What Does Make Sense?
Monday, October 6, 2008
So much to say all of a sudden…
We went to a party last week. It was on a Friday night. The party started at ~5, although being Venezuela, nothing really got under way until closer to seven. It was held at the house of a television magnate. He owns the Christian station here in town. Apparently the monstrosity that is their home along with the pool/swim up bar/waterfall wasn’t big enough so they bought the place next door too. This was where we went for the party.
One of the sons is a classmate of Zachary’s. It was his sixth birthday party. There were the usual games, jumpy castle, popcorn, hot dogs, candy, hot appetizers, soda, juice, and cocktails that one would expect to find at any six year old’s party(?). The theme of this one was “High School Musical!” This meant that there was a live stage show synopsis of the Disney film by the same name. The party favors included a High School Musical card game. This game, with English instructions, requires each player to be able to read. Is that really appropriate for a six year old?
We got home sort of late so I missed the presidential debates. I already know who I’m voting for so what’s the point? Many of my colleagues took the time to sit and watch from beginning to end. Later that evening, when we got together for poker I learned that I hadn’t really missed much; same old, same old. It was good that I learned that just before being relieved of all my cash.
I did get a chance to watch the Vice Presidential debates. That was quite interesting. I feel insulted by John McCain. I am supposed to elect a seventy-one year old man with an idiot for a vice president? How is it that the Republicans can have Dan Quayle, George W, and Sarah Palin and still feel like they can insult the Democrats? Are the American people really that stupid? That’s rhetorical, please don’t answer. If the septuagenarian is elected it will make our decision about moving home that much easier.
Now we are broke. The economy here is in terrible shape. Prices, especially on food, have increased by 50% since last year. Even the old timers are complaining. Although the pay here is good for Latin America, the cost of living will drive us out. We have to find a place we can actually afford to live and save at the same time. We are having to dip more and more into our savings just to get by. Next month we will have to cut back on the lunches we buy from school and start brown bagging it instead. The three of us went out for burgers last week; the price came to 80 Bs. That works out to $40 for three burgers, two fries, and some tea; definitely not what we signed up for.
We have put together our résumés and are working on pursuing jobs in Central America. The salaries are not that great, but the cost of living is less. Even if we wanted to stay here another year, we just can’t afford it. Paying New York prices is fine if I live in New York; paying those same prices to live in Valencia is Sarah Palin stupid.
So, that leaves us planning one more move; Zachary’s fifth house in seven years. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. All of this moving makes me infinitely sad. The next place better be a settling place.
MJR
So much to say all of a sudden…
We went to a party last week. It was on a Friday night. The party started at ~5, although being Venezuela, nothing really got under way until closer to seven. It was held at the house of a television magnate. He owns the Christian station here in town. Apparently the monstrosity that is their home along with the pool/swim up bar/waterfall wasn’t big enough so they bought the place next door too. This was where we went for the party.
One of the sons is a classmate of Zachary’s. It was his sixth birthday party. There were the usual games, jumpy castle, popcorn, hot dogs, candy, hot appetizers, soda, juice, and cocktails that one would expect to find at any six year old’s party(?). The theme of this one was “High School Musical!” This meant that there was a live stage show synopsis of the Disney film by the same name. The party favors included a High School Musical card game. This game, with English instructions, requires each player to be able to read. Is that really appropriate for a six year old?
We got home sort of late so I missed the presidential debates. I already know who I’m voting for so what’s the point? Many of my colleagues took the time to sit and watch from beginning to end. Later that evening, when we got together for poker I learned that I hadn’t really missed much; same old, same old. It was good that I learned that just before being relieved of all my cash.
I did get a chance to watch the Vice Presidential debates. That was quite interesting. I feel insulted by John McCain. I am supposed to elect a seventy-one year old man with an idiot for a vice president? How is it that the Republicans can have Dan Quayle, George W, and Sarah Palin and still feel like they can insult the Democrats? Are the American people really that stupid? That’s rhetorical, please don’t answer. If the septuagenarian is elected it will make our decision about moving home that much easier.
Now we are broke. The economy here is in terrible shape. Prices, especially on food, have increased by 50% since last year. Even the old timers are complaining. Although the pay here is good for Latin America, the cost of living will drive us out. We have to find a place we can actually afford to live and save at the same time. We are having to dip more and more into our savings just to get by. Next month we will have to cut back on the lunches we buy from school and start brown bagging it instead. The three of us went out for burgers last week; the price came to 80 Bs. That works out to $40 for three burgers, two fries, and some tea; definitely not what we signed up for.
We have put together our résumés and are working on pursuing jobs in Central America. The salaries are not that great, but the cost of living is less. Even if we wanted to stay here another year, we just can’t afford it. Paying New York prices is fine if I live in New York; paying those same prices to live in Valencia is Sarah Palin stupid.
So, that leaves us planning one more move; Zachary’s fifth house in seven years. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. All of this moving makes me infinitely sad. The next place better be a settling place.
MJR
posted by Bronx to Timbuktu at 12:38 AM
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