Good Old Times

[Van Buren Supernova]

It's probably something I would enjoy for holiday, most times I purposely go without internet access and any digital entertainment, but I have to admit it's really difficult to live without electricity on regular days. I count on that way too much. Like you said, batteries and freezer are too important.

 

I'm cooking using portable gas, so even when I'm out of power it's okay. But water is the challenge too, my storage tank probably last me 2-3 days max.

[Carol the Dabbler]

That's the problem with electricity, you get to depending on it.  We tend to have a power outage about twice a year here, lasting roughly two hours each time.  This isn't generally too much of a problem, except for water.  Our faucets rely on a pressure tank in the basement -- and roughly one toilet flush uses up the stored pressure.  Besides, the water comes from a deep well, and with no electricity, the pump doesn't work either.

 

We could generally manage for even a few days without heat (which is also electric), and of course lack of air conditioning never killed anyone (well, hardly ever, anyhow).  But I'm thinking of getting -- umm, forget what they call it, but basically a big honkin' battery to power (in order of criticality) the water pump, the refrigerator & freezer, and the lights & electronics during outages.

 

[Amber§]

I'm a scout (you know, boyscouts, those who wander with shorts in the woods even if there is snow) and I used to go very often on a camp.

Of course we didn't have electricity and we have to wash ourselves in the river, cook on fire, you know, things like that. For the first times I was very excited and I loved it, then I started to miss all the facility I have at home, electricity at first, hot water, cooking on gas (cooking on fire was quite difficult...a lot of things burned and burned and burned...) :D

[Van Buren Supernova]

I was a girlscout too, and definitely can relate to those.

 

Funny things with that and other outdoor activities; when I'm in it, I always wonder why on earth do I make myself suffer this way, sometimes I even pay for it, but when I am safe and sound at home, I miss the misery. :p

[Arcadia]

But I'm thinking of getting -- umm, forget what they call it, but basically a big honkin' battery to power (in order of criticality) the water pump, the refrigerator & freezer, and the lights & electronics during outages.

 

Generator?

 

I think the longest I've been without power is two days. Fortunately the convenience store a few miles down the road had power, so water, gas for the car and hot "food" was available. I found I rather enjoyed the experience, but was glad when it was over.

[Boton]

Yeah, I think Carol is thinking of a generator.  Ours is gas powered, and my super-talented hubby can wire it directly into the house, so it is safer to draw the power from.  That doesn't change the fact that a single fill of gas lasts about 90 minutes, so if you have a power outage, you tend to have to run the generator for 90 minutes, then you get 3-5 hours off, then you have to run it again.  And this goes in a 24 hour cycle because of the freezer, so someone has to sleep on the couch at night so they can babysit the generator, which has to sit outside (on a covered porch) for ventilation reasons.  All in all, a perfectly yucky experience.  

 

I never go camping.  I always tell people that I work very, very hard for the privilege of living indoors, so I don't understand why I would voluntarily pretend otherwise.  :-)

[J.P.]

As I was a kid me and parents mostly spent vacation somewhere outdoors. With tent etc, gas bottle and the only source of power was the car. Except when we were cruising on a boat (a very primitive one in today's standards) through the lakes for two weeks. Which was great, because you didn't have to look for a place to build a tent. We've had a caravan once, which was nice too, (in times where it was possible to make a stop where you wanted, at least for one night), but hauling this thing across a country that practically lacked highways su*ked.

 

As for power outages we've had them quite often, when I was young. So even now, I always have a light source handy and few candles stored, just in case.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Nope, not thinking of a generator. They seriously make these big honkin' battery assemblies that you can plug things into.

 

If we did get a generator, I might consider having a natural-gas line run to the garage (not the house, I'm allergic to the odorizer they put in gas so you can tell when there's a leak) to power one of those nice automatic gas-powered generators that come on by themselves a minute after the power goes out and (obviously) don't need refilling. Of course, you have to hope that the gas service isn't interrupted TOO (so maybe not the best choice in earthquake country out west).

[Van Buren Supernova]

I never go camping.  I always tell people that I work very, very hard for the privilege of living indoors, so I don't understand why I would voluntarily pretend otherwise.  :-)

Actually, I have heard a lot of that comments, and I know many people who don't like outdoors.

 

For me, I don't know how to explain, I guess the silence of nature always gets me. There is something special irreplaceable when I'm sitting on top of the mountain in the middle of the night, with darkness, brightest stars and moon. It's my favorite short moments that is only achievable through much longer suffering. Or if I'm hanging on the cliff or standing in the middle of ocean with private sunrise and sunset, or under the sea. No noise, no noisy people, it's so private and intimate.

 

In fact, if life ever dissapoints me too much, or if I lost someone I can't cope, I'd probably sell everything and disappear somewhere where no one will find me.

Anyway, that's probably why I always miss the outdoor, and the suffering and inconvinience have become a package.

 

 

As I was a kid me and parents mostly spent vacation somewhere outdoors. With tent etc, gas bottle and the only source of power was the car. Except when we were cruising on a boat (a very primitive one in today's standards) through the lakes for two weeks. Which was great, because you didn't have to look for a place to build a tent. We've had a caravan once, which was nice too, (in times where it was possible to make a stop where you wanted, at least for one night), but hauling this thing across a country that practically lacked highways su*ked.

 

Ahhhh... caravan camping with family.

That sounds really, really nice. Trailer is great, but caravan is good, .. pretty cosy and personal.

 

 

... I'm allergic to the odorizer they put in gas so you can tell when there's a leak)

That is interesting, what kind of symptoms you get for that allergy?

 

Are you familiar with a fruit called durian? It's not common in US I suppose, this fruit has this unique smell. Reason I asked, I remember reading a news that an Australian airline had to turn back because they thought there was gas leaking. Apparently some nuts decided it was a perfect time to enjoy their durian, up in the air. (Durian's smell is so strong that most people don't even want to put it in the car). The smell kind of resembles gas smell I suppose (although I disagree with that, there

are distinct differences). Are you allergic to durian's smell too?

[Carol the Dabbler]

I think durian smells more like an open sewer! I l-o-v-e the taste, though (like vanilla custard -- yum!), so I hold my breath till it's in my mouth.

 

Nope, no symptoms from durian. The odorizer is actually closely related to the "smell" substance in onions and garlic, and I *do* get the same symptoms from those, at least if I eat a lot, so I'm careful about that too.

 

My symptoms are basically a panic attack. Unfortunately I didn't know at first what was causing that, so I thought I had an emotional problem for seven years, till I happened to switch my house to all electric (for other reasons) and noticed a week or two later that I didn't feel panicky any longer.

[J.P.]

The problem with a trailer in Germany is that you can get problems in entering cities, not mentioning the parking. Plus, IMO camping only makes sense if you are able to stop everywhere. Which is not the case here either.

 

As for the why - to me it has to do with a return to essentials - like fetching your food in the woods (okay, food is a bit of exaggeration, but there are still mushrooms and berries we used for supplies for the winter. And cooking them outside was a hell of a adventure, I can tell you! :D ) Anyway there is something about the back-to-the-roots thing, like the old human heritage, sitting around a fire, nomadic life, this kind of stuff - I still feel attracted to this.

 

BTW, the best outdoorsy thing ever was to swim in the Adriatic at night, when you cannot see where the water ends and the sky begins, and you think you fly in the darkness. (It's probably equally good in any water, btw)

[Arcadia]

Yep, an outdoorsy girl here, too. I hike a lot, the more remote the area, the better. A couple of years ago I discovered I really, really like taking walks by myself in the dark too, but I'm seldom in an area where I feel safe doing so. But it's so quiet and private, I love it. And I love cookouts, and picnics ... food I don't even care that much about is absolutely delicious when eaten outdoors. I'd sleep outside if I could. And I love looking at the stars, but I don't get much chance to do that either any more; too many electric lights. I know it's for safety, but all the light pollution really annoys me.

 

At the same time, once I'm inside for the evening, I really enjoy curling up and staying there. It's hard to get me going again once I'm settled indoors. Almost as hard as it is to get me back inside once I've gone out. :p

[Arcadia]

Oh, and yes, I do know what durian smells like. I rather wish I didn't. ;)

[Carol the Dabbler]

I love looking at the stars, but I don't get much chance to do that either any more; too many electric lights. I know it's for safety, but all the light pollution really annoys me.

 

Supposed to be for safety, you mean.  Check out the International Dark Sky Association's website.   Full cutoff lights (which are directed 100% downward) provide far more safety while causing far less light pollution.

 

At the same time, once I'm inside for the evening, I really enjoy curling up and staying there. It's hard to get me going again once I'm settled indoors. Almost as hard as it is to get me back inside once I've gone out. :P

 

I'm big on inertia myself.  :D  Just try to get me into bed at a reasonable hour -- or out of it.  Same with a nice tubful of hot water.

[Van Buren Supernova]

My symptoms are basically a panic attack. Unfortunately I didn't know at first what was causing that, so I thought I had an emotional problem for seven years, till I happened to switch my house to all electric (for other reasons) and noticed a week or two later that I didn't feel panicky any longer.

That is scary actually.

And good for you that you found what was wrong. I can't imagine if you continued to live with that.

It sorts of make me think about those people who are allergic to technology, those eletromagnetic wave, known as Electrosensitivity Syndrome, can't imagine how they live in this current time. It's everywhere!

 

BTW, the best outdoorsy thing ever was to swim in the Adriatic at night, when you cannot see where the water ends and the sky begins, and you think you fly in the darkness. (It's probably equally good in any water, btw)

Ah yes.. you make me miss it now.

 

 

At the same time, once I'm inside for the evening, I really enjoy curling up and staying there. It's hard to get me going again once I'm settled indoors. Almost as hard as it is to get me back inside once I've gone out. :P

Me too. That is why I like rainy days when I'm staying in city area, because I don't like to go out anyway. And it's nice to cuddle in the blanket and refuse to move.

 

 

@Durian

Open sewer? I know how open sewer smells like, or the variation of dried sewer or regular sewer but I don't associate it with durian smell whatsoever. :D

Actually it's interesting that you guys find it repulsive. From many who think that way, there are many who would categorise it as 'fragrant' and I tend to agree with them that it's more on pleasant side, although I'd say the smell is very distinctive, it's unlike any other smells that I know. But I wouldn't want to be in enclosed vehicles that had housed them. THAT, is nasty.

[Arcadia]

Have you been on the klongs in Bangkok, by any chance? That is what the durian smelled like to us! (Although that was back in the '60's, maybe they've cleaned up the klongs since then??? That would be good.... )

 

Ah, yes, the smell of sun-baked klong and durian ... the white lychees staring at you like eyeballs ... the blackened smiles of the betel nut addicts .... those were the days....

[Carol the Dabbler]

@Durian

Open sewer? I know how open sewer smells like, or the variation of dried sewer or regular sewer but I don't associate it with durian smell whatsoever. :D

Actually it's interesting that you guys find it repulsive. From many who think that way, there are many who would categorise it as 'fragrant' and I tend to agree with them that it's more on pleasant side, although I'd say the smell is very distinctive, it's unlike any other smells that I know. But I wouldn't want to be in enclosed vehicles that had housed them. THAT, is nasty.

Maybe I'm accustomed to a higher class of sewer?  :P

 

I know that different people have different reactions to odors, though.  For example, I like the smell of valerian root (an herb often used as a relaxant), even though some people claim it smells like dirty socks.  To me it smells pleasantly musky (unlike some of those musk colognes, which smell to me like something I wouldn't care to put on my body, nor care to hug anybody who did).

[Van Buren Supernova]

Have you been on the klongs in Bangkok, by any chance? That is what the durian smelled like to us! (Although that was back in the '60's, maybe they've cleaned up the klongs since then??? That would be good.... )

 

Ah, yes, the smell of sun-baked klong and durian ... the white lychees staring at you like eyeballs ... the blackened smiles of the betel nut addicts .... those were the days....

I have, maybe ten years ago, but I am sure the condition was much better than the time you were there. Betel nut addict's smile! don't you say those smiles are genuine?

 

I still can't relate durian with sewer smell though :D. Okay, the next time I get chance to eat it, I'll try to describe the combination of the rich pungent smell.

 

I like the smell of valerian root (an herb often used as a relaxant), even though some people claim it smells like dirty socks.

Never heard of it. Sounds like Game of thrones. :p

 

To me it smells pleasantly musky (unlike some of those musk colognes, which smell to me like something I wouldn't care to put on my body, nor care to hug anybody who did).

Agree. I think most colognes and perfumes are created to repel me.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Have you been on the klongs in Bangkok, by any chance? That is what the durian smelled like to us! (Although that was back in the '60's, maybe they've cleaned up the klongs since then??? That would be good.... )

 

According to Wikipedia,

 

 

Historically, the Thai capital Bangkok was crisscrossed by khlongs, and so gained the nickname, "Venice of the East".^[1] Khlongs were used for transportation and for floating markets, but also for sewage disposal. Today, most of the khlongs of Bangkok have been filled in....

 

So it sounds like A] you have your wish, and B] we agree regarding the scent of durian.  :D

[Arcadia]

They've filled them in?       :o Wow, I was just hoping they were cleaner, not ... non-existent. No more Venice of the East, I guess.

 

And I never knew 'klong' was spelled with an 'h'. Looks funny.

[Carol the Dabbler]

That article says it's also frequently spelt klong.  I'm guessing that the "h" spelling is technically more accurate, but that most foreigners can't distinguish the difference in pronunciation.

[Van Buren Supernova]

I am surprised they filled it too, they could clean it and still maintain the charm, but maybe it's not easy to do so.

That reminds me of a volunteer work I did donkey years ago during my uni day, (I vaguely remember telling this before, if yes, forgive me, my memory is getting worse :P).

 

So we were doing social works like building water well, improving education facilities and resources, crash courses etc. We also went around doing survey about the previous projects by our seniors who provided better toilet facilities for the villagers, and found out that about half of them were still not using the facilities and prefer to do their business by the ocean in their original toilet (they have some kind of structure that gave a bit of privacy, it's on particular side of the island, like a makeshift bridge leading to a spot away from the shore with 4 makeshift wall, I think they brought their own water) because they enjoy the view and the feel and they had been doing so all their lives that for some, it's difficult to change. So... yeah..

But this particular island 'natural' system worked better than the Thai's klong. :P

 

And I'm pretty sure you both confuse the smell of sewage with durian, or.... maybe it's American's nose XD

 

 

Anyway, saw this, I know it still exists and still quite common, but dang, this thing has been around forever!

Me and my sibling didn't have the 'proper' one, ours was inherited from our cousins, it was missing half of the fish and the fish had seizures (jerky movements) and it was also a knock off version. :D But still, fun nostalgic toy. :D

 

 

 

[Carol the Dabbler]

I think I may know why you don't think durian smells like a sewer, considering that you were just talking about outhouses. I would make a distinction between the smell of an outhouse, which is basically rotting human manure, and the smell of a sewer, which is more complex (something like the scent of durian ;) ). I guess I'm talking mostly about rural sewers, which are supposed to run through a buried drainpipe, but sometimes end up as a simple ditch. The contents are the overflow of a septic tank, so there's far less manure odor (and what there is of it is less pungent because it's sort of half-composted), and more of other things.

[Van Buren Supernova]

No no, I know very well the difference between outhouse and sewer, and even the differences with the working regular sewer and dried one. :D (I never expected I'd say this) and still, to me, none of it resembles any similarities to durian. (it's getting more and more absurd :p). Anyway, durian is like asparagus, eh, how to put that, they are 'noticeable' after you process it in nose department, that could be why you compare it to sewer, but even so, it's really different. :D

 

I see there is no way we can prove our points, so let's have durian together and walk through klongs someday.

[Carol the Dabbler]

Sounds good to me! :D I just looove me a good durian. (Not so sure about the klongs, though.)

 

Nothing like asparagus. No way. Nope.