Sometimes you just need to look elsewhere for a minute to remember that.
Yeah, the World is Still Awesome
January 29, 2010 · 4 Comments
→ 4 CommentsCategories: Ramblings
Tagged: Video
Why I’m So Damn Good
January 26, 2010 · 4 Comments
The Luchador will smite you for your hubris
I am not the best PO in the world. I can be late with my reports, I take too long to file reports and, on occasion, I have been known to take my time in getting back to a client. For all those failings, I am still a damn good PO. Here’s why: I work really hard to get to know my families. I do not assume that there are “no cultural or racial boundaries that impeded delivery of [social] services.”
Of course there are boundaries that impede services. I’m a white, fairly well educated, suburban born, lapsed catholic/agnostic Irish guy (who looks more Italian than Irish). When I introduce myself to a family, they cannot help but bring up every previous interaction they have had with The System. And, just as they have their preconceived ideas of what is currently occurring, I bring my own experiences to the table. The Barriers are there.
My clients have broken laws and demonstrated terrible behaviors. That is not in question. But to assume that my clients, who live in neighborhoods with gangs, corrupt cops and failing services (social and civil) will immediately trust me is not ignorant. It is flat out stupid. It is incumbent on me, and any other individual in social services, to recognize barriers to service and WORK through them.
Any individual who says, “There are no barriers to service,” is an incompetent moron who should go work in the private sector.
→ 4 CommentsCategories: Ramblings
Tagged: community work, hubris, my job, rant, social service
Three Kings
January 10, 2010 · 3 Comments
In Catholic tradition, the Feast of the Three Kings is a Holy Day of Obligation. It is a celebration of the arrival of the Three Magi in Bethlehem. In my family’s tradition, it is also the arrival of my Aunt Greg and Uncle Susan, with cousins Sara and Emily in tow.
This year, there was dancing.
(The VodPod link automatically played the video. I’m not doing that to you all))
In fact, there was even a conga line. I’ll be posting that one shortly.
→ 3 CommentsCategories: Family
Tagged: bad romance, Family, lady gaga, Video
New Years
January 1, 2010 · 1 Comment
2009 ruled. 2010, you have a lot to live up to.
→ 1 CommentCategories: Ramblings
Best Present Ever
December 26, 2009 · 2 Comments
In 2003 I received the best christmas present ever: My first iPod. It was the first Christmas without my dad, and my mom did everything she could to do make Tony and I happy. Even though this iPod is ancient by Tech Standards, I still have it. I use it to back up my music, just in case of terribad failures.
On Christmas Eve, I received something even better–thanks to my cousins Michael and Jack. They made the family come down and watch old home movies. While a significant chunk of these movies focused on their early-teens antics, they did showcase my late parents and grandfather. This was before they were sick. Before my dad lost his voice to chemo. Before my grandfather stopped talking.
The best part: Shannon got to hear my dad make up a story on the spot, she heard my grandfather crack jokes and watch as he hide his drinking from the family AND she heard my mom care for my cousins. A true and accurate snap shot of the family I miss.
Keep your iPods, iPhones and computers. I got to hear my mom and dad again. You can’t beat that.
→ 2 CommentsCategories: Ramblings
Tagged: christmas present, home movies, memories, voices
90 Minutes For Beer
December 12, 2009 · 3 Comments
Tony and I are currently enroute to Racine, Wisconsin for Beer.
But Marty, you may think, aren’t there liquor stores in Chicago? Why yes, there are amazing liquor stores in chicago. I’m a member of a Binny’s, a fantastic chain in Chicago. But Binny’s does not have New Glarus beer. Binny’s does not Cran-bic, new Belgian red, Fat Squirrel or Organic Revolution. these are, by far, the greatest beers I have ever tasted.
→ 3 CommentsCategories: Family · Food and Drink
Tagged: beer, brothers, new glarus, road trip
Doing My Part for the Wacky Right
December 11, 2009 · 1 Comment
I am declaring War On Christmas. Yup. Christmas. I hate it.
Now the Wingnuts have a real target.
→ 1 CommentCategories: Ramblings
Tagged: crazy, wacky right, war on christmas, war on the holiday, war on war, war on xmas too, war on your fase, Wingnut, zomg liberals hate christmas
Thrown for a Loop
December 7, 2009 · 1 Comment
I’m a big fan of plans. I like case plans, treatment plans, plans for the weekend, plans to hang out (online, at a bar, at a show). Hell, I make plans on the way home, “First I’ll do the dishes, then I’ll get some water. I’ll play/read/write till dinner…” etc, etc.
I had planned, this month, to write up on the war, health care and a few other things. At least, that was the plan. On Monday things changed dramatically. If I could write it all up, I would, but I value confidentiality more than I value a good blog post. Confidentiality is only one part of this equation. Respect for the others involved is the other.
While I have decided to stop beating myself up over this–as this particular change was not my fault–it is going to take some time before I’m back on my game. While I plan on getting back into the swing of things by reading up on the war, health care and Woody Gutherie, it maybe some time before I completely shake this funk.
→ 1 CommentCategories: Politics · Writing
Tagged: can't say, confidentiality, crime, rambling, Work, Writing
Shakesville: Discussion Thread: Explicit Lessons About Rape
December 4, 2009 · Leave a Comment
What were you formally taught about rape, and where did you learn it? Who have you spoken to about rape? Did your parents ever talk to you about rape? Was the topic part of any formal sex education you got in school? Have you ever attended or instructed a seminar on rape? Was it compulsory or voluntary?
via Shakesville: Discussion Thread: Explicit Lessons About Rape.
1) The first memory I have of learning about rape was something my dad said about a case he had. Formally, we learned about it in health class, Sophomore year.
2) I have hundreds, if not thousands, of hours on rape, sexual abuse and the treatment of adolescent who have demonstrated sexually aggressive behaviors.
→ Leave a CommentCategories: Work
Tagged: rape culture
