tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.comments2022-12-13T09:49:54.201+00:00Yeti AdventuresCurryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110833006366786471noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.post-8799811557885682512010-07-14T23:37:35.941+01:002010-07-14T23:37:35.941+01:00Al, you have just transcribed a conversation that ...Al, you have just transcribed a conversation that I have had in my head many times. Allow me to babble out my experiences:<br /><br />My mother used to say all the time that 'charity begins at home'. I didn't really understand this as a kid, as we were pretty well off. Now, I realize that she wanted me to understand the importance of taking care of yourself and those closest to you, because it enriches your own existence.<br /><br />Sometimes I feel that everyone is sticking an open palm in my face: from the crack heads that abound my parking lot at work to my ex-employer who laughed in my face when I asked him for some overtime pay. As Dolly Parton put it in 9 to 5 "all takin' and no givin'".<br /><br />Any Nigerian scammer will tell you that they operate on the guilt and sympathy of complete strangers. It's actually phenomenal how this industry thrives in that country: an estimated US$1.5 billion has been scammed from people all around the world. That's a big impact on their GDP. <br /><br />There's a guy that hangs outside Starbucks with a clipboard, asking people to donate to his soup kitchen. I told him that I didn't have any money, but I'd be happy to volunteer my time in order to help cook or serve. He looked shocked and said they ‘hadn’t started yet’. This has gone on for 3 years and I confront him about it every time I see him. I find this particular kind of scam abhorrent - posing as a charity. I'd much prefer to be scammed by my own greed (i.e., helping a Nigerian prince move his millions from one bank account to the other) that by my own bleeding heart tendencies.<br /><br />We all know what motivation guilt can be - it’s a control tactic that is used by abusers and other power-grabbers. However, guilt and sympathy should not be the motivation for giving. It should be a free choice. <br /><br />Part of what my mother meant about charity beginning at home: we have a duty to society /God /the cosmos / families, to take responsibilities for ourselves so that we don't become a burden. Once that is taken care of, we must do what we can for those around us in order to strengthen our own communities from the inside out. Family is the foundation of the community, then society, then humanity. We experience huge culture shifts that are often traced back to individuals. Change and strength always come from the inside out. <br /><br />I used to personally cut a check for Sally Ann every Christmas and say that was my ‘charity’ quota for the year. One year at the Hash House Harriers Christmas party, we took a collection and raised about $1,000. Because I was Hash Master, it was my choice on where to spend the money. Naturally, I decided to give it to the Salvation Army. Hard to imagine, but this idea was shredded by the council members. Nobly, they wanted to give it to someone or something where it would make the most difference and have the most impact.<br /> <br />Alas, they didn't want to give it to a religious institution (or for that matter, a private nor a government funded institution). Now, I'm sure you can appreciate; that once we have excluded private, government and church institutions, there ain't nothing left. Of course, they didn't want to give it to an individual because, well, they don't know what's good for them, they'll piss it away!<br /><br />So this ridiculous conversation went around and around for about a year and $1,000 sat in my dresser drawer until the following Christmas. We did another collection, and the new Hash Master went through the same arguments with the council. Luckily, the new Hash Master was (and still is) my boyfriend. So I took my money along with his, phoned the Emergency Youth Hostel and asked them what they needed. They had just received some new mattresses so we bought them some rubber sheets. With the left over money, I paid for this little ghetto youth I knew (his mom was my neighbor's maid) to do a summer art program because he liked to draw. Case closed. Better there than the dresser drawer.stephnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.post-38345185096283117122010-07-12T11:53:33.848+01:002010-07-12T11:53:33.848+01:00Hi Alan,
I am a late reader of your blog and was ...Hi Alan,<br /><br />I am a late reader of your blog and was only sent the link recently, so have consumed all your postings during a particularly quiet Monday morning...and it has been a most entertaining way to spend the last hour!<br /><br />Well done for sticking at the blog and for lasting the trials and tribulation. Whilst you may not have quiet made a life for yourself out there as per your expectations, you did give it a damned good try, entertained us along the way and came back with a barreload of laughs and memories - I will forever raise a smile at the Nepali hard guy with Shampoo tatooed on his arm.<br /><br />Well done, Julian (Baltics)<br /><br />p.s. looking forward to the possible sequel blog, A Curry in Nepal Part IIIAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.post-20241776413850651402010-07-01T17:14:33.964+01:002010-07-01T17:14:33.964+01:00Al
This is amazing.....very thought-provoking and...Al<br /><br />This is amazing.....very thought-provoking and very humbling.<br /><br />Makes you remember what is truly important in life....i.e. people. Not cash.<br /><br />Enjoy the remainder of your time over there.<br />Hope to see you soon.<br /><br />Mrs HowseAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04070523191488848862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.post-32619994105437995232010-06-11T09:32:26.815+01:002010-06-11T09:32:26.815+01:00ha ha - everything is 15 minutes!ha ha - everything is 15 minutes!White-Pageshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16962029502256528373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.post-88800176710471325582010-06-05T14:39:01.550+01:002010-06-05T14:39:01.550+01:00Curry - what an amazing experience you're havi...Curry - what an amazing experience you're having - have to admit however that this sounds like my worst nightmare!!!! Isn't your body screaming for fruit, veg, fish and a bloody big steak & chips!!? (Not to mention sleep!)<br /><br />As for what would I give up out of hot water, cutlery, electricity or toilet roll - in answer NONE not a chance!!! Last time Teddy took me camping was to Roy's cricket match - next time we stay in a B&B!<br /><br />From a completely selfish point of view I hope you come home (if for no other reason than to help us celebrate on the 17th July and to see you back at the Drovers matches!) - but what a life experience you are having. Enjoy.<br /><br />See you soon, Laura xAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14917447900106410072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.post-88976987717933193332010-05-26T11:59:45.418+01:002010-05-26T11:59:45.418+01:00Bro, I'd call it bro. Wheres that as an optio...Bro, I'd call it bro. Wheres that as an option?Chris Bealehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16089207912276403864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.post-38469798167981766862010-05-18T15:41:17.254+01:002010-05-18T15:41:17.254+01:00I miss you too. You had me at "piss my pants&...I miss you too. You had me at "piss my pants". Say hi to Shampoo for me.White-Pageshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16962029502256528373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6975173717845618257.post-63895330504952856442010-05-11T15:57:39.739+01:002010-05-11T15:57:39.739+01:00No photos of said "mosquito-lid"?No photos of said "mosquito-lid"?Glennoreply@blogger.com