Call to action!

Two of my favorite people and longest friends recently found out that their dream house that they’ve has been living in with their two wee kiddos has been infiltrated to the point of almost not being correctable by MOLD……. They are doing what they can (luckily it is summer so they can sleep in tents while they try to get it taken care of) but they need help.

I can not financially assist, but I thought I might be able to send a shout out to my followers (there are over 100 of you!) and if you all threw in a buck or two, that would be amazing.

 

Do a good thing.

Spend a buck.

Love and light!

AND SHARE!

CLICK HERE TO HELP OUT MY SOUL SISTER!!!

Today could be historic! C’mon Merikah, don’t be a Merkin!

Today there are old, frightened, white, straight men as the majority of our Supreme Court making decisions for the rest of us….I hope they make them in the best interest of all….toward equality and what is right and just….not maintaining status quo for political bullshit.

Don’t make hate your precedent. Don’t rule for inequality.

Do what Batman would do SCOTUS. Do what Bruce would do. The right thing.

I’m all verklemmt~

Today one of the young girls that I work with said “You’re a feminist, huh?”

I thought for a moment, not sure what she was implying…so I replied to her, “Well, I guess that depends on what you think a feminist is…”

She looked really confused and asked if I wanted a “dictionary definition.”

I replied “No, just tell me what you think a feminist is before I answer that….”

She said, “well I just finished a women’s studies class and I am pretty sure you are a  feminist. I want to be a feminist like you.”

OMG.*fanning myself*

It was the best compliment I have ever gotten.

It validated me and what I do and think and feel so much.

It was just what my womanchild heart needed to hear.

She furthered our conversation by saying that she wanted to read the feminine mystique.

I told her I would bring her a copy.

Yay for young girls getting it early!

White Privilege, it really does exist!

I recently had an interesting discussion with someone on their lack of belief in white privilege. It resulted in my leaving quite frustrated. I also tried to speak to my husband about it, but I end up so ver klempft that I can’t even banter appropriately or effectively. I have been trying to figure out a better and more clear way to explain it. The girl in the video explains it as immunity….rather than privilege…Maybe that makes it more palatable. I also have read an article that makes it understandable for the video generation….Click here.

One good thought I have had is: *if your perceived oppressive experience ends when you change environments, there wasn’t an *ism.*

You can be uncomfortable and a situational minority without being oppressed. 

Google “Galtung conflict triangle” interesting stuff. 2/3 isn’t an ism. You gots to have all 3.

http://civilliberty.about.com/od/equalrights/tp/Types-of-Oppression.htm

It’s the little things that get me…

*if you are a mamby pamby that gets grossed out, don’t read this*

 

I went to Fred Meyers to get some stuff in preparation for the return of the girlchild. As I was going in there was a girl who had a sign that said “Homeless, just need a hotel for a couple days.”

Now normally, as I am pretty freaking poor, I can’t give them money or anything more than a kind word or a smile. But something about the shame on this girl made me look twice. She couldn’t have been more than 19, 20; but her eyes looked so rueful, it reminded me of my own broken childmother. The girl had blood on her pants but being a woman, I knew she hadn’t murdered anyone and she wasn’t hurt (if you catch my drift.) Now, it was at that point that I realized I had never even thought about that aspect of homelessness. I immediately thought, I wonder if homeless girls ever get pregnant to avoid this? I realize this is a ludicrous thought to you now, but the one time that I was truly homeless, I was pregnant and did not have to worry about such things. Now before you get all “Awww that’s awful!” It was the perfect time to be homeless really, given what this girl was dealing with. Any other time that I was “homeless” it was more of a youthful choice, a rebellion and I knew plenty of places I could go for a week or shower or clean clothes or freaking tampons. It broke my heart. I didn’t have the money for a hotel room, but I did get the girl a pair of clearance pants and a big box of the tampons she wanted. A temporary comfort. It’s the little things we in our first world problem world of cable bills and cell phone overages that we don’t think about often enough. Things like tampons. Clean clothes. A place to wash.

And next month, hopefully she will either have somewhere to be, money to buy tampons or be able to steal some before she is too embarrassed to go in the store.

 

For the love of sweet ancient baby alien space monkey Jebus, this will teach me to stick my nose in other people’s business

Back in December, during my sworn off from Facebook month and a half of grieving,  I came home to find my neighbor who I am to this day convinced was a meth head engaged in battery against someone who did not live with her but I had seen there. I don’t remember all the details really, but doing my mandatory reporting and sick of their BS duty, I called it in. Today, I get a bloody subpoena in the mail to testify against who I am only aware of being a victim.

Are you freaking kidding me?

Now I have to go to court at 8 am on MY day off.

Now I have to testify in court.

Now I have to try to remember details.

Now I have to go to the police department and ask for my report so I can remember wtf happened. I don’t know. I don’t remember. I didn’t realize doing the right thing as a neighbor required me to know what happened indeterminately. Damnit.

Sometimes it just doesn’t pay to interfere.

But I am going to be a social worker. Am I required to save the world and report everything? Yes. I have to try. With great power comes great responsibility. And I suppose that means being subpoenaed. Damnit.

I hope he plea bargains. Or they realize that I have nothing to add to their case against HIM. I only saw HER hit him. Why am I being called as a witness against HIM? Oy.

What the hell is wrong with people today? Really? DV is not ok.

Last night I thoroughly enjoyed 70% of the Grammys. I did however comment throughout the night on twitter and Facebook about the fact that I find it somewhat odd that Chris Brown seems to have redeemed himself in the eyes of the world, even though we all saw pictures of what he did. Mel Gibson is still a PR disaster and Hollywood pariah, even though we only heard his crazy rants and he is alleged to have hit his baby mama. Chris Brown was allowed to perform two times last night and even won a Grammy. Are you kidding?

Now, I admit I am perhaps a little hypocritical in that I enjoy Mel Gibson movies and use a lot of Charlie Sheenisms; he after all locked a hooker in a closet, participated in drug fueled mutual combat with his baby mama and shot Kelly Preston once upon a time. But I don’t encourage my children to emulate them.

So what pisses me off more about Chris Brown? What filled my Twitter feed last night? What was I shared with on Facebook?

This:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/horrible-reactions-to-chris-brown-at-the-grammys

So am I to believe we forgive violent actions faster and easier than hateful words? I do not get it. Both are terrible. Both are disgusting. Both contribute to cycles that I believe we have been trying desperately to end. This isn’t just a female issue either. Females aren’t the only victims of Domestic Violence and men aren’t the only perpetrators.  But what are we showing kids? That if you are a good dancer you can do this:

and get a Grammy?

I think the Grammy Foundation really screwed up. But what do I know.

I do know that:

1. One in every four women will experience domestic violence in her lifetime.
2. An estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year.
3. 85% of domestic violence victims are women.
4. Historically, females have been most often victimized by someone they knew.
5. Females who are 20-24 years of age are at the greatest risk of nonfatal intimate partner violence.
6. Most cases of domestic violence are never reported to the police.
7. Almost one-third of female homicide victims that are reported in police records are killed by an intimate partner.
8. In 70-80% of intimate partner homicides, no matter which partner was killed, the man physically abused the woman before the murder.
9. Less than one-fifth of victims reporting an injury from intimate partner violence sought medical treatment following the injury.
10. Intimate partner violence results in more than 18.5 million mental health care visits each year.
11. Domestic violence is one of the most chronically under-reported crimes.

So if it is underreported, how many really happen? how many are female vs. man, female vs. female, or male vs male? This is an issue that cuts across all ages, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses. This is not something we should be celebrating. If Chris Brown has gone to classes and “recovered,” great. Good for him. But out of respect for Rihanna, out of respect for kids looking for role models, please go away.

I digressed from my original intent. Oops.

Not totally removed from the girls I previously spoke of that picked the Patriots because of how the QB looked, we now have girls saying that because someone is a good dancer and because he is good-looking, they would let him “beat them.” I guess we forgive actions faster than words, especially if you are young and hot.

Are you fucking kidding me?

Had any of you girls ever had a man hit you, saw your mom get hit, had to deal with the aftermath, physical or emotional of an abusive relationship or had a lick of sense in you, you would never say such asinine things. Get a clue. FUCK

http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf

Oh, the places you will go!~Dr. Seuss

So I went to the placement fair to try and figure out some of the potential places for my clinical practicum…I narrowed it down to 6 places and they all make my heart glow:

Check them out:

Mission: To prevent HIV infections, support and empower people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS, and eliminate HIV/AIDS-related stigma.

http://cascadeaids.org/

Mission:

Our mission is to help homeless youth and other marginalized people move towards improved health and self-sufficiency. We are…

• Service providers and advocates.
• Experts in understanding adolescents.
• A Federally Qualified Health Center.
• A licensed Mental Health Agency.
• Leaders in serving GLBTQ youth.

We believe…

• In dignity, hope, and resiliency.
• In innovation.
• Our clients can get through current challenges.
• Young people need trusting adults to thrive.
• In meeting people where they are.
• In a strengths-based approach.

http://www.outsidein.org/

Mission: The Bradley Angle mission is to offer survivors of domestic and sexual violence options for safety, empowerment, healing and hope, while collaborating with our communities to create social change.

As we work to bring an end to domestic violence, Bradley Angle embraces the following values:

• We empower individuals and communities to take action and eliminate domestic violence from their lives.
• We are committed to demystifying domestic violence and to giving voice to those touched by it.
• We offer a safe, non-judgmental and welcoming environment for all domestic violence survivors, offering individualized services that meet a wide range of cultural and personal needs.
• We believe all people, regardless of race, age, gender identity, background, sexual orientation or religion, deserve to live in a world where physical, emotional, and sexual abuse are not tolerated.

http://bradleyangle.org/

Mission: The mission of NARA, NW is to provide education, physical and mental health services and substance abuse treatment that is culturally appropriate to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other vulnerable populations.

http://www.naranorthwest.org/

Mission: In partnership with the communities we serve, the Health Department assures, promotes and protects the health of the people of Multnomah County.

• We believe that health is a “state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” (World Health Organization, 1978)
• We honor the diversity of the individuals and communities we serve and value their differing approaches to health and well-being.
• We believe in partnerships to improve the health of our communities.
• We believe the department’s actions should assist our communities in addressing underlying factors that affect good health.
• We value effective leadership as a fundamental tool to improve the health of our communities.
• We believe in being responsible stewards of the public trust and resources.
• We value a diverse staff and believe our staff should be selected with care, treated with respect, held accountable for their performance and encouraged in their personal growth.
• We believe in continuously improving the quality of our work.
• We believe in balancing scientific knowledge and practical experience with the wisdom and beliefs of those we serve to improve the health of our communities.
• We emphasize prevention, health promotion and early intervention.

http://web.multco.us/health

Mission: Honor America’s veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-being.

http://www.portland.va.gov/vancouver.asp

I love that some places are beginning to transition and recognize different populations than they have traditionally, i.e. domestic violence shelters are beginning to recognize, anticipate and serve men and LGBTQ2S populations.

I am so excited to be able to do this part of my education out of Idaho.

No news yet on whether the VA will have any LGBTQ2S services but eventually they have to. I hope 🙂

So that’s what I am….an INFJ…a Bibliovore….Hmmmm

So the hubby had to take a personality test for school and in a nutshell, his personality parallel was Eeyore:

Which is funny for two reasons 1) because I USED to be described as thus. “Don’t pay any attention to me, nobody ever does…” and 2) because I would have described him as Tigger….Methinks he doth put on a  show for the world….

I digress.

I wondered what character I would be….So I took the test and lo and behold; I didn’t get a cartoon character. I got Nicole Kidman. WTF does that mean? I like short guys? Anywhoo….I did find it interesting that the careers it provided for me were mostly things I enjoy and have done or am going to school to become, with the exception of librarian. But anyone who knows me knows I have a library and consume books voraciously like a “bibliovore”(I should trademark that). If you are interested in giving it a shot for the hell of it, here is the link:

Who are you?

75%

Logical-Mathematical

63%

Visual-Spatial

58%

Intrapersonal

44%

Interpersonal

88%

Musical

44%

Bodily-Kinesthetic

42%

Naturalistic

33%

Your Type is INFJ

Introverted	Intuitive	Feeling	Judging
Strength of the preferences %
11	12	50	11

INFJ type description by D.Keirsey
INFJ Identify Your Career with Jung Career Indicator™      INFJ Famous Personalities 
INFJ type description by J. Butt and M.M. Heiss

Qualitative analysis of your type formula

You are:

• slightly expressed introvert
• slightly expressed intuitive personality
• moderately expressed feeling personality
• slightly expressed judging personality

• Counselors have an exceptionally strong desire to contribute to the welfare of others, and find great personal fulfillment interacting with people, nurturing their personal development, guiding them to realize their human potential. Although they are happy working at jobs (such as writing) that require solitude and close attention, Counselors do quite well with individuals or groups of people, provided that the personal interactions are not superficial, and that they find some quiet, private time every now and then to recharge their batteries. Counselors are both kind and positive in their handling of others; they are great listeners and seem naturally interested in helping people with their personal problems. Not usually visible leaders, Counselors prefer to work intensely with those close to them, especially on a one-to-one basis, quietly exerting their influence behind the scenes.
• Counselors are scarce, little more than three percent of the population, and can be hard to get to know, since they tend not to share their innermost thoughts or their powerful emotional reactions except with their loved ones. They are highly private people, with an unusually rich, complicated inner life. Friends or colleagues who have known them for years may find sides emerging which come as a surprise. Not that Counselors are flighty or scattered; they value their integrity a great deal, but they have mysterious, intricately woven personalities which sometimes puzzle even them.
• Counselors tend to work effectively in organizations. They value staff harmony and make every effort to help an organization run smoothly and pleasantly. They understand and use human systems creatively, and are good at consulting and cooperating with others. As employees or employers, Counselors are concerned with people’s feelings and are able to act as a barometer of the feelings within the organization.
• Blessed with vivid imaginations, Counselors are often seen as the most poetical of all the types, and in fact they use a lot of poetic imagery in their everyday language. Their great talent for language-both written and spoken-is usually directed toward communicating with people in a personalized way. Counselors are highly intuitive and can recognize another’s emotions or intentions – good or evil – even before that person is aware of them. Counselors themselves can seldom tell how they came to read others’ feelings so keenly. This extreme sensitivity to others could very well be the basis of the Counselor’s remarkable ability to experience a whole array of psychic phenomena.

YOUR TYPE
I	N	F	J
Strength of the preferences %
11	12	50	11

Jung Career Indicator™ determines careers most suitable for your type from personality type standpoint. Based on your personality type, the following is a list of your most suitable occupations along with some examples of educational institutions, where you can receive a relevant degree or training. Please click institution name for more information. Invite your friends to discover most suitable for them careers.

Career Educational Institutions click   Social Service   for more schools Social Work Education         Librarian Law   click   Health Care   for more schools Early Childhood Education    Psychology/Psychotherapist Counseling   click   Arts / Humanities   for more schools Design   Science   Famous people of your particular type John Bradshaw, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela, John Calvin, Nicole Kidman