Student debt and the real world.

Ok, this is the story of a young girl named Cortney Munna. The 26-year-old NYU alum currently resides in San Francisco where she works for a photographer, making $22 dollars an hour. Not too bad for a girl from upstate New York with a Bachelor's degree in religious and women's studies.

WRONG!!!

So apparently the New York Times thought this girls story was interesting. Interesting in the fact that Munna now owes back almost $100,000 in student loans ($97,000 to be exact, but what's $3,000 right?). So now this 2005 graduate is freaking out over her tuition bill and on top of that, taking night classes so that she can continue to defer them. IT'S CALLED INTEREST, YOU DUMB ASS! Maybe she should at least bother looking into that since she never bothered looking at prices in the beginning.

Let's start from the beginning as I quote a bit of Ron Lieber's article in the New York Times (June 1, 2010). "Like many middle-class families, Cortney Munna and her mother began the college selection process with a grim determination. They would do whatever they could to get Cortney into the best possible college, and they maintained a blind faith that the investment would be worth it." (The evident word here being "blind." The not so evident, but pretty much commone sense word being "stupid."

How the hell do you do you consider going a school you can't afford on "blind faith." I just wanna rip that degree from her stupid mantle! UGH!!! Lieber continues in his article that "universities like N.Y.U. enrolled students without asking many questions about whether they could afford a $50,000 annual tuition bill."

I'm sorry, this just makes me laugh. (Give me a moment to compose myself) Being a college graduate myself, I've never expected a school to counsel me on how expensive or inexpensive their tuition was going to be. It's all laid out for student prospects in their literature. I'm sorry if I don't feel this least bit sorry for Munna. It's called reading. Anyone with the slightest interest in going to college should at least be able to do that.

Again I have to quote Lieber when he suggests it's the jobs of financial aid departments of colleges and universities. "But perhaps the biggest share lies with colleges and universities because they have the most knowledge of the financial aid process. And I would argue that they had an obligation to counsel students like Ms. Munna, who got in too far over their heads."

I really don't think these colleges and universities give a shit when you're giving them your money. All they see is dollar signs. We have to remember that the business office is exactly that....a business office! They only want your business. And as long as you're willing to spend with them, they're more than happy to have you. The financial aid office is there for you to seek out and inquire all you want. You, Mr. Lieber, should know this, as writing for the New York Times, I can only imagine you are a college graduate.

I was lucky enough to have awesome counselors in high school that warned us as juniors and seniors what to expect in college, and gave us tips on where to find that funding. Mrs. Berry, if you're reading this, BRAVO! I've always admired you as a counselor.

I wasn't very priveleged. In fact, I wasn't priveleged at all. But I had a brain, and I knew how to use it. I did my all the leg work to find a college that was going to suit me. A college that I could afford, and a college that offered the program I was most interested in. Yes, it was a public university. But you know what, I've got that degree, and yes, it's accredited. So 4 years and about $20,000 later, I still hadn't found the job I was quite looking for, so I went to grad school.

Once again, I looked at the cost, weighed the pros and cons, did the leg work I thought was necessary, and enrolled in a local private institution. Another $40, 000 and one M.A. later (now totalling about $60,000), I'm still nowhere near the debt Munna has dug herself in.

So here's my advice to you, Cortney. Next time (if there is one), do the math, use your brain, and use a little common sense! But until then, good luck. I'd be crying right now with that kind of debt.

Jay Leno and Kevin Eubanks Split Up

After 18 years with The Tonight Show, Kevin Eubanks is leaving to pursue his music career. And who can blame him? I'm not sure how long I'd have been able to put up with an indecisive, overrated, former comedian. I mean really...if you're going to retire.....then RETIRE! Don't start whining about someone younger and funnier taking over your former spot. That's why it's called retirement, because you're outta there!!

And according to EW.com, Eubanks didn't even get a great send off from Leno. He performed an original instrumental called "Adoration," then had the host himself walk over and according to Adam B. Vary "the two shared what has to be one of the more awkward hugs between two grown men I’ve ever seen."

Very nice Leno. Once again, you've proven to be a real douche bag! Good luck to you Kevin.

Beer Tax? Washington not happy.

So I just heard that Congress has decided it would be a great idea to hike up beer tax. It was a proposal pitched by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). According to the New York Post, it was a proposal the senators didn't exactly support, but rather just pitched as a way of paying for the President's healthcare reform plan.

So now beer drinkers in Washington will be spending another $.28 per six-pack. It's what some residents there referred to as a "sin tax." The new tax goes into affect on Tuesday, giving holiday drinkers just a couple of days to enjoy their beer of choice before getting slapped with the higher taxes.

And it isn't just beer tax that will be going up. Bottled water and candy will also be affected. Next month, soda also gets a higher tax. Just another one of the meager luxuries that hard working Americans will be forced to pay more for. It seems the government these days is trying to get their hands on everything, taking over everything, telling us what they think is good/not good for us.

When does it end? When we become the new communist country? I guess it's supposed to help the government meet their budgets, but why should it be at the expense of hard working lower class families and individuals who already have enough trouble of their own trying to make ends meet? Today Washington, tomorrow Texas perhaps. It is too much to ask to just let me enjoy a beer now and then? :(

Sex and the City

So I saw another ad For SATC2 while watching and episode of the actual show. I think the plot is almost ridiculous for this movie, but because all my friends will be watching it, I guess I must too. It's slated to be a big spectacle, maybe even bigger than the original. But I wonder if the writers are running out of ideas. How far fetched is it that Carrie travels halfway around the world and runs into her ex. WEIRD!

I guess what I really wanted to talk about is the characters in the show. For those of you who watched the entire run of the series, you'll remember how in the first season they actually had like mini confessionals with random characters in any given episode. I was so glad they stopped that. And remember how much each character had changed after that first season. Charlotte had like a closeted slutty side to her. She later became such a prude.

What I like is how groups of friends always connect with the group of friends on the show. For anyone who saw Bruno (which I didn't, but I recall the trailer), or at least the trailer, you'll recall how he's out in the woods with some hunters and he asks which SATC character they would be. It's true. You hear friends amongst themselves often comparing which friend would be which character. (Raising hand) I know because I've been a victim of this.

What makes me laugh though is that I've been compared to almost every character on there, depending on which friend of mine and at what time in my life you were referring to. I can see a little bit of myself in each one, but I would really hate to be labeled any one in particular. Just because they're all a little too much in their own ways. I think it's funny thought when I hear someone compare me to Carrie because I'm a writer. I have to think to myself, "come on, I'm a news writer, not a columnist. And I truly hope I don't whine quite as much as she does!"

Did you even notice how much she complained about everything. I once told a friend of mine that she was the equivalent to Brenda on 90210, only because he was such a Shannen Dougherty fan. So then just a few months ago, someone had made me aware of a show that had some similarities to SATC. The show is called Noah's Ark. I don't know how many of you have seen this, but let me warn you now...it's ridiculous! What I'm saying is that it's just something I don't care to watch. I don't want someone to misinterpret what I'm saying like the word "sick" being used to describe something that back in my childhood days would have been "bad ass." I think you get the picture.

So this movie comes out like in less than a month and I've already gotten offers from so many different friends about when and how and where we will be watching this film. If they all wanted to do it on different days, it would be simple. But turns out everyone wants to go to the midnight show the night before it opens. This might be a problem. So now I have to find out which of my friends are going to really go all out, so that I may base my decision on that. Well come on, I'm Mr. Popularity, I've got to go with a group of people who are going to make an impression.

So which character am I? I'd love to hear your thoughts. And to refrain from embarassing me, you may send me a message rather than just posting something for everyone to see. But for those of you who don't give a damn, please....PLEASE....feel free to make a fool of me. Afterall, comments can be deleted...LOL!

to be, or not to be (an alcoholic)

So after a night out on Saturday, I had to sit back and think for a bit about my alcohol consumption situation. Not that I'm saying there is a situation, but that it's a possibility. I had a friend voice their concerns when I was younger. Then again, I think lots of young people tend to drink as a way to let loose and just let go of their inhibitions and forget about that day at work that just sucked completely. For that matter, people at my age still do that. Anyway, the point I'm trying to make is that I know I can sometimes take my drinking a little far. So I did a little research (for those who are curious) to find out what the seven common signs of alcoholism are:

1. NEGLECT OF OTHER ACTIVITIES
I don't know that this would pertain to me. I don't neglect my other activities or obligations, unless I'm drunk and don't remember. That's a joke. I still get my studies done...I procrastinate, but I get it done. I still go to work in the morning. I still remember the events on my social calendar. So I know this sign doesn't pertain to me, so on to the second one.

2. EXCESSIVE USE
I think this depends on how it's meant. Does it mean excessive as in daily consumption, or excessive as in 6 drinks and 4 shots in one night at the bar? If it's the latter, then yes, I'm guilty. But if it's the former, then no. I don't drink daily. In fact, I get an evil grin on my face if I can even sneak in two nights of drinking in one week. My typical drinking schedule consists of one Saturday night with my friends around, having drinks and bitching about how society is crumbling.

3. IMPAIRED CONTROL
This is defined as "ongoing, unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control alcohol consumption." I can't really say that I've made efforts to cut down. There have been nights I have gone out and had 3 drinks, and there have been nights I have gone out and had 7 drinks. It differs depending on the company and the mood. I've gone a couple of weeks without any at all.

4. PERSISTENCE OF USE
See my answer for #3

5. LARGE AMOUNTS OF TIME SPENT AT ALCOHOL RELATED ACTIVITIES
I don't even know what to make of this one. I imagine that meaning someone who spends the entire night next to the beer pong table at a frat party! Not me. Too old for beer pong, and too wise to know that's a case of mono just waiting to happen. But if you think about it. Almost any event can become an alcohol related one. Take for example when I used to work in sales. I used to attend many social events including grand openings involving the city chamber. On many occassions, they would actually have alcohol. Of course I wouldn't have any because I knew I had to go back to work. Practically every birthday party I've been to has alcohol (unless it's a child's birthday). And every mixer I've been to has its share of alcohol. I don't however, spend lots of time at a majority of these things. I'd like to, but time just doesn't permit.

6. WITHDRAWL
Really? I don't think I have withdrawls from one Saturday to the next. But if I happen to experience it, I'll let you know what it's like. Althought I do look forward to a Saturday night outing, I don't think anticipation is the same thing as getting the shakes, sweats, or nausea.

7. TOLERANCE
Even after years of drinking, my limit is still about a six pack and a half or two. And even that's pushing it!

So take a look at the symptoms and see if you can relate. Or maybe you know someonen else with a problem. But I can say from my own experiences, I think I'm just winding down on the weekend, nothing more.

Anti-abortion IS anti-life!

Those people who threaten to stop abortions by using whatever force they deem necessary is so contracictory to their cause. Are they blind or just plain stupid??? How the F do they figure that saving one baby by killing an entire hospital is worth the sacrifice?

These fools should be tied to a chair and have a cigarette put out in their eye. No but seriously, they're in dire need of help. They're doing the very same thing that they're against. They're taking lives. This came to mind tonight after reading about a man in Plano, Texas who threatened to use deadly force to stop abortion. In the article, 27-year-old Erlyndon J. Lo said his religions beliefs entitled him to use deadly force to stop an abortion?

Oh really? Well then my personal beliefs entitle me to stop your dick from ever assisting in any type of reproductive manner. You dumb ass! I hope he gets slapped with a two pound dildo in public. That oughtta teach him a lesson. Ugh, you'll have to excuse my vulgarity. Stupidity upsets me sometimes.

Maybe this is the reason government is so insistent on removing religion from everything. Sure the govenment seems to have too much control over what is supposed to be a free country, but in some forms, religion also seems to be an excuse for some people to do very bad things. I feel like this discussion could go on forever, so I won't even take it there.

How am I supposed to take this.....hmmm?

So a friend of mine, who shall remain nameless for the time being, sees me out a couple of weekends ago. We start talking, and I casually bring up the fact that this person has not added me on Facebook. I know what some of you are thinking, "Oh come on, it's just Facebook." Hello people! Wake up and smell the 3G network! Everyone and their mothers is on Facebook (except for mine, and I don't know that she's approve of my updates or even approve my friendship for that matter).

So this friend tells me that only a certain group of people are being added to this Facebook page. Now I won't mention which group of people that would be, as this also may stir up a little conroversy among those already on that page. So my reply, "Seriously? SERIOUSLY?? You've gotta be kidding me, right?" And in the back of my mind, I'm thinking that I'm probably one of the few friends this person has who doesn't place judgement, yet I find myself being judged.

It's disappointing, to say the least, but that doesn't mean we're not friends. I like this person, and I wish this person can see that they're liked as well, regardless of any decisions they've made in the past, or who they are now, or who they think they were then. That's not for me to judge, especially as a friend. I'm not perfect, and I don't expect anyone around me to be either.

So to this friend, I say: Let's just wait until the day you decide you need my friendship because maybe you need someone who believes in you, or maybe someone has turned their back on you, and you just need someone to lean on. Will you remember how you treated me as a friend? I don't think I could cast you aside, the same way you're doing now. I'm just saying.