My English Boss

..is, in many ways, a f***wit. It is not entirely his fault, of course, because of the culture difference. When they decided to transfer him over here for a while SOMEONE should have explained how "we do things over here". I am adding up a list of tiny grievances - insignificant issues that are adding up like baby bunnies.

In fact, this anger will create my first ever PostSecret.

My mother has worked for this company for 11 years, and she has NEVER had a boss who did not celebrate Administrative Assistant Day. Even the ones WHO. WERE. ENGLISH!! Neither of us got so much as a "Thanks" from him. And a week later we went to lunch (to what turned out to be a very expensive restaurant) expecting him to pay. Nope; I paid $36 for lunch. Even before we had plans with him, my mother was going to buy my lunch somewhere else, so I had two chances at free lunch, but she couldn't afford to pay for both of us at a place like that! If we had known we are paying we would have walked out.

He is not a rude guy - nothing like it - he is simply CLUELESS. That is almost worse.

Post Secret

I am always so far behind the times, it seems. I am just now hopping on the PostSecret bandwagon, and I am floored. What a great basis for catharsis (with more than a hint of voyeurism) for thousands of people. I want to meet Frank Warren and shake his hand.

I am going to include some I have found. Some of these are funny, some are heartbreaking, and a few of them made me think of people I know. And no, I have no intention of saying who (so don't ask).

Ugly

Dr Richard Beck has written an amazing blog series on the topic of Ugly as seen from an intellectual Christian perspective. It is truly fascinating and humbling stuff.

I recommend anyone read it, although I will issue a warning that it can be quite heady at times. Be patient and let the meaning come through to you, like divine reading.

Dr Beck is flipping definitions on their head concerning the outlook/viewpoint of the world and how it (should) differ from the outlook/viewpoint of a Christian. It has an air of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" with a twist of "since God created all things, are not all things beautiful" mixed in. He references many works of art, some very religious and others secular, and all with some suggestion of ugly. Some of these pieces are truly gutteral and visceral; it is challenging to see beyond pain and shame, but that is his challenge exactly. We define beauty in our own world, and everything outside of that realm is considered to be 'less than'. We sell oursleves very short to think in those terms. Think about the moments where your life has been ugly. Can we afford, spiritually and emotionally, to shut out those in need just because we find them unpleasant? Read his blogs and really absorb their message. It is a humbling journey.

TLLT 2

I typed in the word "tear" and came up with these pictures:

There is a fascinating diversity in the interpretations here. I can only assume that the auditorium-like shot that they meant 'tier'. The picture of the bed has a sad, lonely vibe. The others are basically self explanatory.

TLLT Inspiration

I found a fun blog called Things Look Like Things which is pretty entertaining. It has inspired me to post some image blogs. This morning's inspiration: the color green.

Bad Employee

Stupid Re-Imaging!!

For a week now, or so, I have dealt with this new computer...crap. I understand exactly why certain things are blocked (like Facebook and MySpace) but Jeezy Creezy I am b.o.r.e.d... You may have noticed an increase in blog entries lately... now you know why.

I spent a good deal of my Monday eagerly awaiting DC's LOST recap. He always posts them the Monday after an episode, and it STILL is not up on Pajiba!! Boo...

There was a new House last night. It was good, but not as good as some others. Plus I took some Tylenol PM when it started, so I missed a few things towards the end. That falling asleep feeling, when you are kind of floating in your own body, is sooooo tranquil. Unless you are in the driver's seat of a car. Then it is terrifying. Pull over and take a nap, people; you are endangering lives!

I went back and read several older blogs this morning. Man, I am the queen of randomness sometimes. But oh well, this is better than yammering on the phone all day to one poor person who has to pretend to be interested; at least this way no one HAS to listen/read...

I found a fun blogger who writes recaps of Step It Up and Dance. The recaps are funny, but he writes from a veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery gay perspective, so if you can't get behind that humor, don't bother with the link. He doesn't seem to be the biggest fan of Nick, but I get the feeling most people find him unremarkable right now. He isn't generally disliked, he just hasn't gotten to show off yet, you know? C'mon Nick, show'em that H-town sparkle!
I want a nap. And a new job; one that interests me and doesn't just pay the bills. Wah.

Bible Study

So the high school girls want to organize a summer Bible study where they teach the middle school girls. Is that not the sweetest thing?
I am really looking forward to seeing this work. I have (potentially) offered our tiiiiny apartment to them for their weekly meeting. Hopefully I can sign up Kelly to attend these with me, and possible teach/lead one. I am certainly no expert on the Bible, but between the two of us we could come up with a seriously kick-A lesson.
I am so proud to see these girls take the initiative on this. It is a great opportunity to learn from each other, but also to teach others and help them grow spiritually. What a blessing to use those gifts God gives us! Sure, sometimes I wish God had given me the gift of mass-money-making, but I can work with what I've got. ; )
I hope I can be helpful to the group in this endeavour, but I am most excited to sit back and absorb - I'm sure these girls can teach me a thing or two!