This morning we had a real test on how well my training has gone this summer learning to be Alpha Female of the pack.
I had the dogs in a "sit-stay" on the back porch while I took out the trash. It was early in the morning...not a soul on the street...that is until a woman and her husky rounded the corner. Before I knew what was happening both our dogs were barking and flying to greet the dog.
At this point, the woman FREAKS OUT. I cannot overexaggerate her absolute PANIC. She begins screaming and shielding her dog, yelling "GET YOUR DOGS! GET YOUR DOGS!!! My dog is not good on leash!" She was completely OVER-REACTING and freaking out all dogs involved. Not to mention at this point my dogs were both in our driveway!!
I, on the other hand, after a summer of training, yelled "NO! INSIDE!" and pretty much immediately both dogs turned and ran back to the porch.
The astonishing part of this whole scenario is that in fact I did not expect my dogs to listen. I was sure we were going to end up in some awful comedic/tragic situation with my dogs running through the neighborhood for hours. Yet, the lesson learned is that my dogs can behave. I can be alpha. Training works.
Our dogs are not beasts!
Monday, August 28, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
Scroll Down for Mary Beth's Book Tag
Mary Beth tagged us a while ago; scroll down to August 11th for our answers.
New Job(s)
As September approached I was clear with myself that I would take on NO new responsibilities. It was time to write the prospectus and get moving on my dissertation. I had one last fling planned for the last week in August as I prepared to drive to Denver with Julie....BUT THAT WAS IT!! No more distractions! I was firm in my resolve.
Then, I went to the Reconciling Ministries Clergy gathering and was surprised by the invitation to take on the responsibility of serving as co-convener of the group and serving on the Reconciling Ministries Board. Six more meetings a year? Traveling around the country? Being with my "church?" Sure! No problem. What's a little more travel and internet collaboration??? I'm not doing that much, right?
Then, I returned home only to find a message on my phone from MassEquality and the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry....they invited me to be a temporary Religious Consultant for MassEquality as they go into the next constitutional convention. While folks outside of MA may think we have won the battle for same-sex marriage, we are far from securing it. The religious right is determined to put marriage equality up for a popular vote, making vulnerable the civil rights of a minority to the whims of the majority. Don't get me started...
Back to the job saga....I was determined when I heard the message to say "NO." I have a dissertation to finish. But when I heard the job description and the bonus salary and the thought of it being only two months...I could not resist!
So much for cutting back on my work...yet, I confess I am secretly elated. While I know from all the clergy manuals on "self-care" I should have more "self-discpline" and "create space and time for myself," I THRIVE on being busy. I love it!
So off I go...
Then, I went to the Reconciling Ministries Clergy gathering and was surprised by the invitation to take on the responsibility of serving as co-convener of the group and serving on the Reconciling Ministries Board. Six more meetings a year? Traveling around the country? Being with my "church?" Sure! No problem. What's a little more travel and internet collaboration??? I'm not doing that much, right?
Then, I returned home only to find a message on my phone from MassEquality and the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry....they invited me to be a temporary Religious Consultant for MassEquality as they go into the next constitutional convention. While folks outside of MA may think we have won the battle for same-sex marriage, we are far from securing it. The religious right is determined to put marriage equality up for a popular vote, making vulnerable the civil rights of a minority to the whims of the majority. Don't get me started...
Back to the job saga....I was determined when I heard the message to say "NO." I have a dissertation to finish. But when I heard the job description and the bonus salary and the thought of it being only two months...I could not resist!
So much for cutting back on my work...yet, I confess I am secretly elated. While I know from all the clergy manuals on "self-care" I should have more "self-discpline" and "create space and time for myself," I THRIVE on being busy. I love it!
So off I go...
The E1505 It Is
Here is the computer (more or less) I bought from dell. We got it on a stealth internet sale for $900. It has most everything I wanted and some more.
Now the hard part comes in learning to use it!
Now the hard part comes in learning to use it!
Friday, August 25, 2006
Computer Chaos
Well, it finally happened. My sad, sorry, pathetic laptop finally breathed its last. Its death was not unexpected, but inconvenient to say the least as it chose to go during the clergy women's consultation PRIOR to my having finished my lecture and handouts!!
Its death prompted me to begin looking for a new laptop. I don't need anything fancy...just a decent speed, sufficient memory for my dissertation and internet capability. Not much to ask. The search should be easy, right?
WRONG!!!
I am convinced that computer retail sites make it chaotic and complicated to purchase a computer to confuse you into buying more than you need.
I have spent the past four days agonizing over what computer to buy. Going back and forth over the pros and cons, weighing the decision to buy a warranty or not, switching screens a million times to compare different models, trying to figure out the exact difference between "Latitude" and "Inspirion," (which to my best knowledge is not anything more than the name...though Josh swears there's more) and generally making myself nauseus with the thought of spending so much money in one place.
I think I finally have it narrowed down to two versions of the same computer...Dell Inspiron E1505.
Of course, now it will not arrive in time for my first day at my new temporary job at MassEquality...more on that to come later.
Its death prompted me to begin looking for a new laptop. I don't need anything fancy...just a decent speed, sufficient memory for my dissertation and internet capability. Not much to ask. The search should be easy, right?
WRONG!!!
I am convinced that computer retail sites make it chaotic and complicated to purchase a computer to confuse you into buying more than you need.
I have spent the past four days agonizing over what computer to buy. Going back and forth over the pros and cons, weighing the decision to buy a warranty or not, switching screens a million times to compare different models, trying to figure out the exact difference between "Latitude" and "Inspirion," (which to my best knowledge is not anything more than the name...though Josh swears there's more) and generally making myself nauseus with the thought of spending so much money in one place.
I think I finally have it narrowed down to two versions of the same computer...Dell Inspiron E1505.
Of course, now it will not arrive in time for my first day at my new temporary job at MassEquality...more on that to come later.
Monday, August 21, 2006
The Pride and Shame of Being United Methodist
This week I abandoned Josh and the dogs to head to Chicago for the International Clergywomen's Consultation.
I arrived at the clergywomen's conference having heard nothing but raves about this quadrennial gathering of women from around the globe. Words like FABULOUS, CUTTING-EDGE, FANTASTIC, INSPIRATIONAL and even FEMINIST were used to describe this meeting. Yet, when I arrived I was disappointed to find that hardly any characterized this year's gathering.
From the opening worship, in which the scripture was read using male language for God, I knew this was not to be the feminist space for which I longed. For most of the conference, I sat in the back and bemoaned my vision of a progressive, politically charged conference that dealt with the pressing issues facing the church today.
Here are just a few snapshots of what distressed me:
1. Non-inclusive language at a women's conference
2. Traditional gender stereotypes (Pink as the theme color; activities such as decorating the banquet tables and talking about "what food we eat when we want to feel loved")
3. The palpable resistance to uttering the "L" word from conference leaders
4. A racist liturgical dance in which God, portrayed by a white woman, pulled in line God's disobedient children, african american dancers who moved to an African beat
As the days wore on, I began to realize that my hope for the UMC to be a progressive, justice seeking faith community did not match the reality. The UMC is moderate at best and I stand on the fringes as a progressive, feminist.
Yet, I must confess, there were some who rebelled against the conference's seeming censorship of certain topics.
While the preachers had rallied the congregation with visions of an inclusive church, their failure to mention the continued exclusion and oppression of GLBT persons hung heavy. In response, a small group of us began to gather and plan. We brought in doors decorated by Reconciling congregations and wrote a petition that came to be known as the "Bloody Knuckles Petition." We organized an ad hoc choir and wrangled a handful of volunteers flooding out from the evening session. By morning we had a movement in action.
As women gathered the next morning they passed through an angelic choir singing "Seek Ye First," to find a bold sign proclaiming, "Closed Doors,. Broken Hearts. We Mind." At the entrance to the convention center we stood holding the decorated doors and handing out copies of the petition.
This action seemed to release the energy of the conference and make space for the Spirit to move. While in days past the words, "gay" and "lesbian," had been markedly missing, after our action, the words began to trickle in to the thunderous appluase of the congregation who had been thristy for such a word.
Rev. Jane Ann Stoneburner Moore was the first to break the silence at the banquet as she lifted up our call to care for those in need, including lesbian couples. The following day, Rev. Rebecca Parker continued as she articulated the racism and heterosexism that was present. Finally, we heard it from the bishops when Bishop Minerva Carcano talked explicitly about the pain of exclusion and the call to ministry in the midst of a "violent and unrepenting church."
As the days followed, we organized a witness for peace and were able to voice support for Elvira Arellano, a woman seeking sanctuary in a local UMC after being targeted for deportation by homeland security officials. Later Bishop Carcano spoke on CNN on Lou Dobbs program and was AMAZING!
Perhaps there is hope after all......
I arrived at the clergywomen's conference having heard nothing but raves about this quadrennial gathering of women from around the globe. Words like FABULOUS, CUTTING-EDGE, FANTASTIC, INSPIRATIONAL and even FEMINIST were used to describe this meeting. Yet, when I arrived I was disappointed to find that hardly any characterized this year's gathering.
From the opening worship, in which the scripture was read using male language for God, I knew this was not to be the feminist space for which I longed. For most of the conference, I sat in the back and bemoaned my vision of a progressive, politically charged conference that dealt with the pressing issues facing the church today.
Here are just a few snapshots of what distressed me:
1. Non-inclusive language at a women's conference
2. Traditional gender stereotypes (Pink as the theme color; activities such as decorating the banquet tables and talking about "what food we eat when we want to feel loved")
3. The palpable resistance to uttering the "L" word from conference leaders
4. A racist liturgical dance in which God, portrayed by a white woman, pulled in line God's disobedient children, african american dancers who moved to an African beat
As the days wore on, I began to realize that my hope for the UMC to be a progressive, justice seeking faith community did not match the reality. The UMC is moderate at best and I stand on the fringes as a progressive, feminist.
Yet, I must confess, there were some who rebelled against the conference's seeming censorship of certain topics.
While the preachers had rallied the congregation with visions of an inclusive church, their failure to mention the continued exclusion and oppression of GLBT persons hung heavy. In response, a small group of us began to gather and plan. We brought in doors decorated by Reconciling congregations and wrote a petition that came to be known as the "Bloody Knuckles Petition." We organized an ad hoc choir and wrangled a handful of volunteers flooding out from the evening session. By morning we had a movement in action.
As women gathered the next morning they passed through an angelic choir singing "Seek Ye First," to find a bold sign proclaiming, "Closed Doors,. Broken Hearts. We Mind." At the entrance to the convention center we stood holding the decorated doors and handing out copies of the petition.
This action seemed to release the energy of the conference and make space for the Spirit to move. While in days past the words, "gay" and "lesbian," had been markedly missing, after our action, the words began to trickle in to the thunderous appluase of the congregation who had been thristy for such a word.
Rev. Jane Ann Stoneburner Moore was the first to break the silence at the banquet as she lifted up our call to care for those in need, including lesbian couples. The following day, Rev. Rebecca Parker continued as she articulated the racism and heterosexism that was present. Finally, we heard it from the bishops when Bishop Minerva Carcano talked explicitly about the pain of exclusion and the call to ministry in the midst of a "violent and unrepenting church."
As the days followed, we organized a witness for peace and were able to voice support for Elvira Arellano, a woman seeking sanctuary in a local UMC after being targeted for deportation by homeland security officials. Later Bishop Carcano spoke on CNN on Lou Dobbs program and was AMAZING!
Perhaps there is hope after all......
Friday, August 11, 2006
We're It!
Mary Beth tagged us both for this cyber quiz. Check out our answers. Mine are in RED and Josh's in BLUE.
1. One book that changed your life.
In 11th grade my American History teacher gave us assigned summer reading on both the women's liberation movement and the struggle for civil rights. I can see both covers clearly, but for the life of me cannot remember the names of either one. Both are currently packed in storage, along with all the other non-dissertation related books.
These books were an ontological shock to me having been raised in a white, middle-class, Republican household. I remember thinking..."wow, this is why things seem so different for me as a girl." It was an AHA moment.
The Long Loneliness - Dorothy Day.
2. One book you've read more than once.
A Wrinkle in Time: I love this book, although it gave me nightmares in elementary school!
The Lord of the Rings - about 30 times.
3. One book you would want on a desert island.
The Series of Unfortunate Events Series: I would read them over and over trying to pick up all the literary allusions, puns and clues I missed the first time through.
Engineering for Dummies
4. One book that made you laugh.
Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Gilman: This memoir by a feminist 30-something had me in stitches on the plane. I knew exactly what she was talking about at every turn!!
Bunnicula
5. One book that made you cry.
The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve: I sobbed for days after reading that book. No redemption or resurrection in sight!!!
Incidentally I also cried at the end of Love by Toni Morrison but for exactly the opposite reason....there was incredible resurrection at the end.
The Lord of the Rings - The Ride of the Rohirrim to certain death and Tolkien's use of Anglo-Saxon poetic meter to describe their charge onto the field gets me every time.
6. One book that you wish had been written.
My complete family history. There are tremendous gaps and myths circulating on both sides of my family that I would like to fill in.
A History of Lost Civilizations - Angkor Wat, Mohenjo Daro, The Mayans, Great Zimbabwe, Etrucscans, Ancient Celts, Scythians, Easter Island, etc. Who were they and what were they like?
7. One book you wish had never been written.
Purpose Driven Life: I find this type of felt-needs, motivational theology lacking to say the least. You could probably add to this list anything published by Focus on the Family or the ilk. These books are oppressive.
Revelation - John of Patmos was undoubtedly eating the wrong mushrooms growing in his cave. And it's influence has been dramatic and deleterious on many forms of American Christianity.
8. One book you are currently reading.
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
The Dante Club - Matthew Pearl
9. One book you have been meaning to read.
Just about every one of my queer, wesleyan and ecclesiology theology books I bought last spring in hopes of finishing my prospectus and beginning my dissertation.
The Ants - E.O. Wilson
10. Now tag five people.
I don't know how we feel about this tagging business...
1. One book that changed your life.
In 11th grade my American History teacher gave us assigned summer reading on both the women's liberation movement and the struggle for civil rights. I can see both covers clearly, but for the life of me cannot remember the names of either one. Both are currently packed in storage, along with all the other non-dissertation related books.
These books were an ontological shock to me having been raised in a white, middle-class, Republican household. I remember thinking..."wow, this is why things seem so different for me as a girl." It was an AHA moment.
The Long Loneliness - Dorothy Day.
2. One book you've read more than once.
A Wrinkle in Time: I love this book, although it gave me nightmares in elementary school!
The Lord of the Rings - about 30 times.
3. One book you would want on a desert island.
The Series of Unfortunate Events Series: I would read them over and over trying to pick up all the literary allusions, puns and clues I missed the first time through.
Engineering for Dummies
4. One book that made you laugh.
Hypocrite in a Pouffy White Dress by Susan Gilman: This memoir by a feminist 30-something had me in stitches on the plane. I knew exactly what she was talking about at every turn!!
Bunnicula
5. One book that made you cry.
The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve: I sobbed for days after reading that book. No redemption or resurrection in sight!!!
Incidentally I also cried at the end of Love by Toni Morrison but for exactly the opposite reason....there was incredible resurrection at the end.
The Lord of the Rings - The Ride of the Rohirrim to certain death and Tolkien's use of Anglo-Saxon poetic meter to describe their charge onto the field gets me every time.
6. One book that you wish had been written.
My complete family history. There are tremendous gaps and myths circulating on both sides of my family that I would like to fill in.
A History of Lost Civilizations - Angkor Wat, Mohenjo Daro, The Mayans, Great Zimbabwe, Etrucscans, Ancient Celts, Scythians, Easter Island, etc. Who were they and what were they like?
7. One book you wish had never been written.
Purpose Driven Life: I find this type of felt-needs, motivational theology lacking to say the least. You could probably add to this list anything published by Focus on the Family or the ilk. These books are oppressive.
Revelation - John of Patmos was undoubtedly eating the wrong mushrooms growing in his cave. And it's influence has been dramatic and deleterious on many forms of American Christianity.
8. One book you are currently reading.
Plan B: Further Thoughts on Faith by Anne Lamott
The Dante Club - Matthew Pearl
9. One book you have been meaning to read.
Just about every one of my queer, wesleyan and ecclesiology theology books I bought last spring in hopes of finishing my prospectus and beginning my dissertation.
The Ants - E.O. Wilson
10. Now tag five people.
I don't know how we feel about this tagging business...
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Atheist v. Christians
Last night we watched a re-run of the 30 Days episode entitled, Atheist v. Christian. The program itself is a fascinating concept. Produced by Morgan Spurlock, the creator of Super Size Me, the program explores what happens when people with seemingly diametrically opposed views live together. Past episodes have included a "Minuteman" border patrol volunteer living with an "illegal" immigrant family and a man who lost his job to outsourcing living with the family in India that took his job.
Watching this particular episode was all too painful for both of us. Neither of us are naive to the embarrassing way most of Christianity presents itself, yet somehow, watching this group of Christians struggle with understanding the mere concept of atheism made us both even more excruciatingly aware of the inability of many Christians to understand the Other.
As the Christians questioned the token atheist about her life and beliefs, it became clear that they could not comprehend life outside of a biblically mandated structure. They seemed baffled to understand how she could live without the guidance of some text to show her exactly what to do, how to do it and when to do. For them Christianity was a tool for creating structure in what seemed to them to be an utterly chaotic and dangerous world without the help of Divine guidance.
It seemed so shallow.
Christianity has to be more than a mere instruction book on life. If all our faith was meant to do was to teach us rules to live by, what does that say about the nature of humanity? Does God think we are too stupid to learn/evolve/grow/change/navigate the world, that we need a step by step guide? I don't think so.
I think the beauty of the Christian faith is its intentional wrestling with the complexities and ambiguities of the world in which we live. The Bible is not a step by step instruction booklet, but rather a text that teaches us how to learn. Christianity is not about giving us the answers, but rather about helping us to struggle with the questions.
Check out the episode while it is still running on cable....
Atheist/Christian [encore]
Watching this particular episode was all too painful for both of us. Neither of us are naive to the embarrassing way most of Christianity presents itself, yet somehow, watching this group of Christians struggle with understanding the mere concept of atheism made us both even more excruciatingly aware of the inability of many Christians to understand the Other.
As the Christians questioned the token atheist about her life and beliefs, it became clear that they could not comprehend life outside of a biblically mandated structure. They seemed baffled to understand how she could live without the guidance of some text to show her exactly what to do, how to do it and when to do. For them Christianity was a tool for creating structure in what seemed to them to be an utterly chaotic and dangerous world without the help of Divine guidance.
It seemed so shallow.
Christianity has to be more than a mere instruction book on life. If all our faith was meant to do was to teach us rules to live by, what does that say about the nature of humanity? Does God think we are too stupid to learn/evolve/grow/change/navigate the world, that we need a step by step guide? I don't think so.
I think the beauty of the Christian faith is its intentional wrestling with the complexities and ambiguities of the world in which we live. The Bible is not a step by step instruction booklet, but rather a text that teaches us how to learn. Christianity is not about giving us the answers, but rather about helping us to struggle with the questions.
Check out the episode while it is still running on cable....
Atheist/Christian [encore]
8/13/2006 at 11:59PM E/P on FX
Atheist/Christian [encore]
8/14/2006 at 11:30PM E/P on FX
Don't miss the segment on Biblically Correct Tours and Holy Land Amusement Park. It was enough to make us both sick!
8/14/2006 at 11:30PM E/P on FX
Don't miss the segment on Biblically Correct Tours and Holy Land Amusement Park. It was enough to make us both sick!
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
New Be-Dazzling Blog
Our friend, Xochitl, has created a new blog that ya'll should check out entitled, Solidaridad. It is now linked via her name on my side bar.
Theological, insightful and Wickedly Wild, the blog leaps from Mary Daly's theology/philosophy into reflections on what it means to be christian and part of the church today.
You might also check out the online Wickedary, an online, abbreviated version of one of Daly's original works that defines many of her key terms. It is fun and fascinating.
Theological, insightful and Wickedly Wild, the blog leaps from Mary Daly's theology/philosophy into reflections on what it means to be christian and part of the church today.
You might also check out the online Wickedary, an online, abbreviated version of one of Daly's original works that defines many of her key terms. It is fun and fascinating.
Back from Seattle
Day One
Josh: "Let's promise ourselves not to run ourselves ragged this trip trying to do everything in less than a week. Okay?"
Tiff: "Absolutely! We are going to relax and have fun this vacation."
Day Two
9 am - 9 pm - Driving to, through and from Mt. Rainier National Park
Day Three
8 am - 10 pm - Touring Seattle on foot
Day Four
6 am - 10 pm - Day trip to San Juan Island
Day Five
6 am - midnight - Day trip through the Olympic National Park
Day Six
7 am - 10 pm - Touring Seattle and wedding rehersal and more touring
Day Seven
7 am - 11 pm - Touring the neighborhoods and wedding
Day Eight/Nine
6 am (mon) - 9 am (tues) - Mt. St. Helen's National Park, Mt. Rainer National Park and traveling
Josh: "I am abosultely exhausted!"
Tiff: "Me too. I need a vacation!"
Josh: "Let's promise ourselves not to run ourselves ragged this trip trying to do everything in less than a week. Okay?"
Tiff: "Absolutely! We are going to relax and have fun this vacation."
Day Two
9 am - 9 pm - Driving to, through and from Mt. Rainier National Park
Day Three
8 am - 10 pm - Touring Seattle on foot
Day Four
6 am - 10 pm - Day trip to San Juan Island
Day Five
6 am - midnight - Day trip through the Olympic National Park
Day Six
7 am - 10 pm - Touring Seattle and wedding rehersal and more touring
Day Seven
7 am - 11 pm - Touring the neighborhoods and wedding
Day Eight/Nine
6 am (mon) - 9 am (tues) - Mt. St. Helen's National Park, Mt. Rainer National Park and traveling
Josh: "I am abosultely exhausted!"
Tiff: "Me too. I need a vacation!"
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