Comments on: Free-For-All Friday 11/19/10

By: karass

karass — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:22:35 +0000

Part of the problem is employers. Some are more understanding of family pressures than are others. They tend to understand the winter break and summers because those are the traditional times off. A week in September and a whole week at Thanksgiving are not familiar to them. Some understand that you have to leave early at 4 PM because a holiday camp ends at 5 PM, vs. the usual 6-6:30 PM that after care ends; others act like you are goofing off. Of course families will work it out but at what cost in terms of stress and work pressure? Sometimes I wonder if we’ve really forgiven women for having to enter the workplace or not. Or if folks with great, family friendly workplaces don’t realize that many workplaces are not so flexible and some really punish workers, especially employees in low level management positions, when they don’t work 60-80 hours per week. I think it’s great that some families can afford to have only one wage earner and still own or rent a home in Decatur. But many need two wages to own a home here. Or there’s only one parent who is the wage earner and no one else to provide free child care. And many workplaces have become less and less understanding of home pressures because of their own financial pressures and stresses. Just like we want diversity by income level and race/ethnicity, don’t we want some diversity in terms of the work and professions of families?

I am sympathetic to teachers who were presented with a schedule option that they liked and therefore “voted” for it and are now enjoying it. But I am also sympathetic to parents who have to face the everyday issues of how to earn enough to continue to live in Decatur and have good public education for their children, figure out after care and holiday camps, transport children to Girl Scouts, music lessons, sports, tutoring, etc, meet the repairman to fix the toilet, etc, etc. etc. It’s not as simple as “Don’t have children if you don’t want to take care of them”. Families, parenting, the work world, marriage pressures, children’s needs and limitations, are more diverse and complex than that.

By: Sam

Sam — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 22:12:19 +0000

You mean the “Active Living” department?

By: karass

karass — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:40:09 +0000

It did close but has reopened under the management of former staff. Just as good as before, maybe even better, or does absence make the heart grow fonder?

By: kcbunny

kcbunny — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:23:59 +0000

Always look forward to my dividend check at the end of the year! I even got my mortgage through them and it has never been sold. Love USAA!

By: kcbunny

kcbunny — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 21:21:27 +0000

yup, that is the one. yummy goodies, great service.

By: Joe

Joe — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 20:19:22 +0000

I’d recomend calling Frank at SpaceMax Storage on N Decatur Rd @ 404-292-0606
I know they have given vouchers for silent auctions for other schools!

By: Attendee

Attendee — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:16:40 +0000

Did you really enjoy that movie? I didn’t care for it. I found it awfully simplistic to think that teaching break dancing to poor starving Africans would have much of an impact on their lives. I found the documentary disjointed and thought it took a rather naive and simplistic view of the situation. It didn’t even present the dancing in its best light, I thought. I found it an odd choice for a kickoff.

I’m not particularly ready to sign up for four more documentaries without knowing what they are going to be, especially not if this is a good sample of the goods.

I really WANT to be a part of this, but I found that movie tedious and depressing.

By: altmod

altmod — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 19:13:34 +0000

I’d like to second that sentiment. We really enjoyed Bouncing Cats as well. The venue was lovely and it was cool to have Burn Unit break dancing before the movie started. The complimentary treats from Sammiches n Stuff were a nice addition. And what a lovely auditorium! I think if others try Decatur Docs they will be pleased–quality documentaries PLUS.
p.s. It was great to be able to walk to dinner (at Cakes and Ale-YUM) and then walk to the movie and back home again!!!!!