A Simple Life
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Paul Watson wrote: Meg, you should not need to work 45 weeks of the year so that you can spend 5 taking a train across Asia taking photos and writing down peoples stories. You should be able to take that train whenever you want and spend however long you need on it. Currently you have to sacrifice half the potential pleasure of the journey because in two weeks you have to be back at the desk. I suppose that's the challenge - becoming good enough at something that will allow you to do that sort of thing. Imagine the chaos if everyone was on holiday all the time. Who would be driving that train? Don't get me wrong - I'm suffering from exactly the same questions at the moment. I dislike sitting down at a desk all day (hence the lunchtime trips to gym to run), but life isn't fair. When I left school I wanted to go alone to the Kalahari and make wildlife documentary's, but there was noone to fund me. There's no point wasting my life crying about it. To be honest, I am happy to work hard now if it means that in 10 years time we can move to the Serengeti and start an ecotourism business - that sort of joy is worth working for and earning. Still - I shouldn't be ranting at you about this - I'm actually trying to convince myself! :( Our CEO gives me a lift in quite often, and he says the same thing to me almost every time - "anyone who wakes up in the morning should be happy, it's all about attitude." All I can say is TGIF - tomorrow I get to photograph the Chinese New Year in Soho, and hopefully on Sunday we will go to Rochester Castle for more of the same! :) Yeah yeah - that was exactly what you were condemning right?
A pack of geeks, pale and skinny, feeling a bit pumped and macho after a morning of strenuous mouse clicking and dragging, arriving en masse at the gym. They carefully reset the machines to the lowest settings, offer to spot for each other on the 5 lb dumbells, and rediscover the art of macrame while attempting to jump rope. -Roger Wright on my colleagues and I going to gym each day at lunch
Megan Forbes wrote: . Who would be driving that train? Someone who loves to drive trains... ;) Yeah, I know, that thought can only go so far before it runs up against neccesary but un-enjoyable jobs. We need robots to do those jobs :-D Megan Forbes wrote: To be honest, I am happy to work hard now if it means that in 10 years time we can move to the Serengeti and start an ecotourism business I understand, I really do, that is what I think. But, there are people who went out and started ecotourism businesses from scratch, without working 10 years before to earn the capital. That is amazing, how the hell do people do that? That is what I want to have the confidence to do :) Admit it, you would rather be right in the thick of starting your ecotourism business than at your London desk. You, like me, just need a shot in the arm of confidence. Megan Forbes wrote: "anyone who wakes up in the morning should be happy, it's all about attitude." Hey, this is me. I get out of bed and run onto my balcony naked, and happy, to see if there are any dawn shots I can get :-D And thanks for the ecoclub link. I never thought of myself as that type of person, but now I have second thoughts :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
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Paul Watson wrote: My simple life dream does not include being a burden on anyone :( It's not fair destroying my dream of a life free from obligations without being supported by others ;) ... but you got the point: all people having had an easy childhood should be more than thankful to their parents who provided them with all they needed (and even had the chance to coddle their children - many parents all over the world do not). Paul Watson wrote: Just like there are visual and audible people, there are summer and winter people. I am a summer person for sure And there are some who are both summer and winter people - which I belong to. When it's winter I like skiing, and in summer there's nothing better than relaxing on the beach:cool:
Schlaubi wrote: And there are some who are both summer and winter people - which I belong to. When it's winter I like skiing, and in summer there's nothing better than relaxing on the beach I can enjoy winter, but I love summer more. Everyone has their preffered choice. If it could only ever be one season, which would you choose? Spring would be mine, autumn is lovely but not forever :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
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Megan Forbes wrote: . Who would be driving that train? Someone who loves to drive trains... ;) Yeah, I know, that thought can only go so far before it runs up against neccesary but un-enjoyable jobs. We need robots to do those jobs :-D Megan Forbes wrote: To be honest, I am happy to work hard now if it means that in 10 years time we can move to the Serengeti and start an ecotourism business I understand, I really do, that is what I think. But, there are people who went out and started ecotourism businesses from scratch, without working 10 years before to earn the capital. That is amazing, how the hell do people do that? That is what I want to have the confidence to do :) Admit it, you would rather be right in the thick of starting your ecotourism business than at your London desk. You, like me, just need a shot in the arm of confidence. Megan Forbes wrote: "anyone who wakes up in the morning should be happy, it's all about attitude." Hey, this is me. I get out of bed and run onto my balcony naked, and happy, to see if there are any dawn shots I can get :-D And thanks for the ecoclub link. I never thought of myself as that type of person, but now I have second thoughts :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
Paul Watson wrote: Admit it, you would rather be right in the thick of starting your ecotourism business than at your London desk. You, like me, just need a shot in the arm of confidence. True! My Dad's business was ecotourism (hiking, river rafting, horse trails, etc) on our farm when I was a teenager. Before that he was a stock broker to make the cash to follow his dream. It's a wonderful life - I'd recommend it :cool: Paul Watson wrote: to see if there are any dawn shots I can get You should have seen the neighbours during the snowstorm last night staring at this crazy SA - I was out there in my PJ's, trying to get macro's of the snowflakes on the leaves in no-light conditions :laugh: Paul Watson wrote: And thanks for the ecoclub link. I never thought of myself as that type of person, but now I have second thoughts :) So cool hey?
A pack of geeks, pale and skinny, feeling a bit pumped and macho after a morning of strenuous mouse clicking and dragging, arriving en masse at the gym. They carefully reset the machines to the lowest settings, offer to spot for each other on the 5 lb dumbells, and rediscover the art of macrame while attempting to jump rope. -Roger Wright on my colleagues and I going to gym each day at lunch
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Paul Watson wrote: That is the thing. I know what I really want now. But I keep making excuses that it is not possible to pursue it. My confidence is brain washed by the mass consumerism and so called realities of making a living. Ugh. If you know what you want to do then do it ..... Ali thinks and smiles .... actually I know its not that easy, I've wanted to be an artist all my life (one of my picy's is on my bio) but I don't give up work to do it. I tell myself I'm not good enough, but I see other people who are not that talented do it - so why don't I? I'm really not sure - just too scared perhaps. Paul Watson wrote: make a few million Perhaps that's where we are different 'make a few million has never been my ajenda, I could go and work in another part of the country and earn far more money than I do here. People have been telling me that for years and its true. But I choose to stay here, in a sleepy backwater - perhaps its my solution, my compromise. Hhmmmm, I still think I'm hung up on stress and you say that is not your problem, so what is your problem? I don't really get it .... Paul Watson wrote: I think I need a year more of this *waves arms around the office* to start believing that *waves arms towards simple life.* Don't let a year turn into a lifetime without noticing.:rose: Ali
Alison Pentland wrote: so what is your problem? I don't really get it .... Confidence. Confidence to take that leap Colin mentioned. Like you said you don't have the confidence to make a living from your art, yet from that one small pic I think you definitley could (nobody has ever made yellow flowers look good against a purple background, yet you have IMO.) I don't have the confidence to go out tomorrow and become a pro-photographer or dedicated writer. Alison Pentland wrote: Don't let a year turn into a lifetime without noticing Indeed, very true. Happens to many I think. I have made a compromise though. By the end of the year I will have saved enough money to survive without a job for 12 months. At that point I will take a sabatical from BG and leap into what I decide on.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
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Schlaubi wrote: And there are some who are both summer and winter people - which I belong to. When it's winter I like skiing, and in summer there's nothing better than relaxing on the beach I can enjoy winter, but I love summer more. Everyone has their preffered choice. If it could only ever be one season, which would you choose? Spring would be mine, autumn is lovely but not forever :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
Paul Watson wrote: If it could only ever be one season, which would you choose? Spring would be mine, autumn is lovely but not forever Seems like the answer depends on where one's living.;) For sure I'd never choose autumn - here in Germany autumn most time means rain, often it's cold and uncomfortable. I think I'd choose the early summer - when the air's still pure, the nature's now green again and the sun's shining during the whole day. And sun delights my heart and thus makes my day more pleasant than anything else :-D (ok, perhaps there're some other *things* - but I'm not gonna talk about that now;) )
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Alison Pentland wrote: so what is your problem? I don't really get it .... Confidence. Confidence to take that leap Colin mentioned. Like you said you don't have the confidence to make a living from your art, yet from that one small pic I think you definitley could (nobody has ever made yellow flowers look good against a purple background, yet you have IMO.) I don't have the confidence to go out tomorrow and become a pro-photographer or dedicated writer. Alison Pentland wrote: Don't let a year turn into a lifetime without noticing Indeed, very true. Happens to many I think. I have made a compromise though. By the end of the year I will have saved enough money to survive without a job for 12 months. At that point I will take a sabatical from BG and leap into what I decide on.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
Paul Watson wrote: Like you said you don't have the confidence to make a living from your art, yet from that one small pic I think you definitley could :-O Thanks, and thanks for looking - maybe one day I'll do it! Paul Watson wrote: nobody has ever made yellow flowers look good against a purple background :laugh: Hhmm, I like to be unconventional! Paul Watson wrote: I have made a compromise though. By the end of the year I will have saved enough money to survive without a job for 12 months. At that point I will take a sabatical from BG and leap into what I decide on. I think that's a great idea, and I wish you all the best with it. Damn you've got me thinking now, about my own life ...... Good Luck with whatever you do :) Ali
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My life's never been simple - I wish it was! Ain't that the truth, Anna! :-D But you are also blessed--you are probably one of the few people that actually know who they are, or at least have the opportunity to figure it out and do something about it. Even if the journey is far from over, it's a blessing to be able to take the first step. philosophically yours, :-D Marc Help! I'm an AI running around in someone's f*cked up universe simulator.
Sensitivity and ethnic diversity means celebrating difference, not hiding from it. - Christian Graus
Every line of code is a liability - Taka MuraokaThanks hun. :rose: Its certainly an interesting journey - and the further I go the more of us I meet. There's a lot more of us around than anyone realises. Anna :rose: www.annasplace.me.uk
"Be yourself - not what others think you should be"
- Marcia GraeschTrouble with resource IDs? Try the Resource ID Organiser Add-In for Visual C++
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Is the simple life a romantic dalliance these days? Am I a unhinged - from reality- nut when I wish for the opportunity to chuck in the corporate towel, find a beach side cottage and spend the remainder of my days living a simple, honest life? The more money I make, the less satisfying I find it. Even my short term sacrifice for long term peace idea seems not worth it at times. Anyone here live a simple life, just popping into CP every now and then, when the wind blows and you can't rather go down to paddle in the ocean?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
I'm not feeling alright today I'm not feeling that great I'm not catching on fire today Love has started to fade I'm not going to smile today I'm not going to laugh You're outliving it up today I got dues to pay And the gravedigger puts puts on the forceps The stonemason does all the work The barber can give you a haircut The carpenter can take you out to lunch I just want to play on my pam pipes I just want to drink me some wine As soon as you're born you start dying So you might as well have a good time Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell I don’t want go to sunset strip I don’t wanta feel the emptiness Bold maces with stupid band names I don’t want go to sunset strip I don’t wanta go sunset strip I don’t wanta feel the emptiness Bold maces with stupid band names I don’t wanta go sunset strip And the gravedigger puts puts on the forceps The stonemason does all the work The barber can give you a haircut The carpenter can take you out to lunch I just want to play on my pam pipes I just want to drink me some wine As soon as you're born you start dying So you might as well have a good time Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell. There's a story in there somewhere...
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
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I understand what you are talking about. There was a period of my life where I went through a similar process. Still, I look at people in the corporate world running around thinking that they actually matter and are irreplaceable and I laugh. Life is too short to waste, and we don't really get a second try at it. I believe a lot of people would like to "chuck in the corporate towel" but they don't for a variety of reasons. Regardz Colin J Davies
Sonork ID 100.9197:Colin
You are the intrepid one, always willing to leap into the fray! A serious character flaw, I might add, but entertaining. Said by Roger Wright about me.
Colin Davies wrote: I believe a lot of people would like to "chuck in the corporate towel" I've had 2 friends that chucked........ one sold everything he had, took his kids out of school, move to St Thomas, bought a 41 foot Morgan. Lived on it for six months. Met people on the island, rented a hilltop (over the bay) cottage at a good price and stayed there for a total of 3 years. Got islland fever, ran out of money and came back to the US. Another gave up an Asst. VP position to build bird houses (generally did wood crafts) to sell in a local resort. That lasted a year, then he looked for gold in Nevada/Arizona for a year or so. Eventually wound up back in town in a somewhat menial clerical position. Neither would trade their experience. Mike
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I'm not feeling alright today I'm not feeling that great I'm not catching on fire today Love has started to fade I'm not going to smile today I'm not going to laugh You're outliving it up today I got dues to pay And the gravedigger puts puts on the forceps The stonemason does all the work The barber can give you a haircut The carpenter can take you out to lunch I just want to play on my pam pipes I just want to drink me some wine As soon as you're born you start dying So you might as well have a good time Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell I don’t want go to sunset strip I don’t wanta feel the emptiness Bold maces with stupid band names I don’t want go to sunset strip I don’t wanta go sunset strip I don’t wanta feel the emptiness Bold maces with stupid band names I don’t wanta go sunset strip And the gravedigger puts puts on the forceps The stonemason does all the work The barber can give you a haircut The carpenter can take you out to lunch I just want to play on my pam pipes I just want to drink me some wine As soon as you're born you start dying So you might as well have a good time Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell Sheep go to heaven Goats go to hell. There's a story in there somewhere...
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
David Wulff wrote: There's a story in there somewhere... I hope so, Google can't translate it however. ;) But seriously. You thought of these lyrics and posted them for a reason. I cannot fathom it, so where are you coming from and what does it mean to you?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
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David Wulff wrote: There's a story in there somewhere... I hope so, Google can't translate it however. ;) But seriously. You thought of these lyrics and posted them for a reason. I cannot fathom it, so where are you coming from and what does it mean to you?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
To be perfectly honest with you I was going to post them anyway, I was just looking for a place to do so. :laugh: I choose here because to me, ignoring the sub meaning, that song suggests that you should enjoy life, so if a simple life is what you seek and you can make it work, go for it. Me, I'd like a large grassy field and a herd all of my own, but that's for another day... :suss:
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
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To be perfectly honest with you I was going to post them anyway, I was just looking for a place to do so. :laugh: I choose here because to me, ignoring the sub meaning, that song suggests that you should enjoy life, so if a simple life is what you seek and you can make it work, go for it. Me, I'd like a large grassy field and a herd all of my own, but that's for another day... :suss:
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
David Wulff wrote: and you can make it work Thats the bit I need to convince myself of :-D David Wulff wrote: Me, I'd like a large grassy field and a herd all of my own That is better than the chap who wanted his own uninhabited island, a camera and a sheep. :~ ;)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
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To be perfectly honest with you I was going to post them anyway, I was just looking for a place to do so. :laugh: I choose here because to me, ignoring the sub meaning, that song suggests that you should enjoy life, so if a simple life is what you seek and you can make it work, go for it. Me, I'd like a large grassy field and a herd all of my own, but that's for another day... :suss:
David Wulff http://www.davidwulff.co.uk
David Wulff wrote: I choose here because to me, ignoring the sub meaning, that song suggests that you should enjoy life And, i think, not be a goat. But then, i may be ignoring too many sub-meanings here... :)
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Shog9 I see the way the salesmen stare into the sun I stood and watched them as they fell off one by one...
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Brad Jennings wrote: as poetry or not but that's the first thing I thought of when I started reading your post. Good job, whether that was the intention or not. :-O thanks. It was not my intention though. In fact I am not even a fan of poetry, prefering long verbose sentences and paragraphs, with whole words, not force fitted ones :) I guess I see code all day long, code with no aesthetics to it, just pure, rational, technical code. So when I get the chance to type non-code I try and be a bit more, for lack of a better word, poetic. So do you live a simple life? Ever wanted to? Is it possible?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
I guess my life's pretty simple, I grew up in the countryside, away from all the traffic and noise of the city. And, until last year, I had only held simple jobs, like supermarket stock boy or cook in a restaurant. I kind of like the analogy from the movie office space, "What would you do if you had a million dollars?" or more generally "What would you do if money wasn't an issue?" My response would be exactly the same as the guy on office space, nothing at all, although the guy's neighbor's response sounds pretty good (two chicks at once). Brad Jennings "if the golden arches shut shop, where else are the VB people going to get work." - Colin Davies
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Is the simple life a romantic dalliance these days? Am I a unhinged - from reality- nut when I wish for the opportunity to chuck in the corporate towel, find a beach side cottage and spend the remainder of my days living a simple, honest life? The more money I make, the less satisfying I find it. Even my short term sacrifice for long term peace idea seems not worth it at times. Anyone here live a simple life, just popping into CP every now and then, when the wind blows and you can't rather go down to paddle in the ocean?
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
"It's not having what you want It's wanting what you've got" Sheryl Crow, Soak Up the Sun. You'll never be happy until you follow your heart and dreams. It's your life. Live it how you want to. Don't worry about those who call you crazy. They're too busy living someone else's life. I know that it's easier to say than to do, but it's what I believe. I met a man one time who had given up a top corporate job to become a river guide. He went from making who knows how much to living out of his van. You could tell he was happy with his decision from the way he acted and talked. I wonder how many people have the guts to do something like that? I'd wager that there aren't many. Greg
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David Wulff wrote: I choose here because to me, ignoring the sub meaning, that song suggests that you should enjoy life And, i think, not be a goat. But then, i may be ignoring too many sub-meanings here... :)
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Shog9 I see the way the salesmen stare into the sun I stood and watched them as they fell off one by one...
Shog9 wrote: And, i think, not be a goat Bit of a dilema though. Who wants to be a sheep in life, even if it means going to heaven at the end? And who wants to be a goat if it means you go to hell at the end.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
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Shog9 wrote: And, i think, not be a goat Bit of a dilema though. Who wants to be a sheep in life, even if it means going to heaven at the end? And who wants to be a goat if it means you go to hell at the end.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
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"It's not having what you want It's wanting what you've got" Sheryl Crow, Soak Up the Sun. You'll never be happy until you follow your heart and dreams. It's your life. Live it how you want to. Don't worry about those who call you crazy. They're too busy living someone else's life. I know that it's easier to say than to do, but it's what I believe. I met a man one time who had given up a top corporate job to become a river guide. He went from making who knows how much to living out of his van. You could tell he was happy with his decision from the way he acted and talked. I wonder how many people have the guts to do something like that? I'd wager that there aren't many. Greg
Greg Carter wrote: I'd wager that there aren't many. Indeed, as you said: Easier dreamt than done.
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!
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Paul Watson wrote: Like you said you don't have the confidence to make a living from your art, yet from that one small pic I think you definitley could :-O Thanks, and thanks for looking - maybe one day I'll do it! Paul Watson wrote: nobody has ever made yellow flowers look good against a purple background :laugh: Hhmm, I like to be unconventional! Paul Watson wrote: I have made a compromise though. By the end of the year I will have saved enough money to survive without a job for 12 months. At that point I will take a sabatical from BG and leap into what I decide on. I think that's a great idea, and I wish you all the best with it. Damn you've got me thinking now, about my own life ...... Good Luck with whatever you do :) Ali
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If given the choice, i'd go for carpenter.
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Shog9 I see the way the salesmen stare into the sun I stood and watched them as they fell off one by one...
Shog9 wrote: If given the choice, i'd go for carpenter. A craftsman at heart then. I think though for this the choice is never given to you. It is always there, just have to take it. If you ever do choose, tell me how :)
Paul Watson
Bluegrass
Cape Town, South AfricaRoger Wright wrote: Using a feather is kinky; using the whole chicken is perverted!