The meeting at The Monitor went well! I chatted with the deputy managing editor to get an idea of what they're hoping to accomplish with the online initiatives (including Rio Grande Valley Girl online) and the time frame for introducing the column. They're launching a website redesign Feb 5, so they want to promote new content after that.
I also met with the managing editor, herself a transplant to the Valley, and explained what I saw the column doing. We chatted for a bit and then I met the online editor, talked to him about some column ideas and gave him some additional writing samples.
At $20 a pop, I won't get rich writing an online column, but it will be fun to have cause to go exploring every week and to ask readers to send Rio Grande Valley Girl on assignment. And other perks may come from being associated with the paper. I'll be on the cutting edge of this new initiative and it will be fun to see what this might grow into over time.
That's the high, obviously. The low was having the RS pres appear at my doorstep to take issue with the first book we'd chosen to read. I was on my way out so I didn't have time to get into whether geisha are artisans or prostitutes or what church approved literature she'd rather have us read.
Mike saw the micromanager coming; I didn't. If she insists on vetting the book selections because it's a RS-affiliated enrichment group, then I'll make it extracurricular. Have it at my house, invite who I want and not have to appease people who read through a Mormon filter.
And then I think, duh, why didn't I do that in the first place? I guess I was spoiled by years of being in the Pasadena Ward book group which rocked.
Anyway, I'll have to call the RS pres tomorrow to discuss the matter. That's where I'm predicting a cold front.
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7 comments:
Oh, gag.
And that's all I have to say about that.
Well, maybe one more thing: someone needs to get their super shorts out of a twist. That, or they need a really gianormous wedgie to tweek the self-righteousness out of them.
Gag.
We had a pretty lively discussion in my old book group about geisha and not everyone agreed. Everyone was amazed that a guy wrote about geisha culture in such realistic terms.
Anyway, I had conversation #2 with the RS pres. I will continue to head up the heretic book group, invite who I want, and read what we choose. Per the bishop and RS pres, I can't announce book titles or otherwise publicize this book group at church.
And if someone wants to head up a group that reads books penned by apostles or the Deseret Book catalogue, fine. But it won't be me.
I have to second you on the "duh"--official RS book groups are notorious for people getting their panties in a wad. Way to bring matters to a head with your first book selection! Memoirs of a Geisha? Oh, my.
Good luck with the heretic book group--I've certainly enjoyed mine, lo these five years. Looks like our next meeting will include a photo shoot for a painting a la Le Dejeuner sur l'herbe, only this time with fully-clothed book group ladies and a naked man draped across my couch! Before you buy your plane tickets, no, no actual naked man will be present at the photo shoot. :)
Hah! Here I find the obvious home for my crankiness...which seems to have a mormon bent at the moment. I blame Janet for this. Just cuz. But I like "super shorts," so I'm over it already. :-)
Second hobby horse: Mormon uptightness. Get over yourselves, it's a BOOK. I'd be only too happy not to have it associated with church or "enrichment" or what have you.
Third hobby horse: Mormons' lack of social graces. Who shows up on someone's doorstep, uninvited and unannounced?? That always kills me. And THEN, calls them to repentance and questions their righteousness, and informs them of their official shunning. Get some GD manners already.
Hmph. Again.
(Maybe I could find a way to blame the mormons for my ouchy guts and lack of good drugs? Give me a minute...)
Oh, PS - I am loving that you'll be doing the online column thingy. Too cool!! I am surprised it's only $20 a column...do they cover your RGVG-related expenses?
As you point out, it's a great opportunity, and money's not really the point. So I hope it becomes wildly popular!! Plus, it'll be really fun, IMO.
Ah. I just found Swizzies cranky Mormon vs Swiss rant. Actually, I have to agree. (Again, sorry to butt in here, ME.)
The lack of boundaries and social graces and calling to repentence thing is one of the biggest reasons I don't go back to church. If I want you in my home, I'll invite you there. Showing up on my doorstep unannounced is not welcome (unless you're my very, very, very dear friends and you're in town and you want to surprise me. Then there's a dispensation.)
Or unless you're like the Parkins--typically unreachable by phone even when home and the only way to make sure they get the message is to show up in person.
I'm not close enough to anyone here for them to qualify for the doorstep appearance dispensation.
And I made it clear in the last presidency meeting that I was hugely uncomfortable with us popping in on less active women.
For most people (including me) that is NOT a good approach. I much prefer making appointments! Why invite hostility through social transgressions?
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