An update of sorts

Alright, so the knee:

I have been taking two Ibuprofen at each meal, a Cipro at breakfast and dinner, and a Womibad (the de-wormer that Dr. Frank says actually works) with lunch. I'm not really certain how the Cipro is affecting me. I'm told it puts an edge on some folks, psychologically, but in the past 24 hours or so, I haven't really been feeling any of that, or at least, not that I can notice. Granted, the atmosphere in the bubble here between myself and some of the others is a little stressful, but yesterday, for example, I was pretty happy with the flow of the place.

The people:

Well, things are a little different, and I really do mean little. Yesterday, as I just mentioned, people all seemed to be staying comfortably away from those they have problems with. Bill and I had a pretty good time with each other and those who still don't wish for our death or whatever it is they're wishing for. Today, however, the passive-aggression was pretty thick; at least aggressive enough to outweigh the passivity (see, this is why passive aggression is an art: often attempted, rarely mastered, usually embarrassing). There were some poorly hidden mentionings of anger and irritation paired immediately with glances in my direction. Bill attempted to figure out why one of the people who was supposedly not subscribing to the anger and hatred was now clearly angry. Apparently, now, he's off the list as well. What's amazing about this whole social phenomenon is how simultaneously complicated and simple-minded the whole thing seems to be. You could apply all the complexities of recess politics and half of the teachings from an Eriksonian perspective on child and adolescent psychology to the majority of the behaviours that have come to be routine amongst the kids volunteering here.

The overcompensation for the lack of social cohesion is what's most noticeable, I suppose. At this very moment, I'm listening to the pair (the pair from the night of the incident) tool themselves around the library, demonstrating bond as loudly as could be considered civilized. It's funny how these things manifest themselves. Banality abounds. I'm not moving. This show is great.

According to others I've spoken to, this is getting out of hand. People ask, "Would one big volunteer meeting where everyone hashes it out do anything?" My immediate feeling is, no. I mean, the facades put on for group activities would last a while, then someone's comment could crack though, then bitterness-steeped comments about competence and drama (one thing everyone here has in common is the belief in her/his sanity, composure, maturity level, and plain ol' rightness). I believe a false resolution would be reached, and then another thing to pile onto the heap of things I, particularly, have brought upon the group would be the wrath and/or attention of the Volunteer Coordinator or some other staff member.

Of course the ideal would be for this situation not of have festered over the past week and a half. That being a impossibility (unless time machines are somehow powered by coffee beans or maybe Tanzanite) the next best thing, from my perspective, would be for everyone with a problem to again stay comfortably away from those who cause them strain and to try not to (I say try because it will continue to happen, but attempts can be made) engage in this childish game of us and them.

As for this blog--because I know it will come up as some sort of tool of similar group strain--maybe if things get settled, I can spend more time writing about the awesome moments that are supposed to be at the forefront of Bill and my reporting, like the half-hour I spent singing and dancing with Fatuma and Baby Grace after playgroup, or the cheeky conversations Bill and I field every night before bedtime with the boys of Serengeti house, or how awesome it feels to have introduced Christina to her first poems and how feverishly I look forward to discussing them with her. Agh! So cool!

I dunno. Like I've said before, there is ample distraction here at the Rift Valley Children's Village, so face-time spent with those who just shoot angry, pout-y stares in my direction can be easily avoided for the most part. However, circumventing this group anger situation; that will take more work, and will probably never happen.

Time to colour!!!