Pussy Riot Documentary

March 12, 2013



Last night I saw an HBO documentary about the Russian punk band, Pussy Riot. I've talked about them in the past but this bears repeating. I had to DVR this because it was on too late for me. Yes 9 PM is too late for me to watch a show especially because it was mostly subtitled. Close your eyes for a second and you lose the whole point. Anyway this was very enlightening.


I tend to think of places like Russia as very repressive but not a lot about how the citizens view their daily lives. Because we enjoy so many freedoms (more about that later) I didn't give much thought to how others handle their lack of such privileges.


Pussy Riot is not a band I would ever enjoy. The "music" I heard was abrasive and discordant. But the three members who were arrested are intelligent and well spoken. They were passionate in their beliefs about their homeland. Two of them have small children at home. They were sentenced to two years in a penal colony for their "crime" of free expression. One of them recently was released on a technicality and she is continuing with the band's form of protest. I was amazed by the very thoughtful statements they gave at their trials.


I don't think I could ever have done what those girls are accomplishing. Even now, after hearing about the tapping of phones and phone records, I cannot not muster enough of a protest to make a difference. Oh Barack, I am so disappointed. I LOVE my freedoms and want to be protected from terrorists. I willingly succumb to pocketbook searches, metal detectors, and being patted down at the airport. But this is too much. Are we willing to give up so much to feel safe? And is it really necessary to do so?

Verizon and Me

January 4, 2012



Yesterday I went to the Verizon store to grovel for a new phone. My iPhone was not a global model and I was worried about traveling so far away without my own phone. I thought my upgrade was due in February and I was going to make my best pitch for them to give me the upgrade early. After all I was going on a medical mission, got divorced this year ( and as Mickel very kindly reminded me I only have about 170 days left for that excuse), I needed to check on my sister and stay in touch with my kids. I was even willing to shed a few tears if necessary.

But I didn't need any of that. It seems one number was due for an upgrade this month. I am now the proud owner of the iPhone 5!!! Although the new connection is different and I can't fit it on my speakers or figure out how to connect to my bluetooth I will be able to text and call from Thailand. I felt a huge relief. I actually leaned over the counter and said,"I love you, Dave!" ( Haven't said that in a long time!) Then he ruined the mood by asking all sorts of questions I couldn't answer. "When was the last time you upgraded the software?" "Do you use iCloud?" "Did you back up your apps?" I finally said ,"I have no idea what you're talking about." He patiently tried to explain but I only smiled and thought, "Josh will help me when I get home." Saying goodbye to my old phone was bittersweet. It had gotten me through a very tough year.

Now I have Siri although I'm not sure how I feel about her. But I am soooo happy to have a phone I can use on my trip. Isn't it great, kids? Even when I am half way around the world I'll be able to keep tabs on you!