Thanksgiving, Stick Carvings, Being poor and social mobility

Thanksgiving

I used to be a Jehovah's Witness. They don't celebrate holidays. This week was one of the first Thanksgivings I've had. Others I've had didn't really count because they were either meals I cooked for myself only or I was out to eat with one other person. I ate with my mom and her boyfriend's family. It wasn't all that special and I regard it as I do most social situations -- I don't care much for people. Almost all social interactions are full of lies. You greet people attacking and defending yourself with lies and fake smiles. People faux empathize and participate in synchronized emotional mimicry out of the need to be 'socially appropriate'. Luckily, I didn't stay long enough to participate in this.

On the Unlikely Success of Stick Carving

My woodwork using mostly stick is not likely to make money, not because it isn't attractive, but because social circles have it that its not cool to pay for sticks. The story of my life. Nearly everything I do is good but unconventional and therefore likely to be ridiculed.

Tooth Fillings

I've been experimenting with tooth fillings.

 

I tried both the Eugenol Zinc Oxide Powder combination and Dentemp. Both work about the same, Dentemp being slightly better at hardening. THEY ARE TEMPORARY so it will be a weekly procedure. In Georgia dental health is pathetic. Most people have either lost a tooth or have a rotting one in their 20s.

Unstable Home

I am currently 'homeless'. That is I do not live in one particular place. My stuff, time, and sleep is spread out between my Dad, Mom, and Dad's house. With people being strapped for cash AND happiness (can't emphasize this enough) they tend to seek victims onto which to pour their misery in the form of a sort of torture. When you live with someone else it is customary to first define rules and limits SO AS TO KEEP THE PEACE. However, in my case there are no rules just invisible expectations. So if I can not be satisfactory one day I get berated and possibly threatened to be thrown out. Basically, if the house owner is angry they can come home and make up a fault they have with me and begin to release their discontent with their lives. This comes mostly from the WOMEN who have any sort of authority in my life. My grandmother is SO FAR an exception.

On Being Poor and Social Mobility

I do not mind being poor. I do not mind staying poor. POVERTY is NOT the problem. The extra stuff that comes with being poor is the problem. It is difficult to elevate yourself from being poor but the problem of social mobility is much more subtle than that. It seems that no amount of culture, knowledge, or skill can absolve your from the despair of OTHER poor people. I am a highly educated guy. I dibble and dabble in everything so IN ISOLATION I enjoy myself well. I will always have a hobby. Right now it is listening to Maurice Ravel and carving. I'll eventually get back to physics textbooks and before that perhaps I'll survey 'black' music. However, my relatives and friends don't have this vision and they inevitably disturb me.

Quick Carving, Mannequin, and Moonshine

Quick Carving

I have come up against a wall. The wood with which I'm working is in terrible shape. Basically it is sticks previously inhabited by ants and other bugs. So most of the hardness has been compromised as well as the 'carve-able' amount. I HAVE BEEN LIMITED! I can pretty much only carve small and quick items: rings, earrings, cuff links, necklace charms, etc. Bracelets and three piece composite crafts...but bracelets getting back to my original train of thought CAN be done BUT I have to be EXTREMELY lucky. Making bracelets especially bangles OR any bracelets with any considerable thickness or width, that is, the length from the wrist bones to where ever the bracelet ends on the arm above the wrist bones, REQUIRES incredible amount of skill. Its possible but tedious and I REPEAT I WILL HAVE TO BE LUCKY. It is rare to find fallen branches, sticks, and etc that haven't been inhabited by ants or is mealy/crumbly.

Mannequin

As part of my hustles I've decided to use a sewing machine my grandma gave me to make dresses and anything else for that matter. Here's a picture of my mannequin.

Moonshine

I have had the opportunity to try Midnight Moon Apple Pie Flavor. NOT BAD! THE BEST LIQUOR I'VE HAD EVER. Beware! It is strong in both flavor and alcohol content.

Heart

I had high ambitions for this piece of woodwork but the wings and halo are difficult to make and I had to sacrifice them for the need to produce in short time. I still have to find some elegant way to hang it around a neck.

A Few Notes on Wine

I DO NOT LIKE OR I LIKE LEAST OF ALL WINES I'VE TASTED MERLOT. TOO BITTER.

Ok so I only wanted the Hold up wait a minute part but the point is I'm not done yet.

Tooth Filling

I did a temporary filling this week. I have quite a few fillings to do actually. The temporary filling works pretty well. I got the video off of youtube.

Cigarette Paper

Another thing I've been working on is cigarettes. I've come up with smoke blends and I need papers and either mouth pieces or filters.