Just a few notes for today, y'all.
"A store owner, who sells only vinyl records, has a midlife crisis, assesses his life and tries to win back an ex-girlfriend. Directed by Stephen Frears. Based on the book by Nick Hornby. Adult Situations; Language." This is the description listed on Yahoo for High Fidelity. That's the lamest summary I've ever heard. For some reason, it pisses me off. It's easily one of the best movies of the 90's, and they make it sound as appealing as a dinner party hosted by Antonin Scalia.
Secondly, has it ever occurred to you what a fanfuckingtastic song "Like A Rolling Stone" is? Yeah, I think it's in my top five of all time.
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Not only have I gotten another kick ass job which enabled me to quit this other horrible employment I've endured recently, but Strom Thurmond kicked the bucket (although, unfortunate to note, it seems he died peacefully) and the Supreme Court has struck down bans on private sexual relations between homosexuals. Really, can this day get any better?
Cheers to a better future for civil rights, kids!
Cheers to a better future for civil rights, kids!
I quit my job today. This is not the actual resignation letter I turned in, but rather the one I wanted to.
As of the date listed above, I am submitting my formal notice of resignation from employment with ****. I request that my last day of employment be Thursday, July 3, 2003. Yes, I realize it’s not 30 days notice, or even two weeks notice, but seeing that administration is always making me write reports accounting for my use of overtime, it’s obvious you think I don’t work in the first place, so my abbreviated notice shouldn’t put you in an awkward position as far as staffing goes.
Although I have gained much knowledge and experience from this position, I am not satisfied with my employment at ****, and no longer feel I am the most appropriate candidate for the job. In order to skip the exit interview, let me clarify what “not satisfied with my employment” really means to me:
· I severely dislike the fact that the entire administration micromanages, to the point where I feel I am being spied on and checked up on continually.
· This corporation has no standards when hiring direct care staff. I am always completely amazed at the illiterate, inconsiderate, unintelligent people you find off the street to provide the most important and critical care to the residents.
· The lack of professionalism within management is astounding. All work issues are blown entirely out of proportion and then never followed up on by administration. Every situation that arises becomes a personal conflict between workers. The Executive Director was obviously trained in the “Genghis Khan School of Management” – if I get bitched out one more time for something that I had absolutely no involvement in, I’m going to throw my damn laptop at him. Incidentally, did anyone bother to check and see if I really had any of the certifications and licenses I said I did? Yeah, your HR department sucks too.
· You know, it’s really nice that during the weekly management meeting you would spend upwards of $250 at a time on food and drinks for us – it was a nice touch. But when my residents can’t get eyeglasses because Medicaid won’t pay for them and then you tell me the company can’t pay for it because we’re short on funds…well, that excuse doesn’t really wash. Why don’t you try prioritizing instead of subsidizing your meals for a couple of days?
· Here’s a big tip when you hire someone to replace me: train him or her, and then provide them with a supervisor that actually works. It’s really difficult having to initiate all of your own training, and then actually have that training in five minute bursts on the phone. Give this person a freaking break.
· Stop lying to cover your ass. In this field, lying can be really problematic – you could get yourself in legal trouble with the state. Covering up mistakes is unethical – the truth will be found, I promise you. It should also be noted that lying will get you no where—especially when some people…oh…say me, for example, have written documentation that disproves your “version of the story”.
· Get your policies straight. It’s really aggrivating being told to do something one way, and then being criticized for doing it wrong, then being told to do it an opposite way, and in turn being told that it’s incorrect. Possibly you wonder why I’ve stopped asking for advice recently?
· Finally, stop telling me that I’m not doing my job the right way when you have no idea what my job entails or requires. Just because you approved my job description three years ago does not mean you know it well enough to criticize. Come spend a day (and night – since I’m always on call with no compensation) job shadowing me if you have any doubts on my competency.
I will schedule a time with my supervisor to return all company property and information pertaining to this position. I have compiled a list of these items and request that a copy, signed by my supervisor and myself be kept in my employment file. Why? Because I’m not going to leave this job giving you any opportunity to come back and try to accuse me of something because you’re bored and want to start some shit. I saw how you destroyed any future employment prospects for the person I replaced, and I’ll be damned if I let you fuck up my employment history.
What will I do now, you ask? Oh, well…while you all were taking three-hour martini lunches and not breathing down my neck, I went and got myself another job. One with a company that’s established and not on the verge of being shut down by the state. Yeah…and it’s in Lawrence, KS, too, which I’m going to enjoy because there’s a ton of nightlife there. But I guess you wouldn’t understand that since this job is your entire existence.
As of the date listed above, I am submitting my formal notice of resignation from employment with ****. I request that my last day of employment be Thursday, July 3, 2003. Yes, I realize it’s not 30 days notice, or even two weeks notice, but seeing that administration is always making me write reports accounting for my use of overtime, it’s obvious you think I don’t work in the first place, so my abbreviated notice shouldn’t put you in an awkward position as far as staffing goes.
Although I have gained much knowledge and experience from this position, I am not satisfied with my employment at ****, and no longer feel I am the most appropriate candidate for the job. In order to skip the exit interview, let me clarify what “not satisfied with my employment” really means to me:
· I severely dislike the fact that the entire administration micromanages, to the point where I feel I am being spied on and checked up on continually.
· This corporation has no standards when hiring direct care staff. I am always completely amazed at the illiterate, inconsiderate, unintelligent people you find off the street to provide the most important and critical care to the residents.
· The lack of professionalism within management is astounding. All work issues are blown entirely out of proportion and then never followed up on by administration. Every situation that arises becomes a personal conflict between workers. The Executive Director was obviously trained in the “Genghis Khan School of Management” – if I get bitched out one more time for something that I had absolutely no involvement in, I’m going to throw my damn laptop at him. Incidentally, did anyone bother to check and see if I really had any of the certifications and licenses I said I did? Yeah, your HR department sucks too.
· You know, it’s really nice that during the weekly management meeting you would spend upwards of $250 at a time on food and drinks for us – it was a nice touch. But when my residents can’t get eyeglasses because Medicaid won’t pay for them and then you tell me the company can’t pay for it because we’re short on funds…well, that excuse doesn’t really wash. Why don’t you try prioritizing instead of subsidizing your meals for a couple of days?
· Here’s a big tip when you hire someone to replace me: train him or her, and then provide them with a supervisor that actually works. It’s really difficult having to initiate all of your own training, and then actually have that training in five minute bursts on the phone. Give this person a freaking break.
· Stop lying to cover your ass. In this field, lying can be really problematic – you could get yourself in legal trouble with the state. Covering up mistakes is unethical – the truth will be found, I promise you. It should also be noted that lying will get you no where—especially when some people…oh…say me, for example, have written documentation that disproves your “version of the story”.
· Get your policies straight. It’s really aggrivating being told to do something one way, and then being criticized for doing it wrong, then being told to do it an opposite way, and in turn being told that it’s incorrect. Possibly you wonder why I’ve stopped asking for advice recently?
· Finally, stop telling me that I’m not doing my job the right way when you have no idea what my job entails or requires. Just because you approved my job description three years ago does not mean you know it well enough to criticize. Come spend a day (and night – since I’m always on call with no compensation) job shadowing me if you have any doubts on my competency.
I will schedule a time with my supervisor to return all company property and information pertaining to this position. I have compiled a list of these items and request that a copy, signed by my supervisor and myself be kept in my employment file. Why? Because I’m not going to leave this job giving you any opportunity to come back and try to accuse me of something because you’re bored and want to start some shit. I saw how you destroyed any future employment prospects for the person I replaced, and I’ll be damned if I let you fuck up my employment history.
What will I do now, you ask? Oh, well…while you all were taking three-hour martini lunches and not breathing down my neck, I went and got myself another job. One with a company that’s established and not on the verge of being shut down by the state. Yeah…and it’s in Lawrence, KS, too, which I’m going to enjoy because there’s a ton of nightlife there. But I guess you wouldn’t understand that since this job is your entire existence.
Monday, June 23, 2003
Top Five Songs to Get Busy To
5. Fascination Street - The Cure
4. Get Down Make Love - nin
3. Three Days - Jane's Addiction
2. Erotica - Madonna
1. Closer - nin
Download and show your hook up a good time!
5. Fascination Street - The Cure
4. Get Down Make Love - nin
3. Three Days - Jane's Addiction
2. Erotica - Madonna
1. Closer - nin
Download and show your hook up a good time!
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Observations of Indie Rock Shows
While at The Dismemberment Plan/Lake Trout/Paris, TX/Gold Chains show last night, Jason and I developed a handy reference guide to the people you can always find at indie rock shows. Read and enjoy!
The Mod Trio - These are oh-so-hip indie girls, who seem to travel in packs of three. It's hard to say if they really know who they're going to see, because they spend the entire show circulating throughout the club (for what, I'm not sure). There's also a theory that they only showed up because they just bought some new Steve Madden's and have to show them off. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but one of them is always wearing some pair of jeans that is really not flattering to her backside. She probably has a perfectly acceptable ass, but those jeans make it look huge and therefore distracts everyone in disgust.
The Scenester Busybody - Usually a girl, who makes a big show of running back and forth all over the place in the hopes of making everyone think she knows everyone. Typically looks stunningly average - no piercing, no crazy hair dye jobs, no platforms. In fact the only reason you do notice this person is because they're running frantically back and forth "networking." This person also spills at least two drinks on some unwitting indie boy while they do this. At the show last night this person was actually somebody important - a.k.a. the show promoter, but usually it's nobody.
The Holy Sound Guy - You know who I'm talking about - skinny, black hair, beard, glasses, black shirt and jeans, black wrist bands. Nobody in the band can set up their equipment worth shit so he has to do everything himself, which he does with much martyrdom. Also tends to be extremely concerned about say...the keyboard mic, as if the future of the free world depended on it. And he almost always drops something very important and probably incredibly expensive from the sound booth and then tries to blame it on the innocent girl next to the booth drinking a beer. Oh yeah, and he hates every single band. In fact, he's probably in a band that's much cooler than any band that's ever going to play in that club. And what's up with the "in between" music he plays that not a single person on the face of the earth has ever heard before?
The Perpetual Virgins - These are the under 21 geeky idiots who are extremely not impressed with anything. Even if all they came to see was the headlining band, they'll arrive the second the doors open and sit, yes sit, through every single opening band with looks of bland disapproval on their faces. For some reason, these people are always sitting next to me.
The Hecklers - The four or five testosterone-happy guys in the back who are very similar to The Perpetual Virgins except they're not going to take this shit sitting down. They're always there just to see the main headliner, and then only to hear one song ("Play 'Ice of Boston' for the love of fucking Christ!"). Every other band is the worst thing they've ever heard--even if they're not--and they attempt to engage in a verbal sparring match with the lead singer after every song. (Note to lead singers - you will never win this argument. Let it go.) Fortunately, they sit in the back of the club, where no one can see them, and few can hear them. Possibly they do this so the band can't see them and later jump them in the alley after the show?
The Unwilling Participants - Cute ex-cheerleaders dragged there by their boyfriends. They always look terrified, as if the guy with liberty spikes is going to smash their head open with his camera, or just plain pissed off that they're there in the first place, because they could be home watching reruns of Dawson's Creek. At some point, they entice their boyfriends to let them leave early by promising anal sex or something.
The Lonely Girl - You've seen her--the entire time she's there she has no contact with another human being. Why is she there? Was she supposed to meet someone who stood her up? Does she just love one of the bands THAT much?
The "New Arrival" Indie Boy - Now this guy was a frat guy last week, but has seen the light or has completely tapped out the female resources of the greek community and needs to move on to a new scene. Wears the "right" clothes, hangs out with the "right" people, but still obviously looks like he'd been at a Creed concert last week. Can be heard saying something to the effect of "Man...they have a flute player, that's hardcore!", when the week before he would have said "Man...they have a flute player, how gay!"
The Hugger - Can be male or female. It doesn't matter if you saw this person two hours ago, or met them once five years ago...they're damn happy to see you. Even more so because you're in a club with other people. Perhaps it's the good vibes, perhaps it's the alcohol, perhaps it's the oregano they smoked half an hour ago, perhaps they just want a cheap feel. No matter, if they see you, you aren't going to escape without a hug. Addendum to The Hugger: The Person Who Came With The Hugger - they've already been hugged, but they don't know anyone The Hugger is hugging, so they just stand around with their hands in their pockets, smiling while introductions are made, if they're made at all.
The Awkward Fat Guy At The Bar - This guy is usually with a group of friends who are completely ignoring him, so he stands around pretty much pretending to be part of the group, when it's obvious to any observer that he's on the periphery. He's probably a very nice fellow, but he's not cool looking enough for anyone to give him a second thought. He spends most of the night following the group around but eventually mingles in with the crowd at the front of the stage and forgets he's being ignored.
The Hook Up Guys - Not much explanation necessary - if there's alcohol and music around, they're there.
The Random Black Guy With the Gigantic 'Fro - No one's sure why they're there. They're never impressed. Ever.
The Elitist Late 20-somethings - They've been there, done that, probably before you were born. They arrive at the show when the doors open to get a table--sitting nearly the entire time--because usually they're really tired because they have a career or something. They don't really care about the opening bands, and complain fiercely about sitting through them, but once the band has played will grudgingly admit that they are "downloading material." They chain-smoke, editorialize about every single other person in the club, exchange knowing glances during songs, and have a really good time doing it. Normally can be seen wearing clothing that are a little too polished for a show, probably because they came directly from the "adult world" to the club. Do they stay to meet the band or mingle once the show's over? Hell no, they're not that kind of nerdy fan! They've got to be up at 6AM, and somehow hold the entire line-up of bands responsible for making them stay up late.
While at The Dismemberment Plan/Lake Trout/Paris, TX/Gold Chains show last night, Jason and I developed a handy reference guide to the people you can always find at indie rock shows. Read and enjoy!
The Mod Trio - These are oh-so-hip indie girls, who seem to travel in packs of three. It's hard to say if they really know who they're going to see, because they spend the entire show circulating throughout the club (for what, I'm not sure). There's also a theory that they only showed up because they just bought some new Steve Madden's and have to show them off. And, correct me if I'm wrong, but one of them is always wearing some pair of jeans that is really not flattering to her backside. She probably has a perfectly acceptable ass, but those jeans make it look huge and therefore distracts everyone in disgust.
The Scenester Busybody - Usually a girl, who makes a big show of running back and forth all over the place in the hopes of making everyone think she knows everyone. Typically looks stunningly average - no piercing, no crazy hair dye jobs, no platforms. In fact the only reason you do notice this person is because they're running frantically back and forth "networking." This person also spills at least two drinks on some unwitting indie boy while they do this. At the show last night this person was actually somebody important - a.k.a. the show promoter, but usually it's nobody.
The Holy Sound Guy - You know who I'm talking about - skinny, black hair, beard, glasses, black shirt and jeans, black wrist bands. Nobody in the band can set up their equipment worth shit so he has to do everything himself, which he does with much martyrdom. Also tends to be extremely concerned about say...the keyboard mic, as if the future of the free world depended on it. And he almost always drops something very important and probably incredibly expensive from the sound booth and then tries to blame it on the innocent girl next to the booth drinking a beer. Oh yeah, and he hates every single band. In fact, he's probably in a band that's much cooler than any band that's ever going to play in that club. And what's up with the "in between" music he plays that not a single person on the face of the earth has ever heard before?
The Perpetual Virgins - These are the under 21 geeky idiots who are extremely not impressed with anything. Even if all they came to see was the headlining band, they'll arrive the second the doors open and sit, yes sit, through every single opening band with looks of bland disapproval on their faces. For some reason, these people are always sitting next to me.
The Hecklers - The four or five testosterone-happy guys in the back who are very similar to The Perpetual Virgins except they're not going to take this shit sitting down. They're always there just to see the main headliner, and then only to hear one song ("Play 'Ice of Boston' for the love of fucking Christ!"). Every other band is the worst thing they've ever heard--even if they're not--and they attempt to engage in a verbal sparring match with the lead singer after every song. (Note to lead singers - you will never win this argument. Let it go.) Fortunately, they sit in the back of the club, where no one can see them, and few can hear them. Possibly they do this so the band can't see them and later jump them in the alley after the show?
The Unwilling Participants - Cute ex-cheerleaders dragged there by their boyfriends. They always look terrified, as if the guy with liberty spikes is going to smash their head open with his camera, or just plain pissed off that they're there in the first place, because they could be home watching reruns of Dawson's Creek. At some point, they entice their boyfriends to let them leave early by promising anal sex or something.
The Lonely Girl - You've seen her--the entire time she's there she has no contact with another human being. Why is she there? Was she supposed to meet someone who stood her up? Does she just love one of the bands THAT much?
The "New Arrival" Indie Boy - Now this guy was a frat guy last week, but has seen the light or has completely tapped out the female resources of the greek community and needs to move on to a new scene. Wears the "right" clothes, hangs out with the "right" people, but still obviously looks like he'd been at a Creed concert last week. Can be heard saying something to the effect of "Man...they have a flute player, that's hardcore!", when the week before he would have said "Man...they have a flute player, how gay!"
The Hugger - Can be male or female. It doesn't matter if you saw this person two hours ago, or met them once five years ago...they're damn happy to see you. Even more so because you're in a club with other people. Perhaps it's the good vibes, perhaps it's the alcohol, perhaps it's the oregano they smoked half an hour ago, perhaps they just want a cheap feel. No matter, if they see you, you aren't going to escape without a hug. Addendum to The Hugger: The Person Who Came With The Hugger - they've already been hugged, but they don't know anyone The Hugger is hugging, so they just stand around with their hands in their pockets, smiling while introductions are made, if they're made at all.
The Awkward Fat Guy At The Bar - This guy is usually with a group of friends who are completely ignoring him, so he stands around pretty much pretending to be part of the group, when it's obvious to any observer that he's on the periphery. He's probably a very nice fellow, but he's not cool looking enough for anyone to give him a second thought. He spends most of the night following the group around but eventually mingles in with the crowd at the front of the stage and forgets he's being ignored.
The Hook Up Guys - Not much explanation necessary - if there's alcohol and music around, they're there.
The Random Black Guy With the Gigantic 'Fro - No one's sure why they're there. They're never impressed. Ever.
The Elitist Late 20-somethings - They've been there, done that, probably before you were born. They arrive at the show when the doors open to get a table--sitting nearly the entire time--because usually they're really tired because they have a career or something. They don't really care about the opening bands, and complain fiercely about sitting through them, but once the band has played will grudgingly admit that they are "downloading material." They chain-smoke, editorialize about every single other person in the club, exchange knowing glances during songs, and have a really good time doing it. Normally can be seen wearing clothing that are a little too polished for a show, probably because they came directly from the "adult world" to the club. Do they stay to meet the band or mingle once the show's over? Hell no, they're not that kind of nerdy fan! They've got to be up at 6AM, and somehow hold the entire line-up of bands responsible for making them stay up late.
Sunday, June 15, 2003
Ok...we can call the search off...Brian has been found. He's living in a thai opium den. Well, not really. It's Eric, Chris and Chris's apartment. I thought I was going to have to start searching for him in the gay underground railroad or something.
These songs are kicking my ass today:
* "Fazer" Quicksand
* "Sister Ann" MC5
* "Roulette Dares" Mars Volta
* "Lookingglassself" Snapcase (stop laughing!)
* "Billy Jean" Micheal Jackson (it is Father's Day, after all...)
These songs are kicking my ass today:
* "Fazer" Quicksand
* "Sister Ann" MC5
* "Roulette Dares" Mars Volta
* "Lookingglassself" Snapcase (stop laughing!)
* "Billy Jean" Micheal Jackson (it is Father's Day, after all...)
Thursday, June 12, 2003
Yet another really cool fest has been announced that I probably won't get to go to because I don't have enough vacation time saved up. Anyway, here's the line up for the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
While you've got your calendar out, you should be aware that there is a huge pro-choice march taking place on April 25, 2004 in Washington, D.C. I urge you to plan on attending, or at the very minimum, spread the word, because by that time there's no telling what reproductive rights we'll have left.
While you've got your calendar out, you should be aware that there is a huge pro-choice march taking place on April 25, 2004 in Washington, D.C. I urge you to plan on attending, or at the very minimum, spread the word, because by that time there's no telling what reproductive rights we'll have left.
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Monday, June 09, 2003
This is Paul Rudd. He's an actor. He's taking over my life. I'm really serious. Where do I begin...?
I first saw Paul in Wet Hot American Summer like a year ago. By the way, if you have not yet seen that movie, you are a big nerd. I've got it on DVD...just come over sometime and watch it. Anyway, I thought he was pretty funny...nothing earth shattering. Fast forward to a couple of months ago. Jason and I were at Hollywood Video trying to find something to rent, and I picked up 200 Cigarettes and Jason mentioned that Paul Rudd was in it. So we got it, watched it, and were semi impressed. He was good, but the movie was a little bit of a waste of my time. It was about this time strange things started to happen.
Seeing as I thought he was a looker, I decided to do a little research on him, and found out he was from Kansas City...grew up right across the state line from me. Attended KU, all of that. I thought that was a pretty cool coincidence, but wasn't floored or anything. Then, while casually flipping through channels on TV at night, he started showing up everywhere...on The Issac Mizrahi Show, on The Daily Show, on Friends, random gossip shows, etc. If I rented a movie, he was in at least one of the previews. If I opened a magazine, he and his lovely wife were pictured. The guy was everywhere...grinning at me with that charming little smile. I would see him somewhere on average of twice daily. It got a little disturbing. I couldn't get rid of him.
Then last week I was hanging out with my sisters, who were (for some unknown reason) talking about the movie Clueless. I mentioned that Paul was in it, and that he was from Kansas City, and they told me they knew that because they met his dad once. Evidently his father is some fanatic Titanic historian, and goes around giving lectures to local schools, and never fails to mention that his son is some big Hollywood pretty boy. All in all, I was pretty jealous that they're that much closer to Paul than I am. Also, his parents are managers of an apartment complex in Prairie Village...and I'm pretty tempted to rent there just for when he comes home to visit. Sick, eh?
Icing on the cake...I was flipping thought the latest issue of Bitch this weekend. This issue concerns obsessions, and in the editor's letter, they mention that one of their obsessions is Paul Rudd! At least I'm not alone in all of this.
If I ever do run into him out here, I'm going to demand some answers, including some sort of explanation as to why he decided to take a role in "Gen-Y Cops".
Thursday, June 05, 2003
This is a transcript of the sermon my two youngest sisters gave this past Sunday for Youth Sunday at their church, Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. I missed it because I was called in to work for an emergency, and I am really sorry I did. These two kids know what's up. I'm very, very proud of them. I certainly didn't have this much wisdom when I was 15.
Fifth Sunday in Easter - May 18, 2003
By Ginny and Kitty Rice
- Acts 8:26-40 or Deuteronomy 4:32-40
- Psalm 66:1-11 or 66:1-8
- 1 John 3:(14-17)18-24 or Acts 8:26-40
- John 14:15-21
Kitty: "How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:18. When Ginny and I were looking through these scriptures earlier this week we realized that this was our one chance to inform adults what typical American teenagers thought.
Ginny: But when we looked closer into this weeks scriptures, this one passage, that we skipped over when first reading, brought back a painful yet unforgettable memory for both of us. Surprisingly, this situation that comes to our minds truly had nothing to do with us but has affected us for the past 6 months.
Kitty: It began on a not so important September day; we had just begun our carrer as freshmen at Lee's Summit High School, fresh from Junior High. Intimidated by the crowds of the 2,500 plus teenagers and the senior boys that were taller than our father, we were trying to act confident and sure while blending in the crowd at the same time.
Ginny: Coming straight from Symphony Orchestra into the cafeteria we were both a little tired and irritable from a class with over 200 kids in it. We stopped at the vending machine with some of our friends and were talking about how Melissa (one of our best friends) had finally broken up with Chris. We got our normal healthy diet of Cheez-Its and a Mr. Pibb to make sure we got our daily dose of caffeine and sugar. Heading towards our social sanctuary (or "lunch table" as the outside world calls it) we were greeted by our fellow freshman and the unfamiliar face of Marissa's newest boyfriend.
Kitty: There were the typical conversations about the recent paper in history, the typical smells of the unknown substances called "cafeteria food", and the typical blank stares coming from the football players. Just an ordinary day in a suburban high school. Suddenly, across the cafeteria there was a burst of laughter loud enough to be heard over the 800 students. Then came an eerie silence.
Ginny: Both Kitty and I are cradle Episcopalians and have always prided ourselves on sticking up for the underdog. When our family moved our membership to this cathedral about four years ago, Christianity landed a bigger role in our lives than ever before. We joined the Youth Group, were confirmed, went to Cliff Springs and Missionpalooza, joined the acolytes and Youth Choir, and became Episcopalians through and through.
Kitty: Missionpalooza was a huge step in our spiritual growth and social activism. Along with Father Ben and 5 other members of the Cathedral Youth Group we hung out with the rest of the Episcopal youth of the metro-area. We cleaned a shelter basement, painted houses, fed the homeless, and talked one-on-one with mothers who were suffering from addictions. The both of us had a glimpse of life outside our sheltered worlds.
Ginny: After Missionpalooza, we decided we would go back to Lee's Summit High School and change it for the better. When we arrived at the high school, as lowly freshman the pressure of conformity was stronger than we ever anticipated. It's social suicide to step out of line. Risk is not a part of a freshman girl's vocabulary.
Kitty: As we sat innocently at our table that day we never guessed that our entire Christian outlook would change in mere minutes. Every eye was focused on the upper-classman area of the cafeteria. We saw David, a freshman boy, standing on top of a table with a numb look on his face. Because it was Spirit Week, which is notorious for freshman hazing, we assumed he was just up there to sing the senior song. But we quickly realized it was not just another harmless prank.
Ginny: Around the table that David was standing on there were about 5 to 6 popular senior boys who were well-known for their dislike of homosexuals and African-Americans. David has been made fun of since the fifth grade for signing his name with hearts and wearing what is considered feminine clothing. The boys surrounding him started whistling, laughing, catcalling, and asking for dates. In high school it is the greatest sin to be different. At that moment, standing on the table without a friendly face in sight, David represented every kid who had ever been an outsider and everything that those boys didn't understand, feared, and consequently hated.
Kitty: In a school where the administrators swoop down on you for holding a rubber band because it is considered a weapon, not one adult made a move to help a 16 year-old boy whose very fabric of being was being shredded to pieces. But this sermon does not only concentrate on David's story, it also concentrates on our story. Not only did the administrators not help, neither did we.
Ginny: A couple of minutes later the bell rang and the cafeteria was empty in seconds, but David's life was changed forever. So was ours. To many in that cafeteria David's humiliation just joined the file of other forgotten teenagers who suffered harassment, but it was imprinted in our hearts and minds. The next day, everything was back to normal and we pretended like everyone else that nothing had happened, but in our hearts we felt just as guilty as the senior boys.
Kitty: This incident haunts us. Jesus stood up against the strong for the weak, but we did not have the courage to stand up against injustice. We kept telling ourselves that if we had time to plan or write a script of some kind we could have faced anything. It was over in a few seconds and then it was to late. Through all the T-shirts, slogans, rings, necklaces, and Christian clubs we all tend to forget that being a Christian is about taking risks.
Ginny: David's experience taught us that persecution is not only on the evening news but in our daily lives as typical suburban students. Jesus calls us to take the scary and sometimes messy path of actively loving other people. "Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." AMEN.
Fifth Sunday in Easter - May 18, 2003
By Ginny and Kitty Rice
- Acts 8:26-40 or Deuteronomy 4:32-40
- Psalm 66:1-11 or 66:1-8
- 1 John 3:(14-17)18-24 or Acts 8:26-40
- John 14:15-21
Kitty: "How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses to help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." 1 John 3:18. When Ginny and I were looking through these scriptures earlier this week we realized that this was our one chance to inform adults what typical American teenagers thought.
Ginny: But when we looked closer into this weeks scriptures, this one passage, that we skipped over when first reading, brought back a painful yet unforgettable memory for both of us. Surprisingly, this situation that comes to our minds truly had nothing to do with us but has affected us for the past 6 months.
Kitty: It began on a not so important September day; we had just begun our carrer as freshmen at Lee's Summit High School, fresh from Junior High. Intimidated by the crowds of the 2,500 plus teenagers and the senior boys that were taller than our father, we were trying to act confident and sure while blending in the crowd at the same time.
Ginny: Coming straight from Symphony Orchestra into the cafeteria we were both a little tired and irritable from a class with over 200 kids in it. We stopped at the vending machine with some of our friends and were talking about how Melissa (one of our best friends) had finally broken up with Chris. We got our normal healthy diet of Cheez-Its and a Mr. Pibb to make sure we got our daily dose of caffeine and sugar. Heading towards our social sanctuary (or "lunch table" as the outside world calls it) we were greeted by our fellow freshman and the unfamiliar face of Marissa's newest boyfriend.
Kitty: There were the typical conversations about the recent paper in history, the typical smells of the unknown substances called "cafeteria food", and the typical blank stares coming from the football players. Just an ordinary day in a suburban high school. Suddenly, across the cafeteria there was a burst of laughter loud enough to be heard over the 800 students. Then came an eerie silence.
Ginny: Both Kitty and I are cradle Episcopalians and have always prided ourselves on sticking up for the underdog. When our family moved our membership to this cathedral about four years ago, Christianity landed a bigger role in our lives than ever before. We joined the Youth Group, were confirmed, went to Cliff Springs and Missionpalooza, joined the acolytes and Youth Choir, and became Episcopalians through and through.
Kitty: Missionpalooza was a huge step in our spiritual growth and social activism. Along with Father Ben and 5 other members of the Cathedral Youth Group we hung out with the rest of the Episcopal youth of the metro-area. We cleaned a shelter basement, painted houses, fed the homeless, and talked one-on-one with mothers who were suffering from addictions. The both of us had a glimpse of life outside our sheltered worlds.
Ginny: After Missionpalooza, we decided we would go back to Lee's Summit High School and change it for the better. When we arrived at the high school, as lowly freshman the pressure of conformity was stronger than we ever anticipated. It's social suicide to step out of line. Risk is not a part of a freshman girl's vocabulary.
Kitty: As we sat innocently at our table that day we never guessed that our entire Christian outlook would change in mere minutes. Every eye was focused on the upper-classman area of the cafeteria. We saw David, a freshman boy, standing on top of a table with a numb look on his face. Because it was Spirit Week, which is notorious for freshman hazing, we assumed he was just up there to sing the senior song. But we quickly realized it was not just another harmless prank.
Ginny: Around the table that David was standing on there were about 5 to 6 popular senior boys who were well-known for their dislike of homosexuals and African-Americans. David has been made fun of since the fifth grade for signing his name with hearts and wearing what is considered feminine clothing. The boys surrounding him started whistling, laughing, catcalling, and asking for dates. In high school it is the greatest sin to be different. At that moment, standing on the table without a friendly face in sight, David represented every kid who had ever been an outsider and everything that those boys didn't understand, feared, and consequently hated.
Kitty: In a school where the administrators swoop down on you for holding a rubber band because it is considered a weapon, not one adult made a move to help a 16 year-old boy whose very fabric of being was being shredded to pieces. But this sermon does not only concentrate on David's story, it also concentrates on our story. Not only did the administrators not help, neither did we.
Ginny: A couple of minutes later the bell rang and the cafeteria was empty in seconds, but David's life was changed forever. So was ours. To many in that cafeteria David's humiliation just joined the file of other forgotten teenagers who suffered harassment, but it was imprinted in our hearts and minds. The next day, everything was back to normal and we pretended like everyone else that nothing had happened, but in our hearts we felt just as guilty as the senior boys.
Kitty: This incident haunts us. Jesus stood up against the strong for the weak, but we did not have the courage to stand up against injustice. We kept telling ourselves that if we had time to plan or write a script of some kind we could have faced anything. It was over in a few seconds and then it was to late. Through all the T-shirts, slogans, rings, necklaces, and Christian clubs we all tend to forget that being a Christian is about taking risks.
Ginny: David's experience taught us that persecution is not only on the evening news but in our daily lives as typical suburban students. Jesus calls us to take the scary and sometimes messy path of actively loving other people. "Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action." AMEN.
Wednesday, June 04, 2003
What should be a given for every woman in a civilized society and is disappearing faster than the rainforests?
The right to access reproductive options most appropriate for her situation.
Monday, June 02, 2003
I'm sure it's just because I've not been in the right place at the right time, but I just found out about the KC Pride Fest next weekend. Be there or be square!
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