I was watching an Internet program called "what would you do" which is kind of a social justice version of the old Candid Camera. It puts real people in uncomfortable social situations to see how they react. This one was entitled "reverse racism" which put a white woman with a black boyfriend in a barbershop in Harlem. The woman cutting her BF's hair ( also an actress) began talking badly about how he could be dating a white woman. A number of patrons took her to task about it, but some just sat there, uncomfortable. It was an interesting experiment, as all the "What would you do" pieces are, but the title "reverse racism" got me thinking. It implies that whites have a lock on racism and that racism toward them is unusual. I don't think so. I think anyone can be racist. Anyone can try to insult or deny someone a basic right based only on their race. I don't think we whites have an exclusive on it. Racism is ignorance in action, no matter who is doing the talking.
I see Jan Brewer caved to economic pressure and vetoed that ridiculous bill that encouraged discrimination based on a supposed "religious right" since WHEN is hate a religious value. Not the Christianity I believe in. I often wonder what Christ would say, if he saw the atrocities committed in his name. This "law" was meant to legalize bigotry. Can't a business clearly state "we reserve the right to refuse business to anyone" I think that is what the signs say. Making it the law is just plain wrong. The fact that she did it for economic, rather than humanist reasons speaks to the kind of person who is in charge in the state of Arizona. I think Arizonan's need to take a cold hard look at their elected officials and make a change in the coming elections. I know there are businesses who treated me poorly and I will NEVER go back there. Why would I spend my hard earned money at a place that clearly didn't want business from the likes of me? I have let my friends know what happened to me at some of these places and have encouraged them to seek out other businesses who provided better service. If someone did not want to make me a cake, sell me a dress or serve me a meal, I didn't raise a fuss, I just left and let others know not to use that business. It's called business and the reputation within the community is what drives it. If someone is so ignorant that they don't want MY business, then I will let others know. Hitting businesses in the pocket may not change the owner's narrow mind, but it may change their operating policies.
The rain woke me up at 3 a.m. It's going to be a busy day at work. I am also going to be up at McGroarty Arts Center for Fourth Friday's. Come on up, brave the rain and hear a local band Frankie and Friends- jazz fusion and 70's and 80's hits. I'm tending bar!
Friday, February 28, 2014
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Arcadia. Who knew?
Well apparently America did. Last Saturday night, I was treated to the little vacation I needed. I want to thank Wil and Jen for making the night possible and a lot of fun. But as usual, I digress...
I've been pretty sick lately, stress mostly has caused my asthma to return in spades. My husband and I were trying to figure out a mini vacation for me when Jen told me she had seats to a show about 20 minutes from the house. I revived rather quickly ( like the old Bill Cosby routine, where he fakes being sick and gets well after three pm) I wasn't faking but the thought of seeing my favortie band and so close to home was JUST the tonic I needed.
We got to the venue ( free parking) and I saw a co-worker who was working the door. It's a small community, the non-profit art world! We went inside and as we had backstage passes we were escorted with a brisk efficiency by one of the ushers. We sat and chatted with Wil for a bit and talked with Glynnis and Rich. Nice folks all of them!
We had excellent seats. The sound was not as wonderful as I had hoped. The vocals were not balanced correctly through several of the first songs ( too much harmony, not enough lead) I MUST be married to a bass player because at one point I found myself thinking "this song could use more bass." Some of it just seemed to be "America Light"
I was delighted by the new guitarist, Billy the kid Worrell, the former guitar tech. The kid has some big shoes to fill, following another former guitar tech, Michael Woods. Woodz stepped in when Dan abruptly left the band in 1977. His stage antics were always a delight to see, and I missed seeing him. Bill was all over the stage and fun to watch. The lad did a fine job.
The show was over too soon. We did go backstage again and I got a chance to chat with Matt Beckley. He's such a nice guy. I have to take a look and see what he is up to with music. I think he said he was producing a few acts. I DO miss seeing HIM perform and it was nice to see him join the rest of the band and Bobby Woods to play the encore. We talked to Bobby Woods about his band and what he is up to. Bobby writes some very fine tunes and is a pretty witty guy to talk to.
It was nice to have a chance to talk with Wil after the show. I hope the traffic back to LAX wasn't too bad and he made it back before the bar closed!. LAX has some legendary bars!
I've been pretty sick lately, stress mostly has caused my asthma to return in spades. My husband and I were trying to figure out a mini vacation for me when Jen told me she had seats to a show about 20 minutes from the house. I revived rather quickly ( like the old Bill Cosby routine, where he fakes being sick and gets well after three pm) I wasn't faking but the thought of seeing my favortie band and so close to home was JUST the tonic I needed.
We got to the venue ( free parking) and I saw a co-worker who was working the door. It's a small community, the non-profit art world! We went inside and as we had backstage passes we were escorted with a brisk efficiency by one of the ushers. We sat and chatted with Wil for a bit and talked with Glynnis and Rich. Nice folks all of them!
We had excellent seats. The sound was not as wonderful as I had hoped. The vocals were not balanced correctly through several of the first songs ( too much harmony, not enough lead) I MUST be married to a bass player because at one point I found myself thinking "this song could use more bass." Some of it just seemed to be "America Light"
I was delighted by the new guitarist, Billy the kid Worrell, the former guitar tech. The kid has some big shoes to fill, following another former guitar tech, Michael Woods. Woodz stepped in when Dan abruptly left the band in 1977. His stage antics were always a delight to see, and I missed seeing him. Bill was all over the stage and fun to watch. The lad did a fine job.
The show was over too soon. We did go backstage again and I got a chance to chat with Matt Beckley. He's such a nice guy. I have to take a look and see what he is up to with music. I think he said he was producing a few acts. I DO miss seeing HIM perform and it was nice to see him join the rest of the band and Bobby Woods to play the encore. We talked to Bobby Woods about his band and what he is up to. Bobby writes some very fine tunes and is a pretty witty guy to talk to.
It was nice to have a chance to talk with Wil after the show. I hope the traffic back to LAX wasn't too bad and he made it back before the bar closed!. LAX has some legendary bars!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
Are you watching the Olympics?
I remember years ago, how exciting it was to watch the Olympics. It was the ONLY topic of conversation. These days, although I love it, I am not so entranced and I wondered why.
Maybe it's the Internet. Every morning on Yahoo, there is an overview, including a lot of "spolier alerts" which tell me who won. So, sometimes I click and as I alkready know, I don't watch the event in Prime Time.
Maybe it's the announcing. I swear the guy who called the cross-country race was going to blow a vocal chord screaming. He kept saying "He's going to have to do this or that if he wants to win the race" then YELLING at the competitor when he didn't do what the announcer thought he should do. Where do they FIND these people? I think a lot of them are former Olympians, hired on the idea that they know the sport. Maybe they do, but can they TALK about it in a way to draw the listener in? ( Two words here VIN SCULLY) Apparently, this is a universal problem, the British Broadcasting team was taken to task for their reporting on snowboarding.
Maybe it's the coverage. IS America the only nation competing? It would seem so. I would really like to see other competitors profiled. I would like to see competitions where NO American has a chance at a medal. I would like to enjoy the sport. Someone told me they are going to watch the international coverage, but my cable provider only sends me what it wants me to watch. I suppose I could hunt it down on the Internet, but I don't care enough to really spend THAT much time trying to figure it out ( Can you say "spoonfed" ? I knew you could")
The coverage is so jingoistic, I find myself rooting against someone who turns in a masterful performance, because they are not American. I realize I am being led and try to appreciate the athleticism for what it is. In the end, the athletes who embrace their competitors from other nations, who cheer each other for the love of the sport, are the ones who inspire me. We need to remember, it's not about how many medals are brought back, it's that we competed at all.
Maybe it's the Internet. Every morning on Yahoo, there is an overview, including a lot of "spolier alerts" which tell me who won. So, sometimes I click and as I alkready know, I don't watch the event in Prime Time.
Maybe it's the announcing. I swear the guy who called the cross-country race was going to blow a vocal chord screaming. He kept saying "He's going to have to do this or that if he wants to win the race" then YELLING at the competitor when he didn't do what the announcer thought he should do. Where do they FIND these people? I think a lot of them are former Olympians, hired on the idea that they know the sport. Maybe they do, but can they TALK about it in a way to draw the listener in? ( Two words here VIN SCULLY) Apparently, this is a universal problem, the British Broadcasting team was taken to task for their reporting on snowboarding.
Maybe it's the coverage. IS America the only nation competing? It would seem so. I would really like to see other competitors profiled. I would like to see competitions where NO American has a chance at a medal. I would like to enjoy the sport. Someone told me they are going to watch the international coverage, but my cable provider only sends me what it wants me to watch. I suppose I could hunt it down on the Internet, but I don't care enough to really spend THAT much time trying to figure it out ( Can you say "spoonfed" ? I knew you could")
The coverage is so jingoistic, I find myself rooting against someone who turns in a masterful performance, because they are not American. I realize I am being led and try to appreciate the athleticism for what it is. In the end, the athletes who embrace their competitors from other nations, who cheer each other for the love of the sport, are the ones who inspire me. We need to remember, it's not about how many medals are brought back, it's that we competed at all.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Friday.
Ugh. I know it's Valentine's Day and I should be full of hearts and flowers ( and chocolate) but alas the last week has worn me down.
All I want to do is crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head and not come out for a while. Everything I tried to do this week turned out badly. I feel like I failed somehow, but I did the best I could. I have taken just as much as I can. It truly is a case of "no good deed goes unpunished" It makes me want to give up. I certainly am questioning why I do what I do. I love the places I volunteer for, but the anger and the vitriol I have been experiencing lately has been hard on me both health-wise and emotionally. Most recently, someone I thought was a colleague in the community went off in a very public way, calling all of us on one Committee incompetent, hinted at fiscal mismanagement and demanded we all be "fired" We are volunteers. None of us gets a dime from this. We do it out of love. Call for our resignation, I suppose. Last night I just wanted to chuck it all, even as I was working feverishly on the mailer for our latest program. This after a full day working with mu union, another volunteer gig that has me shaking my head. I try to be an even person, but some days I just want to HIT somebody.
Tomorrow, I have a meeting regarding the LA Marathon. I haven't even THOUGHT about it yet! It's coming up fast and on Sunday I will email all my folks with the specifics. Let me know if you want to join me in Santa Monica on March 9. It really IS fun, and I promise you very little drama of the nasty kind!
All I want to do is crawl back into bed and pull the covers over my head and not come out for a while. Everything I tried to do this week turned out badly. I feel like I failed somehow, but I did the best I could. I have taken just as much as I can. It truly is a case of "no good deed goes unpunished" It makes me want to give up. I certainly am questioning why I do what I do. I love the places I volunteer for, but the anger and the vitriol I have been experiencing lately has been hard on me both health-wise and emotionally. Most recently, someone I thought was a colleague in the community went off in a very public way, calling all of us on one Committee incompetent, hinted at fiscal mismanagement and demanded we all be "fired" We are volunteers. None of us gets a dime from this. We do it out of love. Call for our resignation, I suppose. Last night I just wanted to chuck it all, even as I was working feverishly on the mailer for our latest program. This after a full day working with mu union, another volunteer gig that has me shaking my head. I try to be an even person, but some days I just want to HIT somebody.
Tomorrow, I have a meeting regarding the LA Marathon. I haven't even THOUGHT about it yet! It's coming up fast and on Sunday I will email all my folks with the specifics. Let me know if you want to join me in Santa Monica on March 9. It really IS fun, and I promise you very little drama of the nasty kind!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Random and disconnected thoughts
I am home sick and I will be going back upstairs to hunker down in bed with my book and hopefully some sleep. This whatever-it -is sucks. Cold? Flu? Not really sure. I just know I feel awful. I don't have TIME for this!
This is the week when all the things I am committed to ( or should be committed for) are coming to the forefront. I need my wits about me and all the meds they have me on make me slightly loopy. Not fun, not fun at all!
This morning, I was remembering my friend Laura who died on this day in 1981. I miss her still. She was an angel on earth. Kind hearted and warm ;a vibrant woman whose life was lost far too quickly. She had lupus and slipped away from us. I will never forget her. I gave my daughter her middle name as a remembrance- they both share Elizabeth as a middle name. I wonder if she had lived if we would still be friends. I like to think so.I remember her funeral service, fittingly on Valentine's Day. I remember her parents comforting us and thinking shouldn't WE be comforting them? I now realize that the full church and the long procession must have been a kind of comfort, knowing how well she was loved. Some people you just never forget.
My daughter sent me a picture of her ultrasound. Yes! The baby is about the size of a peanut right now, but there IS a baby. Kate and Danny are over the moon about it. I am happy and think they will be good parents. They have talked about children and wanted them for so long. I'd better start knitting!
My mom made something for the baby before she got too sick. I have it and wonder what it is. We will see in September!
This is the week when all the things I am committed to ( or should be committed for) are coming to the forefront. I need my wits about me and all the meds they have me on make me slightly loopy. Not fun, not fun at all!
This morning, I was remembering my friend Laura who died on this day in 1981. I miss her still. She was an angel on earth. Kind hearted and warm ;a vibrant woman whose life was lost far too quickly. She had lupus and slipped away from us. I will never forget her. I gave my daughter her middle name as a remembrance- they both share Elizabeth as a middle name. I wonder if she had lived if we would still be friends. I like to think so.I remember her funeral service, fittingly on Valentine's Day. I remember her parents comforting us and thinking shouldn't WE be comforting them? I now realize that the full church and the long procession must have been a kind of comfort, knowing how well she was loved. Some people you just never forget.
My daughter sent me a picture of her ultrasound. Yes! The baby is about the size of a peanut right now, but there IS a baby. Kate and Danny are over the moon about it. I am happy and think they will be good parents. They have talked about children and wanted them for so long. I'd better start knitting!
My mom made something for the baby before she got too sick. I have it and wonder what it is. We will see in September!
Friday, February 7, 2014
Stress and dealing with stupid people
OK that's not nice, but I am not feeling all that nice. Last night, I had TWO massive asthma attacks. I really thought I was going to die. Bad, probably the worst I have ever had. I'm still a bit shaky this morning, but I have a boatload of work on my plate and I probably couldn't rest thinking about it anyway. I know what is causing it. Yesterday was far too stressful a day ,not work, which was the usual stress, but things around me. I am sick and tired of people who take a rumor and spread it as if it were gospel. I am sick of hipsters who think they are special and everyone should kiss their feet and be grateful to satisfy their every whim. Whatever happened to selflessness? Did we raise a generation of "Me-firsts"? I am often dismayed by that. Someone said something so untrue and so vile, but I cannot respond, at least not at the moment. It's not about me, not directly anyway, but it just chaps my hide that these little brats are spreading rumors and everyone is rubbing their hands in delighted glee. I feel like I'm back in Jr High with the Mean Girls. To get it out of my system, I will probably write an answer and delete it. It's a good stress reliever; say ALL the nasty horrible things you want and delete it. Don't send it. That would be counterproductive and pointless. But get it out of your brain and your body. I need to do that later today BEFORE my evening meeting, so I can focus on the true task at hand.
This will all be resolved, one way or another, by next week. I will keep focused on my mission. I will try to remember the line from the Frost poem:
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep
but I have promises to keep
and miles to go before I sleep
Miles to go before I sleep."
This will all be resolved, one way or another, by next week. I will keep focused on my mission. I will try to remember the line from the Frost poem:
"The woods are lovely, dark and deep
but I have promises to keep
and miles to go before I sleep
Miles to go before I sleep."
Tuesday, February 4, 2014
Bullies
Maybe I "overshare" if there is such a thing for a blog titled "Inside Robyn's Brain" but I have to reason out some things in my head so I can move forward. Bear with me.
I HATE bullies. As a kid I used to stand up for my friends who were picked on, as much as I could. In Elementary school, I was picked on by a girl named Virginia. I think she was trying to get the attention of the local would-be gang members or something so she and her two friends would stop me on the play yard and threaten to beat me up. I told her I wasn't afraid of her ( I was) and she kept it up for a week. One day she jumped me from behind ( that's what bullies do after all, a sneak attack) and socked me. Thankfully, I was well trained in this tactic and I grabbed her by the hair on the front of her head and punched her in the face. She fell over and I took off; living by the motto that she who fights and runs away lives to fight another day, I suppose. We both wound up in the Principal's office, I had told her I was sorry that had to happen. SHE told the Principal I said I was sorry and I clarified it for him. I told him she had been threatening me all week. We had been friendly at some point and I was shocked at the change in her. I suppose the teacher on yard duty had seen what happened and I was sent back to the classroom. This was before that idiotic "zero tolerance" policy but I will get off on a rant about punishing the victim if I think any more about it. My teacher applauded me and shook my hand. I would be willing to bet that it was a topic of discussion before I got there. Most of the kids knew she was a bully. No one ever picked on me again, and I think her status as would-be schoolyard thug deflated a little.
Right now I am involved in three organizations and TWO of them have issues that are bringing out the schoolyard thug in people. Let me say this carefully. You cannot make me do what I don't want to do by bullying me or trying to belittle me and my intelligence. I am sick to death of veiled threats and openly hostile behavior. In BOTH cases, patience and an open mind will solve the problem. Eleanor Roosevelt said "Do what you feel in your heart is right, you'll be criticized for it anyway." I find myself thinking that WHATEVER I do, whatever WE do, since these decisions do not rest solely on me , about 50% of the people will be pissed off anyway. Well, if you can do better, why aren't you more in the forefront? I don't see these people at meetings or offering to help at events. I just see whining that THEY are not being considered. In some cases, nastiness and name calling is breaking out. I feel like I'm back on the play-yard at Sharp Avenue Elementary.
I need to find the courage it took to stand up to Virginia that day. It's in there somewhere. I will do my best not to let the bullies win, but to fight for what I believe is right. I have been accused of being naive, but I prefer to think of it as hopeful. I don't think everyone has an ulterior motive, until they show that side of themselves. Maybe I should be more suspicious, but I don't want to live that way. So, I will continue to take people at their word until they show me that their word is a lie.
I HATE bullies. As a kid I used to stand up for my friends who were picked on, as much as I could. In Elementary school, I was picked on by a girl named Virginia. I think she was trying to get the attention of the local would-be gang members or something so she and her two friends would stop me on the play yard and threaten to beat me up. I told her I wasn't afraid of her ( I was) and she kept it up for a week. One day she jumped me from behind ( that's what bullies do after all, a sneak attack) and socked me. Thankfully, I was well trained in this tactic and I grabbed her by the hair on the front of her head and punched her in the face. She fell over and I took off; living by the motto that she who fights and runs away lives to fight another day, I suppose. We both wound up in the Principal's office, I had told her I was sorry that had to happen. SHE told the Principal I said I was sorry and I clarified it for him. I told him she had been threatening me all week. We had been friendly at some point and I was shocked at the change in her. I suppose the teacher on yard duty had seen what happened and I was sent back to the classroom. This was before that idiotic "zero tolerance" policy but I will get off on a rant about punishing the victim if I think any more about it. My teacher applauded me and shook my hand. I would be willing to bet that it was a topic of discussion before I got there. Most of the kids knew she was a bully. No one ever picked on me again, and I think her status as would-be schoolyard thug deflated a little.
Right now I am involved in three organizations and TWO of them have issues that are bringing out the schoolyard thug in people. Let me say this carefully. You cannot make me do what I don't want to do by bullying me or trying to belittle me and my intelligence. I am sick to death of veiled threats and openly hostile behavior. In BOTH cases, patience and an open mind will solve the problem. Eleanor Roosevelt said "Do what you feel in your heart is right, you'll be criticized for it anyway." I find myself thinking that WHATEVER I do, whatever WE do, since these decisions do not rest solely on me , about 50% of the people will be pissed off anyway. Well, if you can do better, why aren't you more in the forefront? I don't see these people at meetings or offering to help at events. I just see whining that THEY are not being considered. In some cases, nastiness and name calling is breaking out. I feel like I'm back on the play-yard at Sharp Avenue Elementary.
I need to find the courage it took to stand up to Virginia that day. It's in there somewhere. I will do my best not to let the bullies win, but to fight for what I believe is right. I have been accused of being naive, but I prefer to think of it as hopeful. I don't think everyone has an ulterior motive, until they show that side of themselves. Maybe I should be more suspicious, but I don't want to live that way. So, I will continue to take people at their word until they show me that their word is a lie.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)