The" Champaign: 85 miles " Entry
Date: 2.4.04
Climate: still sunny and cold but not snowing...that comes tomorrow. Ick.
Eating: --I think I am back on a diet. Who knows.
Drinking: Coffee
Feeling: Agitated
Listening to: Afghan Strap
Watching: the calendar days go flying by
Reading: Tribune
For the past two days, I have been driving from Chicago to Kankakee to work in this new district. Needless to say, its a bit far and taxing on both my car and me....that "Champaign, 85 miles sign" comes a good ten or fifteen miles from where I stop off; so I'd say, that as a rule, I may be equadistance from U of I as I am to Chicago. Its insane. I should call Brian and meet him for lunch one of these days...lordy.
I have heard some amazing things out here--here's a little sample via playwriting 101, the unacademic style...
:::
Sun in shining, Cherie steps out of her car
Knocks on door after walking two houses up, and then back again...she didn't take a map reading class in high school.
(knockknockknock)
waits five seconds
door swings open
Annoyed woman: "yes?"
Cherie: "Hi, is Kevana in?"
AW: "NO. What do you WANT?" (angry)
Cherie: "Well, I am with the home health care union and I wanted to discuss healthcare and higher wages with her...do you know when she's going to be in?"
AW: (laughs) "Oh, yeah, that's me...i'm Kevana. I done thought you were going to subpoena me some papers for my babies' daddy, and he don't done even LIVE here anymore..."
NO SHIT. This isn't racial slurs or stereotyping, she said that to me.
Also, today, with a woman named Rita.
Cherie: "Well Rita, it was great to meet you. I am looking forward to seeing you out at the mobilizations..."
Rita: "Yeah..." (unenthused. bland.)
Cherie: "Say, are you registered to vote?"
Rita: "YES, I voted for Bush last time, and got a lot of my friends to, too"
Cherie, shocked but faking it well: "Um, what made you do that? What part of his platform did you agree with?"
Rita: "Partial birth abortions. They are so bad. I don't agree with them at all."
Cherie: "Yet you say you aren't going to vote this year? How come?"
Rita: "I just don't do that type of thing anymore. Its boring, plus it took him too long to pass that ban on those abortions."
Cherie: "Oh. Well Rita, I must tell you that SEIU isn't partisan in any sense [sort of a lie but not really]--we simply are going to endorse and work for the candidate that will work for home health care interests; including health care benefits and higher wages...and it worked with Blagojevich; we endorsed him; got our members out to vote for him; and he signed our contract for collective bargaining rights, which enabled us to work for that raise you got in December, and will continue to see for another two years."
Rita: "Uhhh huh" (completely unimpressed)
Cherie: "let me put it this way. Bush did what you wanted; those horrible abortions are gone. Now what is going to happen if he's elected for another four years? Has he done anything for you or your lifestyle that you've wanted, besides the ban on partial birth abortions?"
Rita: "NO, of course not. Theres that war, and I can't afford any of my medications..."
Cherie: "Rita, i'll be honest with you. If you don't get out and vote and help to mobilize the people you got to vote for Bush in the last election out with you, it will only get worse. Bush did what you wanted; but what is he going to do--or should I say, is he the man who will follow through on the other things you have a vested interest in, such as that ban you wanted on parital birth abortions?"
Rita: "I haven't had an abortion, but I just think they're wrong."
Cherie: "..okay...right. But again, how will this effect the rest of your life, including the next four years?...and will it? If not, what will? And since you had so much faith in Bush that he would do what he said, involving those abortions and that ban, what makes you think the he won't either a) do something you DON'T want (just think of all those people who opposed that ban), or b) do something you do want? Don't you want to be apart of the decision making process which does effect your life?"
...and so on and so forth....
It went on like that for awhile, but I convinced her she had to vote for someone non bush, basically when it was clear all along that the SOLE REASON she voted for Bush in the first round was because of the abborious said abortion practices.
Nevermind that she like lives in a trailer, has no money, tons of medical bills and cannot afford prescription medication and she's old...thank God Bush passed that ban on partial birth abortions, since THAT directly impacts her life, never mind the other stuff which is just details.
Its great people vote. Its great they listen. But jesuschrist...if anything, this job is showing me what people want; and how they go about getting it; and how they'll filter anything else to just hear what they want--
Altogether, this job isn't so bad; apparently they may put me on staff if I continue to rake in the memberships and the mobilizations for another week or so, the ultimate reward. They're impressed they say, which is why they send me to freaking Kankakee...and, I will know by the 16 if I am going to be sent out to another state to basically live for upwards three months in a hotel, organizing and leading coalitions of people to campaign for the democratic candidates in their particular district; the presidential nominee included, although we've been speculating that it could go all the way to the convention. Kerry may have it; who knows, but that really beside the point.
I suppose its this having to get comfortable with a) leaving chicago for three months to live in like, Milwaukee or St. Louis or Ohio for three months in a hotel, with a rental car; and then they fly me back every month for a few days where I report to Chicago and see, like, my friends and boyfriend, which I could deal with fine. I just don't know. Amazingly enough, I actually got a call for a second interview with that insane group interview at the health spa from last week, which takes place tomorrow. In some ways, the prospect of standing at a desk, looking pretty, punching in numbers, working out and drinking all natural smoothies all day, while getting all the benefits of a salaried position and a top notch health club seems pretty glittery--that is, if I get the job. We all know I tend to get this far and somehow fuck it up (no idea how that happens, but you know...)--
So this dilemma of choosing the "cause" and picking the most financially stable job is looming. If it presents itself...and if it does, I don't know. Alex said I look to be put on staff shortly but it will be hard and not paid very well- but it would fit much more into my life "scheme"--I guess we'll just wait and see.
So tomorrow; interview. Going out to see Eddie...to study LSAT fun while he studies EC again...he's busy scaring people unintentionally again, or so thats how it sounds to me--that school...but its easier to tune all that out nowadays, and its more about being happy and in love and all that good stuff. Its getting to the point where we both look forward to seeing each other on such a level that its getting to that so in love phase that when it ends, it will sting for months...ouch. He's coming out with me on Saturday to K-town to observe just what I do...if getting up at like seven am on a Saturday to go to the illustrious city of Kankakee to talk to cranky and rude homecare workers isn't love, I don't know what is. *
Date: 2.4.04
Climate: still sunny and cold but not snowing...that comes tomorrow. Ick.
Eating: --I think I am back on a diet. Who knows.
Drinking: Coffee
Feeling: Agitated
Listening to: Afghan Strap
Watching: the calendar days go flying by
Reading: Tribune
For the past two days, I have been driving from Chicago to Kankakee to work in this new district. Needless to say, its a bit far and taxing on both my car and me....that "Champaign, 85 miles sign" comes a good ten or fifteen miles from where I stop off; so I'd say, that as a rule, I may be equadistance from U of I as I am to Chicago. Its insane. I should call Brian and meet him for lunch one of these days...lordy.
I have heard some amazing things out here--here's a little sample via playwriting 101, the unacademic style...
:::
Sun in shining, Cherie steps out of her car
Knocks on door after walking two houses up, and then back again...she didn't take a map reading class in high school.
(knockknockknock)
waits five seconds
door swings open
Annoyed woman: "yes?"
Cherie: "Hi, is Kevana in?"
AW: "NO. What do you WANT?" (angry)
Cherie: "Well, I am with the home health care union and I wanted to discuss healthcare and higher wages with her...do you know when she's going to be in?"
AW: (laughs) "Oh, yeah, that's me...i'm Kevana. I done thought you were going to subpoena me some papers for my babies' daddy, and he don't done even LIVE here anymore..."
NO SHIT. This isn't racial slurs or stereotyping, she said that to me.
Also, today, with a woman named Rita.
Cherie: "Well Rita, it was great to meet you. I am looking forward to seeing you out at the mobilizations..."
Rita: "Yeah..." (unenthused. bland.)
Cherie: "Say, are you registered to vote?"
Rita: "YES, I voted for Bush last time, and got a lot of my friends to, too"
Cherie, shocked but faking it well: "Um, what made you do that? What part of his platform did you agree with?"
Rita: "Partial birth abortions. They are so bad. I don't agree with them at all."
Cherie: "Yet you say you aren't going to vote this year? How come?"
Rita: "I just don't do that type of thing anymore. Its boring, plus it took him too long to pass that ban on those abortions."
Cherie: "Oh. Well Rita, I must tell you that SEIU isn't partisan in any sense [sort of a lie but not really]--we simply are going to endorse and work for the candidate that will work for home health care interests; including health care benefits and higher wages...and it worked with Blagojevich; we endorsed him; got our members out to vote for him; and he signed our contract for collective bargaining rights, which enabled us to work for that raise you got in December, and will continue to see for another two years."
Rita: "Uhhh huh" (completely unimpressed)
Cherie: "let me put it this way. Bush did what you wanted; those horrible abortions are gone. Now what is going to happen if he's elected for another four years? Has he done anything for you or your lifestyle that you've wanted, besides the ban on partial birth abortions?"
Rita: "NO, of course not. Theres that war, and I can't afford any of my medications..."
Cherie: "Rita, i'll be honest with you. If you don't get out and vote and help to mobilize the people you got to vote for Bush in the last election out with you, it will only get worse. Bush did what you wanted; but what is he going to do--or should I say, is he the man who will follow through on the other things you have a vested interest in, such as that ban you wanted on parital birth abortions?"
Rita: "I haven't had an abortion, but I just think they're wrong."
Cherie: "..okay...right. But again, how will this effect the rest of your life, including the next four years?...and will it? If not, what will? And since you had so much faith in Bush that he would do what he said, involving those abortions and that ban, what makes you think the he won't either a) do something you DON'T want (just think of all those people who opposed that ban), or b) do something you do want? Don't you want to be apart of the decision making process which does effect your life?"
...and so on and so forth....
It went on like that for awhile, but I convinced her she had to vote for someone non bush, basically when it was clear all along that the SOLE REASON she voted for Bush in the first round was because of the abborious said abortion practices.
Nevermind that she like lives in a trailer, has no money, tons of medical bills and cannot afford prescription medication and she's old...thank God Bush passed that ban on partial birth abortions, since THAT directly impacts her life, never mind the other stuff which is just details.
Its great people vote. Its great they listen. But jesuschrist...if anything, this job is showing me what people want; and how they go about getting it; and how they'll filter anything else to just hear what they want--
Altogether, this job isn't so bad; apparently they may put me on staff if I continue to rake in the memberships and the mobilizations for another week or so, the ultimate reward. They're impressed they say, which is why they send me to freaking Kankakee...and, I will know by the 16 if I am going to be sent out to another state to basically live for upwards three months in a hotel, organizing and leading coalitions of people to campaign for the democratic candidates in their particular district; the presidential nominee included, although we've been speculating that it could go all the way to the convention. Kerry may have it; who knows, but that really beside the point.
I suppose its this having to get comfortable with a) leaving chicago for three months to live in like, Milwaukee or St. Louis or Ohio for three months in a hotel, with a rental car; and then they fly me back every month for a few days where I report to Chicago and see, like, my friends and boyfriend, which I could deal with fine. I just don't know. Amazingly enough, I actually got a call for a second interview with that insane group interview at the health spa from last week, which takes place tomorrow. In some ways, the prospect of standing at a desk, looking pretty, punching in numbers, working out and drinking all natural smoothies all day, while getting all the benefits of a salaried position and a top notch health club seems pretty glittery--that is, if I get the job. We all know I tend to get this far and somehow fuck it up (no idea how that happens, but you know...)--
So this dilemma of choosing the "cause" and picking the most financially stable job is looming. If it presents itself...and if it does, I don't know. Alex said I look to be put on staff shortly but it will be hard and not paid very well- but it would fit much more into my life "scheme"--I guess we'll just wait and see.
So tomorrow; interview. Going out to see Eddie...to study LSAT fun while he studies EC again...he's busy scaring people unintentionally again, or so thats how it sounds to me--that school...but its easier to tune all that out nowadays, and its more about being happy and in love and all that good stuff. Its getting to the point where we both look forward to seeing each other on such a level that its getting to that so in love phase that when it ends, it will sting for months...ouch. He's coming out with me on Saturday to K-town to observe just what I do...if getting up at like seven am on a Saturday to go to the illustrious city of Kankakee to talk to cranky and rude homecare workers isn't love, I don't know what is. *