Am I a Bum? So what?

[butchdiamond]

I have had the "wanderlust" since I could crawl. I have always been adventurous and enjoyed seeking out new people and places and doing mad things.

Although I have a home (sort of) in NZ, I just can't seem to get settled. The longest I've ever stayed in one place is a massive three years - I get very itchy feet.

I would be quite happy just wandering the globe for the rest of my life with no consideration for the future...

...does this make me a bum, waster, crusty, good for nothing scumbag... and if it does, does it matter?

I don't care what Mr and Mrs Conventional think, I have had enough of their opinions, put downs and words of wisdom... and I know that I should have a degree, good job, wife, 2.4 kids, Volvo and a nice house with the white picket fence blah blah blah - the Westerners ideal, the American dream...whatever, it ain't for me.

I would, however, be very interested to hear what my fellow Hubbers think. Most travellers I've met are of the agreed view that the Bum's lifestyle is both addictive and rewarding... but should we be ashamed?

[docsherlock]

I know the feeling; as long as you ain't hurting anyone, how you live is your business - as for those who criticize, **** the whole lot of 'em.

SW

[DLbiten]

I have had some the "American dream", odd to see most of the people want this are white and have came from Europe. I think this IDEAL life is beaten in to your head from berth. All your schooling reinforces it, the TV, collage promotes it as the goal, work demands it. Its what most people the world over seem to want. In the end most are happy with it.

Then there are the few odd balls, the roges, the malcontents, ADHD in the extream as the world brands us. We do not want or cant fit in. We are not normal, we know comfort but dont cling to it.

Ashamed, fellings of low self esteem? Oh I got them (not as bad as most people want me to) Its the price I pay to do what I want to do. To feel what I feel.

Like in the USA right now brink of economic collapse, banks, wallstreet, housing, jobs, ext... bahh dont bail them out let them burn. But NOOOOO USA is going to piss away $1 trillion to top people in the wold so they can run there bussnes in the ground all the more. All that money and peoples time and lifes flitterd away just so they can "live the dream". Work my self to death so the rich can be dam fools and still make billions off me? With all baby boomers retiring and jobs shiped over seas where is that money comming from? The worker that must stay working to keep up. here is a good clean english saying I feel fits. So* off to you all.

What dose a wold riding bum do? eat, sleep, ride, talk, mabey a bit of work, There strees comes from the need to get by another day to get food and get away from problims.
The hard worker the one your dad and mom wants? sleeps but not enof, work but not enof to get much ahead eat what ever he can stuff down befor he gets back to work. His stress is non stop he will never get far enof ahead his sleep will not keep up his helth will be the next thing to go.

In the end the worker will retier and try to do what you do now he may live a year or 2 longer but not any better.

The hell im I working for? when all I realy want to see some place else.

[albert crutcher]

Having frittered away large portions of my life with all kinds of adventures.Episodes with booze,drugs,motorcycles,travelling etc.Now coming up to 43 I feel the time is about right to settle down.Wife,kids etc having been about the only adventure I haven,t been on yet.So screw being a bum,been there done that.
Give me the Volvo etc cos I now think maybe being a family guy and raising some well balanced kids coul be the most challenging adventure of all.
Al theturtleshead

[pictish]

I think its more what your travels and being a bum have done for you, seeing lots of other peoples lifes doesnt mean you have had one yourself.

But having towed the line for the last 8 years, being a partying waster for many more before that, doing the family[it came free with the x,not into breeding] thing, the house, the morgage,the respectable job and all that entails and now having to decide to either start it all again or sell the house and head off into the world I dont know if I would class myself as a bum by doing that.

I also wonder if its better to be a "bum" and travel in your early twentys or late teens like a alot do or to do it once you have seen a bit of life and can apply that to what you see on your travels. Are you going to have such a good time when your 30+ or just remember more as you party less.

Besides you can still be a bum and stay at home but I guess I would rather be a well travelled one.

"well balanced kids" Do they exist? or are you referring to not bringing up mass murderers

[albert crutcher]

Yes! As a bar owner I frequently got to see people at their worst and I,d have to say most people behave pretty well and most of the youths who,ve started their drinking careers with me have been pretty well behaved as well.
A great surprise I can tell you.So yes I think most kids are ok despite all the bad press.
So yes,get all your Bum stuff done in your 20,s and 30,s Then use your worldly experience to have some decent kids.
Al theturtleshead

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by albert crutcher

Having frittered away large portions of my life with all kinds of adventures.Episodes with booze,drugs,motorcycles,travelling etc.Now coming up to 43 I feel the time is about right to settle down.Wife,kids etc having been about the only adventure I haven,t been on yet.So screw being a bum,been there done that.
Give me the Volvo etc cos I now think maybe being a family guy and raising some well balanced kids coul be the most challenging adventure of all.
Al theturtleshead

Sounds like a plan to me.. I have another 12 years until I hit 40 and start "Fertilising"

Roll on the madness

[John Downs]

As I get older, I can't imagine wishing I had traveled on my motorcycle less and spent more time working and amassing material possessions that tie me down. Being a vagabond and a nomad is a noble lifestyle. Less is more. It takes a lot of commitment, a stubborn nature and focus to thread through life having a good time and traveling when and where you like. People will try to make you fit into their idea of how life should be lived. Don't be a sheep. Ignore them. Get on your bike and go have some fun. Let them call you eccentric. Sounds like a compliment to me. I have noticed that some people are more nomadic and less materialistic than others by nature. When I was visiting the south island of your fair country on an organic farm I remember borrowing an old honda dirt bike to go to a swimming hole outside Nelson. There was an older woman there who had never been to Wellington or Christchurch much less traveled the world. Holy sheepdip! It made me feel so fortunate to be able to bum around the world.

Just some thoughts,
John

[butchdiamond]

The past couple of months I have been particularly bummy - I have been staying with a friend in Southern England and doing some work here and there. Everyone I talk to about what I'm doing has been extremely responsive, positive and even envious. More encouragement to just carry on and have fun.

I must admit, I wish I was rich though. This country (UK) is sooo expensive and work is hard to come by. It's going to be an interesting few of months!

[Linzi]

If you're anywhere near Brighton why not drag yourself along to the HUBB minimeet?

[FunkyFro]

Originally Posted by butchdiamond

I have had the "wanderlust" since I could crawl. I have always been adventurous and enjoyed seeking out new people and places and doing mad things.

Although I have a home (sort of) in NZ, I just can't seem to get settled. The longest I've ever stayed in one place is a massive three years - I get very itchy feet.

I would be quite happy just wandering the globe for the rest of my life with no consideration for the future...

...does this make me a bum, waster, crusty, good for nothing scumbag... and if it does, does it matter?

I don't care what Mr and Mrs Conventional think, I have had enough of their opinions, put downs and words of wisdom... and I know that I should have a degree, good job, wife, 2.4 kids, Volvo and a nice house with the white picket fence blah blah blah - the Westerners ideal, the American dream...whatever, it ain't for me.

I would, however, be very interested to hear what my fellow Hubbers think. Most travellers I've met are of the agreed view that the Bum's lifestyle is both addictive and rewarding... but should we be ashamed?

Its BLOODY gr8.
I'm exactly the same.
Stopped for three yrs(present).
And i'm gonna get ready to set off again and bumble about.
Try to add something to wherever i go.
But be it a bum whatever.
I think it's more like.
Freedom.
Which sounds good
But tastes better.....

How can any one be ashemed of being free..