Man, it never ceases to amaze me how much power can be held in a few positive words of encouragement. I'm sure the modern boss is well aware of these facts but you just can't under estimate sincerity.
This weekend was definitely proof positive that a little appreciation of ones hard work and effort really does ease the burden.
Now, momentary ego boost aside, when the wages I make change as quickly and drastically as the weather, to know that my effort aren't blindly ignored is important for their continuation .
Take Saturday for example, while half way through the day, I was working for about $4 an hour (not exactly much to pay the bills with) when these two young mothers with children in tow sought me out specifically so their kids could thank me for what I was doing.
Now I don't know where these cockles of ones heart exactly are, but I was sure warmed right down to them, and definitely had an extra spring in my step the remainder of the weekend.
You see even though I'm well aware that it's my choice and my choice alone that I keep doing what I do. The only way something like this works is with community cooperation in its varied forms.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Lost + Found
There is however some thing I'm going to try and do with this space and that's have a sort of unofficial Lost + Found.
In the past I've been able to return wallets, cellphones and even bank cards to their owners, and figured maybe I could help others with things that have gone missing.
For example today, I was approached by a lady whose daughter's grey knapsack was stolen from a Starbucks on Queen West, it has the word "FJÄLLRÄVEN" on it. Now there's no guarantee for success but it sure doesn't hurt to try and make someone's day by getting their stuff back for them.
In the past I've been able to return wallets, cellphones and even bank cards to their owners, and figured maybe I could help others with things that have gone missing.
For example today, I was approached by a lady whose daughter's grey knapsack was stolen from a Starbucks on Queen West, it has the word "FJÄLLRÄVEN" on it. Now there's no guarantee for success but it sure doesn't hurt to try and make someone's day by getting their stuff back for them.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Goodbye College Street
Today, what I inevitably had feared would, did happen.
You see, for the most part my daily litter cleaning route consists of Queen West from Dufferin to Yonge Street, Kensington Market, Yonge Street between Queen and Bloor, and College street between Dovercourt and Yonge.
I also frequented (unfortunately not much so lately) the Yonge and Eglinton Area and surrounding streets. Unfortunately though the past couple of months, with today being the proverbial exclamation point have shown me that the College Street part of my route has become a serious area of concern.
Today I spent roughly about 3 1/2 hours cleaning up both sides of College Street and did not receive a single donation for my efforts. Now this is not some new experience for me, it has happened before and will happen again. But the problem really lies in that in the fact that only one person even recognized my existence.
This has happened increasingly over the last two months. So unfortunately due to these two factors I figured it would be best if I use my time elsewhere. So if anyone knows of an area in need of a Litter Guy, let me know.
That's why it saddens me to have to give up on College Street, an area that believe it or not when I started this little adventure of mine, once roared with support. Now don't get me wrong here, I don't have some ballooning ego, I don't need to have my hand held or to be coddled, but I do think my fellow humans would agree it does only good to hear support for your efforts.
So now I'll take this time to thank those at Kensington Market Organic Ice cream and Tortilla Flats for their undiminished support as well as a thanks to all those that like what I do.
You see, for the most part my daily litter cleaning route consists of Queen West from Dufferin to Yonge Street, Kensington Market, Yonge Street between Queen and Bloor, and College street between Dovercourt and Yonge.
I also frequented (unfortunately not much so lately) the Yonge and Eglinton Area and surrounding streets. Unfortunately though the past couple of months, with today being the proverbial exclamation point have shown me that the College Street part of my route has become a serious area of concern.
Today I spent roughly about 3 1/2 hours cleaning up both sides of College Street and did not receive a single donation for my efforts. Now this is not some new experience for me, it has happened before and will happen again. But the problem really lies in that in the fact that only one person even recognized my existence.
This has happened increasingly over the last two months. So unfortunately due to these two factors I figured it would be best if I use my time elsewhere. So if anyone knows of an area in need of a Litter Guy, let me know.
That's why it saddens me to have to give up on College Street, an area that believe it or not when I started this little adventure of mine, once roared with support. Now don't get me wrong here, I don't have some ballooning ego, I don't need to have my hand held or to be coddled, but I do think my fellow humans would agree it does only good to hear support for your efforts.
So now I'll take this time to thank those at Kensington Market Organic Ice cream and Tortilla Flats for their undiminished support as well as a thanks to all those that like what I do.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Politically Correct Classism
A while back I mentioned the topic of perverse form of classism. It was about how as a society we're intolerant to all forms of sexism, racism and other isms...but for some strange reason hating on the poor gets a blind eye turned.
A perfect example of this happened this gloomy Monday afternoon, as I was cleaning along my Queen West route, I was tying up a full trash bag at Markham Street in front of the beer store. When I just happened to turn my head streetward in time to see a projectile come flying from a BMW with tinted windows.
Fortunately for me, their aim was as awful as their actions. For when I picked up what was thrown, it was a condiment packet of syrup, so I turned toward the car to see the driver furiously roll up his windows as I decided it better not to treat his shinny car pancake style and pitched the syrup into my garbage.
A few futile words of defiance hurled in both directions and I was left there shaking my head in the thoughts that these schmucks probably saw no problem in what they had done.
A perfect example of this happened this gloomy Monday afternoon, as I was cleaning along my Queen West route, I was tying up a full trash bag at Markham Street in front of the beer store. When I just happened to turn my head streetward in time to see a projectile come flying from a BMW with tinted windows.
Fortunately for me, their aim was as awful as their actions. For when I picked up what was thrown, it was a condiment packet of syrup, so I turned toward the car to see the driver furiously roll up his windows as I decided it better not to treat his shinny car pancake style and pitched the syrup into my garbage.
A few futile words of defiance hurled in both directions and I was left there shaking my head in the thoughts that these schmucks probably saw no problem in what they had done.
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