Most of my good friends at work are lesbians. We sometimes wonder why I’m not one “of the family.” I’ve always felt most comfortable with and identified with a world defined by women. I’m especially comfortable with irreverent women who have dealt with society and now feel that they should live as they are. That’s what we all have in common. I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately. Today was the start of A BIG ASS SALE AT REI. Another EVENT. SOMETHING FOR WHICH TO APPLY ONESELF. All in all it adds up to a f$*k-all lot of work for me and those who are actually assigned to help me. (This is the first year that I had consistent help. …and when I talk about needing help, let me just say that in one day I got a shipment of 156 pairs of ONE pair of pants that we are selling.) So, the girls and I have had some time to talk. Yes, there are other people around, some straight, some with disabilities, some who are just completely undefinable. It’s added up to some interesting conversation about male society, what we reject, what we love, what is the most hilarious crap I’ve ever talked about with any people, and so much laughing that I think my face and stomach might actually break. This all makes me love my job more, because I am surrounded by women who think the way that I do, support me in my endeavors, and most of all, think I’m funny. Yes, I have to navigate the male world still, but I have to say that the lesbian and straight yet not convinced women that I have met at REI make it a f&%k-load more bearable.
Daily Archive for May 2nd, 2008
Graduation is only a concept. In real life every day you graduate. Graduation is a process that goes on until the last day of your life. If you can grasp that, you’ll make a difference. ~Arie Pencovici
At commencement you wear your square-shaped mortarboards. My hope is that from time to time you will let your minds be bold, and wear sombreros. ~Paul Freund (Though I think you’ve already surpassed this one, Banana.)
When you leave here, don’t forget why you came. ~Adlai Stevenson, to college graduate
During my second year of nursing school our professor gave us a quiz. I breezed through the questions until I read the last one: “What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?” Surely this was a joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times, but how would I know her name? I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Before the class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our grade. “Absolutely,” the professor said. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say hello.” I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy. ~Joann C. Jones
I’m sure you know all the Dorothys in your life.
Nicely done.
