The odds and ends that pop in now and then

goinabeggin

Bah! The trouble you have to go through to find a decent place to beg these days. There is a freaking monopoly controlled by the one huge player in the market, an unofficial association of beggars. No, make that a syndicate. We’re talking mafia stylie here.

They’ve got all the good spots, places like MC are priority locations, only a given few can be present there at any given time. One can only assume that the little chap on the wheelchair with the disfigured arm, no legs and the pocket that is always full of money has a controlling stake in the whole enterprise or something. Otherwise you tell me how the same guy can hog the same damn lucrative location day in and day out? Especially if he is pint sized and can be pushed over (or rolled onto the street in front of a speeding bus) easily by any bigger beggar out there? And did I mention his pocket is always full of cash? There’s even someone standing by to empty it out now and then

There are also the celebrities, the ones you see on TV. Remember that blind couple who were splashed all over the TV some years ago. The ones who used to sing really well? Guess what? They were REAL! Yes that’s right. I couldn’t believe it the first time I saw them either. Saw em at the train station and then around Bambalapitiya, was a mere kid back then so it was like meeting a celebrity or something, walked upto em and dropped 2 rupees in their begging bowl with awestruck eyes never leaving their blind faces. Now I’m grown up though, and I want to be just like them, I am much more mature and don’t get star struck so easily.

I’m listening to this System of a Down song called ‘power struggle’ right now and thinking and that is what it is. A power struggle. Some of these beggars probably make more money than you or me. But most of them are probably really living in the gutter. It’s the 80-20 principle there as well. Everything is controlled, even beggars don’t get to beg when and where they want to. There is a market. And some markets are more lucrative than others; places like MC, Odel & House of Fashions are probably the bomb. And if they are the bomb, everyone who is a beggar worth his begging bones should come there right? Unless of course there is some sort of market force in action. Could be supply and demand, but it's more likely an organized force of thuggery and control.

Maybe they are even linked to the Mob. And I don’t mean The MoB.

Anyways, taking into consideration the unhealthy financial environment, I was just looking at my options. Oh well, I’ll just move on to the next one (investment banking). Begging isn’t as great as I thought it was. Crime essentially doesn’t pay either. If you doubt me read chapters 3&4 (if im not mistaken) of Freakonomics (500 bucks at VYB basement), begging is probably the same story. However if you are an aspiring burglar here are some tips to improve productivity.

Peace out.