Once upon a time, alignment charts were the popular thing. Were you lawful, upholding the rules only when they were fair(lawful good) or did you toe the line regardless of how unjust the law was(lawful evil)? Or did you, as a chaotic person, make your own set of rules on either end of the good/evil spectrum?
And of course there were plenty of internet quizzes to tell you where you fell(because no one knows you better than a total stranger with twenty spare minutes). As expected, I received the label of "chaotic good", meaning that I won't always use the most legal path to achieve things, but that it will always be in striving for the greater good.
Which brings us to today. I was asked to review three job candidates, to see if any of them would be approved as a driver. Two of them were clean, no problem. But one of them stood out. He'd had his license suspended not once, but twice, for what looked like an unpaid fine. There were no speeding tickets or improper turn signals to be found, nothing that reflected his driving ability at all(it never did say what the fine itself was for, but there's a decent chance it wasn't even related to vehicles at all).
On the surface you see this and you're like "No way, Jose!" But me, being me, decided to do a little extra research. Facebook can be used as a valuable tool on occasion.
The man in question was a locally born and raised black man with a little girl. This painted a far different picture. Instead of someone that wouldn't pay a fine, I considered that perhaps he couldn't. Maybe this job would be the steady income that was desperately needed, and the straightening out of the financial tangle was entirely predicated on his ability to drive.
Let me make something clear: there is a difference between pity and understanding. Pity is giving people something because you feel sorry for them; understanding is knowing that shit is hard and trying to examine other possibilities. Understanding is examining the influences of social climate in the area, especially for people who are not white, on someone's ability to pay a fine. Understanding led me to give all three men the all-clear.
Honestly, my job is not threatened by this act. I don't really have too many people double-checking me. Half of those charges will be off his record in a short amount of time anyway. They might not even hire him, and then it really won't matter. But I saw a chance to give someone the benefit of the doubt, and I was happy to take it. Chaotic good at work.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Day Thirty
The last day of my journal challenge. I can't say that I know myself any better, or that I'm now in the habit of writing every day, but it was certainly fun while it lasted.
One thing you're excited about
I don't feel terribly excited about anything right now, actually. I mostly feel tired and a little achy. But deep down inside, I know I'm always exited for Christmas.
We're only 46 days away, and it doesn't feel like nearly enough time. There's a hosue to decorate and presents to buy, a party to plan and cards to send out, a name to pick off the Adopt-A-Kid tree. But I'll be ready. I know I will. I know I'm ready for all of that peace and good will towards men, that's for damn sure. I need something to jingle my bells, holly my jollies, tinsel my tree. My yearly pick-me-up that keeps me excited for the rest of the year.
And, y'know, the subsequent two weeks off of work ain't bad either.
One thing you're excited about
I don't feel terribly excited about anything right now, actually. I mostly feel tired and a little achy. But deep down inside, I know I'm always exited for Christmas.
We're only 46 days away, and it doesn't feel like nearly enough time. There's a hosue to decorate and presents to buy, a party to plan and cards to send out, a name to pick off the Adopt-A-Kid tree. But I'll be ready. I know I will. I know I'm ready for all of that peace and good will towards men, that's for damn sure. I need something to jingle my bells, holly my jollies, tinsel my tree. My yearly pick-me-up that keeps me excited for the rest of the year.
And, y'know, the subsequent two weeks off of work ain't bad either.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Day Twenty-Nine
Five weird things that you like
Weird is relative, but I'll give it a try.
1. Reading on the toilet(TMI, I'm sure, but they did say weird)
2. Licorice(though what's really weird is how much everyone hates this incredible candy)
3. Weird people(Not always necessarily as friends or personally; google Vermin Supreme to get a good feel for what I'm talking about)
4. Maps/Old Star Charts(I'm not sure if this is weird, but I've got no real explanation for why I love the aesthetic so much)
5. Naming things(My car has a name, most of my electronics have a name, the weird bug that lived in our old house had a name even)
Weird is relative, but I'll give it a try.
1. Reading on the toilet(TMI, I'm sure, but they did say weird)
2. Licorice(though what's really weird is how much everyone hates this incredible candy)
3. Weird people(Not always necessarily as friends or personally; google Vermin Supreme to get a good feel for what I'm talking about)
4. Maps/Old Star Charts(I'm not sure if this is weird, but I've got no real explanation for why I love the aesthetic so much)
5. Naming things(My car has a name, most of my electronics have a name, the weird bug that lived in our old house had a name even)
Day Twenty-Eight
Somewhere you'd like to move to or visit
Everywhere.
My dream is to live out of my car and travel across America, or just travel around the world in general. Of course, that involves a great deal of money, so that dream doesn't look likely to come to fruition. There are ways to do that for slightly less money, like housesitting and different sorts of job, but there are still travel costs involved with that. If I had some sort of online marketable skill it would be an easier life to obtain. Of course, if I could get off my lazy ass and just write something, that in itself could be the key. But that's gonna happen no time soon.
But if I had to pick one place to move and one place to visit: I'd move to Seattle and visit Ireland or Iceland. Seattle has a good rock scene and a lot of colleges(aka lots of places I could find work until I figured out what I really want to do). Ireland is the land of my people, and Iceland is just kickass. They have the highest rate of published authors, and an interesting geology. You can actually go in the volcano that Jules Verne used as a basis for A Journey to the Center of the Earth. I mean, for a lot of money, but still. It's super rad.
Everywhere.
My dream is to live out of my car and travel across America, or just travel around the world in general. Of course, that involves a great deal of money, so that dream doesn't look likely to come to fruition. There are ways to do that for slightly less money, like housesitting and different sorts of job, but there are still travel costs involved with that. If I had some sort of online marketable skill it would be an easier life to obtain. Of course, if I could get off my lazy ass and just write something, that in itself could be the key. But that's gonna happen no time soon.
But if I had to pick one place to move and one place to visit: I'd move to Seattle and visit Ireland or Iceland. Seattle has a good rock scene and a lot of colleges(aka lots of places I could find work until I figured out what I really want to do). Ireland is the land of my people, and Iceland is just kickass. They have the highest rate of published authors, and an interesting geology. You can actually go in the volcano that Jules Verne used as a basis for A Journey to the Center of the Earth. I mean, for a lot of money, but still. It's super rad.
Day Twenty-Seven
A quote you try to live by
I freakin' love quotes.
When I was younger, I had a composition book full of quotes, and every time I found a good one I'd throw it in there. At some point I copied the original book into a new composition book and added from there, and the second book I still have. The quote book had words from Tuck Everlasting alongside quotes from Hemingway and Truman(pulled from my math teacher's quote-a-day calendar; he'd always let me have the old ones. I think that was the only math class I ever enjoyed).
As much as I love quotes, I can't say I actually live by any of them. My favorite has always been Henry David Thoreau's "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." That nugget of wisdom has lodged itself pretty firmly in my brain, too. I try to remember that two people looking at the same thing can be seeing very different things. It helps give perspective, I think.
I freakin' love quotes.
When I was younger, I had a composition book full of quotes, and every time I found a good one I'd throw it in there. At some point I copied the original book into a new composition book and added from there, and the second book I still have. The quote book had words from Tuck Everlasting alongside quotes from Hemingway and Truman(pulled from my math teacher's quote-a-day calendar; he'd always let me have the old ones. I think that was the only math class I ever enjoyed).
As much as I love quotes, I can't say I actually live by any of them. My favorite has always been Henry David Thoreau's "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." That nugget of wisdom has lodged itself pretty firmly in my brain, too. I try to remember that two people looking at the same thing can be seeing very different things. It helps give perspective, I think.
Friday, November 4, 2016
Day Twenty-Six
Things you like and dislike about yourself
Well, I like that I'm a leader, that I'm forgiving, and that I'm willing to entirely invest emotionally in people. I dislike that I'm anxious, self-conscious, and willing to entirely invest emotionally in people.
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Triple Dog Dare
I've missed the past couple of days, so here's three day's worth alllll in a row!
Day Twenty-Three
1. A song you cannot stand to listen to
"I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe. It was hugely popular for a long time on the christian radio station my mother kept our car radio glued to. Interestingly enough, the length of it's popularity covered both the period of time where I was having panic attacks because I thought Jesus was going to rapture my mother away, and later when I developed a fear of death. So yeah. Can't stand it.
2. Something that you miss
There are a lot of things, several of which were lost in my move to Chestertown, so I'm just gonna make a list.
-My cute plaid shirt
-My cute black butterfly shirt(it was so comfyyyyyy)
-My Christmas ornaments/white fake Christmas tree(a gift from my brother, who was very rare with the gifts)
-Orion(obvs)
-Cadby Theatre and Cadby the ghost
Day Twenty-Four
1. A song you and your best friend have danced to
There aren't any, actually. We're not much with the dancing to things, and most of the music we listen to together is in the car(where one attempts to dance a little less).
2. Five words/phrases that make you laugh
-"Ha-rumph"
-"GIRL, LOOK HOW FUCKING ORANGE YOU LOOK GIRL"
-"Kelly Clarkson's song Piece by Piece could be about me"
-"My SISTER is in the HOSPITAL"
-Leg so hot
Hot, hot leg
Leg so hot it fry an egg
I refuse to offer explanation for any of these.
Day Twenty-Five(Last day of the song challenge!)
1. A song you could listen to all day without getting tired of
"Rearviewmirrior" by Pearl Jam. Which I know I've used before, but eh. I have put it on repeat before, for long periods of time.
2. Something you're currently worried about
Christmas. I love every part of Christmas, but especially the giving of gifts. I am exceptionally talented at picking out good gifts for people. But this year, I have A.) a slightly slower cash flow than years past, and B.) I don't know what to get for someone. Like, they don't like having a lot of stuff, but I also find gift cards slightly impersonal, and usually try to combine a gift card with something small, but this year... I dunno, man. I'm lost. I mean, I'll definitely figure it out, but damn.
Day Twenty-Three
1. A song you cannot stand to listen to
"I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe. It was hugely popular for a long time on the christian radio station my mother kept our car radio glued to. Interestingly enough, the length of it's popularity covered both the period of time where I was having panic attacks because I thought Jesus was going to rapture my mother away, and later when I developed a fear of death. So yeah. Can't stand it.
2. Something that you miss
There are a lot of things, several of which were lost in my move to Chestertown, so I'm just gonna make a list.
-My cute plaid shirt
-My cute black butterfly shirt(it was so comfyyyyyy)
-My Christmas ornaments/white fake Christmas tree(a gift from my brother, who was very rare with the gifts)
-Orion(obvs)
-Cadby Theatre and Cadby the ghost
Day Twenty-Four
1. A song you and your best friend have danced to
There aren't any, actually. We're not much with the dancing to things, and most of the music we listen to together is in the car(where one attempts to dance a little less).
2. Five words/phrases that make you laugh
-"Ha-rumph"
-"GIRL, LOOK HOW FUCKING ORANGE YOU LOOK GIRL"
-"Kelly Clarkson's song Piece by Piece could be about me"
-"My SISTER is in the HOSPITAL"
-Leg so hot
Hot, hot leg
Leg so hot it fry an egg
I refuse to offer explanation for any of these.
Day Twenty-Five(Last day of the song challenge!)
1. A song you could listen to all day without getting tired of
"Rearviewmirrior" by Pearl Jam. Which I know I've used before, but eh. I have put it on repeat before, for long periods of time.
2. Something you're currently worried about
Christmas. I love every part of Christmas, but especially the giving of gifts. I am exceptionally talented at picking out good gifts for people. But this year, I have A.) a slightly slower cash flow than years past, and B.) I don't know what to get for someone. Like, they don't like having a lot of stuff, but I also find gift cards slightly impersonal, and usually try to combine a gift card with something small, but this year... I dunno, man. I'm lost. I mean, I'll definitely figure it out, but damn.
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