I do not intend to conform

[justwalt]

So I'm up on a roof sweeping some snow off to continue shingling my friend's 1866
one-room schoolhouse... and across the rural highway is the Game Warden's office... also his residence. And he comes outside to start one of his vehicles and to brush off the windshield... it is a beautiful day, 'bout 40 degrees and only a few clouds. No wind.

So he looks over at me with a look, like... what the hell am I doing up there. But I pay
him no mind, except to wonder if he's going off on business or just down to the store.

And it's Christmas Day, but I don't have a need to do anything Christmas like. I have a
deadline to meet, on this volunteer job... shingling Joe's house and his historic school.
That's right, volunteer job. Meaning I'm not being paid to do it... thirty squares in all,
and a couple of pieces of replaced plywood.

Not only am I not making a wage, but I paid over $2,500 for some of the materials too.
I won't mention having to pay a man for four or five days of help as well... or... the $100 in gas money to another friend for procuring a trailer and driving 210 miles, (round trip), to get 8,500 pounds of shingles at a good price. Saved almost a thousand there at least.

See, Joe got a letter in the mail a couple of weeks ago from his insurance company...P
It said, your policy, (of fifteen years with no claims), will be canceled by January first
2013, if you do not replace the two roofs, and repair a crumbling concrete porch step.
That's all, fix it or else... with three week left of 2012... Cute. A nice short letter, to the point, and now a new tactic which is being pulled on policy holders across America.

They only want to drop his policy now, and pick him back up after the work is done...
at a higher yearly rate. I know how they work, and I hate it. I hate "them". Well, we
will meet the deadline Sunday, the 30th... e-mailed pictures and all.

No need to detail, but Joe was caught at the wrong time, money-wise. And the loss of
the insurance would most likely trigger the mortgage company to begin the foreclosure
process for lapsing insurance... it's within their contract rights to do so.

Well, fuck that shit. I'm glad to be able to help... sometimes I just can't. And it's great,
to do a job without the effort being balanced against a wage. The deadline is no more
than a unique challenge. But what is best, is seeing the weight lifted from Joe's mind.
Blowing his mind is cool too... as well as others who may know what's happening.

This is one way I'm helping this world change a bit. Or helping to show how to change.
I'm sure thousands more are doing the same... helping each other out in these times
of need. The system is strong on taking your money. Luckily, my back is still strong...
Strong enough to hump a bundle of shingles up to the roof. I love high places anyway.

So look out for those letters guys and gals. Even the insurance companies are going
broke. Looking to save a claim from cutting into their profit, or to squeeze a few more
dollars out of your new updated... or uprated policy.

And they're so inhuman about it too. So obvious as how they want to screw you.
But it's hard to screw a volunteer... I do not intend to conform. I am an anomaly, still.

[creativesoul]

fucking awesome

[justwalt]

Thanks... and Joe's insurance was reinstated December 31st.

A small victory, but we'll take it

[the mingo]

[mnaz]

inspiring.

big insurance, big banking and the war industry (along with its cousin, big oil) are some of the biggest scams in history.

[justwalt]

Big karma too... I just got a call from a great friend, (a Manhattan construction company owner)... with a job offer rebuilding a high-end beach house on the Jersey shore... starting in ten days.

That's the universe mnaz, giving back, keeping the circle.