When Taqwanna Clark went to buy a video camera at Fry’s Electronics in Houston, she asked if they had a layaway plan. The cashier instead handed her an application for a store credit card. She applied. “Instantly, it came back declined — like, No!” she says. “Denied, denied — you know, your credit is not good enough.” Clark was 30 and working as a security guard at the Port of Houston. On weekends, she performed as a rapper in the local club scene, under the name T-Baby. She wanted the camera to shoot music videos, to promote her music career. “If I can’t afford a $200 camera,” she recalls thinking, “then I’m in a bad way with this credit thing.” Clark had lived with money anxieties since childhood. In elementary school, her family endured periods of extreme poverty. For a time, on the cusp of homelessness, they lived in the bare framing for a house her father was building on a wooded lot owned by a family member. They slept in an unfinished room and warmed canned food by a … [Read more...] about The High Cost of Bad Credit
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‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’ Is a TV Rarity With Familiar Drama
The finale of Netflix’s latest dating show hit, “The Ultimatum: Queer Love,” arrived on Wednesday after weeks of partner swapping that amounted to a milestone in romantic reality television: The first of the genre’s marriage contests that focused exclusively on queer couples. Like its predecessor, “The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On,” from last year, “The Ultimatum: Queer Love,” which premiered in May, follows couples who don’t agree about their future together (one wants to get engaged; the other is not ready). So they agree to split up and live with new partners for a few weeks in front of the cameras. After meeting, dating and committing to a “trial wife,” the original couples reunite to live together as married, also for a few weeks. Then, after eight episodes worth of soul-searching, they must decide whether to get engaged, end the relationship or leave with their “trial wife” — the “ultimatum” of the title. “I feel like we’re at a lesbian club, and all our exes are here,” a … [Read more...] about ‘The Ultimatum: Queer Love’ Is a TV Rarity With Familiar Drama
Critic’s Notebook; A Taste of What the Early Bird Caught
See the article in its original context from March 18, 1998 Section Page Buy Reprints View on timesmachine TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. THE waiter looks worried. He makes a gesture with his hands, searching for words. ''Worms,'' he says finally. ''Gusanos are worms.'' ''How are they cooked?'' I ask. ''Fried,'' he says. ''In lard. But I am so sorry. We have just run out.'' What a shame. I have come to Cien Anos, a small, fancy establishment in Tijuana, because the restaurant has a reputation for ''alta cocina Mexicana.'' Friends from San Diego have sent me here to try the huitlacoche crepes. I have eaten this esoteric corn fungus in restaurants from California to New York, but its charms have always eluded me. Perhaps, I thought, it is something you have to experience on native ground. The San Diego friend who sent me to Cien Anos insisted that I also try all the little appetizer dishes that are the … [Read more...] about Critic’s Notebook; A Taste of What the Early Bird Caught
Lizzy Caplan, Sex-Ed Teacher to the World
The actress talks to Eric Spitznagel about awards shows, the allure of reality television and that one time she applied for the C.I.A. You’re nominated for an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a drama series, “Masters of Sex.” Can we be presumptuous and assume you’re going to win on Aug. 25? I don’t think it’s fair to assume that at all. I’m Jewish, so I’m predisposed to assume there’s no chance in hell that’s going to happen. Are you excited to be at the Emmys, or is it just something you’re obligated to do? I mean, obviously I haven’t been nominated in the past, but anything where you’re getting super gussied up and wearing uncomfortable shoes and watching people make speeches hasn’t been my cup of tea. I’m legitimately excited, though. When you watch an award show at home, are you reverent about it, or do you make snarky comments? A combination of the two. I generally watch it with friends, and we wear sweatpants and eat a lot of food. It’s my ideal way to enjoy an … [Read more...] about Lizzy Caplan, Sex-Ed Teacher to the World
Massanutten Resort will host 20th Annual Fall Festival Oct 13
0 This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own. Kids & Family All proceeds will benefit the McGaheysville and Elkton Fire & Rescue Squads Lilly Ramirez , Neighbor Posted Reply Massanutten Resort will host the 20th Annual Fall Festival on October 13 MASSANUTTEN, Virginia — This year marks the 20th year for Fall Festival at Massanutten, the most popular area event of the season, where Massanutten Resort will welcome more than 6,000 attendees from the local area and beyond to their ski slopes in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia for a celebration of all things fall. This year’s event will be held on Saturday, October 13 from 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. and will provide a little something for everyone. Visitors can partake in a host of fun, which this year includes 3 live, local & regional bands, including sets from the lively Dell Foxx … [Read more...] about Massanutten Resort will host 20th Annual Fall Festival Oct 13
Nolte: Criterion Channel Streams Censored ‘French Connection’ Without Telling Subscribers
According to numerous viewers, Criterion Channel is offering up a censored version of The French Connection (1971) without informing subscribers. Why is Criterion showing a censored version? Without any note or warning about the edits? — matthew keough (@kumarkeo) June 4, 2023 Don't you think that showing a censored version of the movie, that deemphasizes the main character's ugly racism, makes the film less effective? — Colin Cram (@colincram) June 7, 2023 @criterionchannl is committing serious customer service mistakes here. They’ve been ignoring a serious amount of censorship complaints about an Oscar-winning film for 2-3 days now. You’re about to lose customers. And you’re tarnishing the @Criterion brand. — David Ortega (@RealDavidOrtega) June 6, 2023 My guess is that Criterion Channel is not responsible for vandalizing this Best Picture winner. The copy it streams was almost certainly censored by Disney or 20 th Century Fox itself before the … [Read more...] about Nolte: Criterion Channel Streams Censored ‘French Connection’ Without Telling Subscribers