Take What You Can Get

Today on the train...I know it has been a while since I've updated. Believe me, the situations have not slowed down on the train, but my ability to get to a keyboard and write it all down sure has. 


Recently on my way to work, I listened in to a group of men talking. I couldn't tell if they knew each other beforehand, but strangers become friends pretty quickly on the train if enough time is provided, and you don't have your head in a book like I normally do. I digress. 


Anyway, one of the men makes a comment that he's not actually on his way to work, he's on his way home from work. Mind you it is 7:30 in the morning. He said that he starts work at 3:00 am, that the hours suck, but these days you have to take what you can get. It is amazing the length people will go to get bills paid and food on the table when times are tough. 


A group of coworkers were talking about their favorite taco stands in Los Angeles. They said that most of them don't open until 8:00 pm and then stay open as long as they have food available. I piped up and asked if these people had daytime jobs and then went out afterwards to see tacos. My coworkers said that is exactly what they do. Can you imagine? Working all day, taking care of your family, preparing your taco selling 2nd job then being out all hours of the night and then coming home to maybe sleep a couple of hours, just to do it all again?


There are too many people that are living lives like this or ones like it. Not making ends meet with even a full time job. These aren't people living outside of their means. These are people that cut costs anywhere they can and still can't make enough. This is not the American dream. 


The entrepreneurship, the dedication, the perseverance, and the determination those are characteristics of the American dream, but those characteristics don't guarantee the happy ending.