( With regards to my first paragraph-- I apologize in advance to my readers who are not facebook users. Yes, there are a few of those left in the world.)
I am frequently intimidated by the status update feature of facebook. For one, you never know who is spying on you. I know, I know, privacy settings. But still. And, when one has as many friends as I do, one is going to have people with a mix of political and ideological views, so one must step carefully if she cares. It can indeed be a powerful tool for spreading those views, or any musical or artistic tastes as well. It can be fun to put up an obscure reference and hope for acknowledgment. We use it to fish for compliments ( which is acceptable), as a cry for help (questionable), for inside jokes (cool if you're inside), a way to get answers (and a pretty good one at that), or for networking (the best use in my opinion.) Long story short, I go through phases of updating my status or posting something there that I think people should see. Point is, I am thankful for a blog where I can update on more than one subject at a time and reach/push my agenda on a wide audience of Internet stalkers who I know are here just for me!
I guess I've been a little out of the disability loop lately, as I found out (via a face book status update) through a former classmate that today is International Day of people with disabilities. Don't really know what it's all about besides apparently recognizing achievements and promoting awareness. All good things. Yay for us. Looks like they (we) have some work to do on the awareness promoting aspect, as I'm wondering if anyone else even knew what today was.
I could argue that all of my days are, but yesterday was a disability focused day for sure: a morning time hour-long conversation with a friend about my accident, which I don't really talk about as much as I could. Then, the last in a series of four paid interviews about my injury for a research study at RIC. After that, I had an appointment to get some new wheelchair parts installed. I had ordered some new legs rests that would be a little smaller and could do some fancy tricks. The company sent the wrong ones, though. So instead I just got my new, higher-tech cushion which my ass is currently enjoying, and fixed a few broken brackets. I now have the option of a headrest again. It's so very high maintenance, being a quad.
And as a quad, with accommodations, I am retaking the LSAT on Saturday. I have been tutored, I have been studying. I will get rest and have a good breakfast. That's all I have to say about that. I sure wish my future was more certain.
I haven't heard back from anywhere, which is to say I'm still looking for a job. Help me.
In other news, I have been watching Weeds. I mostly enjoy it, some really great characters (Kevin Nealon as a pothead CPA and Justin Kirk as a pothead brother-in-law... maybe I just like potheads.) But, in trying to be satirical and social commentary-like, I think the show does the opposite and actually perpetuates negative racial stereotypes. I've gotten through the second season. I was also introduced to a great new website for listening to music. I love the name, too: LaLa. After joining, you can listen to any song once for free and after that have the option of buying a web version, which you can listen to only on the website but as much as you want for $.10 or the MP3 version which goes to your iTunes for around $.70. Full albums available too. If you want an invite, let me know, because there are five free songs in it for me.
Okay. Study time.
Thursday, December 03, 2009
Thanksgiving report-back
Anyway, this week has flown by, so I guess I'm a little delayed in reporting that I sure did make the most of my Thanksgiving weekend. Twas full of people I love, good weather and way too much food.
On Wednesday evening, Betsy, Jenny, Stuart and I took Lindsey and Chris to a much anticipated five course Chinese dinner at Friendship Chinese restaurant -- thank you groupon -- to belatedly celebrate their engagement. (A reservation snafu prevented this from happening when they were previously in town to actually celebrate their engagement.) It was pretty good, with the high points being the avocado-wasabi mousse and little salad for the second course and sorbet for dessert.
Thursday in Wisconsin was perfect as usual. Danny was here, which is always great, and it seemed like the first time in a while we were all five together. Everyone was happy to be there; even though it's only two hours away, we all take it as an opportunity to forget about life for 24 hours. Food was fabulous, and it was a tie between sweet, sweet potatoes and cornbread stuffing for my favorite. I mixed them together a little bit too. I don't remember the name of the board game we played, but it was like catchphrase with more rules. We watched the movie "Up." All of the parts I was awake for were adorable. Friday, more eating, a little exercise and listening to music, and a mostly mellow drive home.
On Saturday, the bridesmaids (minus Julie) met at David's bridal to see Lindsey's dress and find some for us to wear. She found her exquisite dress there, but bridesmaids had better luck at a boutique up the road a bit. It's going to be so awesome. Afterwards, another much-anticipated meal: lunch at Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill. We shared some appetizers, including an amazing ceviche. Margaritas were great. My entrée, layers of tortillas, winter vegetables, cheese, and a roasted tomato sauce was delicious, as were Betsy's creation of plantain enchiladas with mole. I heard the chorizo was fabulous, and the rest was slightly disappointing, which is always a risk with high expectations. After that, though we barely had the room, we went to the Bleeding Heart Bakery to pick up some goodies, because that's who's going to do their wedding cake. Another Chicago institution which I'd been meaning to try, and this one did not disappoint. I'm telling you, vegan baked goods are the way to go.
To finish off the weekend, I had dinner here on Sunday with the family, Lee, Alice, Abby and Sam, and Matt and baby Grace. Good things. Good times. The one sad part about the weekend was saying goodbye to my friend Mera, who moved to California this week. She is lovely. I shall miss her.
On Wednesday evening, Betsy, Jenny, Stuart and I took Lindsey and Chris to a much anticipated five course Chinese dinner at Friendship Chinese restaurant -- thank you groupon -- to belatedly celebrate their engagement. (A reservation snafu prevented this from happening when they were previously in town to actually celebrate their engagement.) It was pretty good, with the high points being the avocado-wasabi mousse and little salad for the second course and sorbet for dessert.
Thursday in Wisconsin was perfect as usual. Danny was here, which is always great, and it seemed like the first time in a while we were all five together. Everyone was happy to be there; even though it's only two hours away, we all take it as an opportunity to forget about life for 24 hours. Food was fabulous, and it was a tie between sweet, sweet potatoes and cornbread stuffing for my favorite. I mixed them together a little bit too. I don't remember the name of the board game we played, but it was like catchphrase with more rules. We watched the movie "Up." All of the parts I was awake for were adorable. Friday, more eating, a little exercise and listening to music, and a mostly mellow drive home.
On Saturday, the bridesmaids (minus Julie) met at David's bridal to see Lindsey's dress and find some for us to wear. She found her exquisite dress there, but bridesmaids had better luck at a boutique up the road a bit. It's going to be so awesome. Afterwards, another much-anticipated meal: lunch at Rick Bayless's Frontera Grill. We shared some appetizers, including an amazing ceviche. Margaritas were great. My entrée, layers of tortillas, winter vegetables, cheese, and a roasted tomato sauce was delicious, as were Betsy's creation of plantain enchiladas with mole. I heard the chorizo was fabulous, and the rest was slightly disappointing, which is always a risk with high expectations. After that, though we barely had the room, we went to the Bleeding Heart Bakery to pick up some goodies, because that's who's going to do their wedding cake. Another Chicago institution which I'd been meaning to try, and this one did not disappoint. I'm telling you, vegan baked goods are the way to go.
To finish off the weekend, I had dinner here on Sunday with the family, Lee, Alice, Abby and Sam, and Matt and baby Grace. Good things. Good times. The one sad part about the weekend was saying goodbye to my friend Mera, who moved to California this week. She is lovely. I shall miss her.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
gratitude
Although being thankful is something we should all do every day, it's nice to have specific days set aside to remind us to do so. That is one thing I do like about the upcoming holiday. I'm thankful for my family and friends and all of the shared love. I'm thankful for a comfortable existence and many options in life. I'm thankful for creative outlets. I'm thankful for music and beauty. I'm thankful for technology.
Its unfortunate that Thanksgiving is sold to us on false premises, though. I'm not trying to rain on the holiday, but do feel it's important to recognize the truth surrounding "the first Thanksgiving." It's not a happy tale of pilgrims and "Indians" sharing a harvest meal. It was a time of British and Spanish colonization and the genocide of native peoples. This author, Robert Jensen, in his article "no thanks to Thanksgiving" says what I'm feeling quite well:
"History can be one of the many ways we create and impose hierarchy, or it can be part of a process of liberation. The truth won't set us free, but the telling of truth at least opens the possibility of freedom.
As Americans sit down on Thanksgiving Day to gorge themselves on the bounty of empire, many will worry about the expansive effects of overeating on their waistlines. We would be better to think about the constricting effects of the day's mythology on our minds." ( here's the whole thing, if you're interested.)
It doesn't mean that I don't truly love the Thanksgiving meal, family traditions, and everything else I'll be doing tomorrow along with my reflecting and critical thinking. I just hope folks aren't opposed to recognizing some of these facts at some point throughout your holiday celebrations. But, to get to the very superficial parts:
Its unfortunate that Thanksgiving is sold to us on false premises, though. I'm not trying to rain on the holiday, but do feel it's important to recognize the truth surrounding "the first Thanksgiving." It's not a happy tale of pilgrims and "Indians" sharing a harvest meal. It was a time of British and Spanish colonization and the genocide of native peoples. This author, Robert Jensen, in his article "no thanks to Thanksgiving" says what I'm feeling quite well:
"History can be one of the many ways we create and impose hierarchy, or it can be part of a process of liberation. The truth won't set us free, but the telling of truth at least opens the possibility of freedom.
As Americans sit down on Thanksgiving Day to gorge themselves on the bounty of empire, many will worry about the expansive effects of overeating on their waistlines. We would be better to think about the constricting effects of the day's mythology on our minds." ( here's the whole thing, if you're interested.)
It doesn't mean that I don't truly love the Thanksgiving meal, family traditions, and everything else I'll be doing tomorrow along with my reflecting and critical thinking. I just hope folks aren't opposed to recognizing some of these facts at some point throughout your holiday celebrations. But, to get to the very superficial parts:
Monday, November 16, 2009
Shop for a good cause
If you are shopping online for your holiday gifts, try doing it through this site. A portion of the profits will go directly to the Chicago freedom school. How easy. How cool.
racism wins again
Really, football team? Would it be so hard to just get a new name and mascot? it would still be the same stupid game and the same obscene salaries...
this part really gets me: "the native Americans had waited too long to bring their challenge to the Redskins trademark, and thus forfeited any right to sue. " I guess you can only be offended for the correct amount of time.
this part really gets me: "the native Americans had waited too long to bring their challenge to the Redskins trademark, and thus forfeited any right to sue. " I guess you can only be offended for the correct amount of time.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Thanksgiving
My weekly quote appears to be taking a cue from the holiday. This guy had quite strong feelings about gratitude. I guess we can take something from it, though:
Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.
- John Henry Jowett
I looked it up, he was a preacher. Shocker.
Speaking of proselytizing, extreme views and the Thanksgiving holiday, here is a blog post that a friend found for me. It's about what she does and doesn't eat on Thanksgiving. And (explicitly) why.
Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.
- John Henry Jowett
I looked it up, he was a preacher. Shocker.
Speaking of proselytizing, extreme views and the Thanksgiving holiday, here is a blog post that a friend found for me. It's about what she does and doesn't eat on Thanksgiving. And (explicitly) why.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
mass-produced wisdom
Here is what is on my tea bag tag this afternoon: "drinking tea, desires diminish and I come to see the ancient secret of happiness: wanting what I already have, inhabiting the life that is already mine."
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
my seasonal affective disorder is all out of whack
I thoroughly enjoyed the 70° weather this weekend. Spent it in the suburbs with the family. On Sunday, we took the dogs to a dog park by Independence Grove in Gurnee where they were by far the oldest and most frail ones there. They both lost footing on the hill several times, but after Ella fell in the water she woke up a bit and almost seemed young again. It was glorious to be outside in only a T-shirt. But why, Mother Nature, must you toy with my emotions?
I had a job interview yesterday at the American Theological Library Association. Pretty random, I know. The position is an information services assistant, which is like troubleshooting and staff support. I don't have any direct experience with that, per se, but I'm a team player and fast learner. And I definitely said that several times in the interview, for which I wore a little blazer and fancy earrings. It might be interesting, if totally unrelated to anything I've done or plan to do. It's in a big fancy building across from the former Sears Tower. Anyway, I enjoyed the interview and they said they would tell me in a few weeks if they would be offering me the position. If it comes to that, I really don't know what I'll do. Part of me still wants to hold out for something more related to my interests, part of me is interested in something new and maybe easy, and part of me feels like all of me is in no position to turn down any job I may be offered.
I just got through hiring yet another PA. Circumstances as to why my last one suddenly quit are sort of fuzzy right now, and a little disappointing. But, I really like this girl. She's never been a PA, but is interested in it because she was friends with Annie Hopkins, (see previous post) which was reason enough for me to want to give her a shot. We get along really well, she is very much into a healthy lifestyle and encouraging me to stick to mine, and extra bonus -- she's in massage therapy school.
Good news about the Freedom School fundraiser on Friday: we finally have 100 RSVPs and it should be a fabulous time. If you are still considering coming, come. We have a board meeting tonight and I'm looking forward to finalizing details. Such good people.
Tomorrow night I'm going to access living (sigh) for FRIDAfest, a fundraiser for Frida, a feminist and disability focused activist group. Eli Clare is going to be featured, which I'm very excited about. I saw him perform last year, and he was really terrific, empowering, funny etc. He does a lot of speaking and education about intersections between race, class, gender, sexuality, and disability. (If you follow the link, you'll see I copied that straight from his website.)
Before the fundraiser, I'll be at RIC answering survey questions about having a spinal cord injury and getting paid $35 for it. Certain times, i.e. when money is involved, I am okay with exploiting my disability. I do have mixed feelings about researchers and doctors studying people with disabilities as patients with specific conditions, but there is some merit to it for certain things and maybe it will do some good for others.
Sorry for an entry of completely unrelated paragraphs, but such is the nature of a catch-up post. I can't believe it's already mid-November. Thanksgiving plans should be forming soon, yay.
I had a job interview yesterday at the American Theological Library Association. Pretty random, I know. The position is an information services assistant, which is like troubleshooting and staff support. I don't have any direct experience with that, per se, but I'm a team player and fast learner. And I definitely said that several times in the interview, for which I wore a little blazer and fancy earrings. It might be interesting, if totally unrelated to anything I've done or plan to do. It's in a big fancy building across from the former Sears Tower. Anyway, I enjoyed the interview and they said they would tell me in a few weeks if they would be offering me the position. If it comes to that, I really don't know what I'll do. Part of me still wants to hold out for something more related to my interests, part of me is interested in something new and maybe easy, and part of me feels like all of me is in no position to turn down any job I may be offered.
I just got through hiring yet another PA. Circumstances as to why my last one suddenly quit are sort of fuzzy right now, and a little disappointing. But, I really like this girl. She's never been a PA, but is interested in it because she was friends with Annie Hopkins, (see previous post) which was reason enough for me to want to give her a shot. We get along really well, she is very much into a healthy lifestyle and encouraging me to stick to mine, and extra bonus -- she's in massage therapy school.
Good news about the Freedom School fundraiser on Friday: we finally have 100 RSVPs and it should be a fabulous time. If you are still considering coming, come. We have a board meeting tonight and I'm looking forward to finalizing details. Such good people.
Tomorrow night I'm going to access living (sigh) for FRIDAfest, a fundraiser for Frida, a feminist and disability focused activist group. Eli Clare is going to be featured, which I'm very excited about. I saw him perform last year, and he was really terrific, empowering, funny etc. He does a lot of speaking and education about intersections between race, class, gender, sexuality, and disability. (If you follow the link, you'll see I copied that straight from his website.)
Before the fundraiser, I'll be at RIC answering survey questions about having a spinal cord injury and getting paid $35 for it. Certain times, i.e. when money is involved, I am okay with exploiting my disability. I do have mixed feelings about researchers and doctors studying people with disabilities as patients with specific conditions, but there is some merit to it for certain things and maybe it will do some good for others.
Sorry for an entry of completely unrelated paragraphs, but such is the nature of a catch-up post. I can't believe it's already mid-November. Thanksgiving plans should be forming soon, yay.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Little victories
After a protest-heavy summer, I had been needing a little bit of rally action, and this morning's ADAPT protest was just the thing. About 30 of us met across the street from the Department of Human Services headquarters (good thing we were able to find a Starbucks) and when all the troops arrived, we rolled in to take the place by storm. We got as far as the elevators, and some people got in, but once security realized what was happening, they didn't let us up. So, we were perfectly happy gumming up the works in the lobby until we had our demands acknowledged. We were seeking a meeting with the secretary of the Department to demand that they not go through with the service caps for people with disabilities, and also that they continue to meet quarterly to discuss the issue. After an hour, some yelling, and some amiable negotiations, we got our meeting for next week. " the people... united... will never be defeated..."
Post-protest, on the bus ride home, I was passing "Willis Tower" (formerly known as the Sears Tower)and saw that on their main entrance the sign said "accessible entrance," a welcome change from the usual "handicapped." Fantastic! Good to see that at least newer signs are using the accepted language. Anybody know where I can get stickers made to modify all of the older signs? With permission, of course, probably...
Post-protest, on the bus ride home, I was passing "Willis Tower" (formerly known as the Sears Tower)and saw that on their main entrance the sign said "accessible entrance," a welcome change from the usual "handicapped." Fantastic! Good to see that at least newer signs are using the accepted language. Anybody know where I can get stickers made to modify all of the older signs? With permission, of course, probably...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Vaccination vacation
I spent the day at Truman College today waiting, along with 900 other folks, to get the H1N1 vaccine. I didn't bother to check what time they started administering them, and instead figured it was probably just best for me to get there as soon as possible. So, by 10:30 I got there to find out that they would be starting at 3:00 PM. Oops. I settled in the lobby to read my book/ eavesdrop on immature conversations. I grabbed lunch with my PA, Brittany, who was between classes there, and we both came back and decided that instead of waiting out in the lobby we should go see where the rest of those people were going. Good thing we did, because we ended up in a big waiting room, which was just the front of the line. About 300 of us got in there, and the other poor souls were waiting lined up down the hallway. (There is a little bit of irony in jamming 300 people, including many germy children, into a room at the height of a flu epidemic in order to vaccinate them from the flu, but ...) It was fairly well organized, they passed out numbers, and by 4:15 I was nasally ingesting a live virus. I do not understand why to prevent a virus, you get it, but I'm sure someone will try to explain it. Again.
In other news, I've registered to take the LSAT again in December. I did okay, but not well enough. This time for sure! Continuing to work on the applications, though.
I haven't decided what I'll do for Halloween yet, but I do have a costume, thanks to Jenny. I'm going to be something yummy. I'll take pictures. We got a notice that if we plan to offer candy to trick-or-treaters in the building to sign up at the front desk. I will not be buying candy for children I don't know. Sorry.
In other news, I've registered to take the LSAT again in December. I did okay, but not well enough. This time for sure! Continuing to work on the applications, though.
I haven't decided what I'll do for Halloween yet, but I do have a costume, thanks to Jenny. I'm going to be something yummy. I'll take pictures. We got a notice that if we plan to offer candy to trick-or-treaters in the building to sign up at the front desk. I will not be buying candy for children I don't know. Sorry.
Monday, October 26, 2009
It's Monday again
Funny how that keeps happening.
I only sort of read the news, sometimes more, sometimes less. Sometimes it just makes me feel so lost, and there's enough in my own head/life to lose myself in and get stressed out over. Anyway, we are apparently in the middle of a serious flu outbreak. So, I'll go tomorrow to one of the city colleges that is offering the H1N1 vaccine and hope for the best.
The other news I read today made me cry. Another blatantly racist happening in Chicago, on the Gold Coast -- shocker. Original Mother's, a bar on state and division, denied 6 black university students entry, while welcoming 200 of their white classmates. Here's the article from CNN. If I wanted to go there and give the owner piece of my mind, I couldn't, as I'm also not welcome due to lack of access. Shit...
I only sort of read the news, sometimes more, sometimes less. Sometimes it just makes me feel so lost, and there's enough in my own head/life to lose myself in and get stressed out over. Anyway, we are apparently in the middle of a serious flu outbreak. So, I'll go tomorrow to one of the city colleges that is offering the H1N1 vaccine and hope for the best.
The other news I read today made me cry. Another blatantly racist happening in Chicago, on the Gold Coast -- shocker. Original Mother's, a bar on state and division, denied 6 black university students entry, while welcoming 200 of their white classmates. Here's the article from CNN. If I wanted to go there and give the owner piece of my mind, I couldn't, as I'm also not welcome due to lack of access. Shit...
Friday, October 23, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
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