'Tis The Season (December 21, 2011)

A tumultuous 2011 is winding down, and a brand new year full of hope and promise is just around the corner.  As we move from this year into the next, That Poverty Guy has a few reminders for this season that is upon us.

'Tis The Season . . . to wind down and rejuvenate.  While continuing to live within the confines of this phase of That Poverty Project (i.e. struggles of the working poor), except for one further blog later today That Poverty Guy is not going to blog until January 2nd.  (Unless, of course, something comes up that demands to be addressed.)


'Tis The Season . . . for reflection, taking stock, and preparing one's self to hit the ground running in the New Year.   Over the course of the Christmas season and into the New Year, That Poverty Guy is going to be reviewing the project to date.  It is expected that with an even a sharper focus and doing more of that which has worked well (and less of that which has not), the next year will be even more successful in spreading awareness about poverty and getting people engaged in being part of the solution.


'Tis A Season . . . for giving.  Christmas time should set the example for the upcoming year, not be the exception.  The problems which persist at Christmas, and for which compassion flows wonderfully, still exist in January . . . and February . . . and March . . . and so on.  Rather than being THE season for giving, Christmas should set the tone for the entire year through.  Of course, That Poverty Guy encourages everyone to engage in true giving, not trading,  Whereas trading sees giving with the expectation of getting something in return, true giving is to share of one's self or one's resources with no expectation of receiving anything back.  And, ironically, you will be surprised at how much you actually receive when you truly give.

Blessings to all this Christmas, and may the New Year be one of great change whereby more and more people have enough of poverty so that those in poverty may have enough to live.

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Phase II - Struggles of the Working Poor Daily Report
Day 47 - 51 (December 17^th – December 21^st)

Weight at Beginning of Project:  233 lbs
Weight at End of Phase One:  216 lbs
Weight at Start of Phase Two: 221 lbs
Weight at Start of Today:  213 lbs

Available Funds:   $17.71 (leftover) + $7.50 (Dec 17) + $5.50 (Dec 18) + $0.00 (Dec 19) + $4.00 (Dec 20) + $8.00 (Dec 21) + $12.50 (gift) = $55.21
Funds Spent Today:  $6.50
Remaining Funds:   $48.71

New Loan:  $0.00
Loan Payment Due Today: $0.00
Loan Payment:   $0.00
Outstanding Loan: $67.50 (originally $135.00) @ 2% per month (non-compounding) . . . payments due as follows:  $34.38 due Dec 8^th (PAID); $34.22 due Dec 15^th (PAID); $34.07 due Dec 22^nd; $33.91 due Dec 29^th.

Items Purchased:   Shoelaces, $5 Gas

Free Stuff:  Supper on Dec 18 (bought by visiting father), Supper on Dec 19 (attended a workshop gathering), Lunch on Dec 20 (attended Church gathering)

Gas Purchased* & Remaining:  $5.00 (i.e. 4.68 litres @ $1.069 per litre . . . 46.8 km @ 10 km/litre) + 4.41 litres (gas remaining) = 9.09 litres (90.9 km)
Driving Today:  39.0 km (i.e. 3.9 litres)
Gas Remaining:  5.19 litres (i.e. 51.9 km)

*Will not include any fuel or driving related to work that is paid for by work.

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