Friday, July 25, 2008
Unemployment: Day #163
I can spend over 7 hours a day in my apartment wearing the shirt and boxer-briefs I slept in the night before and still feel sexy. Often.
1 a.m. CLST, November 12, 2007
As I begin this entry in order to pass the time before my dad finishes up work for the night so that I may go to bed, he finishes.
CLST is the time zone I'm in w
globalization is. . .
Odd. It simply is; to be on a plane for 11 hours straight to arrive in a different country, continent ,and hemisphere while everything continues to be an extremely familiar, recognizable environment. Yet the feeling of reality askew occurs only while arriving at a local supermarket complex to see a "Nuts 4 Nuts" cart quietly wafting smoke away in front of a "Dunkin' Donuts" logo resting over an employee diligently inspecting their nails.
Facts I find amusing regarding this situation:
1) "Nuts 4 Nuts" was started in New York City, USA, by a Chilean immigrant who then decided to export it back home. In Santiago, and around the country, Nuts 4 Nuts stands continue to be placed in non-classic locations: new mega-malls, shopping centers, and boutique fairs. They are only haphazardly frequented.
Roasted nut carts run by cute little old men with a handful of sales tricks (dirty jokes for a male clientele, predictions of success in life and love for children, along with a bevy of gentlemanly compliments for women) continue to thrive in more classic locations: in the middle of downtown strips, flea markets and on the corners of old shopping centers, theatres and clubs.
In fact, the only time a Chilean would actually buy from a Nuts 4 Nuts stand is if they were in New York... for the novelty of it. I do this.
2) If in Chile, do not get coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. I repeat, do not. First off, they do not have "cups of coffee" as we in the US have. They have espresso drinks. And trust me, you do not want Dunkin' Donuts espresso drinks. In Chile. Also, if in on business, do not go to executive cafes. That is, unless you enjoy being served coffee by women in minis, halters, and heels in a male-executive dominated environment. Women executives and wives out for socials tend to have to endure visits to these locales.
The cafes were widely known of in high society but unspoken outside until a news network did a high level expose around a decade ago. There was some outcry in eminist circles, but for the most part the report was mocked as being alarmist, prudish, and unnecessary in singling out a most traditional Chilean activity. Japan has their geishas, Chileans have their lingerie catalog baristas.
I've turned down invitations to the above mentioned cafes from uncles and older male family friends a few times. Personally, I prefer my coffee served clothed.
Facts I find amusing regarding this situation:
1) "Nuts 4 Nuts" was started in New York City, USA, by a Chilean immigrant who then decided to export it back home. In Santiago, and around the country, Nuts 4 Nuts stands continue to be placed in non-classic locations: new mega-malls, shopping centers, and boutique fairs. They are only haphazardly frequented.
Roasted nut carts run by cute little old men with a handful of sales tricks (dirty jokes for a male clientele, predictions of success in life and love for children, along with a bevy of gentlemanly compliments for women) continue to thrive in more classic locations: in the middle of downtown strips, flea markets and on the corners of old shopping centers, theatres and clubs.
In fact, the only time a Chilean would actually buy from a Nuts 4 Nuts stand is if they were in New York... for the novelty of it. I do this.
2) If in Chile, do not get coffee at Dunkin' Donuts. I repeat, do not. First off, they do not have "cups of coffee" as we in the US have. They have espresso drinks. And trust me, you do not want Dunkin' Donuts espresso drinks. In Chile. Also, if in on business, do not go to executive cafes. That is, unless you enjoy being served coffee by women in minis, halters, and heels in a male-executive dominated environment. Women executives and wives out for socials tend to have to endure visits to these locales.
The cafes were widely known of in high society but unspoken outside until a news network did a high level expose around a decade ago. There was some outcry in eminist circles, but for the most part the report was mocked as being alarmist, prudish, and unnecessary in singling out a most traditional Chilean activity. Japan has their geishas, Chileans have their lingerie catalog baristas.
I've turned down invitations to the above mentioned cafes from uncles and older male family friends a few times. Personally, I prefer my coffee served clothed.
a new morning, changing weather
Today is my first morning of full unemployment. It was nice temping yesterday because I actually got to finish up a few items that never get finished in the rush and pleasantries of an official last day. At the same time, it distorted the reality of the fact I was leaving. I am somewhat mellow today, and last night I kept falling in and out of sleep with panicked thoughts about work and the realization I was no longer there. It is still what is best, though.
About health care (and the fact that I do not have any aside from retroactive COBRA): Aside from it being ridiculous that we live in the most monetarily wealthy country in the world which could easily ensure no child, adult, or anyone from crippling medical expenses or death due to nonpayment, it really is amazing how it seems that the second you are off it, you start noticing things you should have done while you had it. I do not mean to complain though, if I ever were to come into a major medical crisis, the Swiss consulate insists I could have a good life back in the motherland. Lonely, but good?
I look forward to having more interesting things to say here as time moves forward. Mostly photos though, I hope.
a thought: "retroactive COBRA" would make a great name for a grind band
a second thought: I don't really like t(i)nc, but I do like that album title
About health care (and the fact that I do not have any aside from retroactive COBRA): Aside from it being ridiculous that we live in the most monetarily wealthy country in the world which could easily ensure no child, adult, or anyone from crippling medical expenses or death due to nonpayment, it really is amazing how it seems that the second you are off it, you start noticing things you should have done while you had it. I do not mean to complain though, if I ever were to come into a major medical crisis, the Swiss consulate insists I could have a good life back in the motherland. Lonely, but good?
I look forward to having more interesting things to say here as time moves forward. Mostly photos though, I hope.
a thought: "retroactive COBRA" would make a great name for a grind band
a second thought: I don't really like t(i)nc, but I do like that album title
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