I am in the 2%.

As an American Peace Corps Volunteer my salary is around or less than $5,000 a year…of course, this is outside America where $5,000 a year is nothing. I am in the 2% because I chose to be.

I think I understand what the 99ers want and that they are seeking justice and fairness in the equity of money and to end greed and corruption. They feel that the government has left them stranded in this time of crisis and that only the super-rich have benefitted. But last time I checked the U.S. government was headquartered in D.C. Understandably, they are controlled by the money that comes from Wall Street, but if anything is going to change, it has to come from D.C., NOT Wall Street. The supposed "super rich" are not the ones granting you freedom of speech and probably are the least likely to care about our struggles. If you were obese would you cry to the fitness model and say, "Hey, give me some of your thinness and good looks! Stop your goodlookingness!" No absolutely not! You would want to go to the gym and petition for a free membership so you could become healthier and better looking.

Or if you were sick would cry out to healthiest people in the country, “You make us sick! Stop being so healthy! We want health…and healthcare. Stop taking it all!” No! You wouldn’t…would you!?! You would be pounding down the doors of the hospitals and doctor’s offices and asking for relief from your pains and illnesses. So then, why are we not petitioning on the Capitol steps in front of the people in the country who have made our super-rich even richer and allowed greed to run rampant? That is a more effective use of our voice.

I empathize with the 99ers, yet I will not take another hand-out or “The crisis could have much worse without one” bail-out failure from the government. I will also not ask banks to hear me. They won’t care. The ones who are obligated to hear us and do something need to listen. For over a month now they have been avoiding it because it is not in front of their faces and doorsteps. The steps of the Capitol should be full; full of men and women asking for change and asking for liberation from the tyranny of greed and corruption.

Can 99% change 1%? No, they can’t & shouldn’t try. There will ALWAYS be a 1% of super-rich! Can 99% change the face of how flawed American politics operates and controls our nation? YES! Although the 99ers may think they are barking up the right tree, there sits in D.C. an entire forest of greed and corruption that has a duty to listen.

I do not create my own wealth. My wealth is not cotton green paper. Oh how freeing it is to have little money and be content. I am in the 2%.

"ORGANIC" Human Humor

Yes, another post from "Grant The Volunteer". In 8 months or so I may not be "the volunteer"...but that is for another post. Today I wanted to add a bit of "organic" humor to everyones life who reads this. I appreciate those who do read it and I hope that all who do read it appreciate it.

After the English lesson that I taught tonight I was told to take some vegetables from the table of goodies that were left behind from the thanksgiving festival that was had last Sunday (Yes, in Bulgaria they celebrate Thanksgiving but a month earlier & not like Americans). There sitting on the table (among lesser beings)was somethingwhich I simply could not refuse to take with me.

I present to you "Starchy the Potato"

(see below)

Weighing in at .68 kilos or 1.5 pounds, I present to you the most unique, the most lifelike, the most intelligent-looking, and most friendly potato in the world. Yes, that is a full-size yogurt container next to him and that is a regular size toaster behind him. hopefully that puts into perspective the epic proportions that we are talking about. Not only is it one of the largest potatoes I have come across but definetly the cutest. Suuuuure he may have a bit of elephantitis on his right arm, which makes it bigger than his head...and no legs...but am I to expect perfection from an organic human such as himself?

Needless to say "Starchy" will remain uneaten for awhile. However forceful the temptation to eat him gets, I will refuse...at least for a week. You also may notice that he is sitting on a cutting board and a knife appears at the far bottom of the picture...his tomato, pepper, and onion cousins were less fortunate and not lifelike enough for me to care.

downs & UPs of Today (Just Today)

Kids are so predictable,

So much so that it is absolutely despicable.

Why we try to teach may be honorable,

but in the end they are unchangable.


This may be obvious to some but to me it was a clear reality that 3 unruly kids owned a class of 10 students and 2 teachers, myself included. Today I started aiding the students in the 3rd grade afterschool English class. I love them all and loathe only 2 or 3 from time to time. Today was the beginning of "time to time". My discussion with the teacher afterwards revealed similar thoughts. Why do these 3 girls come to class to learn nothing?

What can we do to change a mind?

Love and care from a different kind?

Ideas range from fun to none,

I am not satisfied until something is done.

On the way to the market after class my bike broke. How you ask? well...the bolt holding the axle to the frame decided to shear in two. How is that for broken... At least the weather is cold now and bike riding has become outdated.

I will miss the rush,

the flying down the mountains like a toilet flush.

Bump, Bump, crash

Summer memories in my mind flash.

As I pushed my bike home I was remind of what winter in Bansko is all about. In the last week the mountains received over 70cm of snow (2.2 feet for you non-Europeans). The slopes are white, the air is cold, my apartment is freezing, and yet I am excited more now than ever. Ski season is just around the corner and there is much fun in store this winter.

Winter knows where I am headed.

The mountains are waiting to be shredded.

With a carve and frozen kiss,

I hope this picture does some justice.

Clean

We define it like clay,
changing from day to day.
Never meaning what we want,
simply filling a need for the now.

Maybe it is after a spring shower,
or refusing to cower.
Standing firm above trouble,
holding on so we don't tumble.

Maybe it is a fresh aroma hanging in the breeze,
or the ability to live in ease.
Carefree life without a worry,
a fairytale-like story.

Maybe it is following all the laws,
or living without flaws.
If perfection would not be so difficult,
high on clouds do the angels float.

No! May it be washed white as snow,
Yes! or letting forgiveness grow.
Blemishes, blood, our wrongs covered,
flowing grace, which will always be offered.