Interview With The ShanMonster: Lee Anders

December 22, 2001

This is a continuation of the Blogger Insider experiment. My partner, this time around, is Lee Anders of Simply Lee.

The ShanMonster: Have you ever found yourself inextricably involved in some sort of social/political activism? If so, how?

Lee Anders: I suppose you could say I'm an activist by nature. I am a very passionate person, and not one to stand by and idly watch if there is something I can do to better a situation. Therefore, I often find myself involved in new causes, most often revolving around Pagan and Disabilities/Special Needs issues and within both social and political arenas.

The ShanMonster: What's the funniest thing you've ever seen/done/heard that really ought not to be funny?

Lee Anders: My daughter telling me stories of stuff she has done in the past while high on marijuana and liquor. I should have been mad or upset, and I was in a way, yet I couldn't help but laugh at some of the tales. Of course, she waited until the night before her wedding to tell me, and thankfully none of them were as bad as the stories I could have told her.

The ShanMonster: You're thirty-five and on your way to being a grandmother. Holy crap! I'm not much younger than you, but I still feel about twelve, and can't even imagine myself as a Mom, let alone a grandmother. What's it like, being a matriarch at such a young age?

Lee Anders: Don't let the circumstances of my life fool you. I'm still 16 years old. I just happen to be stuck in the body of a 36 year old mom and grandma-to-be.

The ShanMonster: What is the most memorable experience you had working in the disabilities and special needs field?

Lee Anders: Although there were many, I would have to say the beach trip was the most memorable for all involved. I, along with one staff and two volunteers, took four male behavior clients to the beach for a weekend getaway. It took weeks of bureaucratic butt kissing to get final approval for the trip, and even more upon our return in order to save my job, but it was well worth all the bullshit I took just to see the look of amazement in the eyes of the two clients who had never stayed in a motel or seen the ocean. And all four boys had the best time of their lives. (I almost lost my job because the pitiful amount of money given to us for the trip ran out on the first day, and I footed the bill for the rest of the weekend. Apparently it was against the rules to give your clients a gift without first passing it through the fundraising committee.)

The ShanMonster: You have the whole day to do whatever you want, wherever you want. What do you do?

Lee Anders: Sleep, in my bed, alone, and for as long as I want to.

The ShanMonster: What got you into blogging?

Lee Anders: A desire to be heard.

The ShanMonster: In ten words or less, what is the meaning of life?

Lee Anders: Love.

The ShanMonster: If you could change one thing that you've done since last night, what would it be?

Lee Anders: I forgot to return my husband's tuxedo. Today it will cost me a late fee.

The ShanMonster: Have you ever thought you'd really really like something, then tried it and realized how wrong you were?

Lee Anders: Working for money. Every time I've ever accepted a job based on salary alone, I've hated it.

The ShanMonster: Have you ever thought you'd really really dislike something, then tried it and found out how wrong you were?

Lee Anders: a. Working in the Special Needs and Disabilities field. I was scared to death my first day, but by the time my shift had ended I knew I had found a portion of my dharma. b. collard greens c. anal sex d. Spanish class e. carrot cake > All self explanatory, I think.