October 15, 2002

I�ve always been skeptical about religion, exercise, and activism. Which is not to say that I avoid all these, but I just can�t get into it. It doesn�t mean that I will avoid them at all costs, just that, perhaps, I haven�t found a religion, exercise, or cause to get all up in a knot.

I remember my first attempt at volunteering, which soured my view of it. It was for a small press that printed literature for other organizations. Good, I thought, I can learn something about publication as well as do some social good without getting neck deep in it.

These people were veterans of the 60s and while I try to respect my elders, not having anyone my age didn't make me feel included. That, and the vets tended to talk in slogans and long lectures about social justice.

After a while, I started to get that fake smile of enthusiasm, nodding in agreement when they spoke, and making excuses when they wanted me to come in.

And to top it all off, I never got to work on any of the printings, not a brochure, flyer, nor pamphlet.

Nowadays I would have told them that there "wasn't a match," or that I was more interested in the publication side. Instead, I neglected to tell them that I was moving out of the dorms and my number would change.

Kinda like dodging a crazy ex-girlfriend.