Saturday, September 12, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Welcome to the Not-So-Justice System!
A couple days ago, I trotted down to my local "Hall of Justice" to try and have my boyfriend's recent traffic ticket revoked.
See, he was driving my car in Winston-Salem, NC. And since I've been in NYC for, say, the past 3+ years, I hadn't yet taken the time to renew my tags...
Ruh-roh. Maybe you can see where this is going...
Anywho. While driving my car, we're pulled over by a local good 'ol boy cop. He's very polite, and since I "look like a nice young lady and all," tells me that he must give my boyfriend a ticket but that, "if you call the District Attorney's office, they'll dismiss the ticket."
Literally, folks. Those were his exact words.
Anywho. A couple days later, I start calling the DA's office. After an entire week of my calling and being told to "leave a message and we'll call you back" by the DA's answering service -- with no one ever actually calling me back, of course -- I finally head down to take care of the ticket in person.
And what am I told when I arrive?
These are exact quotes, ya'll... get this:
DA Office Worker: "Cops lie all the time. I wouldn't trust what he said."
Me: "Um... well, then, how are citizens supposed to know the law if officers of the court -- whose job it is to enforce it and, thus, serve and protect the public -- blatantly lie?"
DA Office Worker: "No comment."
Me: "... Okay. So, what happens if my boyfriend won't be in the state of NC to show up in court about this ticket?"
DA Office Worker: "I don't know. You may want to contact an attorney about that. I can't give legal advice."
Me: "... Okay. Can you at least tell me if he'll get points on his driving record?"
DA Office Worker: "I don't know."
Me: "Well, who would?"
DA Office Worker: "Maybe the DMV."
Me: "Okay. Can I call them, or go down to their office and ask?"
DA Office Worker: "I don't know. You may want to contact an attorney about that. I can't give legal advice."
Me: "I need to ask an attorney just to see if I should go down to the DMV?"
DA Office Worker: "Yeah. But they'll lie to you, too. You know, just so you'll pay the ticket and fees and all."
Me: "Um... how is all this lying to the public legal?"
DA Office Worker: "I don't know. You may want to contact an attorney about that. I can't give legal advice."
Me: "No comment."
Welcome to the Not-So-Justice Department, folks! Isn't bureaucracy GREAT?
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
I Will Never, EVER Use Priceline EVER Again. And Neither Should You.
Priceline put the wrong name on my boyfriend's ticket, then wouldn't admit to their mistake, and also wouldn't refund our money. He missed his flight tonight, ruining our Labor Day weekend. I will never, ever use a third party ticket vendor again.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Birthday Par-TAAAAAY!
Tonight is my belated birthday extravaganza, betches!
I can't wait. I'm having lunch with Katie from the PR department at Penguin today. Then, I'm picking up my birthday cake -- chocolate devil's food with chocolate buttercream icing -- tonight at 7pm.
Between then, I think the man and I will go for a run... if it ever stops raining in Manhattan, that is. Wouldn't you know it, the weekend I come to visit, we're hit by a tropical storm!
Rain, rain, go away -- come again to somebody ELSE'S birthday!!
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Hey, You! Stop Fighting With Your Sister!
Me giving Princess Vespa a stern "talking-to" this morning after I found more bite marks on Butters ears...
What's a cat-mommy to do??
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
What's a cat-mommy to do??
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
My Cats Hate Me.
My new kittens hate me. They must, I believe, to ruin my quiet time like they do.
Their usual routine is to spend all night -- every night -- fighting with each other. I try and work around their constant mewling and bawling. I step over them as they bite and claw at each others' necks. I am awoken to the sound of the pair of them rolling down the hallway, melded together like some gigantic kitty bowling ball. And my bedroom door? Their pins. They crash into it every hour on the hour... all. Night. Long.
And then, after they've torn each other apart into shreds of tired kitty flesh... they do this:
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Their usual routine is to spend all night -- every night -- fighting with each other. I try and work around their constant mewling and bawling. I step over them as they bite and claw at each others' necks. I am awoken to the sound of the pair of them rolling down the hallway, melded together like some gigantic kitty bowling ball. And my bedroom door? Their pins. They crash into it every hour on the hour... all. Night. Long.
And then, after they've torn each other apart into shreds of tired kitty flesh... they do this:
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Monday, August 24, 2009
Pet Wars, Part I
Ever since Butters and Princess Vespa (yay! I finally decided on their names!) moved into my pad, my poor dog, Jax, has been paying the consequences.
What should I do? Keep the sequestered in separate rooms? Have a doggie "time-out" and a kitty "time-out" chair? I've heard cats usually take leadership role when cohabiting with dogs... I never thought my two-month old kittens would be kicking my two-year old dog's ass.
Ah, a pet-Mommy's work is never done...
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Sunday, August 23, 2009
What Shall I Name My Pussies?
I've recently adopted to new kittens from the pound...
And I'm now searching for names. I've always been a "dog person," you know? Someone who enjoys the friendly, interactive, clingy nature of puppies. Someone who loves having a mute, stick-chewing, ball-catching buddy around. But since my new apartment doesn't allow dogs, I had to settled for cats... and I must say, these two are turning out to be my new best friends.
But what to call them? My list so far:
1) Butters and Princess Vespa (from "South Park" and "Spaceballs," of course)
2) Bubbles and Spot
3) Hairy and Snatch
4) Lord Takealeak and Lady Grabbermuffin
5) Karl and Marx
6) Siegfried and Roy, or...
7) Criss Angel and Mindfreak
What to choose? What to choooooose?
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
And I'm now searching for names. I've always been a "dog person," you know? Someone who enjoys the friendly, interactive, clingy nature of puppies. Someone who loves having a mute, stick-chewing, ball-catching buddy around. But since my new apartment doesn't allow dogs, I had to settled for cats... and I must say, these two are turning out to be my new best friends.
But what to call them? My list so far:
1) Butters and Princess Vespa (from "South Park" and "Spaceballs," of course)
2) Bubbles and Spot
3) Hairy and Snatch
4) Lord Takealeak and Lady Grabbermuffin
5) Karl and Marx
6) Siegfried and Roy, or...
7) Criss Angel and Mindfreak
What to choose? What to choooooose?
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Friday, August 21, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Behold! The Power of Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Dumber Dolls
Meatwad: "Frylock, where are the pills?"
Frylock: "Pills! What do you need pills for?"
Meatwad: "Well Happy Time Harry needs 'em. He says that the pills make the phone calls go away."
Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Dumber Dolls
Shared via AddThis
Frylock: "Pills! What do you need pills for?"
Meatwad: "Well Happy Time Harry needs 'em. He says that the pills make the phone calls go away."
Aqua Teen Hunger Force - Dumber Dolls
Shared via AddThis
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
My Near-Death Experiences
Time and time again, I seem to almost fall victim to disaster. To almost die. To nearly get flattened by a big, fat rock like Wiley Coyote.
Take for example, how I woke up one winter morning a few months ago prepared to fly from Laguardia to Raleigh, NC, without any problems. Unfortunately, about fifteen minutes after I awoke, I got an emergency call from US Airways. They'd cancelled my flight. Due to "weather."
Yeah, right. When I finally get to Laguardia, I'm rerouted to Charlotte. I have two options for flights: One leaving rightthisminute and one leaving in about an hour. Having just waited the whole morning for my rerouted flight, I take the one leaving rightthisminute.
So, I push through security, run to my gate and just make the flight to Charlotte. Two hours laters and I'm safe and sound in the South...
Only guess what's playing in a nonstop loop on every TV screen nationwide?
A US Airways plane. From Laguardia. To Charlotte. That left, oh, about an hour after the flight that I just made by the skin of my teeth and which was now sitting in the Hudson River.
A few months later, Justin and I are traveling again. We catch a flight from Laguardia to Chicago, only just narrowly avoiding some crazy homeless guy showing up at our exact same gate with a bomb strapped to his chest!
Folks were evacuated and trapped outside Laguardia for HOURS after the guy was arrested. Had we gotten caught up in that mess, we never would've made it to the "Heil Hitler" wedding (see previous post). What a drag!
And it only gets worse -- this time, with boats instead of planes.
Justin planned a romantic surprise for me last weekend to celebrate my upcoming birthday. First, he orders me to dress up (which I happily do!). Then, we hop into a cab and he hands the driver instructions so I can't figure out where we're going (cool, huh?). Then, about twenty minutes later, we arrive (ta da!) at Pier 81, where a HUGE cruise ship is waiting to whisk us around Manhattan.
We have a wonderful night of dinner, dancing and staring up at the Statue of Liberty passing by. I'm elated -- on top of the world -- and I feel like I have the best boyfriend ever. We make it home after more than too many espresso martinis, fall into bed to sleep it all off...
And awake the next morning to find that we were thisclose to a helicopter falling on our heads!
What the hell, people?! Who faces down death/dismemberment this often? I feel like a cat with nine lives who's only got about six left.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Take for example, how I woke up one winter morning a few months ago prepared to fly from Laguardia to Raleigh, NC, without any problems. Unfortunately, about fifteen minutes after I awoke, I got an emergency call from US Airways. They'd cancelled my flight. Due to "weather."
Yeah, right. When I finally get to Laguardia, I'm rerouted to Charlotte. I have two options for flights: One leaving rightthisminute and one leaving in about an hour. Having just waited the whole morning for my rerouted flight, I take the one leaving rightthisminute.
So, I push through security, run to my gate and just make the flight to Charlotte. Two hours laters and I'm safe and sound in the South...
Only guess what's playing in a nonstop loop on every TV screen nationwide?
A US Airways plane. From Laguardia. To Charlotte. That left, oh, about an hour after the flight that I just made by the skin of my teeth and which was now sitting in the Hudson River.
A few months later, Justin and I are traveling again. We catch a flight from Laguardia to Chicago, only just narrowly avoiding some crazy homeless guy showing up at our exact same gate with a bomb strapped to his chest!
Folks were evacuated and trapped outside Laguardia for HOURS after the guy was arrested. Had we gotten caught up in that mess, we never would've made it to the "Heil Hitler" wedding (see previous post). What a drag!
And it only gets worse -- this time, with boats instead of planes.
Justin planned a romantic surprise for me last weekend to celebrate my upcoming birthday. First, he orders me to dress up (which I happily do!). Then, we hop into a cab and he hands the driver instructions so I can't figure out where we're going (cool, huh?). Then, about twenty minutes later, we arrive (ta da!) at Pier 81, where a HUGE cruise ship is waiting to whisk us around Manhattan.
We have a wonderful night of dinner, dancing and staring up at the Statue of Liberty passing by. I'm elated -- on top of the world -- and I feel like I have the best boyfriend ever. We make it home after more than too many espresso martinis, fall into bed to sleep it all off...
And awake the next morning to find that we were thisclose to a helicopter falling on our heads!
What the hell, people?! Who faces down death/dismemberment this often? I feel like a cat with nine lives who's only got about six left.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Friday, August 7, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
A Southern Hick Goes to Chi-Town
Last weekend, I flew to Chicago for a real down-home Yankee wedding.
On Friday, after 7 hours of flying/waiting/freaking-the-f*ck-out (thanks, Delta Airlines! You rock!), I finally made it O'Hare airport. Then I spent another hour packed into the back of a tiny Honda Accord driving to Naperville, IL.
Surprisingly, the streets of Naperville looked just like those of any town in rural South Carolina -- only with black dirt lining the pavement instead of red clay. Oh, and there were all sorts of "Real Housewives of New Jersey"-looking half-built mansions sitting around in various states of decay because the rich bitches who bought them ran out of money and left them there to rot.
Anywho...
On Saturday, I headed down to the local Presbyterian church, where a huge congregation was assembled for the wedding. It wasn't surprising that, since the bride and groom are religious, that their ceremony would be, too. It was, however, a bit weird when the whole audience was asked to "lift their hands for the usual blessing of the church."
Don't get me wrong -- blessings are great. But this particular blessing involved a particularly strange hand gesture...
No joke, folks. Right there in the middle of being married, the happy couple was "blessed" by a crowd raising its hands in collective "salute" to their future...um...joy.
That, or either I'd mistaken a Nazi rally for a wedding.
Anywho...
On Sunday, I headed over to do some sight-seeing at Navy Pier. It was a fun-filled day of beer, mango daiquiris, pina coladas, crab cake sandwiches and more beer. Oh, and some creepy guy playing with marionettes.
After that and a pound of beer-boiled hot dogs, I took a couple rides on the Ferris Wheel and felt like a true Yankee, born and bred... well, minus the annoying nasal-y accent and pushy personality, that is.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
On Friday, after 7 hours of flying/waiting/freaking-the-f*ck-out (thanks, Delta Airlines! You rock!), I finally made it O'Hare airport. Then I spent another hour packed into the back of a tiny Honda Accord driving to Naperville, IL.
Surprisingly, the streets of Naperville looked just like those of any town in rural South Carolina -- only with black dirt lining the pavement instead of red clay. Oh, and there were all sorts of "Real Housewives of New Jersey"-looking half-built mansions sitting around in various states of decay because the rich bitches who bought them ran out of money and left them there to rot.
Anywho...
On Saturday, I headed down to the local Presbyterian church, where a huge congregation was assembled for the wedding. It wasn't surprising that, since the bride and groom are religious, that their ceremony would be, too. It was, however, a bit weird when the whole audience was asked to "lift their hands for the usual blessing of the church."
Don't get me wrong -- blessings are great. But this particular blessing involved a particularly strange hand gesture...
No joke, folks. Right there in the middle of being married, the happy couple was "blessed" by a crowd raising its hands in collective "salute" to their future...um...joy.
That, or either I'd mistaken a Nazi rally for a wedding.
Anywho...
On Sunday, I headed over to do some sight-seeing at Navy Pier. It was a fun-filled day of beer, mango daiquiris, pina coladas, crab cake sandwiches and more beer. Oh, and some creepy guy playing with marionettes.
After that and a pound of beer-boiled hot dogs, I took a couple rides on the Ferris Wheel and felt like a true Yankee, born and bred... well, minus the annoying nasal-y accent and pushy personality, that is.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Monday, August 3, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Rebel Deb's Summer Reading List
Some of the Rebel Deb's favorites summertime reads (to go along with a mint julep or nice, tall glass of sweet tea!):
1) Naked" by David Sedaris
2) "Dry" by Augusten Burroughs
3) "Thus Spake Zarathustra" by Friedrich Nietzsche (I know, I know... I'm gonna get hate mail for this one. And if I don't, it just means no one's reading great philosophers anymore. So which is worse? Hate mail for me, or the general malaise and intellectual degradation of readers? I'm just not sure.)
4) "The Sweet Potato Queen's Book of Love" by Jill Connor Browne
5) "A Wolf at the Table" by Augusten Burroughs
6) "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
1) Naked" by David Sedaris
2) "Dry" by Augusten Burroughs
3) "Thus Spake Zarathustra" by Friedrich Nietzsche (I know, I know... I'm gonna get hate mail for this one. And if I don't, it just means no one's reading great philosophers anymore. So which is worse? Hate mail for me, or the general malaise and intellectual degradation of readers? I'm just not sure.)
4) "The Sweet Potato Queen's Book of Love" by Jill Connor Browne
5) "A Wolf at the Table" by Augusten Burroughs
6) "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
I'm Down for that Good Old-Time Religion
Tonight, I spent over two hours at a gospel sing-along at the New Hope Baptist Church in Burlington, North Carolina.
I'd always believed the stereotype... you know, that African-American churches are the most flamboyant in the South. That they're full of sweaty, fire-n-brimstone preachers hollering out "Amens!" and "Keep on warring! Keep on the battlefield for Christ!" That these places are full of devout, emotional worshippers who tear off their clothes mid-sermon and run screaming down the walkways, stopping only to jump up and down on their pews.
... Well, they aren't the only ones.
Enter the New Hope Baptists. Ordinary, conservative, polite-looking white folks who show up to a Tuesday night gospel singing in seersucker suits, floral printed knee-length dresses and tasteful pearl-handled gloves.
They line up nicely in their pews, families sitting together, friends saying their hellos... it's all quiet, kind, reserved politeness resembling the behavior of their English ancestors...
And then, the music starts.
Two verses into "Over Yonder," followed by "Three Men on the Mountain," and I'm surrounded by sobbing, shaking old ladies blowing snot into their lace handkerchiefs while screaming "Praise Jesus!" and "That's right, brother! You tell that Devil to git back!"
Their husbands waved their hands frantically, mixing the air with aggressive exuberance. One elderly fellow in a blue wool getup with brass buttons and what looked like a pace-maker jumped up from his seat and did a couple laps around the sanctuary, sprinting like a track star. This was the kind of guy you'd see ordering tapioca pudding at the K&W Cafeteria. If I'd seen him walking through the mall, I'd wonder if he'd left his good walker at home. This "old-time religion stuff" sure had its groupies.
Sometimes, I wish I was a hardcore Baptist. Those old white folks sure can dance.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Monday, July 27, 2009
Introducing My New Baby, Butters!
As I get older, my maternal instincts get stronger and stronger... and while I'm NOT ready for a human baby in my life, I'm more than ready to bring on the kitties!
Introducing my newest human-baby-replacement, Butters:
She's a stinky kitty, my Butters. Her daily bath consists of a few licks from her mother's mouth and perhaps a quick, accidental dunk into her watering bowl.
When first we met, she was an outdoorsy kinda gal. When I picked her up -- all 20ounces of her -- she clawed at me, tried to run away. She was an adventurer, an explorer. She dared to steal steak bits from the food bowls of other neighborhood cats -- was brave enough even to test the wild dangers of the outside world and travel all the way to the edge of my bedspred before looking over and taking a PLUNGE into the unknown!
But now, she's relaxed her devil-may-care ways. She's become my tame, indoorsy, snuggle-buggle Butters, sleeping happily in my arms and eating her catfood from a spoon.
Ahhhh, motherhood. Tis a wondrous thing.
... And the best part is: She'll never ask to borrow the car.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Introducing my newest human-baby-replacement, Butters:
She's a stinky kitty, my Butters. Her daily bath consists of a few licks from her mother's mouth and perhaps a quick, accidental dunk into her watering bowl.
When first we met, she was an outdoorsy kinda gal. When I picked her up -- all 20ounces of her -- she clawed at me, tried to run away. She was an adventurer, an explorer. She dared to steal steak bits from the food bowls of other neighborhood cats -- was brave enough even to test the wild dangers of the outside world and travel all the way to the edge of my bedspred before looking over and taking a PLUNGE into the unknown!
But now, she's relaxed her devil-may-care ways. She's become my tame, indoorsy, snuggle-buggle Butters, sleeping happily in my arms and eating her catfood from a spoon.
Ahhhh, motherhood. Tis a wondrous thing.
... And the best part is: She'll never ask to borrow the car.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Free Babar!
Remember when going to the circus was a happy, family-oriented event much anticipated by kiddies and adults of all ages?
Well, apparently, the Ringling Bros. have been beating, harassing and torturing their elephants (and probably many other species of animals) for YEARS...
Check out this video. It'll leave all you animal lovers speechless:
Sickening, huh? And I thought Babar the Elephant had it rough, roaming around out there in the two-dimensional jungle of syndicated cartoon TV.
I, for one, will never go to the circus ever again.
xoxo,
Rebel
Well, apparently, the Ringling Bros. have been beating, harassing and torturing their elephants (and probably many other species of animals) for YEARS...
Check out this video. It'll leave all you animal lovers speechless:
Sickening, huh? And I thought Babar the Elephant had it rough, roaming around out there in the two-dimensional jungle of syndicated cartoon TV.
I, for one, will never go to the circus ever again.
xoxo,
Rebel
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Send Me Your Rants!
Howdy Ya'll!
I'm currently interviewing both men and women about their personal experiences of sexism, chauvinism, abuse and/or gender bias for a new non-fiction book I'm writing. I'd love to have any input from the Rebel Deb community.
If you're willing to share your story with me, I'd love to hear it! All information will be 100% confidential in every way.
Please contact Anna@RebelDeb.com if you're interested -- thanks!
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
I'm currently interviewing both men and women about their personal experiences of sexism, chauvinism, abuse and/or gender bias for a new non-fiction book I'm writing. I'd love to have any input from the Rebel Deb community.
If you're willing to share your story with me, I'd love to hear it! All information will be 100% confidential in every way.
Please contact Anna@RebelDeb.com if you're interested -- thanks!
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Get the Mob Outta Providence!
Providence, RI, is one of the most dangerous, crime-ridden cities in America. It's full of hoodlums, drugs and mafia hit-men.
Hell, the ex-mayor -- Buddy Cianci -- went to federal prison for breaking the kneecaps of his ex-wife's new boyfriend.
When I went to Brown, everybody knew to avoid parking on the street because the city made a habit of enforcing unwritten parking laws just to reap the impound fines. We also knew to stay on college hill and never venture downtown... lest we find ourselves in the middle of a drive-by or wander into a pizza parlor full of Tony Sopranos.
Unfortunately, even after Buddy went to prison, things didn't change. David Cicilline, the latest mayor of Providence, is a total thug.
I know this because I once worked behind the counter of a drug store at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Providence during my senior year.
The Mayor would visit often. And every time, he'd bring his band of thug bodyguards with him. They'd stand around, slicking their receding hairlines back with too much hair gel. Then they'd make sexist jokes and call me "little lady" when I didn't laugh.
The Mayor himself looked just like this...
...only minus the girl, because he was gay.
I know what you're thinking: A gay mobster? Go figure.
Anywho.
Given all this sordid history, I wasn't too surprised to learn that good ol' Mayor Cicilline is now trying to extort money from students to pay for his city's scams...
Check out this latest article detailing the utter sketchiness of Providence:
By ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press Writer Eric Tucker, Associated Press Writer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The mayor of Providence wants to slap a $150-per-semester tax on the 25,000 full-time students at Brown University and three other private colleges in the city, saying they use resources and should help ease the burden on struggling taxpayers.
Mayor David Cicilline (sis-ah-LEEN-ee) said the fee would raise between $6 million and $8 million a year for the city, which is facing a $17 million deficit.
If enacted, it would apparently be the first time a U.S. city has directly taxed students just for being enrolled.
The proposal is still in its early stages. But it has riled some students, who say it would unfairly saddle them with the city's financial woes and overlook their volunteer work and other contributions, including money spent in restaurants, bars and stores.
"We want to support the city as best we can, but financially is not really what we can afford to give," said Heather Lee, president of the Brown Graduate Student Council. "We're more able to provide labor, we're more able to apply the things that we're learning in the classroom, than we are to write a $300 check."
Cities often look for revenue from universities to compensate for their tax-exempt status, and many schools already make voluntary payments to local governments. Providence's four private schools — Brown, Providence College, Johnson & Wales University and the Rhode Island School of Design — agreed in 2003 to pay the city nearly $50 million over 20 years.
The idea of a student head tax has been floated before in other cities, generally to start discussions about collecting money from universities in lieu of taxes.
But Tony Pals, spokesman for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, said he knows of no city that charges students a direct fee.
"The bottom line is, a tax like this has never gone into effect," Pals said. "The timing is also unfortunate, given the significant amount of budget-cutting that institutions have had to go through because of the recession."
The four schools generate more than $1 billion a year in economic activity, said Daniel Egan, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island. They employ nearly 9,000 people in a city of roughly 172,000.
"We think the indirect and direct benefit of students within the community would outweigh any costs," Egan said.
Cicilline's office said there is no study showing how much students cost Providence for the use of police and fire protection and other services. The city points out that the private schools' property, valued at more than $1.7 billion, is tax-exempt.
Many college students are already involved in tutoring, arts education and mentoring for public school students. Providence College, for instance, offers student volunteers to staff after-school programs, and Brown is raising money for a $10 million endowment to help the city school system.
Even so, Cicilline said everyone should be expected to help the city through this economic crisis. He said he wants students to have a vested interest in their city instead of seeing themselves as visitors just passing through.
"It's really about a shared commitment to the well-being of your community that you're a part of," the mayor said. "Everyone should be doing their part and coming to the table."
Students at Rhode Island College, a state school in the city, and the Providence campus of the University of Rhode Island would be exempt.
A city head tax on students would need approval from both the City Council and state lawmakers. However, a similar measure failed in the state Legislature in 2005, and Rhode Island's colleges are likely to fight this proposal, too.
Josephine Nash, a Brown junior from New York City, said the idea seems reasonable, provided it doesn't overly burden students on financial aid. "I do spend the majority of my year here, and I do use the services of the city," she said.
But Susette Holman, a Johnson & Wales freshman also from New York, said her mother works seven days a week, sometimes 14 hours a day, to put her through school. "I have three sisters at home, so how's she going to be able to provide an extra tuition fee?" she asked.
University administrators also object, saying students and their families spend years saving for college and shouldn't have to bear more costs. Tuition at Brown costs nearly $40,000 a year, with about 40 percent of undergraduates receiving financial aid.
"Given at least the rhetoric of trying to retain students, be a place that's attractive to students and young people shortly after college, it just seemed counterintuitive to at least the students I talked to," said Richard Spies, Brown's executive vice president for planning."
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Hell, the ex-mayor -- Buddy Cianci -- went to federal prison for breaking the kneecaps of his ex-wife's new boyfriend.
When I went to Brown, everybody knew to avoid parking on the street because the city made a habit of enforcing unwritten parking laws just to reap the impound fines. We also knew to stay on college hill and never venture downtown... lest we find ourselves in the middle of a drive-by or wander into a pizza parlor full of Tony Sopranos.
Unfortunately, even after Buddy went to prison, things didn't change. David Cicilline, the latest mayor of Providence, is a total thug.
I know this because I once worked behind the counter of a drug store at the Biltmore Hotel in downtown Providence during my senior year.
The Mayor would visit often. And every time, he'd bring his band of thug bodyguards with him. They'd stand around, slicking their receding hairlines back with too much hair gel. Then they'd make sexist jokes and call me "little lady" when I didn't laugh.
The Mayor himself looked just like this...
...only minus the girl, because he was gay.
I know what you're thinking: A gay mobster? Go figure.
Anywho.
Given all this sordid history, I wasn't too surprised to learn that good ol' Mayor Cicilline is now trying to extort money from students to pay for his city's scams...
Check out this latest article detailing the utter sketchiness of Providence:
By ERIC TUCKER, Associated Press Writer Eric Tucker, Associated Press Writer
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The mayor of Providence wants to slap a $150-per-semester tax on the 25,000 full-time students at Brown University and three other private colleges in the city, saying they use resources and should help ease the burden on struggling taxpayers.
Mayor David Cicilline (sis-ah-LEEN-ee) said the fee would raise between $6 million and $8 million a year for the city, which is facing a $17 million deficit.
If enacted, it would apparently be the first time a U.S. city has directly taxed students just for being enrolled.
The proposal is still in its early stages. But it has riled some students, who say it would unfairly saddle them with the city's financial woes and overlook their volunteer work and other contributions, including money spent in restaurants, bars and stores.
"We want to support the city as best we can, but financially is not really what we can afford to give," said Heather Lee, president of the Brown Graduate Student Council. "We're more able to provide labor, we're more able to apply the things that we're learning in the classroom, than we are to write a $300 check."
Cities often look for revenue from universities to compensate for their tax-exempt status, and many schools already make voluntary payments to local governments. Providence's four private schools — Brown, Providence College, Johnson & Wales University and the Rhode Island School of Design — agreed in 2003 to pay the city nearly $50 million over 20 years.
The idea of a student head tax has been floated before in other cities, generally to start discussions about collecting money from universities in lieu of taxes.
But Tony Pals, spokesman for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities, said he knows of no city that charges students a direct fee.
"The bottom line is, a tax like this has never gone into effect," Pals said. "The timing is also unfortunate, given the significant amount of budget-cutting that institutions have had to go through because of the recession."
The four schools generate more than $1 billion a year in economic activity, said Daniel Egan, president of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Rhode Island. They employ nearly 9,000 people in a city of roughly 172,000.
"We think the indirect and direct benefit of students within the community would outweigh any costs," Egan said.
Cicilline's office said there is no study showing how much students cost Providence for the use of police and fire protection and other services. The city points out that the private schools' property, valued at more than $1.7 billion, is tax-exempt.
Many college students are already involved in tutoring, arts education and mentoring for public school students. Providence College, for instance, offers student volunteers to staff after-school programs, and Brown is raising money for a $10 million endowment to help the city school system.
Even so, Cicilline said everyone should be expected to help the city through this economic crisis. He said he wants students to have a vested interest in their city instead of seeing themselves as visitors just passing through.
"It's really about a shared commitment to the well-being of your community that you're a part of," the mayor said. "Everyone should be doing their part and coming to the table."
Students at Rhode Island College, a state school in the city, and the Providence campus of the University of Rhode Island would be exempt.
A city head tax on students would need approval from both the City Council and state lawmakers. However, a similar measure failed in the state Legislature in 2005, and Rhode Island's colleges are likely to fight this proposal, too.
Josephine Nash, a Brown junior from New York City, said the idea seems reasonable, provided it doesn't overly burden students on financial aid. "I do spend the majority of my year here, and I do use the services of the city," she said.
But Susette Holman, a Johnson & Wales freshman also from New York, said her mother works seven days a week, sometimes 14 hours a day, to put her through school. "I have three sisters at home, so how's she going to be able to provide an extra tuition fee?" she asked.
University administrators also object, saying students and their families spend years saving for college and shouldn't have to bear more costs. Tuition at Brown costs nearly $40,000 a year, with about 40 percent of undergraduates receiving financial aid.
"Given at least the rhetoric of trying to retain students, be a place that's attractive to students and young people shortly after college, it just seemed counterintuitive to at least the students I talked to," said Richard Spies, Brown's executive vice president for planning."
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
It's Hard to be a Fame-Hog
Ewww.... scary!
Some of ya'll already know that I once worked for Jill Zarin from "The Real Housewives of New York," and if you didn't, you can read all about it in my upcoming memoir -- "Confessions of a Rebel Debutante" --hitting bookstores next spring.
In the meantime, let me just say that these ladies are far from ladies. And like Jill, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps is quite the former trophy-wife-turned-fame-hog:
"Splitting from the Count hasn't been easy, Countess LuAnn de Lesseps tells Usmagazine.com.
"Its been really difficult for me," The Real Housewives of New York City star told Us at a Whole Foods event in NYC Monday. "I just need time."
The New York Post first reported that LuAnn separated from her husband, Count Alex de Lesseps, after she learned that he met another woman in Europe. The two -- who just celebrated their 16th anniversary on March 16 -- have two children, Victoria and Noel.
Check out the most unforgettable splits of 2008
"We are going to be friends, and we're going to do the best thing for our kids," the Countess told Us.
And, yes, she is keeping her Countess title.
"Absolutely, darling!" she told Us. "I'll always be the Countess!"
Need I say more? I think LuAnn, like some of her "marry a guy twice my age for money and then act surprised when he trades me in for a newer model" friends, speaks for herself.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Thanks to All the Lovely Green-Vegas Ladies!
My reading at Coffee to a Tea totally ROCKED. Mostly because of the lovely Sara Fraser, Aubrey Stevenson, and all their Rebel Deb ladies from Greenville, South Carolina.
Here are some pics from the event. Check out Rebel Deb Sara itchin' with excitement!
Thanks so much to everyone who came by! See ya'll soon, at another boutique/coffee shop/bookstore near you!
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Here are some pics from the event. Check out Rebel Deb Sara itchin' with excitement!
Thanks so much to everyone who came by! See ya'll soon, at another boutique/coffee shop/bookstore near you!
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
First Friday Fun!
from ArtandLightGallery.blogspot.com
As Promised -- New News from the District
Coffee to a Tea located in the old Tucker's Soda Shop building
OK everyone - First Fridayis just around the corner and I am tickled pink over it. We've got so much excitement in the air and I'm ready to share.
First of all, we have a brand new coffee, tea, dessert and sandwich shop in the neighborhood -- Coffee to a Tea. And it's not a minute too soon. We have dreamed of hot coffee and hot cookies for almost two years now in the PSAD (Pendleton Street Arts District).
Coffee to a Tea's doors flew open last week and I have to tell you - the pimento cheese sandwich on fresh baked sun dried tomato bread is heaven!
The official GRAND OPENING will be held this Friday, April 3 with a booking signing event. Join Dawn, Audrey and Kara as they welcome Anna Fields, author of Confessions of a Rebel Debutante. Anna has a planned reading and will be autograhing her books all night long.
Step on out for First Friday and stroll on down to Coffee to a Tea on Lois Street - just around the corner from Village Studios and Gallery.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
As Promised -- New News from the District
Coffee to a Tea located in the old Tucker's Soda Shop building
OK everyone - First Fridayis just around the corner and I am tickled pink over it. We've got so much excitement in the air and I'm ready to share.
First of all, we have a brand new coffee, tea, dessert and sandwich shop in the neighborhood -- Coffee to a Tea. And it's not a minute too soon. We have dreamed of hot coffee and hot cookies for almost two years now in the PSAD (Pendleton Street Arts District).
Coffee to a Tea's doors flew open last week and I have to tell you - the pimento cheese sandwich on fresh baked sun dried tomato bread is heaven!
The official GRAND OPENING will be held this Friday, April 3 with a booking signing event. Join Dawn, Audrey and Kara as they welcome Anna Fields, author of Confessions of a Rebel Debutante. Anna has a planned reading and will be autograhing her books all night long.
Step on out for First Friday and stroll on down to Coffee to a Tea on Lois Street - just around the corner from Village Studios and Gallery.
xoxo,
Rebel Deb
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