Monday, May 25, 2009

That Ole Squatting Toad

I read the poem "Toads" by Philip Larkin yesterday. In another reading today
of that same poem I found a bit more insight. I realized that courage, wit, talent, and the ability to say "Stuff your pension!" is still alive.

DeAndre Ramone Way aka Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, or Soulja Boy was on television this morning (Regis & Kelly -- ok you can quit laughing). Soulja boy is an 18 year old
American rapper, dancer, and record producer.

In September 2007, his single "Crank That" reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100. He first put his song on the internet and that is how his dream began. Dreams do come true. This young man is now a multi-millionaire. He is focused and soft spoken. He has received good press and bad (from Mr. T) but we has flourished with
a determination not to achieve success with profanity.

Keep on rappin' and kick that toad!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Interview Questions Post #6 Interview Questions

An employee of Family Court is the person I've chosen to interview. I've known her for
21 years and know her personally quite will. However, because of the sensitive issues covered in her job she does not share. I'm trying to cut a bit into her wall of reserve in this interview.

I know that Pat took this position more than 10 years ago in an effort to protect women and children. This job then was more of a 'calling' and Pat knew that her
emotions would be tested.

A sample of questions follows:

a. When there is a 'high profile' case (making the newspapers)does the court
handle it differently? Do these petitioners or respondents react differently
than the general population?
b. Do alot of petitioners fill petitions for support, visitation, custody, etc.
constantly in order to harrass the respondent?
c. Has New York State been successful in its efforts to enforce child support orders?
d. Has New York State worked with the law enforcement to ensure safety when an Order
of Procection has been obtained.
e. How do you handle it when you feel the person seeking a petition is downright
lying.
f. What are your best days in court. Do you ever leave with a smile on your face?
g. What are the worst days.... what are the triggers that set you off.
h. I know that you carry a weapon. Have you ever shot anyone... or was it enough
to show that your are carrying.
i. Have you succeeded in your initial goal to help women and children? What is
different in the ethnic population that you serve from a decade ago? And how
does the court help the new populations?
j. When you look in a mirror are you happy with the person there. Has she fulfilled
her own personal dreams? Or is there more work to do?
k. How do you unwind..... can you unwind?

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

Post #5 Question #1

The essay "Love and Gold" hit a raw nerve on its issue of child care and children
left behind.

I feel that the mothers who left their children behind in their native countries
and came to the USA to work sacrificed their emotional well being to better the economic lives of their own chidren. Starving children and starving mothers are
of no economic value to themselves and make money for videos on shows like 'Feed the Children".

As a single parent of three children I was fortunate to have a career that paid
well. In turn I was able to pay my three car givers a fair wages...$10 per hour
per child which was and is above the minimun wage. When I was paid my sitters were
paid that same day in cash. I had one sitter a legal immigrant from Sicily, the others were second generation Sicilian and Puerto Rican. All were lovely mature ladies who were good mothers to their own children.

I could not afford live in help and I drove or arranged for pick-up for three children to various schools and sitters each day. (My daughter is now 28, #1 son 22, and #2 son 15.) There was only one year when the three of them were in one school and that was the year I rejoiced every morning and gladly paid tuition.

Perhaps the Philippines or even the United Nations on a global basis could figure out a way to make parents more financially responsible for their own children. Even in our own county we have lists of dead-beat parents who have to be chased for child support payments.