The Sun in Winter

Have you ever had one of those days where you really know it's going to be a fantastic day? The sun feels extra warm and cheery. The elusive seat on the morning train commute is available. Total strangers say good morning. An Alaskan husky walking her owner races up to smell your shoes. Her grayish blue eyes sparkle. More warmth. The feeling of the fantastic day is like the sun...extra warm and cheery. It's good to know days like these come along. The goal is to have them every day. It's hard to pinpoint the makings of a great day. Personally, I believe the good days start by thinking about them the night before. A laundry list of sorts. For me, it starts there...in my head.

1. "Should I wear the green sweater with my black pinstripe pants. You know you look great in green. O.K. that with the fabulous necklace you found at the street fair all those years ago. "

2. "What should I take in for lunch? I hate having to carry in all this stuff but I know I'll be saving money while controlling what I eat."

3. "Did I get all of my schoolwork done?"

4. "Did I check out the weather report to make sure i'm not overdressing...I don't glisten...I sweat."

5. "Is my metrocard in my jacketpocket???"

6. "Do I have fresh batteries in my CD player? Did I put in a good CD?"

The list goes on and on. Not an exact science. I'm sure i'm missing at least ten more things on the checklist. Whatever they are...today they all came together!

Wednesday Observations

Who would ever think that it could be 50 degrees in the dead of winter in New York? Walking outside to pick up lunch I couldn't help but think about random things like will I need to kill an overbearing coworker today and when will I make my first million dollars? It's hard to believe in this day and age that with all of the advances in science and technology, some still can't make any headway on race relations and common civility. Noplace is this more prevelant than in the workplace. Everyone knows i'm really into conspiriacy theories. I believe that while blatent discrimintation (like back of the bus segregation and tree lynchings) has diminished, a new form of discrimination is cropping up and many minorities aren't fully aware of it. It's called financial discrimination. Basically in most states, employers have the right to ask you to sign a release so that they can access your credit report.

The law allows employers to use this as a form of "character reference". If you were applying for a position that involved handling money or financial records with classified information (i.e. soccial security numbers, etc.) then this practice would make sense. However, what if you are applying for a basic receptionist role where your primary function is to answer phones. What grounds does that give the potential employer to review your credit history? Does what is listed truly represent a person's character? What happens if one decides not to sign the release giving permission to the potential employer? I would imagine that's the end of the road on your quest for a job with that organization. I strongly believe that our basic privacy is being invaded with this law. This declaration not only allows the employer to use it prior to hiring you, but also during your employment period as a reference for future promotions! How crazy is that? Combine that legality with poor management and that is the gateway creation to workplace tension and potential violence.

For me...no way any job is going to make me catch a case. However, for many minorities, the economic limitations from affordable housing, affordable schooling, affordable anything makes it much more difficult for us to advance and elevate as a people. It make me wonder if we will have another rising of conscienceness that Dr. King helped to define in the 60s. Will there be someone to pave the way? Will it be a collection of people? Will there be noone at all? Personally, I feel each of us has the potential to lead. It is just a matter of choice as to whether we will be change agents or simply be legislated back to slavery.

Is Cupid Stupid?

What can you say about Valentine's Day? For the most part, I tend to look at it as a day when all the couples in the world decide they want everybody else in the world to know they are smitten with each other. But I can't help but wonder....does anyone know how the heck Valentine's Day started? I sure don't. The last time I did any reasearch on this, there were three versions of how the celebration of the day came to be. Regardless of how it started, it's here now. Why do people make such a big deal about this one day and not the other 364 days of the year. Is it that they can't express their love on those other days? Or maybe they feel pressured to be "just like everyone else." More importantly, who says Valentine's Day is only for couples??? Shouldn't it be a day that everyone expresses his or her love for everyone else?

I know what you are going to say. You're probably thinking to yourself, "She's only saying that because she's alone and single. If she had a man she would feel differently." For some women, maybe that's the case. For me though, I am a "just because" kind of woman. I send flowers and hand written notes...just because. I call friends...just because. I eat dark chocolate...just because. O.K. Well who wouldn't eat dark chocolate for no reason...it's wonderful! My point? Why can't others see Valentine's Day from a different viewpoint? Why must it be the flowers at work day and the heart shaped box of candy? Why can't the flowers be sent on February 15 when they are more of a value? Why can't the chocolate be sent every day so that we can have a heavenly caffeine high at our cubicles?

All couples of the world need to unite. Not unite to procreate, but rather join in unison to abolish all of the counterproductive, competitive, anti-social, anti-harmonous sentiments that stem from this thing called Valentine's Day. I encourage all of you to embrace love and positivity on a higher level. Instead of wearing red on V-Day, wear green. Instead of buying those flowers, go out and write a love poem to all those who helped shape your thoughts. For those who are single, be happy that you love yourself. And for all the couples out there, love the one you're with...but love everyone else too for God's sake! Happy Valentine's Day!

Ti and the Pink Boots

It is such a beautiful day in New York! There is a foot of snow on the ground. The wind is blowing swirls of white powder and the air is crisp. I put on my clothes (despite my mother's protest since I am still recovering from a virus) and trudged through the glorious white dust. Three people said good morning to me on my travels up the block through the neighborhood. The snow was up to my hips in some places. Other sections have already been pushed semi-clear by overzealous shovelers. I felt happy walking, playing, being in the snow. There is something about it that is hypnotic and transforming. Every time I think of snow happy endorphins are released. I will start thinking of snow more often. The snow pelting my face actually felt warm. I trudged on the paths not shoveled and made footprints in the snow, handprints on the untouched mounds, and finger signatures every ten yards. All traces of me will be gone in an hour buried by the fresh droppings of snow but I'll know I was there.

I ran into a little girl and her mother or sister. She couldn't have been more than five or so. They were playing as most should do with this great snow. They were kind enough to let me play with them ever so briefly. We threw snowballs and kicked up dust. I could hear the church bell ringing. It's noon. I heard the mom/sister say "Ti...we will have to go in soon." She turned to me and laughed. She said Ti wants to stay outside until 6pm. I laughed and said, "well...you do actually have about five hours of daylight left..enjoy it!" Ti had on the cutest little pink boots. So girly...so kid. I love it! I wore my red coat outside. I guess you could say that is my form of pink boots. I wish I had someone with me to take a picture. It was so beautiful out there. I was only outside for about twenty minutes. It's still snowing now a bit heavier than earlier. As I look out the window I am tempted to go back out and play.