More Politics

I’m really avoiding becoming one of those political ranters and ravers, but it’s difficult when so many creepy people are running for President.  It’s no secret that I support Ron Paul, I really do trust a candidate who feels legally and morally bound by the constitution- something that should be a given but unfortunately has gone by the wayside for most of Paul’s opponents. 

I also don’t want to get into bashing everyone other than Ron Paul, I think that is an immature way to discuss politics.  Although it may also be public knowledge that I think Giuliani is a snake/coward- the only way I choose to express this is to hide the Giuliani Calendars at Border’s book stores (immature? I know.)- And I also don’t like Mike Huckabee because he signed some thing a few years back about marriage and in there somewhere was a line about women being subservient to their husbands, which I think is a steaming crock of shit, and tell my husband so daily… but really I can look past all that, I can listen to what Huckabee has to say at the little debates, and I kind of like his last name… it conjurs up images of sitting on porches licking honey off a banjo or something… but what I CANNOT tolerate is the following article, I’m assuming it’s true- just like everything on the internet, and it makes me sick, and if this man’s kids really did this to a dog then I’m no longer playing nice, animal abuse makes me want to puke, especially when directed towards dogs, and he should be immediately disqualified from the Presidential race if the following article is true:

Huckabee son brutally killed dog

One more thing:  SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE PEOPLE!!  I don’t want some Minister turning the country into a congregation- keep your fucking religious beliefs OUT of your politics, or at least act like you do.  I might also mention that I am not a religion-hater, so before you start sending me your creepy assed religious articles just know that.  I respect religion but I also respect the law of the land that was laid out when the country was formed, No religion in politics.

Homecoming

Yay!  After three long months as an unemployed immigrant wife I get to return home for a three week visit.  Back to one dollar bills, rudeness, Chicago accents, and Fahrenheit and pounds. 

I’m leaving my husband alone here for those three weeks -he’s in school so he can’t come with me- but it’s probably a good thing.  He has final exams coming up and it’s just better if I’m not here distracting him.  I have a feeling I will have to leave the country whenever he has a test!

I hate flying though, I’m always on the plane full of babies or people who scream when we hit a little turbulance- OH, or last time when I got stuck sitting next to a couple of hardcore Christians, that was fun.  But I’ll stick it out.

But that’s boring, I’m going home for the holidays just like everyone else in the world.  I feel bad leaving my hubby though, because I think the only food he can prepare is cereal and I’m pretty sure he will go to school wearing my clothes before he starts doing his own laundry.  Good wife that I am, I have a freezer full of meals for him and got all the laundry done.  He’s stocked up, just like tv when the mom goes away and has every pre-made meal labelled in tupperware with cooking instructions printed neatly on the front.

I may not be working yet, but I’m learning the ways of the 1950’s woman, and I figure that will be useful someday.Anyway, some things I’m excited to do when I’m home:

1.  Go shopping!  Good Lord I have not gone shopping without guilt for so long!  And my wardrobe shows it.  I’ve saved for this, and I am coming back to Canada in style.  No more crap clothes I’ve had since high school, and for God’s sake I need a pair of pants that fit.

2.  See my mommy, daddy, and brother- who I miss terribly!  I’ve been around inlaws for the past 4 months and even though I love them and get a long with them, I can’t really be myself 100% around them.

3.  My dogs!  They’re spoiled, annoying, and only care about food- but I can’t wait to see them and tease them- especially the little one, she’s a bitch.

4.  Seeing my friend Megan, she’s pretty much my only friend who hasn’t stabbed me in the back or developed a cocaine addiction, and she likes to shop, so I will enjoy her company while I’m home.

5.  Working out- my dad works as a massage therapist at a huge workout facility, and got me a pass for when I’m home.  I am going to do every day, get ripped, and come back and kick my husband’s ass.  I’m talking Chyna muscles here.

6.  Having a car- yes I do have one, but it’s a Saturn and would never survive here.  Too much snow, not enough salt, and way too cold.  Oh- and the car has bald tires and is missing a window, so it’s not really worth it to have it here, but oh dear is it a pain in the ass not having the vehicle!  I’m sure I will someday share my public transit stories, after the therapy.

7.  Seeing my extended family, and eating their food.

8.  NOT being a housewife for three weeks.  Fuck cooking, fuck laundry, and fuck paying bills.

 

 

Homeless Teenagers and My Couch

As I sit here waiting for my sofa to be delivered, my back crying out in pain for Sears to hurry up- because I am sick of sitting on the floor- I can’t help but think of something I’ve been seeing every day for the past two weeks… the homeless teenagers on a street a few blocks from my apartment.

About two weeks ago I went to 7/11 to secretly buy a pack of cigarettes (everyone thinks I quit).  As I beelined to the store, I was almost there when my path was nearly obstructed by a shopping cart full of crap, two dogs, and a girl sitting on the sidewalk.  The girl nicely asked if I had any change, and I looked at her- no matter how much of an asshole you are, when you look at a homeless person you can’t help but feel like more of an asshole just because you aren’t in their situation- and I told her I would give her some once I made my purchase.  I couldn’t give her the 20 in my purse, dammit!  I’m unemployed and poor too!  So I went and bought my scandalous cigarettes and then when I came back outside she was joined by her boyfriend (assuming) and so I gave them some change (not much, since fucking Canadian cigarettes will pretty much cost you your first born) and pet their dogs, and went home. 

I felt bad because they were young, one with dread locks, one with a mohawk- both expressing themselves in a way that I would never have the guts to do- and they were very polite.  It made me sad.  I felt bad for the dogs too…

So then I saw this little young homeless family asleep on the bridge a few days later, a few blocks from where I saw them the first time.  It was late and I wondered how easy it was for homeless people to sleep in like that.

So I’ve been thinking about these kids for a while… what is their story?  Where are their parents?  Where did they get those dogs from?  I see homeless people a lot here, but for some reason these two were different I guess.  Not that my heart doesn’t break every time I see someone without a home… maybe it’s just because they had dogs?  I don’t know.

But over the past few days, as I walk down this particular street- which is probably the most “trendy” one in the city I guess, there are some cool clothing stores, a head shop, and some cozy bars- and notice this mix of dreadlocks, dogs, and teenagers in combat boots is growing.  There they sit, lazily asking for a cigarette here and there, some with signs, some with their belongings in a pile next to them, and I don’t know how many dogs.  But it makes me wonder what the hell they’re doing?  They must have some education, they all seem to be friends with each other, and they’re citizens of Canada… so I’m wondering what is keeping them from working?  And again, where are their parents?  This situation just doesn’t seem like the more common homeless scenario- just working to make ends meet, then you get fired or sick or in legal trouble, forcing you to live on the streets… or a drug problem or mental illness or something that keeps you from being able to support yourself… I don’t know, there are TONS of reasons why people are homeless… and I hate it, and I wish I could fix it… but with this stylish group that is slowly taking over the hip street, I wonder what is keeping them from working?  There are so many jobs here, and couldn’t they maybe go stay with a friend or a family member and save money and get a place somewhere?  I just know that for me and my husband, we are POOR.  We have no extras, he’s not working because he’s in school and I’m not working yet because I am not a citizen here… but I found a job, and we’ve saved some money, and we work very hard.  So what is keeping these people from going somewhere and getting just something?  Why do I give them my money when honestly, I don’t see why they can’t work.   I am NOT saying this applies to all homeless people, no way… people get stuck in those situations, and oftentimes there is no way out for them.  These KIDS though, are clean, friendly, able-bodied, etc. and I don’t understand why they have decided to move out of whereever they were before (fights with parents can and should be resolved, have some respect/ friends they stay with can’t support them maybe?) and not have a job.  I just don’t see the point in going to the trendiest street in the city, parking in with your dogs and your friends who all have decent clothing, a shopping cart full of stuff, and what appears to be a perfectly capable head on your shoulders… maybe make the effort to get some help?  Extend a hand to one of the organizations around who help people like you!  Offer to volunteer in exchange for a little help or something?  For these specific kids, in this specific scenario… I wonder why you would ask for the money other people earned and cigarettes you shouldn’t smoke, and drag all these poor dogs around with you.  I don’t know… it’s just awful that so many people are homeless, but kids like that have no reason to get stuck there.  But I guess I don’t know what their story is… but from now on I will focus more time helping homeless people who have already exhaused every other avenue… not on kids who are probably just making a statement.  Sorry.