Another Day Ends

Just finished the best dinner ever.  The neighbor came over tonight, as he usually does, once or twice a week.  Mostly to entertain and make fun of America, especially Obama. I usually don't care for his company because he smokes a lot and drinks far too much rakija (home brandy); but he always provides a little bit of wisdom for me each visit; and tonight was no different. 

Dinner started as usual, cabbage salad, pepper & tomato salad, and a special salad, made from, what I think to be (cottage cheese, hot pepper, and eggs) some fresh bread, and a shot of home brandy.  The main course was a surprise, and I have yet to be disappointed when Toto, the neighbor, decides to cook.  I can not remember what he called this piece of meat, but it was the back of a pig, similar to the Fillet Mignon. Very tender, lean, and extremely tasty. 

The conversation started with an interesting topic. Toto asked me if it was normal these days, for Americans to quit their jobs in an office and lesser paying job. He said he heard this reported on the news, that Americans were quitting their desk jobs, and taking lower paying jobs at smaller businesses. I was a little confused and didn't know what he was asking. But replied, no I don't believe that to be the case. I understand that some people quit for other life changing reasons, but I have no reason to believe, that people are quitting their desk jobs.

This lead to a very interesting subject of Macedonian politics and The Rise and Fall of Communism. He and my fiance's parents, are highly in favor of Communism, for what opportunity it provided them, during it's time.  But what I found interesting was what Toto described as the form of Government that had evolved, immediately following the dissolution of Yugoslavia. He described it as somewhat of a "Hybrid of Socialism".  He said it was something like a combination of Capitalism and Socialism.  It was during this time, someone could get a loan from the bank, and only have to pay $5 a month in interest.  Everyone was entitled to free health care and there were plenty of jobs.  But around 1995, there was an additional transition to capitalism, which, according to him, was when everything went wrong. 

Honestly, I can't back up any of this with any actual historical references, and haven't even tried to research the facts of "The Transition", a phrase I hear almost daily.  Then he preceded to tell me a joke about a Macedonian and American. 

A Macedonian man was fishing one day and this American tourist saw him. The American asked him how many fish he had caught. The Macedonian replied, with this one pole I usually catch 2 fish per day.  The American replied, why don't you use 2 poles; then you would be able to catch 4 fish per day. The Macedonian said, there was no need because he only needed 2 fish per day.  But the American continued, you could sell the other 2 fish at the market and make money.  Then you could use that money to start a business of selling fish, and after a few years, when your business is doing well, you can take a vacation, every year.  The Macedonian responded, why would I want to work an entire year for only 2 weeks of vacation, when I have a vacation everyday.

I like that joke.