Day Off
Today was meant to be a day off, but then I got a call that one of the last few people I have to interview for the ANIMALS assignment was available. So, I did the interview real quick and then hung out with C and my son who came up for the day. We went out for some pizza and a nice tuna panini. Afterward, I completely sacked out while they watched
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"In what I do, empathy is everything. You need to really identify with your patients. These days, I see them as victims of their own indulgences: food, liquor, sloth, etc. While I used to be able to put myself in their shoes, I now - after literally starving myself and cutting out most vices - feel the exact opposite."
Hm.... In a way, maybe the detachment is better. I had a fairly big ego on teaching just because I treat the kids as if it were the worst case scenario (I imagine that possibly their life may suck before/after my class, so I go out of my way to make it memorable and fun)--- but after some frustrations even with that 'empathy' approach, I'm realizing that some of my co-workers who seem un-emotionally involved in their work possibly do a much better and professional job with the kids, since they don't take the kids' successes or rebellions too personally.
And... not everyone can achieve the nietchian ideal, who hasn't screwed up in one way or another---. But, then again.... it may be time for a different job, I'm sure you'll weight the pluses (steady income? few days a week?) and minuses so that you're not going from the frying pan into the fire with a different place.
"It's about this film crew who spent a year or so watching and waiting and filming people on the Golden Gate Bridge. The main focus of the film is on why people have this romantic notion that the bridge is the perfect place to commit suicide. The film goes into a bunch of the victims stories and captures a bit of the mindset that leads to suicide. "
I heard about this documentary, plus, living close enough to SF, I read the SF paper now and then-- and get annoyed by the citizens' request to 'put up a barrier so that suicide folks won't be tempted'. (which I think is what the docu leads to... is that right? I haven't actually seen it)
My own two cents on that-
I'd read recently that in Japan, a good number of innocent bystanders get killed by people jumping off buildings... and the person who attempted suicide usually lives. (Not kidding). Which is kinda screwed up, if you ask me.
I always feel no matter what, (myself included, even if I don't come to the conclusion right away), we're all responsible for where we're at- to a degree. Someone who kills themselves I feel bad for, but I respect that more than the person who decides to wipe out people who are bystanders who had nothing to do with it as well on their way out.... on purpose or accident.
The bridge may be a better option than having suicides fly off buildings. I may be biased, but I love visiting San Francisco and don't really want to die with someone landing on my head from out of the sky.
In short: Bodies falling out of the sky on Harv= bad. Bodies falling into the lovely SF bay instead=better.
"Tomorrow, C and I are planning to get up early and go have breakfast in downtown B'ham. It's Pride weekend and we thought we'd go show our support. I can't imagine what it must be like growing up gay in a town as small as this. "
That's cool.... though who knows where the worst hate crimes begin- race? sex? money? I worked in a dept in SF once that was primarily gay, but pretty borderline racist.... wasn't too cool. Didn't turn anti-gay, mind you, but didn't make me want to donate any money to any gay causes either after that.
Besides, all sex is overrated. The world can go celebate tommorrow and buy dvds instead. My two cents.
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