Helping Phillip and Pecan Pie

Weight = 178.8 lbs.; holding strong for the holidays in spite Ms S’s wonderful pecan pie for Christmas dinner.  There were five of us, note how much of the pie remained.  That is the problem with pies and cakes and retirement.  There are just the two of us, but Ms S and I both have good discipline, we will enjoy small pieces throughout the week.  The pie story will be one of my tips for losing weight.  See below.

Coinage =$2.11 Ending up giving it to Phillip after I had already given him a ½ pack of cigarettes I had found.  He needed .75 for bus change.  Phillip was young, what he needed was to go to work.  We talked about the New Orleans Saints, our NFL team.  While counting out the .75, I stopped and said, “Do you want it all?”  He said, “Sure if you can spare it.”  Ah, the life and times of the Dukes of MidCity New Orleans.

GPS Data:

Miles walked = 4.05

Average pace = 16 min, 48 sec.

Calories burned = 420

Previews of Weight Loss Strategy:  January 1, 2014 is just a few days.  Of course I will be making my annual weight loss resolution.  Moreover, I plan to share my secrets for losing weight and how I plan to keep it off.

Moneywalker

Donald Pushed Back

Weight = 177.4 lbs.; holding on in spite of Ms. S making chocolate chip cookies.

Coinage found = $1.92; two different quarter curb finds.

No GPS data, phone was dead

Topic: Donald Pushes Back

Recently the Moneywalker has been embracing the “nobles of MidCity” New Orleans.  Rather than turn these street residents away, if they ask for “bus money,” and if I have change from the walk, it is offered.  I always introduce myself and ask for their name.  Eye contact and a brief conversation are encouraged.  Smugly, I felt their humanity, and mine, were being enhanced. 

Turns out, exchanging aspects of humanity is a tricky transaction.  For example, on the walk, a gentleman was getting out of a streetcar and heading directly toward me.  Central casting would not have used him—way over the top even for Hollywood; old tennis shoes with no laces, beltless pants held up with his hand, matted hair, and unshaven.

Certain that he would ask for a handout, I preemptedly offered him four quarters. 

MoneyWalker: “Sir, could you use this change?”

Noble: without a preamble of thanks but with a certain swagger stated, “This money is just in time.”

MoneyWalker: “My name is Bob, what is yours?”

Noble: with a street nuance mumbled “Donald.”

MoneyWalker: not understanding, “Pardon, I missed that.”

Noble: with some impatience spelled, “D-o-n-a-l-d.”

MoneyWalker: sensing the humanity transaction was nearing an end, “Well, nice meeting you Donald.”

And thus the episode closed.  If the MoneyWalker’s ego  needed a little appreciation, it was not Donald’s problem.  Somehow the word patronizing surfaced, regardless of one’s status in life, no one wants to be patronized.

MoneyWalker

John's Humanity

Weight = 177.6 lbs

Coinage = $2.43

Best Find = a lonely dime in an muddy ditch.

Panhandler Profile:

As a frequent walker, I am often approached by panhandlers, men and women.  Yesterday while enjoying a senior coffee at Mickey Ds, a man ask me for a couple of quarters to “get something.”  I always say yes.  But I don’t just hand it to them without a human connection.  As I slowly handed the change, I introduced myself and ask for his name.  “John!” he said.  I said, “John, do you work.”  I unintentionally put him on the defensive as he thought I was scolding him.  Said John with some level of exasperation, “I’m 65!”  Then backing off, perhaps aware that I still possessed more change, “And I’m disabled.”  Handing John a couple more quarters I asked what he did before he became disabled.  “Carpenter,” he said.  “Trim or framing?” I replied.  “Mostly just general construction,” said John.  By now he trusted my questions as being friendly and after I gave him my last bit of change, off he went.  But he had earned his dollar burger—the change was not forthcoming until eye contact was made and the  transaction instilled with humanity.  I sensed a return of a bit of dignity as he exited looking for his next mark.