Identity crises are no longer just a personal problem.I am not myself these days. I don t know who I am, but I am definitely not myself. A lady on the phone as much as told me so. This was after she had given me a test to prove that I am me. I failed. All I was trying to do was place a phone order, using an existing credit account open in my name, for a new computer. But first the lady on the phone had to administer a test designed to detect and thwart identity theft. I didn't mind. We're big on detecting and thwarting identity theft in my house. We feel this way because our bank account was once frozen after I overdrew it buying dresses and jewelry jewelry, personal adornments worn for ornament or utility, to show rank or wealth, or to follow superstitious custom or fashion. The most universal forms of jewelry are the necklace, bracelet, ring, pin, and earring. in some chi-chi shops in L.A. This is why my wife has suggested that all our mail be run through a shredder before disposal. This means bills, invoices, invitations to have the house refinanced at a great low rate, things marked "Occupant," and postcards that say, "Have you seen me?" There will be no identity theft here, buster. So the lady names three cities The Three Cities is a collective description of the three fortified cities of Cospicua, Vittoriosa, and Senglea on the Island of Malta, which are enclosed by the massive line of fortification created by the Knights of St John, the Cottonera Lines. and asks which one I've ever lived in. Ha. Too easy. Sunrise, Fla. Lived there for two years, 10 years ago. What was your address? she asks. Address? Um ... 9341 something-something 20-something court. Hey, I only lived there for two years. Ten years ago! New question. Here are three addresses. Which one was once yours? It takes a moment, but finally 4221 Corona Corona, city, United States Corona (kərō`nə), city (1990 pop. 76,095), Riverside co., S Calif.; inc. 1896. The city developed as a primary citrus fruit producer and shipping center. There is also light manufacturing. Drive tings a faint bell. I think that's an address we lived at for six months, 23 years ago. "Boy, you guys are good," I say. The note of hesitancy hes·i·tan·cy n. An involuntary delay or inability in starting the urinary stream. is now a flutter Flutter (aeronautics) An aeroelastic self-excited vibration with a sustained or divergent amplitude, which occurs when a structure is placed in a flow of sufficiently high velocity. Flutter is an instability that can be extremely violent. of nervousness. Fluttery gets me nowhere. The woman reads three men's names and asks if any tings a bell. Trick question trick question n → pregunta capciosa trick question n → question-piège f trick question trick n → , fight? Heck, I never heard of any of those losers. Except that ... well, wait: that last one is my brother's middle name. Is that what you're looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. ? I mean, he doesn't use it, but ... Vigilance: Sometimes it goes too far. Ummm hmmm, she says. She says this in the studiously stu·di·ous adj. 1. a. Given to diligent study: a quiet, studious child. b. Conducive to study. 2. neutral, making-no-judgments-here tone of a detective interrogating a suspect. I am so toast. The verdict is not a surprise. They won't let me use my account because they're not sure that I am me. Not that all is lost, she says. The company will send a letter to my home address. If I call them from my home phone and follow the instructions in the letter, they will believe I am me. Unfortunately, I'm not at my home phone. I am in Ohio, family in tow, where I'll be teaching for a year. Won't be home before Thanksgiving. It occurs to me that the world has become less personal as it has become more convenient. Sometimes you wonder if the trade-off is worth it. My first credit account was not convenient. I must've been 17, 18 years old when I bought that stereo from Mr. Neely's store in L.A. Had to go in once a month and make payments. He marked them in a ledger, gave me a paper receipt. Not convenient at all, but I'll tell you this much: If I'd been dealing with Mr. Neely, I'd have my computer by now. Leonard Pitts Lenard Pitts is a nationally-syndicated columnist and winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. He was originally hired by the Miami Herald to critique music, but within a few years he received his own column in which he dealt extensively with race, politics, and culture. is a columnist for the Miami Herald. |
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