Larry and I went for another run this morning. Still rain, but less. Still just one other person on the track. Running on a track is repetitive. It feels good to do something physical first thing in the morning, even if it doesn’t feel good at the time.
Core class went well. It seemed slower than yesterday, but my discussion group was interesting. We talked about what types of areas we individually come from (suburban, rural, small town, city) and what are the distinctions. It is difficult to draw a clear line between town-like suburbs, and suburb-like towns. I think Jacobsen rather neglected the whole concept of town, focusing just on cities, suburbs, and rural settings.
Our trip to Atwater Kent was fun. Our museum guide was entertaining—rather like a humourous robot. The Norman Rockwell exhibit was enjoyable. His portrayal of girl-guy interaction, human response to loss, and other pieces of life were worth visual exploration.
Transitional Work Corporation (TWC) was more edjucating. We entered through the wrong door. It was weird to get to the right floor and be told we were in the wrong place. We were able to call Professor Berke and find out the name of who we were meeting with, then they let us in. First we had a quick snack, then a tour of one of TWC’s floors. We got to see people working on computers and learning how to use them. We saw some people interacting with the staff. We then returned to the conference room (where we had the snacks) for an informative talk, video, and question and answer time. I was really impressed with the program. TWC pays people minimum wage from day one (even during orientation). They train them. They try to get to discover the root cause of unemployment and weed it out. They place participants in a transitional work place and help them find a permanent job. They then provide awards for keeping a job. I’m still not a fan of beuracracy, but this group is doing good things. I wish the church would step up and fill its role like the Salvation Army did in 1865 England. One on one contact (like that provided by TWC) seems so much more effective than blanket welfare. People are individuals with individual issues, in need of individual love. One problem I have with TWC is the seperation of mothers from children. I understand that for a lot of children child care might be better, but I am not convinced that is always true. Mothers are valuable. I’m not claiming to have any better ideas other than the scriptural care for widows and orphans. If not enough people are willing to step it up and do that (something I can’t say I’ve done yet), then TWC is probably about second best. Wow! Way to go off on tangents!
In the evening we went to Zanzibar Blue. It was GREAT! I really enjoyed all three deserts I tried, as well as the entrée. The music was a lot of fun, as were the friends. It really brought home for me the value of “the city as patron†that Jacobsen lauds. The lack of people was a shame. Food and music like that deserve more patronage. Leaving Zanzibar we met a man selling roses for a dollar. Chris and I each bought one and handed them to the girls with us.
I had trouble falling asleep, even though it was way later than I have gone to bed yet. I don’t know if I was wired with sugar or what.
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