My Trip to India

For those of you who do not yet know, I'm going to India. I am planning on traveling to India in late August to work with street children in the city of Delhi. I will be living with a native family there for 2 weeks. Initially I was planning on traveling with some friends but plans change and I am now going alone. I'm currently working on getting my Indian Visa. Hopefully my paper work will go through soon so that I can buy a plane ticket.

India has an estimated 175,000 street children living in the city of Delhi alone. Many of these children fall victim to drug dealers, pimps and human traffickers who take advantage of their youth and lack of resources. I will be volunteering at one of several day care centers that educate, feed, and care for abandoned children. While in India I will help to provide these children with much needed care, education, recreation, and lots of hugs.

I will be going through an organization called Cosmic Volunteers. The entire trip should cost me somewhere around $2,500. If you want to send me a check feel free. Also please keep this trip in your prayers. This is new, this is exciting, and this trip is going to be life changing.

Random Conversations

Here are some quips from various random conversations that I've had throughout the week. I won't use any names here. These are rather pointless but hey, if your board than read on.

(conversation between me and a 7 year old boy)
Boy- Do you smoke?
Me- No
Boy - Do you Drink?
Me - No
Boy- Huh, you look like someone who would.

(conversation between me and a professional magician who looks like a skinny Santa Clause)
Magic Man - I played Santa for two weeks straight in California last year. Wow, that was hard work.
Me - Huh, I figured all Santa had to do was sit there all day.
Magic Man - Oh yea, you try having 700 kids sit on your lap, all those camera flashes and and having to smile all day. Its hard work. My doctor says I can't do it again this year.

(quick excerpt)
Lady - Some day my son will have hair. Its kind of cruel that he's named HAIRison. My mom calls him HAIRLESSson.

(conversation between me and a customer)
Man - I need a big 4x8 foot banner that says in giant letters Obama across it.
Me- Oh yea, so how are you planning on hanging it, between two poles or something?
Man - No, I'm going to nail it to a giant piece of plywood in my front yard. That way no ****ing malicious Republican can rip it down
Me - (I didn't argue with him, this customer brings me homemade beef jerky. I like beef jerky.)

(conversation between me and a new acquaintance)
Person - I like your eyes. I like the color. I wish I had your eyes.
Me - Well I am an organ donor. If you ever see my car crashed on the side of the road just call dibs.

(a non-conversation between me and the postal worker)
Postal Worker - Has anyone ever told you you have pretty hair.
Me- Thank ya thank ya.

I’m a Safe Person

It wasn't all that long ago that a girl told me that I was a safe person. She had no idea how correct she was. In fact, I just bought a 500lb, 100 year old, solid steel, floor safe. Its like she was predicting the future. With the help of my friend Andrew, his pickup truck, 2 thrift shop employees and an engine hoist we got it to my house. As for getting it up that one step into my house. I just did that by myself, grrrrrrrrrr, I'm one strong (perhaps over anxious to get that safe in my house) guy. I'm going to feel that in the morning. Now if I could only get it open.

ps. For all of you antique geeks the safe was made between the years of 1905 and 1913 by Triumph Safe & Lock Co. in Connersville Indiana. For everyone who likes a deal, I talked St. Vincent DePaul down to $60 on the safe.