Pay what you owe: Higher learning and student loan debt

May 04, 2016 by Soul On Ice

August 4, 2015 and December 18, 2015 are two of the most memorable dates up to the 33 years that have been spent on this earth. The first signified the successful defense of a dissertation while the second marked the official end of a journey that has taken place since 5 years old. It was the culmination of 28 years of formal education. The latter should have been a joyous occasion, and it was. However, it was also the realization that while one accomplishment came to be, another challenge awaited, a challenge and an obstacle that anyone who has pursued a higher education and used financial assistance in the form of student loans knows all about: paying student loans back.

For the next ten years, the mission, whether it is to be accepted or not, is to pay back student loans and, honestly, it is a mission that is looked at not with complete dread and disgust, but with curiosity and, yes, anticipation. There is something to be said for people who pay what they owe. Paying what you owe is a sign that someone’s word is bond. Sure, it would be easy to join the chorus of students saddled with serious and substantial student loan debt and scream, “Fuck Sallie Mae,” but all the screams and chants in the world won’t change the balance that’s owed on those student loans. So instead of being pissed off about it, the goal is to embrace the challenge of paying what is owed.

Experiencing Purple Rain for the first time

May 02, 2016 by Soul On Ice

Two pieces appeared on this site over the past 12 days which are central to what is going on with today’s post: one piece was about going to the movies and the other was about Prince. Going to the movies, while fun, is not what it used to be and some of the reasons why are highlighted in the piece. As it pertains to Prince, the theme was Prince being appreciated from afar, realizing the talent and gift he shared with the people, and realizing that joining the party late was one of the biggest regrets topping the personal list of regrets.

One thing that never took place, until last Saturday night, was seeing Purple Rain. Sure, there were opportunities to watch the movie in the past, but those opportunities mostly consisted of the movie coming on television. When a movie is scaled down for television consumption, the drawback is usually an abbreviated, bastardized and compromised version of the authentically-told film that was in theatres or elsewhere that is not constrained by being on TV. As much as there was a desire to watch the movie, watching it on TV wasn’t going to work. Luckily, movie theatres around the country realize the magnitude of the loss of Prince and brought it back to the big screen. A local theatre in Dallas with some history of its own advertised a 9 P.M. showing for Purple Rain a week in advance, and plans were set in motion to make sure to be there.

Tales from the needle: Volume VI

April 29, 2016 by Soul On Ice in Tales from the needle

Tales from the Needle is a weekly series which will highlight people and their tattoos. Some people have a favorite tat, their most memorable ink. Some people put more emphasis on the needle from a tattoo gun penetrated their skin while others have one they wish they never put any ink on their body.

Every Friday, the blog will have a first-person story of a person and their tats of choice, using only images of their tats keeps the theme of this being a faceless site. The images seen here will merely aid in bringing nuance to the numerous layers that compose the person.

Necessity or no thanks: Cable TV and live streaming in the 21st century

April 27, 2016 by Soul On Ice

It’s the end of the month, aka “time to pay some bills.” The end of the month rarely ceases to amaze, but there are exceptions. About two months ago, per the usual at every month’s end, the time arrives to pay the bills. Rent? Check. Electricity? Check. Phone bill? Check. Car insurance? Check (well, that comes out automatically on the 1st of every month, but you get the point).

Next, the cable+internet bill. After typing in the cable’s official website, and clicking “Pay Bill,” the monthly total left me absolutely floored: $183.99. In a state of disbelief and boiled-over fury, I paid the bill first (because no matter how upset one gets, there’s still an obligation to pay what you owe) and immediately called the cable company second. That recent bill was the day when the hijinx would stop, the robbery would end, and the proverbial shit was going to hit the fan. After being on a brief hold, the exchange with the customer service representative at the local cable company went a little something like this:

“How much would the monthly bill be if cable is moved and internet is kept?”

“Let’s see, sir.” *customer service reps punches keys on a keyboard smoothly for a few seconds* “Okay, sir. Your monthly bill would go from $177 a month to $65.”

“It would go to WHAT????? Oh, that cable’s got to go. Get rid of that now.”