Late to writing group today. Ahh, the majestic Procrastination! But I got a good start on the essay about my recent experiences, tying in the elements of professional dress code, interviewing, dress-up, and drag.

There was a ... thing. Evidently my conflict management skillz are based heavily upon my ability to shut all the stuff that's going on the hell down so I can process it and then unruffle individual sets of ruffled feathers.

Other than that, the play was just fine.

Delivered the imp of Dana O'Shea to M, who put some on and did the "Oo, smells tasty!" thing a lot. She suggested over dinner that since one of my major skills that I mentioned is one of Miles's, finding the right person to do the right job, perhaps I should apply at a temp agency, not necessarily for temp work myself, but as a person to match jobs to skills.

I am reminded once again that I really do need to open my mouth like a good girl when I'm Told to. This clergy business is not a comfortable one, but I knew that when I signed up. When saying something means momentary discomfort for me, and relief of a very real stressor in someone else's life, what is the appropriate choice? (Incidentally, the disclaimers on that sign-up were very well-done. I commend the author, and poke people who would buy the 3rd book in the Feline Wizards series to go ahead and tell her so.)

When I put my headspace into clergy mode, I'm damn near unshockable. If I'm come to as clergy, with confession, or need of ministry, I slip into somewhere above neutral and become somewhat other than myself. metaphorge posted a quote about the universe from Albert Einstein, and I was moved to speak.

I wound up with a better description of the headspace than I've ever had before: pitiless compassion. Mike would call it "grokking", I think. To understand so well that you cannot help to both hate and love and all the other range of emotions it's possible to feel for another human being.

Pitiless compassion. I like the sound of that.