Vesta's Life Experiences Thread

[vesta111]

Her parents probably thought they were doing the right thing, too...dressing her like everyone else, so she'd fit in, and making her face the stares so she'd be tough.     I know, as a parent, I knocked myself out to do things right...and messed up an awful lot.

Not much different then stuffing daddy's socks in a bra when a girl is slow to develop boobs.

Make up to cover varicose veins in legs, pimples on the face, contacts instead of glasses, Tooth implants and false teeth for kids that loose theirs in an accident or genetic propensity to early tooth loss or rot.

Then there are the people that have the opposite problem of Frank.   They are born with ears that the stick out ---JUG Ear's--why not cover them with hair, male or female.

For those missing an arm or leg due to birth problem or accident, they have a choice in clothing, they can have their clothing tailored to show off the missing limb or wear long sleeve shirts and long pants.

So much depends on the personality of the child or Adult.   As a parent we need to allow a child that has a physical problem to decide how they are most comfortable in public.   

Now for a child with no physical problems that decides to wear unapproved clothing, then the parents have a duty to their children to insist on the their children obeying their parents wishes.


 

[vesta111]

Frank, at one time I had much the same adventure as an American in America.

My best friend in the 1980's was a 300 pound black woman that I had worked with and called Mama.

How we got this way is a loooong story but we loved each other.    On Xmas Eve she got a call that her brother in Detroit had been shot.

We got together as she had no money and I had just a few bucks in the bank and decided to drive her  from VA to Detroit to be with her brother and family.

I at the time a skinny white female blond  had no idea what I was getting into made arrangement to have my kids looked after, loaded up the car and we hauled ass from VA. to Detroit.

Once we got there I began to get the whilly was as we drove to a high rise building that was in an area of other high rises for the ---POOR.

This I came to know was known as the PROJECTS.  The building had a broken elevator and we had to climb 5-6 storeys to get to my friends family.  When she knocked on the door, and announced herself the door opened a crack to identify her and let her in.  I followed her in and found a bunch of men holding guns at me.   My friend I will call V jumped in and introduced me as her daughter.  My daughter is from the state of Maine and has been like my family for years.   She has no idea about us and life style so leave her alone.

I was exhausted from the no stop drive and at that point fell asleep. When I awoke a bed had been made for me in a closet but I could not get a hot shower.  There was no hot water in this huge building.  The toilets did work  the heat had been turned off.-----This was December and the only heat was from electric heaters in the rooms.

I later went down all those stairs to call my parents to wire me money, I was escorted by two men that were for my safety.   And I did feel safe with them as I wandered about looking at all the other high rise buildings in the area.

My friend came home with bad news. her brother had died by gun shot as he robbed a store.  Dear God the first person she went to was me to get a hug and wipe her tears.

Next day the gang members came in to give respects and it was not comfortable for them to seem to see my Honky White Ass on the sofa .It was normal for me to shake each family or friends hands,  each friend or family member came in I made sure i shook all their hands as I would have done for them had they come to a funeral for my family member.

Interesting time for me the funeral was just a bit off from those held in small New England villages. 

For one thing I was escorted in by a couple of men that were armed.  I was sat In the middle row of the Church, the only white face among the mourners.

The Preacher got up and the chorus began to sing and I forgot I was white, darn these people really got under my skin and made me realise that as a human it is just the culture that separates us from true friends, good folk and those that are all Gods Children.

I have since then gone into the ghettos of the Latinos , the Asian in this country. Frank,  There is no reason to travel abroad to see life there, they bring it here.

Life is dangerous over seas but even more dangerous here in America-----there are places in America none of us dare to go to, unless one has friends that can protect you.-----Even then once out of whatever place one goes to and come out alive is due to lucky breaks and the will of God.

[vesta111]

we  need to go to fight club.

[vesta111]

 Really, Frank posted 3 long observations of life in Russia, I did also post just one observation to counter him in America.

Both Frank and I drew on our observations of of a different life style, both of us spoke of first person obvervations and what actually we saw and how it effected us as outsiders.

Could be that some just do not want to face the fact that we in America are going the way of outsiders  .  We refuse to see what has been happening in America for years.?

As we complain about life in other countrys, have we put on blinders to the same thing that happens here.?

As Framk describes the living conditions in Russia, I can counter with the conditions of Americans that live in the inner citys.-----------


 

[Thor]

Not fight club worthy...... moved

[true_blood]

As we complain about life in other countrys, have we put on blinders to the same thing that happens here.?

I don't complain as to what happens in other Countries as long as it doesn't affect the greatest Country on the planet, the Unites States Of America. America and it's freedoms are my concern.
And what do you mean, about what has been happening on this Country that we put the blinders on about?

[DumbAss Tanker]

I myself do not see Frank's sagas of life elsewhere, or here for that matter, as 'complaining.'  To me they are more in the nature of colorful relations of the first-hand, in-person experiences of an adventurous world traveler.

[franksolich]

As Frank describes the living conditions in Russia, I can counter with the conditions of Americans that live in the inner cities.

vesta, dear, you know I love you, but--

franksolich has indeed seen, and briefly touched, some of the poorest in America, whose condition is truly abysmal.

However, franksolich, sees the world in the manner of the French philosopher (one not particularly loved by the primitives) Albert Camus, who showed that a man who murders one man is bad, a man who murders ten men is badder, a man who murders a hundred men is even badder, a man who murders millions is baddest of all.

The magnitude of things.

There are people in America whose plight might, or might not, be as pitiful as that of the workers and peasants in the socialist paradises.....but there are fewer here, than there.

One supposes that perhaps one-third of one-tenth of one percent of Americans (or somesuch percentage) live as poorly as.....99% of the workers and peasants in the socialist paradises.

The magnitude of things.

Cancer of a fingernail is a bad thing, but cancer of the whole body, every organ in the body, is much more worse.

The magnitude of things, vesta, dear.

[Thor]

vesta, dear, you know I love you, but--

franksolich has indeed seen, and briefly touched, some of the poorest in America, whose condition is truly abysmal.

However, franksolich, sees the world in the manner of the French philosopher (one not particularly loved by the primitives) Albert Camus, who showed that a man who murders one man is bad, a man who murders ten men is badder, a man who murders a hundred men is even badder, a man who murders millions is baddest of all.

The magnitude of things.

There are people in America whose plight might, or might not, be as pitiful as that of the workers and peasants in the socialist paradises.....but there are fewer here, than there.

One supposes that perhaps one-third of one-tenth of one percent of Americans (or somesuch percentage) live as poorly as.....99% of the workers and peasants in the socialist paradises.

The magnitude of things.

Cancer of a fingernail is a bad thing, but cancer of the whole body, every organ in the body, is much more worse.

The magnitude of things, vesta, dear.

 

[franksolich]

 

Excuse my ignorance, sir, but I'm not particularly bright at the moment.

Is this meant as a compliment to what I said, or the opposite?

Either way, no offense taken.

[vesta111]

I believe that frank already has a topic started there regarding your activities in his threads......I would caution you that I'm not nearly as polite as he.......

doc

Chill out TVDOC, I was responding to Franks story by letting him know that I too have seen life in America just as bad as he saw over seas.

Both of us have had experiences that we never expected to have, he in world travel and myself here in America.  Much of our experiences can in fact replicate each other with just a few changes of country or society.


When I read Franks experiences I often find a parell that I have seen here in My country.

So Frank shares his story and I share mine.  What is the problem here I was responding to Franks observations off State side with memories of State side life every bit as sad as he saw them.

I did not hijack his thread, Frank had a wonderful story to tell about what he saw and felt in a society foreign to him.   Well, so do I and I am sure the Ex-millitary men and woman can also tell of their first time experiences over seas.

Few of us have the opportunity to see life as Frank, Thor, Sparky and others do.  They have been off State Side and for every unusual thing or people they meet, we in America can see down the road what is  possibly coming  for us.

 Open your eyes, what is going on any where on earth is also going on HERE.

[vesta111]

I don't complain as to what happens in other Countries as long as it doesn't affect the greatest Country on the planet, the Unites States Of America. America and it's freedoms are my concern.
And what do you mean, about what has been happening on this Country that we put the blinders on about?

If I use propane heat in my home, I do not worry about the coal miners lives in a far from me place.

If I do not fly for any reason why get upset about people that do even if they have to have a full body cavity search.

I have no children about in school being taught about Gay sex.  What do I care about what they are taught.

I have my blinders on--if it does not effect me I have not seen it, care about it or identify with.

I can with my blinders pass the homeless, the drugged hookers on the street and never see them.

The Evil in society with my blinders I do not see it.    I never watch the news as I keep my blinders on to insure it  does not upset me in any way.

Blinders are great we have used them for years on our horses so as not to spook them.  We have been able to get our horses to jump from cliffs, walk along a dangerous trail with a drop off of 200 feet.

What do blinders do for people or horse, why it keeps their attention on the front, any kind of threat is not seen or known. Blinders keep horses and peoples attention on their own goal, to move forward at the command of others.

Without these blinders horses and people may see the wolves on the left and the butchers on the right.

We have our blinders on now to what may become an enemy, put on the blinders when you live 3,000 miles of the Mexican border---not my problem.

You asked True about American blinders----I could go on and on.

[Thor]

Excuse my ignorance, sir, but I'm not particularly bright at the moment.

Is this meant as a compliment to what I said, or the opposite?

Either way, no offense taken.

Neither, just a comment at your approach to the entire thread, Frank.

[true_blood]

We have our blinders on now to what may become an enemy, put on the blinders when you live 3,000 miles of the Mexican border---not my problem. You asked True about American blinders----I could go on and on.

Bullshit Vesta. It's the gubberment and the right arm of this administration that tells the dupes/zombies all is fine.
I don't fall into that category, sorry. I know all to well, what is happening around me,locally and nationally. I stay engage and read/watch a lot. I've never been engaged with politics until maybe 3 or 4 years ago. I could give a damn, but I always stood my ground when it came to standing up for my Country. And I always will.
I recognize the enemy. They cross our border everyday. A Country is defined by it's borders, language and culture. Without these, you've lost your Country. So, yes, it is our problem that the illegals and God knows whom else is passing through that porous border. What does the lord zero do about it? Sues AZ for their immigration law. Big Sis', the incompentent one, goes on TV and for the record, says that the border is safe as it has ever been. No blinders here. Sorry.

[DumbAss Tanker]

You asked True about American blinders----I could go on and on.

Oh, I don't doubt for a nanosecond that you could.   

Do you think villagers in Zaire give a rat's ass about the U.S. mortgage crisis?  Or French truck drivers care about the integrity of American borders?  Or that North Korean peasants are concerned at our stagnant employment picture, or Greek debt, or poor frickin' polar bears?  Of course not.  People always have and always will concentrate on the problems that are going to affect them most directly and most immediately.

[TVDOC]

Moderator's Note:

For purposes of clarity, I have consilidated Vesta's comments from frank's "Madman" thread (accompanied by the "Fight Club" thread that frank started) into this new one in order for Vesta to provide her experiences in a manner that is in keeping with continuity of discussion.

Carry on.....

doc

[DumbAss Tanker]

Carry on.....

That's what buzzards eat, you know.

 

[Evil_Conservative]

Oh good lord.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Chick tracts are less tedious

[thundley4]

Vesta , continuity of discussion?  You're being sarcastic, right?  She rarely has continuity from one sentence to the next. 

[formerlurker]

Frank, at one time I had much the same adventure as an American in America.

My best friend in the 1980's was a 300 pound black woman that I had worked with and called Mama.

How we got this way is a loooong story but we loved each other.    On Xmas Eve she got a call that her brother in Detroit had been shot.

We got together as she had no money and I had just a few bucks in the bank and decided to drive her  from VA to Detroit to be with her brother and family.

I at the time a skinny white female blond  had no idea what I was getting into made arrangement to have my kids looked after, loaded up the car and we hauled ass from VA. to Detroit.

Once we got there I began to get the whilly was as we drove to a high rise building that was in an area of other high rises for the ---POOR.

This I came to know was known as the PROJECTS.  The building had a broken elevator and we had to climb 5-6 storeys to get to my friends family.  When she knocked on the door, and announced herself the door opened a crack to identify her and let her in.  I followed her in and found a bunch of men holding guns at me.   My friend I will call V jumped in and introduced me as her daughter.  My daughter is from the state of Maine and has been like my family for years.   She has no idea about us and life style so leave her alone.

I was exhausted from the no stop drive and at that point fell asleep. When I awoke a bed had been made for me in a closet but I could not get a hot shower.  There was no hot water in this huge building.  The toilets did work  the heat had been turned off.-----This was December and the only heat was from electric heaters in the rooms.

I later went down all those stairs to call my parents to wire me money, I was escorted by two men that were for my safety.   And I did feel safe with them as I wandered about looking at all the other high rise buildings in the area.

My friend came home with bad news. her brother had died by gun shot as he robbed a store.  Dear God the first person she went to was me to get a hug and wipe her tears.

Next day the gang members came in to give respects and it was not comfortable for them to seem to see my Honky White Ass on the sofa .It was normal for me to shake each family or friends hands,  each friend or family member came in I made sure i shook all their hands as I would have done for them had they come to a funeral for my family member.

Interesting time for me the funeral was just a bit off from those held in small New England villages. 

For one thing I was escorted in by a couple of men that were armed.  I was sat In the middle row of the Church, the only white face among the mourners.

The Preacher got up and the chorus began to sing and I forgot I was white, darn these people really got under my skin and made me realise that as a human it is just the culture that separates us from true friends, good folk and those that are all Gods Children.

I have since then gone into the ghettos of the Latinos , the Asian in this country. Frank,  There is no reason to travel abroad to see life there, they bring it here.

Life is dangerous over seas but even more dangerous here in America-----there are places in America none of us dare to go to, unless one has friends that can protect you.-----Even then once out of whatever place one goes to and come out alive is due to lucky breaks and the will of God.

Vesta, I worked in Detroit in the early 90s -- it was a total shithole then.   Huge difference between the entitlement lifestyle and the former soviet union.   

HUGE difference. 

[MrsSmith]

Frank, at one time I had much the same adventure as an American in America.

My best friend in the 1980's was a 300 pound black woman that I had worked with and called Mama.

How we got this way is a loooong story but we loved each other.    On Xmas Eve she got a call that her brother in Detroit had been shot.

We got together as she had no money and I had just a few bucks in the bank and decided to drive her  from VA to Detroit to be with her brother and family.

I at the time a skinny white female blond  had no idea what I was getting into made arrangement to have my kids looked after, loaded up the car and we hauled ass from VA. to Detroit.

Once we got there I began to get the whilly was as we drove to a high rise building that was in an area of other high rises for the ---POOR.

In America, a few years back, there was a single mom, 3 kids.  They lived in a older house, no furnace, big wood stove.  The mom managed to buy a used chainsaw at a garage sale, she cut wood with it.  The oldest, an 8 year old boy, learned to split the logs with a couple wedges and a small sledgehammer.  A good neighbor gave them access to a wood lot in addition to what was around their house, and they hauled logs home in the trunk of the Opal car that had been given to them.  They had a couple goats for milk, chickens, ducks, cats to catch mice.  They got by, no one went hungry.  Garage sale clothes and Goodwill clothes wore fine.  Eventually a 4th kid came along, then a 5th...but by then the mom had accept government help to go to college.  It was the only help she got.  While they lived in town, it was even harder to manage... the mom couldn't work much with kids and college, bills were high, even routine medical expenses nearly impossible.

Eventually, the mom graduated and got a job...at minimum wage.

A few years later, the mom got a much better job.

And as time passed, the mom's wages continued to climb.  Now the mom lives in a nice, little, energy-efficient house and is solidly middle class...because she lives in America, where hard work really does pay off.

This is a path that any American can follow, and many of every race have proven it.

This is not an option for many other peoples, like those in the former Soviet Union...or those in other countries with very abusive governments. 

frank makes some excellent points.  Perhaps you should learn instead of argue...

[Thor]

frank makes some excellent points.  Perhaps you should learn instead of argue...

Sometimes one has to "hammer" home their points to Vesta.

[DumbAss Tanker]

Sometimes one has to "hammer" home their points to Vesta.

Might work, if you could send in John Henry as a ringer.

[Thor]

Might work, if you could send in John Henry as a ringer.

LOL. I think I've done OK to some extent.


I think this thread would be more appropriately named, "Vesta's Life Experiences, Afternoon with a Mad Woman".....