Scots Taffer on 24/3/2012 at 02:21
I imagine my daily ritual of checking TTLG for activity is starting to border on quirky
Or maybe just worrying
Vasquez on 24/3/2012 at 08:07
Well, there's the cup of yoghurt I must have in the morning, it's almost as big an addiction as coffee.
I have to put on wool socks before getting out of bed, winter or summer (I don't even have cold feet, it's just a habit).
I need time alone regularly, every year I go to summerhouse and spend 1-3 (preferably 3!) weeks there by myself. If I don't do that, I'd probably go crazy - in springtime I get restless from being around people the long winter months, when I can have alone time only day here and half a day there.
(I don't see this as a "quirk" myself, but other people are so often surprised and curious about it, so I guess it might be.)
SubJeff on 24/3/2012 at 10:08
There is nothing quirky about wanting to be by yourself. Last year I walked Hadrian's Wall and some of the most enjoyable bits of it were when I was way ahead of the group, or way behind, and able to just take in vastness of the space around me on my own.
There is also something to be said about experiencing the same thing with someone you care about deeply, but occasional solitude is very, very important to me.
Vasquez on 24/3/2012 at 11:03
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
There is nothing quirky about wanting to be by yourself.
I know, for me it seems very normal, but I've been asked so many times questions like "Aren't you
scared to be in the middle of nowhere by yourself?", "Isn't it
totally boring after a day or two?" and even "That's so sad and lonely!" (FYI, being alone doesn't by default mean you feel lonely) that I've come to the conclusion that some people think its' totally weird. Especially so because I'm a woman - seemingly men are made to roam the wild alone, but women are too social, timid and dependent of others to seek solitude :rolleyes:
I admit, I don't understand people who say they'd "go nuts" if they had to be alone more than 5 minutes... But I also don't go all GASP EEK WTF!? over it to their faces ;)
Edit. Oops, totally overlooked the word "daily"... Oh well, I need a daily dose of solitude, too.
faetal on 26/3/2012 at 12:30
I live quite near to The New Forest in Hampshire / Dorset, UK and sometimes when I am out walking, I can hear any cars, can't see anything man made and I feel completely at peace. Barring any overhead planes, I like to imagine that what I am experiencing would be indistinguishable from a similar biome in a pre-civilised era.
Brian The Dog on 29/3/2012 at 19:33
When I am at the supermarket, I align all my items nicely perpendicular or parallel to the conveyor belt. It's about the only OCD thing I do. I never quite know what to do with loose fruit...
nickie on 29/3/2012 at 21:02
Quote Posted by faetal
I live quite near to The New Forest in Hampshire / Dorset, UK and sometimes when I am out walking, I can hear any cars, can't see anything man made and I feel completely at peace. Barring any overhead planes, I like to imagine that what I am experiencing would be indistinguishable from a similar biome in a pre-civilised era.
I'm now living in Wales and the occasional car sound is a real intrusion to the sound of sheep and birds - that's it. I love it.
@ Vasquez - I totally understand what you're saying. But pay no attention to anyone - nowadays total solitude is too precious to squander. Some of the best times I've had have been dog sitting for my inlaws where I'm not bothered by anyone for a week or more. :)
As to daily rituals, it has to be a cup of tea, followed by two cups of coffee and some TTLG before I'm ready to face the world.
faetal on 30/3/2012 at 11:47
Another great thing about the wilderness is the night sky. I'm currently on industry placement in a small Bedfordshire village, but usually live in Southampton and I'm really digging the millions of stars in the sky. Where I usually live in a city, the number of visible stars during even a clear night isn't past the hundreds. Also, being able to hear owls, foxes etc.. in the night is oddly comforting. I love some aspects of city life, but gun to head, I'd pick rural every time.
Al_B on 30/3/2012 at 19:22
Quote Posted by faetal
I'm really digging the millions of stars in the sky.
You've probably (
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-17539315) already seen this but if not the interactive tool linked to about half way through the article is worth a try. It's quite humbling, particularly as that's just part of our own galaxy.
(google maps still have some work ahead of them...)
demagogue on 31/3/2012 at 02:53
If I hear any more about the English countryside it's going to make me mortally sad, for reasons that even explaining would make me mortally sad. I feel sad just alluding to it. Fuck it, I'm just sad. :(
I was supposed to meet a woman in the English countryside. One of those things that's literally so lovely I can't handle it. I didn't even realize anything could possibly be that lovely.
edit: and by "meet" I mean "live with", otherwise it just sounds like I really like hills and trees.
