Hombre with Hustle

Meet Pablo Juan Solis, the future president of Guatemala. Doubt me?

From his half-completed home in Santa Cruz, Pablo is running a capitalist empire with a social conscience.

We met him first as proprietor of a Spanish school. Soon Pablo revealed his bustling tour business and took us out for a spectacular day around Lake Atitlan. We spoke about his ambitions and learned that Pablo also...

Teaches English to indigenous populations
Provides Spanish classes via Skype each morning at 6am for doctors at the Mayo Clinic
Studies law at the university on weekends [and worked with Nobel Prize-winning activist Rigoberta Menchu]
Helps manage a local job training and community center
Paints signs for businesses
Monitors environmental health of Lake Atitlan, promoting sustainable economic growth
Parents his new baby boy, Alan, with his wife Paulina
Uses Google Chrome [it hasn't even formally launched in the U.S.A. yet!]
Is 24.

He puts we "busy" people to shame. I'm glad for it!

Futile Frugality

I'm starting to feel foolish about being a saver.

Writing isn't a big-bucks pursuit, but I've managed to support a decent lifestyle and sock away at least 10 percent of my gross income every year of my professional life.

My reward for this fiscal discipline? 1% interest. Inflation ran at 2.63% during 2009. 

Soon banks will be asking me to pay for the privilege of storing funds they can lend out at much higher interest rates. Where's the incentive to save? We're all aware that the financial crisis has hit over-leveraged customers. But what's not discussed is how those who eschew debt are paying dearly for doing the "right" thing.

Back in 2000, the average 6-month CD paid 6.5% interest while inflation was at 3.7%. This seems to my non-mathematical mind to be a golden ratio of sorts. I'm not suggesting we go back to, say, the rotten early 80s when a CD could pull 15.77% and inflation was 8.4%. But come on, bankers. Give a girl a reason to keep feeding the piggy.

Public Servant Whose Salary I'm Pleased to Pay

Robert J. Freeman is, appropriately enough, the man to see when looking to free government information from reluctant agencies.

As executive director of the Committee on Open Government, Freeman advises journalists and other interested citizens on the laws and procedures for accessing government records in New York.

I called him to discuss a criminal case that's currently "under seal." He had the answers I sought [though not the news I wanted to hear.]

Contact the good people at COOG if you're feeling foiled by FOIL matters. They know best how to negotiate bureaucratic minefields and access information to which we are all entitled.

Crazy Busy Beautiful Available Now

Busy ladies, have we got a sassy beauty book for you.

Kitchen Table Productions [Carmindy, Sarah Burningham, Jay Sternberg and yours truly] put together the best, budget-friendly beauty tips for gals who want to glow on the go.

You'll find answers to your most vexing makeup questions [Can a nervous Nelly handle liquid eyeliner? Yes.]

You'll chuckle at Carmindy's advice on tackling "The Nasties" e.g. zits, hangovers and, oh yeah, passion rash from necking with bearded boys.

You'll learn simple ways to update your usual looks, and come away with some wacky tips from ladies across the USA. Who knew Elmer's Glue worked as a pore strip?

Indulge in some girly fun! Order here for only $9.35!

Vixen Verite aka Compare and Despair

Very Young Girls - Documentary

Harrowing tales from young women adrift; banding together to resist returning to “the life” and the pimps that rule it

Sex and the City - Movie

Tedious tales of not-young women adrift; banding together to resist compromise and the men that force it

Cinematic Precursor
VYG - Hookers at the Point

SATC - The Best of Everything

Protagonist Opening POV

Dominique: I left home. I met [pimp]. We go out to eat all the time. He takes me shopping. He tells me we gonna be together forever. He’ll do anything for me. Won’t I do anything for him?

Carrie: Young women come to New York City in search of the two L’s : labels and love…

After ten years betrayals, Big told me, “You’re the one.”

Man Trouble 1

Carolina, having escaped her pimp, calls him in an attempt to retrieve her ID papers: You did what with my green card?

By end of call, Carolina coos, “OK, Daddy.”

Miranda, having been cheated on by Steve, wonders: What about the trust?

By end of movie, Miranda returns to her baby’s daddy.

Man Trouble 2

Shoquanna, after failing to meet her man’s $500 daily quota, has her face bashed in.

Supportive social workers attend to her in the hospital. They squeeze Jello through her broken teeth using a syringe.

Having failed to notice her man’s nuptial jitters, Carrie is abandoned at the altar; loses face.

Supportive gal pals whisk her off to Mexico. Samantha spoon-feeds yogurt into her downcast mouth.

Man Trouble 3

Ebony: I’m tired of making money for him. When am I gonna make me happy?

Later, Ebony escapes her pimp only to return two weeks later.

Samantha: I love you; but I love me more.

Later, Samantha leaves her man; keeps the 50K diamond ring

Holiday Cheer

GEMS (Girls Educational and Mentoring Services) hosts a joyous, all-girl Christmas party.

Sans gents, Miranda and Carrie joyously eat won tons together on New Year’s Eve.

Fairytale Ending

Dominique gets married.

Carrie gets married.