random babblings

I wonder how many people are reading the random ramblings that flow from my fingers into this blog. I've heard in the past week of friends from high school that read the ramblings, the blog is mirrored onto facebook, and periodically I get responses there from the last people on Earth that I would think would be interested. I s'pose that there are loads of people out there, like me, who are easily entertained. ha!


Comments on Beggars in DC
I failed to mention on Wednesday night, when I went to see a play, a man sat behind me on the train and whispered in my ear "Can I borrow a dollar?" Borrow, I thought to myself. I looked at him and said, "No." He continued on to ask other women on the train. As he walked away, I asked the woman beside me, "If he was going to borrow the dollar, how would I ever get the dollar back?" She chuckled. Later, while sitting in the mall food court, eating Texas brisket (mmm-mm good), I saw the same man walk by. He had a wad of money that was so large, had it been mine, I would not have been able to clasp my hands around that money. I s'pose it's going to take a really long time to return the borrowed money to so many people next week.


Another man sits outside of the Foggy Bottom train station. He has quite the ingenious signage. Three weeks ago, the sign said that he had found a job but needed clothes to go to work. Two weeks ago, the sign said that he had found a job, but needed work boots to go to work. This week, the sign says that he had found a job, but needed a two week bus pass to go to work. This must be an AMAZING job. I have never heard of a place of employment that is willing to wait this long for an employee to show up. And considering he has been sitting at this stop for many days, the job must be really far away! Bus fare is at max $2/way within DC (for a grand total of $20 for a 2-week bus pass). Given the amount of money I have seen him collect, he must had gotten enough by now.

This troubles me. I know that some people who live on the street have genuine medical conditions and need help. So, I respect that people like Chris will give to these people. But, because of so many other people who appear to be of sane mind and body, I want to give to organizations that will care for the homeless' basic human needs. Plus, because I feel like the states have so many services, and therefore opportunity available (relative to the developing world), I find myself feeling more like Scott -- and having doubt about the effectiveness of "helping" these people through hand-outs. I s'pose that is why I like to focus my energies on helping internationally.