Its been a while since I was here. There has been lots of goings-on in my little world. I did a reading at College of St Scholastica (a paying gig!), been working (not-so-diligently) on my schooling, and dealing with the teething devil-baby. Good times. Someone posted something not too long ago that made me laugh, about how living with toddlers is like being at a frat party. How true that is! Multi-colored plastic cups in the bathtub, half-naked girl crying in the corner, the plethora of vomit, and my favorite, waking up with someone in your bed who wasn't there when you went to sleep, and all you can think is "gosh, I hope those underpants are clean!"
Really, though, I've missed this. Blogging gives me the chance to be inside my head, but not in the clouds like poetry. I can ignore the screaming baby, the dinner that won't cook itself, and my ever-present friend, Mt. Washmore.
My husband made a suggestion the other day that I quit my job. I entertained that notion for a while, since I would both love and hate to be a stay-at-home mom. I would have to give up my few luxuries that I enjoy: permanent hair removal, designer purses, and shoes. I thought about it, but then just decided that not having the ADULT human contact with other folks who are just as angry and educated as I am would drive me to suicide. I have learned to love them all, my co-workers. We are delightfully miserable in our situation. Although now I feel like I have a leg up because I could leave at any time and not be any worse for the wear.
I won't ever leave. That's not the point. The point is that I could if I wanted. Makes it just a little more bearable, I think.
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Take the Power back
I got an anthology that I participated in through the mail today. In reading some of the poems in it, I was struck by how angry our youth is. No one writes complacent, happy poems. They are all vicious! These women have been scorned. I don't know by whom or what, but I am certainly glad I am not the object of their disdain.
I began thinking then, about the things I dislike in my world. Are they things that I can change, or will I be forced to accept these maladies without fight? Well, knowing me as well as I do, I won't go out without a fight. I ponder words that can direct views, I try them out while facing myself in the bathroom mirror. They are scary words, but I feel stronger and happier having said them, if only to myself.
I say them now, and to you. Don't be afraid to repeat them. "BEAUTY FADES, DUMB IS FOREVER" "IGNORANCE IS ONLY BLISS IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE BEING IGNORANT." I smile now, pen in hand. I create. I touch lives. I save lives. I will not die forgotten or forgettable. I will live as long as those I touch, and those they touch. I am a wave in the sea, but the sea would be nothing without its waves.
I began thinking then, about the things I dislike in my world. Are they things that I can change, or will I be forced to accept these maladies without fight? Well, knowing me as well as I do, I won't go out without a fight. I ponder words that can direct views, I try them out while facing myself in the bathroom mirror. They are scary words, but I feel stronger and happier having said them, if only to myself.
I say them now, and to you. Don't be afraid to repeat them. "BEAUTY FADES, DUMB IS FOREVER" "IGNORANCE IS ONLY BLISS IF YOU ARE COMFORTABLE BEING IGNORANT." I smile now, pen in hand. I create. I touch lives. I save lives. I will not die forgotten or forgettable. I will live as long as those I touch, and those they touch. I am a wave in the sea, but the sea would be nothing without its waves.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Does the color of my skin change me?
I am white. I do not profess to be anything but. Lately, however, I have been being discriminated against for the color of my skin. You see, I have tattoos, and lots of them. Clearly, that makes me unfit to work in the public eye, and a delinquent for sure.
My employer hired me with my tattoos. I believe at that point I was hired for my knowledge and ability to perform specific job duties. Somewhere in there, though, things changed. Essentia health bought SMDC a while back, and since then, there have been some policy changes. One such change is that tattoos will no longer be allowed to be exposed.
I now have to wear long sleeves at work, which is fine 9 months out of the year, but in August, it really sucks. It also poses a moral issue. Is Essentia health telling me I have to cover up the color of my skin? That is the only way I see it. They want to exude a certain image, and the color of my skin doesn't jive with that. Hmmmm....that seems closely aligned with the KKK.
So I may or may not wear long sleeves to work. I'm still debating whether or not this is worth pissing folks off who can ultimately take away my paycheck. But, if that were to happen, would that not be a glorious lawsuit?
My employer hired me with my tattoos. I believe at that point I was hired for my knowledge and ability to perform specific job duties. Somewhere in there, though, things changed. Essentia health bought SMDC a while back, and since then, there have been some policy changes. One such change is that tattoos will no longer be allowed to be exposed.
I now have to wear long sleeves at work, which is fine 9 months out of the year, but in August, it really sucks. It also poses a moral issue. Is Essentia health telling me I have to cover up the color of my skin? That is the only way I see it. They want to exude a certain image, and the color of my skin doesn't jive with that. Hmmmm....that seems closely aligned with the KKK.
So I may or may not wear long sleeves to work. I'm still debating whether or not this is worth pissing folks off who can ultimately take away my paycheck. But, if that were to happen, would that not be a glorious lawsuit?
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