Occupy Boston

The 99%

I’m sure most of you have seen the news. Students, homeless, the unemployed and even workers are gathering in major cities to protest their dissatisfaction with the way our government is being run. 

Yet, while we are all seeing the events of these protests on the news (in my case, Occupy Boston’s rallies) many of us still fail to see the points they are trying to make, and what they are specifically asking for. 

Because I am one of the 99% and feel the looming anxiety over school debt that I need a better job to pay off - I did some research on what Occupy Boston is all about and will share the information I have found with you.

Please note that I am not listing my personal opinions, just the facts that I have found. 

Meaning behind the phrase 99%

It’s not difficult to figure out that those involved in the “99 Percent Movement” are trying to explain the gap between the 1% and the rest of the population. Suzy Khimm, writing for the The Washington Post on 10/6/2011 explains the numerical breakdown. 

“The average income of the top 1 percent of US households in 2011 is $1,530,773, while the average income of the bottom 20 percent is $9,187, and the median income is $65,357, according to Jim Nunns, a senior fellow at the Urban Institute.... That means the wealthiest 1 percent held an average of 225 times the wealth of the average median household in 2009 — a ratio that was 125 in 1962.”

At it’s most basic level, occupy wall street, occupy boston and other cities protestors are gathering to spread awareness about these numbers and ask for change. 

Taken straight from the Occupy Boston website, they explain the above numbers as follows;

“Most people who support Occupy Boston call for reforming Wall Street and removing special interest from government, but there no one single issue or demand that summarizes our movement. People are dissatisfied with how our country is being run and want fundamental, lasting change of many kinds.”

So, what it all boils down to is the 99% want the 1% and government to know that they are not happy with the way things are being run, and ask that we start to change these issues. 

The Occupy Boston movement, other than the 100 arrests made last night, has been rather peaceful. With protestors cleaning up after themselves, and donating excess food and materials to homeless shelters. 

Thomas M. Menino today was quoted in the Boston Globe saying ““I agree with them on the issues. Foreclosure. Corporate greed. These are issues I’ve been working on my entire career.” And has been known to listen to their complaints. He also has said he has no intentions to force them to disband at present, but he will not tolerate them holding up the city.

For more detailed information, the following are links to the articles and sites I’ve read. 

Calendar of events for Occupy Boston

Boston Globe Articles

Photos of Protestors 

Occupy Boston Tumblr

Washington Post Articles

MSNBC Articles

Comment with your opinions! I’m curious to hear what you all think about this issue that effects the majority of the people that read this blog!

Weekend

I hope your weekend is proving to be more productive than ours.

One-Of-Those-Days

I know you know what I'm talking about. Those days when no amount of funny commercials will cheer you up, and you don't know why your not happy in the first place. It's not sadness, it's just nothing. A complete lack of emotion and all you can do is go on with your day hoping something will come along that will cause you to have a reaction.

That was my yesterday... and day before.

(^also - excuse for no blog posts) 

And after watching a Louie Giglio sermon, listening to much weezer and forcing myself to design till my eyes and shoulders hurt from staring at the screen 5 inches in front of my face - I finally decided to give up and go to bed. 

Who knew sleep would be a cure! (I know you probably knew, whatever) Anyway I'm back and am full of blog posts. So watch out!

Proof

One of the most frequently asked questions I would get asked during an introduction to someone new at school is “when will you stop staring and following me?” 

just kidding

The question would be “where are you from?” or something along the lines of “what type of town do you come from?” in a way that meant they didn’t want to hear your towns history, they just want to know if your a townie or a city girl. This question, when I’m asked it - always results in a question of my own, and the answer of my question usually allows me to discern if we will truly be able to be friends or not. 

my question: “have you ever seen gilmore girls?” 

Why I ask this question is simple. My town is the exact same as stars hollow, which makes it very easy to explain the type of area I came from. AND since it is still reigning as the best show ever, I can tell if they will get along with me or not.

So, to all of you people who have doubted my word - this post is your proof!

All places listed are within 2 miles of my house, all on this bike path lined with righteous signs.

I rode my bike to take these pictures, but typically I just walk.

(map to come in future post)

My street is right off of the town green. Its almost a perfect mile around, which makes it perfect for running when it's nice out. Unfortunately, there is no gazebo.

Farm stand, grown in the farms surrounding the town.

Okay, need I say more? This inn is incredible. It looks over the town green and is a destination wedding spot to some in the summer.

The historical society runs the town more than anything else. There are a few stories I could tell about that, but I don't want to commit them to writing, where I cant take back what I could say.

On main street, there are old houses that now serve as museums (being the first settled town in CT.) There is also and antiques store (lane?) as well as a great restaurant, pizza place, coffee shop etc. 

The local church in town is also on main street, right across from the picture above. Unfortunately, this is not my church, nor does it double as a synagog, like the church on the show.

Comstock Ferre has changed hands multiple times in the past few years. It is now, and usually the location where most of the town buys their plants and seeds. This is also on main st, and right next door you will find the most outlandish house in the town, Main Street Creamery & Cafe. This shop has the best ice cream and on occasion the most controversial look.

And there you have it. If you don't know what this has to do with Gilmore Girls, rent a season and educate yourself because you are clearly severely lacking in culture.

Weekend Workshop

I wish I had an incredible story to tell you from my weekend. Like I unexpectedly flew to ca to hike a mountain with my friend, or I drove down to NYC and crashed some amazing party... but alas - my weekend was filled with folding and organizing. 

First came my closet. Lucky closet, hasn't seen that much attention since I moved in.

This was followed by a long day of folding clothing that didn't belong to me at work. Along with a long mental wish list as I folded...

23. The Year of the Shoes

Last week was my birthday week... yes, week. 

Fine, it was only one day, evening really, almost midnight. My mom was not in labor for 168 hours, BUT we celebrated multiple times. (for her, she was probably celebrating that she wasn’t in labor for 168 hours!) Since, I share my birthday week with my brother, who’s birthday is 3 days before mine - the celebrations just kept coming! And, in all we picked our favorite things to do, no matter how fancy or typical it was

Sunday night was spent gorging ourselves on five guys, who cares that the closest one is fifteen minutes away. Throughout the week came many fun ways to show that our family enjoyed our existence. Coffee date with mom, and a little light shopping, some board-game-playing. My grandmom (known to us as mimi) came to visit and brought two birthday homemade pies. Blueberry and peach. They made a great dessert... and breakfast.

For the weekend, friday night Samuel had some of his friends over and mom made her amazing homemade pizza. We also celebrated his birth with ice cream cake. Saturday was my day. We celebrated by making excellent home made cheesy chowder, drank some more than welcome Sam Adams Octoberfest and had the ultimate of all ultimates - the best chocolate cake you have ever had in your life!

(recipes for the soup and cake to come)

Gifts from my favorite family? Well, this year is definitely the year of the shoes, and I am in NO WAY complaining!

Banana Republic riding boots, London Fog Rain Boots, & Minnetonka Moccasins.

I’m in love with these shoes. And my final b-day dinner. And my family.

Abi's Adventures Thread

Narratives, mostly humiliating, thought provoking or ranting.