school

We had an awesome discussion in my afternoon class today about capitalism. I taught them the idea of capitalism, and demonstrated how ideally it should work. Then they figured out that while it sounds nice, it doesn’t ensure a good life for the workers or for small businesses. It was so exciting to relate it to current events, such as Wal-Mart putting small stores out of business. So much of the economic ideas we have today all came about in the Industrial Revolution. Guarantees, installment payments, interchangeable parts are all so common to us, but just 150-200 years ago, they were new concepts.

So then when I asked how things should be – what do they think about capitalism and government intervention, one student said that she thought things were bad back then, but the way things are now is good. So then I talked about how many things we buy in America are made in factories in other countries where the standard of living is much lower and the government doesn’t have so many restrictions: so they can hire children, pay less, work them harder. And we discussed how complex the situation is, because it’s hard to know what we can do in our position, or how the problem should be fixed even if we had the power. But it was cool to see them worked up about it and caring about it, and yet also see the complexities of the situation. It was a stimulating discussion.

life now

I love my neighborhood so much, I could post for hours. Hunger is calling me and I must go home, so more later.

I added these few posts today - regardless of what date they say. (When I start writing something, the date always stays the same day I began the piece.)

but I'm back blogging, and I've got a lot of thoughts to say.

Yesterday as I was riding my bike back from visiting Brent's, it occurred to me that I chose to buy a bike rather than a computer. I've been thinking about how much incredible stuff I have to blog about, but not much access to blogging. I'm still not sorry I made that decision. I decided I'd much rather have things to write about, and not have a computer to compose on, than have a computer and have nothing to say!

moving in

Our dining room =)

Courtney!

Amy in the living room

moving into my green room

Rambling out of the wild westLeaving the towns I love the best

Rambling out of the wild west
Leaving the towns I love the best
Thought I'd seen some ups and downs
Till I come into New York town
People going down to the ground
Buildings going up to the sky.
"Talkin' New York" from his 62 album (his first)

That's a good song, and if you've never heard it, I'll play it for you. East Orange is mentioned in it, which is right next to my home town, West Orange, so I feel famous. almost.

I have a lot to write about my awesome journeys, so much that it's almost overwhelming. Now that I'm back in Atlanta, and at work, my mind is back in the groove and I feel like writing. So, hopefully, perhaps in bits and pieces, I'll fill in details of the trip. For now, my screen saver:

The Grand Tetons, WYOMING!