to someday become a productive member of society. Then as if he hasn't taken enough from the state, Jovel, with the help of his friends, arbitrarily decided to take the life of three of New Jersey's brightest stars. Now the mooching continues as he gets to sit in prison for the rest of his life receiving three hot meals a day and a warm bed at night.
My final complaint is this: when will we decide to stop allowing illegal immigrants to cross our borders and snub their noses at our culture (he doesn't speak English) and our sense of right and wrong?
Friday, September 17, 2010
The Kids Are Alright - (Not!)
After several wins by candidates backed by the Tea Party movement, it's become clear to me that the kids are not alright. The Tea Party movement claims it's main focus is to reduce spending by Big Government. That's great. And it would be an even greater idea were we not in a recession.
The Obama administration has been doing what it can to stimulate an economy to create jobs to put people back to work, keep jobless benefits available for those still trying to find work, keep food on the table at local food pantries for families struggling to make ends meet, and keep local healthcare benefits on the table for the working poor.
There's more to the spending strategy than the Tea Party supporters are allowing themselves to see right now. If we are going to turn the mid-term November elections around to make sure help for our fellow human being is there when they really need it, we as a people need to not be complacent with the success of 2008.
We need to bring the momentum from 2008 back around to the mid-term election since our work is not done. Otherwise the kids will not be alright.
The Obama administration has been doing what it can to stimulate an economy to create jobs to put people back to work, keep jobless benefits available for those still trying to find work, keep food on the table at local food pantries for families struggling to make ends meet, and keep local healthcare benefits on the table for the working poor.
There's more to the spending strategy than the Tea Party supporters are allowing themselves to see right now. If we are going to turn the mid-term November elections around to make sure help for our fellow human being is there when they really need it, we as a people need to not be complacent with the success of 2008.
We need to bring the momentum from 2008 back around to the mid-term election since our work is not done. Otherwise the kids will not be alright.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Can't Win for Losing
When things went wrong for my grandmother she would say, "I can't win for losing." That's how I feel right now. No sooner than I have satisfactorily resolved my complaint with Circle C Meats than I have another battle to fight. And this battle is against Goliath. Today my Goliath is Priceline.com.
Last month my husband and I decided to spend our wedding anniversary in Pensacola, Fl. He was hired by a non-profit organization working the oil spill in the Gulf. They were covering his lodging expenses so I purchased a plane ticket to Florida. A month into his job and two days before my departure he was abruptly given his walking papers. We are both currently unemployed.
We made the decision to scratch the flight I booked on Priceline.com and file a claim with the insurance company so as not to incur more expenses. Long story short: the insurance company says (and Priceline is standing behind them) I don't have recourse for reimbursement because I was a self-employed person/independent contractor/not employed by big business for at least three years.
I wish my grandmother were still here. In her 70+ years on this earth she experienced her share of disappointment and truly understood that sometimes "I can't win for losing."
Last month my husband and I decided to spend our wedding anniversary in Pensacola, Fl. He was hired by a non-profit organization working the oil spill in the Gulf. They were covering his lodging expenses so I purchased a plane ticket to Florida. A month into his job and two days before my departure he was abruptly given his walking papers. We are both currently unemployed.
We made the decision to scratch the flight I booked on Priceline.com and file a claim with the insurance company so as not to incur more expenses. Long story short: the insurance company says (and Priceline is standing behind them) I don't have recourse for reimbursement because I was a self-employed person/independent contractor/not employed by big business for at least three years.
I wish my grandmother were still here. In her 70+ years on this earth she experienced her share of disappointment and truly understood that sometimes "I can't win for losing."
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Of Madison Avenue and Meat
I can't afford to buy from Madison Avenue in NYC. That's why I've occasionally indulged in quality knockoffs. I'm convinced the only good thing to come off the back of a truck is a really good Gucci knockoff.
Here's why:
Yesterday, two men from Circle C Meats (Garner, NC) knocked on my door here in Smithfield, NC and asked my husband and I to buy some meat from the cooler in the back of their pickup. We protested mightily at first, but there were a lot of words coming out of their mouth and they kept lowering the price on this "top quality" beef that we could never buy at the grocery store for this price. And, but wait, there's more...they threw in some "free" chicken. By the time they stopped making deals I was writing a check for $189.52. It wasn't until after they left we came to our senses--we were snookered. Our price per pound came out to about $9. There's not enough meat there to support that price.
We called asking for a refund. They said read your brochure--it says no refund. We called the bank to cancel our check, but we were too late. We've lodged a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and are reiterating our request in writing to Circle C for a refund. Both North Carolina law and federal law says we have three days to reconsider our purchase. So we now have to wait and see what happens next.
So the moral of this story is buying meat off the back of a pickup is a far cry from Madison Avenue. Stick to the Gucci knockoffs. You'll be just a little bit closer.
Here's why:
Yesterday, two men from Circle C Meats (Garner, NC) knocked on my door here in Smithfield, NC and asked my husband and I to buy some meat from the cooler in the back of their pickup. We protested mightily at first, but there were a lot of words coming out of their mouth and they kept lowering the price on this "top quality" beef that we could never buy at the grocery store for this price. And, but wait, there's more...they threw in some "free" chicken. By the time they stopped making deals I was writing a check for $189.52. It wasn't until after they left we came to our senses--we were snookered. Our price per pound came out to about $9. There's not enough meat there to support that price.
We called asking for a refund. They said read your brochure--it says no refund. We called the bank to cancel our check, but we were too late. We've lodged a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and are reiterating our request in writing to Circle C for a refund. Both North Carolina law and federal law says we have three days to reconsider our purchase. So we now have to wait and see what happens next.
So the moral of this story is buying meat off the back of a pickup is a far cry from Madison Avenue. Stick to the Gucci knockoffs. You'll be just a little bit closer.
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