What would your dream neighborhood look like?

[ebacon]

Land use is probably the thing that I have ranted about the most.

Last weekend I joined my parents as they shopped for a vacation trailer. They are looking at private trailer home communities in rural areas -- i.e. summer only.

As we walked through such a community I noticed that it was essentially "my people." They were pickup truck drivers, hunters, frugal, public servants (the park prefers police/fire/EMS) etc. We stopped and talked to a couple as they were closing their trailer for the season. They said that they liked their park because they could ride their bikes, walk, and generally escape from urban congestion. They may have said rat race, I dunno.

In any event my mind raced as they spoke and I looked around for bumper stickers. They were typical pickup truck bumper stickers related to hunting, POWs, etc. I guessed the park as generally Republican voters.

Of course I wondered what possesses these people to buy more stuff, such as trailers, pickup trucks, tools, etc, and move further into the country, just to want peace, quiet, walking, and riding bikes? Why can't they simply, collectively, own less and have peace, quiet, walking, and bike riding at home?

I have also experienced this mental short-circuiting with an American co-worker when he experienced Germany for the first time. He told me that yes, it is pretty, and quiet, and peaceful. But he said that he could not live like that and could not articulate why.

Here is where my mind gets stuck. For those of us that have more, what can we do to sell people on the idea that it is OK to slow down and stay put. We can figure out how to go dirt biking, and snowmobiling and horseback riding, and fishing, without paving over more land and making it more difficult to dirt bike, snowmobile, horseback ride, fish, etc.

Whatever divides us is as narrow as the debate between living to work and working to live. That is where music lives and it seems that we want quieter music but are afraid to admit it.

[djv8ga]

Land use is probably the thing that I have ranted about the most.

Last weekend I joined my parents as they shopped for a vacation trailer. They are looking at private trailer home communities in rural areas -- i.e. summer only.

As we walked through such a community I noticed that it was essentially "my people." They were pickup truck drivers, hunters, frugal, public servants (the park prefers police/fire/EMS) etc. We stopped and talked to a couple as they were closing their trailer for the season. They said that they liked their park because they could ride their bikes, walk, and generally escape from urban congestion. They may have said rat race, I dunno.

In any event my mind raced as they spoke and I looked around for bumper stickers. They were typical pickup truck bumper stickers related to hunting, POWs, etc. I guessed the park as generally Republican voters.

Of course I wondered what possesses these people to buy more stuff, such as trailers, pickup trucks, tools, etc, and move further into the country, just to want peace, quiet, walking, and riding bikes? Why can't they simply, collectively, own less and have peace, quiet, walking, and bike riding at home?

I have also experienced this mental short-circuiting with an American co-worker when he experienced Germany for the first time. He told me that yes, it is pretty, and quiet, and peaceful. But he said that he could not live like that and could not articulate why.

Here is where my mind gets stuck. For those of us that have more, what can we do to sell people on the idea that it is OK to slow down and stay put. We can figure out how to go dirt biking, and snowmobiling and horseback riding, and fishing, without paving over more land and making it more difficult to dirt bike, snowmobile, horseback ride, fish, etc.

Whatever divides us is as narrow as the debate between living to work and working to live. That is where music lives and it seems that we want quieter music but are afraid to admit it.
What exactly is your question?

[BlueStreak]

I want to live in a community encircled by high walls, razor wire, mine fields, helicopters, nuclear bombs and armed guard towers. Where everyone is required to be heavily armed and well trained in firearm and hand-to-hand combat tactics.

Because we are brave and have no fear of the outside world.

Where a central committee of "Freedom Loving Patriots" decides what's pure and amenable to "traditional American family values.".

Because we hate being told how to live.

And this central committee of "Freedom Loving Patriots" also has the power to decide who gets to leave this prurient and utopian compound and for how long, following their briefing on the filth and evils of the world of the damned that exists outside.

Because we love Liberty above all else.

Where the freedom to exercise ones religious beliefs are paramount.......so long as your not a Muslim, Atheist, Jew, Buddhist, Agnostic, Hindu, Catholic, Secularist or any of those other non-Christian or Papist abominations.

Because religious liberty is the most important of all.

Where every citizen is totally free to work as cheaply as possible and ashamed to expect anything at all resembling the horrid "living wage" or "benefits" from their employers.........

For we all know that such things are "Communism". Besides; The working poor love poverty and lack ambition anyhow.

Where foreigners are always welcome so long as they speak English exclusively, forget where they came from and rapidly assimilate into the borg according to tenets set forth by the Central Committee of Freedom Loving True Patriots.

Because who doesn't know that Americans would NEVR be so arrogant as to assume that other cultures are inferior?

A place where there is no such thing as a "homosexual" or "lesbian", because effeminate boys and Tom Girls just seem to disappear into the "outlands"......"Well, they wouldn't have been comfortable in here anyways.".

Because we hate the sin, but love the sinner.

Ahhhh, yes! Life in Freedom Loving right-wing Paradise at last.

[donquixote99]

Land use is probably the thing that I have ranted about the most.

Last weekend I joined my parents as they shopped for a vacation trailer. They are looking at private trailer home communities in rural areas -- i.e. summer only.

As we walked through such a community I noticed that it was essentially "my people." They were pickup truck drivers, hunters, frugal, public servants (the park prefers police/fire/EMS) etc.

These summer parks are an ad-hoc form of 'intentional community,' it would seem. That's the real point--having a place where it's 'your kind of people,' and ONLY your kind of people.

There was one summer--I was 18 or 19--when a friend and I hung with some young guys who were part of such a community in Northern Indiana--about 60 miles or so from Chicago. The residents were white folks, many from the far south side of Chicago. There was block-busting going on in those days, and the guys had stories of violently 'defending' their Chicago neighborhood against same.

The stories were surely bragging and BS, except for whatever part wasn't. But I'm more than certain what would have happened if some folks had tried to 'integrate' the campground....

[BlueStreak]

These summer parks are an ad-hoc form of 'intentional community,' it would seem. That's the real point--having a place where it's 'your kind of people,' and ONLY your kind of people.

There was one summer--I was 18 or 19--when a friend and I hung with some young guys who were part of such a community in Northern Indiana--about 60 miles or so from Chicago. The residents were white folks, many from the far south side of Chicago. There was block-busting going on in those days, and the guys had stories of violently 'defending' their Chicago neighborhood against same.

The stories were surely bragging and BS, except for whatever part wasn't. But I'm more than certain what would have happened if some folks had tried to 'integrate' the campground....

Oh, no Don. Those neighborhoods weren't abandoned because white folks refused to live with "negroes" in their close proximity. NO! Why that would be racist and Lord knows we are not racist and never have been! The unions, the tree huggers and the gays forced them out. Didn't you get the memo?:rolleyes:

[Tom Joad]

"I don't know. Somewhere further south, somewhere where the water is warm, the drinks are cold, and I don't know the names of the players."

Sonny Crockett

[mpholland]

Not sure what my dream neighborhood would look like. I am looking at property in central Oregon right now. Thinking of selling the place in Vancouver and moving over to the outskirts of Bend somewhere. A couple acres would be nice.

This is my fondest memory of places I grew up.

https://www.google.com/maps/@48.6837869,-117.8953443,3a,75y,104h,81.51t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sw1bV4uulqIQyx0Xe9cvIig!2e0!7i3 328!8i1664

[JJIII]

Almost anywhere that my closest neighbors are at least a mile away. Near the southern coast would be nice.

[Rajoo]

Lake Tahoe is my dream area to live in.

[donquixote99]

Lake Tahoe is my dream area to live in.

Now you're talkin!

[Tom Joad]

Lake Tahoe is my dream area to live in.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjdRgBAY278

[catswiththum]

Friendly neighbors are a must.

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/images/stories/putin4251.jpg

[djv8ga]

Why can't they simply, collectively, own less and have peace, quiet, walking, and bike riding at home?


Why do you care? If "they" have to explain it to you, you'll never understand.

[Rajoo]

Why do you care? If "they" have to explain it to you, you'll never understand.

So what, treat it as a rhetorical then. There is a utopia on earth even if it's only in our minds.

[donquixote99]

Why do you care? If "they" have to explain it to you, you'll never understand.

And you don't care how anyone else uses the land in your neighborhood?

[ebacon]

What exactly is your question?

What would your dream neighborhood look like?

[ebacon]

Friendly neighbors are a must.

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/images/stories/putin4251.jpg

He is so smug. I would shoot out his porch light with a BB gun.

Because I was angry with him for a second.

[catswiththum]

He has a bigger BB gun.

And bulletproof porch lights.

He's just a bully - and you have to face down bullies. But it's a game we are tired of playing - and he knows it.

[ebacon]

He has a bigger BB gun.

And bulletproof porch lights.

He's just a bully - and you have to face down bullies. But it's a game we are tired of playing - and he knows it.

And I know it.

My first pellet gun experience happened while sleeping in boxes with kid friends. That was Vilseck about 1978.

Catswithhum, can you help us refine the discussion? If not then I would put you in my enemy column. I would rather BB gun with Putin than debate a fine point with you.

[Rajoo]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjdRgBAY278

I went to brunch today with a few friends and when we walked out there were a couple of custom motorcycles in the parking lot. One had 350 cu.in. V8 Chevy motor putting out of 400 HP. License plate read HOSS. :)

[djv8ga]

And you don't care how anyone else uses the land in your neighborhood?
People move onto rural acreage to get away from "neighborhoods. "

[djv8ga]

What would your dream neighborhood look like?
It starts with everyone sitting on a min. of 3 acres, dirt roads, and be in an unincorporated area.

[ebacon]

People move onto rural acreage to get away from "neighborhoods. "

That is rehearsed. You are on my shit list.

[djv8ga]

That is rehearsed. You are on my shit list.
Even if it was, it's a stupid question & the idea of demonizing people because they don't want to live close to you is crap.

[Pio1980]

I went to brunch today with a few friends and when we walked out there were a couple of custom motorcycles in the parking lot. One had 350 cu.in. V8 Chevy motor putting out of 400 HP. License plate read HOSS. :)

Probably a Boss Hoss. They also make them with the larger mill.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

[catswiththum]

And I know it.

My first pellet gun experience happened while sleeping in boxes with kid friends. That was Vilseck about 1978.

Catswithhum, can you help us refine the discussion? If not then I would put you in my enemy column. I would rather BB gun with Putin than debate a fine point with you.

I don't think the point in question is worth debating, but I don't consider those who do enemies.

Live and let live, I say.

If it helps keep you organized to have me on one list or another, it's all good - I'll live with it somehow. :)

[donquixote99]

People move onto rural acreage to get away from "neighborhoods. "

Quibbling over a word doesn't dispose of the question. You don't want to say 'neighbors?' OK, do you care about the land use of your 'abutters?'

[donquixote99]

For the record, MY online enemies are not 'people with different values who disagree.'

They are more like 'people who act to bypass or wreck rational argument.'

[djv8ga]

Quibbling over a word doesn't dispose of the question. You don't want to say 'neighbors?' OK, do you care about the land use of your 'abutters?'
Why do you care what your neighbors do? What is it they do that pisses you off?

[djv8ga]

For the record, MY online enemies are not 'people with different values who disagree.'

They are more like 'people who act to bypass or wreck rational argument.'
If you have "online enemies"...you have issues. :rolleyes: Not sure you even know what the word enemy means. I bet you have neighborhood enemies too...?

[donquixote99]

Why do you care what your neighbors do? Wat is it they do that pisses you off?

I asked you first.

But since you asked, burn stinky debris, at the moment. And I'm not enormously pissed. A bit annoyed would cover it.

Speaking only for myself.

[djv8ga]

I asked you first.

But since you asked, burn stinky debris, at the moment. And I'm not enormously pissed. A bit annoyed would cover it.

Speaking only for myself.
Is it legal?

[donquixote99]

If you have "online enemies"...you have issues. :rolleyes: Not sure you even know what the word enemy means. I bet you have neighborhood enemies too...?

If you don't know what the word means, how could you tell if I have any of these unknown-to-you things?

Yes, have issues sometines, but not personal personality issues I don't think. Thank you for your opinion.

You might look the word up. It's a common English word.

[donquixote99]

Is it legal?

I'm not annoyed enough to find out.

[donquixote99]

Let's not loose sight of the question you're avoiding, DJ. Do you care about the land use of your 'abutters?'

[catswiththum]

For the record, MY online enemies are not 'people with different values who disagree.'

They are more like 'people who act to bypass or wreck rational argument.'

Not sure if that was sent my way - if injecting a humorous photo in line with the basic question is enough to qualify me as an enemy - well, OK, then. That's me.

Most of the interesting and thoughtful discussions on this and other venues begin with one train of thought and evolve into something entirely different. That, for me, is the pleasure of conversation and free association on a forum.

[donquixote99]

Not sure if that was sent my way - if injecting a humorous photo in line with the basic question is enough to qualify me as an enemy - well, OK, then. That's me.

Most of the interesting and thoughtful discussions on this and other venues begin with one train of thought and evolve into something entirely different. That, for me, is the pleasure of conversation and free association on a forum.

Heavens! Not a bit sent your way!

[catswiththum]

Heavens! Not a bit sent your way!

OK - I will be in paranoid timeout if anyone needs to get in touch . . . :D

[Rajoo]

Not sure if that was sent my way - if injecting a humorous photo in line with the basic question is enough to qualify me as an enemy - well, OK, then. That's me.

Most of the interesting and thoughtful discussions on this and other venues begin with one train of thought and evolve into something entirely different. That, for me, is the pleasure of conversation and free association on a forum.

+1.
Mind wanders, even sane ones but do have a sense of purpose or direction.
Also an effective form of meditation is to let our minds wander.

[Boreas]

Why do you care what your neighbors do? What is it they do that pisses you off?

Oh, I dunno, let their cane corso run loose in the neighborhood?

Have an appliance museum in the front yard?

Ride their "smoker" diesel pickups up and down the street?

Vote Republican?

[VanishingPoi]

Lake Tahoe is my dream area to live in.
I would think on that. I lived there. Lived on Kinky Beach (Kings Beach) north Tahoe. South (the Nevadee side) is even worse.

[donquixote99]

Not so unspoiled these days, eh?

[VanishingPoi]

My dream is to live right smack dab in the middle of Tehran where I can eat the best street food in the world.

I truly love a big city.

[Rajoo]

I would think on that. I lived there. Lived on Kinky Beach (Kings Beach) north Tahoe. South (the Nevadee side) is even worse.

Areas you describe are the typical tourist traps. IMO Tahoe is still pristine and unspoiled outside of South Lake Tahoe city and the few 'Casino' towns around the lake. Unfortunately the lake levels have been receding over the past few years and the snow instead of accumulating is melting away.

[VanishingPoi]

Areas you describe are the typical tourist traps. IMO Tahoe is still pristine and unspoiled outside of South Lake Tahoe city and the few 'Casino' towns around the lake. Unfortunately the lake levels have been receding over the past few years and the snow instead of accumulating is melting away.

I understand. I lived there in late 80s. I am probably not the best judge.

[HarmanKardon]

Some crazy intellectuals making friends easily would be nice.

[VanishingPoi]

Some crazy intellectuals making friends easily would be nice.

Where do you live?

[BlueStreak]

More and more I'm thinking it would be somewhere that has no grass or trees. I am beginning to HATE yard work.

[VanishingPoi]

More and more I'm thinking it would be somewhere that has no grass or trees. I am beginning to HATE yard work.

Weeds are flowers too!

[Dondilion]

More and more I'm thinking it would be somewhere that has no grass or trees. I am beginning to HATE yard work.

Well employ some one. Spread the wealth. :D

[VanishingPoi]

Two weeks ago, I foraged weeds in none other than SoCal and had a very tasty salad. I added a very tasty and sweet cactus fruit to the salad.

I made Toyon Tea for my co-workers and they loved it, the salad too and then I told them how I retrieved the free ingredients.

I mean't this post to quote Bluestreak.

[VanishingPoi]

I have pictures of the salad but I don't know how to upload from personal pics. Does anyone know.


Oh btw: Acorn bread is delicious and now is the time forage acorns. If interested, I can tell you how to process them to lose the tannic acid.

[Rajoo]

More and more I'm thinking it would be somewhere that has no grass or trees. I am beginning to HATE yard work.

Above the tree line somewhere in Montana or Wyoming would be your heaven on earth.

[bobabode]

I have pictures of the salad but I don't know how to upload from personal pics. Does anyone know.


Oh btw: Acorn bread is delicious and now is the time forage acorns. If interested, I can tell you how to process them to lose the tannic acid.

Top navigation bar - click 'user CP'
Left menu - Networking > Pictures and Albums - click add album > click upload pictures > click browse > (choose from your computer files) click upload.

Click the landscape button and copy/paste the file name.

[VanishingPoi]

Top navigation bar - click 'user CP'
Left menu - Networking > Pictures and Albums - click add album > click upload pictures > click browse > (choose from your computer files) click upload.

Click the landscape button and copy/paste the file name.

I did everything and there was no option to upload.

[bobabode]

I did everything and there was no option to upload.

Did you create/name an album?

[BlueStreak]

Well employ some one. Spread the wealth. :D

It's coming to that.

[VanishingPoi]

Did you create/name an album?

I did but I don't know where they went.

[VanishingPoi]

Did you create/name an album?

I found em. They are on my profile page.

[Boreas]

I did everything and there was no option to upload.

There's a far simpler way.

1. Click on the paper clip in the top row of the reply pane.

2. A "Manage Attachments" dialog box will appear. Click "Browse" to select the image file you want to add to your post.

3. Navigate to the image you want to upload and click on it.

4. The "Manage Attachments" dialog will reappear and your file name will show next to the "Browse" button. Click "Upload".

5. Close "Manage Attachments" when your file appears under "Current Attachments".

Your attachment will show as a thumbnail in your post. Clicking on it will enlarge the image.

[ebacon]

Some crazy intellectuals making friends easily would be nice.

On that topic, Senator Fred Thompson passed away today. He was a champion for reverse mortgages.

For those that don't know, reverse mortgages are a mirror of mortgages. Reverse mortgage is a tool for living closer together, whereas mortgage is a tool for moving away from each other.

Who will carry Fred Thompson's torch? During my younger years I viewed him as a scammer. More recently I viewed him as rational.

RIP Senator Thompson. Peace.

[Dondilion]

It's coming to that.

Visited Central Florida - Kissimmee/Poinciana which is about 20 miles south of
Orlando - and it seems that every second person is a landscaper.

The municipalities show great pride in appearance of their areas and citizen associations put pressure on their members to maintain a neat and tidy landscape.

The amount of people pulling medium size mowers indicates that it is a viable personal business.

The new areas, not old Kissimmee, are really neat and very clean.

What is scary though is the number of small ponds with alligators which are near homes.

[catswiththum]

What is scary though is the number of small ponds with alligators which are near homes.

Alligators help keep the growing population at manageable levels. Slip near one of those ponds . . . another condo vacant.

[Dondilion]

Alligators help keep the growing population at manageable levels. Slip near one of those ponds . . . another condo vacant.

Where I visited, Central Florida, there is a fascination with gators. It is like everything is designed to facilitate the life of the gators. Probably it is a tourism thing, but it seems that gators are more important than people.

Another aspect that I struck me as a New Yorker: houses with a lot of sliding transparent doors. It means that people are confident of their security. I guess every one is strapped. :D