My name is Gary and I live in Tempe, AZ. There is a community of freedom activists here, some of whom I have met, although my personal activism is more about trying to wake up those around me without sounding like a cult member or nutcase. It definitely requires the use of kid gloves. I have made progress although it seems like a lot of work and vigilance just to enlighten a few people. My biggest success is probably a former co-worker who has come, over the course of a few years, from neocon to libertarian (mostly). Years of programming by government school, the media, and his military service has made him a tough nut to crack. I also always try to engage in talk about government/economics/philosophy among strangers I meet.
I have had a problem with authority since I was a little kid. I have never been mean spirited or desired to hurt, steal from, or dominate others, I just could never understand why others feel they can impose their arbitrary rules on me. I just wanted to be left alone.
I have a voluntary relationship with my cat, Dilbert, who seems willing to go along with a few basic rules in exchange for room, board, and affection.
I have not officially joined the Free State Project. I am considering moving to New Hampshire but I don't feel willing to commit in advance. I'm a PLC programmer/controls engineer which means I design, troubleshoot, modify and repair electrical control systems and operator interfaces pertaining to automated machinery.
I am into jam band type music, funk, bluegrass, blues etc., (Sirius/XM's Jam_On channel is awesome!) and am wondering what kind of music scene there is in NH. Seems like a lot of the activists are into metal, are there any hippies in that state?! I love Yonder Mountain String Band, Phish, etc.
I'm not sure exactly where I learned about FreeKeene, probably first from Freedomsphoenix.com. There is a lot of crazy shit posted on that site but a lot of very informative stuff as well. I've become a dedicated listener of Free Talk Live, and knowing people like those in the Free State exist makes me feel a little less alone in the world.
I'm an atheist and a skeptic in general. If someone asked me if the sun was going to come up tomorrow, I'd have a hard time promising them it would, but would suggest that based on past history I was expecting it to happen.
I guess I've been an atheist and a voluntarist since I was in grade school, although I will admit I did have some nationalistic tendencies for a while until Ron Paul opened my eyes. I had a rough childhood with an evil stepmother that really made me examine and question the world around me which made no sense. I came to my own conclusions which differed dramatically from those of everyone around me. I guess it took awhile to realize that they were indeed the ones that were fucked up, not me.
Great intro - welcome!
There are people with different musical tastes here - just come out to a Karaoke and see!
I can assure you there are bluegrass fans in New Hampshire, and if you go to some concerts you shouldn't have much trouble finding people to join you.
Nice! I don't know when if ever I will be able to move but it is sounding better and better! I've sent resumes to job ads I've seen there but not heard back.
I love creative music by bands that write and play original material and put their own stamp on covers. I know the East coast is pretty big in the jam band world, and nearby Burlington, VT is the birthplace of Phish and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.
I have a coworker who's a deadhead. Don’t lose hope.
Gary,
Half of the people are below average intelligence.
The average ain't too bright.
In this light, things start to make a little more sense.
[quote author=Voluntary Gary link=topic=5133.msg52588#msg52588 date=1306617481]
Nice! I don't know when if ever I will be able to move but it is sounding better and better! I've sent resumes to job ads I've seen there but not heard back.
I love creative music by bands that write and play original material and put their own stamp on covers. I know the East coast is pretty big in the jam band world, and nearby Burlington, VT is the birthplace of Phish and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.
[/quote]
Most people report they have much better luck finding jobs when they are here in NH. If you are waiting on a job to say yes from a distance, you may be waiting forever.
[quote author=Whammo link=topic=5133.msg52599#msg52599 date=1306690604]
Half of the people are below average intelligence.
[/quote]
Actually, half are below the median. There are a few real dummies that drag down the average.
[quote author=FTL_Ian link=topic=5133.msg52617#msg52617 date=1306805374]
[quote author=Voluntary Gary link=topic=5133.msg52588#msg52588 date=1306617481]
Nice! I don't know when if ever I will be able to move but it is sounding better and better! I've sent resumes to job ads I've seen there but not heard back.
I love creative music by bands that write and play original material and put their own stamp on covers. I know the East coast is pretty big in the jam band world, and nearby Burlington, VT is the birthplace of Phish and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals.
[/quote]
Most people report they have much better luck finding jobs when they are here in NH. If you are waiting on a job to say yes from a distance, you may be waiting forever.
[/quote]
I know I've thought of that. It's scary though! Sounds like JJ is in a somewhat related field, perhaps I will ask him if he knows what the prospects are in the automated machinery industry are out there. I've seen jobs in my area of expertise in the Portsmouth area but didn't inquire. Yet. I could always just get a job doing something else. I think I make a good pizza. Maybe I could save up to buy a food truck and start an agorist mobile restaurant, shakedown street style! A Mobile Authority Resistance Restaurant.
Other jobs I might qualify for:
ROUND HOUSE SWITCHER
TAILOR
BUSINESS EXECUTIVE
MERCHANT MARINE
AUTO MECHANIC
WET NURSE
EXECUTIVE POSITION
KITCHEN MAN - PORTER
OFFICE BOY
DOORMAN
ADMINISTRATOR
MANICURIST
SANDHOG
CARD SHARK
EXPORT CLERK
ROUTE SALESMAN
LIBRARIAN
AUCTIONEER
DRAFTSMAN
WAX DIPPER
SIGN PAINTER
DIE SETTER
PIECE GOODS BUYER
MINSTREL
PUBLIC SPEAKER
PEARL DIVER
PROOF READER
JINGLE WRITER
TOLL COLLECTOR
DITCH DIGGER
DENTIST
CORNER MAN
VARIETY ACT
HIGH STEEL WORKER
WINE STEWARD
DR. OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
PRISON WARDEN
PULLMAN CONDUCTOR
FIREMAN
THIRD BASE COACH
BOMBARDIER
ILLUSTRATOR
FURNITURE MOVER
HANDYMAN
PIN BOY
TOOL AND DIE MAKER
ESTIMATOR (CHIEF)
OFFICE BOY
TANNER
SODA JERK
MANAGER
SMITHY
JACKHAMMER
CHIROPODIST
OPTOMETRIST
COLLECTOR
EXOTIC DANCER
JUDGE
CANTOR (REFORM)
LONGSHOREMAN
TOBACCONIST
SUPPLY MANAGER
SPARRING PARTNER
MASSEUSE
LIFEGUARD
AUTO MECHANIC
WET NURSE
ORNITHOLOGIST
MILLINER
BOUNCER
JEWELER
EXTERMINATOR
CASHIER
PRESSMAN
CLERICAL
LANGUAGE TUTOR
VALET (PERSONAL)
DRAWBRIDGE OPERATOR
CURATOR
MERCHANT MARINE
ARTISTE
BEE KEEPER
METER MAID
VICE PRESIDENT
MOTORMAN
VETINARIAN
MONITOR BOARD OPERATOR
EGG CANDLER
PLASTERER
JANITORIAL
ACCOUNTANT
PROOF READER
TRAFFIC MANAGER
CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN
PIANO TUNER
COMPONENTS ENGINEER
CARNY
TROMBONIST
MESSENGER
ELEVATOR OPERATOR
SECURITY GUARD
HABERDASHER
BUS DRIVER
PBX OPERATOR
SHOE SALESMAN
BARBER
COPYIST
SHIPPING CLERK
MACHINIST
BAKERS HELPER
DOUGH KNEADER
BEADLE
COMPOSITOR
CHIEF ESTIMATOR
GREENGROCER
BUTLER
PASTRY CHEF
FOUNDRY WORKER
FILING (LIGHT TYPING)
PATTERN MAKER
Bag Boy
Floor Buffer
Artist's Model
Substitute Teacher
Gutter Sweep
Cat's Meats Man
Goal Tender
Forest Ranger
Claims Adjuster
Goat Herd
Rope Braider
Baby Sitter
Carpenter
SELLING PHARMACIST
SERVICE MANAGER
SHEET METAL WORKERS
OFFSET PRESSRM FOREMAN
JEWELRY MODEL MAKER
SENIOR DESIGN DRAFSTMAN
OFFSET STRIPPER, FULL TIME
SET-UP MEN & OPERATORS
Seriously though, I took a blacksmithing class last year. I would love to be a blacksmith. An artist blacksmith, not a ferrier, but hey, whatever pays the bills. Horses need shoeing, that's all I'm sayin'.
I've also considered Right Hand Man, Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, and Spy.
Pretty much anything that doesn't involve me eating mushrooms or ranch dressing or prostituting myself I could do. Full disclosure – I've been known to eat mushrooms every once in a while, but they are disgusting.
I might be able to qualify for some of those jobs.
Sounds like you could be a professional job applicant. Automechanic jumped out at me as the biggest agorist need in the community.
[quote author=Voluntary Gary link=topic=5133.msg52895#msg52895 date=1307614723]
Seriously though, I took a blacksmithing class last year. I would love to be a blacksmith. An artist blacksmith, not a ferrier, but hey, whatever pays the bills. Horses need shoeing, that's all I'm sayin'.
[/quote]
Blacksmiths shoe horses just about like barbers were dentists, or even surgeons back in the day.
Farriers don't need to know squat about shaping hot metal. Any idjit can do that, given stock shoes and a source of heat.
Farriers have to know about hoof health and proper gait, and how to recognize and diagnose problems with a horse's stride.
I can beat hot iron into any shape you want, I can take a tie spike or car spring and make you a knife, I can bend a horse shoe any which way you want, but don't ask me to rasp a hoof or shoe a horse. The skills might overlap, but only depending on the individual.
So can you make a wizard out of a railroad spike?
BTW, that list of jobs is from the job agency board in The Hudsucker Proxy.