Thrift Store Virgin (Day 15 - August 6, 2011)

That Poverty Guy (Sean Krausert)
Day 15 - Slightly Bearded / 227 lbs

Yes, it's true . . . until today I was a virgin.  A thrift store virgin.  For those out there who are also thrift store virgins, and perhaps don't even know what a thrift store is, a thrift store is a place where "previously loved" goods are sold quite inexpensively.  Well, today, I made my first purchase at my local thrift store, and I feel very good about the experience.

I needed to buy a TV tray for in the tent.  No, I don't have television in the tent!  I have a rickety old lawn chair that someone dropped off for me thinking I may have use for it (. . . which I did, so I'm thankful to them).  I sit in the rickety old chair, in my tent, typing on my laptop doing blogs, Facebook posts, tweets, e-mails, etc. for the project.  The problem is that I will soon become quite hunched if I continue to type with the laptop on my lap (ironically).  Thus the need for a small table that can fold away . . . a TV tray.

Before trying the thrift store, I first walked around to three garage sales in my area since the thrift store was quite a lot further away.  Unfortunately, I struck out at all three garage sales . . . no TV trays or small folding tables of any kind.  I started to be concerned that I wouldn't find TV trays anywhere when one of the garage sale hosts remarked, "TV trays??  We're not old enough to have TV trays."  I didn't realize there was a minimum age requirement, but apparently there is.  So with three strikes, my thumb was out looking for a ride to the thrift store. (Well, actually I started begging my wife to drive me down since I figured that if I found anything it would be too far to carry them back to the tent . . . all of a sudden I had empathy for my children when they want to be driven somewhere).

In Canmore, we have what I suspect is a very good thrift store . . . clean, well-stocked, and organized superbly.  Not long after entering the furniture section, there they were . . . a full set of four TV trays complete with a stand! (It helps if you re-read that last sentence and at the ". . . " imagine hearing angels singing and the set of TV trays starting to glow with an inner light .)  Of course, I only needed one table and so asked the very friendly clerk if I could break up the set.  He apologized indicating that they were tough enough to sell as a set, and so breaking it up would not be an option.  Apparently, a lot of their clientele don't meet the minimum age requirement to own a vintage set of TV trays.  However, given the looming hunch in my back, the fact that I am appropriately middle-aged and old enough to operate these bad boys, the trekking I did to find them and it being unlikely that I would find some other, I slapped $12 on the counter and bought the whole set.

Yes, I had $12.  In fact, I should update you on my finances.  To date since starting the project I have received $25 and change.  Twice a little white haired lady who has heard of the project arranged for a young woman to  place $10 in my hat (she came up to me, asked me to take off my hat, and then put $10 into it) . . . so that's $20.  I've received $5 today for cutting a small lawn on my street . . . and so that brings it up to $25.  As for the change, some crazy lady threw it at me! (. . . my mother-in-law . . . who isn't really crazy . . . just delightfully eccentric.)  So after spending $12, I'm now down to $13 and change. 

Before closing, it was interesting to see that my weight stayed at 227 lbs this week (down 6 lbs from the start of the project).  Not sure if that is a sign of things to come or if I just plateaued momentarily.  I notice that 66% of the respondents to the poll last week thought that I would lose quite a bit of weight by the time that this first phase is done at Thanksgiving weekend in October (i.e. guessing I would weigh less than 218 lbs).  I guess time will tell.

Hey!!  I'm That Poverty Guy . . . let's make a world of difference together.

Click Here to See WACHOOKANDU.

A Few Firsts (Day 14 - August 5, 2011)

No, no, no . . . I am not at a loss for words.  That "first" has not happened yet despite the prayers of many (. . . of course, I'm joking . . . I think?).

However, a few firsts did happen today:

For the very first time . . . I woke up and cursed because it was cold.  A beautiful night last night - the skies were perfectly clear and you could see tonnes of stars.  It also meant that there were no clouds to contain the heat from the day and it all went POOF . . . leaving temperatures only a few degrees from the freezing point.  You know it is cold when you reach for your cell phone to check the time, and the warmth from your breath covers the face of the phone with a slimy, wet coating.  It looked like I licked it!!

For the very first time . . . I was told that I stink.  It didn't hurt my feelings because I had to agree.  This truth was uttered by a charming 11 year old lad.   The funny thing was that he said it so matter-of-fact . . . the sky is blue, milk comes from cows, and Sean stinks.  While I do agree, I venture to guess that I would still lose a stink-off if facing a construction worker who has to be working in the heat all day.

For the very first time . . . I was offered an odd job to earn a little extra cash.  Someone on my street heard about the project and came knocking on my tent to see if I wanted to earn a couple of bucks.  Faster than you could say lickety-split, I was in their house being shown how to feed their animals.  They want me to look after their fish, hermit crab, bird, and cat while they are away on vacation.  Granted, I may be a little overqualified for the position . . . but I was overjoyed at the opportunity.  The thing is I was so caught up in the moment that I even forgot to ask how much I would be paid.  I guess it will be a surprise . . .

Hey!!  I'm That Poverty Guy . . . let's make a world of difference together.

Click Here to see WACHOOKANDU.

I Think Therefore I Am (Day 13 - August 4, 2011)

Janet and I have a couple of good friends who just became Canadian citizens today.  They are really wonderful people who moved here from Britain to be closer to their children and grandchildren.  The citizenship ceremony was held out by Lake Minnewanka with the beautiful Canadian Rockies and pristine waters as the backdrop.  While I couldn't make it to the ceremony, I understand that it was a truly memorable event.

So why am I telling you about this since I wasn't even there??  Thanks for asking!  This past Sunday after church, our friends invited us over to their house for some food and refreshments following the ceremony today in order to celebrate with them.  We accepted enthusiastically since offered hospitality is perfectly welcome during this stage of That Poverty Project. Honestly, what homeless person would turn down free food and refreshments?  So, as you would expect, ever since waking this morning, with the prospect of getting together with friends, indulging in special food, and having a glass of wine I have been feeling . . . fear and worry.  Yes, I know . . . it's weird, but true.

So now you're asking WHY in the name of all that is good and wholesome would I be feeling fear and worry at the prospect of eating and drinking in celebration with good friends????  (Boy, you are really asking good questions today.)  It's because I was feeling like I wouldn't fit in with my friends.  In my mind, I conjured up everyone wearing nice summerwear, fresh and clean . . . and I would be the misfit who shows up a little wrinkled, grizzled and sweaty.  The truth is that people have said that I'm not smelling bad nor looking bad . . . but my mind was telling me differently.  Just imagine the trepidation I would have been feeling if it were a gathering of strangers!

Where does that fear and worry come from?  Is it just me or is this something that others might experience as well?  (It's now my turn to ask the good questions . . .)  I would venture to say that it is wider spread than simply little ol' me.  In fact, I think it relates to the unspoken yett always present stigma we have in our society with respect to poverty.  People don't like dirty or ratty appearances.   And . . . this is my main insight today . . . that stigma doesn't just flow from the "haves" against the "have-nots", but the "have-nots" actually apply it to themselves, too.  Yes, those who are in poverty are actually battling to be accepted by themselves as much, if not more, than they are by others.

The stigma against being poor is so great, that it actually hinders people who are poor from taking opportunities that may be available to them because they think negatively of themselves.  And, as was relayed to me from a worker at The Mustard Seed in Calgary, the stigma against poverty which the poor apply to themselves is one of the key barriers to getting the help available to them.  Before one can access welfare or other options available, one must first acknowledge that they are in need of welfare. 

It seems crazy . . . but try it for yourself.  If you found yourself in circumstances where you had to declare bankruptcy . . . would you have more angst about losing a lot of your stuff OR about everyone knowing you went bankrupt?  Sure, no one wants to lose their stuff, but I suspect the real hit for most people is the public and personal perception they would have of themselves being bankrupt.  And so it goes for those in poverty . . . you feel lesser than others and you don't want to put yourself in a situation where that is put under the spotlight.  Face it, we're people . . . and as such we sometimes do a psychological number on each other and ourselves.

Photo by Hamish MacLean, Canmore Leader


My learning today is about what we can do to remove the stigma against the poor.  We need to look past the trappings and the judgments we make based upon appearance, and we need to see the person inside the ruffled clothes and dusty exterior.  That seems obvious, but it is something we all have to be vigilant about.  We need to  remind ourselves repeatedly that what matters most is what is on the inside, not what someone is wearing or how much money is in their pocket.  And, most importantly, we must remember that regardless of what anyone may think, every one of us is precious and lovable.

Hey!! I'm That Poverty Guy . . . let's make a world of difference together.   

Click here to find out "Wachookandu?!?"

Don't Let A Bad Apple Spoil The Bunch (Day 12 - August 3, 2011)

Eons ago when I was a lawyer, almost everyday I encountered someone who thought badly of lawyers (thus . . . all the lawyer jokes!).  It's absolutely true that there are some money-grubbin' ambulance-chasin' lawyers out there, but honestly they are very much an exception.  Most lawyers are more interested in helping their clients than screwing anyone.  However, that has not stopped the entire profession from being tainted because of some bad apples.

Every walk of life has a couple of bad apples that can spoil the perception of the rest.  Priests tainted by scandals . . . genius blonds who are pigeoned holed with a few of their lesser intelligent fellow blonds . . . and all bankers alleged to have their hands in your pocket.  Poverty is no exception.

Without a doubt, there are some poor people who milk the system, prey on sympathy, and lie.  I think I met one such fellow today.  He fed me such a line that sent my "BS" detector into an absolute frenzy.   However, for every one of these such fellows, there are volumes of people who silently endure their plight or fight tooth and nail just to survive.  The same goes for those suffering from poverty overseas.  Sure, there are those who are lazy and misuse what they are given, but the the vast majority are hardworking and simply trying to feed their families just like us.  They have to be hardworking or else they would be dead as it is not easy surviving when you have to eek out an existence in terrible conditions.

Like many, I'm not a big fan of panhandlers that beg for money like the fellow I met today.  I believe that even in dire need there are creative ways to ask for monetary help (e.g. wash a window, tell a joke, create a sign that produces a smile . . . ).  That said, we must remember there may be other issues at play with those people that may harass you on the street, and that they may truly need some form of assistance from others.  For example, they may be suffering from addiction or perhaps some form or physical or mental illness.  I suspect with the fellow I met today he may have some psychological issues and has fallen through a cracks.  (By the way, he was referred to a local agency where he will be able to talk with someone who will assess his needs and hopefully connect him with the help he needs.)

My learning for today is to remember that one cannot shut themselves off from helping others simply because there are a few who would take advantage of the generosity of others.  To shut yourself off from helping because you may be taken advantage of by a few bad apples only serves to hurt the many who really need and  appreciate your help. 
Hey!!  I'm That Poverty Guy . . . let's make a world of difference together.

Not All Bad . . . Is NOT All Good (Day 11 - August 2, 2011)

There's a perception out there that anyone needing help must be miserable.  Put another way, some think that unless one is miserable then one doesn't really need help.  However, I need to tell you that how somebody feels at any particular moment is absolutely not a good measure of whether or not they need help.  In fact, believing that one must be miserable all the time if they are in need is cruel . . . a little like kicking someone when they are down.

I know that there's that perception out there because I've experienced a real battle within me at times over the last few days as to how people expect me to act versus how I actually feel.  On the one hand, I feel like people expect me to be struggling all the time if I am having a poverty-related experience.  On the other hand, it is not realistic to expect people to stop being people just because they don't have sufficient resources.  Whether you are rich or poor . . . people laugh and find humour in life, people have sad moments and happy moments, people love and hurt.  Poverty is a fact, not an emotion.  In fact, I take my hat off to those who can live in squalor, without their basic rights being met, and still be able to find something to smile about.

While my self-sacrifice done during this project is small compared to the plight of many, I have struggled at times but I have also found reason to smile.   The above photos captured this past weekend provide evidence of these "smiley times".  The first picture shows one of the simple pleasures in life . . . putting one's feet into cold, fresh creek water in order to cool off on a hot day.  The second picture shows me washing some dishes, not unlike one would volunteer to do at a shelter or for a host when food has been provided.  Why so happy?  Because it was delightful being able to hang around my family as I did the dishes.  I've missed the sounds of daily routine while outside, and it was a pleasure to have them around me a little longer before I had to head back outside (yes . . . even if it meant scrubbing crud off of dishes).

So, I think the learning for all of us today is that poverty is not about being sad . . . or being happy . . . it is about a set of factual circumstances in which a person may find themselves regardless of whatever emotion they are feeling at the moment.  Similarly, alleviating poverty is not about turning that frown upside down, but rather is about protecting and fulfilling their basic human rights and creating situations where people are better able to reach their potential.  Being happy or sad are simply choices that people make regardless of whether they are rich or poor.  That said, it sure would be nice if no one had to try to be happy while hungry, or without water, or trapped in poverty in one of its many forms.

Hey!!  I'm That Poverty Guy . . . let's make a world of difference together.