Before:

Aaaaand after (emo picture does not properly convey my absolute, complete, total, boogie-dancing delight with the cut):

Really, why do I ever get anything other than a stacked A-line? When my stylist was sweeping up the remains of my old cut, I told her to put that long hair in the trash can where it belongs.

(Interesting coincidence: A friend of mine who had no idea about today’s fun with hairdressers commented on a Facebook picture that my hair was looking a bit long…)

So if you’re like me, you’ve only recently become interested in economics – but that interest is no less intense for all its novelty. However, if you’re like me, your head also starts spinning anytime you encounter numbers in any form or words that sound even vaguely finance- or business-related. You desperately want to feel smart and informed and thus responsible and patriotic, but your talents lie in syntactical gymnastics and wordplay rather than in anything that feels currently useful. What to do?

Enter This American Life, one of my all-time favorite shows of any genre. TAL has produced two episodes that explain the housing crisis and its relationship to the current Wall Street tornadoes (and to the imminent financial ruin that we hear awaits us all). To hear them, check out the following:

The Giant Pool of Money

Another Frightening Show About the Economy

Enjoy…

Tried to embed the video, but couldn’t get it to work, so you’ll have to click the link:

Saturday Night Live: Joe vs. Sarah

And here’s another treat: