I have a job. With that I am lucky. My milk cost too much, the eggs I eat come from ducks and turkeys, and I drive too far to purchase bread with a hard crust, sometimes 80 miles. 10 years ago I traveled to Alaska to work for a Japanese company canning fish. It was work and the compensation for my services seemed fair for my expertise, training, and skin color. I hated every minute on the little spit of land where the cannery was. Even now, when I think of the working conditions and the rampant inequality of tasks and pay I become immobilized by my inability to make a difference, a change. Once the season was over I left Alaska and went to a university where the tuition was low enough, something I could afford. Through out my education whenever the tuition increased I simply borrowed more.

***

They had one dog, three cats, and some chickens outside. She worked for a foster company in Hutchinson, Kansas and he worked for Deere John tractors. I met them from a couch sharing web site while I was traveling across the country. They invited me to join them for a coworkers birthday party. I accepted the invitation and went with them. At the party I felt out of place, I was out of place. I brought with me an open 12 pack of Michelob Ultra Light, there were 10 or 11 beers. Under the portable awnings hung ziploc baggies filled with water and a single copper penny, a trick used to deter flies. Small children wore tank tops which left their arms for the misquotes evidenced by the numerous scars. One table was used to hold the food; potato salad, hot dogs, hamburgers, condiments, and styrofoam plates.

***

There is a grove of trees 8 miles east of Eureka, Nevada employees from the Barrick gold mine park their cars there before they head north into the mountains. At any time during the day there is someone waiting under the shade of a scrubby tree. Most of the cars are left unlocked. There is a pump there and the water is cold. The town of Eureka is small. It sits perched high on one of the many ranges that stretch the length of the state. Mineral monies come back to the county and this town the county seat has many luxuries that cattle farmers and shepherds would only dream of. One of these luxuries is a swimming pool.

***

The cottage sits unused. Trees have taken root under the deck and are pushing their way up from beneath. The shed out back has been left open and is full of garbage. There are a pair of pants on the path, they sit as if the previous occupants had been raptured. “It makes me sad; seeing a place like this go under so quickly.” says my host. He owns a camp a few miles down the road. We walk to the road and leave the cottage’s property heading back to his place.

***

“To make order out of chaos.” What a stupid idea.

***

Before the lake freezes over it frees itself from the bounds of summer. six, seven, twelve, twenty-four inches of snow pile up in a pattern mirrored by the lake. At times the snow falls peacefully from light colored clouds, other times it pushes in on the windows and doors. It does not feel safe to venture out. I like that time best of all. The snow quiets the din of the thruway, the wind decides where I will walk. As fresh snow crunches underfoot, I walk down the old rail line towards the closed factory. Trains used to move down here twice daily. Jelly. They used to produce jelly here but for some reason they no longer do. Now acres of Niagara and Concord vineyards sit untended, to grow feral. The rails terminate in an empty parking lot. Now I have to turn back and walk into the wind.

Challenge:

1. Pay attention to the workers who make the things you use.
2. Keep a journal of small items and events.
3. Make yourself a uniform to work in.
4. Wear that uniform for a week straight.
5. Photograph yourself at the beginning of each day and at the end.
6. Make and keep a time card for yourself.
7. Work.