The Mind at Work - Mike Rose

After recently running out of non-fiction literature to read,. I took a trip over to see Kellie.  Although she didn't have all her non-fiction books on hand, it was enough because I found this little gem: The Mind at Work by Mike Rose.

When most people talk about or consider work, they divide it into two tiers: head up (more mentally challenging) or neck down (more physically demanding, but mindless).  Throughout a handful of years Rose investigates, observes, and interviews people who are waitresses, hair stylists, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, welders, and a foreman - all considered "neck down" occupations due to lack of office - to figure out how mindless these occupations are or aren't.  In the beginning five chapters, it becomes apparent that these careers and occupations not only require dexterity and physical training, but also engages the mind in ways similar to "head up" jobs.

Specifically, many of these positions require at least a decent high school education as well as a proficiency in a set of social skills, money and resource management, high-level contextual vocabulary, applied science and mathematic integration, aesthetic awareness and, at times, a whole lot of physical endurance.  In the conclusion Rose goes on to quote neurologist Frank Wilson, "The brain does not live inside the head, even though that is its formal habitat.  It reaches out of the body, and with the body it reaches out to the world.  Brain is hand and hand is brain."

My bias as I was reading this book was in regards to education.  As a teacher and educator, I want to be aware and knowledge to where my teaching is going.  Many times, curious children are wondering when they are ever going to learn what is taught inside schools in the outside world.  Some of the activities taught (especially in mathematics) may not be applicable to every student, but it at least spurs and pushes the student in a way where they learn to think more analytically and logically about the world around them.  This is best expressed, discovered and adored in the application process.  To be aware of all the different ways mathematical ideas are used in these so called "low-level" occupations will strengthen my teaching, especially if I can learn to integrate it into my lessons.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in education, psychology, cultural studies, or any of the above named professions.  Personally, I have always valued many of the trades, however, I had little idea of how much mental work also went into their professions.  Prepare to be delightfully surprised.  My only reservation about the book is that you can tell that Rose is an English professor.  While most of the book is filled with love, down-to-earth and easy-to-read diction, the final chapters are a bit more difficult to read and stay engaged in.

Bacon Rating: 4 out of 5

Unexpected Kindness

I was working at JCPenney's last night.  Nearing the end of store hours I was (kindly) interrupted by a middle-school aged child asking where she could find a particular top that she had but in a different size.  I was immediately struck by how pleasantly patience her voice was with me as well as how kind she was.  Throughout the whole shirt-finding process, she was thoughtful to continue using her well-learned manners as well as keep an understanding attitude and tone of voice with me.  It was to both our disappointment that we couldn't find what she wanted, but that still didn't change the way she treated me.  This made my night and put a smile on my face because even though we couldn't find what she was looking for, she still treated me as an equal and with dignity.  You'd be hard pressed to find someone similar to her - let alone a 10-12 year old girl.

I'm not the best writer, so maybe the idea that I'm trying to portray isn't getting across well.  If I write to you a portrait of a typical adult customer, maybe I could deepen your understanding.  The typical customer approaches me with an expecting and a demanding attitude.  Granted, any retail employee is expected to serve, but they are, in fact, people wired with feelings and emotions as well.  If said employee is unable to know the exact location of a given object and have it within a few steps away, the customer usually takes on a range of emotions from annoyed to outraged.  Despite the employee's efforts to maintain a friendly demeanor and/or professionalism about the situation, they are usually only rewarded with an empty "thank-you" on a lucky day.

In case my (in)ability to write didn't portray the value of kindness, try watching this YouTube video of Mr. Rogers winning himself $20 million dollars and changing the heart of a mean, hard-hearted senator at the same time.   Witness the power of kindness.  (The program he is talking about is Mr. Roger's Neighborhood.  Notice also the change of attitude by the Senator as the discussion proceeds.)

Cheap Change #2

When I opened my mailbox today, I was disgusted to have received a flyer from the local Wal-Mart store that has apparently just had it's grand opening.  As I was about to throw it away, I had realized the piece of paper had an usually amount of weight attached to it.  Curious, I look thoroughly though the ad to discover a $5 gift card attach to use in the new store.

Now, let's get something clear and in the open.  I detest Wal-Mart.  I strongly disagree with their stance on hiring illegal workers, I strongly disagree their treatment of their illegal and legal workers, I strongly disagree on manufacturing methods, I strongly disagree on their outsourcing and I strongly disagree on the way they violate human rights.  I love saving money, but I won't buy their blood-stained products even if they have the cheapest prices on the planet.  So I've made it a life-goal to never put another dime in their pocket.

Oh, I know what they are doing. By giving me $5, they are trying to trick me into buying more than $5 worth of stuff.  I'm not taking the bait.  I'm unsure what I'm going to buy, but I do know that I'm going to spend (read as: steal) $5 there without going over.  Because I so strongly detest Wal-Mart, I'm considering it my duty to make sure I spend this $5 wisely, while creating an insignificantly small impact to the world's most evil business.

On a different note, I returned a can of root beer into Wegman's this week that I didn't buy.  And I also found $0.16 (a dime, a nickel and a penny in case you're wondering) this past week on the floor when I was working at JCPenney's.  Tack on $0.21 more.

Cheap Change #2: $5.21
Cheap Change Total: $30.21

7 Quick Takes - A Day Late

1. The children's VBS program went wonderfully.  Although I wish we would set a time where we can all meet and talk about ways to improve it.  I don't know if the message was delivered clearly enough to the children, but it sounds like the adult class happening at the same time had some good stuff happening.

2.  I feel much more connected now to Good Shepherd than before this week started.  Spending time with the same people all week and depending on them to get a task done really gives you an opportunity to get to know them.  VBS might as well be something for adults as it is for children.

3.  The job is currently in "limbo" status and I expect it to crash and burn.  I'm making this judgment based on the fact that when I was told to call yesterday about the future status, the person who is in charge seeming avoided calling me.  In my amassed experience in job failing, that means they are waiting for someone (who isn't me) to confirm the position.  The "Champion of Second Place" strikes again.

4.  Finished watching Avatar: The Last Airbender cartoon series with Andrea on Thursday.  I am thoroughly impressed (especially by Nickelodeon) on how well the characters developed and changed, and also how much they force you to pay attention to small details in every episode.  Additionally, I applaud them on their effort to not continue the series until popularity dies out.  Having a terminal episode and knowing when to stop making new episodes is the key to making sure a favorite series doesn't "burn out."  This is something I'd like to see more in media as a whole.

5.  On Friday, my wife and I went to see The Last Airbender movie with my brother and sister-in-law.  If you have watched the cartoon, don't bother going.  You'll be utterly disappointed and angry with the entire movie, which struggles to even get plot devices working properly.  If you haven't see the cartoon and plan on seeing the movie, rent the cartoon series on Netflicks immediately after.  It's a beautifully created series and the movie(s) will not give it justice.

6.  My mom left for Vermont on Monday after a number of days here on vacation.  It was nice having her come down and spend some time with her.  Andrea and I got the chance to talk to her about churches in general before she left.  It's been one of my lifetime prayers that she would come to know who Christ is and accept what He has done for her.  However, this week I realized more so than ever that this road is long and much more prayer and time with her is going to be required.

7.  I'm looking forward to really getting into the thick of things regarding the tutoring I'm doing this summer.  It's been a day here and there, but now with the regents about a month away, it's time to hammer down.  Making mini-lessons and watching my only student grow and learn to the material is confirmation that teaching is what I want to do.  If nothing else, VBS is a small period of bliss in the huge ocean that is the summer.  Barring the summer weekends at the lake, bring on the school year; I'm getting bored.

Don't Know Why...

This week has been disastrous for me.  Apart the interview on Tuesday afternoon, I've been a bit towards the depressed and angry side in terms of my mood.  I wish that this could have come at a better time because I'd really like to be more focused on the VBS program so I can deliver a Christ-centered message to the kids.  Instead, I'm struggling just to get through the day.

Andrea hasn't had a phenomenal week ether.  Even though she took vacation time for this week, they had to revoke it.  So she's working hard all week as well.

The week ends with what's becoming my traditional Saturday shift at JCP.  Joy.

7 Quick Takes

1.  4th of July weekend was amazing.  I'd been looking forward to spending time at the lake for a number of months now and it was just as good as I had hoped it would be.  Lots of swimming, lots of adventure and lots of sunburn.  It was also nice to see a new face there - a friend of Adam's - even though the policy of "no foreigners" is a stance of the older and more traditional people who come up.  I've done my part in breaking that cycle.

2.  After changing the date for what seems to be the third or fourth time, my mom is now in Binghamton for the next few days for her "vacation."  What seems strange to me here is that she doesn't have a time when she is going to leave, nor does she have a set date or range of dates of when she is going to leave.  This could become very awkward for a lot of us if she chooses to stick around for longer than a week.  Especially as...

3.  VBS starts Monday evening.  I finally got the time to complete the ciphers that I will be doing with the children earlier this week.  I'm pretty excited to see how this whole thing turns out.  I've done a wide variety of VBS programs in the past, ranging from Northern Ireland to Wellsville, NY.  I need to be approaching a sense of seriousness though because it hasn't been on my mind.  If only a handful, there will be children who will be ready to make a decision for Christ, publicly or privately, and I need to be in an attitude of prayer so that I may be a facilitator of that if the opportunity arises.

4.  Andrea and I have been working quite a bit lately on our different part time jobs.  This month looks to be the most difficult one financially that we have faced so far.  Although in some ways we are not happy with the situations that our opportunities are occurring, I am at least thankful that the Lord is providing for us in ways that make sense (and dollars).  I am continually amazed by the consistency that the Lord shows us month in and month out.  We are called to have the faith like those of children, and in that faith I am open to be amazed month after month because of that faith.

5.  I went in for an interview on Tuesday with the hopes of maybe landing a job teaching this upcoming school year.  Unfortunately, I left a bit disappointed because I realized that I really didn't interview that well for the position.  That's no reason to count myself out of it yet, however, I was also taken aback by the tremendous workload of this particular position.  If I receive the position, I know I'll take it, but I will need lots of extra doses of sanity to pull me through the year.  I'm supposed to hear them either way by the end of today - but I've heard that story before too.

6.  Because money probably going to be tight for the next year (I think of a year as going from September to August), I'm looking for a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment and its utilities being a bit cheaper than what we have now.  If anyone knows of any secret finds, let me know.

7.  Although I rather enjoy warm weather, the last few days has been bordering on ridiculous.  Hopefully the rain comes soon or we get a (small) relief of the humidity.

Your Choice in My Life

It's dangerous to think about how much other people's choices directly influence your own life.  We like to believe our individual choices make us who we are.  But I am outnumbered rather heavily, so that means other people's choices has more of an impact, right?

I'm comforted to know that I know God.