OnLine With Zoe

June so far

I have not written anything for a while.  The redundancy and predictability of the federal government is so annoying, I am bored with it.  The 25 million dollar killing of al-Zarqawi has completely transformed the national horror over Haditha into a maddening level of blood lust.  Leno and Letterman tell jokes as always, but the audience is applauding as if they are in a Road Warrior movie.  Our 84% Christian society would crucify Christ today if he said killing was wrong.  I believe they do in the form of denying the poor water, medicine, land, sexual autonomy and the all important citizenship.  I just need to collect my hope again as it operates like oxygen feeding fire.

On my little island, I am planning a Feminist Cafe.  A friend and I have invited people to come to my back yard to drink tea or coffee and discuss feminism.  Not ~ does it exist, not ~ should it exist, but what is it now, as the second-class citizenship of American women has become familiar and acceptable for most.  And I want to break into transgenerational movement as it applies to US women.  Ah I am getting older - time for a new puppy?  They will bite, but I will learn to play again.  (and finally a gathering that is defined without liquor!)  What are the pertinent questions for this Feminist Cafe?  How to ask them?  I suffer over such details. 

1. What is Feminism in 2006 and the future?
2. What do American women, in particular, have to offer the global advancement of women?
3. What characteristics do women under and those over 50 have to offer one another?
4. What would it take for American women to achieve full equality in opportunity, responsibility and representation?
5. What are the most pressing issues facing US Women and what do you want to do about them?

Risking being obvious, for me the most pressing issue is that the second-class citizenship of US women appears to be okay with most women.  Oh Oh, am I a rabble-rouser?  If you look up rabble it is rather disturbing; 1) a tumultuous crowd, 2) the lowest or coarsest class or people, and 3) a group of persons regarded with contempt.   Gee, I want to rouse the sleeping crowd, the wealthy and middle class, without contempt.  (I think the poor are wide awake and deserve a rest).

I need coffee and I shall let you know how it goes. 

Weird day

This was the oddest day, so odd that I cannot resist noting it in my blog.  First thing every day, I turn on my computer.  Ok, after the bathroom and letting out the dog, I turn on my computer.  Today it did not boot.  It fizzled.  I dressed and dashed to the computer service.  I came home and daydreamed about how different things were for the early feminists; mimeo machines, postage stamps and weeks for information to travel.  Now we can reach millions of people with email, the internet and even watch congress on TV.  How different it all is now.  For good or bad, how different.

Fortunately for me, the PC problem was the video fan and it was easily repaired.  I picked it up by 5 and stopped at the grocery store.  Upon parking the car, I saw the strangest event.  There was a muscle man in a sleeveless T-shirt and tiny gym shorts screaming  at the top of his lungs at a gray haired short woman and a 10 year old cub scout.  As I got my cart, he was demanding to speak to the manager.  He wanted the store to remove the den mother and scout immediately.  He walked inside.

I just could not resist asking the woman if she was okay and was there anything I could do for her.  She told me that this man was screaming because scouts won't let gays be scout leaders.  She then began to state the position of the Boy Scouts of America and defend it.  I stopped her and said, "Well I am gay and I know that this is not the place for such a discussion.  It is an adult discussion and not appropriate with scouts or in parking lots. 

Then I went inside to get my groceries.  When I was done, she was standing outside waiting for me.  She thanked me for being nice to her and wanted to debate the issue with me.  I told her it was an adult discussion for concerned adults ~ not for either side to debate in a parking lot. 

It felt like I was in the Twilight Zone.  Of course recovery was swift as my computer is fine!  I celebrated with my new diet sensation.  Organic, of course.

One Day

Not today, but one day I will tell.  I always consider what she would have wanted.

Play the albums released during her life.  She would have liked that.  Particularly; Nested, Mother's Spiritual, Walk the Dog & Light the light

Laura Nyro  October 18, 1947 - April 8, 1997

Multi-life Lunch

Thursday I had lunch with my past, present and future.  I got a call around 11 AM from a young man, 28 actually.  He is the son of a high school student of mine from 1970.  35 years ago, when I was a wife and Catholic high school teacher, I met his dad. 

Being a first year teacher, the administration asked me to take the unwanted class of rascals.  I was apprehensive for a few days but then fell in love with them all.  They were my boys, my lost and found boys.  I lived to see them, everyday at third period.  We listened to music, talked endlessly and, eventually, they played their music and read their poetry. 

From them I leaned what "teacher love" could/should be.  (take a note Mary Kay Letourneau)  Even though we had only 3 or 4 years difference between us, they were (and continue to be) my little ducks.  Teacher love never dies, never lies, is never bored, never half-hearted. 

My lunch host on Thursday looks a great deal like his dad when I met him in 1970.  In particular, he has the same voice.  I felt old.  I felt young.  All in all it was simply fantastic.  Does that make me a "grandteacher?"