| Author |
Message |
Bruce C. Miller
Guest
|
 Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:10 am Post subject:
The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.
Over the course of my life, I've been slowly eliminating unnecessary,
plebian possessions, consumables, behaviors, and other aspects of my
life that are otherwise unsophisticated, mundane, low-brow, and
commonplace. As I've done so, I've grown more and more disdain for the
proles and their monster truck rallies, pro wrestling, and walmart
furniture.
I feel there are certainly things I'm leaving out on my journey from
middle class commoner to urbane, misanthropic sophisticate, though I am
definitely on the right track. Help me complete the transformation by
pointing out anything I've missed. So far, I have addressed the
following categories:
- Music: Went from mass-marketed pop to various avant-garde and obscure
genres (almost exclusively on vinyl of course)
- TV: Went from an average 20-30 hr/wk viewer to no TV at all (I still
watch movies on the computer, however).
- Movies: Went from Hollywood mechanical narratives to art house
experimental and foreign films.
- Stereo: Went from mass-fi shelf system to extremely expensive
audiophile system.
- Clothing: Went from typical 90s fad wear to a more mature, classic
look, usually from European designers.
- Books: Went from reading mystery and scifi to more obscure classic
literature and obscure contemporary prose and poetry.
- Food: Went from eating junk food to various ethnic cuisines, often
Mediterranean (I plan to get better cooking skills soon).
- Beverages: Switched from coffee to tea and from dark beers to premium
reds.
- Furniture: Threw out anything made out of fiber or particle board or
veneered. Slowly replacing with handmade real wood and metal furniture.
- Health: Quit binge drinking and smoking. Started a 3-day/wk exercise
plan.
That's about all I can think of right now. There are little things too,
like replacing my touchtone phone with a vintage all-metal rotary.
I'm not an anachrophile or a luddite. I only eliminate those things
which cause more stress than they relieve. There many modern things I
don't intend to change (like my computers) and many commonplace items
which still have a place (like paper towels).
|
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Lord Valve
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 3:35 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
..edu, huh? Lemme guess - you're so cool by now, your
shit comes out wrapped in cellophane.
LV
Bruce C. Miller wrote:
(A major snob rant is mercifully excised) |
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Robert Morein
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.
[snip]
- Health: Quit binge drinking and smoking. Started a 3-day/wk exercise
plan.
That's about all I can think of right now. There are little things too,
like replacing my touchtone phone with a vintage all-metal rotary.
I'm not an anachrophile or a luddite. I only eliminate those things
which cause more stress than they relieve. There many modern things I
don't intend to change (like my computers) and many commonplace items
which still have a place (like paper towels).
Bruce, |
I read a tidbit on the reading habits of the literati. Surprisingly, the
most luminous minds of our generation read lots and lots of junk. The
difference between these people, and more average individuals, is that they
read and experience many more things. In their lives, the valve that closes
off experience and culture is wide open.
For some people, cloistering themselves from the vulgar, and the
low-brow pursuits of ordinary people makes them happy. So be it. But I
wouldn't take it as an article of faith that this will work for you. Don't
make it a goal in and of itself. You, too, could have a brilliant mind, yet
enjoy Jello, Twinkies, and Metallica, and if that's the case, feel no guilt.
Enjoy every sunny day.
People in search of Bohemia sometimes find themselves conforming to
another standard that is as confining as the one they abandoned. |
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ScottW
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128388164.779787.149930@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | ScottW wrote:
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
- Clothing: Went from typical 90s fad wear to a more mature, classic
look, usually from European designers.
What ever happenned to comfort?
A lot of the various fads that have come in and out of style were of
questionable comfort as well. At home, I wear whatever is the most
comfortable.
- Beverages: Switched from coffee to tea and from dark beers to premium
reds.
Yuch... You'd forgo a healthy Stoudt for a red. That is stressin.
I do think I had decent taste in beers, even in my youth. I never could
stomach the urinal water most Americans drink. These days, I mainly
only drink a glass or two with a dinner, and for that I tend to prefer
a nice red, though I don't hold anything against the cultural
refinement of a consumer of certain dark beers.
|
Newcastle Brown Ale for the lighter evening.... Pilsner Urquell when I have
a taste for hops.... and Sam Adams Stoudt (unless I can get over to BevMo
and get a real Guinness...those stupid CO2 cartridge drafts weren't at all
brilliant.
| Quote: |
- Furniture: Threw out anything made out of fiber or particle board or
veneered. Slowly replacing with handmade real wood and metal furniture.
I'd be stressing why the furniture was something to stress over.
It's not a high priority, which is why it isn't anywhere near done yet.
Personally, there's something intangibly better about sitting in a
nice, well crafted wooden chair than sitting in a $15 plastic lawn
chair from K-Mart.
|
Till you need to paint or varnish it again.... and again...... I've decided
low stress requires low maintenance.
ScottW |
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Clyde Slick
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128390279.260882.139050@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Clyde Slick wrote:
snip
I hate to ask you about the changes in your
sexual activities, but, what the hell. Want to share them with us?
I won't get into the gory details, but this has been another mixed bag.
Compared to when I was, say, 20 or so (I'm 27 now) it is now easier for
me to talk to girls and show them a good time on a date, even if most
of it is just conversation. However, I seem to be less impressed with
the things that come out of their mouths.
|
| Quote: | This could very well be because I've become jaded though, so I can't
say that my lifestyle change has had a direct cause-effect relationship
with this. It could be any number of things. I can only say it's gotten
worse since I've gotten out of college, as most of the females I've met
since then have only a high school education, and seem to be stuck at
that level of intellectual maturity.
I wish I lived in a more urban setting. I wager there would be more
artsy or eccentric types around. In real life, I tend not to even
mention my interests when asked. People often ask what type of music I
like, to which I respond, "Oh, various types..." Spares me the
confused, blank stares.
|
Sorry I asked.
I was expecting something a little funnier.
However, I submit that you would be more impressed
with what comes out of your date's mouth if it were
your come coming out of your date's mouth. |
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|
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Bruce C. Miller
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
Clyde Slick wrote:
| Quote: | snip
I hate to ask you about the changes in your
sexual activities, but, what the hell. Want to share them with us?
|
I won't get into the gory details, but this has been another mixed bag.
Compared to when I was, say, 20 or so (I'm 27 now) it is now easier for
me to talk to girls and show them a good time on a date, even if most
of it is just conversation. However, I seem to be less impressed with
the things that come out of their mouths.
This could very well be because I've become jaded though, so I can't
say that my lifestyle change has had a direct cause-effect relationship
with this. It could be any number of things. I can only say it's gotten
worse since I've gotten out of college, as most of the females I've met
since then have only a high school education, and seem to be stuck at
that level of intellectual maturity.
I wish I lived in a more urban setting. I wager there would be more
artsy or eccentric types around. In real life, I tend not to even
mention my interests when asked. People often ask what type of music I
like, to which I respond, "Oh, various types..." Spares me the
confused, blank stares. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bruce C. Miller
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
Robert Morein wrote:
| Quote: | "Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.
[snip]
- Health: Quit binge drinking and smoking. Started a 3-day/wk exercise
plan.
That's about all I can think of right now. There are little things too,
like replacing my touchtone phone with a vintage all-metal rotary.
I'm not an anachrophile or a luddite. I only eliminate those things
which cause more stress than they relieve. There many modern things I
don't intend to change (like my computers) and many commonplace items
which still have a place (like paper towels).
Bruce,
I read a tidbit on the reading habits of the literati. Surprisingly, the
most luminous minds of our generation read lots and lots of junk. The
difference between these people, and more average individuals, is that they
read and experience many more things. In their lives, the valve that closes
off experience and culture is wide open.
For some people, cloistering themselves from the vulgar, and the
low-brow pursuits of ordinary people makes them happy. So be it. But I
wouldn't take it as an article of faith that this will work for you. Don't
make it a goal in and of itself. You, too, could have a brilliant mind, yet
enjoy Jello, Twinkies, and Metallica, and if that's the case, feel no guilt.
Enjoy every sunny day.
People in search of Bohemia sometimes find themselves conforming to
another standard that is as confining as the one they abandoned.
|
This is certainly true to an extent. For me, I've already spent over a
quarter century soaking in tv, pop music, junk food, and everything
else without regard. I've probably wasted a good year or two of my life
just in front of the TV. I think that's more than enough for one
lifetime. I've been at it long enough to make an informed decision, I
believe. So far, eliminating such things has only improved my quality
of life overall.
I'm not becoming a recluse, I'm just putting a little more thought into
the things I consume and do. Just like most people wouldn't even think
to improve the sound quality of their stereo, even if they listen to it
every day and have plenty of money to do so, so too are most things.
Once you realize it is possible, the rewards are yours. I'm trying to
identify as many of those things as I can.
The downside to this, of course, is that the more you do this, the less
you have in common with the average man. Some people will think you're
a snob even if they find out you don't own a TV. I don't think game
shows and rap should be outlawed, I just don't want to voluntarily
subject myself to any more of it than I have to. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nyob123@peoplepc.com
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
"Bret Ludwig" <bretldwig@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1128389285.215594.107980@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
nyob123@peoplepc.com wrote:
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.
For me vinyl playback would fall into that category of things that cause
more stress than it relieves. All the work that goes into setting up the
rig, the expense, the time involved in cleaning each disk before
playback,
and the monstrous levels of noise and distortion inherent in the media.
If it works for you, go for it.
If you want to listen to material available on vinyl only or whose
transfer to digital is not that great, vinyl is the only game in town.
|
Agreed, but as an only source, I don't see it.
| Quote: |
I get a lot of pleasure from listening to albums I get in estate
auctions, many of which are unplayed, and most of which are material
that I am reasonably sure no one on earth besides me is listening to at
that moment.
The only reason I have a turntable at all is to play albums I don't have |
CD's for. |
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|
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Clyde Slick
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.
Over the course of my life, I've been slowly eliminating unnecessary,
plebian possessions, consumables, behaviors, and other aspects of my
life that are otherwise unsophisticated, mundane, low-brow, and
commonplace. As I've done so, I've grown more and more disdain for the
proles and their monster truck rallies, pro wrestling, and walmart
furniture.
I feel there are certainly things I'm leaving out on my journey from
middle class commoner to urbane, misanthropic sophisticate, though I am
definitely on the right track. Help me complete the transformation by
pointing out anything I've missed. So far, I have addressed the
following categories:
- Music: Went from mass-marketed pop to various avant-garde and obscure
genres (almost exclusively on vinyl of course)
- TV: Went from an average 20-30 hr/wk viewer to no TV at all (I still
watch movies on the computer, however).
- Movies: Went from Hollywood mechanical narratives to art house
experimental and foreign films.
- Stereo: Went from mass-fi shelf system to extremely expensive
audiophile system.
- Clothing: Went from typical 90s fad wear to a more mature, classic
look, usually from European designers.
- Books: Went from reading mystery and scifi to more obscure classic
literature and obscure contemporary prose and poetry.
- Food: Went from eating junk food to various ethnic cuisines, often
Mediterranean (I plan to get better cooking skills soon).
- Beverages: Switched from coffee to tea and from dark beers to premium
reds.
- Furniture: Threw out anything made out of fiber or particle board or
veneered. Slowly replacing with handmade real wood and metal furniture.
- Health: Quit binge drinking and smoking. Started a 3-day/wk exercise
plan.
That's about all I can think of right now. There are little things too,
like replacing my touchtone phone with a vintage all-metal rotary.
|
I hate to ask you about the changes in your
sexual activities, but, what the hell. Want to share them with us? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Bruce C. Miller
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
ScottW wrote:
| Quote: | "Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
- Clothing: Went from typical 90s fad wear to a more mature, classic
look, usually from European designers.
What ever happenned to comfort?
|
A lot of the various fads that have come in and out of style were of
questionable comfort as well. At home, I wear whatever is the most
comfortable.
| Quote: | - Beverages: Switched from coffee to tea and from dark beers to premium
reds.
Yuch... You'd forgo a healthy Stoudt for a red. That is stressin.
|
I do think I had decent taste in beers, even in my youth. I never could
stomach the urinal water most Americans drink. These days, I mainly
only drink a glass or two with a dinner, and for that I tend to prefer
a nice red, though I don't hold anything against the cultural
refinement of a consumer of certain dark beers.
| Quote: | - Furniture: Threw out anything made out of fiber or particle board or
veneered. Slowly replacing with handmade real wood and metal furniture.
I'd be stressing why the furniture was something to stress over.
|
It's not a high priority, which is why it isn't anywhere near done yet.
Personally, there's something intangibly better about sitting in a
nice, well crafted wooden chair than sitting in a $15 plastic lawn
chair from K-Mart.
| Quote: | I'm not an anachrophile or a luddite. I only eliminate those things
which cause more stress than they relieve. There many modern things I
don't intend to change (like my computers)
Now theres a stress item that you shouldn't overlook.
|
The computer, or rather my profession involving them, pays for all of
this. So, getting rid of the computer would require me getting rid of
everything else :(
| Quote: | and many commonplace items
which still have a place (like paper towels).
How about the toilet paper. Charmin has very nice new stress relieving
variety.
Scented or not, as you like.
|
I'd prefer a clean ass to a dirty but perfumed one, but either way
works for me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ScottW
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128384598.009055.287000@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: |
The downside to this, of course, is that the more you do this, the less
you have in common with the average man. Some people will think you're
a snob even if they find out you don't own a TV.
|
I'd just think you lack self control.
| Quote: | I don't think game
shows and rap should be outlawed, I just don't want to voluntarily
subject myself to any more of it than I have to.
So why did you have to ban all TVs from your home to avoid game shows and |
rap? I think TV is actually coming into a new golden age with the digital
channel offerings. I was just watching an awesome tribute to Muddy Waters
last night on IN HD. Lots of good stuff on TV and I can't remember the
last time I watched a game show.... take it back.... there was this hotty on
Fear Factor in a tight T-shirt they dunked in a tank...does that count?
ScottW |
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|
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Bret Ludwig
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
nyob123@peoplepc.com wrote:
| Quote: | "Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.
|
| Quote: | For me vinyl playback would fall into that category of things that cause
more stress than it relieves. All the work that goes into setting up the
rig, the expense, the time involved in cleaning each disk before playback,
and the monstrous levels of noise and distortion inherent in the media.
If it works for you, go for it.
|
If you want to listen to material available on vinyl only or whose
transfer to digital is not that great, vinyl is the only game in town.
I get a lot of pleasure from listening to albums I get in estate
auctions, many of which are unplayed, and most of which are material
that I am reasonably sure no one on earth besides me is listening to at
that moment. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ScottW
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.
Over the course of my life, I've been slowly eliminating unnecessary,
plebian possessions, consumables, behaviors, and other aspects of my
life that are otherwise unsophisticated, mundane, low-brow, and
commonplace. As I've done so, I've grown more and more disdain for the
proles and their monster truck rallies, pro wrestling, and walmart
furniture.
I feel there are certainly things I'm leaving out on my journey from
middle class commoner to urbane, misanthropic sophisticate, though I am
definitely on the right track. Help me complete the transformation by
pointing out anything I've missed. So far, I have addressed the
following categories:
- Music: Went from mass-marketed pop to various avant-garde and obscure
genres (almost exclusively on vinyl of course)
- TV: Went from an average 20-30 hr/wk viewer to no TV at all (I still
watch movies on the computer, however).
- Movies: Went from Hollywood mechanical narratives to art house
experimental and foreign films.
- Stereo: Went from mass-fi shelf system to extremely expensive
audiophile system.
- Clothing: Went from typical 90s fad wear to a more mature, classic
look, usually from European designers.
|
What ever happenned to comfort?
| Quote: |
- Books: Went from reading mystery and scifi to more obscure classic
literature and obscure contemporary prose and poetry.
- Food: Went from eating junk food to various ethnic cuisines, often
Mediterranean (I plan to get better cooking skills soon).
- Beverages: Switched from coffee to tea and from dark beers to premium
reds.
|
Yuch... You'd forgo a healthy Stoudt for a red. That is stressin.
| Quote: |
- Furniture: Threw out anything made out of fiber or particle board or
veneered. Slowly replacing with handmade real wood and metal furniture.
|
I'd be stressing why the furniture was something to stress over.
| Quote: |
- Health: Quit binge drinking and smoking. Started a 3-day/wk exercise
plan.
That's about all I can think of right now. There are little things too,
like replacing my touchtone phone with a vintage all-metal rotary.
I'm not an anachrophile or a luddite. I only eliminate those things
which cause more stress than they relieve. There many modern things I
don't intend to change (like my computers)
|
Now theres a stress item that you shouldn't overlook.
| Quote: | and many commonplace items
which still have a place (like paper towels).
|
How about the toilet paper. Charmin has very nice new stress relieving
variety.
Scented or not, as you like.
ScottW |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
nyob123@peoplepc.com
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 4:43 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
"Bruce C. Miller" <bm3719@ark.ship.edu> wrote in message
news:1128377451.913110.119850@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
| Quote: | Part time lurker, almost never a poster here... I wondered where to ask
this, and I figure ROA and RAT is a good a place as any.
Over the course of my life, I've been slowly eliminating unnecessary,
plebian possessions, consumables, behaviors, and other aspects of my
life that are otherwise unsophisticated, mundane, low-brow, and
commonplace. As I've done so, I've grown more and more disdain for the
proles and their monster truck rallies, pro wrestling, and walmart
furniture.
I feel there are certainly things I'm leaving out on my journey from
middle class commoner to urbane, misanthropic sophisticate, though I am
definitely on the right track. Help me complete the transformation by
pointing out anything I've missed. So far, I have addressed the
following categories:
- Music: Went from mass-marketed pop to various avant-garde and obscure
genres (almost exclusively on vinyl of course)
- TV: Went from an average 20-30 hr/wk viewer to no TV at all (I still
watch movies on the computer, however).
- Movies: Went from Hollywood mechanical narratives to art house
experimental and foreign films.
- Stereo: Went from mass-fi shelf system to extremely expensive
audiophile system.
- Clothing: Went from typical 90s fad wear to a more mature, classic
look, usually from European designers.
- Books: Went from reading mystery and scifi to more obscure classic
literature and obscure contemporary prose and poetry.
- Food: Went from eating junk food to various ethnic cuisines, often
Mediterranean (I plan to get better cooking skills soon).
- Beverages: Switched from coffee to tea and from dark beers to premium
reds.
- Furniture: Threw out anything made out of fiber or particle board or
veneered. Slowly replacing with handmade real wood and metal furniture.
- Health: Quit binge drinking and smoking. Started a 3-day/wk exercise
plan.
That's about all I can think of right now. There are little things too,
like replacing my touchtone phone with a vintage all-metal rotary.
I'm not an anachrophile or a luddite. I only eliminate those things
which cause more stress than they relieve. There many modern things I
don't intend to change (like my computers) and many commonplace items
which still have a place (like paper towels).
For me vinyl playback would fall into that category of things that cause |
more stress than it relieves. All the work that goes into setting up the
rig, the expense, the time involved in cleaning each disk before playback,
and the monstrous levels of noise and distortion inherent in the media.
If it works for you, go for it. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Atsunori Tamagawa
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:41 am Post subject:
Re: The making of a modern Bohemian |
|
|
Bruce C. Miller wrote
| Quote: |
I feel there are certainly things I'm leaving out on my journey from
middle class commoner to urbane, misanthropic sophisticate, though
I am definitely on the right track. Help me complete the
transformation by pointing out anything I've missed. So far, I have
addressed the following categories:
|
Hello Bruce,
Long time ago I read a book written by an American author,
"Walden" by Henry David Thoreau. Even reading in Japanese translation,
I was deeply impressed because I thought I saw one of ultimate forms
of DIY and simple life.
Though, when I joined an American company later, some of co-workers
mentioned that the book was virtually about how to avoid taxes. (^^;)
Anyway, I think that things you have done so far are based on
consumption of things. Chosing A over B is like that.
DIY or "creation" of something might open the door toward
satisfaction you didn't expect since this is rec.autio.tubes.
It can be a very small project.
Atsunori |
|
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|
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