07 March 2007

Cultural Sensitivities

Lately I've had an opportunity to interact with all sort of different people. From my experiences I have learned that not everybody has a sense of humor. Not everybody understands my sense of humor. In fact, precious few actually 'get' what I say. That is just depressing. And, NO it is not a cultural thing. This spans cultures, ethinicities, and sexual orientation. Oh well I guess I'm just destined to be misunderstood.

My job has me doing a lot of field work in places I never thought I would ever visit. Last night was a presentation and testing at rehab in the middle of nowhere. There were eighty men six months into an eighteen month in-patient treatment schedule. It was interesting. Okay, it was other things than just interesting. It was a learning experience. There were all types of men there: professionals, minorities, guys that just seemed down on their luck. There was boy that had just turned 18.

After the initial education presentation, there was a private and confidential one-on-one. The stories were just heartbreaking, but ultimately they all had realized that they needed help and they had found their way to this treatment center in the woods ( which does not have many outside lights. A difficult time was had in getting back to the car.)

I also learned that the guys at my old school are more conservative than the girls. Frat boys that came in talking the talk, obviously didn't walk the walk. I know no judgement, but hey I'm still learning. And NO I'm not stereotyping...gah...you should hear what they talk about when waiting for a test. Disgusting. Collecting data and whatnot. Health Fairs are the best for collecting data and learning about the human condtion. *g*

Tomorrow night: Health Fair at a charter school. This should be fun.

And speaking of culture and background and experience how does one plan a successful wedding that incorporates aspects from different cultures? Is it a good idea have friends and family from different cultures at the actual wedding ceremony or should they just be invited to the reception? What about all of the pre-wedding ceremonies? Should there be programs with descriptions of the ceremonies? Or am I just over-thinking this? Eesh!

Also, I think my gaydar's broken.

Until next time

06 March 2007

everything that changes stays the same

I went on my first field test today. All by myself. It was at my old school. I never miss places, because I know that I can still have contact with the people I have met at those places. This was different. I don't keep in contact with anyone anymore. Not from there, and when I drove into the parking lot I was hit with such a feeling of longing that I was a little queasy and unsteady on my feet.

It's funny what a place can do to a person. The place is still the same, and if you don't pay attention the people all look the way they did way back when, but it isn't the same. The kids are all different. Trying to get somewhere, but ending up looking back at what was. Looking to the future, while forsaking the present.

It took me a few minutes, but I figured out who I was and what I was supposed to do. My time there was unremarkable. I went back to the office, and it was like I had crossed over into another universe. That ever happen to you? It has never happened to me before today, and I'll make sure it never happens again.