Thursday, January 11, 2007

Are you missing anything?

-- edited for content --

A few days ago, I thought I saw a crumpled piece of blue paper in the street in front of my house. A day later, I realized it's a pair of panties -- a thong, pale blue with black lace. The next day, it had migrated from the curb to the edge of the driveway. Tonight I get home and see someone has helpfully placed them smack-dab in the middle of my lawn. Which either means that some judgmental adult on the block thinks they're mine and is calling attention to my slutty divorcee ways ... or that one of their children actually was playing with skanky used panties found in the street. Either way, it was too damn cold tonight to go find a stick long enough to collect them and drop them in the trash. Blegh.

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Africa news alert of the day:

The Gates Foundation is well known for funding global health programs, especially AIDS education and other disease treatment/prevention in African countries. But check this out:

"The Gates Foundation has poured $218 million into polio and measles immunization and research worldwide, including in the Niger Delta. At the same time that the foundation is funding inoculations to protect health, The Times found, it has invested $423 million in Eni, Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp. and Total of France — the companies responsible for most of the flares blanketing the delta with pollution, beyond anything permitted in the United States or Europe."

http://www.latimes.com/news/la-na-gatesx07jan07,1,6935188.story?page=1&ctrack=1&cset=true

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Just found out one of my Oaxaca friends is about to leave for a Peace Corps posting in Paraguay. I'm intensely jealous; it's nearly all I can think about the past few days. I've thought about it off and on for years now, stopped by a combination of fear of change and dread of being associated, in any way, with the current regime/government.

But I still daydream about it. I think I'm past the fear ... think I could actually do this. And one of the coolest things about the semi-official trip to India in '03 was surprising people with the idea that not all Americans support the president.

When I get back from my trip, I think, I'll seek out the Omaha recruiter.

Anyone know anyone who's served in the Corps? I'd love to have some contacts.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Becki, my explanation of your dream:

Snow represents dependency, which you recently experienced, which produces your isolation, because you hate being dependant, normally withdrawing from people when in such a state. Solitary inside your house, which represents your life, safe but not necessarily fulfilling, you are wandering in search of relief, which is your lover, someone who satisfies you. Ah, but what is love? Former boss represents career, which in reality teases with tantalizing options. Adorable Indian man represents your travel like the Peace Corp fantasies and experiences like Nigeria, India and Mexico. Which should you passionately embrace? Neither, says your subconscious. Your true love is writing, taking the form of one writer you respect but feel underachieves. Perhaps not unlike yourself?

William

pohl said...

William, that is brilliant.

Anonymous said...

I know someone. The guy that is now in charge of sales at the school I went to in Panama. I can't remember what countries he went to, but I will contact him and give you his info if you want me to.

--Nealy