Endless Poverty

 I strain my vision to the horizon, the faint cloud created by the endless churning and grinding of that money making atrocity is blending with the heat and flies hovering above this barren wasteland left behind. I'm ready to venture away from my latest camp and follow a safe distance behind for awhile. I load up my few possessions and set out. I think of the strange turn of events since that day I noticed the crazy excessive mass, the roaming powerhouse, feeding on everything in its path, truly craving more and more wealth as each day goes by. How long has this thing been growing?, I just noticed it and it's clever extensions a few days ago, sort of a born again consumer, unplugged from the current that is feeding our endless appetites.

  As the sun loses its wrath on the day, I get into a nice pace and can already make out more distinct shapes in the direction of the wealthy herd, I see a few mass shapes lunge up straight out of the hoard, clearly indicating their domination in one specialty or another, you crazy, crazy beasts, gotta get one last ego lunge in to wrap up the day eh. Then I saw something unique off to the side, it moved differently, peacefully, a deep contrast to the energy I have been trailing. Not taking anything lightly right now I get down flat on the earth and lay motionless...and watch. Couldn't make it out, was it some kind of local animal rarely seen since the aggressor arrived at this end of the buffet. No, as it got closer I could see it was 3 elderly women, straining heavily with a hearty burden of firewood on the backs of all three.

 I let down my guard and knew I could ease off a bit, no matter our differences, man has always been stronger in numbers, whether affected or not. Not to say there aren't perfectly good one's of us caught up in the herd, just it's too late for them. These 3 women on the other hand seemed completely as opposite to the machine as you could get. They seemed worthless....and that was absolutely refreshing, in some cultures I would have just passed insult on these fine women but since the great awareness has grown, It is with great respect. I suddenly comprehended my stroke of luck...three absolutely worthless women moving directly towards me in a parallel path to the great gouge left behind the chaotic focused mass. 

  How would I approach this, although I new instantly I could establish some kind of connection, after all, we are human. There would be a language barrier for sure, me, I was raised on a jargon of watered down slang that the weak generations before mine had so thoughtfully prepared for us. These strangers, now almost within earshot most assuredly still carried their ancestorial 'true tongue' language. This was not going to be easy! but I was fortunate enough to have been out of the crazy river of consumption for a few days now and was thinking much more clearly, this would take respect, patience and love, characteristics I  had  only  known since my release as well.

 Now I slowly changed direction and approached the three women, I heard some where if you hold your hand out and clasp the others it was a sign of acceptance and introduction, crazy shit I read in the old books, everyone knows now that to directly touch any unapproved person without a prior examination would be foolhardy...f 'it, I'm going for it, I'm going to extend my hand in a graceful manner and show a sign of introduction and acceptance, How can I not, I was taken aback by the thought, it's not everyday someone just comes along three perfectly worthless humans....I was going to make the most of it.

 Extending my hand felt awkward...shit, no time to get this wrong man....these perfectly worthless people just don't have the time for any nonsense, right or wrong, I extend it and sort of turn my hand over slowly and show the underside and 'Hey....I'm glad to run in to you out here!' at the same time my other arm and hand is trying it's damned hardest to somehow convey the words I just spoke by waving around and jerking towards the ground and us.' Is there water near by?' my other arm goes into the classic mechanical motion for heaving cold ones back, all males have been born with that motion for generations now and I immediately notice their disgust at this classic western gesture, quickly I revert to a classic hand cup gesture an old spiritual girl I knew who traveled allot showed me, I laughed when I first saw it and now I can here her very clearly....'trust me, you'll use it one day.' It worked they paused for a moment in their continuous laborous gate....a moment... a connection....that's all I need. R7

Graceless?

 As I regained my control and focus, I took in  this new bombardment, relentless it instantly tried to take hold, it had all the elements of awe. This golden machine of excess had pulled out all the stops, it had obviously been studying us and this is its timely solution. The golden boar lunged with all the passion and flare, she has an objective and nothing is keeping her from it, I was hit with a blow to the senses...I couldn't keep up, there was devastating information about the youngest of us, running on a hideous ticker-tape style flagship banner. What the h*ll are you chucking at me now machine, ha, I can handle this....then...the images.....the facts....the advice from other people who know what to do in a situation like this, dammit! I can't move. What about me!!! my family...are we safe...a...a...aahhhhhhhh....needless to say this is the point I break. I stare blanky at the horror and feel......entertained....ahhh...that's nice....wait, wait a minute....no...no...shake it off, look away, its not nice, we are not meant to glamorize the ills of this world, set a stage of fame for the sick minded, Glorification of the inhumane.

I rise up...concentrate, stare right at the golden boar, this oily ranting mechanism and do it. Click. All is silent...weird. This thing was ferocious, I prepare for an encore, these things are crafty, Sometimes they'll take you right to the limit, then give us a break....and help us out with very useful things for our day to day lives.

The silence helps me breathe and the breathing helps me think, first of all what the hell was that thing and how did I kill it so easily. I look at the black ringed contraption that acted as sort of a home for the thing. Cautiously I step around the contraption and instantly dive for cover...aha....dirty rotten, son of a....the things got a lifeline, its just pretending....HA! This thing was so hideous and within such close proximity to my camp that I could not afford to delay, before I could even take in my actions I had lunged for the lifeline and held it in a vicious choke hold right at the point it entered my camp. It was protected by a clever mechanical device, kind of a hexagon plated ring, I noticed if I line up a thumb and forefinger I could mimic a part of the 'machine' and the device just might accept me as one of their own. I was right it will work as long as I pinch my fingers together as tight as mechanically possible, I feel it, slightly, giving,  pain, ouch, must not relent, damn this flesh and bone at times, especially in the gladiator ring, with an extension of the machine. Finally after what seemed like, well you know, it moved, the device was spinning in a counterclockwise motion and seemed to be repelled by the devise it was once merged with.

 I yank the extension of the black ringed thing housing the beast, and hold it high in the air, quickly I look over at the base of the connection and just observe for a few moments to make sure the machine has definitely retreated and sees no more gain from this source.....yes, it has retreated. Drained from the close call, I lay back on my thatched willow branches from the night before, not a few moments pass and a repetitive digital noise gained my attention. I jumped up and began flailing around my makeshift camp looking for the source of the repetitive digital noise. There it is, a new small, very, very appealing piece of the machine...look at it, almost like the black ringed device that was housing the 'scary as shit' boar I just went to task with. I go for it, pumped, nothing will stop me today after that last scrap, I start pressing the glowing funky shaped buttons looking for some kind of reaction from the thing.

 Then I hear it, unmistakable, human, one of us...whew, that was tense....'Hello Sir?'....'uh, y, yes...hello,' I reply. 'Sir we have noticed you have decided not to view the most entertaining selection we have made for you this evening on the black plastic ringed device, might we inquire as to why?''Shit, why did I not see this coming! of course, the machine notices that I have lopped of an extension and seductively contacts me via...one of my own!!! uuummm, yeah, all good here, everything nominal, Thank you........' Sir, if I might have a moment, your not planning on discontinuing this entertaining service are you?'....uuuhhh, yeah why yes, done, do that, just what you said.......save me independently approaching the machine, totally hazardous for the unwary.' But, Sir, if I can offer you a discount for the next 6 years would you be interested?', 'No, forget the discount, forget the entertaining service...Leave me alone, I proclaim as I chuck the small sweet looking extension of the machine in the direction of the dusty, smelly massive herd off in the distance.

We notice each other at the exact moment, again just when I think I am free for a moment, nadda, What to do with you...you...black ringed device that housed the golden boar from the massive herd....then it was like one of those epic moments in time, the black ringed device said nothing...didn't have to...it was more of the way it faced me...us...this union of laughter, tears, joy, panic......frick......entertainment dammit and some sweet times. I don't hate the machine, I fear it, I need it and I use it, this black ringed thing isn't to blame for the carnage, it got swept up in the frenzy. So I make a decision, will it hurt me in the end, I don't know, am I just afraid to be alone on this endless pursuit of the massive golden herd, I don't know, we'll try it and see, I will use it to selectively be entertained during what will most likely be a long pursuit and I don't know, somehow getting rid of this black ringed device would be sacrilege, kind of like asking Gandalf to leave. R7

Swings are free!

I drift into a light slumber, my mind whirling from the days events, the ever moving colossal money machine in such close proximity, seems oblivious to the small exhausted willow that shelters me from the angry sun. If trees could scream, would they??? with the machine so close why did they leave this tree, just no value in it I guess....if they are going to charge dammit! there better be a return! As I watch the machine sweat and bitch under the pressing sun, I wonder if the value of some sweet shade is just too simple for the machine to comprehend. Small victory for the common man and I take full advantage and drift to sleep.

The dream approaches me slowly...beautifully, my son and I are walking through a tranquil park, weekday...about 11:00 am, most of the machine is busy, the park is lonely and welcomes us with a bright sunny smile. My 3 year old son motions towards a unique assembled piece of machinery, confused I look at him and can tell he would love to go closer. Wary as any father would be we approach with caution, my son getting more and more excited by the moment. This machine had the shape of a triangle on both ends with 2 black plastic molds hanging from industrial chains, connected to the top, Well the next thing you know as I try and take this whole thing in, my son hops up on one of the plastic molds hanging from industrial chains connected to the top.

Needless to say I am freaked, I have an obligation to uphold, ever since I was elected to track the 'machine' (not a position I took easily, the others felt that because I have the largest Tilley hat that I would remain the coolest, and I have to agree.) I have been on high alert, wary of any new branch of the machine that I might get caught up in financially. After a few moments of my son sitting on the plastic mold hanging by industrial chains connected to the top and me standing beside him bewildered....nothing happens...boy, have I been a fool...worrying for nothing...harmless....hehehe, do I feel foolish. " Sorry Son, I proclaim, Let your Dad get the good times started." I assure him.

  I reach into my pocket and grab some loose change, still chuckling at my obvious 'gap' in reality, there, this thing probably takes quarters by the looks of it, who knows they could have updated it to take the really big doubloons. Now where the heck is that money slot, most likely on the far side, I make sure my son has a good grip on the industrial chains hanging from the top as I trot to the far side, not there either, for the love of....why right now, kids don't have patience for this type of thing, just my luck I find the only broken down thing in the park. 'Sorry Buddy, maybe next time, it's broken, I can't get it going', I say as gingerly as possible. He was heartbroken, just sat there staring blankly into the beautiful park, father, son, broken down triangular thing with plastic molds hanging from industrial chains connected to the top.

Then it happened, I saw it, frustration, determination, the heart of the young is like a lion, my son would not be denied, he twisted, he grunted, kicked his legs up, back and forth, he looked at me with a connection that only a father and son have then screamed 'Push'....push???, like a crystal bullet through the center of my brain, 'That's my Boy!' I rejoice, clever lad, he will not be fooled by the machine. I quickly get behind him and push!...wow, off he went sailing through the air, up high, then back again....push! and he was off again. Before you knew it we were laughing and having the most wonderful time in the warm sun, he swung and swung, high, then low with little twists, all the fun we could want. I had to stop and reflect for a moment, you know children are very special, it doesn't matter if there are no sound effects or flashing lights, the hidden mechanics to swing the plastic molds hanging from industrial chains connected to the top can just have the day off, no need to complain,' Hey I want this thing up and running, Yesterday! fella, no, no, my friends, Today there is no need for that.....today the swings are free. 

Just as I was having the best time since I can remember, I feel something coming on, what is this that invades my perfect world. It comes in waves, I can't make it out, I struggle to stay clear in my world but it is relentless, my head clears, for a mere moment then I am bombarded with hideous images, relentless fear mongering, the lighting, the big red bar updating me with moment by moment propaganda of the most awful kind...and...and....gillette commercials for the perfect shave! What is this new nightmare, this attachment of what most certainly has to be the 'machine'...this....this, nightmare that has interrupted my dream. I clench my lids and peer into this new glowing beast, pull down my oversized tilley hat and prepare for the worst. Rebel 7

Compensating For Something?

We'll....this is just f*&%$n' crazy, right out of the chute let me tell you, this member of the herd is truly an original, laying claim ( probably short lived ) to the largest house in the world. Wait a minute did I use the word house???? The thing is a Skyscraper for a home......let it sink in, I know, really, I actually sharted over this one! Check this out.

 This new home is the antithesis of a sprawling California ranch-style house. A 27-floor skyscraper in Mumbai, formerly known as Bombay is worth $1 billion. Mukesh Ambani lives there with his wife, mother, three children and full-time staff of 600. The skyscraper has a helipad and six floors of parking as well as separate floors for a home theater, a guest apartment and the two-story health club.

Now remember this thing is standing in India, a country that has 1/3rd of the world's poor. 456 million Indians now live under the poverty line, read more. Well I guess one could say that a lot of people were employed to make this h..h...home, almost choked there, then you have the 600 employees that will be employed, awesome. What FTR is looking at is the absolute excess for 6 people. How can you be sleeping at night when there are so many children, cold, no parents, man its crazy. Hey the success, awesome, creatin' jobs, all that, I get it need protection, you, family, success, all that. It's just that the thing went off the 'bonkersville meter man. What a legacy, if that ain't a symbol of a personal heap, I don't know what is. The only thing scarier than that thing is the sound of the larger thing being built. Tired, dismayed, I must strive on, the gap is growing every hour, no minute, ever changing, truly fields of gold. 

  I peer through my single binocular lens ( not some crazy Road warrior wrapped in cool cloth, picked up by my monkey when I drop it.....man, that would be cool ) no this my friends is one of those plastic overpriced woolworths summer model, remember those, before you know it you've freaking walked right up on the scene your scouting and looking at it through some bad plexiglass lens, hey this doesn't do shit man. Hold it, must keep it together, seen them boars run a man clean through for 2 dimes and a nickel. Not me though, never hunt these wild boar carrying cash, cmon can't even handle it for days before the tracking....they simply go crazy for the stuff, enough, my mind wanders, I focus on the wild herd, half have bed down for the night the other half continues, grrr, they are good, never stop the machine completly, Ill have to accept that for now and get some rest, a quick Texas minute nap, then I will continue my odyssey. Rest well my common friends. Rebel 7.

Liberaci, Excess Loves Rhinestones

So this is bloggin, already not enough time in the day to do this crazy thing, how do I maintain, this is only number 2 and it feels like 2000, wait....I hear it, the slight, faint nibbling, it builds, building, turning into chattering, tugging, pulling, ripping....its the Rich! They are moving again, today at ravenous pace, the guys behind the buffet are slopping the liquid gold over in awkward oversized heaping ladels....move man, the rich have not fed for....moments.. at least. Then I shake it off, get into a sort of Paupers Zen, where, free of the need to feed, I must try and type a few words and describe what I see. 

  So we must choose one, lift one golden soaked pig out of the great pool of the attained.. Liberaci....it must be you, we are in awe man, firm capitalist, "One must be adequately compensated for expertly tickling the old ivories". This cat was a talented showman for sure, not knocking that. Turns out he was the highest paid entertainer in the world for 20 years, so what does he do...doesn't stop, goes right to his gut, hunger pains. Did he feed, let me tell you, I think he bought every trinket this side of the Mississippi, even bought one from my Aunt Yvonne, no really, made that last part up. When one must adorn himself like a clown with a stolen credit card, something has gone funny, why not get nice and comfy, then start serious humble helping out there, one of everything first for yourself sure, but doubling up and stacking the material glory upon himself, sad man. 

I think he is going to be a front runner for Excessive Assh*le Of All Time, for real. What the %#*^ happened to all the talented, driven people of this fat planet??? Liberaci is nominated for his absolute excessive living and dressing like some kind of Dr. Seuss's Emperor. It's not the amount spent that will achieve the allotted top spot on FTR's podium of excess, it's the flagrant adornment of self in a world with such need and if done in an extremely tacky way then its simply big time ego bonus points, Libby knocks it out of the park on that one. He did do his part during down turned times in the nation, rather than be seen rolling around in a rolls adorned in jewels, he opted to roll around in a volkswagen adorned in jewels. Absolutely bonkers, Libby.

 Now I contemplate #3, who will it be? maybe it is not even 1 man or woman, it might be a....'machine of industry', footwear? religion? technology? and it's not about who has been the most successful, I must research and post, who and what I find. I laughed at first about this undertaking, a blog about the way of the rich people, then... I began to crawl through the fence and look at the feeding up close, You've read that Hannibal novel, some are like those Peruvian Boars or whatever, scary as shit man, these rich, these compulsive ' golden bulb '  pursuers, they will root up everything in their path, golden tusks, dripping with silver, run for now my friends but not forever! Rebel 7..

Whyclef?...Why?

 Well it begins. Firstly I would like to Thank anyone taking the time to read a little ' Ftherich ' aka Feed the Rich. What we are about is this, Hey, really, really,really, Rich People, Enough Already, take a breath, count to 10...( hey count your hundreds )....WHATEVER! It has become very obvious that there is something seriously lacking in your inner workings. None of you all stop....yeah I'm talking to you, really, really rich person. I'm calling it the - Need to Feed, your appetites are truly amazing, just when one might think a rich person has gotta be stuffed, Man, turn your back and they are right back at the buffet, loading up on ego pleasing Hors D' oeuvres and full Limelight main courses, They just ain't stoppin'....and it's kind of freakin' me out, and so was born, FTHERICH, a little Blog dedicated to the absolute, self absorbed nature of todays people Blessed with serious material wealth.

 So where to start....hmmm, there are so many options, have to pick one, yeah its you Whyclef! Man, I love his talents for sure, The Fugees were great, he has done more to help the people of Haiti than myself and most common people. What I don't understand is why the need to feed kicks in so bad. A person with 'Entertaining Talents' rises to the top of his or her 'Entertaining Industry' they are blessed with mountains of material wealth and influential power. Can they not take that energy and turn it into pure humble good works....nope....in Whyclef's case it was an opportunity to build a stepping stone to what he truly desires, More power. 'The President' c'mon Whyclef, quit being absurd. Its bad enough when one must most certainly be at least a millionaire to enter any form of influential politics, but when I hear a dude who is making great songs, riding around with an Aquarium built into his vehicle??? .....is running for the 'President' of a very troubled and needy country.I gotta ask. Why not use your celebrity to simply help man? what a concept...but nope there is a need to feed that ego.

 As I see it, the rich are not letting up, it is beyond ridiculous levels, gotta grab a 'mic' and say something...anything. So I gotta ask the Inaugural Fat Cat on FTHERICH.........Whyclef?????.....Why?

 At FTR we are calling all common folk with class, Please lets do what we can in our own little common way, everyday to make a difference. All are equal. Peace. Rebel 7.