On a recent weekday I had very similar situations happen on both my morning and my evening commutes, and it got me thinking.
I rode my first bus down, got off and transferred to the next bus. I chose a seat mid-way back, noticing that the front, center-facing seats were rather empty but for two men. Shortly after the bus started moving, one man (the rather gray-haired white man) started just yammering about black people and how they were not treated right and that Jesse Jackson had some good things to say...and that black people weren't less intelligent - that his nurse told him that you shouldn't judge someone on their IQ, because everyone was human....
This went on throughout the rest of my ride on the bus. People got on the bus, heard him ranting, and moved to the back of the bus. He tried to make eye contact with people, but they (and I) looked away - unsure what to do, or just uncomfortable with the situation.
Then, that evening--again on the 2nd bus--I got on, found a seat, and promptly was treated to a similar situation. This time it was a black guy just ranting - at and about anything...how the bus was being driven, who had gotten on, what the weather was like...all at the top of his lungs with a LISP. And again, he tried to draw people into his world. I tried not to look in his direction - which was kind of hard, since he was directly in front of me and facing my direction.
I know these people are people, harmless more than likely. They deserve respect, honesty, and caring....but when you're on a bus confronted by them....how do you respond? If you speak to them, sometimes they just get more vocal, more into their delusion. But if you don't, if you ignore them....does that make you unfeeling? Uninterested? Uncaring?
It's kind of sad in today's world that these people, who probably should be someplace caring, taking the proper meds, getting the right counseling, being cared for...that they're out in the regular world usually because they can't afford proper treatment. That's the majority of our homeless situation (that, and the delightful economy taking people's homes and jobs)....institutions and hospitals who can't keep someone where they need to be because insurance or other funds are not willing to pay anything any more.
Anyhow. I'm just curious about how other people would handle these situations.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Two in one day! ...a Q&A
Proust Questionnaire
This is the version of the famous set of interview questions that appears at the back of Vanity Fair every month. It was fun to think through.
Proust Questionnaire (Vanity Fair Version)
Marian's Answers
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being held in my husband’s arms while enjoying a beautiful sunset.
What is your greatest fear?
That America will never learn to use its intelligence, talent, and bountiful resources for the true betterment of its OWN people.
What historical figure do you most identify with?
I really have no idea……
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Lack of self confidence.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Pettiness
What is your greatest extravagance?
Books, and an occasional pair of shoes (I just got some REALLY nice walking shoes)
What is your favorite journey?
Any airplane ride to somewhere far away.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Piety
What is your greatest regret?
Not learning all my Dad’s stories before he passed..
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My hubby
When and where were you happiest?
I first realized that my (then) husband-to-be really liked me while I was walking in a overnight marathon, and as the sun came up on the mountains I felt so very happy.
What is your current state of mind?
Happily optimistic
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d have lots and lots more energy.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
That we’d all get along well enough to get together for a reunion every other year or so.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Endurance through despair – I may go down, but I always come back up.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
I have no idea what it would be, but I would HOPE that it would be a creature – either a wolf, or some other predator.
What is your most treasured possession?
This would have to be the collection of courtship notes that my hubby wrote me during the first year of our relationship -- and then he got them printed in a book for me.
But the opal ring my dad gave me (one that he had made specially for himself in Brazil), and the opal ring my mom bought me (to replace the one she bought me for my 21st b-day that got stolen) are also very close to my heart.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Hopelessness.
Where would you like to live?
Summer home in London. Winter home in either Greece or Spain.
What is your favorite occupation?
Teacher
What is your most marked characteristic?
Helpfulness
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Honesty.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Honesty
What do you most value in your friends?
Thoughtfulness
Who are your favorite writers?
Mercedes Lackey, Jim Butcher, and Anne McCaffrey…so far
What is it that you most dislike?
Lacking the resources to do what I really want to do (whether it’s finances, energy, time, or ability).
How would you like to die?
Quickly and at the same time as my husband.
What is your motto?
Do what you will, but harm none.
This is the version of the famous set of interview questions that appears at the back of Vanity Fair every month. It was fun to think through.
Proust Questionnaire (Vanity Fair Version)
Marian's Answers
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
Being held in my husband’s arms while enjoying a beautiful sunset.
What is your greatest fear?
That America will never learn to use its intelligence, talent, and bountiful resources for the true betterment of its OWN people.
What historical figure do you most identify with?
I really have no idea……
What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
Lack of self confidence.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Pettiness
What is your greatest extravagance?
Books, and an occasional pair of shoes (I just got some REALLY nice walking shoes)
What is your favorite journey?
Any airplane ride to somewhere far away.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Piety
What is your greatest regret?
Not learning all my Dad’s stories before he passed..
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My hubby
When and where were you happiest?
I first realized that my (then) husband-to-be really liked me while I was walking in a overnight marathon, and as the sun came up on the mountains I felt so very happy.
What is your current state of mind?
Happily optimistic
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I’d have lots and lots more energy.
If you could change one thing about your family, what would it be?
That we’d all get along well enough to get together for a reunion every other year or so.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Endurance through despair – I may go down, but I always come back up.
If you were to die and come back as a person or thing, what do you think it would be?
I have no idea what it would be, but I would HOPE that it would be a creature – either a wolf, or some other predator.
What is your most treasured possession?
This would have to be the collection of courtship notes that my hubby wrote me during the first year of our relationship -- and then he got them printed in a book for me.
But the opal ring my dad gave me (one that he had made specially for himself in Brazil), and the opal ring my mom bought me (to replace the one she bought me for my 21st b-day that got stolen) are also very close to my heart.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Hopelessness.
Where would you like to live?
Summer home in London. Winter home in either Greece or Spain.
What is your favorite occupation?
Teacher
What is your most marked characteristic?
Helpfulness
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Honesty.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Honesty
What do you most value in your friends?
Thoughtfulness
Who are your favorite writers?
Mercedes Lackey, Jim Butcher, and Anne McCaffrey…so far
What is it that you most dislike?
Lacking the resources to do what I really want to do (whether it’s finances, energy, time, or ability).
How would you like to die?
Quickly and at the same time as my husband.
What is your motto?
Do what you will, but harm none.
Sorry for the long pause...
Things have been really rather good - busy, but good. I've started Voice Over lessons and seem to be doing quite well, not to mention having a lot of fun. Had a great trip to Michigan back in August with my hubby and our dog - dog did a GREAT job, very good and no whinging at all! The weather was pretty good, and time spent with mom was really good. We had a very nice ceremony to inter my dad's ashes, and I feel that he's finally at rest.
I'm still working at the job I started in July and really really like it. I feel useful, important, intelligent, and worthwhile, not to mention that I actually LIKE the subject matter I'm working with! It's cool. I haven't been in a position like this in YEARS. And I know it's not just the first blush of being in a new job, since I've been there over 3 months now. I'm finally happy in my job. This is way neat.
I've also taken a beginning knitting class, and look forward to starting and completing my first project. I'll take pictures once I have anything to photograph.
My family is doing rather well....Mom is adjusting to being alone (most of the time, as is expected), and seems to be as busy as usual, though she's learning to "play" a little too now; a nephew just got his first full time job in his career field and is really liking it. (Good job Ken!!); a niece is really blossoming in a new tech/high school/college program; a brother seems to be enjoying his new direction into film as a Production Manager. BUT...unfortunately, another brother just got let go from his job. He found out at 4pm this past Monday that his position had been eliminated....and he had only started in THIS job last November, after being laid off for almost 6 months. Major bummer. So life is moving along with smooth patches as well as bumpy patches...much like life SHOULD.
Anyhoo...I promise to post more often. I'm almost believing that the really dark times are behind me for now...Yeah, I know there's always the potential for more, but I'm finally feeling rather optimistic. Cool, huh?
I'm still working at the job I started in July and really really like it. I feel useful, important, intelligent, and worthwhile, not to mention that I actually LIKE the subject matter I'm working with! It's cool. I haven't been in a position like this in YEARS. And I know it's not just the first blush of being in a new job, since I've been there over 3 months now. I'm finally happy in my job. This is way neat.
I've also taken a beginning knitting class, and look forward to starting and completing my first project. I'll take pictures once I have anything to photograph.
My family is doing rather well....Mom is adjusting to being alone (most of the time, as is expected), and seems to be as busy as usual, though she's learning to "play" a little too now; a nephew just got his first full time job in his career field and is really liking it. (Good job Ken!!); a niece is really blossoming in a new tech/high school/college program; a brother seems to be enjoying his new direction into film as a Production Manager. BUT...unfortunately, another brother just got let go from his job. He found out at 4pm this past Monday that his position had been eliminated....and he had only started in THIS job last November, after being laid off for almost 6 months. Major bummer. So life is moving along with smooth patches as well as bumpy patches...much like life SHOULD.
Anyhoo...I promise to post more often. I'm almost believing that the really dark times are behind me for now...Yeah, I know there's always the potential for more, but I'm finally feeling rather optimistic. Cool, huh?
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