Hello, to you all. It’s a grand time for an update. On May 5th the world tilted in my favor. It was a long time coming, but it finalized another step in my upward transition.
It’s difficult to fathom how happy I am. I’m back in Korea, working, and….I just got paid. My first paycheck in over a year. I’m on my own. At my two gigs I got ~$2200 for the month. But, and very importantly, that’s after rent, taxes and utilities. Pure pocket money. I’d roughly say that adds up to $35k/year or so. For a single guy who doesn’t care too much, that’s goddamn rock-solid. It’s hard to find people who will abandon their family, friends, culture, language and continent to teach in a different country. So we get paid well. Welcome to my adult life.
People have asked me about my personal goals recently. I’ve always been a simple person. I have never wanted children and now/forever, it would be incredibly irresponsible for me to start a family. How can I possibly provide for one when no one knows what this world is going to throw at me next? A childless life is the one for me. Currently I have about 150 kids in my educational care. I can’t imagine coming home to one of my own.
Doesn’t bother me. Always Look on the Bright Side of Life–whistle, whistle! People in real life and movies seem to always wait for their kids to grow up, move out, and then they can retire. They go off to Bali/Hawaii/wherever to bask in their ability to finally enjoy all of their accomplishments. Travel, leisure, and cocktails on an exotic beach. Uh..I already live that life. I got to it when I was 22 and I’m still going. I just want to read, play music, and travel. Those are the things that give me satisfaction and happiness. I certainly want to share my life with a special person (applications available and I’m open for business), but I also enjoy the individuality of the choices I have made. And continue to make. (Being able to make decisions sounds simple and inane, but it ain’t after The Incident or anything similar.) I don’t care for a legacy or anything like that. Never have, though I do take personal pride in my accomplishments. I prefer to be forgotten/ignored. That’s one of the reasons I love living abroad. It’s easy to single me out as a white boy, but no one knows who I am here other than my friends. Everyone else just leaves me alone. It’s glorious.
And on April 28…the Evan Number rose. I am now 34 (35 in Korean age…). I’ve outlived Alexander the Great. Many more travels than he ever had and I’ve gone through my own battles as well. It’s hard to explain how good it feels to be back on my own. My space is mine again. I make the rules. The things we strive for, that get taken away by chance (or by merciless government actors), are suddenly back in my hands, wallet and feet. And not by luck. I’ve earned them. Finally. (For now. *Crosses fingers*) I keep this emotion secret to my friends. When it randomly comes up, they often say that they are surprised at my recovery, like they can’t tell that anything was ever amiss. I’ve kept the struggle internal, and that’s what I was always aiming for. I want people to treat Evan like Evan. Not like Crippled or Broken Evan, who must be shielded from honesty. People now just treat me like a normal human. I don’t get polite laughs at my jokes, for example. My punchlines are honest, earned and deserved. (Well, when they deserve to be laughed at.)
People far too frequently take such luxuries for granted. When they’re stripped from you, you find more appreciation for the smallest things that bring you back to the individual coherence that used to be standard fare. The daily certainties that were once easily dismissed. Don’t take that shit for granted. Not a bit of it. Now it’s all crystal. Look for smiley faces in headlights. Shit that small actually DOES make a difference. If you constantly look for something, you’ll find more of it. Most people find things to dwell upon. Don’t do that. Look for the tiniest details that can elevate every moment in the slightest way. If it hurts to walk, focus on how it hurts LESS to walk today than it did yesterday, or relish in how you have learned to walk in a way that minimizes the pain. Advancement. Don’t focus on it always hurting. Find the positive. It makes a difference. Trust me on that one.
You all mean the most. I spend about four hours/day reading here, and it has always given me the community that I absolutely lack in real life. (I’m now fixing that as well.) It’s hard to express how important it all is. But onward, upwards, and always. There’s more out there for me to learn, discover and explore. I’m thankful to have folk I can chat with and open up to.
This isn’t a small thing to focus on. It’s a fundamental part of recovery. You guys (and others) have been unbelievably helpful, kind and supportive. That’s always been the biggest positive that I’ve been able to rely upon. It means everything. Please keep writing and sharing. We all read and are fascinated by what you know and what you’re able to share. My story is a severe example of someone talking about a stubbed toe. All of y’all got far more expertise in shit that’s more profound than anything I produce.
Thank you for it all. It matters. It means a lot. A shattered skull and more haven’t stopped me and won’t. Though it’s insanely difficult, you all are going through your own tribulations. Try and focus on the upside and achieve what you desire, one step at a time. Just waking up and brushing your teeth can be the victory for the day. No one can take that away. It’s yours. It’s earned. Getting on your feet is a win. Fighting back is an extra pleasure that adds flavor.
Looking at my tone, it’s clear that I’m a very competitive person. I never boast and am never a sore loser, but I desperately want to win. I hate losing more than I like winning. My game is Evan vs. Death, and right now I’m so far in the lead that that bitch must be weak-kneed from His futile attempts to stifle this cocky, insubordinate, and overly-adventurous boy. He’s given me His A-Game and I was still able to turn the tables. I don’t welcome the next attack in His arsenal, but I’m prepared for future assaults. I know that He’s eventually gonna get the last laugh, but I’ve already made it this far. He must be most upset at how unconcerned that I am about it all, and how much effort it’s taken Him. That’s why no one around me notices that I’m no longer an invalid grasping on to life.
This is a big rung up the ladder, but it’s only one of many. However, it is vital to recognize the accomplishments along the journey and know you need to further dive into the mire. I ain’t done yet. Otherwise, it’s easy to get frightened, to sink and dwell on all the negatives you feel.
Right now I am going through a transformative period in my life. Every day I focus on my primary goals. Not today, Death. Not now. Not this way. You come at King Evan and you best not miss. So far I’ve deflected all blows, no matter how devious and painful they were.
Bring it on, bitch. I ain’t shook. I know you’ll win eventually, but I’m gonna wear out that arm of yours until you no longer think I’m worth the motherfucking effort.
I’m still on my feet and kicking. And I’m still young, fit and relatively cute. This all despite the crevices in my skull that anyone who feels them gets shocked at. (I love watching their faces.) And I thank all of you for the impossible-to-express help and outlet you’ve given me. It ain’t nothing by any stretch of the imagination.
Soldier on. Grab whatever you can out of this life and cherish it. It ain’t easy, but the hardest fought battles are the ones you celebrate the most. Right now, with my earned money being deposited, I can stand on my ladder of ascension with pride. It ain’t over and probably never will be. I’m going to enjoy life as much as I can. I don’t know what tomorrow’s going to hold for me. But for this moment and this breath, I bask in having an interesting life. My refusal to perish and my desire to succeed solidifies how all the difficult struggles I’ve been through are merely stepping stones that I grow from and can depend on. If this didn’t stop me, what possibly can?
I know I’ll find out one day. But not now. You all helped give me sanity and foundation to build upon. Moving forward, the ball’s in my court. The fun of the game is knowing how to navigate the adversity your rival throws at you.
Bring it on, Death. I know I’m gonna do the same and I ain’t gonna go easily. This recognition gives this Soldier the strength, ability and wisdom to fight back at every turn. But to give Him such credit only gives Him more power and credence. I reject His authority. I just want to be Evan for as long as I can, and I’m not done yet.
Thank you for reading. This battle ain’t over yet. But goddamn, I’m happier than I’ve been in a long time. Rest well and keep on fighting. Believe me. It’s all worth it, especially if it’s hard in the moment. That’s how you know it’s worth seeing it out.
Glad to hear it all.
Thanks for the update.
You sound remarkably better, Evan. I’m so happy for you!
Far too often what I see is people talk about what they’re going to do in their retirement and when the day actually comes, they stick with what they know and continue putting off those grand adventures or new hobbies. You are absolutely right, if it’s something you want to do, do it now and start incorporating in your life.
Often people assume their health will last long enough to do those things. Often it does not.
continue putting off those grand adventures or new hobbies
In very many cases, they discover that they can’t afford them on their retirement income. It is very rare for someone to have as much or more income in retirement than they did while working, and they need to be more conservative with what they do have because they are ultimately, in part, spending down a pool of assets. Everybody thinks its a great idea to travel a lot in retirement, until they see (a) how much their income is down and (b) how expensive travel is.
I am aiming to be be able to support the same level of spending we have had over the last several years. I have been shocked at how much our spending has gone up this year. I need to do a little more analysis (some of it is due to guns and ammo, which will be temporary, at least at this level), but inflation is starting to scare the hell out of my retirement plans.
Neither Mr. Mojeaux nor I expected that we would ever retire at all, much less retire and travel. But if we’re both working, he has a bunch of vacation time saved up, so after XY is out of the house, we may actually be able to do so.
My main reason for travelling is finding someplace I’d like to move to when I flee New York. Someplace where it’s not as expensive to live.
Ummm…throw a dart, it is unlikely you will hit somewhere more expensive.
*thunk*
Shit… Tokyo
*thunk*
Shit… San Fransisco
*thunk*
Shit… Manhattan.
What’s up with these darts?
Made in China.
Aim for Africa, or really, almost anywhere in the southern hemisphere.
I don’t think they would be a good fit.
Shit… Tokyo
I also want to find a place where I’ll be comfortable. So I have to see it on the ground and get a feel for the area.
Texas if you can handle the heat.
Montana if you can handle the cold.
Oklahoma if you can handle the boredom.
Analysis complete.
Well, we have spent an absolutely appalling amount on guns, ammo, and training so far this year. I think I’m not going to be scoring a Tavor bullpup of my own any time soon. The ammo stockpile still feels a little light, but tolerable for the time being. *double-checks numbers* Yeah, its gonna have to be OK for awhile.
Overall “essential” expenses, not including those, are up at least 10% year over year. And our “lifestyle” is very stable – that’s mo’ money for the same stuff.
No one can sell guns & ammo like the Democrats.
I spent a big chunk o change early this year on mags.
Guns, ammo, mags, holsters, mag carriers, cases, you name it (except optics, and the .308 needs a new scope since it donated the one it had to Mrs. Dean’s rifle). Let’s just say I hadn’t done the math, and didn’t realize there was an extra digit in there I wasn’t really expecting.
Oh, that reminds me. When travelling outside one’s home state, will someone (okay, me) have issues trying to buy ammo above and beyond the shortages? If I’m going to go shooting, I fret because of the hassles New York puts on it.
You shouldn’t. There may be a state or two that restricts ammo sales to residents, but buying ammo is nothing like buying a murderdeathmachine.
Thank you.
Other than California or similar, no one gives a shit. You can walk in, buy a case of JHP or M855, slap cash on the counter, and walk out without anyone batting an eye.
Cash? With the price of ammo these days?
Card would be fine also, however being a NY resident, I’m not sure I’d trust the issuer not to give the purchase details over to them.
Apparently now a felony to import ammo into CA. Possibly part of that Proposition Whichever that I voted against (sorry, I tried), the one that makes you show ID to buy it.
Well, it might show up as “Runnings, $80.” or some such other box store depending upon where I can find it. That’s what? two standard capacity magazines of ammunition?
Is there a lawsuit over that one yet?
I think there have been some temporary victories, now reversed. 🙁
Stepdad misses ammo deliveries. I don’t; they were hard to lug inside.
PS. Don’t know if CA bars out-of-state residents, but from what I’ve seen at WMT (certainly not many stores of ammo) Real ID or passport is required.
Should not be an issue in PA. NJ would be a problem, at least for handgun ammo.
I think, generally, non commie states would be ok.
I just have so many states of questionable liberty around me.
Generally no.
Buying firearms is where you’ll run into restrictions.
Summarizing Federal (not state, states will vary) and probably missing a nuance or two: You can only buy handguns in your state of residence. If you buy outside of your state of residence, the handgun has to go to a FFL01 (I think unless it is C&R eligible and you have a C&R license) in your state of residence. For long arms you can buy anywhere in the country under as long as it is legal for you to own in your home state. Again, this is Federal law, state laws vary.
My mother, and to a similar degree her husband, made active choices to have this type of retirement. And for the most part, this has worked out for them, but at a cost of family/friends. This isn’t to say they don’t have friends or spend time with family, but they did lose a lot of old, close friends due to the isolating nature of this lifestyle. And the same with family. She hasn’t seen my son, her grandson, in at least five years and I know that they haven’t called him, some of which is due to not liking cities, but a big chunk of it is self-absorption.
She was able to afford this by starting and growing a good, solid business. And that takes a commitment that is often at odds with family. My mother and I are not close, I think her husband is a low-grade asshole, and I know he is often estranged from his son. Part of this comes from being completely committed to that business from the time I was in grade school, an absorption that lead to my parent’s divorce (partially), and me spending much of my life resenting her choice. And this was highlighted by the complete abandonment of that business when they retired to their “travelers” lifestyle.
Oh, and I didn’t write that to shit on Evan’s adventure, just to reflect on what can happen later in life.
Glad you are enjoying it!
She sounds like a peach.
She is actually a very nice woman, just not motherly. On the plus side, she is aware of her husband’s a-holeness, but they have a life together that they want; traveling all the time. Which is all she ever really wanted apparently.
Sucked growing up, but at this point, we have made peace.
I am afraid my kids may have a similar story to tell about me and my working all the time; however, it was not because I wanted to. We were just trying to keep our heads above water. Now working all the time is still kind of necessary, but it is also habit.
As to what can happen later in life:
My parents planned well for retirement and had the assets to do it somewhat early and well. My Dad retired in his late 50s, and died very unexpectedly less than eight months later, so unexpectedly that the insurance company spent months investigating his applications and medical history before they would pay out to my mother.
My Mom, a few years later, married a high-grade asshole (who seemed OK at first), who essentially convinced her to burn through my Dad’s carefully planned retirement stash. Twenty years after my Dad died, my Mom succumbed to a nasty cancer. Her asshole husband, to his credit, stuck with her and took decent care of her, but spent a ton of time attempting to split my Mom off from the rest of her family (including her children, sisters, cousins, etc.) and eventually went completely off the deep end at her funeral.
So the lesson I learned is: plan for the future, but enjoy today as much as you can, because you never know what life’s going to throw at you, as Evan points out.
Part of this comes from being completely committed to that business from the time I was in grade school, an absorption that lead to my parent’s divorce (partially), and me spending much of my life resenting her choice.
Similar story here. My mom taught piano lessons while I was in middle school and high school, and things like forcing me to wait behind the school for 90 minutes to 2 hours after football practice every single day (couldn’t be bothered to schedule in a 15 minute break to pick me up) and routinely forgetting when I had a different schedule (couldn’t be bothered to look at my calendar and reschedule conflicting lessons) made for some contentious times. It was only one of many contributing factors to our strained relationship after my parents divorced, but it started things off on a bad foot. To this day, the relationship is fragile, but not because of that particular issue.
Oh Lord. Waiting around to be picked up in the pre-mobile (or even carphone) days. “I know roughly how long it takes to ride home with you from here, so what is taking you so long to arrive?”
Sorry, didn’t mean to make light if your mom was egregiously casual.
Not at all. It was definitely one of those situations. I knew exactly when she would be pulling up if she left right after her last piano lesson. The only question was how long she’d spend chatting with the student’s parents before deciding to pick me up. Well, except for the time she forgot me, but that’s another story.
You are absolutely right, if it’s something you want to do, do it now and start incorporating in your life.
Yup, and kids don’t have to completely ruin it. We have an east coast trip in the works. 3 weeks, 10ish cities, lots of “camping” in cabins. Will we regret doing this with a 11 month old? At times, sure. Will we look back on the trip with regret? Unless somebody dies, no chance in hell.
So much of the “stuck at home with kids” thing is self imposed.
^^^
When I was seven, my parents did a family trip of six weeks, a drive across the country, every other night in a hotel, camping the other night, see every gigantic ball of twin in the country, trip. I hated it at the time (six weeks in the back seat of a ’66 Mustang ‘vert is no peach when you share it with your brother.) But I do have great memories of that trip.
My Dad told me pretty much that exact same thing – you have to have your hobby/passions/occupations ready to go before you retire, otherwise you’ll just keep telling yourself that you’ll start next week or next month or next year. And before you know it, you’ll be dead from sitting on your ass watching TV all day.
I’m glad to see that he stays busy all the time with woodworking, exercise, motorcycle trips, and doing historical research on motorcycles (even co-authored a book about old Husqvarna bikes).
Today, I learned Husqvarna made motorcycles. I thought they just made power tools.
They made guns also!
I have a Swede Mauser from Husqvarna in my collection.
I learned this about Husqvarna literally yesterday: I saw a couple of their motorcycles at the Barber Motorsports Museum.
On that note, FN made bicycles, cars, typewriters, and probably some other stuff.
you have to have your hobby/passions/occupations ready to go before you retire
Wisdom.
I have to admit, I’m a little stuck on this one. I’m planning to write fiction, but after a day/week at the office, I have no juice for it.
We’re looking (not terribly seriously, yet) at getting an RV. One of my colleagues did it right on that front. He bought one a year before he retired, and did a month leave of absence to travel around with it.
Our plan was to move to Alaska and spend our golden years hunting, fishing and exploring. We’ve got the first part done.
Personal workflow, I’ve found that even after a workday, the bigger issue is distractions. I get stuff on the page when I can shut down everything but libreoffice and my music (music being background sound to my brain that helps drown out other distractions).
Your milage may vary.
I don’t want to travel in an RV mostly because I don’t want to drive it and I don’t want to ride in one driven by anyone else.
That said, I would love to convert a tall toy hauler into a mobile office so I could go to the park and work “outside”.
Those things look impossible to me. Perhaps with Skip Barber RV training school. Managed to trade off driving a camper a little during college.
I keep entertaining the thought of RVing, then think about trying to drive it.
I dislike driving large vehicles, and am unsure I’d even be able to manage something that big.
When I was 16, we borrowed our bishop’s popup camper and pulled it behind our 1.5-ton passenger van. I did a lot of driving on that trip (and ended up being the only one able to park it on a dime) and I have a huge honkin’ Dodge Ram, so I know I can drive something with a hitch. I just don’t want to drive one of those massive Winnebago-type things.
I’ve had some daydreams about one of the “Super C” sized RVs – I think I could handle something like this ShowHauler. Not sure if that needs a CDL, though.
Not sure if that needs a CDL, though.
It could use a little insulin.
We’ll need two decent beds, is our main thing. We’re not interested in a bus. A Class C is probably in the right range, if we can get the right layout.
le sigh:
https://www.performancemotorcoaches.com/New-Inventory-2021-ShowHauler-Motorhome-24QSL-Lubbock-Texas-9794632
Me likee. Looks more solidly built than some. I’m just going to have to give those cab-over bunks a hard look to see if they will do for the second (read: my) bed.
That shouldn’t require a CDL.
video walkthrough of a 4-door cab variant:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL0OHfNlCJ0
It’s really 1 good bed with accommodations for guests (over the cab, pull out couches, etc.)
You only get screwed on a CDL when your making money. Some crappy weigh stations would probably harass you though.
I have no juice for it.
*nods knowingly*
I have time blocked off (as much as can be with two young kids ) in the mornings for a couple important things, and I forced myself into a disc golf league so I had the inbuilt accountability to wrap up work by 5:30 on Wednesdays to go do something fun.
I find it particularly hard to avoid falling into a wake, work, sleep rut with only child supervision and mindless phone games filling the gaps. There have been weeks where I’m not sure I went outside more than what was required to put the trash cans out.
Scheduling some hard commitments into my calendar has helped.
Hmm. That isn’t a bad idea.
My bestie’s mom did this. She retired and did absolutely nothing else. My bestie asked her how she had come to this and she said, “I sat down and just never got back up again.”
A lot of retirees from the state had nothing outside of work. So they retired, went home, and died. Because they had nothing to motivate them, they didn’t last long after retiring.
That’s my worry – my work is pretty consuming.
There’s also a fair number that do big grandiose plans for things they weren’t able to get the time off for before. There’s a couple of distance riders I know who have either completed or plan to complete some insane rides (coast to coast being a frequent one).
My father’s father did that. Spent all his life regretting things he missed (college, war), and when he retired he just drank at the club.
My dad had a bunch of hobbies to keep him busy, and it was his way to stay alive the longest possible way. Then he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
Wow. I must really be a Debby downer today.
My Dad got an early retirement deal from John Deere in the early Eighties, when they were buying out a bunch of white-collar types; he retired at 58. Then he went up to his home in Allamakee County and got busy – built two more rooms onto the house, built a summer cabin up in one of the meadows, cleared the creek banks of weeds and brush to the property lines upstream and down, and cut, split and stacked five to six cords of firewood every year – right up until the last year they spent there, when he was 85. He was almost never indoors, summer or winter.
He made it to 94, and always told me about guys he knew who took the same deal he did and went home, parked in front of the TV with a six-pack, and died in five years.
Keep moving, stay engaged. That seems to be the key.
When I lived in less . . . challenging climes, I liked gardening. I’ve been on auto-pilot on that front – gardening in Tucson seems to involve lots of bandages and high water bills, and mostly the plants that can reasonably make it here are slow-growing and low-maintenance.
I need to get a jump on this, no question. 18 months alternately sounds like a long time, and very little time.
Yeah, time has a way of sneaking up on you.
I’m not much of a gardener, although Mrs. Animal plans to make good use of our greenhouse and the adjacent truck plot. I figure I’ll stay in shape hauling in salmon and packing moose and griz out of the bush.
The high water bill is no joke, even in relatively wetter Dallas. The water isn’t just for hydration of the plants (vegetable crops for me), but to cool the plant off during triple digit heat. At our old house here in Dallas, I had capped off a zone of the sprinkler system and hooked it up to a soaker hose. 2x per day for 45 minutes, it’d water the garden, no effort required on my part. It was the only time I’ve ever gotten a decent harvest here.
I’m no where near your dad’s output level, but im finally winning the war on blackberries. I think i got the last thicket this weekend and it’s now mop up operations.
I retired at 55, with a comfortable income plus we always lived a modest life. My dance card got filled with travels,more than 20 flying Canadian fishing trips, fishing locally, 3-4 evenings a week, lots of outside work, built 2 garages. In addition the missus had more that 20 overseas trips, did the 7 continents and visited lots of relatives in the US.
Last year things slowed down, her Arctic Circle/Norway trip was postponed, I couldn’t go to Canada. I was happy last fall to shoot 2 deer, dress them out alone and drag them in. This year I was almost finished cutting firewood in March when I had an accident that changed everything.
I’m happy that we traveled the US, many winter trips to TX and AZ. Losing so many friends and relatives has put a damper on enthusiasm. Now I want to get back outside and work in the yard, and lots of the domestic things.
I’m not sure what I would do differently. I was lucky to move back to where I had grown up, as did a number of other classmates and we enjoyed a lot of dinners with friends.
Now it’s a Honey Harvest with the locals and Glibs, that’s the big social event for 2021.
I afraid that is where my MIL is at. FIL was starting to get there until he joined up with the wife to work with the dogs.
Glad your doing well Evan, we can use more like you in this world,
I envy Evan and his youth but not if it includes the suffering he has encountered the last couple years. His trials/tribulation have given me encouragement to persevere, I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the next day and the next…I need to get outside. Thanks, Evan, for the motivation, enjoy Korea and the little scalawags.
Inspirational as always, Evan.
Thanks Evan, and congratulations. Seems like you’re picking up some good bits of wisdom along the way.
To a degree we are an echo chamber here, but many of you have lives that are very different from mine, and I really enjoy reading about it.
One thing I find quite lovely about us is that many of us are artists of some sort or another. We are creative and I had always thought it quite rare in a bunch of libertarians.
A lot of us seem to be the self-taught variety. As long as I’ve been alive, formal schooling in any of the arts has always come with a big dose of indoctrination.
Sadly, with drawing, I cannot get where I want to go by myself. I am a natural storyteller and that can’t be taught. I am a somewhat natural artist, but I can’t self-direct the way I did my writing.
I spin a fair tale, but I’ve never really thought of myself as a natural storyteller so much as a practiced bullshitter.
There’s probably a pretty fine line between the two.
That line is ‘suspension of disbelief’. Once you’ve broken it, you’re just bullshitting. It can still be entertaining, but the audience becomes more self-aware of the falsehoods.
I think that’s a good analysis.
So it’s a fine line, but not invisible.
That’s actually the best description of the difference between yarning and bullshitting I’ve ever seen. I’ve made a mental note of it for future reference.
Fortunately the things you want to learn don’t require a degree. You can learn them in a very targeted way. When I was a kid I took art lessons in the back of an art store from an artist who was politically very conservative. Then I took a few drawing classes at Columbia College in Chicago. Then I found another small art program in Chicago. Doing that I was able to avoid a lot of the indoctrination BS, and if it did ever come up, I could just go somewhere else.
Yep, community college for me. Close by. Reasonably priced. After the suburb I live in voted to be included in the community college’s boundaries, I jumped at it. I would never have done it otherwise.
One of my classmates went to art school, rather late in life. What I’ve seen of her work looks quite narcissistic. (“Who cares, Alvy?”) I think teaching high school is her main income.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/93/ArtSchoolConfidentialComic.jpg
Okay, I’ll bite, what clues you in to the art being narcissistic?
Expressly self-referential and specific, esp. re her childhood, without being intriguing. Talking about herself in the third person, briefly anyway, in an interview.
At least it isn’t tampons in teacups AFAIK.
I see. Thank you.
If she made interesting art I’d be proud of her, and show up to openings not solely for free wine and canapés. Oh well, we weren’t super-close friends in HS.
Huh. That’s…interesting.
I want to illustrate my books and learn to draw from my head instead of having to look at something. I can draw just fine, looking at something.
I’m fortunate to have artists in the family. My soon-to-be son-in-law did the cover for Nova Roma I, for example.
Yeah, I can’t draw from memory at all.
I wanted to illustrate greeting cards. Ended up selling my own *kinky* greeting cards. Now a I get custom requests like my current project, a dude using a Jack o Lantern as a flesh light for a Halloween card, which he’s calling, Jack Off Lantern. Different strokes…
Its funny who we go to high school with. I went with one of the guys from Jackass.
Heh.
I once knew (not from HS) an artist: a bit older, still living and now quite highly priced. I didn’t like her work at all and still don’t — had to make polite noises about it — but she was very kind to me.
Someone famous attended my HS briefly but maybe that’s a forum topic.
Climate change. Duh.
Seriously, good for you Evan! Good read too.
Inspiring!
You don’t mention quitting alcohol, so I gather that’s going smoothly.
Glad things are getting better!
Good luck on the Korean studies.
Great to hear that things are going well for you! You deserve some breaks after some hard years.
LOL, wut?
They (a) made a cartoon beaver child a tranny AND (b) gave it mastectomy scars?
SMOD, hear my prayer.
I…i…
*redoubles efforts to find land in the middle of nowhere to build a house on*
The lot to our north is empty.
Which side of the Arctic Circle is that on?
The right side.
Aw c’mon, that can’t be real.
https://www.tmz.com/2021/05/29/blues-clues-drag-race-nina-west-lgbt-pride-parade-sing-along/
Video. @1:08.
Wow. The tone of the article is , well, tone deaf. Yeah, just some dead enders who would object.
If I were a sexual or racial miniority, I would be even more concerned by this. Ramp up the divisiveness and cake baking, and it could well end up like post-apartheid SA, Rwanda, or any other society where the majority finally has had enough and decides to get rid of their turbulent minorities.
The “majority-minority” proponents are likely making the critical error of believing that, if it comes to a crack down on minorities, the various minorities will present a united front. From what I have seen, they are more likely dogpile each other.
I simply cannot comprehend the mindset of the people trying to set off a race war in this country. But that’s exactly what “critical race theory” is about – fundamental transformation of this country via racial conflict. They may (or may not!) think it will be “mostly peaceful”, but if that’s what they believe, they are fools.
2-4 year olds don’t need sexuality lessons from animated characters (or anybody, really).
It’s not teaching tolerance, it’s grooming.
Sure, but the reaction (if there is one) won’t be limited to just groomers but the larger movement they’re using to cloak their agenda. They keep saying this is just about LGBTQWERTY equality, someone is going to take them at their word.
JHTFC it is.
https://www.christianpost.com/news/blues-clues-lgbt-pride-video-features-drag-queen.html
Obligatory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tvvf_6Yg6fQ
Really great to hear, Evan. You sound positive and happy!
+1000
Pity it’s quarter to 4 a.m. tomorrow in Korea. I suppose that explains Evan’s lack of replies.
My job has taken me all over the globe. And, I’ve been able to take my wife to a couple of those places (England/Ireland one trip; Singapore another). But the older I get, the harder those trips become. So, I don’t have much interest in travelling after retirement.
Instead, we’ll be focused on fortifying the compound and figuring out how to feed ourselves off a 1/4 acre of ground (thanks Joe Biden).
We love the Casa Dean, but its more than we really need, and its not cheap to live in. I suspect we will be taking a hard look at our housing at some point. Motivated mainly by the damage that inflation can do to retirement income. Those evil fuckers in DC may well drive me out of my house.
Not showing those pictures to my wife. Those would get me in more trouble than Q’s.
That’s lovely.
I was fantasizing about a 2-bedroom apartment for me and Mr. Mojeaux at empty nest time, but then I realized we would have no place to put two freezers. It has to be a place with a garage, which will necessitate lawn care. >:(
There’s condos/apartments with garages and storage out there.
I just don’t think we could tolerate sharing a wall/floor/ceiling.
“completely detached”, as our Brit friends say.
per whom?: youm?
meant @Moj
? Not sure I understand the question?
Depending on where you’re at and the landscape culture, there’s a lot that can be done to minimize or eliminate a lawn.
Our landscape culture is acres and acres of nicely striped pure green lawn with not one weed.
I will be completely uninterested in gardening, flowers or otherwise, so that’s not going to happen, either.
The idea was to get rid of all my tools and lawn implements, including lawnmowers and live in an apartment where we don’t have to worry about that in the least bit, but then I remembered the freezers.
I never want to own a house again. I am burnt out and bitter.
Yeah, if you’ve got the ballfield lawns, you’re kind of stuck. Maybe a rental where landscaping service is including in the price? My buddy hired a service to take care of the front so he can just focus on the backyard. And by service, it’s like most around here as a cash or near cash business with motivated but not likely legal employees. Really took a weight off his mind.
Moj: Sorry, vague. Withdrawn. ?
That many acres?! Ask us SoCalers about 1/4 acre (not living solely upon).
Was just wondering about your congelation needs. I ❤️ my little freezer too and I’m in an apartment.
We have two pretty big freezers and bulk-buy beef, chicken, and some pork. Occasionally we will buy a side of beef from a local rancher in my church and munch on that for about a year. The last time I bought beef was last March when I raided two Walmarts for the big 10-pound chubs of beef before the prices went through the roof. I also bought a crap ton of boneless skinless chicken breasts. We’re still working on all that.
I know we here kind of mock food insecurity, but I am very food insecure. I MUST have a full freezer and refrigerator to feel safe.
^^^ My wife has sanitary/toiletry insecurity and I have food insecurity issues. So I know what you are getting at Mo. I think we even talked about it about a year ago.
My price triggers, especially chicken is $.99/lb. I have become quite the Fowl Butcher of Las Vegas. Extra bonus is the 4 gallons of stock I have now
I vaguely remembered a discussion about it here, yes.
Me encanta, esp. the saltillo tile. Hard on feet and back though.
Dogs, mi amigo. They navigate the slickish floors just fine, and in theory the tile makes them easy to clean up after.
If they didn’t make beeline for a rug every time something unfortunate was about to happen. What I’m impressed by is, they are rug connoisseurs; every time we get a new rug which is nicer than the ones we had, that becomes their favorite for puking, etc.
Nice place RC. Tucson is a lovely area.
Amiga.
Lo comprendo. I think you did mention the requisite paw print once.
I have tile and several gel mats, but no cohabitant dogs.
Aye caramba! I knew you weren’t a dude. Lo siento.
No hay de qué.
Dogs, mi amigo. They navigate the slickish floors just fine,
I remember when my parents put in the Pergo when they started renovating after paying off the mortgage. The first evening it was in the kitchen, they called the dogs in for dinner. One came running, got to the kitchen, and immediately his legs went out from under him, sending him sliding all the way across the kitchen into his dish.
It was months before the poor guy wanted to walk through the kitchen again, and my parents had to put his dish at the other end of the kitchen with a throw rug near it for him to stand on. When he was on the Pergo, you could see his legs slowly start to slide out from under him.
I like Casa Dean.
Su casa es mi casa, si?
Booze, bacon, ammo? Sure. Well, maybe.
Eventually Death will win in the end, but everyone should fight the good fight and not go quietly into the night.
Good to hear you’re doing better, Evan.
Hey I hear the WHO and CDC are banding together to Stop the Death campaign for a two-week period of no deaths on Earth recorded.
In all seriousness, I double your sentiment. Keep on keepin on.
rage x2
Read that at my dad’s funeral.
Aw.
Well, that was a brutal flashback.
My first father-in-law read part of Ode on Intimations of Immortality at my wedding to my first wife.
I had the bright idea of reading those verses again at her funeral. My advice: don’t do that. It was too much, at least for me and her family.
It was Crossing the Bar at my dad’s – re-reading that still gets me.
BCP! No surprises.
The Frozen Chosen Church welcomes you
I’ll bite.
What is “rage x2”? When I run a Google search, I get lots of hits about crossbow bolts.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
Sí. Sorry. Got it in one.
http://blog.deimel.org/2012/04/bumper-sticker-riposte.html?m=1
I gather there are still some ’28 BCP adherent churches.
Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night by Dylan Thomas.
Aw. Duh. I should have known that.
Thanks folks!
Great to hear you are doing well, Evan! Looking forward to reading about all your adventures and successes.
Happy belated birthday!
Ron Bailey gets busted for using a bogus chart to bolster the Biden administration spin on gas prices. Reason just keeps on shining!
That’s a shame – Ron’s usually one of the good ones.
CC believer from a long time ago, no?
I thought he was of the Bjorn Lomborge(sp?) variety – “yes, but it doesn’t call for going full command-economy”
I wonder who was President for over half of those years….
Great to hear Evan!! Keep on keeping on!
Animal; very much enjoyed your Mystical story! I even waited until the last installment before googling the lyrics!
Appreciate you and the rest who contribute articles, and comment more than I can, keeps me entertained, and sometimes I even learn things.