On a Very Serious Note, For a Change.
Hello.
My name is Damien, as some of you already know. I'm the one behind everything you see on my blog. To anyone new to my blog, it might sound strange that I even say that. I'm sure many of my followers are still left scratching their heads after reading something of mine. To be completely honest, that is the effect I'm going for. I see many are catching on and starting to appreciate this thing that is @nonameslefttouse. I shall remain fearless in my endeavors.
For a change, this isn't about me. This isn't about the art. This isn't another fucked up random blog entry that makes absolutely zero sense.
I took a break from it all, for a change, and wrote this:
This is very important to me. It is a metaphor disguised as a story about my life disguised as an open letter to anyone who is starving on this planet. I highlight our waste in great detail. I feel they deserve to know.
I'd like you to take a moment to read it, in case you missed it. The one person who inspired me to use my words in this way approved of the message, though he did say it was painful to read at times. He did end up hitting the promote button, so I matched it. I've never used that feature, I realize now it extends the period of time in which an article can receive rewards.
I'm not asking you to read this article so I can be rewarded. I'm asking you to read it because I feel it is very important. For years, I lived my life thinking everyone knew this information and I don't doubt many do. The problem is, many more who live very far away from us here in North America do not know this. I truly feel things could change if more people would give this message a chance. I realize I am only one person and far from anything even closely related to perfection... this doesn't matter to me.
Please read it. Please meet the person who inspired me to do this.
I'm not sure what the right thing to do is anymore, but I've made this a 100% SP post. (I've been here over a month and I'm comfortable saying I'm still learning a few things.)
Thank you for your time.
You most definitely have my vote (and follow.) I am from South Africa, fairly privileged, and make a living from secondhand items. I have noticed over the last couple of years that in our supermarkets we now always have reduced sections. Perishables nearing their expiry date, or those dented decal-less consumer products. I am not wealthy so I always check these sections. The waste in the world makes me quite ill.
I thank you. The store I worked in also had a discounted items rack. Very small, rarely utilized properly. The items would sit there and not move. Majority of the customers see it as an eyesore. I would even be so bold as saying many people here would feel like lesser human beings if other members of the general public observed them buying items from this area.
"Time is money." When the store would invest time processing the discounted items to the rack, only to find out they need to spend more time going back to the rack to remove the items and discard them to the trash, they stopped using it. I would call this "double handling". If it's just going to end up in the trash, it might as well just go there to begin with.
Not all unwanted items go to the trash, only the vast majority. I can remember microwave ovens being one item that was always returned. Certain electronics as well. Things people don't really need.
Apparently here you are also looked down on if you frequent these areas. Fortunately I don't care, and many others also don't, so it is well worth it for supermarkets here to do this. Seems to me another big problem is actually caring what others think of you, as opposed to what you think of yourself. I am proud of myself every time I save money. I feel like a hunter/gatherer for my family!
People need to change. I used the term "superficial nonsense" many times. That's all this is.
There was a period of my life during my 20's when times were tough. A tub of peanut butter and a spoon would be my meal. It would last nearly a week. I would pretend it was ice cream. I was too ashamed to go to the food bank where they give hand outs. Those were the days were I truly learned how to live.
People here say "I'm starving, when will supper be ready?" They use the term loosely to describe a slight rumbling in their stomach. I've known what it feels like to be completely exhausted due to lack of sustenance. There were times when I was hungry, and was directed to throw food in the garbage at work. A few times I did take a bite. They can't fire me now.
It is stunningly beyond comprehension.