Not a whole lot has been happening with us. Isaac started his rotations in-hospital about two weeks ago and it's been fun to see him finally have the chance to show what he's been learning for the last two years! I noticed on Facebook tonight that quite a few of his classmates have posted that they passed their boards, so I'm dying to know if he's gotten any word on his score yet. Tonight is his first "day" of night rotations; these will last all week long.
As much as I hate to share the bed, because I'm squished between him and the wall, I hate his absence even more.
I finished reading the Hunger Games series today. That deserves an entire blog of its own.
I will say this: while reading, it was extremely hard to ignore the blaring parallels between the "games" that the Capitol put on and our modern-day entertainment. Except we don't physically kill children. We psychologically abuse people. Pit them against each other to see who will come out as "winner." Set them up for public embarrassment, chop and edit their own words and actions, broadcasting the polished, tainted version on our screens until lies become so intertwined with truth that even those who were present in the moment cannot distinguish what is real and what is not.
And then there's our obnoxious amounts of excess and our concern over trivial things, like Capitol residents. Panem et circenses.
The understanding has always been there, but I feel I see it clearer now, working in a high-end department store. Today I "helped" a client who came in and spent over $1500 (yes, one THOUSAND, FIVE HUNDRED). And she plans to come back later in the week to shop for more, because the money spent today was focused between her three children. Later on, we'll outfit her and her husband's closet. If the figures are relational at all, the family will drop at least another $1000.
She had to figure out how she was going to finagle her finances to make it work. Because really, these are such "great deals."
Her children showed such disdain for the process, although I'm unsure why. Maybe they saw what I saw. Maybe this is a dull, boring routine for them. Or maybe they're just teenagers who lack appreciation for much. The oldest daughter had to keep reminding the mother she already had something similar to what was picked out. Mom just "had a hard time remembering what they already had."
I was having a hard time ignoring the many other ways the money could have been put to better use. Bodies rot in the grass, dead from lack of food every day.
And yet this is my job. Funny thing is, I chose it and on days, I like it. But I also hate it. There is always a piece of me that whispers, "...but you know they don't really NEED it. It's not necessary. It won't matter in the end."
What to do about it?
