nonsensical blog today folks!!!

Did I mention my dishwasher was broken?  No, well aren't you lucky that you escaped THAT particular stream of invective!!!  Anyway, that aside, I have noticed that I use SHEDLOADS more water without one...just thought I'd throw that in there.

On another ramble...I lost my friend today to a housing co-op, oooop in the north of England.  She has gone to live in Cornerstone!!!  Lucky girl.  Ah well, she is only 22, hadn't accumulated a life's worth of stuff and should definitely move out of Wales.  I am STILL wondering why I came back after soooooo many years away.  There's a 'bubble' mentality here.  ESPECIALLY from those who have never moved away, even for a short time.  As I have lived abroad for quite some time, even my mother and brother are confused by me, as clearly, I don't think like them at all.  Ah well.

You see, the trouble around here is that, whilst there lots of little housing co-ops, there's a waiting list.  Obviously then, we need more of them.  Well, I guess we need to import far thinking peoples; land with an already derelict building, so planning can't mutter; and a determination to make the bloody thing work.  We need to be able to say 'eff you' to the world as it currently is and become the examples we wish others to follow.  Well, that's just my personal opinion anyways.

Also, perhaps we should move away from the word 'co-ops' as it may well be that it has a negative connotation for some.  I think community has a better ring and a far less 'insular' meaning perhaps.  A school for all, a community centre for the erm...community to meet, a home-brew pub/restaurant, a home grown shop...oh yeah, just like small hamlets and villages USED to be.  How retro of me!!  Meh, I'm a historian...deal with it.  A mill?  Damn fine idea...a bank of solar panels, ground source heating...a wind turbine?  Don't mind if I do.  A nearby leet, an Artesian well, terraced growing, permaculture?  Yep, though I confess, I have absolsutely NO idea what an Artesian well is...I just thought I'd make myself sound hedumacated!!!

It's ironic that to lead an alternative lifestyle, you have to have the 1% mentality of having money to launch into this sort of project.  I have NO money but I am rich in so many other ways.  Any money I do have goes immediately into existing rather than living.  Though, I am fortunate that I have my arts and crafts to keep me going...I just lack the space to build up stock. My sheds are going to need a thorough overhaul to give me space for my wine making this year as, over winter, it has become filled with utter rubbish!!!  Not to mention my dining room, which has become a repository for all of ARC's computers!!   Arghhhhhh!!!

Fortunately, we have now found a use for these things and the Cwtch Community Centre in Swansea is the recipient of our technological and clothing excesses.  They've already had one black bag of my clothing and at least half of my dining room stock of IT...yay!!!!!!!

Sadly, this is the ONLY type of donation I can make, other than my time, which currently ARC is supplying for both of us as I HAVE to go to work!!!  Which also leads me to the fact that because I work I sometimes feel left out of all this.  I cannot access any information in work because I work for the government and us minions are not allowed to play with anything sharp...like the internet.  The other day I was looking for historic houses (for planning purposes) and I was told I couldn't because that came under Property (well, it WOULD do, I thought) and it blocked me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  FFS!

On another note, I am pleased to see livestream filming solidarity with the people of Egypt and Syria because despite what some muppets think, occupy is NOT just about banks and money...thankfully!!  It's about people and the power they have en masse!!!  Front line demonstrations and online backdoor activities...a two pronged attack.....AWESOME!!!

On a final note for me ramblings...ONE of these days, I'm going to stick the I key back on me laptop!!

Blessed be all and I loves you all hugely x