Friends from the past return?

So. Today I overslept again, and didn't have time to bike my ass to work. (I'm getting lazy, not good!) I managed to make it in time, and emailed the Court Watch Steering Committee people, only to get two emails: "take me off of the mailing list, please" and "my wife just popped out a baby, so... maybe." I don't really know what I am supposed to be doing, and with the Steering Committee people already not feeling too motivated about doing stuff, I'm feeling even more in the dark. Everything else seems to take a few moments, leaving me with nothing really do to afterward. I really hope that, once we get a new ink thing for the printer, that I can begin helping in the office again. We had begun making pamphlets for the county fairs we're attending.

Speaking of fairs, the Montana State Fair is in Billings next weekend, and Susan and I might be going for a day or two and potentially camping nearby. It's cheaper than a hotel, and it might lead to hikes or wanders, which are always fun. I am beginning to enjoy the lack of street lights, although it's still kind of intimidating to walk home alone while dark... though apparently it's safe. Thankfully, I have a bike.

I had the opportunity to attend two hearings today- neither of our people showed up for either. The people we help, to me are curious. Some come for help, and when it's offered, they do not attend their hearings to get their orders of protection or whatever they need. Kind of depressing? Maybe.

I also "spoke" with Jey!! It was exciting. Oh, simple things like talking with friends can make the day just a little more bright.

Work and Other (Possibly) Cool things

So I am beginning to feel more at ease with the whole living in a small town in the middle of nowhere thing. I've realized that there are some pretty cool things to do (like explore abandoned buildings, go on bike rides to nowhere and star watch at night or go to the open mics on Friday nights). I've also met some pretty cool people, like the guy who owns and operates Great Grains, similar to the co-op in Point, and Bike Man, who I'm hoping will give me guidance in bike repair. Not that there's anything wrong with mine- I just think bikes are interesting things, and people who ride them tend to be amazing.

This weekend, Susan and I are going to the Big Damn Band thing downtown, which should be fun. It sounds like there's going to be food, music and other exciting activities throughout the day. Also on Saturday, I'll hopefully be looking at (and maybe renting!!) my own place.

Tomorrow, I get to go to two hearings- should be quite the day.

Also, I've gotten accepted into the Montana VISTA Advisory Committee thing, which should help to keep me occupied for at least a little bit. I'm beginning to notice that I do the same stuff daily, and it's starting to get boring. I like the people I've been passing the time with (save one person...), but I wish there was more to do. Maybe a day trip to Billings (the next biggest town, which is roughly 2 hours away) will be in order. We're also planning a camping adventure to either the Black Hills or Yellowstone in the nearish future.
-Z

PS. More pictures on Facebook coming soon. I'm kind of lame and don't like dragging my laptop around.

Lions, tigers, e-mails, oh my.

So today was interesting, and I actually.... DID SOMETHING!! I sent out some e-mails to get things started- apparently, I get to go out into the community and do some interviewing, Endowment Funds 101. It should be interesting... Caroline, my boss, hasn't a clue how or where to begin with endowment building, so I thought talking to people whose orgs already have them might be a good place to start. If you have any info on endowment building, please pass it along. All the help I can get is good.

I apparently also get to help with the "phamplet process" this week. We are working on creating, printing and putting together information on CNADA for the fairs, which will make the communuity more aware of our presence. I'm really excited to go to the fairs. Apparently, they're huge around here. Whoo celebrations for cowpeople!

And, finally, another song. Name it, and... well, we'll see what happens. Martini Bar?

"And I try not to worry, but you've got me terrified
It's like you're in some kind of hurry to say goodbye
Say goodbye, say goodbye"

Work... work... reading?

So the "working" has began. That for me means sitting around trying to figure out what to do. I got to go to Glendive today, and met some of the staff at their site, as well as two of the Montana Coalition Against Domestic Assult (MCADA) lawyers. They were pretty cool and gave me the "here's how to be a good VISTA" speech, reminding me to keep my "big city" bias at the door. (The last VISTA failed to leave her biases behind, and approached the Courtwatch program with a big city attitude. Apparently that doesn't work in rual Eastern Montana. Who knew?) I even went out for lunch with someone who had.... a very interesting story to tell, and it took me to places in my past that I've done a lot to forget about. It's funny how things from my past keep popping up even though I am as far away as possible from them. Oh, my past.

But beyond that, nothing too exciting is happening these days. I discovered a cowboy boots store called Murdoch's, which is very similar to a Fleet Farm. I've also recently gotten to go to an open mic, and since, everyone seems to keep making comments about how I look like a pianist, Kt, who plays there on a regular basis.

I am looking forward to the county fairs coming up and more Montana Legal Services training. At the fairs, CNADA gives out fliers about their programs and fundraisers... And we get to wander around a little bit. I hope it's exciting.

That is all for now- sorry for the lack of insightful sounding comments.

Life I love you... do-do-do

Today, I'd like to start off by citing a Simon and Garfunkel song, that a guy covered at the open mic I went to last night.

"Slow down, you move too fast, you've got to make the morning last
Just kickin' down the cobble-stones,
lookin' for fun and feelin' groovy
Feeling groovy
Hello lamp-post, what-cha knowing, I've come to watch your flowers growin'
Ain't cha got no rhymes for me, do-it-do-do, feelin' groovy
Feeling groovy
I've got no deeds to do, no promises to keep
I'm dappled and drowsy and ready to sleep
Let the morning time drop all its petals on me
Life I love you, all is groovy"

I initally heard this song while babysitting my baby friend Astrid, and fell in love with it.... But when the guy covered it last night, it made me realize that I still haven't gotten over the whole, "I'm still in the middle of nowhere Montana" and got homesick and quite terrified of the culture here. But then, I recalled with the help of Sara, that I still have access to my supports back home, and am in the process of making support networks here, despite the fact that my boss already seems to think that I'm a wack job. All will work out, though I'm sure.

I went into work for the first time yesterday, and it was pretty exciting. Nothing too cool happening yet, but I'm sure my projects will be hella amazing... just as soon as I know what it is that I should be doing.

I feel as though despite the fact that I've gone through training in Helena, I still have a lot of learning that I need to do concerning my place of work and the culture here in Miles City. While all of the people seem crazy nice and helpful, they often... get into my space in lack of a better way to phrase it. Not just breaking physical boundries, but "social" ones, as well. They'll often talk about people while they're not around, or share each other's personal business. I hope that I too don't become one of those people.

Susan and I went to the Farmers' Market this morning, and it was pretty cool. We also stumbled into the whole foods store, Great Grains, which is conviently located next to Kaffe Utza. Great Grains is owned and operated by this guy, Scott, who is this older looking hippy guy who is also working on a project called, Earth Ship, that's roughly 10 miles out of town. We're planning a bike trip out soon... :-) Miles City seems to be growing on me slowly (now that I've found a handful of like minded people), and I really hope that I am able to survive the next year here. I've realized that I need to keep looking for simple things to remain happy.

"Hello lamp-post what-'cha knowing, I've come to watch your flowers growing..."

Taking things for granted...

So, friends, readers. I had an experience that I would like to share.

As a VISTA member, I can apply for and receive food stamps. Some other VISTA people had not received their required interviews, so we all piled into a car and headed off to the Lewis and Clark Human Services Office. Upon arriving there, we met another VISTA who had been there for quite a while. I also took note of some of the other people who were around. One of them was an older looking man, dressed in cowboy boots, faded jeans, a thick brown leather belt, a blue flannel long-sleeved shirt, and a light brown cowboy hat. It appeared as though he had been there for a long while, and was struggling to meet up with his case manager.He commented that he needed to get in contact with his case manager, and had been trying to for several days with no success to speak of. After a while, the receptionist asked if the cowboy could call back tomorrow as his case manager called in sick that day. It was at this point that he stated he had no access to a phone, and the nearest public phone was roughly 10 miles away from wherever he was staying, and, as he had a ton of work to do, getting to the phone was going to be an issue.

Long story short, seeing this man in the office really made me think. I realized that I am quite lucky to have things like a cell phone, a laptop, and even limited access to wireless internet. These are things that I tend to take for granted, and even believe are necessary for my existence. I have learned that, as a VISTA person this year, I will be exposed to lots of new things- often things that I'll be uncomfortable with, and will come out of it a better person. I also realized that, while as a VISTA, I am entering into a year of "poverty", it's not actually a real poverty. We have Americorps people that we can call to help us fix whatever nasty situation we find ourselves in. I won't have to live in the back of a VW Van. I can get out of bad living situations, and people who are willing to teach me new skills. I have people who are willing to help me move across the country so I can serve people in (what I see as) a lower class small town in Montana.

My point is something like this: When thinking life is tough, recognize that things could be a lot worse than the situation you are in. Don't take things like having a cell, a digi, or your iPod for granted. The person you're standing next to might not even have access to their own landline. And, might have to travel 10 miles to get to the nearest payphone.

Training and Dirt Bike racing

So for the last few days, I've been staying at a hotel in Helena, Montana, where we have to go through something called Pre-Service Orientation (PSO). It has been interesting, and I feel as though I've made some great connections with other VISTAs as well as other staff people. Not only have I learned more about myself, I feel as though I have learned a series of new perspectives that will help me to better serve the community that I am working in. As much as I have already... disliked my situation, I am sure that there will be ways to make things better.

I'm excited- I have met people in Helena who seem to have similar goals and interests- including making the world a better place, and a backpacking adventure through Yellowstone- and feel as though I shall, after this year, become a better person.

I have also had the opportunity to catch up with Amy, my Grandma's boyfriend's daughter and her family. It was exciting- they've shown me around the town, and taken me to their Motorcross stuff. I am super greatful.

I should probably go- I am quite tired and need to wake up crazy early tomorrow morning. Check my Facebook page for more pictures of Helena.

Training in Helena: So it begins

Today, I left Miles City around eleven and managed to make it to Helena in a reasonable amount of time, even through a rain storm and crazy drivers. When it rains here, it really rains. There's a lot more lightning than in Wisconsin, and the winds seemed a lot stronger. It was sort of nerve racking... I need to get my wipers replaced.

I checked into the hotel, and ran into Susan, someone who is also VISTA-ing in Miles City. She told me to check in so Montana Legal Services, the system that Custer Network Against Domestic Abuse (CNADA) works under, would know that I was there... It proved to be a bit tedious, but it worked out. After getting through the mess, I made it back to my hotel room, met some other VISTA people, and the six of us went out for dinner and made bad beer related jokes. It was fun, and I wound up hitting it off with some of them. Yay for new friends!

I was unable to catch up with Amy, one of my grandma's "husband's" daughters, but I'm hoping that we will be able to get dinner or something later this week.

I'm really hoping that, after this week, my car will be able to make it back to Miles City. Upon returning there, I shall upload more photos from Helena to my Facebook album.

Day Three: New friends?

"Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and full of love." -a proverb

So as Paul ("California Man") pointed out in his blog the other day, there are lot of differences between the "western" part of the country and Wisconsin. I used the word, "bubbler" yestedrday afternoon, and received weird looks. People here seem to think it's strange that I prefer to bike over driving the Buick, or that I don't have a four-wheeler. I've also discovered that I have been taking my "liberalness" for granted, and the people here are way more conservative than in WI. It's quite the culture shock. The queer community isn't strong... Hell, as far as I can tell it's non-existent. Most people that I've met that are roughly my age are married and have kids. And, it seems that a lot of people don't have a four year college degree. While they have gone to college, it seems that most people here have dropped out after a year or two.

I wound up discovering a bit of the night scene in Miles City last night, and I wound up bumping into someone I had met at Albertson's Market while out and about, and wound up hanging out with her. It was quite the night.

Flash forward to this morning. I got up and showered and jumped out on my bike, again hoping to find new things. I discovered a cute little cafe, Kafe Utza, (Peggy, the woman I met at Albertsons had suggested it) which is reminicent of what used to be Beaners in Appleton. It was delightful. They have cute red chairs and have a natural foods store next door. There were some people who I had met in a gas station while discussing beer with the clerk. No one here seems to know about Honeywiess. At any rate, the people Ive meet today were roughly my age, and seemed pretty cool. Maybe, we'll be friends with a little luck. They also spoke of something called, "The Earth Ship" which is apparently a sustainable house built with recycled tires and is fueled with solar power and wind energy. Maybe Miles City isn't so bad, now that I'm meeting people who appear to be my own age and learning more about things that are of interest to me.

My laptop decided not to work, but hopefully will soon. I shall update my facebook with pictures as soon as it works out.

Day Two: Are you a girl?

Last night, after talking to Sarah Bodine, the song, "So Long Astoria" by the Ataris came to mind...

"So long Astoria
I found a map to buried treasure
and even if we come home empty handed
well still have our stories
of battle scars, pirate ships and wounded hearts,
broken bones, and all the best of friendships"

...then I realized that at least I still have memories, and the people who are important, always will be. There will always be amazing people to come home to, and people who might even make it out to the land of no people.

Today, after spending more time biking around the city, I stopped at Albertson's, a local grocery store. I am unsure if it's a chain, but it's pretty cool and apparently has a good meat selection. After I grabbed a Pepsi (another new thing- Coke isn't nearly as common here) and headed to the check-out, a little girl who was with her grandfather, looked up at me as I was talking to the checker outer and asked if I was a girl. Her mother was a few isles over got all flustered amd embarased, and apologized, while I blew it off. Apparently, not many women have short hair in this part of the country... That, and my lack of... um... boobs might also be of issue. Reflecting upon this, the mother seemed more concerned than I did. After working in a daycare and babysitting Astrid, I've gotten used to the notion that kids don't really have a "filter", and often, they're just really curious (which is a good thing, right?).

I've also realized that there are a lot of things I've taken for granted. Like, wireless internet. If I want to use it, I need to go to the library, or find a cafe that I can hang out at. So far, said cafes are lacking big time. I've been spending a lot of time at the 600 Cafe, a cute little place that has amazing breakfast and lunch foods at a reasonalble price. It suprised me that it didn't have wireless, but c'est la vie. My landlady has dial-up, and said I could use it, but it takes almost as much time for me to get to the library. People also seem to be suprised by my iPod. Technology is a rarity here.

Tonight, I plan to try to do more biking, and maybe escape the city for a bit. Apparently, it won't be too hard. When people say, "it's all the way across the city", what they really mean is "5 blocks in the other direction", which is a lot different than the thinking I've become accustomed to. When someone says really far or across the city, I've gotten used to them meaning something more like "20 miles" or "in the next town over".

I was also able to find something new- John Deere shaped fruit snacks. Yes, fruit snacks that look like tractors. Awesome? Maybe.

Next week, I'm going to Helena for training and visiting Amy, my grandma's "husband's" daughter. I'm looking forward to it.

Miles City: Day One

So, I got to Miles City alright last night, but I got lost as I had the wrong address. All iis well, I eventually found myself with the help of Mary Lou, the person with whom I am living. She seems really cool, and I hope all works out. I've already noticed a ton of stuff that's different. First off, people here will occasionally ride their four wheelers down the road. Some even have liscence plates. Second, there's a lack of an LGBT community... a bit uncomfortable for me... but after talking to my boss, I think I'll survive. The people seem reasonably friendly... though some of them grumpy. I guess that happens with every town.

I suppose I should flash back to the drive here from Eagan. It wasn't terrible, although it was quite boring. There were a few hills towards the western part of Minnesota and the eastern part of North Dakota, but that was... roughly it. With the help of Baseman, I found a friggin amazing cafe in downtown Fargo, called the Red Raven. After that, the rest of the trip was sorta lame, save meeting the Dharma Bums shortly before gettting to Montana. We shared stories of our travels, discussed Kerouac and quickly got on with our lives.

I discovered a cute little cafe in Miles City, with really good breakfast. Then, I got lost on my way back home, and heard a little girl ask the adult she was with why I was on my bike. It was one of the most strange things I've heard in quite some time. Noone here really seems to bike- most people I suppose jump on their four wheelers.

Flash forward to a few hours later:
I got to meet some of Mary Lou's family, and they were all really cool. They were all really friendly and seemed to like me.
I also got to meet the staff that I'll be working with at Custer Alliance Aginst Domestic Assult.

They also seemed amazing, and occasionally wander around their office barefoot. Seems like my kind of place.

I am still crazy homesick. I got terrified when I discovered that the bike racks could potentially hold ponies as well. And, that there were actually four wheelers parked on the sides of the road. Whoo for living in a small town-- hopefully I'll adapt quickly.

At any rate, I really should get to sleep. Tomorrow, I'm planning to do more adventuring around the city, and maybe go out a bit and try to find myself... If I can accomplish everything else I feel compeled to take care of.