posted October 31, 2007 02:58 AM         

Its been altogether too long since I have chatted here. Since I am on my vacation, one would thing I would have time.... but no..

The siren song of marketing is lulling me into a consumerism stupor.

Do tell, for I have obviously been living in the woods for too long-

How do you all SURVIVE in real world?!?

I swear, I used to be able to do it, and maybe it would just be a matter of acclimating to society again.
Exactly one year ago I came to Portland and stayed for about a month. I was in such a state you would have sworn I had been raised by wolves- I was totally overwhelmed. This time, I can actually navigate the highways and the traffic without getting lost for 3 hours (it happened, go ahead and laugh- I ended up in a different state.)

There's SO MUCH GOING ON IT BOGGLES MY MIND.

All the stores, all the choices-
what gas station do I go to?
why do we need 106 different styles of toothbrushes?
what do I want to eat? Ok, now where?
don't people smile anymore?
as a society, do we really NEED a Starbucks for every 12 persons?
all the cars and the highways and oh, the time it takes- I am used to ONE road and 70 mph speed limits..

No wonder Americans live off of credit- there's too much sh!t to buy, and too much marketing. I have always thought that. In the past three years, it has escalated to insanity.

I am sure this makes me sound like a hick- but this is so beyond my "regular" life that it can be overwhelming.

And to think, once upon a time I was uber-city chick, clubbing on a Tuesday night and staying out until 4 am.

Kudos to all of you who manage to stay sane.

I am going back to the wilds.

MK

posted November 02, 2007 04:00 AM         

How are you? What's going on?

I know you lurk around here (like me) so its nice to see your name on a post...

I am leaving to return to Montana tomorrow- if I stay in Portland much longer, I am going to spend every dollar I have on Thai food and books. Its so time to go!!

Talk with you later-

posted November 02, 2007 11:07 PM         

The further away from the "stuff" I get, the more disgusted and depressed I am with the ways of the world. We're consumers now, MK. Not citizens ... just consumers. *sigh* A thneed is what everyone needs

wait a sec .. this isn't GU. Sorry.

posted November 02, 2007 11:37 PM         

I am being suffocated by society.

The traffic in my county is beyond ridiculous. I have lived here my entire life and it's done nothing but get worse - they always "talk" about doing this or that, but nothing every materializes out of it. There was an idea for a "Smart Train" but too many people were against it. Now there is a new idea for old fashioned trolleys to go up and down HWY 101. I highly doubt they will approve it.
When I drive north to Sonoma each morning, the traffic is bumper to bumper to a creeping crawl the entire way (going southbound against me). I always feel so sorry for those people. And this is a 30 minute drive where I see this bumper to bumper the entire way. And that doesn't count going from Terra Linda to San Francisco! Ridiculous!

I can't stand parking lots, shopping malls, or "Supermarkets" like Safeway.

Trader Joe's in San Rafael is chaotic, but the one in Novato is really quiet, calm, and not busy. They are building a Whole Foods in Novato, thank God, because the San Rafael one is crowded too. And I do most of my grocery shopping at TJ's and WF's.

posted November 03, 2007 12:42 AM         

lots of alcohol.

It goes well with camping.

posted November 03, 2007 10:09 PM         

I understand what you mean about money. What kills me is all the wasted money in the world that could be used to help poor countries, and the people suffering there.

Many people buy "junk" and "shop" all the time. For what? Things they will just end up giving away in the goodwill in a few months? For what? Shoes that they may wear once? For what? A dress they may wear once?

One of my old friends from years ago, used to tell me, "I spend $100 a week on junk".

My neighbor is always giving us her purses, because she buys so many; they are like in brand new condition. I also get clothes from her daughter. We are so grateful to get their purses and clothes!

Another place that money is wasted, is eating out. Most people buy their lunches; so okay, what is that, anywhere from $5-10 a lunch? Ok, so 1 week's worth of lunches = $35-$50. Does it cost that much to buy 1 loaf of bread, cheese, lunchmeat, lettuce, tomato, veggies, etc.? No, You could probably spend $15-$20 a week. Then all that extra $$ could be used more efficiently.

Restaurants waste so much food! Just think of all the wasted, thrown away food that people don't finish, that could feed all the starving people in the world!

Well I better stop! LOL

I think you guys get my drift.