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Am I crazy?
Yes 13 (61.9%)
No 8 (38.1%)
Total Votes: 21
The Plan; Operation: South Austin Freehold
Topic Started: Apr 28 2009, 04:28 PM (678 Views)
East Anarx
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Anarchitect

Okay, some of you may have remembered me mentioning something earlier about moving into a capitalist commune or some such...

You probably just wrote it off as the drug-addled lunacy of the resident extremist.

Nevertheless...

Presenting The South Austin Freehold:

Posted Image

In approximately three days, I will be moving into what amounts to a cabin, (currently lacking such bourgeois luxuries as electricity and hot water, *gulp*) located on about 4 acres of land owned by a co-conspirator of mine. Also on the land is a stage (for live performances by local artists,) a chicken coop (awaiting only a chicken guardian, (myself,) before it can house chickens,) a couple of vegetable gardens (that we just harvested some nice spinach from,) a ton of flower gardens (tended to by my co-conspirator's mother, (a fierce force to be reckoned with, let me tell you,)) a creek (named Boggy,) an unfinished outhouse (...), two very nice fire-pits, a lot of very old, very tall trees, two cats (at the moment, but the one named qtπ is pregnant,) and a tin building (that will someday be a workshop.)

To get enough federal reserve notes together to purchase solar panels, (energy being a top priority,) I'm going to be selling peaches counter-economically. Besides acquiring an energy source, other projects include: (in approximate order of necessity/likelihood-of-success,) dog-proof-fencing the un-fenced part of the perimeter, completing the outhouse, building a water-tower/rain-catcher, building outdoor showers, opening up a glass-blowing workshop, building a small house, (which I will then live in, (the idea being that everyone who joins the Freehold builds their own residence eventually,)) becoming self-sufficient, expanding by purchasing adjacent properties, and of course eventually seceding from the American Empire.

It will be exceedingly difficult, (probably even more so than I realize,) but I figure what good is a philosophy if you don't put it into practice? I intend for this to be the practical application of my political philosophy. There will be nay-sayers, and those who believe that what I'm trying to do is unpatriotic, treasonous, or perhaps just foolish, but I cannot shirk from my duty to myself and to the cause of liberty.

During the next few weeks, (months?,) I will not have reliable internet access, (and for this I extend my sincerest apologies to those with whom I have made RP plans.) If you never hear from me again, it is probably safe to assume that I am either dead, or in a FEMA concentration camp somewhere. However, if I'm not captured by the gang of criminals known as the State, I hope to get back online as soon as I get some solar panels and a wireless card.

For those curious about the flag, the cannon and lone star in the top left are taken from the historic flag of the Texan Revolution, the black is of historic anarchist significance, the gold represents sovereignty, prosperity, and well... gold, and the blue can mean whatever the hell you want it to mean, (I just like blue.)

Anyways, let the nay-saying begin.
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Tristan da Cunha
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Science and Industry
The blue represents NSWR :)

Good luck with your endeavor. I think you'll succeed.

Definitely come back to the forum soon though.

Nice link to the article about thermal mass construction. My personal aspiration is underground living - as in, subterranean or cave living, like a hobbit :lol: Very pleasant and "earthy"!
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Porcu
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"Work is the curse of the drinking classes."

F*ck yes! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Best of luck and hope to see you around again soon...
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Rhadamanthus
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Legitimist

Esternarx
Apr 28 2009, 04:28 PM
Okay, some of you may have remembered me mentioning something earlier about moving into a capitalist commune or some such...

You probably just wrote it off as the drug-addled lunacy of the resident extremist.
I thought quite the opposite actually. It seemed emminently sensible, practical, and even bordering on the anti-modern.

BTW, you do realize that this is the second thread on the front page of Off Topic entitled "The Plan," right? Was that necessary? Or was the point to draw comparisons?
Edited by Rhadamanthus, Apr 28 2009, 04:49 PM.
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
I would have been extremely disappointed if you had not gone through with this. After scoping the site on Google Earth I am a little concerned about misquitos, water sanitation, etc. but I am sure you will deal with that. Might I suggest a good REI tent for the time being, in case you want to have some privacy??

Just remember, I WILL be stalking you some day! :lol: :evil: :lol:
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Sedulius
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Field Marshal
Seems like your just moving away to live off the land. Perfectly reasonable.
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Al Araam
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Demigod of Death & Inactivity

Seems to me that there's nothing wrong with living off the land. I actually find it to be quite admirable. Four acres is a fairly small parcel to begin with, I suppose, but with good planning I wouldn't think it'd be impossible to become self-sufficient. I wish you the best of luck in this new endeavor.
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Tristan da Cunha
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Science and Industry
Personally I'm interested in hog farming. Some day if I scrounge together a few acres I'd raise some pigs , which are especially efficient in terms of land requirements.
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Rhadamanthus
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Legitimist

I kind of envy you a little bit Esternarx... I may want to do something like this eventually...

...though I may have to become a globe-trotting adventurer instead. Still deciding...
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Boy, and I thought moving from a city of 3,000,000 to a town of 9,000 in the middle of no where was culture shock - you guys are talking about farming and living off the land? I mean, yeah, I've always grown my own veggies and got into canning and wine-making, but I'm not going to do well without my friendly supermarket! And booze store.
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Tristan da Cunha
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My pig farming ambitions are motivated in part by the munchies, the noble quest to obtain more bacon-wrapped pork hot dogs.
Edited by Tristan da Cunha, Apr 29 2009, 11:21 AM.
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Tristan da Cunha
Apr 29 2009, 11:14 AM
My pig farming ambitions are motivated in part by the munchies, the noble quest to obtain more bacon-wrapped pork hot dogs.
This is, indeed, a noble quest, and I wish you much success. I, for one, will only buy T&C branded bacon.
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Sedulius
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Field Marshal
Romanus Diogenes
Apr 28 2009, 08:21 PM
I kind of envy you a little bit Esternarx... I may want to do something like this eventually...

...though I may have to become a globe-trotting adventurer instead. Still deciding...
This is sort of what I really want to do. Go around the globe seeing every place I want to see, and then visiting new ones. Maybe I'd take up work for a while in some places. Honestly, as far as the single life goes, this would be the best.
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Tristan da Cunha
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I like to sit in a lawn chair with a cold drink and explore the "empire of the mind". Also I generally prefer to read about a place than visit it though there are a few exceptions, mostly close to home. I like to be sophisticated, but not well-travelled :lol:
Edited by Tristan da Cunha, Apr 29 2009, 03:19 PM.
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NRE
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Map Tsar and Southern Gentleman

E I wish to the best of luck in this endeavor, as NH points out it certainly will not be easy but I think with enough determination you can accomplish almost anything and this project (with the help of others) is certainly feasible.

The house, is it one of those houses where you use old tires as the basic frame then plaster over them??? I was watching something somewhere and I same these people do it, it was really very interesting and I always wondered what would be like to build one.

TC
 
Nice link to the article about thermal mass construction. My personal aspiration is underground living - as in, subterranean or cave living, like a hobbit :lol: Very pleasant and "earthy"!

Every time I watch that show on HG TV about amazing underground homes I get the same craving. This guy bought an old nuclear silo closed down by the government. The same he had to work with was incrediable and he even got the door over the silo working again it was great. If I lived underground that's what I'd like to do, go buy an old nuclear launch facility. ^^

Also if its hog farming you wish then you should come to NC, there are all kinds of hog farms, some not very far from where I live!
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lebowski2123
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Resident?
God speed.
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Nag Ehgoeg
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The Devil's Advocate

Esternarx
Apr 28 2009, 04:28 PM
building a water-tower/rain-catcher
A Solar Still is not a replacement for a water-tower. But you can knock out a couple of reasonably sized stills with pocket change and a couple of hours labour. A water buck to catch rain water (for crops) is also very affordable.

I strongly suggest that you invest in these things to satisfy your immediate needs while working on a more long term solution.

This is totally hardcore.

Though (if you're gonna go the counter-economy route) might I suggest selling a certain delicious leafy product rather than "peaches" to raise money. :rolleyes: :lol:
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Nag Ehgoeg
Apr 30 2009, 08:22 AM
Esternarx
Apr 28 2009, 04:28 PM
building a water-tower/rain-catcher
A Solar Still is not a replacement for a water-tower. But you can knock out a couple of reasonably sized stills with pocket change and a couple of hours labour. A water buck to catch rain water (for crops) is also very affordable.

I strongly suggest that you invest in these things to satisfy your immediate needs while working on a more long term solution.

This is totally hardcore.

Though (if you're gonna go the counter-economy route) might I suggest selling a certain delicious leafy product rather than "peaches" to raise money. :rolleyes: :lol:
Why on earth would spinach sell better than peaches, especially in Texas. I mean, spinach is a cold weather crop and just won't do well in that climate, unless you are talking New Zeeland spinach which really isn't spinach at all!
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East Anarx
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Anarchitect

Well, it's moving time. I'm about to shut down my computer, pack it up, and not get it out again until I have power.

I bid you all a fond farewell, and I hope to return soon.
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Rhadamanthus
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Legitimist

Esternarx
Apr 30 2009, 05:43 PM
Well, it's moving time. I'm about to shut down my computer, pack it up, and not get it out again until I have power.

I bid you all a fond farewell, and I hope to return soon.
Good luck.
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Quaon
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A Prince Amoung Men-Shoot First and Ask Questions Later
You won't see this until it ends, but good luck. Either you'll prove all of us wrong or learn a decent life lesson.
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Eleytheria-Duo
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Resident Bystander
Seriously. I give him a month at the longest before he gives up.
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Toussaint
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Major
Yeah, this totally screams Brook Farm Experiment to me. Hopefully yours doesn't end with a fire, E, though I'm going to put you on the list of crazies. ^^
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New Harumf
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Bloodthirsty Unicorn
Well, I voted yes, you are crazy, but that has nothing to do with you moving to a commune! :lol:
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Tristan da Cunha
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Quaon
Apr 30 2009, 06:41 PM
You won't see this until it ends, but good luck. Either you'll prove all of us wrong or learn a decent life lesson.
Who's "all of us"?
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