who got a what?
So, friends and family, I got a new job at a local natural food store (the first one ever in Louisville!) called Rainbow Blossom. Everyone is super nice and fun there. Best part? It’s not boring at all! I am the “transfer driver” which means I spend all morning driving the van between our stores — four, total — taking deliveries and delivering things. And getting to know lots of people which I can tell you is FUN!
So my life has found some fulfillment. In the must-be-productive, can’t-just-live-on-love department, at least. Those of you who know, know I’ve never (ever) been without a job since the age of 14. So to go 3 months with nothing has been…well, rectified, now! Another great part? “My” store has reverse osmosis water, in bottles and in the water fountain, and reverse osmosis water REMOVES 95% OF FLUORIDE FROM THE WATER WHAT!!!! yes, indeed
holla!
Sometimes it just hits me, and it just hit me again: I am so lucky to have found an organization where I fit and can be as radical as I feel everyday, without watering it down or apologizing. This group of folks I stumbled upon in 2004, who have nearly become my whole life, and now we are up for the biggest mobilization yet, having committed ourselves as allies and friends — SFA in the house!! — really, truly, when it comes to organizing I have learned from the best and the only words for this feeling are gratitude, and love.
We Heart Mountains
February 14th is official I 
Mountains Day! Yesterday, hundreds of people from all over the state convened in Frankfort, the capitol of Kentucky, to lobby in support for HB 385 (the ”stream saver bill”) which would prohibit coal companies from dumping of mine waste into our waterways, effectively ending the horrific practice known as “mountaintop removal”. All 220 people were members of Kentuckians for the Commonwealth (KFTC), a statewide, grassroots organization working to improve the lives of all Kentuckians. After hours of lobbying folks gathered in the legislators’ tunnel, lining the walls with signs, banners, and barren, desert-like images of the once-majestic mountaintops of Appalachia. KFTCers shook hands with representatives who declared support for HB385 and literally cried out as State Representative Jim Gooch walked by — Gooch, a Democrat, had stated earlier in the week that the stream saver bill would not get a hearing because he had witnessed no public “outcry” over mountaintop removal. The ultimate message to the Commonwealth, voiced by the lobbyists accompanied by live banjo music, singing folk songs with lyrics altered in support of clean water and tall mountains was this: in the words of KFTCer Teri Blanton, ”can you hear us now?’”.
weird…
So I received this thing in the mail today from the Nashville police department. Thinking “wha–?” but it seems that my ex-boyfriend is applying for a job as a police officer and they are doing a background check. Wha–? Really?? I mean okay, I guess he has a kid and all and wasn’t particularly politically or socially aware…but anyway, this is someone I haven’t spoken a word to in maybe seven years. How do I answer things like “describe this applicant’s emotional stability”? “reliability” “honesty” “financial responsibility” “prejudices against others?” For all I know he’s now the type of person who…wait…
God, go re-read that! What was I doing with my late teen years?? How could I ever have been involved with some of these people? At the least, shouldn’t most folks be able to say that their ex-partners are not overtly prejudiced people with a certain degree of assuredness? Wait, wait, surely I can honestly attest to that. But how do I know how he “gets along with friends and neighbors”? I don’t want this person anywhere near my life, and now, to be providing character references for a fucked up institution like the police department…the real question is, “does this person belong in a position of authority over others” and of course I think “no”.
dinner with a YUM executive
compassion. compassion. compassion. compassion. compassion. compassion, compassion, compassion. compassion. compassion. compassion. compassion compassion. compassion. compassion compassion compassion.
I almost barely didn’t want to hit him in the face.
compassion, compassion, compa….
categories bother me
Oh…organizing has been started for the CIW mobilization in April and I’m getting that old, familiar “can I do this?” feeling. Not “can it be done?” (because I know without a doubt that it can be) but “can I do this?”. This is so different from putting together a benefit, or an action, because now there is a goal and severe logistical obstacles and oh…god. I feel pretty alone here, that’s the worst. If there was just one other person here to work with!
A couple weeks ago Jacob and I went to a hootenanny (like a fandango, only with bluegrass music) at the Unitarian church. We had our instruments, mandolin and guitar, and followed along all sorts of old classics. It made me miss mountain folk, who I may see more of in the near future cause I’ve been encouraged to apply for another job with KFTC! We shall see. It’s a constant struggle between wanting to be absolutely transitory and needing some stability if I’m to get anywhere in life. Of all my friends, Jason probably understands this best…years on the move, only to land the job you’ve always wanted, only to need to move around again and explore. (That damn situation!)
The plus is that a good job means getting to visit my lovely and beautiful Amy and Keri friends! On a plane — though — but whatever, life cannot really ever be controlled. Last night on the way to the theater (Sherlock Holmes! the final adventure!) Jacob and I were talkin about correct usage of the word “absurd”. As I suspected, the concept is not merely synonymous with “ridiculous” but instead refers to ridiculous inconguity, situations that should have happened, and didn’t, because of principle incompatability. What was the example I just read? The manifestation of the Judeo-Christian God, is argued as absurd, as he is presented as both transcendent of human categorization while simultaneously being presented as having the human capacities to love, teach, judge, and every other infinite trait. Jesus being presented as perfectly mortal yet completely immortal. That kind of thing. Not in keeping with logic, a tenuous argument at best.
Believing in yourself enough to create an idea and a plan, but self-sabotaging its implimenting. Wanting to work as effectively as possible for change but constantly depriving yourself of the resources to do so. Having the best, most loving, interesting and kick-ass folks to count around you as your friends but still sequestering yourself away to read and write in an attic — heh! until they pull you out that is, for karaoke, movies, and art nights.
Right. Right. I have an absurd notion of the past. And Vietnamese food in the fridge! My work for the day is clear….
