October 31, 2006

And maybe borrow a dictionary.

Why do people use “literally” to underline a metaphor? It completely negates the meaning of the word. For instance: “I literally killed myself laughing.” You did? Then are you some sort of phantom informing me of this? But, oh, did you just want to emphasize how much you were laughing? Ah, now I see.

There is a part of me that wants to respond to this misuse by just asking the question: “You’re kidding, that literally happened?” But that part of me is more sarcastic than I want to be.

Apparently, I’m not the only one who has noticed this inconsistency. There seem to be many of us who are picky enough to have pointed it out.

Language is not static, that’s one of the beautiful things about it. But it seems silly to use an anti-metaphor word to highlight the very metaphor itself. I mean, it is literally hacking to pieces our ability to communicate well.

October 23, 2006

You couldn't get more downtown.

A four month quest has finally come to an end. Since beginning my job at the shelter, I have moved from empty desk to vacant cubicle without a work space to call my own. My roommate Carolyn loving dubbed me "a space parasite." Fortunately the shelter has up to date technology, so my phone extension could travel with me through my laptop and a handy-dandy head set.

Well friends, those days are over! My coworkers have graciously given me a sunny office right at the front of the building. It is an ideal space for my work, and it allows me to interact with more of our clients. I'm happy. Now I just have to figure out how to make it smell a ltitle bit nicer.

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I had all my favorite siblings in town this weekend. Jen was here for a conference, so JR and Bethany joined us on Friday night. Jen, Dan and I spent some time enjoying Portland during the day on Friday, and then we made a Thai feast for JR and Bethany's evening arrival. Check out the pictures on my Flikr account. I'll load more soon.

October 15, 2006

A stretch in the right direction.

There's been a lot going on lately in the life of Erin. Go ahead, take a peek:

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We've been getting ready for the Black & White Africa art exhibit coming up at the end of the month. It's going to be a great event! If you are in Portland on the 27th or 28th, plan on stopping by.

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My friend Andrea introduced me to "goatheads." Have you ever seen these prickly weeds? I'm fascinated.

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I'm going back to Africa in January! This time I'll be using my professional skills to help our East African partners develop infrastructure for managing Western volunteers. The trip will be just over three weeks, and this time I'll be meeting with our partners in Kenya and Tanzania. I'm really looking forward to being back with my friends there, and I'm excited to be able to contribute to the good work that is happening.

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Dan and I worked a valet shift last week to earn some extra funds for our trip. It is a crazy experience to jump into one of the servant-castes of America. I really enjoyed myself, and the tips were great!

October 05, 2006

Welcome to the feast.

The shelter where I work has been asking the question: How do we serve the truly needy?

Many of the men and women who live on the streets of Portland are not really homeless. They have family members that would offer shelter. These people are broken, and their choices reflect a lack of value in taking caring of themselves and others. They choose the streets because it is a social structure in which they are secure or powerful and there is little accountability for their actions.

It is important to determine the difference between meeting true needs and enabling unhealthy choices. Don't get me wrong, life on the streets is painful, cold and dangerous. It is not a good place for anyone to be. Yet men and women choose that lifestyle because it fits their quality world. The people who truly need services are those looking to exit the homeless lifestyle and are ready to choose a path away from addiction and into recovery.

As a person of faith, I want to feed the hungry, clothe the naked and minister to the poor. But I also want it to light the fire of hope in their lives. If services enable those on the streets to maintain an unhealthy lifestyle and reject any question of change, is that really help at all? I don't think that food and shelter services should stop, but how do you push someone in the right direction if they prefer to live in their addictions?

There is a certain demographic of those on the streets that this enabling question applies to: the "lifestyle homeless" are primarily men in substance addictions without children in their charge. They are the primary shelter users even though most have the opportunity to change their situation. Even though there are more homeless women and children in Portland than homeless men, they are less visible. Women hide out in cars or in the apartments of friends and boyfriends. They often sacrifice their own personal safety and the safety of their children to keep from the greater danger of living under a bridge. Homeless women and children tend to have the greatest needs and the least resources.

So far there has been no satisfying answer to the question. Part of the picture will be reaching outside our walls and finding those that are in crisis. Current services need to be maintained for those on the street who are looking for the way out. And my heart keeps reminding me that Jesus didn't put qualifications on feeding the hungry or clothing the naked. I just hope that is never the end of the story.