You'd think teaching would be enough but I'd like to do more. I can't seem to figure out HOW to find an appropriate venue to correct my total lack of altruism.
It would probably help if I had any kind of idea about what I'm in. I am happy to take suggestions if ya got any.
Nov 23, 2007
Nov 12, 2007
You say Jeep, I say Lemon...
Today I am stranded at home researching Texas Lemon Laws seeing as how, a mere 12.5 months after I purchased it, my Jeep is once again dead in the garage.
The damn thing is driving me crazy! In the past year I've had it in for repairs 5 times, twice since June of this year. Saturday, D and I noticed that the fan was running, even after the engine was off. Saturday night when we went outside to leave for DD's pre-birthday drinks-fest, the truck was dead. WTF! We took D's Saturn and went to get toasted, silently stewing about the defective piece of crap I'm paying entirely too much for.
I take it back to the dealer today only to be told the service manager isn't there and sales doesn't open until 11. Now I'm waiting. I'm supposed to be at a training for work AND baking a cake for DD since today's her actual birthday. Can't do any of that since I: (a) can't drive the damn truck, (b) don't trust it not to die on in the middle of the freeway, and (c) may have to pay to have it repaired, which will piss me off even more.
Being at least 75% realistic about this situation, I'm going to see if I can get CarMax to buy the fucker off me and sell me a car. The recurring maintenance issues added to the current cost of gas just makes the Jeep a bad purchase and not one I'm willing to continue dealing with.
Looking online it looks like the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a shitetastic vehicle to begin with it and I never should have purchased it. Lesson learned. Time to move on.
The damn thing is driving me crazy! In the past year I've had it in for repairs 5 times, twice since June of this year. Saturday, D and I noticed that the fan was running, even after the engine was off. Saturday night when we went outside to leave for DD's pre-birthday drinks-fest, the truck was dead. WTF! We took D's Saturn and went to get toasted, silently stewing about the defective piece of crap I'm paying entirely too much for.
I take it back to the dealer today only to be told the service manager isn't there and sales doesn't open until 11. Now I'm waiting. I'm supposed to be at a training for work AND baking a cake for DD since today's her actual birthday. Can't do any of that since I: (a) can't drive the damn truck, (b) don't trust it not to die on in the middle of the freeway, and (c) may have to pay to have it repaired, which will piss me off even more.
Being at least 75% realistic about this situation, I'm going to see if I can get CarMax to buy the fucker off me and sell me a car. The recurring maintenance issues added to the current cost of gas just makes the Jeep a bad purchase and not one I'm willing to continue dealing with.
Looking online it looks like the 2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee was a shitetastic vehicle to begin with it and I never should have purchased it. Lesson learned. Time to move on.
Nov 9, 2007
Teaching & Racism
A colleague sent me this article: http://kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/
Excellent article. I have to say that many times even being black doesn't guarantee that connection that teachers often need to make. I know nothing of gang violence and almost nothing of going hungry and/or being afraid; I certainly can't speak to any idea of a "limited" future. I was told since age 6 that I was smart and therefore going to college. Every black experience is different and people tend to either forget or ignore that fact in favor of broad generalizations.
I can understand the writer's feelings, how do you teach any aspect of black history when you're a white teacher in a black classroom. But by the same token, how do you teach black history if you're a black teacher in a white classroom? In both scenarios someone is going to feel victimized and/or uncomfortable. There's no comfortable way to address racism in this country, particularly when no one wants to have that unpleasant conversation in the first place. It's a very delicate discussion to try to have in any case.
I suppose you do the best you can and hope the rest turns out all right.
Excellent article. I have to say that many times even being black doesn't guarantee that connection that teachers often need to make. I know nothing of gang violence and almost nothing of going hungry and/or being afraid; I certainly can't speak to any idea of a "limited" future. I was told since age 6 that I was smart and therefore going to college. Every black experience is different and people tend to either forget or ignore that fact in favor of broad generalizations.
I can understand the writer's feelings, how do you teach any aspect of black history when you're a white teacher in a black classroom. But by the same token, how do you teach black history if you're a black teacher in a white classroom? In both scenarios someone is going to feel victimized and/or uncomfortable. There's no comfortable way to address racism in this country, particularly when no one wants to have that unpleasant conversation in the first place. It's a very delicate discussion to try to have in any case.
I suppose you do the best you can and hope the rest turns out all right.
Nov 4, 2007
A Brief Bout with Honesty
The ease with which people lie to each other is only matched by the frequency with which they lie to themselves. The truth is tricky and often quite depressing, while lies feed the soul like fast food and have a fattening effect as well. Even a false sense of security is better than none, I suppose.
This probably sounds melodramatic and silly but ask yourself this: given an option between a harsh truth and a gentle lie, do you really even think about it? Between hearing ‘you’re under-qualified for this job’ or ‘we’ve decided to go in a different direction with the position’ which do you prefer? And be honest.
Subterfuge is the true skill that separates us from the animals, thumbs be damned. Some animals can learn to open doors but can they convince themselves of their superiority over every other thing on the planet? No. But I can.
Superiority is a mind fuck that requires a solid dose of lies to back it up, just ask the Third Reich (or the Republicans). There is safety in lies and disenchantment, just as there is security in paranoia and egomania. People cling to whatever mechanism makes the world a slightly less traumatic environment for them. Survival of the fittest in today’s world means the ability to rapidly delude oneself without having to muck about with a conscience or ideals. Screw or be screwed, so to speak.
The meek may inherit the earth but the strong will make sure it’s a pretty shitty place by the time they’re done with it.
This probably sounds melodramatic and silly but ask yourself this: given an option between a harsh truth and a gentle lie, do you really even think about it? Between hearing ‘you’re under-qualified for this job’ or ‘we’ve decided to go in a different direction with the position’ which do you prefer? And be honest.
Subterfuge is the true skill that separates us from the animals, thumbs be damned. Some animals can learn to open doors but can they convince themselves of their superiority over every other thing on the planet? No. But I can.
Superiority is a mind fuck that requires a solid dose of lies to back it up, just ask the Third Reich (or the Republicans). There is safety in lies and disenchantment, just as there is security in paranoia and egomania. People cling to whatever mechanism makes the world a slightly less traumatic environment for them. Survival of the fittest in today’s world means the ability to rapidly delude oneself without having to muck about with a conscience or ideals. Screw or be screwed, so to speak.
The meek may inherit the earth but the strong will make sure it’s a pretty shitty place by the time they’re done with it.
Former Blogs
Once I was angryblackchick.
It was cool but I lost interest. I've shut it down but you can still find it online. However there are some really fantastic rants on there and I've decided to move them over here. I still feel the same about those topics I wrote about and there's some great writing going on there.
So if you've read these previous rants just ignore them and stick to the newer stuff. If you've not read them, enjoy.
Feel free to leave a comment but try to at least remain civil.
It was cool but I lost interest. I've shut it down but you can still find it online. However there are some really fantastic rants on there and I've decided to move them over here. I still feel the same about those topics I wrote about and there's some great writing going on there.
So if you've read these previous rants just ignore them and stick to the newer stuff. If you've not read them, enjoy.
Feel free to leave a comment but try to at least remain civil.
Nov 2, 2007
Thinking Pink
My mentor at work was diagnosed with breast cancer in August.
It's weird but I've never known anyone with breast cancer. My great-grandmother had stomach cancer (and an iron will), my grandfather had brain tumors, and colon cancer took my uncle Robert before he turned 60 - so I'm no stranger to cancer. But breast cancer is new to me; I find myself unable to think of anything to say and kind of awkwardly hoping she's going to be okay.
I've never really given a lot of thought to breast cancer and/or the organizations searching to find a cure but now I notice the pink ribbons, etc. everywhere and I find myself thinking about ways to donate and/or benefit the research.
Why is it that people only become interested in areas like breast cancer research when they know someone personally going through the disease? Or is that just me?
It's weird but I've never known anyone with breast cancer. My great-grandmother had stomach cancer (and an iron will), my grandfather had brain tumors, and colon cancer took my uncle Robert before he turned 60 - so I'm no stranger to cancer. But breast cancer is new to me; I find myself unable to think of anything to say and kind of awkwardly hoping she's going to be okay.
I've never really given a lot of thought to breast cancer and/or the organizations searching to find a cure but now I notice the pink ribbons, etc. everywhere and I find myself thinking about ways to donate and/or benefit the research.
Why is it that people only become interested in areas like breast cancer research when they know someone personally going through the disease? Or is that just me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)