Today is my second day in Bakersfield. Yesterday, the Greyhoud took forever, and then the bus unceremoniously left without me, closing it's doors on the tail end of a line that was simply too long. This wasted another couple hours without a doubt. However, I reached BFD without too much trouble.

My brother picked me up and we immediately went shopping for vegan groceries. Afterwards, we came to our apartment, one that it is already full with three Taylor brothers, now also with two other kids from elsewhere. We got six kids rockin' a 2bed/2bath. Rad; being with my brothers and packin' it all up with them in one room reminds me of growing up, 'cept without adults or poverty. My brothers are makin' bank, and they keep reminding me that I will, too. The Dish Network shall provide.

I meet a bunch of co-workers after I eat. This ain't a job; this is a substitute for culture. Everywhere I see, Sales Reps are putting up posters regarding positive thinking and goal orientation. Favorite book lists are posted on the apartment door that serves as coordinating office. (Covey's crap is there near the tp[, along with that of a couple other famous winners.) The attitude of Sales is upbeat by tempo, and the installers are quota grabbers, too. There is a large push to succeed, to "get rich", not quikly, mind you, but through thrift and labor. It's hard for me to approach this straight-faced. Hard work, also known in the time of grandfathers as "honest work", as anyone experienced with such circumstance can tell you, does not pay very well. It certainly does not tend to make you rich. Wealth comes in where you get others involved in "honest work" for your own behalf and benefit. The hardest skill involved is convincing the worker, the employee, that the trade of hours for money is a fair and equitable one.

I do not fit in. Duh. Not that I expected to. I was told beforehand about how nearly everyone was recruited from Utah. I have already been invited to attending singles ward four times. I responded with "I hate religion," each time, without appearing too cheeky or rude.

Well, I gotta hit it again. I'll write again later when free time permits, as there is not much that is free. Busy bees gotta make honey.