Sometimes in life we need a do-over. The position with water was, um, how to say? Not successful for me or the organization. I did something so unlike me it was an out-of-body experience- I left the job during a shift. I've gone home because I was deathly ill. I've gone home because there was a real family emergency. I've even been sent home because I wasn't needed that day. But I have never, in my whole life, left because I felt a position was totally wrong for me and a movement. I spent most of Sunday in bed thinking, praying and crying. What went wrong is almost too hard to explain. Let me just say canvassing is not for me.
But things seem to be working out for the better now. I called a costume shop that I also interview with and they still have a position for me. So I went in and got trained. I am now the wig Matron of the costume shop. I also get to answer the phone, and in a real pinch help out at the register. Wow. From what I applied for to now that's like three promotions in three days of working.
At the wig counter I get to laugh with the public as they try on new identities for Halloween and dress up. As you might notice from my profile picture dress up time is my favorite time anytime. So this position fits my personality and my needs- it pays (not great but some is better than nothing), it's now until October 31st, and it's close (just across the street). So the lesson children is to listen to your heart when it's shouting NO! and find something that fits.
By the way I heard from the folks at Church wide- they seem to think I'll be leaving in early November. Which is much later than I originally thought but still leaves time to volunteer during the election season. GO VOTE!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Head case, my job.
Here's a little story that is part of a larger story. I went on an interview marathon. Four interviews in three days. Phew. I think I am going to do my temp work on an issue that is really almost too close for comfort but I think I am ready to try. Here's some background.
When I was not yet born Mom and Dad lived in a Colorado Mountain town. The water supply that spring was not always good. Sometimes the neighbors would complain of the taste and floaties coming from the tap. Several children were born with horrible birth defects that summer. In December Mom went into labor with me ( WAY too early) and went to the hospital. She had an emergency Cesarean section.
I was born with Craniostynostosis. It's a disease that causes the bones in a fetus head to fuse and harden. The skull shouldn't fuse until much later in development so the brain can grow- think around the age of 6 and completely after teenagerhood. Without surgery brain damage is a possibility, death is too. The doctors did a very long, very painful surgery to correct my defect. It was successful. (Even though sometimes I do/say/act like an idiot for no discernible reason other than obvious brain damage.) I sometimes have headaches. I have had a mild headache for 28 years.
There were many others born with the defect. And still others with different defects. WHY?? The government (EPA among others) launched an investigation. A few years ago the water was found to be contaminated with heavy metals. And they found pollutants in the soil. And there was crap in the air, too. The whole aquatic ecosystem had collapsed from mining activities that happened, are you ready?...138 years before.
So the government declared our little city water pools a SUPERFUND site and began clean up. Now, nobody ever said the water made me sick. I have my hunches and some pretty promising sources but am not ready to make a direct accusation. Plus, the reality is even after billions of dollars in clean up the water, soil and air will never be 'clean' they will just be 'clean enough.' These things are complicated and I will write more later in new entries.
What's a girl to do? I went to one of the best schools in the nation to get my Environmental Studies Degree to figure it out. And for good measure I got a Community Leadership certificate so I could use what I learn to help people PROTECT themselves. (yeah, the minor in geography to find out how far the problem extends;)
What really stinks is, even if I wanted to personally fill the mines that are leaking cyanide, mercury, lead, beryllium, arsenic, and other nasties into the water supply, I can't. Cleaning up those site is ILLEGAL. Due to antiquated legislation no one except the government can touch the tailings or the mines themselves. There are more than 800 abandoned mines in Colorado. I think about that every time I am hugging the toilet to throw up because the pain of YET ANOTHER headache. I think about that every time I think about having babies myself. I think about the stuff sitting in my bones every time I have to explain to yet another doctor that I am still in pain. And that no, the medication did not help, and that no, I am not ready to live with it.
So starting Thursday, I am going to work with an environmental non-profit to PROTECT myself, my community, and my family from ever having to deal with something like this again. I am just glad the defect did not kill me. It could have, but I am lucky I am to be able to fight for everyone's right to drink clean water.
For just a few weeks I am going to knock on doors and say, hey friends, you should think about your little babies heads and vote. Vote for the environment. Then I am off to Indonesia to work with a different water, the water of life that sustains us all. The water from God washing away the pain of illness and anger at injustice and replacing it with joy and purpose.
When I was not yet born Mom and Dad lived in a Colorado Mountain town. The water supply that spring was not always good. Sometimes the neighbors would complain of the taste and floaties coming from the tap. Several children were born with horrible birth defects that summer. In December Mom went into labor with me ( WAY too early) and went to the hospital. She had an emergency Cesarean section.
I was born with Craniostynostosis. It's a disease that causes the bones in a fetus head to fuse and harden. The skull shouldn't fuse until much later in development so the brain can grow- think around the age of 6 and completely after teenagerhood. Without surgery brain damage is a possibility, death is too. The doctors did a very long, very painful surgery to correct my defect. It was successful. (Even though sometimes I do/say/act like an idiot for no discernible reason other than obvious brain damage.) I sometimes have headaches. I have had a mild headache for 28 years.
There were many others born with the defect. And still others with different defects. WHY?? The government (EPA among others) launched an investigation. A few years ago the water was found to be contaminated with heavy metals. And they found pollutants in the soil. And there was crap in the air, too. The whole aquatic ecosystem had collapsed from mining activities that happened, are you ready?...138 years before.
So the government declared our little city water pools a SUPERFUND site and began clean up. Now, nobody ever said the water made me sick. I have my hunches and some pretty promising sources but am not ready to make a direct accusation. Plus, the reality is even after billions of dollars in clean up the water, soil and air will never be 'clean' they will just be 'clean enough.' These things are complicated and I will write more later in new entries.
What's a girl to do? I went to one of the best schools in the nation to get my Environmental Studies Degree to figure it out. And for good measure I got a Community Leadership certificate so I could use what I learn to help people PROTECT themselves. (yeah, the minor in geography to find out how far the problem extends;)
What really stinks is, even if I wanted to personally fill the mines that are leaking cyanide, mercury, lead, beryllium, arsenic, and other nasties into the water supply, I can't. Cleaning up those site is ILLEGAL. Due to antiquated legislation no one except the government can touch the tailings or the mines themselves. There are more than 800 abandoned mines in Colorado. I think about that every time I am hugging the toilet to throw up because the pain of YET ANOTHER headache. I think about that every time I think about having babies myself. I think about the stuff sitting in my bones every time I have to explain to yet another doctor that I am still in pain. And that no, the medication did not help, and that no, I am not ready to live with it.
So starting Thursday, I am going to work with an environmental non-profit to PROTECT myself, my community, and my family from ever having to deal with something like this again. I am just glad the defect did not kill me. It could have, but I am lucky I am to be able to fight for everyone's right to drink clean water.
For just a few weeks I am going to knock on doors and say, hey friends, you should think about your little babies heads and vote. Vote for the environment. Then I am off to Indonesia to work with a different water, the water of life that sustains us all. The water from God washing away the pain of illness and anger at injustice and replacing it with joy and purpose.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Fun times in Limbo land
It would be silly to pretend like I don't live some charmed life that would turn a leprechaun green with envy. Two weeks ago I went camping with my three siblings and my niece in Golden Gate State Park. Then last weekend I went jet skiing with old friends down at Chatfield and read poetry in a research canyon outside Boulder. This weekend Bevin and I went down to Colorado Springs to go horse back riding in Garden of the Gods. It was beautiful and oh so much fun.
I have also had the chance to visit and be visited by friends and family almost every day. Last Friday I held my sweet, well mannered first cousin who just turned five weeks. Still, when the visa comes through I am totally ready to go. Here's to filling up my time with wonderful moments! I did apply for temp work, and I have been writing some preliminary lesson plans. I know there are so few times in life when one would be permitted to live such a carefree existence. I am grateful for the time I have just futzing around and the many amazing friends and family.
I have also had the chance to visit and be visited by friends and family almost every day. Last Friday I held my sweet, well mannered first cousin who just turned five weeks. Still, when the visa comes through I am totally ready to go. Here's to filling up my time with wonderful moments! I did apply for temp work, and I have been writing some preliminary lesson plans. I know there are so few times in life when one would be permitted to live such a carefree existence. I am grateful for the time I have just futzing around and the many amazing friends and family.
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