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Update on my training: 60 push-ups and 60 sit-ups throughout the day, stretching and warm-ups (isometrics and calisthenics) twice today. Did some TKD (Tae Kwon Do) moves and forms that I was taught and want to master… I plan on testing sometime this winter for a belt. Martial arts is something I always wanted to get into and I have a book and going to do a lot on my own until life lets me incorporate classroom work. I walked for about an hour and a half and attempted to jog and do short sprints but I am nursing my knees. I don’t have access to weights yet but don’t need them, my muscles are sooooo sore. Walking and “working out” are very different on my body. I hate sitting and reading so I stand / walk while I read which is really nice.
I had the opportunity to talk to mom and we got into a discussion about Yurts. I looked up different housing options just for fun (I don’t agree with “traditional” housing anymore) and found yurts. They are so cool, after my journey I would live cheap enough for a more temp structure then build a nice big yurt. Take a look at these things they are awesome! I am finished with Into the Wild and find that I agree with some of the thought he had… not to the extreme but enough to relate. The term “plastic people” he uses is a little to judgemental for me but I can see the “plastic life” and mindset that I don’t want.
Needless to say mom’s view on the yurt was a little touchy but really, take down the paneling on your wall and what is there? Just beams and insulation, so what is wrong with wood and insulation covered in dense cloth? The yurt is a sound structure, and so is a tipi but people think they are silly and crude because they are “out of the norm”. Chances are people won’t even consider them without looking into the sound construction just because they are different. You can hook up any modern convenience you want to a yurt. I, however really don’t need running water and plumbing… outhouse/composting toilet would work fine if you know what you are doing and I would just shower everyday at the YMCA after working out. A gravity sink would take care of shaving, brushing etc. Cooking is easy with a grill and Coleman stove in the Summer. Also don’t need anything but a wood burning stove and very limited electricity. I would not live this way because I have to, its because I want to. Even if I had millions of dollars, I would build a yurt and live close to nature with my goats (milk and cheese), chickens (eggs), and garden. I wouldn’t be able to slaughter, I love animals too much (I will eat meat, just can’t slaughter) so I would donate to needy families that would slaughter.
Ok now I am going on about nothing lol. I just don’t see the reason to spend so much money for a residence… ever. Yurts can be constructed next to each other and connected even for more room. Anyways check out the links (first is temp and second is later with more money) and let me know what you think. I am just interested. I would build a tipi right on the ground if I could, they are awesome but no one would visit lol.
http://www.redskyshelters.com/
http://coloradoyurt.com/yurts/index.php
December 7th, 2007 at 7:35 am
Cool Jay! I love yurts! My husband and i stay in one each year for our anniversary trip. They are so cozy and personal. Have fun with that idea!
December 7th, 2007 at 10:53 am
I will say this — Jay is somewhat articulating something that is important to me, for one, and that is the concept of living more simply so that others might simply live. Let me put this another way — it always amazes me when I see movie stars, rich and famous, etc., and I marvel at “what could be done with that money?” The one I always think of for some reason is John Travolta. There was a 60 minutes or something on him a few years ago — one picture I distinctly remember is the airplane parked behind his house. Not a Cessna, mind you, it was something like a 737 that he owns and flies. He takes off FROM HIS HOUSE. Like from a runway. I remember just shaking my head and thinking “Man, what kind of good could one do with that kind of money?” Celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and the Pitt/Jolie crew seem to at least “get it” somewhat, as well as seemingly Bill Gates to some extent, so that seems pretty cool, but you do wonder to extent they truly give their money away.
Jay might be on the kick of something like this — live simply, but yet go out and earn a living so that you aren’t just freeloading off society. I would hope that is the case. I definitely think there is a difference between 1) living in a yurt and denying yourself the luxuries of life (although some would question the YMCA membership??) but yet providing for yourself via some type of employment and 2) “living simply” but expecting others to pay your entire way through life. In my line of work we occasionally run into this kind of thing — have a patient right now whose husband is a “preacher”, and she essentially uses that title very loosely from what I can tell, but makes it a practice to go around to businesses and get stuff for free, while at the same time having a nice cellular phone, internet access, and 20 or 25 acres of land. Eh, I guess that will be for them and God to sort out, but I do shake my head at the duplicity of it.
Amy (my coworker), any comments?
Just trying to stimulate conversation. A question for you all — please tell me that I stir the pot in a different way than Harriet? I don’t ever want to come across as that mean spirited, and if I have in the past, I apologize.
December 7th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Sorry to double post. . .one more thing. . .I know that many of us out there would read this above post and think “Well, that smacks of socialism. . .” I wouldn’t necessarily disagree with you on that. I’m NOT a socialist, so before anyone freaks out about that and reports me to the Senate or anything, just bear that in mind.
I do think that sometimes capitalism can run amock at the expense of those that are less fortunate. HOWEVER, I do not support the concept of a welfare state. I think often when people read a post like Jay’s they might think that he is bending that way — let me live simply, but gimme my free groceries and health care, even though I’m able bodied. I don’t think that is the direction he is trying to point at all.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:14 am
I want to live simply because I think money can be put to better use. A yurt for instance is a great lifestyle and saves my money for more important functions. How many people want to go aid people in a disaster, be a missionary, or just take a vacation hiking somewhere in Central America but can never seem to get the funds. There are far far more important things to me then the material… I would rather have experiences.
Plus adding a little challenge to daily life like simply farming keeps things in perspective. First, it will keep you moving and not just sitting in front of the “waste my time box”. Second you will have much more appreciation for life and things when you are the one making them. I would love my yurt I built, the knife I learned to make from a blacksmithing class, or the quality food I grew for myself. There is more to life then being a hard working collector of stuff.
December 7th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Jaybo! I recommend you look into Yoga. This will hep you get your knee back into health and increase your over all flexibility. Not to mention it is right in line with the marchal arts.
Well stretched muscles are stronger muscles. Try a test, Try to do a pull-up/chin up without stretching. Stretch and try again!
You should look at some specific poses though:
The Warrior Pose(s)
The Lotus
Those will work you knees in a healthy way. In general, I think yoga would benefit you greatly.
If you get a Teepee, I would visit. There is a kid in Morristown, TN who is living in one now. Sorry no reference material to go with it, but check Knoxnews.com!
December 7th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Your yurt search reminds me of something that I saw on pbs. Below is the link. This guy lived in a yurt or something like that during college at App State and now he runs this sustainable practices type farm in the mountains of NC. Turtle Island is northwest of where you crossed towards Virginia.
http://www.turtleislandpreserve.com/
December 7th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Sorry folks, everyone seems to be bashing me again, yet some of you still come up with the same thoughts I have put to comment.
Is this the easy way for Jaybo to go…..free-loading?
Dave, you said exactly what I have said…what makes your opinion so different?
December 8th, 2007 at 12:25 am
Assuming I did say the same thing that you did (which I don’t really think I did), you know very well what makes it different. It’s the tone and demeaning manner in which you said it. I never, not once on here, have insulted Jay personally. You have. Have I questioned the leadership of his “Team”? Absolutely. However, again, as I have stated before, I’ve met Jay, I’ve found him to be pleasant, open to learning, and seeking to continue to discover things about himself. You tear people down by insulting them without even meeting them face to face. You lead a sad existence, Harriet, and I truly feel sorry for you. Funny thing is, I meet people like you quite often in my practice, and every time I do, I wonder just how tiresome it must be to carry around the burden of bitterness, hatefulness, and displeasure.
*Yawn* Other than that, your comments bore me, Harriet.
December 8th, 2007 at 12:32 am
Another double post, but I just can’t keep from making one more suggestion. People, I think we’re generally all in agreement that Harriet’s sole reason for posting on here is to try and stir up emotional responses, and it seems like she’s probably caught us all in it. Why don’t we do this — can we all just be in agreement that let’s just skip over her posts when we read? It’s kind of like a car wreck — you find yourself oddly unable to look at it. Let’s all just agree to not look, okay? Responding to her truly isn’t worth our time. Let her just post her little responses, cute as they may be or whatever, but let’s not give her the pleasure of altering the dialogue. She’s not worth the energy to tap the keys. Sadly, I’ve now spent 10 minutes responding twice because of her, so, officially, this is it. Anyone else on board with this suggestion?
December 8th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Dave,
I am in total agreement with you. After much thought over the “Harriet” situation, I have come to the conclusion that it is her sole purpose now to bait people by pushing whatever buttons she can using the tactic of tearing down Jaybo’s character, purpose, and actions. She has even admitted that she is “having fun on this site” because so many people are getting angry over her responses. That’s twisted and sick. What I find happening is that many of us, myself included, are channeling too much energy into her and not into the real reason we should be coming to this site which is to support, suggest, or CONSTRUCTIVELY criticize ideas if need be. But she is now getting sick pleasure out of making people angry. I don’t see how that can help Jaybo or anyone else. It’s only feeding her warped little desires to tick people off and sit back and laugh at their angry or concerned responses.
So, since Jaybo chooses not to block her in the name of fairness, I am completely on board with you and plan to also bypass any comments she may make on this site from this point on. I am fully aware that her future comments are only to try to stir up anger so that this site can get “more hits” in her name. From now on I plan to focus on the real reason why I’m on here and will bypass/ignore her comments. I hope others follow Dave’s suggestion as well. Let’s all stop grabbing the dangling worm shall we? Christians shouldn’t act this way. So I plan to focus on the positive. Thanks, Dave! Anyone else on board?
Oh and Dave, you have NEVER said what Harriet has said. The posts you have made have been your opinions based on positive and constructive views. I have not seen anywhere where you have been personally insulting or demeaning. So, don’t let her fool you into thinking you are anything like her at all. You are not even close!
December 8th, 2007 at 8:27 am
Thank you, all! Again you gave same info I have given..Jaybo needs all comments, let’s face it, my thoughts are your thoughts too.
He has changed his entire purpose for the walk,,,,and his way of traveling..to be instead with those of you who seem to thrive on this moment of fame.
So someblody begins a journey to walk…but he has not upheld his original plan, his way of walking, resting, eating, etc was interesting at one time, but now it seems he is just killing time, waiting for someone else to come see him and bring him goodies.
Yes, the first postings he did were interesting, as he walked along the way, seeing the various sites, and commenting, but now he is wasting time.
Oh well, read if you wish to.
Thanks
December 8th, 2007 at 11:12 am
Can there be windows in Yurts?
December 8th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Windows in yurts… yes
December 8th, 2007 at 1:01 pm
Jaybo, I looked at the Yurts sites and I think those are so cool! I never knew those existed before. Being someone who likes simplicity and the outdoors as well, I would love to try that kind of living. It would definitely cut down on the every day expense of living. Where are you thinking of putting up a temporary one? Are there places set aside just for Yurt living?
December 8th, 2007 at 1:49 pm
Jay
When you began in March 08, my concern is that when you reach Yuma Ariz. in the summer the temp reaches 110 F Later May __ Sept. And be advised when you reach the mountains, past El Centro over night Temps get pretty cold even during the day it can get pretty chilly, there are Indian Reservations through that route, that you should be able to get some tips from, but once you get there it`ll be all down hill from there.
Do you have any more pics?
December 8th, 2007 at 10:41 pm
I am with you Dave!!!! Out of sight out of mind…also Living a simple life is what I feel is needed here in our country. we are so bogged down with our “needed” material goods, that we are not able to shake free and enjoy the experiences life has to offer. People always ask me why I drive a nineteen year old truck..two reasons:1. no car payment 2. extra money in the summer to travel!!! We need more people like Jaybo thinking out side the box…and one more thing I don’t think he is a free loader because in the future he will reciprocate a hundred fold!!!!