Calandale
Mockingbird
Wyrd
Forum Malcontent
Offline
Posts: 983
I mock you
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« on: July 24, 2014, 04:26:22 pm » |
|
I've always lived with more or less as little as I can, I think. Not as some sort of goal, mind you, but I was poor for a long time, and ended up just getting used to it. Things that didn't add much to my life (TV for example) just never became a part of my life. The computer and interwebz is probably my biggest 'unneeded' luxury (although I do need some communications medium, and did need it for work - I've had one when I did not absolutely require - for gaming, pr0n, and spammin').
In some ways, I've been overboard. Like not having a car here in Phoenix. It's a tough city to do that in: especially in the summer. My semi-weekly shopping trips take about an hour and a half walk in each direction; life was much more difficult before I got a wheelie cart. Part of this is where I chose to live in the city though; there are plenty of places I could be closer to food - but I really like my view off my porch (no not the construction company). It's strange what things are chosen to be 'more valuable'.
It's been shocking how long I've been able to do without a car actually. Only owned one for a couple years after getting very ill. It was more hassle than I could cope with. Having to get it serviced every couple years, for example. The cost of the emotional angst from something like that - for months - is far worse than having to hand-haul groceries. Plus, it was making me fat. And hassle is, I think, a big part of the motivation in my minimalism. I don't want to be bothered with many things - actually can't face most of what 'normal' lives are made up of.
|
|
|
|
|
usrlocal
Magnificent Bastard
Forum Malcontent

Offline
Posts: 448
Tony Clifton's love child
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« Reply #1 on: July 24, 2014, 04:34:53 pm » |
|
Get a bike, dude. It'll open up a lot of possibilities. Or is Phoenix bicycle-unfriendly?
|
|
|
|
|
Calandale
Mockingbird
Wyrd
Forum Malcontent
Offline
Posts: 983
I mock you
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« Reply #2 on: July 24, 2014, 04:49:58 pm » |
|
I'm bicycle unfriendly. Less able to ride one than to drive.
Phoenix itself ain't great for them either. Gotta ride on the sidewalks in a lot of places.
|
|
|
|
anarchy
Passive Aggressive Gamer
Forum Malcontent

Offline
Posts: 138
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« Reply #3 on: July 24, 2014, 04:55:29 pm » |
|
You could get one of these: 
|
Meh.
|
|
|
Calandale
Mockingbird
Wyrd
Forum Malcontent
Offline
Posts: 983
I mock you
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« Reply #4 on: July 24, 2014, 05:00:33 pm » |
|
Walking is nice. Even the little cart causes headaches. What do I do if a wheel comes off?
If I break, I'm just out of the game.
|
|
|
|
kira1y
|
 |
« Reply #5 on: July 24, 2014, 05:03:23 pm » |
|
Being without a car here would be very difficult. While I live within walking distance of all kinds of places the actual act of walking in this city can be dangerous to your health (riding a bike isn't any better). There are no fucking sidewalks anywhere. Public transportation here sucks as well. I once tried to figure out how long it would take for me to get to work using city buses, it was something like two hours (once the 1.5 mile walk was added in). I can drive there in 15 minutes, it's only like 7 miles away, so it's not even worth trying to use the buses to get there.
I like the idea of going minimalistic but I'm too much of a wuss to give up my little comforts.
|
|
|
|
Calandale
Mockingbird
Wyrd
Forum Malcontent
Offline
Posts: 983
I mock you
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« Reply #6 on: July 24, 2014, 05:08:00 pm » |
|
Even WITH the car, I usually didn't use it. I'd take the bus to work most days, and even haul my shopping by hand pretty often. It was nice when the temp got high though (although the thing didn't have A/C).
You do what you are used to, I think. I've been so used to not driving, that taking it up was more of a burden than not.
|
|
|
|
Calandale
Mockingbird
Wyrd
Forum Malcontent
Offline
Posts: 983
I mock you
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« Reply #7 on: July 24, 2014, 07:38:12 pm » |
|
Crap - stupid green things all over my stars.
|
|
|
|
Calandale
Mockingbird
Wyrd
Forum Malcontent
Offline
Posts: 983
I mock you
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« Reply #8 on: July 24, 2014, 07:51:28 pm » |
|
Yay! That's better.
|
|
|
|
usrlocal
Magnificent Bastard
Forum Malcontent

Offline
Posts: 448
Tony Clifton's love child
 Badges: (View All)
|
 |
« Reply #9 on: July 24, 2014, 07:53:08 pm » |
|
Yay! That's better.
It's the small victories..
|
|
|
|
stemcider
Forum Malcontent

Offline
Posts: 105
dafuq
 Badges: (View All)
|
I don't own a car, a TV, or a bike, but I'd hardly call myself minimalist. Maybe for today's society's standards I am.
I did live in Mendocino for a year and had no computer, tv, car, bike, or anything of any real value. But my friend was letting me live at his place rent-free and I had a storage unit in the Bay Area with my stuff.
I also eat simply (beans/rice/veggies all the time) and I am a major hermit. Push come to shove, I could totally live in a monastery.
|
|
|
|
Calandale
Mockingbird
Wyrd
Forum Malcontent
Offline
Posts: 983
I mock you
 Badges: (View All)
|
I don't own a car, a TV, or a bike, but I'd hardly call myself minimalist. Maybe for today's society's standards I am.
I guess the thing is that people seem shocked by how I live. No TV is more common now I guess - I remember jaws hitting the floor in the 90's. I got by without internet in grad school and the first years here - but often was able to leech off unprotected wireless. The wife really is what forced me to pay for a connection; and then work.
|
|
|
|
stemcider
Forum Malcontent

Offline
Posts: 105
dafuq
 Badges: (View All)
|
I don't own a car, a TV, or a bike, but I'd hardly call myself minimalist. Maybe for today's society's standards I am.
I guess the thing is that people seem shocked by how I live. No TV is more common now I guess - I remember jaws hitting the floor in the 90's. I got by without internet in grad school and the first years here - but often was able to leech off unprotected wireless. The wife really is what forced me to pay for a connection; and then work. Ya I'll get a "Good for you!" every once in a while for not owning a tv. Shi t, I am tempted though considering its $5 more a month for tv. Fvck comast I do get a lot of shi t from my friends for not owning a car. Mostly since we're scattered all throughout the state so theyre sick of visiting me and not the other way around.
|
|
« Last Edit: July 24, 2014, 08:59:10 pm by stemcider »
|
Report Spam
Logged
|
|
|
|
Calandale
Mockingbird
Wyrd
Forum Malcontent
Offline
Posts: 983
I mock you
 Badges: (View All)
|
There's so much on the web, I need LESS options rather than more.
That's actually true about a lot of things. Like the whole Obamacare - it was just too complex to figure out. Hope I can stay healthy until I have a job-based insurance again - usually there aren't too many options there.
|
|
|
|
Sluggonics
Fancy Lad
Forum Malcontent

Offline
Posts: 107
Tell you what, Smithers- have him beaten to a pulp
 Badges: (View All)
|
You could always hire a personal assistant. Most people just get married, though. Does your wife want to get a car? That could solve a lot of problems. My wife and I usually split the household tasks. She usually handles groceries. I mow the yard. She usually cooks. I do the dishes. And so forth. Takes away some of the worries. Or hassles.
|
Look out honey, 'cause I'm using technology!
|
|
|
|