Bank of Americant

Day 29,

This isn't the first blog about the evils of big banks and I'm sure it won't be even my last. I opened an account with BOA constrictor of my money 2 years ago. I was with a local bank, but it was under my parents account, which I don't recommend. Also, I was traveling a lot and every time I needed to withdrawals I ran into fees. Now I run into fees for everything.

My first fee was just for having a checking account. They said they'd wave it the first year. Then I got a letter saying they were gonna start charging for checking accounts whether or not you had direct deposit. I threw a fit. I went into the bank ready to close my account. They said they would wave the fee if I went paperless and ebanking, which meant I never actually went into a bank and used a teller. I signed up.

The evil fee they conspired up next everyone knows about. BOA wanted to charge $5 a month to use a debit card. They were trying to cut their losses, by screwing over their customers. The audacity. I was ready to join the fight and switch banks when BOA finally had to bend over and take it from the poor folk and dropped the fee.

The hidden fee. I was going through my savings account transaction when I noticed a $6 deduction. I had no idea what it could be. From what I could see from the BOA app all it said your "account exceeded the 2..." then it cuts off. When I went home and checked my computer it proceeded to say that I exceeded my withdrawal limit for the month. What is that about? So I called customer service, which is always fun. So when I finally was connected to an operator I told her about my problem. She went on to say that you can only withdraw 3 times a month from your savings account. First off why does my bank care how many times I take money from my savings? I then told the woman that I was unaware of this restriction and I was never alerted or notified I was going to be or was charged. I never check my savings account since I rarely use it. I usually put most my money in my savings just to feel financial pressure to keep me frugal. It was Christmas time so I needed extra money for presents. If I was aware of this fee I wouldn't have transferred so much to my savings after I get paid. I asked her to wave the fee. She said she couldn't. She said that it was a clear fee that we accept when we open the account. I preceded to tell her that the banker that opened my account never told me of this fee. She said its in the pamphlet, in my monthly bank statement, or maybe I forgot what the banker said. This is where I got irritated. I said I'm paperless ebanking so I don't get a bank statement, and even if I forgot what the banker said when I opened my account that was 2 years ago! I told her that I didn't have time to research and remember every possible fee I might run into. She continued to say there was nothing she could do. Bullshit. This was also the first time this happened and I wouldn't have done it if I had known. She then told me that this happened in november. Now I'm pissed. This could have been happening for a long time. I said this is ridiculous and not worth keeping my account. I asked to speak to her superior. She said they would tell me the same thing. I didn't care. The time it took to connect to her customer service manager I was able to calm myself down. I tried to remember what Dale Carnegie said in "How to win friends and influence people". Deep breaths.

When the manager got on the phone I preceded to tell her the exactly the same thing, but in a calm respectful tone. I explained my frustration not only with the fees, but with myself that I had made this mistake multiple times without being aware of it. She was completely understanding and saidi she appreciated my concerns. Then she waved the fee. Victory!

I guess the other chick was wrong. I wanted to get her on the phone and say and thats why when you don't get what you want get a superior. But don't bank of it.

Monthly challenge

Day 28,

I realize that since the beginning of the new year I've given myself a new challenge every month. Granted its only february and that's just 2 months I think I'll keep up the challenge. January I started blogging every day. I've kept it up so far without missing a day. This month I'm on the hypoallergenic diet and soon will be ending my suffering. What should my challenge be next month? I don't have a lot of time to work with so it has to be simple and doable.

Blogging every day has been quite a challenge. I don't think I'll last a whole year. I think every day is more than an average reader cares to read anyways. I do like finding subjects to write quick blurbs about, but I no longer write long research stories. So I think I'll eventually cut back.

Hypoallergenic diet has been a nightmare, but a good learning experience. I've learned a lot about my body and the role food plays in my life. I do love buying and eating fruits and veggies. It makes me feel like a responsible adult. I will definitely take away life long lessons from this 29 day diet hell.

So what challenge will March hold. I'm already doing lent. Maybe I'll just be more committed to my lent. I need a daily challenge though. One that will be obvious and keep me honest. It has to be daily or I won't stick with it.

Due to the theme of lent I'll commit to read one Bible passage a day. My boyfriend's grandpa did say he'd pay me $150 bucks to read it in its entirety. A chapter a day won't take to long. I'll start... in the beginning, even though the Old Testament can be quite frightening. I'll probably have many questions for God after each reading. Hopefully He'll provide the answers. Nonetheless, I'll have a richer spiritual life or just richer.

Vagina Monologues

Day 27,

I'm sorry what did you say? Did my vagina stutter?  I've heard of vagina monologues, but never really knew what it was all about. I didn't plan on ever going to one either. Well till my boyfriend asked if I wanted to go to one coming to town. Shocking I know. Well he was going to get extra credit in his sociology class for it. He even invited my mom and sister. So the four of us went. to go hear what vaginas have to say.

I was totally surprised. It was hilarious. I don't even think I can do it justice. I'll just talk about my favorite talking vagina. It was dressed in leathers, held a whip, and was 60 years old. The monologue was about an accountant who became a professional woman pleaser. Like a lesbian gigolo. She talked about how she was an extremely load moaner. The men she was with thought she was weird and too eccentric. She later realized that she loved her loud boisterous moan and loved helping other women achieve their moan. Then she went on to describe all the other types of moan. It was hilarious. I won't even try to describe them all I'll just list a few. There was the catholic moan, breathy, dog panter, jewish, student, masculine, ect. I don't even remember them all. The best part was watching this 60 year old woman play each one out with so much passion and without reserve.

The whole show wasn't all quirky hilarious monologues. A little less than half was stories about women who have endured injustice and were sexually tortured. Some of those monologues were extremely hard to listen to. I can't imagine going through the torment that some women have endured from rape, sexual violence, genital mutilation, and sex slavery. I've also learned that 1 billion women have been victims of these crimes. 1 billion. What kind of world do we live in where this is acceptable?

Luckily, there are causes like this to give these women a voice and to come together to fight injustice. I'm so glad I got to be apart of it. There were a few awkward times sitting between my boyfriend and my mom and sister during some of the scenes, but I think it would be weirder if it wasn't. After going I definitely feel empowered. I feel like women have a hard time talking about their bodies, me included. Plenty of men brag about their junk. It's mentioned in most rap songs. So why should women never talk about or be proud of their VaJJs? From now on I will not be shy or embarrassed about couchy snorcher. 

If you want to be apart of this here is a link to become involved. VDAY

Oscar

Day 26,

Its the day where the film industry celebrates its continued controlled over shaping our culture. Isn't it enough that we spend billions seeing there movies, watching tv shows dedicated to their personal lives, and read gossip magazines about who they are dating or broke up with. We copy their fashion, hairstyles, overall lifestyle. They create a longing for a standard of living that 99% of us will never obtain. They show us what's beautiful, desirable, and normal. They have all this power of us just from lines in a script in front of a camera. Their job is meant for our entertainment. Nothing more. So why do we revolve our lives around theirs. Why do I care who they are sleeping with, what's in their house, and most of all wearing?

If we quit caring they would lose control. Without us movies wouldn't exist. While the economy has left most of us struggling to survive why do we promote and praise people who are getting paid millions to merely entertain? They aren't saving lives, inventing new technology, making the world a better place. I just don't understand our cultures obsession with movie "stars". Today millions of people will watch the academy awards to see their idols dress up in clothes that could a family for a year. Why is this ok? It's not like we are all movie critics and understand a fraction of what goes into the films we obsess over. We didn't vote. I bet you most people watching the oscars haven't even watched all the movies nominated.

Now don't get my wrong I love movies. I live for movies. It's my place to escape. It's where my imagination runs wild. It's wear I cry, scream, laugh, and fall in love all in 2 hours. I got my degree in film and couldn't imagine a better college experience.

I don't hate the academy awards. I just hate celebrity obsession. Some day I want to be at the oscars. I don't care what I wear or who I sit with... well if there is a free seat next to Spielberg. Let's focus on what movies are really about... another world and getting to be apart of it. Not what celebrity are wearing.

5 days till dairy

Day 25,

5 more days till I can starting adding the good stuff back into my diet. I can't wait. I only get to add one item every other day and I'll eat it 3 times that day. Then I keep track of how my body responds to each item. If my doesn't react negatively then I'm not allergic to it and I move on to the next item. I've thought long and hard about what food item I'm going to reincorporate first, but it's a hard decision.

If I start with eggs I can make omelets, but no bacon or sausage in them. If I add beef first for a juicy burger I can't have the bun or cheese. Starting with adding gluten lets me eat breads and cereal, but I still can't have milk. What about dairy? That includes, milk, butter, cheese, chocolate. Perfect.

So here is my reintroduction list

1. Dairy (day 1)
2. Gluten (day 3)
3. Eggs (day 5)
4. Meat (day 7)
5. Soda (day 9)

Then officially I can have pizza again... wait that's 9 extra days. Ahhhh. Stupid never ending diet. I just pray I'm not allergic to anything that goes on pizza. Even if I am on day 10 I'm ordering the biggest pizza you've ever seen and having it for every meal that day. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. Next big question will be what kind of pizza and from where. I'll save that quest for another blog.

I'm so afraid that after fasting for 28 days all the foods I love I'll go on a binge. I'm actually glad that I have to reincorporate each food item over a long period of time. My family thinks I'm wasting away, but I believe they just associate diet with losing weight. My digestion is better, but the scale or my jeans haven't changed. Due to this I hope that I don't go overboard on overindulgence. I'll just have to take it slow... one slow miserable food craving day at a time.

A Missing Angel

Day 24,

He lies there, in bed, alone and isolated, staring into the picture of what he loved most. The picture, although a simple standstill image, seemed to stare back at him, as though he was transparent. He looked away and drug himself out of bed to turn off the light. Once he returned to his bed, he laid there, his mind racing. Racing with all the memories of the countless nights he had taken for granted. As his recollection occurred within his mind, his senses began to synchronize with his thoughts. A warmth was felt over the front side of his body, as if the majestic body he once held was there. His heart began to slow as his eyes gently closed. His soft breaths brought a peace upon him. As he laid there, overcome with a false paralysis, his imaginary scene that he replayed in his head began to fade away. He awoke. Realizing what had happened, he grinned in satisfaction. Then, glancing
down at his shirt, an old, retro Nike tennis shirt, he took comfort in knowing there was still a presence of his love. Although not physical, he could still sense it and feel it. He then turned to his side and closed his eyes, letting the presence overtake him, and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Excerpt from "A Missing Angel"
Author: Gabe Gutierrez

Goodnight my angel

Not for single girls

Day 23,

"Doesn't sound like a trip for a single girl." This is what someone told me yesterday. Now this statement might make sense if I was heading to the Middle East or Tijuana alone at night. However, the statement wasn't due to one's concern for my safety. So why was it said? That's a good question.

Here's how it went.

Facebook post by a friend:

"I'm doing Bishop in May, and I'm looking for an amateur photographer/videographer that wants to record the trip."

This is one of those friendships that is a few personal hangouts away from being a real friend. He is a rock climber and Bishop is a rock climbing hot spot. Even though I'm more than just an amateur photographer I thought some people hanging from rocks would be a great addition to my portfolio.

Here's my response and the web it spun into.

Me: Ummmm. Pick me.

Him: Uuuum are you sure? You and 5 dudes, camping, and fire pitting while we climb for 4 days?

Me: Ha I didn't even check who was going. I mean I expect privacy when I pee in the bushes.

Him: Doesn't sound like a trip for a single girl. 

Whoa... slow down mister. This is 2012 in California right? He can't be serious. Does he think I can't handle camping, fires, rock climbing, testosterone? And what is a trip for a single girl anyways? Driving to the mall or getting my nails done? I want to know what trips single girls are going on nowadays. I've traveled in Europe by myself. I've gone hiking and mountain biking in the woods alone. I've left the airport on a 4 hour layover in Istanbul and took a bus into the city... alone. I've driven a truck with an EcoJohn portable toilet (it burns the waste with propane) from Southern to Northern California all by myself. I've gone running through the mountains in Nepal with a buddy... oh wait no I was unaccompanied by a man or a flock of dainty girlies. 

Also, if I'm camping with 5 "men" I wouldn't be a single girl would I? I'd be a girl with 5 guys. So if anything big and scary came to feast on flesh the big strong men could save me... even if I could run faster then probably most of them. Guys go on camping trips and forget that they work in a cubicle watching their gut not so slowly expand wondering if their wife was generous to cook something they liked. We all know it won't be the game they hunted, but generic factory slaughtered beef burger. Am I ranting? Sorry it's just what us single girls do. Back to the conversation.

My Sister came to my defense

Sis: have you spent anytime with my sister? The only footage would be of her looking back asking you all to hurry up. You know her motto is "you can sleep when you're dead"?

What a good sister. Us single girls have to stick together.

Him: Anna- I'm CERTAIN she would destroy us all.

Me: Yes I would. And no place for a single girl? I am assuming you aren't friends with rapists. And that you aren't sexist. 

Him: I am not friends with any rapists that I am aware of. And am not sexist, that I can think of. I figures that a group of married guys taking a woman on a camping trip might give an incorrect impression. 

Me: I'm a photographer not a stripper for a bachelor party, but if you guys can't distinguish between the two when a woman is added to the mix then I'll understand... not really.    

This is where it gets tricky.

Him: can't tell via Facebook if this was meant as a joke or not. So I just want you to know that nothing offensive:hurtful/annoying/upsetting/mildly irritating was intended. I have been known to be slightly uptight about perception, so please know that is where this is coming from.

Did I got to far? Darn sensitive men. Or maybe he's just apologizing in public because I made him look like a sexist... I mean made himself look like one. 

Rather than continue a conversation that went down serious ally publicly he then texted me. I'm not actually going to include word for word what he said because it got a little too personal. Here's the gist.


Him: Hey my buddie's wives might not like having some cute photographer along with them. 

Yikers. I did not intend for this to happen. Well of course it's not a ridiculously obscure reason. If guys would just keep it in their pants more and not use it as a brain substitute plenty more wives won't need to fret over their husbands. Some women will always worry, but that is more their insecurities and trust issues. I say when you are dating someone let him hang out with all the hotties he wants and find out sooner than later. Of course this isn't fool proof so don't hold me accountable. Back to the interaction.

Me: I won't ever respond upset on Facebook. What I said wasn't out of anger. I mean it's frustrating that certain guidelines have to be set. And I didn't mean to put you in the position to feel like you had to explain yourself... For that I'm sorry. I'll just wait for 5 heterosexual girls to go on a rock climbing camping trip and are in need of a photographer.

Him: Hahahahahahahahahaha! Don't be bummed. I'll see if you can be the video crew and how this might still work?

Oh no now he is trying to compromise. I don't even think I want to go anymore. If he had said from the start, "oh great. Amy I would love you to come and shoot for us." then it would have felt normal and natural. Now it feels like a big deal. I feel like I'd have to go through an interview process to make sure I'm not going for the wrong reason, "Oh this isn't nude rock climbing. Never mind then."

Me: Don't change everything around. Seriously don't stress about it. Besides you wouldn't want me anyways. I would want to cook real food and not frank and beans, I'm trained in CPR and first aid, I don't own a brush, only shave once a week, never hold in farts, and would want my dog to come  But she's a girl too. So I'll just wait for the girl trip.   

Him: Now I'm uncomfortable.

Me: Success. I'm only kidding. Besides I doubt you are uncomfortable. You seem like the type that thrives on awkwardness. Anywho. Have a good day. 

The conversation ended with him getting off the hook and me not becoming the campsite hooker. Damn. I guess I have to find a trip that is single girl suitable. Mall anyone?

another banished single girl