Minimalism vs. epicureanism: How much is 'too much

i have a general rule, if i can get by without it for 1 week then i don't need it. although when it comes to my tools and spare parts i throw that rule out the window. RovingAnarchist mentioned a tool library in another thread. now that's a genius idea.
 
voodoochile76 said:
Also I used to go to thrift stores and get a sport coat and tie, then infiltrate hotel breakfasts, wedding parties, and other social settings where I otherwise wouldn't be welcome.
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Hellz ya that's what my columbia windbreaker is for. Good social camoflauge rolls up to a tiny little thing. Before I had a stearns pretty much the same thing. Nobody looks at you twice with one of those and its warm to boot.
 
When I was doing my heaviest traveling, I tended to hitchhike with about 75 pounds of gear in my pack. I had a hammock, army issue cammo bivvy, two person tent, two wool blankets and a sleeping bag. My thinking at the time was to have a home in my backpack, so that when I found a nice patch of woods somewhere, I could build a cozy campsite and stay put for a few weeks or more. In retrospect, it was clearly a bit much. Still though, there's something to be said for having your own private world in your pack so you can feel at home wherever you go.

Also, I didn't drink or smoke or anything back then, so i did t spange, and any money I did accumulate went into securing wool socks and solid footwear.
 
I used to use a large ALICE and other GI surplus. But now I'm trying to fit everything in a 30L pack. It's a challenge and definitely a work in progress. Because, like you said, what do you do when temps drop unexpectedly and heavy rainfall, when all you have is a measly poncho liner and a tarp? ...Comfort is the difference between a pleasurable experience and a nightmare. ...There has to be a way to achieve both ultralite -and- comfort.
 
For some reason I like the basic, minimalistic lifestyle. If you look at my current avatar, that was how I went to England last month. Old German army backpack, a very simple sleeping pad, a 20 years old sleeping bag (but a good one) and a small backpack (served me as daypack and to put my notebook in when I wasn't a hostel) I bought in Bristol for 8 quid.

I had with me (including what I wore) 3 t-shirts, 3 hoodies and 3 pairs of pants and I found it to be too much. I wore my ripped jeans and one tee and hoodie most of the time anyway.

Even when I could afford it, I almost never had a beer in a pub. I like to just get a can somewhere and sit on the streets. I never had dinner at a restaurant, I just got something from a fast food and ate it while walking. Or got a can of tuna from Aldi, went around the corner, threw my jacket on the ground to sit upon and ate the tuna right out of the can.

Why? I don't know. I just had the freedom to do what I want and I did that.

I couldn't care less if my shoes are broken as long as they don't give me blisters. I couldn't care less if my pants are ripped as long as they still fulfill their function. I couldn't care less if I have to sleep rough as long as I don't feel frightened the place I am.

I don't know why that is that way, sometimes I'm quite confused about it myself.

Off-topic: next time I'll try to bring a black jacket with me. My white one was so dirty as I came back home, I felt a little embarrassed ... ;)
 
Theres much to be said for minimalism. Although I have to admit, for most of my life I was a rubber tramp, and that particular style is my favorite, mostly because your mobility is increased 100 fold...and you can lock the doors at nite. :)
 
plus you can keep a loaded 12ga zip gun under the bench\bed, just incase some one tries to break thru the door ;)
 
haha yup, but a zip can be made for free!!!! and when trucking cross state line easily be concealed in plain sight as a pipe. Im just talking shit, guns are an unessicary liability if you are traveling IMHO, altho boom sticks sure are fun to play with in the desert! (or any where really)
 
That's true. They can be a liability...good for pawn collateral. :) Frikkin ammo's too expensive nowadays, too.
 
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