On Work

So I realized…well, I didn’t really realize, I just wanted to sound as if by some epiphany, some inspired divinity of selfless goodness that I over looked that this website has been dedicated to everything OTHER than my Peace Corps experience. Granted I do write about politics and news and, well, frankly, it’s more interesting. I’ve gotten so many more responses the bloodier or controversial I make the postings. Part of it was as a social experiment, the rest, a morbid fascination, but hey I can’t help it, it’s my major.

Anyhow, don’t get me wrong, I love what I’m doing here and after a year I’ve gotten use to almost all the things that drive me mad (again, another self inflected experiment, I know, I know) but I still have retained the availability to disconnect and see my work from an outsiders perspective (some call it apathy or an anti-personality complex but since everyone uses antisocial incorrectly and confuse apathy for empathy, I’m in the clear). You know what happens when tell myself what I do as a 1st worlder without the 3rd world experience?

Oh what great work. Wow, I never could do it (I’d never want to do it, but I’ll keep that to myself). Wow, how is that country that I don’t care about and will never visit in my life. Tell me more about it…Zzzzzz. Isn’t there a gang problem there? You know, my gardener, who I thought was Mexican is actually Salvadorian, who knew? Zzzzzz.

Now the reasons are many-fold and really and to get right down to it, being 1st worlders (more specifically 3rd generation-ers and on), those “little things” that often make us smile as we struggle through our Scope of Work, that “Big Deadline” that “Big Appointment” or that “Big Project” really, is all I have, while for you, well, it’s different. Cause for you guys rather than the constant, it’s the anomaly. Think of it as the Friday Night Hallmark movie or the inspirational testament from Channel 11’s “Wednesday Child”. Looking at it, it’s just a block of time that you give up basically because your either to hung over to change the channel or going through some crisis and are looking for external support (I don’t have the research to back it up with me, it’s at home, ask my mom for the box). Really, those little things really are not that important to you. I mean really, think about. If that were so then why don’t we all go back to where we came from? Why are we saturating ourselves in this post-industrial country wasting all of our money with entertainment and luxury and saving nothing?

Well…because it’s nice…and, quiet comfortable.

Oooh, are those 600 count sheets made of Egyptian cloth? I have the red ones.

So you see, not having these things, the luxury items nor the entertainment factor (although I admit I’ve been able to intelligently get most of them back) along with constant face to face time with abject poverty, you know, that thing you drive by on your work after downing your double shot Venti Mocha with the double sleeve wearing the latest Kenneth Cole Reaction series (which is fabulous) all while planning your weekend with your friend on your brand new Motor Razor, is what I am forced to see everyday and it’s gotten to the point that I am apart of it (someone call Daxia, my threadest, she’s going have a heart attack). Now c’mon, don’t be shy about how I described you, let’s be honest here people. Look, I did all that stuff and I know you do all that stuff, I’m not judging. I’ll have you know that, well, when I get back, I, I plan to do it all again (except you Daxia, sorry, I don’t see the need anymore but Anne, my anestitian, you’re still on speed dial). Actually, I plan to do it when I come back for Pnod’s wedding. Okay, maybe I won’t have the latest Kenneth Cole series, but I’ll at least have a Razor…I mean, c’mon, I’m a 1st worlder.

Well anyhow the point of this blog is to share Work, so enjoy because it may be the last one for some time since the next pending blogs pertain to El Salvador & Iraq, my 11 year old pimp and a very angry commentary on El Salvador & Tourism among others.

Yesterday, 26/June/06 I had my 1st successful Medical Brigade in the poorest cantón (it’s a poor rural area, think of trailer parks and people with mullets without teeth holding Budweisers) in my municipality. Now I say it was my 1st success because I had a Medical Brigade before and it was, well, a failure (along with many others). I could complain as to why, but it would take up too much space, so let’s talk about it over a Ocean’s 12 martini (with the edible flowers) at Lola’s with some bruschetta and calamari (your treat) before heading off Temple Bar for some live music. Anyhow…as you may remember (okay, you don’t) I have a new administration, the right-wing ARENA party. Now, say whatever you want about them (which won’t be much) but I like these guys. Now, I’m saying this because at the municipal level it really does not matter what party wins, what matters is the team and their vision (and that they keep their promises after the elections). I like their vision for my town and they’ve been good about promises so far. Never had I had the support of an administration like this one (and I’m speaking with a WHOLE 13 months of experience here, c’mon now, I’m practically a native [shudder]). After leaving with bad terms with the Medical Brigade from the 1st disaster the empire of ARENA recovered face and went beyond. How do they do it? Keep reading

First off, a Medical Brigade is not the check you sign for the tax write off, it’s an actual event (who knew?). It’s basically a small team, in this case based in San Salvador and these guys offer $2 for medical consults with free medicine. Side note, two leading medical problems in El Salvador: diarrhea and dengue (I’ve had one of them so far). Now, with the AMAZING support from city hall we organized a FREE consult for the residents of this impoverished area. Now I wish I can put a comment about politics here but I would then have a nice discussion with my Director that would effect my stay here and I don’t want that so ask me about this over a small latte with just half a pump of vanilla (yes, I know you still have to charge me) and a slice of carrot cake which we’ll need after that dinner at PF Chang’s (oh those Lemon Drop Martinis were simply divine, weren’t they?).

Now I didn’t get any thanks or any glory from the event (now don’t canonize me just yet, I want glory and I’m still on the lookout) but I did feel intrinsically good about it and the interaction I had with the residents was incredible. Below are some pictures of the campaign. The little girl you see was the highlight of my day. Damn I feel good about being here today. Of course, there are still the hours that remain from when I wrote this until I post this blog.

¿Puta madre y quien sabe que puede pasar en ese tiempo? Somos fregado…buey.

No I won’t translate what I just wrote….ask your gardener…and tell him I said hi, chances are he’s from my town.


Isn't she cute?

My crew

My 2 Live Crew

I'm vain

Introduction with the Sindico

Front Shot

Campasino

People In Waiting

Consult

Sitting, and Waiting and Wishing

Sitting, and Waiting and Wishing II

Cutey

Close Up


'I feel No Pulse'


'Uh, Sir...Sir!'


'Uh...Is This Thing On?'


Your Affectionate Volunteer,

SCRUTAPE