We have a tradition of watching one of the new movies someone got on DVD. It's so fun to allow ourselves to be inspired by fiction.

sounds like it was a great way to spend your 20th year. You thought of shrugging at that age? Or was it just an adventure?
For us, it has been a decision long in coming. and we did not want to do it-I guess in that way which would mean not keeping a home base in the country of our citizenship. In our line of work, it just so happens we saw the economic writing on the wall in advance of most of the US. and it became too depressing to watch scores of our start up clients lose their shirts because of idiot laws and regulations. and few legislators listen, even ones who seem smart and savvy. So we knew that 2008 was going to hit hard and we planned. and it wasn't becasue we watched the housing bubble. That bubble could have only happened if opportunities had vanished in other sectors. It was the only place left play around with. We each other that we would try the best we could to insulate ourselves the best we could from the next collapse and that we would lower our productivity substantially, change careers to enhance our lives but to starve the beast and use the beasts' own rules to our advantage (except govt programs-I am philosophically against that). There is no Gulch in the physical sense, in my opinion. I believe places like this site give us a gulch-like comradery as well as other avenues. One of my purposes now that I have more time to devote, is to ask relevant questions of like minded individuals about what and when and how some kind of galting becomes relevant. But I will do everything in my power to not unwittingly or wittingly help the US government destroy our Constitution and the nation I grew up in.

When I was 20, I sold my car, quit my job and sailed in the Caribbean for 6 months. I was paid, and it was incredible. I came home to finish college after. It was a perfect time to semi shrug at that time. I had no ties, such as a spouse or kids.

try this on for size. get rid of everything except important things like pictures and start an adventure. In fairness, I waited until my kids were through school. but now that I'm enjoying it so much, I wish I wouldn't have waited and just brought little kids along for the ride!

It does!

It feels good to purge :)

I am afflicted with that as well. I just gave away a ton of outgrown kids clothes, and I still need to streamline a bit more.

Interesting. I like it!

I have my limits. I'm borderline cluttered already, but I love these paintings so it's worth it. Sentimental value and all that.

there's always a place for a new painting. hey I travelled in a vintage airstream for awhile and figure out how to put them on an aluminum ceiling

I shall. Gladly!

Post some photos of them for sure. I don't have a square inch left for more paintings...actually have some in my closet I can't find room for.

yes, please. post pieces and prices

Yes, it is getting weird. The font thing when reply is selected.

My mom wasn't artistic. My dad isn't, nor was my stepmom.. I'm the anomaly. Want a painting? Hahaha

that's lovely. the font thing is weird again

Do we have the same Mom?? The walls in our house are COVERED with my Mom's (and my Grandma's) paintings! Lots of birds and nature going on in here, but I LOVE 'em. :) Actually my Mom is more inclined to mail her photographs to me...of butterflies, and spider webs with morning dew, or the deer in their back yard.

does your mom send you her paintings when she misses you?

We have good Moms... but mine is the best! lol :)

My mom does that for me too!

My Mom brings me leaves every year :) They live in the woods in MI.

I loved the mountains, and I actually did take a lot of photos of them, and the cacti, too! And I the food was incredible! But I get what you mean about enough sun, already. I need the seasonal changes. By the time August has rolled around, I want to burn my sundresses and shorts, and pull on jeans and a sweater. I'd be happy to send some leaves your way! We have woods on our property, so there are a variety to choose from.

lol. I thought the same thing! But imagine such a concept. needing, actually NEEDING water spritzing at you to feel cool outside. it is so simple, but somehow brilliant. That sun is sure a tough customer.
But all my people are in blizzards today (Iowa and Colorado) bemoaning my 80 degrees and blue, blue sea....

Ha...the water misters is what you liked. Not the cacti, or the mountains, or the authentic Mexican restaurants...no it was the misters that did it for ya. Pretty funny. Wanna know what does it for me? CLOUDS! RAIN! TEMPS BELOW 80! GETTING TO WEAR A JACKET AND LONG PANTS AND CLOSE TOED SHOES WITH SOCKS EVEN! (Why is my cap lock on??) I'm to the point of hating the sun. I'll park 3 blocks from a store if there's 4 square inches of shade to park under. A shady parking spot is golden out here. With that said, I do not miss MI winters at all. I actually had ice on my windshield one morning last week....which I wouldn't have minded so much (because of the novelty) but I was running very late already. I had to scrape! As for "it's a dry heat"....once it's over 105 hot is hot. If there's a breeze it's like standing in the path of a blow dryer because of the lack of humidity. I'll trade you a mister for some Fall leaves. :)

That it was, but it felt pretty good after the cold air here in CT. That whole, "But it's a dry heat", thing. ;-) What I liked were the water mist jets all over the place!