Mind and Spirit – Page 58

Pack vs herd vs lone individuals

Published September 18, 2014 10:10 am by Claire

Yesterday Mike Vanderboegh re-printed a classic that I’d missed first time around even though it riffs on a classic of my own — asking that ever-pertinent question, “When is it time?”

Mike uses the sorry example of the Weimar German Reichsbanner to show how even the prepared can tragically fail to act when the day comes. The Reichsbanner were a military group sworn to protect the Weimar Republic against an anticipated Nazi coup. But when Hitler rose to power they did … nothing.

They were waiting for a signal from a leader. And for various reasons, they waited. And waited.

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This got me thinking about the differences in packs vs herds vs lone individuals.

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Adventures in pre-hermitting

Published September 16, 2014 9:43 am by Claire

First thing: Thank you for all the good words and scary stories after Friday’s out-of-the-blue tree fall. MamaLiberty’s tale of random mystery destruction definitely takes the prize, though Karen’s lightning-from-nowhere story also reminds me of Mother Nature’s notorious temper.

One reader, C, even made an extra little contribution to the roof fund. Its timing was lovely (“Take that, damned tree!”), and the fact that it came from somebody I know has very little to spare made it even more appreciated.

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I’m now looking at November 1 as the most likely date to commence a serious year of hermitude.

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Looking back: Project 31

Published September 14, 2014 12:56 pm by Claire

I’ve linked recently to Ryochiji’s posts about his Serenity Valley cabin’s very, very — VERY — close call with a wildfire. Lots of other worthwhile stuff at his site, Laptop and a Rifle. Back in the winter of 2011, when his property was less developed than it is now, he vowed to spend 31 days there under a strict set of rules. He called his experiment Project 31 & despite the rigor of his terms, it was a success. Here are all his posts about it Very Joel-ish. Without the curmudgeonliness.

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Friday links etc.

Published September 12, 2014 5:52 am by Claire

Sorry about the loooooong BHM-wide downage yesterday, guys. Oliver the webmaster tells me it was the result of a security update gone awry at the hosting company. But all should be well now. —– Today is the day The Great Roof Project begins! Two stages. The first involves returning part of the roof to its original form (after a long-ago “improvement” done by a committee of chimpanzees on a no-bid government contract). After that, the actual roofing crew comes in. Crews must coordinate with each other on timing. Weather holding so far. Might have a few nervous-making days. But winter…

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The opportunity to sell out

Published September 10, 2014 1:42 pm by Claire

This morning I was offered the “opportunity” to sell out. I was asked to do something that (if it worked out as my correspondent hoped) would make Alan Gottlieb and his “JPFO Lite” look better than they are.

It would not change anything in any material way. It would not restore principle to JPFO or protect Aaron Zelman’s legacy.

It was merely the opportunity to create an illusion — to have people say, “Hey, maybe Gottlieb’s not going to wreck JPFO after all!”

And what would I get for doing Mr. Manchin-Toomey (and not coincidentally, the correspondent proposing the idea) such a favor?

Why, I’d get influence. No, let’s capitalize that. I’d get Influence — that much-craved prize of wheeler-dealers everywhere. If I just sold my integrity (which, after all, isn’t worth anything on the market), I might gain the privilege of suggesting to the new powers at JPFO Lite that (pardon my French) it might be better if, for now, they just chopped off one of JPFO’s b***s and not both.

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Working up to something

Published September 7, 2014 7:58 pm by Claire

Got the last of the absolute-must outdoor house projects done today. There are probably 10 more small things it would be gratifying to finish outside before the rains come. But if winter struck tomorrow, I’d be satisfied.

Well, not quite. The roof isn’t done yet. Still trying to get on the roofer’s schedule. But thanks to you, the roof won’t be a worry for much longer — and won’t have to be my sweat-n-blood project. Oh, glory!

I am soooooooo tired. This most recent burst of work was therapeutic, post-JPFO. Now it’s just … work. It’s been hot, too, which is great and unusual hereabouts. But not so great when you’re up and down a ladder under the noonday sun.

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I’m also working up to something … some change. Not for the first time, of course. You’ve heard me go on about “change” as much as Obama used to (not hope, though; never was very big on hope). You’ve also heard me ~~whine~~ ~~complain~~ ~~bitch about~~ dispassionately discuss how mysteriously busy-busy-busy I’ve been for the last 16 months.

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Today is fall — prep time, too

Published September 3, 2014 1:47 am by Claire

Today is fall. Tomorrow, summer comes creeping back and by Friday it’s expected to be mid-July again. But today is fall — mild, gray, and showery — and I feel ready for it. We’ve had a glorious summer. A rare treat for this part of the world. And I’ve been dreading the end of long, warm days and the inevitable closing-in of winter. But no more. After the JPFO debacle and months of hard work (both work-work and house projects), I’m ready to hibernate. Ready to draw within, be idle, read books, eat soups and stews, do little, and be…

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Holiday ramble

Published September 1, 2014 6:57 pm by Claire

Well, did you enjoy your Labor Day? Or your Labour Day, for you in furrin parts who have enough leisure time to sit around adding extra letters to your holidays.

Did you spend sufficient time honoring (or is that honouring?) your public-sector overlords?

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I laboured all weekend — drywalling until I got worn out, then going outside and painting the house to relax. I got covered in powdery gypsum, then in latex paint, then in that gooey white joint compound that always seems to drop in fat, heavy, gelatinous glops no matter how careful you are with it. I cussed a lot and enjoyed every minute of it.

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Hell Week

Published August 29, 2014 6:51 am by Claire

This has been the most terrible week I’ve had in many a year. The last two weeks, really, as I first kept the JPFO secret I thought should be revealed, then went ahead and revealed it.

All week I’ve felt as if every time I turn on my computer something with huge claws and teeth is going to lunge out of the Internet and eat me.

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Quiet for a little while (and the tale of a non-me hermit)

Published August 25, 2014 7:34 am by Claire

Well, despite the chaos, life — and work — goes on. I have an article deadline this week, so I may be quiet for a few days. Rest assured the battle to save JPFO from sellout goes on. Although I’ve been standing here in public waving my arms and yelling, I’m really only a small part of the rescue effort. Smart people are on it! —– While I’m off being a hermit writer, here’s a good read about a hermit who makes me (and even desert-buddy Joel) look like a real wimp. ‘Course, Joel and I didn’t resort to thievery.…

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Category: Mind and Spirit