kindness without pity

Last week, I went to volunteer at Union Rescue Mission. We served breakfast to people who are part of the mission's program and people off the street. Another lawyer was next to me on the assembly line. As the people filed by, she said to me, "Those poor people." Her words bothered me.Wasn't it enough to be kind? Why is it motivated by a sense of self-righteous pity?


I think it's enough to realize that I have excess and some people have less. The people with less are probably happier with my excess than I am. Net happiness increases. I voluntarily offer up my excess out of a sense community, an acknowledgement that sometimes we need to help each other. Ugh, bugs me when people couple pity into this mix.

bargain shoes!

I couldn't resist. $19.99 at H&M.

Low heels. Suede round toed pumps. I like the tiny studded details.





Kind of like a mullet--business in the front and party in the back. lol!

Then I found some cute Nine West heels at Ross for $25.99.





They look better on, so I took a picture of that too.



These shoes are surprisingly comfortable because of the platform in the front. My foot isn't on as much of an incline as in my other 3 inch heels.

I'm still on the look out for a pair of wedges and nude pumps, so if anyone knows of good deals, lmk!

Fuschia dress LOTD

I've been so boring lately. I know everyone likes pictures, so I'll be better about pic updates. I just wanted to post this dress that I am currently in love with. I saw it near the door at a shop on Melrose. I tried it on, loved it and paid for it without taking it off. Sometimes you just need a bright pink dress to drive away the winter doldrums.

the look for less?



It's on Lulus.com for $38, but the store on Melrose sells them for maybe $31. I took the belt off of a F21 dress. Here's a picture of the Lulu's dress.



I also did a FOTD. Nothing special,just my usual dark shadow and a plum lip color. I did really like how my hair looked though.



I played with the colors to make it look like an old photo. Didn't work too well, but I can't figure out how to make it normal again. Oh well!

Friday morning role plays

I am in a mediation clinic and part of our class is mock mediations. Every week we rotate. I've been mediator once. I've been crazy lady all the other times.

Last Friday, I defended a restraining order filed by my neighbor against me. I accused my classmate of stealing my boyfriend. I told her I was going to "kick her ass" and that my daughters would kick her ass too. Yves and I started yelling at each other. Our mediator, poor Azan, asked us to respect each other and respect him.

My professor provided me with some pictures of smashed pottery and graffiti that my character was convinced that Yves's character did. Yves asked, "How do you even know it's me?"
"It's your handwriting," I responded.
"How do you know what my handwriting looks like?" she countered.
"It's on the complaint!!" I threw at the sheets of paper at her. Since my professor created the graffiti and the complaint, the handwriting matched. Our mediation coach suggested to Azan that he should separate us since we were getting out of hand. Azan said, "I think it's good to get the feelings out. Besides, I think my colleagues are having a bit of fun."

This is why I don't mind going to a 9 AM class on Friday mornings.

tip(s) of the day

The other day, I browsed the aisle of prepared food at the Koreatown Galleria with a packet of bibimbap in hand. This little Asian lady scurried out and started tagging all the food with bright orange 50% off stickers. I followed her, curious to see what foods were on sale. She turned to me, looked at the packet in my hand and tagged that too! Turns out all pre-made food is 50% off after 7 PM at the Galleria.

Also, never eat crackers when you are unsure how old they are. They also spoil. I still can't get that acidic taste out of my mouth. Ick!

yikes

Hon is deploying in June. He's going to Afghanistan. I know he's not my concern anymore, but it still scares me a little. I asked him if he's scared, and he said that he's made his peace with it. It's been so long, but I still care and I worry about all the things that could possibly happen to him, over there and when he gets back. I guess you can't really choose what to feel, but given the choice, I'd rather worry about him than pretend he never existed.

KofFAIL.

I have a favorite spot in KTown. It's called Koffea. Someone is definitely dropping the ball since I haven't been banned yet. I come almost everyday. I bring my own extension cord. I hardly ever order anything. I never park in their lot and a couple of weeks ago, I yanked their lock from the bathroom door, on accident, of course. I can't seem to manage my Herculean strength.

I turned the handle. The door wouldn't open. I turned to ask my friend if that meant the door was unlocked. He said, "You have to pull really hard." I did. There was a scream. Someone was inside. Of course. How else would the door be locked if there wasn't someone inside. I quickly slammed the door shut and retreated to my corner. My friends laughed.

The aftermath: