Tonight is the last night – scary! Tomorrow I venture out on a 4 day hike with 6 kids and when I return the plan is to be nomadic. However I am kind of behind on packing and cleaning my house so I may need to stay a night or so when I return to get it finished.
The hike will be a good introduction and be like a reborn. I know that its going to very very tiring and fingers crossed it doesn't take too long to recover from it. I spent most of today doing emergency response plans, ration packs and organising the final logistics maily to do with transport.
We are starting at Harris Dam Picnic Area and hiking about 5km to the first hut (Harris Dam Campsite) tomorrow afternoon. Then about 13km to Youdamung Campsite. Sunday will be our longest trek as we should be walking about 18km to Possum Springs Campsite. Monday we then walk out to the road 8km away to get picked up.
Keeta is going to be doggy sat for the whole 4 days which will be good to see if she gets along with the sitters and their little dog. I will try to keep a diary of the hike so I can type it up and add to my blog.
Tomorrow is going to be a very early start for me. I need to get up and head down to Mornington (Near Harvey) as I have been booked to do some work till noon. I think I will be doing High Ropes. Ill then head home, pick up the hired backpacks, take Keeta over to be doggy sat and then get myself ready for the kids to arrive at about 4.30pm. I am hoping that we can get away nice and early so that we have plenty of time to get to the hut before the sun goes down. Nothing worse then rushing and trying to cook dinner in the dark – well I can think of things worse but its not very pleasant anyways.
I was planning to maybe do something special tonight but I am just to tired and there is way to much to be done. I may celebrate once I have settled into a routine next week or something.
Ok – I'm off to bed now – Need to get a good 6 hours before I start tomorrow!
Tomorrow IS the NEW day!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sorry Correction - ONLY 5 days!
In my last entry I said I had 10 days left when really I only had 7 because I have a 4 day hike along the Bibbulmun Track from Harris Dam to Possum Springs over the weekend which would have been my last. So technically that hike will be my transcendence from the urban to the rewild lifestyles.
Today I have 5 days until the journey begins. I had my last garage sale and get rid of as much as I could unfortunately people didn't really want to come out to garage sales today because it was rather hot so I have been left with no choice but to put all the items on the road side and put up a signs saying 'Free ONO' – Some of my cubs parents come down and took a lot of it which was good because I know they needed it and the lady who will helping me out by looking after my dog when I need to work got a dishwasher out of it. I had completely forgotten I had it as it has lived in the shed for many many months.
Today has been an interesting day emotional wise. I have been reminiscing a lot especially when items from my childhood where given away. I made a total of $20 out of all of todays sales but I wasn't selling if for the money. I just need to rid of the stuff and break the mental connections with materialism but I was glad that some of it when to the people I know because I guess in the back of my mind it wasn't completely going away in that aspect as if a stranger had taken it.
I think today people realized that for me this is a reality – that I am actually doing it. I also get the impression that people have been talking about it and in a sense some are trying to intervene to 'help me'. I have had so many offers to come over for dinner its not funny – I will however take them up on those offers. I know that if it gets to much or I become ill then I can pull out anytime because I have that network there which will help me. A lot of people think I am stupid. I don't really blame them for that but they don't understand the way I see things.
5 days – wow that has court up to me very quickly. I am looking forward to this hike and I guess its fate that it falls on the days that it does because I am using this as a rebirth and to step out on my journey on the right food, nice and steady and guided.
Today I have 5 days until the journey begins. I had my last garage sale and get rid of as much as I could unfortunately people didn't really want to come out to garage sales today because it was rather hot so I have been left with no choice but to put all the items on the road side and put up a signs saying 'Free ONO' – Some of my cubs parents come down and took a lot of it which was good because I know they needed it and the lady who will helping me out by looking after my dog when I need to work got a dishwasher out of it. I had completely forgotten I had it as it has lived in the shed for many many months.
Today has been an interesting day emotional wise. I have been reminiscing a lot especially when items from my childhood where given away. I made a total of $20 out of all of todays sales but I wasn't selling if for the money. I just need to rid of the stuff and break the mental connections with materialism but I was glad that some of it when to the people I know because I guess in the back of my mind it wasn't completely going away in that aspect as if a stranger had taken it.
I think today people realized that for me this is a reality – that I am actually doing it. I also get the impression that people have been talking about it and in a sense some are trying to intervene to 'help me'. I have had so many offers to come over for dinner its not funny – I will however take them up on those offers. I know that if it gets to much or I become ill then I can pull out anytime because I have that network there which will help me. A lot of people think I am stupid. I don't really blame them for that but they don't understand the way I see things.
5 days – wow that has court up to me very quickly. I am looking forward to this hike and I guess its fate that it falls on the days that it does because I am using this as a rebirth and to step out on my journey on the right food, nice and steady and guided.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
10 Days
10 days to go before I leave my house behind and venture out into an unknown lifestyle. I have been doing a far bit of personal discovery and reflection lately, as well as a lot of procrastination when it come to sorting my stuff. A few times I have had doubt in what I am doing. I even contemplated giving up being a Cub Scout Leader to make it easier. I don t know why I was thinking that because I extremely enjoy it but I guess its the time that it consumes and the fact that at times it feels like an uphill battle. As I was digging through my junk I ironically found something that I had adapted from a poem which originally help inspired me to help others through the Scouting Movement:
“Its not for the easy hours, high pay, parents gratitude, power or prestige, because if so I would sadly be disappointed. Its because I want a better world for our children – a better future for all.
A world they can share and help shape, A world of live and laughter, unconditional acceptance, free from social expectations, where they have the chance to be themselves. A world where a child has the freedom to experience life as it should be for a child.
I want them to look at all the small things in life which are taken for granted – the stars, a sunset, a small sapling, a smile and feel its beauty inside themselves. I want to help them learn to finish what they start and feel pride in that, and to guide them to know their worth with a deeper understanding of themselves to show them that giving is always far greater then receiving.
I want to help shape adults who have strength of character and are sensitive and compassionate to others. I want them to be the best they can be – because they are allowed to be.
I'm giving of myself and time and I reap rewards far beyond what I give because my wage consists of smiles and laughter, the honour of observing a child's growing self confidence and the look of personal triumph on the face of a child who has achieved more than they thought they ever could.
This is why I do it!”
I guess its for the small things in life which are the real rewards however they tend to be overshadowed by a selfish desire for more conventional rewards. But as it says in the extract I will be sadly disappointed because things of this nature are not worth pursuing. Reading the things in the extract it helps point that out and help re-guide me. I need to put those negative thoughts and doubts out of mind.
“Its not for the easy hours, high pay, parents gratitude, power or prestige, because if so I would sadly be disappointed. Its because I want a better world for our children – a better future for all.
A world they can share and help shape, A world of live and laughter, unconditional acceptance, free from social expectations, where they have the chance to be themselves. A world where a child has the freedom to experience life as it should be for a child.
I want them to look at all the small things in life which are taken for granted – the stars, a sunset, a small sapling, a smile and feel its beauty inside themselves. I want to help them learn to finish what they start and feel pride in that, and to guide them to know their worth with a deeper understanding of themselves to show them that giving is always far greater then receiving.
I want to help shape adults who have strength of character and are sensitive and compassionate to others. I want them to be the best they can be – because they are allowed to be.
I'm giving of myself and time and I reap rewards far beyond what I give because my wage consists of smiles and laughter, the honour of observing a child's growing self confidence and the look of personal triumph on the face of a child who has achieved more than they thought they ever could.
This is why I do it!”
I guess its for the small things in life which are the real rewards however they tend to be overshadowed by a selfish desire for more conventional rewards. But as it says in the extract I will be sadly disappointed because things of this nature are not worth pursuing. Reading the things in the extract it helps point that out and help re-guide me. I need to put those negative thoughts and doubts out of mind.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Wheels are in Motion!
Over the weekend I held a garage sale to start selling my stuff, which was harder then I first thought. I got rid of a few of my bigger things such as my bed and my couches but as I dig through a lot of my other stuff I find I have a lot of useless stuff. Things that I don't even know why I have kept them. I could only imagine what other people collect over the years. My recycling bin is so full I can hardly move it.
While doing the garage sale I was listening to the news reports coming in about the lives lost in the fires over in Victoria. 35 confirmed dead – this was the first I had heard of the fires as I don't have a TV and I only really read the local news papers.
Finally back to Cub Scouts tonight – gees I have missed it however I think the school holidays made a few of them feral but it will not take long till they become good little Cub Scouts again. One of the Joey Scouts (the section below Cubs) said that he knew some of the people who lost their homes in the Victorian fires and that we should do something to help them. I then asked Norma (our group leader) about what happened with the fires as I didn't know. She explained to me that the death toll is expected to be over 200 people. I couldn't believe it! That is a lot of people. Our Scout Group is planning to do a bit of fund raising to help some of the people who are left behind after the fires. I guess it reminds us that Mother Nature has a power far beyond what we could ever understand, even though the fires where deliberately lit. I was court up in the Bush Fires of Australia Day a few years ago and I understand the ruthless power of wildfire. It was one of the scariest days of my life.
Anyways – thats another story.
I will try again to get rid of a few more things this coming weekend however if I am unsuccessful I will just give it all away and give people the option of making a donation. Who knows they may be feeling generous. I sent an email today giving my 21 days notice to my real estate – so that is kind of the confirming commitment that I am actually going to do this. The funny thing with the garage sale is that one of the very first things that I sold was my bed. I'm currently sleeping on a 'blow up bed' which deflates itself by the time morning breaks, leaving me sleeping on the hard wooden floor boards. I guess its weening me into permanently sleeping on the ground.
The wheels are in motions and I am rather looking forward to it - No turning back now!
While doing the garage sale I was listening to the news reports coming in about the lives lost in the fires over in Victoria. 35 confirmed dead – this was the first I had heard of the fires as I don't have a TV and I only really read the local news papers.
Finally back to Cub Scouts tonight – gees I have missed it however I think the school holidays made a few of them feral but it will not take long till they become good little Cub Scouts again. One of the Joey Scouts (the section below Cubs) said that he knew some of the people who lost their homes in the Victorian fires and that we should do something to help them. I then asked Norma (our group leader) about what happened with the fires as I didn't know. She explained to me that the death toll is expected to be over 200 people. I couldn't believe it! That is a lot of people. Our Scout Group is planning to do a bit of fund raising to help some of the people who are left behind after the fires. I guess it reminds us that Mother Nature has a power far beyond what we could ever understand, even though the fires where deliberately lit. I was court up in the Bush Fires of Australia Day a few years ago and I understand the ruthless power of wildfire. It was one of the scariest days of my life.
Anyways – thats another story.
I will try again to get rid of a few more things this coming weekend however if I am unsuccessful I will just give it all away and give people the option of making a donation. Who knows they may be feeling generous. I sent an email today giving my 21 days notice to my real estate – so that is kind of the confirming commitment that I am actually going to do this. The funny thing with the garage sale is that one of the very first things that I sold was my bed. I'm currently sleeping on a 'blow up bed' which deflates itself by the time morning breaks, leaving me sleeping on the hard wooden floor boards. I guess its weening me into permanently sleeping on the ground.
The wheels are in motions and I am rather looking forward to it - No turning back now!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Decision Made
Ok, I have made my mind up. I'm going to do it! Even though I have a little bit of fear about the decision I am confident it is the right one. Everything seems to me pulling me in that direction.
I have sat down and gone through all the logistics that I can think of and I believe I can make it work.
I'm going to give myself to the end of February to get things sorted. Then I am going to live off grid until May, go over to the USA and do Camp America, come back to Australia in in the beginning of October and properly stay in the local caravan park until I sort out what I want to do next.
I have Grassroot Venture activities and camps on most weekends until I leave for the US so I will stay out bush during the week, only coming in when needed, do my activities and camps on the weekend, find somewhere to stay Saturday night so I can do Cub Scouts on Mondays, Then head off again.
I've organized a place for my dog to stay while I need to work (coz at the moment I still need money to pay off debt and my US ticket). I'm going to sell all my belongings except those with strong sentimental value such as photos and memorabilia – I'm organizing for them go into storage. I've worked out other logistics of how I would be able to do things, what I will need and I have even worked out a way of being able to still use my laptop. I need my laptop to take bookings for my activities and camps and to organize things. I have won a 200 watt inverter for my laptop which plugs straight into my cigarette lighter of my car – just need to find the money to pay for it.
It's going to be a massive learning curve. I've got a few weeks now to get things sorted and sell everything. I wonder how many people have done the same as what I am doing now? It makes sense even financially in this economic recession. Sociologically it is more like we are designed to live – as we where never meant to live our lives in the way society is currently structured, working our lives away to make money to – live! Thats what I don't get..... We are so dependent on money to sustain normal life it is ridicules. Money has no real value except that which we place on it. In a way it is only imaginary, a man made credit used to..... control people.
I feel rather liberated by the idea now of going off grid – however I think I do have to find another word for it as 'going off grid' doesn't feel just right.
I have sat down and gone through all the logistics that I can think of and I believe I can make it work.
I'm going to give myself to the end of February to get things sorted. Then I am going to live off grid until May, go over to the USA and do Camp America, come back to Australia in in the beginning of October and properly stay in the local caravan park until I sort out what I want to do next.
I have Grassroot Venture activities and camps on most weekends until I leave for the US so I will stay out bush during the week, only coming in when needed, do my activities and camps on the weekend, find somewhere to stay Saturday night so I can do Cub Scouts on Mondays, Then head off again.
I've organized a place for my dog to stay while I need to work (coz at the moment I still need money to pay off debt and my US ticket). I'm going to sell all my belongings except those with strong sentimental value such as photos and memorabilia – I'm organizing for them go into storage. I've worked out other logistics of how I would be able to do things, what I will need and I have even worked out a way of being able to still use my laptop. I need my laptop to take bookings for my activities and camps and to organize things. I have won a 200 watt inverter for my laptop which plugs straight into my cigarette lighter of my car – just need to find the money to pay for it.
It's going to be a massive learning curve. I've got a few weeks now to get things sorted and sell everything. I wonder how many people have done the same as what I am doing now? It makes sense even financially in this economic recession. Sociologically it is more like we are designed to live – as we where never meant to live our lives in the way society is currently structured, working our lives away to make money to – live! Thats what I don't get..... We are so dependent on money to sustain normal life it is ridicules. Money has no real value except that which we place on it. In a way it is only imaginary, a man made credit used to..... control people.
I feel rather liberated by the idea now of going off grid – however I think I do have to find another word for it as 'going off grid' doesn't feel just right.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Bring You Up To Speed -
Hmm.. Deciding where to start to give you an understanding of where I am at now.
On a cold and rainy April night at King Edward Hospital in 1984 and precious baby boy was born – hmmm too for back.
Lets skip ahead a good 20 odd years - I lived in Halls Head (Mandurah) Western Australia and worked at Fairbridge Village as the Senior Activities Instructor (later changed to Senior Instructor of Outdoor Recreation).
Fairbridge is a major youth charitable organisation in Western Australia and the only charity in Australia that owns a whole nationally heritage listed town site. Fairbridge runs a myriad of programs and services for young people and has partnership agreements with 14 other youth organisations. Fairbridge works with children with a disability, young people at risk, young people with drug problems, the unemployed, young people in our justice system, young people who are struggling with life, indigenous young people and refugees, through to gifted young people. Fairbridge assists young people to reach their full potential and bring about long term positive sustainable change in their lives. I used to coordinate and run camps and activities for them.
Pritty awesome and it also has an Eco Village status. Perfect place for me to be working. The main problem was it was very long hours (which I didn't mind doing) and the drive to work was 80minutes every single day because Fairbridge is located north of Pinjarra. My situation changed where I was then living so I asked if I could live on site at Fairbridge in one of the cottages which wasn't being utilized by clients. To my surprise I was allowed.
I was only planning to live on site for a few months but those few months turned into a year and half. It was great living at Fairbridge. It was also great working at Fairbridge but I couldn't do both. It got to the point where I needed to re-enter society and rent a house in Pinjarra (the town just down the road).
I love Pinjarra – its the first town that I have lived in (and I moved around heaps when I was a kid) that I felt true pride to say I lived there. I am the Pinjarra Cub Scout Leader (Akela) and I get a true sense of community from the place. It takes me an hour to get a loaf of bread because I keep bumping into people and having a chat to them. I don't mind because I actually enjoy it.
One day I went to the shop and found a flier on the community board for a dog for $100. I always wanted a dog since I had one when I was little. I took down the number and gave them a call. The lady said that if the dog wasn't taken by the end of the day that she would need to put her down because they where moving over east. I just had to take her. She was a 3 year old black and white Aketa X named (ironicly) Keeta.
So here I am living in town with a dog and working long hours for a course I think everyone should be working towards – helping people. However all good things come to an end. I wasn't happy with my job and I just wanted to spread my wings as I felt I wasn't reaching my full potential. I applied to Camp America and got accepted and placed straight away. I decided I would start a part time business on weekends taking kids camping (www.grassrootventures.com.au) to make a bit of money to go towards my trip to the USA in May 09. Unfortunately I hit a few hiccups with my employer and I decided it would be in my best interest to resign – no hard feelings. All things happen for a reason.
I have developed my business into a 'full time business' as best as I can. It has a lot of potential however the world financial crisis has been putting pressure on peoples personal financial situations which intern means they don't spend as much as they used to on the kinds of services I offer. So here I am I have no steady income, I have a dog to feed, rent to pay ($230 a week) and bills I can not pay for. I can see myself getting in deep debt.
Around 3 years has passed since I lived in Halls Head and I feel I have come a very long way. I have no TV, Microwave, Electric Kettle, Toaster – the only electrical things I have is my laptop, a printer, my fridge and washing machine oh... And a lamp which I never use – I just keep it coz it looks cool.
I use only 80L of water a week and I recycle over 60% of my waist. I eat as organic as I can and I also try to only eat food which are right for my blood type (which is B+). I am slowly re-socializing myself to make my transiting easier.
One of my ultimate goal in life (I have a few) is to buy a large area of land and live self sufficiently and in harmony with nature on it. I want to share this with others who also share the same Shadoran views. I would like it to become a tribal based community where we can expand and grow to reach out to the wider community and help guide them to a better way of living – especially the young. I am Shadoran – and so I hope my efforts for self preservation helps others achieve theirs and we can ultimately change the world and avoid this catastrophe which I feel society is blindly walking into.
Should I do it? Should I go off grid and risk it? Or should I keep doing what I am currently doing as part of the problem - just like everyone else?
On a cold and rainy April night at King Edward Hospital in 1984 and precious baby boy was born – hmmm too for back.
Lets skip ahead a good 20 odd years - I lived in Halls Head (Mandurah) Western Australia and worked at Fairbridge Village as the Senior Activities Instructor (later changed to Senior Instructor of Outdoor Recreation).
Fairbridge is a major youth charitable organisation in Western Australia and the only charity in Australia that owns a whole nationally heritage listed town site. Fairbridge runs a myriad of programs and services for young people and has partnership agreements with 14 other youth organisations. Fairbridge works with children with a disability, young people at risk, young people with drug problems, the unemployed, young people in our justice system, young people who are struggling with life, indigenous young people and refugees, through to gifted young people. Fairbridge assists young people to reach their full potential and bring about long term positive sustainable change in their lives. I used to coordinate and run camps and activities for them.
Pritty awesome and it also has an Eco Village status. Perfect place for me to be working. The main problem was it was very long hours (which I didn't mind doing) and the drive to work was 80minutes every single day because Fairbridge is located north of Pinjarra. My situation changed where I was then living so I asked if I could live on site at Fairbridge in one of the cottages which wasn't being utilized by clients. To my surprise I was allowed.
I was only planning to live on site for a few months but those few months turned into a year and half. It was great living at Fairbridge. It was also great working at Fairbridge but I couldn't do both. It got to the point where I needed to re-enter society and rent a house in Pinjarra (the town just down the road).
I love Pinjarra – its the first town that I have lived in (and I moved around heaps when I was a kid) that I felt true pride to say I lived there. I am the Pinjarra Cub Scout Leader (Akela) and I get a true sense of community from the place. It takes me an hour to get a loaf of bread because I keep bumping into people and having a chat to them. I don't mind because I actually enjoy it.
One day I went to the shop and found a flier on the community board for a dog for $100. I always wanted a dog since I had one when I was little. I took down the number and gave them a call. The lady said that if the dog wasn't taken by the end of the day that she would need to put her down because they where moving over east. I just had to take her. She was a 3 year old black and white Aketa X named (ironicly) Keeta.
So here I am living in town with a dog and working long hours for a course I think everyone should be working towards – helping people. However all good things come to an end. I wasn't happy with my job and I just wanted to spread my wings as I felt I wasn't reaching my full potential. I applied to Camp America and got accepted and placed straight away. I decided I would start a part time business on weekends taking kids camping (www.grassrootventures.com.au) to make a bit of money to go towards my trip to the USA in May 09. Unfortunately I hit a few hiccups with my employer and I decided it would be in my best interest to resign – no hard feelings. All things happen for a reason.
I have developed my business into a 'full time business' as best as I can. It has a lot of potential however the world financial crisis has been putting pressure on peoples personal financial situations which intern means they don't spend as much as they used to on the kinds of services I offer. So here I am I have no steady income, I have a dog to feed, rent to pay ($230 a week) and bills I can not pay for. I can see myself getting in deep debt.
Around 3 years has passed since I lived in Halls Head and I feel I have come a very long way. I have no TV, Microwave, Electric Kettle, Toaster – the only electrical things I have is my laptop, a printer, my fridge and washing machine oh... And a lamp which I never use – I just keep it coz it looks cool.
I use only 80L of water a week and I recycle over 60% of my waist. I eat as organic as I can and I also try to only eat food which are right for my blood type (which is B+). I am slowly re-socializing myself to make my transiting easier.
One of my ultimate goal in life (I have a few) is to buy a large area of land and live self sufficiently and in harmony with nature on it. I want to share this with others who also share the same Shadoran views. I would like it to become a tribal based community where we can expand and grow to reach out to the wider community and help guide them to a better way of living – especially the young. I am Shadoran – and so I hope my efforts for self preservation helps others achieve theirs and we can ultimately change the world and avoid this catastrophe which I feel society is blindly walking into.
Should I do it? Should I go off grid and risk it? Or should I keep doing what I am currently doing as part of the problem - just like everyone else?
Intro
Hi - My Name is Scott and this blog is about my personal journey to become a modern Shadoran Nomad. It has been many years in the making but I feel I am at the stage in my life where I am ready to take that first step and live off grid, separate from the 'advances' of society.
Its not only a personal journey but also one of self discovery, self preservation and I guess in some ways spiritual exploration. I'm stepping into the unknown and I guess its the unknown where you find the best rewards in life.
I hope that those reading this blog will feel inspired to make changes in their lives – and maybe hopefully learn from what I have done.
Wish Me Luck!!
Its not only a personal journey but also one of self discovery, self preservation and I guess in some ways spiritual exploration. I'm stepping into the unknown and I guess its the unknown where you find the best rewards in life.
I hope that those reading this blog will feel inspired to make changes in their lives – and maybe hopefully learn from what I have done.
Wish Me Luck!!
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