Year 2008 In Review

Wow, what a crazy year! Seriously, don't know how it just blew me away! Literally....

Family and Friends

• Josiah turned 6 on August 19th. We had a small party, with only a few of his friends. He's even funnier and smarter than last year. But also more hyper and bold against authority.
• Josiah finished Kindergarten at Ramsey, started 1st grade there, but couldn't handle 45 minute bus rides to their. So, I had to transfer him to another school. Whatever one was open which was Longfellow. Teachers there have told me, after asking me not to mention their names, that it was a bad school because problem children tended to go there and would adversely influence my child. Yet, Josiah is not able to handle himself on a bus - what makes him so much better?
• Leah Seelhoff moved to the Winona area with her daughters. Siah and I miss them. She's the only real person I used to talk to on a regular basis and not think I was crazy. :D
• On my birthday, I rescued a cat who was starving outside and was very friendly. Josiah wanted to call her "Candy Cane" but she is a Calico. She didn't look like a candy cane at all! So, I gave it some thought and a month later re-named her Kanika ( which sounds very similar to candy cane, but it sounds like a princess name). So, I rescued Kanika from starvation, got her shots, and fixed. And I won't de-claw her because that is just wrong. She is now very healthy and happy!
• My brother Tim moved in with me in January. He stayed until June. After moving to Duluth in October, he came out and SHE is now referred to as Natasa. So, you could say I was my brother's last room-mate. And that I no longer have a brother.
• I did go to my half-brother, Jerich's birthday, and still have the DVD we made of it. But my conservative father seems to have ex-communcated with me. Perhaps he feels we aren't to his liking.
• My Mother moved in with me in October. She found a new partner, Kathy, and will be trucking with her at some point in early 2009.

Financial / Emloyment

• On the last day of April, I was fired for being a political blogger. Yeah, quite illegal. But the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux believe they can trample on their employees Constitutional rights. And they like to be consistent about it. Many of my co-workers were fired this year without written reasons, and were able to get unemployment as well. ( If they applied, which most I have talked to have. ) I have nothing against Native rights. But you fired me because I am a member of the Green Party? Seriously, I think Glyn Crooks has something against Winona LaDuke.
• Took classes at the Minnesota Workforce Center, and improved my resume which improved my ability to get interviews.
• Worked temporarily through Cynthia Cook ( never trust these people ) for the John Roberts Company in Coon Rapids. They fired me because I gave them two weeks notice that I couldn't work on a specific Monday. I could work every day after that, but it didn't matter to them. ( I told them when they hired me of this date and they said it was okay!)
• Even though unemployment was okay, it was stressful filling out dozens of applications and faxing resumes ( occasionally hand delivering). Looking for a job is more than full-time work!
• I wanted my unemployment to last, so I actually took a job at Blockbuster. It was fun, chatting about mindless movies all day ( most of which I have no intention of seeing ). But the pay was pathetic. And residents of Edina are worse snobs than angry gamblers!
• I now work downtown, less than 15 minutes from LRT or bus. I am also a member of a unon: SEIU Local 26.

Education

• My career goal: dietitian. Will dietitians exist if our society collapses? Probably not, but any education will look good on a resume until then. :D
• I wanted to start college this fall at MCTC. Getting laid off had me post-pone it until January. I intend to go to college even if I have to pay for it myself and move to a smaller place to make it happen.
• I haven't taken any college classes yet owe over $35,000 in co-signed student loans. I was paying Megan Kyllonen's at $400 a month, until I was laid off. Worried I couldn't get another job if they checked my credit rating, I put $8500 of her loan onto my Discovercard. Bad decision, because now I can't pay any of Brandy Kyllonen's loans, which are in default. I will also not be able to pay on Megan's anymore after the payments catch up in February of 2010 ( I think ). What is most ironic about this situation is that I could have had my college paid for by the National Guard, but Brandy insisted that she go. She's 12 credits shy of graduating with an associates degree in culinary arts.

Health

• After being laid off, I lost my health insurance. So did Josiah.
• Within a week of being laid off, I was supposed to have surgery to get teeth removed and then get myself braces. My teeth are very genetically inferior. But without income, or insurance, there was no point in adding $200 a month to my expenses. I canceled my appointments and someday will be able to fix my teeth. ( I already paid for some plaster of my mouth to be made, photos of my teeth at all different angles, a couple consultation appointments. Wish they would have warned me that they would be firing people at random! )
• Been a vegetarian for seven years now ( in November ) !
• I did have a health assessment at Mystic Lake in March. I am very healthy! ( and now I don't work where there is second-hand smoke! )

I look forward to 2009 as a better year and one that I can build towards a better future.

Heiruspecs @ the Turf Club

So it all started with an e-mail message from the Wedge Coop. ( who, if you know me, you know that I love the Wedge! ) Anywho, it was a message stating there was a drawing for those who are on the Wedge e-mail list. I entered immediately, because Josiah was with his mom and the Kyllonen family that weekend - I could actually DO something - especially if it is offered. And what was offered were tickets to the 10th year celebration of the local artists known as Heiruspecs.

Lo and behold - I won! Okay, I am sure many others did because the Wedge co-sponsored the event. I am told to go to the door and let them know I got free tickets. Since I had two tickets, I didn't know who to invite. I initially considered asking a co-worker, but didn't because they wouldn't have that day off in time ( I got the original e-mail offer only that Tuesday - and knew I won on Thursday ). So, I called up Leah Seelhoff and thought she would enjoy hanging out - especially as her two kids were with relatives for the night.

And that worked out great, because we both decided to take the #21 there and back. We even walked from our block to Lake Street to catch it on a fairly chilly night. So, there we are at the corner of Snelling and University, 8:45PM and there is already a line! And it is FREEZING out - this is the chilly Minnesota that non-residents think occurs year-round. I am counting my blessings that I wore a hat and gloves - as many others in line were not so fortunate to have such foresight.

9PM rolls around - why haven't they opened up the place? We are beginning to huddle now - but still in a line. I have edged up to the building, face against the bitter wind. Leah finds this situation completely unreal. Many others complain that this is just insane and that they have never had to endure this for any show. This all while the line gets longer and longer - down past the CVS pharmacy - perhaps around the corner.

9:05PM and it feels like an eternity! One young man behind us in line is earing a t-shirt only - not hat, gloves, or coat! It made one shiver just watching the poor ( yet quite unprepared ) man endure such harsh conditions! I was thinking "This damn better be a good show!" having never heard of Heiruspecs, though after I do realize I must have heard them on 89.3 The Current at some point. My feet were freezing and I began hopping up and down to increase circulation to my extremities. And with as many people waiting, I felt like this was definitely worth waiting for if they were tolerant of the situation.

9:13PM - the doors FINALLY open and start letting us in! The line begins to move! I remember the time because freezing like that makes one a bit anxious. My feet felt frozen and I am thankful when I get indoors to get them de-thawed. Leah thankfully wore some warm boots.

As soon as entering I found the merchandise stand. I had to own a piece of this night and purchased their 10 year anniversary CD. I am so glad that I did because they were much better than I had expected! I even liked the opening act "Power Struggle" & "The Show is the Rainbow." I also snagged a free book by the guy who got us tickets through the Wedge: Barth Anderson. His book is "The Patron Saint." I plan to read it when I get through my nonfiction craze.

But before the show, I had some drinks with Leah. Bloody Marys. Never had them before and decided I liked the tomato spice flavor. The lower level at the Turf Club is a nice find! One has to locate the stairs to get there. Lovely random book collection - selling for $1 each and Leah was taken on on particular book!

We then went to a veg-friendly Vietnamese/Thai restaurant ( on the corner of University and Pierce St.) across the street - because we were both hungry( our bill came to $22 with tip - my fave #). We did NOT wear our coats because we would find food nearby - and we did. But MAN was it cold out! And I am happy to have had my fill because it was yumminess and could now enjoy the show properly - with utmost of attention.

Minutes after getting back, we maneuvered our way to the front of the sold out show. Then enjoyed the opening bands - one from San Francisco and the other from Omaha. Leah noted that those at the show were very young for those she usually attends - college age or barely 21. So, Heiruspecs has a large local following.

There were many who could not handle their liquor. One guy started getting bad - he starting fighting with someone and I helped pull the primary culprit away - with others. A few minutes later he grabs both my arms and yells "Let me go! Let me go!" I thought this hilarious because he was holding me and not the other way around. "I'm not holding you!" To which he replied "Let me go!" All I could do was laugh until he was grabbed by some others. Leah almost though she might have to intercede, and am glad. Either way, I thought it quite humorous, barring the possibility of a physical altercation.

All I can say, is that I thoroughly enjoyed their refreshing sound. They are a different sort of rap/hip-hop group - they seem like a mish-mash of other bands that work perfect together! Those who played the trumpet, trombone, and saxophone really do look their part. The energy they had was monumental. They are quite a treat to see!

Why should I own a car?

I have been asked repeatedly by many friends, acquaintances, and family about why I do not own a car. Many think it a necessity in the United States, like drinking water and breathing air. One cannot be truly "American" without owning a car. If true,when oil prices continue to rise and wages do not keep up, the definition of "American" will need to change.

Having successfully lived carfree 4 years, I am unsure how it is necessary to own one. I can walk to any store I need to get to, or take the light rail to Target or Cub if I must. Every type of business I need items from are within a mile of where I live. That leaves getting to work, which thankfully my employer provides.

Dureti asks me all the time "If others who make less than you own cars, why don't you?" It makes sense within a Western mentality, even though she was brought up in Ethiopia. Obviously Africans own cars too, but few can afford to. Just because one can buy a car, doesn't mean one has to.

It is the mentality that Dureti and the West have that understands why the rich spend excessively. "They have money, so why not spend it lavishly?" This is why Al Gore need not conserve, he has money. He can throw money at "offsetting" his luxurious lifestyle, while asking those who cannot afford that to simply live with less. In the eyes of the West, this mentality is acceptable and just.

But what if a billionaire decided to live more simply? Just live as the middle class did in the 80s, and own one car ( not three). There would be one family TV, not one in each room of the house. Perhaps the computer monitor would BE the TV. Maybe a landline phone instead of a cell-phone for each member of the household. Instead of buying a library full of books, they would actually go to the library. And where would these meager savings go? Perhaps they could invest in various ways: for future generations, research, philanthropy, religious institutions, etc.

There is a new book out for the West and its more conservative perspectives on car ownership. How to Live Well Without Owning a Car: Save Money, Breathe Easier, and Get More Mileage Out of Life by Chris Balish. Chris is a TV anchorman and used to be editor for Reader's Digest. He's a pretty mainstream guy, but lives carfree.This book focuses on the financial and social costs of car ownership. Perhaps I will have to get this book for those skeptical of my environmental and ethical beliefs.

As Dureti, Ruth, and other Africans claim,"You will get a car once Phanice gets here." We will see, as I am not dictator when it comes to relationships. I am rather attached to the idea of not owning a car. Perhaps if I am coerced to own one, I will end up working more to pay for one - while rarely using it. I would rather use HourCar or Zipcar, and rent one for a few days than own one.

I was not born in America to be lazy. I want a life of meaning and purpose. I do not want my life here to take away or detract from others currently living or will live in the future. If anyone out there can find a solution to Global Warming and oil depletion that includes a car for all of humanity, please let me know. But just because one can waste resources, doesn't mean one has to.

The affluence America has become accustomed to is immoral and unethical. We have the ability to improve the lives of all future generations, in addition to reducing world population to sane levels. But we are passing by the opportunity so we can buy cheeseburgers in the McDonald's drive-thru 24/7. Each individual is still responsible for their own lives, but we all affect each other collectively. Thus is the karma of mankind.

SMS Messages Worldwide

Well, since everyone knows I have friends worldwide, how do I send them text messages? This could also be considered a feat because I don't have a cell phone. (how un-21st Century of me!) I do this through a service I found searching online: ipipi.com

Basically you can send messages through a monthly service ( like a cell-phone's ) or pre-pay. I prefer pre-paying because I send them more intermittently. And the price per message is the same if I send them to Jah in Thailand, Phanice in Kenya, or Carie in Minnesota!

I have included the prices to the left, but you can also check out their subscription fees at their site. They start at $15 a month, but I still prefer the pre-pay method.

You can have incoming replies sent to your e-mail or saved on their server. So, it's quite convenient if you have friends in far-away places!

Unless anyone knows of better services out there ( and you have to tell me about them) - I think ipipi is the best value.

Watching Kelly - DVD archiving

1) Kelly Krogen (age 4 & 11/12)

I watched my friend's daugher Carie today. Kelly is a wonderful 4 year old and about to turn 5 soon. Mayhaps Josiah can go to her party! Carie is moving all of her possessions to her new Saint Louis Park apartment, and Kelly isn't exactly assisting. I was okay watching her because she is very calm and listens well - unlike Josiah. But they really enjoy playing with each other, so it works well.

Anywho, that is how the day went. I did some cleaning while they played. They didn't like the rice and stir-fry I cooked up. Of course I didn't like the Chinese Cheese preserved hot bean curd that my acquaintance Hang gave me! Ickiness! This vegetarian loves tofu - just not this particular Asian style! I plan to make tofu with berbere and eat it with Injera. That sounds yummilicious!


2) DVD copying

On a Mac, I am unfamiliar with how to copy DVDs or make MP4s. So I found awesome software that can do both.

Handbrake can make industry standard MP4s , H.264 , wonderfully!

And MacTheRipper will allow you to copy even copyrighted material to your hard-drive. The US Supreme Court has authorized the use of copying DVDs if they are already owned by you - so archiving is okay. Hopefully this isn't abused by Netflix and library users - though it probably is -I doubt Hollywood will go belly-up. But the music industry has been hurting lately. Or is it just the major labels?

Amina moves on

This photo was taken several weeks ago, but it is of my friend Amina. We had just gotten off the bus, and she was walking with her supervisor Geleto for a ride back home. She used to live near where I used to at the corner of Franklin and Clinton Avenue in public housing. When I lived at 2011 3rd Avenue, we would walk home together. Another local resident, Mustafa, who used to work at with her also would.

As many non-Muslims do not know, Ramadan just ended. The celebration that is a giant feast is known as Eid Al-Fitr. Most celebrated this weekend. In Kenya, I hear they celebrated it today. Either way, Amina was supposed to work this last weekend, up until today. She never called in, and two days in a row is grounds for firing. She did request time off next weekend, which means she could have gotten things confused - but she didn't answer her phone. I have her number and sent her a text message.

My friend Likelesh said she talked to Amina, and that she quit after working there for eight years. I also heard from a Somali man named Mohamed, that she got married and moved to London - never to speak to non-family again. That seems extreme, and I hope its just a lie. I wish her the best, wherever it may take her.