June 20, 2002

• The old fart‘s on Xanga now! 

  
  

  Yes!  Finally one quiz result that fits me to a T:

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

  	Why know what you can look up? And why look up what you can extract from the minds of your enemies? There are those who think and those who act. I am the latter. I am a problem solver. I have a gift for reading people. I take pride in my wit and speed, not my strength or power. My power is of the mind. The ball is under the middle dish… Pay up. What’s your superpower?

  
  

  Thou shouldst not call up that which thou canst not put down.

  
  

  I’m at a meeting of the Grandmothers.  They are there to question and censure Jamie, a boy maybe 12-15 years old.  My role is as his advocate, as well as a sort of interpreter.  I make sure he understands the elders’ questions and comments.  Jamie is “slow” in mind only, not very bright but hyperactive and easily distractible.

  
  

  He is acting alternately silly and frightened as he is questioned and scolded.  I’m almost as much a stranger to this group as Jamie is.  Some of their terminology and customs are unfamiliar.  Jamie and I have a rapport, and as I mediate between him and the crones I’m gradually picking up a better understanding of their meaning and intent.

  
  

  One very old woman does most of the talking.  She is giving the kid a hard time about the dragons he has been conjuring up.  He gets defensive and grows even more restless.  The Grandmother is becoming quite impatient with him.  I cut in to break the tension and clarify the matter at hand.

  
  

  I say, “I think it would help if Jamie understood his options.”  This brings nods and mutters of assent from the assembled women.  The kid seems relieved to learn that he has options.  When the old woman gestures to me to go ahead, I turn to him.

  
  

  I say, “The dragons are dangerous.  Since they hurt people and do great damage, you must stop playing with them.”  The women are following this, nodding agreement, but their expressions imply impatience, a feeling of, “Yeah, yeah, get on with it.”

  
  

  Jamie does not like the idea of having to give up his dragons.  He puts on a stubborn pout and I can see he is on the verge of rebellion.  I continue, “Jamie, you can either leave the dragons alone,” (and I can tell there is little chance of his being willing to do this–he is obviously feeling threatened as he waits for the “or else”) “…or, you can become a great wizard so that you can control them.” 

  
  

  This breaks the tension.  Jamie is joyously, enthusiastically relieved and obviously had been unaware that he had such an option.  The women nod in acceptance, as if it is a fine idea that had not occurred to them, either.

  
  

  My work there was done, so I woke up.

  
  
  Which Peanuts Character Are You Quiz
  I’m a deadly sin; are you?
  
  No lie!!

  • 4:47 pm
  • 13 Comments