See Gina Blog

Another tee given to me by Mette. I like it.

“Here’s to us that are here, to you that are there, and the rest of us everywhere.”

- Rudyard Kipling

Where’s my bailout?, originally uploaded by EssG.

At the end of 2008 we have had multiple requests for bailouts from the various industries.  I would like to make my own proposal for a federal bailout.

–

Dear Members of Congress,

I understand that you grow weary as the bailout requests pore in.  It must be overwhelming to watch billions of dollars slip through your fingers, moved from the ingoing to the outgoing categories of the federal ledger.  I have my own proposal for a bailout, though, and I am sure you will agree that this one is easily doable.

I ask that you consider providing me with a meager buyout of $5,000 so that I may pay my credit card off.  I will continue to pay my own student loans off.  I do not expect you to bail me out for all my debt, just the credit card debt.  I mean, it’s a much smaller bailout then the billions of dollars that have been provided to the auto and the finance industries.

If you provide this bailout my financial situation will improve and I will be a better consumer, able to spend more and help stimulate the economy accordingly.  Without a bailout, I can do nothing to stimulate the economy as all of my income will go into paying rent and my credit card bill (my student loan has been deferred for a few months).  Let’s face it; the U.S. needs every consumer out there spending.

I know, every individual has the same option as every corporation:  bankruptcy; however, a bailout is so much better for everyone involved. You know what I’m talking about, it is why you have offered bailouts to various industries at the end of 2008.  Give the average Joe or Jane the same option.  That is all I am asking.

If I am given this bailout, I promise to get out there and do my duty as a citizen and spend.  I may be spending on food, clothing, and other essentials, but still I will be stimulating the economy.  Isn’t that what our country needs right now? Wouldn’t this be the best way to pull us out of a recession?  We certainly do not need another depression written in the history books.

I thank you for your time and ask for due consideration on this very important matter.

Sincerely,

Gina Banina
United States Citizen

Given to me by Mette. It says, “Tell me again why I need a boyfriend.”

Amy Vandonsel is a friend of mine, but also an incredible artist. This is the second of two pieces I own of her work. I purchased it a month or so ago.

If you have a chance, check out her site to see more of her work and contact her to purchase some of her great pieces.

The space heater Sean lent me., originally uploaded by gina.banina.

For the past few weeks the main radiator in my apartment has been working only rarely. The frigid temperatures in St. Louis mean a very cold space.

Thanks to the generosity of my friend Sean, I have a space heater to keep me warm. It has made all the difference already.

Thank you, Sean. You are very appreciated.

festivus logo, originally uploaded by Dot D.

In honor of Festivus [for the Rest of Us], I provide you with my list of grievances for 2008:

1. ADHD.
2. Airfares (at present).
3. Bad television.
4. Begging.
5. Being on hold.
6. Bullies.
7. Cabin fever.
8. Celebrity worship.
9. Cold weather.
10. Confusion.
11. Corporate bailouts.
12. Darkness before 5.
13. Disappointment.
14. Dishonesty.
15. Disrespect.
16. Drama.
17. Expectations.
18. Frustration.
19. Fundamentalists.
20. Inauthenticity.
21. Jasper biting.
22. Loud talkers.
23. Low wages. Read the rest of this entry »

IMG_1861-1, originally uploaded by gina.banina.

Christmas has increasingly been about consumerism and arguments of religion versus secularism. No more does Christmas seem to be about good will and gratitude. We spend more time shopping for the holidays than we do with our loved ones on the holidays. Obligations exhaust us, credit cards bankrupt us, and tension grows thick.

I enjoy this time of year, in spite of the greed and pressures that come with it. I am a definitely not anti-gift. I have a wish list overflowing with items I cannot afford but wish I could. I buy gifts for those I can afford to buy – books, collectibles, and small trinkets – to express my appreciation for the people in my life. I send out Christmas cards too. It is my hope that at this time of year (and throughout the year too) my loved ones know just what they mean to me.

I am simply standing at the outer edges of holiday madness and wishing that Christmas (or the holidays, if you prefer it stated) were a bit simpler and more inspiring than it is these days. I wish Christmas was not quite as lonely and awful for so many people too. No one should be alone or feel alone at this time of year, no one. (If anyone in the St. Louis area will be alone and do not wish to be, please do message me. I have an alternative for the “holiday orphans.”)

Bonus link:  My favorite holiday song, a Dave Matthews/Tim Reynolds song.

For awhile anyway! Thanks to friends giving me some fab new tees!