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NutAgain!
Trad climber
South Pasadena, CA
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Topic Author's Original Post - Dec 20, 2016 - 08:05pm PT
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I thought this could be a thread to share little bits and pieces of lifestyles that make up America, to get a better idea of how we all manage to get by, to give us all a better handle on what is happening in our country apart from what we personally see day to day.
First up: life in Walmart parking lots.
It's a great nexus of the growing divide between the haves and have-nots in our country. Some are there because it's easy, it's on the way to somewhere fun, and they are having an adventure. Some are there because they are old, sick, and stuck in a slow-motion nightmare. I stumbled upon this while researching stuff for a van build-out.
[Click to View YouTube Video]
I do enjoy me some BLM and forest service territory, but I never got into the urban camping thing. I see it as a sign of the times, people finding silver linings in the bleak storm clouds of limited opportunities. Celebrating the modern nomadic lifestyle:
[Click to View YouTube Video]
Or maybe that just shows my conservative underpinnings, and not recognizing that iPhones and virtual social connections and climbing gym fees are more important than rent these days... it's not a "silver lining" if you don't see storm clouds as a problem. It's just life with a bazillion ways to live it. Fascinating. Bonus there was some climbing related content toward the end of this video.
So what else is out there in America?
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thebravecowboy
climber
The Good Places
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Dec 20, 2016 - 09:15pm PT
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the Mexican emigre, seconds-new American citizen, was statuesque, tall. As the old man registered her to vote, she checked the red box.
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Peater
Trad climber
Salt Lake City Ut.
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Dec 20, 2016 - 10:37pm PT
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Ok but I have various thoughts.
Thanks for the WalMart heads up. Now I know where to go. I've got one a couple miles away.
Not knocking any one in need but I drove by this guy with a sign saying he was a Vietnam Vet, needs help. BS. He was obviously much younger than me and I almost had to go there but I was just a bit too young.
Had a guy living in the vacant lot next to me. I wasn't super happy about it but I let him be and he caused no problems.
In Ventura where I used to live there were people raising crops and chickens in the river bed. Kinda like homesteading. They were left to be.
When I was layed off from work years ago with $900 to my name I took my MC all over the US and Canada. I had no address and no one knew where I was. It was kind of cool.
When I got layed off recently I can't go anywhere.
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mudrock
climber
Eastside
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Dec 20, 2016 - 10:43pm PT
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I've been working with mostly female Mexican immigrants as token blue-eye in a California retail mcjob for the past year.
I grew up in PA, spent a winter bumming around from TJ to Tulum in the early '80s. Working with people who would've been toddlers, if that, has been interesting.
One line of thought I've been pursuing is how Texas and California differ in the way Mexican influence, and that of Southern Whites (yeah Cormac) has been taken aboard.
Thin-skinned passive-aggressive Californians rub me the... oops, it's ski season. Which gluten-free low-sodium free-range uncured organic diet artisanal authentic family tradition animal flesh that your pocket minder tells you is on sale would you like ma'am/sir? How would you like it sliced?
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Peater
Trad climber
Salt Lake City Ut.
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Dec 20, 2016 - 11:28pm PT
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Mudrock ! You are either drunk or a troll. Either way nice to meet you. I can respect whichever of your personas you wish you to pursue in the future.
By the way what is the capitol of Philadelphia?
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Dec 21, 2016 - 07:34am PT
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I tell climbers from overseas on their first trip to the States to go to a Walmart and a Wholefoods......provides an interesting snapshot of a divided America.
In my travels around the world I have seen the enormous urbanization that has occurred. This has led to a two country divide....urban vs. rural...in nearly every place I have been.
This divide is very striking in our country.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Dec 21, 2016 - 07:50am PT
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This divide is very striking in our country.
Oh boy is it ever. Being split amongst Santa Cruz, the Greater Bay Area, Moab and the high seas; then visiting my home town nestled in the woods of Western Pa....major culture shock.
When visiting my home town I gotta be ready to talk guns and huntin' when at my adopted home, I need to lament the senseless killing of animals and proliferation of guns (well maybe not the Moab part)
Susan
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Dec 21, 2016 - 07:55am PT
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I would go to Walmart if they had fresh mussels.
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Dec 21, 2016 - 08:10am PT
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This divide is very striking in our country.
I remember hearing, a few years ago, that the middle of the country was going to move to the coasts. Well obviously that didn't happen. What I see occurring is that the people of urban areas are moving into rural areas.
My question is, once a urban person becomes a rural person, do they change their political ideology?
In regards to the Walmart parking lot people. It's hard to get employed if one doesn't have a permanent address.
As an aside, Flagstaff is a hard place to find a job unless you work in the healthcare field.
That chic, in the second video, is annoying as hell.
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SC seagoat
Trad climber
Santa Cruz, Moab, A sailboat, or some time zone
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Dec 21, 2016 - 08:16am PT
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That chic, in the second video, is annoying as hell.
Who the f*#k wakes up in a car looking that good? And oh yeah, what's with this new fad of young people "graying" their hair? Senior rant over.
Susan
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Dec 21, 2016 - 08:24am PT
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"And oh yeah, what's with this new fad of young people "graying" their hair? Senior rant over."
And why do all the young people in Seattle have eye problems?
I've never seen so many young people waking around wearing Clark Kent - looking glasses.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Dec 21, 2016 - 08:46am PT
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America's a very large pie.
They are the Salt of the Earth.
"New Age" is not spoken here.
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yanqui
climber
Balcarce, Argentina
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Dec 21, 2016 - 10:04am PT
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And oh yeah, what's with this new fad of young people "graying" their hair?
Because gray hair is hawt, duh.
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Escopeta
Trad climber
Idaho
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Dec 21, 2016 - 10:10am PT
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My question is, once a urban person becomes a rural person, do they change their political ideology?
No, they end up trying to get their urban banality with a rural wrapper. Which is why the country folk hope they stay in the city.
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mouse from merced
Trad climber
The finger of fate, my friends, is fickle.
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Dec 21, 2016 - 10:27am PT
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Which "lifestyle" do you prefer?
Colonial or contemporary.
When was the last time a valet parked your rig for you?
A typical parade in much of western America will be comprised of bikers, some Shriners, maybe an old faux Conestoga with a toothless codger riding shotgun, a convertible with the queen and her court, floats constructed by total amateurs, another convertible with local dignitaries and one for the parade marshal, as many marching units as can afford to attend (even though school music dept. budgets have been slashed mercilessly), equestrian units, including the Sheffiff's posse in gaudy silver-mounted finery, and gleaming fire trucks, tractors, and maybe, on Memorial or Veterans Day or the Fourth, a fly-over from the local military command.
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Bad Climber
Trad climber
The Lawless Border Regions
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Dec 22, 2016 - 07:35am PT
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An interesting and sad situation, for sure. The Walmart "campers" present quite a spectrum. What the hardcore share is a steady ability to make the wrong choices time and again. The main dood featured gets "talked into" trading in his car for one he obviously can't afford. Why the dealership even did this is beyond me. AND he develops a gambling addiction, but maybe if he becomes an artist he can sell his work? Wow. The attractive middle-aged woman who's an aspiring actress? Yeah, good luck with that career path. The couple with the broken down bus, baby, and chicken? Wow again.
I've been lucky, for sure, but the lack of critical thinking skills, the fundamental understanding of the laws of cause and effect that is missing in these types shocks me. Recently I was traveling south on 395 and stopped at the Indian gas north of Independence. There was a couple with a sign out asking for gas money. They were traveling some long distance and had run out of gas. WTF? How the hell do you even start such a journey without the scratch to make it work? Most of us sit down with pen and paper/computer/whatever and think: Hmmmmm...I got X miles to travel. My rig gets Y miles per gallon, so I'll need Z number of gallons. Lemme see here: Gas is about $3.50/gal, so.... Not these folks. C'mon, Helga, let's go! Freakin' amazing. FWIW, we threw 'em a few bucks! I know, we're suckers, but my wife pushed me.
BAd
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donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
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Dec 22, 2016 - 07:47am PT
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"Critical thinking" in the Land of the Free....in short supply based on recent events.
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10b4me
Mountain climber
Retired
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Dec 22, 2016 - 08:12am PT
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Critical thinking" in the Land of the Free....in short supply based on recent events.
aka common sense isn't that common anymore.
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