Thoroughly enjoyed the Standing Bear Pow Wow. Last year the really good dancers didn't seem to be there, but this year they were there in droves - it was great.
I'm going to the Native Freedman of the Five Civilized Tribes Pow Wow next weekend. I won't be camping even though it is well over an hours drive, because I will be traveling with some friends and they will be coming home Friday night and going back on Saturday.
The Freedman are trying to get this Pow Wow built up and we're all glad to go and participate and hopefully it will become a yearly event.
Here's my thoughts on Freedman getting tribal status and benefits.
Many years ago, when the escapee slaves and Freeman negros migrated south and lived with tribes of the Southeast - Creek/Seminole/Cherokee and others, they intermarried and had biracial children.
I believe the decendents of these children should be given membership status. If they qualify for a CDIB, then they should qualify for a tribal card.
I don't believe that decendents of these children who cannot qualify for a CDIB should get a tribal card.
There are many native's that because their grandparents didn't want to be assimilated and put on roles, etc., that are denied membership because of their grandparents choices. Its unforturnate...but that's they way it is.
I'll now get down from my soapbox.
Its a gorgeous cool day here in Okie-homa. Still warm enough to sleep with the windows open. I do not look forward to closing them and turning on the heater.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
She made her point - and lost a customer
Preface - the following conversation was done in a nice even voice - I don't yell, get mad, throw things or anything like that - I'm more of a - let's talk about it - and then if the conclusion isn't acceptable I just walk away.
---
Yesterday was a very busy day. I have a business where I make Native American Dance Regalia plus I teach Native American Craft classes (moccasins, dance fans, beadwork, etc.) at a Vo Tech in the next town over.
I had 3 places to stop before getting to the school for class and had the time down to barely enough to get everything done and still complete some work at home. Then, a good friend called and needed help with her computer. She's 70 and is getting online!!! You go girl! Anyway, I went out to her house to help her. Of course it took longer than expected, but I figured I could still make all 3 stops before class.
The first stop was to a small shop where that carries an item I need in my business. I've shopped at this shop many times and usually spend upwards to $100 each time. I'm not their best customer - but I am a frequent customer. And who knows I might be in the market for some of their pricier goods someday.
As usual, I grabbed my credit card and put it in my jacket pocket so it would be a quick in/out stop.
Anyway, in about 10 seconds I had the two small items I needed in hand and proceeded to the checkout counter. The new little clerk asked me if I had a frequent buyers card - No, I said. Would I like to sign up for one? No, I said. Did I find everything I needed? Yes, I said. And she rang up my sale. She even offered me one of their fancy-dancy paper sacks, but since I'm trying to live as green and frugally as I can, I said, don't bother with the sack, I'll just toss them in my purse. Thank you she said.
She processed the credit card and said - oh, your card isn't signed, can I see some ID? No, I said. - Now, I rarely get asked for proof of ID, and in the once every 2 or 3 years when I tell the clerk no - then they just go about their business, have me sign the receipt and I walk out with the goods. Of course I had my ID, in my purse, but I was in a hurry and the total was only $12.80.
So the owner, who has waited on me several times came over and said - we can't process this sale without ID. I said - so you're rather lose a sale because the back of my card isn't signed? She said she was only doing it to protect me. I thanked her and I asked her if the card had been signed and matched the signature on the receipt then she would have not questioned the purchase. She said that was correct. I said, so the next time I steal a card all I have to do it sign the persons name in my handwriting and I'm good to go. She didn't have a response.
Besides that - I said - I think I'd probably use a stolen credit card for a lot more than $12.80 - like buying gasoline or food.
I said - You know I shop here, its not like I've never been in here before. And she said the DA said she wasn't to accept cards without a signature. I must have looked surprised because I said - the DA handles credit card fraud? (I take credit cards and the DA in my town doesn't do credit card fraud - its a civil matter, plus I'm protected by my credit card processing center.)
I said OK and turned and left the store. Outside at the car I realized I left my keys on the counter. So back in I go and the owner is standing there holding the credit card receipt. I pick up my keys and turn to leave again and she said - the charge went through. I stopped and asked, so you're going to let me have my purchase? She said - with ID. Fine, I said, just reverse the charges and again headed towards the door.
From behind she says ... but I need your card to issue a refund.
I stop and head back to the counter. I handed her my card and she turned to process the refund. The new clerk said she was sorry, and the owner said - don't apologize to her - you're only doing what I told you to do. So now the owner has turned back to me with my card and refund slip. I take the card and turn to leave.
She said you need to sign the refund receipt.
I stopped and turned again - and said, without ID? She said yes. So, I signed the refund receipt and as I was putting the card back in my billfold, I took out my ID, showed it to the clerk, and said, I just don't want you to think I really am a liar and a thief.
As I was putting the ID back into my billfold, I asked the owner if she had a website. Yes - she said. I asked - so you take internet orders? Yes - she said.
I wonder how long it took her to realize she takes credit card orders without being able to see ID, but won't accept a card from a return customer standing in front of her.
I still made it to the other 2 stops and to class on time. I know this could all have been prevented - but dang it...
---
Yesterday was a very busy day. I have a business where I make Native American Dance Regalia plus I teach Native American Craft classes (moccasins, dance fans, beadwork, etc.) at a Vo Tech in the next town over.
I had 3 places to stop before getting to the school for class and had the time down to barely enough to get everything done and still complete some work at home. Then, a good friend called and needed help with her computer. She's 70 and is getting online!!! You go girl! Anyway, I went out to her house to help her. Of course it took longer than expected, but I figured I could still make all 3 stops before class.
The first stop was to a small shop where that carries an item I need in my business. I've shopped at this shop many times and usually spend upwards to $100 each time. I'm not their best customer - but I am a frequent customer. And who knows I might be in the market for some of their pricier goods someday.
As usual, I grabbed my credit card and put it in my jacket pocket so it would be a quick in/out stop.
Anyway, in about 10 seconds I had the two small items I needed in hand and proceeded to the checkout counter. The new little clerk asked me if I had a frequent buyers card - No, I said. Would I like to sign up for one? No, I said. Did I find everything I needed? Yes, I said. And she rang up my sale. She even offered me one of their fancy-dancy paper sacks, but since I'm trying to live as green and frugally as I can, I said, don't bother with the sack, I'll just toss them in my purse. Thank you she said.
She processed the credit card and said - oh, your card isn't signed, can I see some ID? No, I said. - Now, I rarely get asked for proof of ID, and in the once every 2 or 3 years when I tell the clerk no - then they just go about their business, have me sign the receipt and I walk out with the goods. Of course I had my ID, in my purse, but I was in a hurry and the total was only $12.80.
So the owner, who has waited on me several times came over and said - we can't process this sale without ID. I said - so you're rather lose a sale because the back of my card isn't signed? She said she was only doing it to protect me. I thanked her and I asked her if the card had been signed and matched the signature on the receipt then she would have not questioned the purchase. She said that was correct. I said, so the next time I steal a card all I have to do it sign the persons name in my handwriting and I'm good to go. She didn't have a response.
Besides that - I said - I think I'd probably use a stolen credit card for a lot more than $12.80 - like buying gasoline or food.
I said - You know I shop here, its not like I've never been in here before. And she said the DA said she wasn't to accept cards without a signature. I must have looked surprised because I said - the DA handles credit card fraud? (I take credit cards and the DA in my town doesn't do credit card fraud - its a civil matter, plus I'm protected by my credit card processing center.)
I said OK and turned and left the store. Outside at the car I realized I left my keys on the counter. So back in I go and the owner is standing there holding the credit card receipt. I pick up my keys and turn to leave again and she said - the charge went through. I stopped and asked, so you're going to let me have my purchase? She said - with ID. Fine, I said, just reverse the charges and again headed towards the door.
From behind she says ... but I need your card to issue a refund.
I stop and head back to the counter. I handed her my card and she turned to process the refund. The new clerk said she was sorry, and the owner said - don't apologize to her - you're only doing what I told you to do. So now the owner has turned back to me with my card and refund slip. I take the card and turn to leave.
She said you need to sign the refund receipt.
I stopped and turned again - and said, without ID? She said yes. So, I signed the refund receipt and as I was putting the card back in my billfold, I took out my ID, showed it to the clerk, and said, I just don't want you to think I really am a liar and a thief.
As I was putting the ID back into my billfold, I asked the owner if she had a website. Yes - she said. I asked - so you take internet orders? Yes - she said.
I wonder how long it took her to realize she takes credit card orders without being able to see ID, but won't accept a card from a return customer standing in front of her.
I still made it to the other 2 stops and to class on time. I know this could all have been prevented - but dang it...
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Week1 - Post 2
Thanks for all that have extended their friendship and well wishes for my travels. I'm planning a trip to a Pow Wow this weekend, but its only 40 miles away. A friend of mine is coming from 90 miles away and he may take the Squeelin Gypsy there and camp and I'll just drive home Friday and Saturday nights.
I'm a pretty frugal gal and hate to buy anything new - about all I use Wally World for is the essentials to keep clean and healthy. So, I went to several charity thrift stores yesterday looking for things for the Gypsy. I found 2 yard of what I think to be an acrylic felt type of product. I'm not sure what it is, but I am sure that it will be good to lay down on a park table as a table cloth, on the floor for wet/muddy shoes, or as a ground cover in case I want something more solid to set my chair on when chillin by the wayside. Don't know what its intended purpose is, but for $1.50 for 2 yards its a bargain in my books!!!
What I learned today: Me, an unbiased/unprejudiced person that doesn't base opinions on a persons race, sex or preferences, was surprised that when I went to an appointment with someone I had never met, and found them to be nowhere near what I imagined based on their name. I have to remember that all Bubba's aren't big white country boys and that all LaQuisha's arent always small, round, black girls. The lesson - don't peg someone based on their name. Lesson learned.
I'm a pretty frugal gal and hate to buy anything new - about all I use Wally World for is the essentials to keep clean and healthy. So, I went to several charity thrift stores yesterday looking for things for the Gypsy. I found 2 yard of what I think to be an acrylic felt type of product. I'm not sure what it is, but I am sure that it will be good to lay down on a park table as a table cloth, on the floor for wet/muddy shoes, or as a ground cover in case I want something more solid to set my chair on when chillin by the wayside. Don't know what its intended purpose is, but for $1.50 for 2 yards its a bargain in my books!!!
What I learned today: Me, an unbiased/unprejudiced person that doesn't base opinions on a persons race, sex or preferences, was surprised that when I went to an appointment with someone I had never met, and found them to be nowhere near what I imagined based on their name. I have to remember that all Bubba's aren't big white country boys and that all LaQuisha's arent always small, round, black girls. The lesson - don't peg someone based on their name. Lesson learned.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Week 1
Well, I finally did it. I have been wanting to try my hand at boondocking in my big old van for some time, and this weekend was the first time I actually slept in it while on a trip. I've thought for a long time about getting out and away - but thought a single woman just didn't go traveling and sleeping in their van. That was until I found the RVBuddies and Boondocking forums on Yahoo.
I don't intend to live in the van. I just want to go/see/play/do as much as I can. I hope to make many friends out on the road and to cram as much living into each day as possible. No more thinking about it...it IS time for action!
For the next several years I'll be taking my van on weekend and longer trips while maintaining my home base. I will come home long enough to finish some jobs (I'm self employed) to make enough money to go on the road again.
My primary interest is in Native American cultural activities. I'm Native and will be boondocking at Pow Wow's near and far. All it takes is time, gas/food money and for the old "Squeelin Gypsy" to make it another mile down the road.
If you're wondering about the name of my blog, my old 1992 Ford van squeels. I've had it worked on a couple of times and neither mechanic could stop it. You know, the kind that when you hear a car going down the road you have to stop and look at it? Yep, that'll be me....squeelin and rollin down the road! The Gypsy part of the name comes from one of my relatives referring to my somewhat unconventional lifestyle as that of a Gypsy. Works for me...I'm just glad he didn't refer to me as the Village Idiot or my blog would be called the Squeelin Village Idiont!!! LOL The squeel will probably make slealth parking somewhat less effective, so I'll just have to make sure I'm settled for the night before it gets too late and I wake everyone up!!!
What I learned this week: IF you're already parked in a sweet spot for sleeping, don't go wandering around trying to find someplace better. I thought I didn't want to sleep in a field by the Pow Wow grounds so I ended up in a hospital parking lot. It was a small town, so there wasn't much going on at the hospital, but there were plenty of lights on. I should have stayed parked out in the field where it was really dark and quiet. Lesson learned.
I don't intend to live in the van. I just want to go/see/play/do as much as I can. I hope to make many friends out on the road and to cram as much living into each day as possible. No more thinking about it...it IS time for action!
For the next several years I'll be taking my van on weekend and longer trips while maintaining my home base. I will come home long enough to finish some jobs (I'm self employed) to make enough money to go on the road again.
My primary interest is in Native American cultural activities. I'm Native and will be boondocking at Pow Wow's near and far. All it takes is time, gas/food money and for the old "Squeelin Gypsy" to make it another mile down the road.
If you're wondering about the name of my blog, my old 1992 Ford van squeels. I've had it worked on a couple of times and neither mechanic could stop it. You know, the kind that when you hear a car going down the road you have to stop and look at it? Yep, that'll be me....squeelin and rollin down the road! The Gypsy part of the name comes from one of my relatives referring to my somewhat unconventional lifestyle as that of a Gypsy. Works for me...I'm just glad he didn't refer to me as the Village Idiot or my blog would be called the Squeelin Village Idiont!!! LOL The squeel will probably make slealth parking somewhat less effective, so I'll just have to make sure I'm settled for the night before it gets too late and I wake everyone up!!!
What I learned this week: IF you're already parked in a sweet spot for sleeping, don't go wandering around trying to find someplace better. I thought I didn't want to sleep in a field by the Pow Wow grounds so I ended up in a hospital parking lot. It was a small town, so there wasn't much going on at the hospital, but there were plenty of lights on. I should have stayed parked out in the field where it was really dark and quiet. Lesson learned.
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