Anglo-files
When I was in seventh grade, a girl and her family moved to Modesto. Her father worked for Shell Development, as did the father of my buddy, David. If I remember the origin story correctly, David attended a company picnic and there became aware of this girl, Carolyn Grayson. Carolyn and her family were from England. Now to this point, I’d never met someone from England (or anywhere in Europe) and foreign countries seemed so exotic. Also, it was a time when my friends and I were fully into James Bond and spy stuff. So it amused me to joke and pretend that Carolyn was a spy from the UK that was undercover a grade ahead of me at school. I don’t think I ever actually spoke to her, but we (I) had a grand time running all over school and the local neighborhood pretending to spy on her and also avoid her being able to spy on me. Look, it all made sense when I was 13.
I think her family moved away after that year. Or maybe the next. Either way, when I went into eighth grade, she went to a different school and I never saw her again. Here’s the incredibly dorky and embarrassing (and possibly alarming and worrying part). For some time thereafter, to continue my little espionage fantasy game, I would wave at passing aircraft as if it were Carolyn (or one of her agents) in the plane doing a fly over reconnaissance. God! how lame I was (and still am I suppose)!
I think this is the house where she lived while in Modesto.
The college-wide Planning & Budget Committee meeting was this morning. It was for staff and students to give testimony about their reaction to the proposed cuts for next year. For the most part, I was VERY impressed with the speeches that were given. One after another, people spoke for up to three minutes, offering evidence and arguments about why this or that program or position should be spared. It certainly gave me a lot to think about. I really appreciated the civil tone of most of the people.
Until this one student, speaking in a British accent (that I’m not entirely convinced was real) took his turn and really was pretty rude. He was even admonished by the co-chair of the committee to keep things civil. Well, his attitude was a real turn off. Honestly, it caused me to stop listening, both to him and to everyone who followed him.
I ask the question: Do we think that such incivility (tempting though it may be) helps or hurts the causes for which we fight?
Tags: postaday2011
LOVE
“Until this one student, speaking with a british accent…” You totally had me thinking the person who spoke at the meeting and had the British accent was going to be Carolyn and this had all the makings of the plot for a Cusack-ian romantic comedy.
Wouldn’t that have been great!!!!
I really wish I’d been there. For the most part, other than certain people acting childishly, the people protesting the proposal have been very civil. I have, however, heard of a group pushing for violent/aggressive protesting. I’m glad that the speakers were well-spoken and helpful on Friday. It’s nice to see us band together for something we believe in to help the students and our community.