A sideways glance into the mind of filsmyth (previously Phil Smith), author of Virtual Dreamer.

Thursday, November 30, 2006

Return of the Grey Ghost


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Got an e-mail today about an upgrade to a forum I'd almost completely forgotten I'd joined. My old Toyota Cressida is now officially a 'classic', and it's a damned shame it's had to sit for almost 2 years, shortly after sitting for about 5 before I acquired it.

Here's a link to my first post at the new Toyota Cressida Forums: http://forums.toyotacressida.net/forums/showthread.php?p=135031#post135031


Phil Smith
November 30th, 2006
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Saturday, August 12, 2006

things tend to continue

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things tend to continue
(a body in motion tends to stay in motion)
(a body at rest tends to stay at rest)


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Yep, I'm still a slacker -- or at the very least, an extreme procrastinator...

Then again, there are many interests pulling me in different directions...

...and that's the real problem.


However the Nation of Earth vision still stands, and I will (I promise) be posting again soon @
http://unifiedsettlement.blogspot.com/

Seriously.


Phil Smith

August 12, 2006



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Monday, June 19, 2006

Dreamer


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What would you do if you won the lottery?

Some people ask that question to gauge character. I don't give a shit about that. I've always been a dreamer, finding fun ways to occupy my imagination. Some people like to keep their hands busy -- for me, it's my mind that always needs something to do...

...and the question of how to spend a sudden massive windfall is a fun problem to solve.

Many would just go crazy, buying all kinds of expensive stuff and partying until they soberly realize they'll have to sell most of it just to survive. Others (inexplicably) stay on at their jobs and try to pretend nothing happened. Sure, you need to provide for your future, but those people are occupying jobs they don't need, while too many go unemployed.

Those of you who know me well enough already know what's important to me. You can guess that I would spend time & money to further the cause of the Nation of Earth -- but you might also (correctly) guess that I could quickly amass an automotive collection more impressive than Jay Leno's, if I only had the resources.

Of course, not all lottery winnings are equal, and since the first thing I would do is get a divorce, whatever I might get would quickly be cut in half. The problem to solve now becomes, "What would I do with a large but LIMITED amount of money?"

The second thing to do is acquire some land -- because one of my dreams is to design and build my own place, on substantial acreage. The main building would not be a mansion, but more like a lodge -- because a small intentional community needs a center. New millionaires like to surround themselves with friends, and we would all certainly be living a good life, but there would be a lot of (satisfying) work to do. I'd like Airstream trailers for temporary on-site housing (one benefit of this is that people would be able to utter the phrase "I'll be in my trailer", just like movie stars), but RVs from other manufacturers would be considered.

The first building would be a steel structure, because they go up quickly. It would be used for a woodshop, and to store construction materials & equipment, and used for a garage later. There's no telling how long the lodge would take to build. Small cabins might be built -- they would give me something to practice on, for one thing.

Vehicles? There's a 1951 International pickup on a local lot that I've had my eye on, and I've wanted a Honda Ridgeline since they were introduced, but I don't even want to think about a possible collection right now. If I were to compile a wish list, I could go on for days...

In fact if I didn't have the Nation of Earth and my intentional community to think about, cars & trucks would probably be my main focus. In any case, one of the best things about such newfound wealth would be that I could finally build vehicles of my own design, and have my own private test course for them.

Yes, of COURSE I would travel, and of course I would help my family and friends. Charity? The Nation of Earth is my philanthropic measure -- perhaps it will include an organization that people can contribute to and volunteer for...

...but I would still be found in Levi's and Flag of Earth T-shirts most of the time -- and NOT along with a diamond-encrusted watch. I don't even WEAR a watch...

To sum it up, I wouldn't spend just to spend. I would spend CREATIVELY, and spend for the future -- mine, and Earth's.


Phil Smith
June 19, 2006



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