WISDOM OF THE
SAGES
EPISODE FOUR
– SPRING 2016
Hello People of the World;
On that note, let’s get this month’s edition
started, shall we:
1
:[ So, in
the last, maybe, four months, I have been using the standard Swiss backpack for
all my mobility needs. Now, for the better part of my life here in Chicago, I
have using the Man Purse for such duties. But again, in the last couple of
years, as my weight fluctuated, it became a strain on my already injured lower
back, with the shifted weight of the shoulder bag, bending my spine to one side
or the other and scrunching the already tender back muscles into cramping.
My co-worker Calum suggested using a backpack to
balance the weight on my back. I mentioned this to Bonnie, who, of course, due
to her loving nature, got me a backpack for my birthday. I immediately shifted
my gear into it and my back has been Aces since.
Now, being kind of new to using a backpack in the
city, as the last time I used one was on the rez, I had absolutely NO IDEA of
this tacit backpack etiquette when traveling using public transportation. Like
how to take you backpack off, when, where, do you sit or stand, etc. It has
been ahuge learning curve for me to get used to wearing a back pack….
2
:[ So
there is this Table Taker at that Coffee Shop at the Millennium Metra Station
that I hate. He waits around for me or others to leave a specific table and
sits there without ever ordering. Jerk. HE wears a rumpled fedora and scarf. I
just want to push him. But then I know he is scared when he sees me. You can
just tell.
3
:[ In the
Evanston B&N, I am sitting next to a dad talking to his six-year-old (?)
daughter about WWII editorial cartoons explaining how the cartoons of the
1940’s reflect today. She asks questions and he answers, never once treating
her like a child who should not know these things. He leaves before I can
fist-bump him for being an awesome dad and not treating his daughter like a
child….
4
:[
Creating Nations Conference – I hated the theme of the day became: “COME FROM
DIFFERENT BOATS, BUT WE’RE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT NOW” People forget that
everyone got in the Natives boat and pushed them to the back to be forgot unless
they dance or chant….
5
:[ Coffee
shop debate: there should never, ever be only one barista on duty behind
the counter at any time, even during the “non-busy” hours. There is NO
such thing as “non-busy” hours. With all the demanding jackasses such as myself
in line and impatient, what sense does it ever make to only have one person
behind the counter taking orders, ringing up sales, grabbing and warming
snacks, AND making the drinks, and the least-likeable one at that?
6:[ My time at Adobe Youth
Voices has come to an end.
-->
It was a great job that I will never forget. Thank you
to all the schools who allowed me to do this work. Thank you to my co-workers and
our boss for being a such a great team and teaching me a lot.
Thank you to all the CPS teachers for the patience
you have shown me, the friendship you have given, the space you extended, and
the grace each of you possess in caring for our city's youth. I am happy to
have shared in such a small part in all you do. I am humbled. Being in the
classroom along side you only enhanced and strengthened my respect for you.
That will do it for this month. Sorry so short. I
forgot.
So, let me know what you think and as always, feel
free to comment, correct, or contradict anything you read here. That’s fine, as
long as you are able to make a good argument that is rational and sane. I am
always open to change my view on things. I am not so egotistical to think my
opinion is the way the world should see things. I will not censor your comment
just because I think they are wrong. My ego is such that I think I can take it.
Until next month, remember “I try to show the
schemers how pathetic their attempts to control everything really are.”
2016 Ernest M Whiteman III
