So, I found out on Wednesday that I had sold my soul away when I signed up to be a student at the University of Maryland. Apparently, almost any university official has virtually-complete access to my school records, which includes things like my name, address, university standing, and GPA, among other things.

I had no idea! In fact, I probably would have graduated in happy ignorance if The Man and I hadn’t been randomly talking about grades and stuff and he let it slip that it didn’t matter if I wouldn’t tell him my GPA, because he can look up my file whenever he wants. Now that’s creepy. And, might I add, doubly so because there was no disclosure whatsoever. No one ever mentions it — oh, excuse me, except for one ambiguous line hidden among a mess of legalese in a University “Privacy Statement” somewhere.

I know, I know, I’m a child of the 21st century, born into techological revolution and the internet age and I never had any privacy to begin with and blah blah blah — but, let me tell you, it’s different when you experience it in person. Being a marketing major and all, I thought I really didn’t care about this privacy nonsense. After all, what exactly are you trying to hide, anyway?

But GPA… I don’t care what anyone says to your face, they will judge you according to your GPA. And other things. Yes, I got the serious heebie-jeebies when I found out about this Big Brother thing going on at school.

So it gets me thinking, how much more do The Powers That Be know? And how will it affect my life and future?

See, this is why, for all that people fear and lothe the Evil Corporations, at least they’re honest about things like this. Sure, they say, we know your race and age and financial status and eye color and whether you dress to right or left every morning… but it’s just so we can manipulate you into buying crap! No ulterior motives, just an honest buck!

But the government (and the University), with all its lip-service to civil liberties and personal freedoms and right to privacy, doesn’t tell you how much it knows and how, exactly, it knows it all. And that, my friends, is a lot more dangerous than all that scary scary Starbucks advertising that gets thrown at us by the Evil Corporations.

Well anyway. That was my rant.

Thank goodness I’m a member of the illustrious Gen Y cohort, reknowned for our special brand of super-apathy… or I might’ve actually had to do something about this nonsense.

This weekend was the celebration (Bayrum) for the end of the holy month of Ramadan. When we were little we’d get money for Yet, but alas, we are now considered “too old.” (I know, it’s completely ridiculous.)

Anyway, the UAA sponsored a party for the Uighur community and a lot of people went, including us. It was fun; there was eating, music, dancing, etc. Also, we finally got to see Shahnaz and Dilnaz; we hadn’t met up since before they left for Urumqi, early in the summer. Shahnaz is getting married, which is beyond awesome, and doubly so because both Camira & I will be there for the wedding in Urumqi next summer. Yayness. I’ll finally get to see a real Uighur wedding from start to finish, Uighur style. And like I said, it’s even cooler because it’s someone I actually know - not some random cousin I haven’t seen since I was four years old.

Hopefully I’ll be able experience some real Bayrum celebrations Uighur style, too, during the first branch of the World Tour (TM).