phant0mas

After months of referring my clients to various community resources, shelters, health clinics, and food banks, we finally got to get out the past few days and meet the people working hard to help those in need. It was nice to finally put faces to people I have talked with on the phone numerous times or seen their signatures scrawled on various documents and to thank them for all that they do. More importantly, it really helped me understand that my position is a valid and important part in helping others hopefully begin to put their lives back together or at the lvery least have the basic resources to survive. There is aboslutely no reason for anyone, anyone to go fhungry or not get enough food in this city. If they do it is because they choose not to access those resources. But you know we can't judge because we are not in their shoes. I really have confidence in myself knowing that my job is to give them options, provide them with the best information I can, be supportive, assist where possible inside the law and empathize and maybe more importantly, listen. Some people just want to know that others recognize their existence.
Saw a dcumentary last night that reflects on 20 years of Pearl Jam and it was really well done and portrayed the band as just a bunch of guys who love music and how they've navigated the world of celebrity and survived. I found myself reflecting on the last 20 years of my life and how their music has been their, part of the soundtrack of my life and how glad I am for that. I think thewy are wickedly talented musicians and songwriters and I am thankful they have shared their talent with us. If you love music in general, see it. If you liked their first 2 albums but lost them after that, see it. If you hate them but love music, maybe see it.
Did we really dress this terrible in the 90's?! What's that? plaid flannel shirts are still wearable?!