Janet: 1, BP's: 0

Today I quit my job at BP's. I didn't think this day would ever come. I'm leaving to work with the goth girl and another girl, getting paid to do things such as help clean their rooms, go to the organic store downtown, eat at restaurants, and going to the movies. I just can't believe my good fortune. Score for me.

Kiss Me, I'm Goth

So, I have a rather interesting work opportunity. I have been hired to work part-time for an organization that supports individuals with developmental disabilities in the community. So basically, its supporting them in doing things that they are interested in, in their workplace, etc. What they do is they match you up with an individual that they think you would work well with, then you meet with them and their family and have a little interview, to see if you have a good connection. Then if it works, you're hired on to work with that individual. Today, my supervisor had someone in mind that I may do well with. But I must say that this particular proposition caught me off guard. He reluctantly asked me how comfortable I would feel to take this person one saturday a month to "goth night" at a bar. I had to contain my laughter. I don't know why I was so surprised...who's to say that someone with a disability can't be interested in goth culture? But then I got to thinking...if I agreed to this, would I have to dress goth when I go (if I didn't, would I get stared at by all the goths..or beaten up?) I don't even know where I would get the clothes. Would I have to paint my face white and wear black lipstick and nailpolish? Would I have to wear a black wig (cause there's NO WAY I would EVER dye my hair black)? Does this individual dress goth all the time? What is "goth night" anyways? I think if I were to agree to this, every time I went, I would have to pretend I was at a Halloween party. Does this individual drink lots of alcohol when she goes out to the bar, or does she just go because she likes to dress up? I think these are all questions that I would need to ask when meeting her and her family. And I think, if I were offered the position (its more than just this one saturday a month, by the way, but doing other things in the community), I would try out goth night once to see if I was comfortable with it, and if I was totally weirded out, I think it would be ok if I said I can't do it. How bizarre....getting paid to take someone to goth night at the bar. Oh man....

Out of Silent Blogger

It has been months since my last entry, I do realize. It is not because I intended to shun the whole blogging community, its just that I didn't have anything to really blog about. And as I think back, I don't think I ever really did have anything much of importance to blog about. I got sick of writing about the same old things, actually. I was waiting for something dramatic, exciting, to happen, so that I could turn it into an exciting, inspiring blog for everyone to read. Well, life has not changed too much. I'm still unhappy working the jobs I am, still working every single weekend, still unable to have any leftover money to do anything with after paying my bills. Its quite depressing, actually, for when I was in university, just starting out, I certainly did not envision this after graduation. No indeed. So what do I do? I go to school again. Yup, I am now officially a student at Athabasca University, upgrading, taking some more psychology courses in hopes to one day be accepted to the Master's in Counselling Program. I hope to one day be working in counselling psychology. Is there really work in that field? I sure hope the outlook is better than for that of linguistics. Stupid useless linguistics. (Yes I am somewhat bitter at that).

So anyways, this blog is for Joy. It was not intended to be a rant, therefore, the next section of this entry will be speculation of what life would be if we were gypsies (we referring to Joy and I).

This is a picture of Romanian gypsies. Technically, the word gypsy refers to the Roma and Sinti people, who are traditionally nomadic, originating from northern India, but currently live worldwide, mostly in Europe. Joy and I have contemplated several times the thought of becoming gypsies. Not say that we would be of Roma or Sinti descent, but the concept of being nomads seemed greatly mysterious and romantic.

We would travel in an old van or RV across the United States, thinking up schemes to make some money. Some ideas are busking in the streets with my guitar, while Joy practices her sweet dance moves. We may also incorportate some other instruments in there, such as the tambourine (that seems gypsy-ish), triangle, and recorder.

I am also thinking that we could make things and set up a stand everywhere we go to sell our wares. Most likely they would consist of knitted and crocheted garments. Perhaps we could practice our art abilities, collecting materials from garbage heaps and the like. Making art from garbage is definitely not a new concept.

Becoming a gyspy does have to be well thought out. For instance, what if we have (unknowingly) set up our stands/performances in areas that are usually occupied by other street vendors/pan handlers/ crazy people/ buskers/ hobos? I am most certain that they would be quite irate and ready to defend their territory to the death. How would we go about protecting ourselves? We must devise a plan to assertively deal with this situation.

Also, the lives of gypsies seems like it is very set apart from the rest of the world. It is a lonely life- that of a gypsy. How would Joy and I tear ourselves away from the world we currently live in, and adapt to the lifestyle and mindset of gypsies?

What does a gypsy eat anyways? Or wear? Would I have to dye my hair and get a tan? Wear dark contacts? Learn to belly-dance? I don't really have a clue. These things would definitely have to be researched. Perhaps there is a course for how to become a gypsy, at The Gypsy Institute or something.

Anyhow, strangely enough, Joy and I have entertained these ideas in our heads. Its about as absurd as Joy seriously considering becoming a Grey Nun. She even got an application form sent to her. But I think she has to be Catholic or something, so there goes that plan.

Feel free to give your input on how to effectively live like a gypsy in the United States.