— Bob-a-job-alog-a-roonie

Lonely Planet has an excellent book called Micronations, which lists pretty much every attempt ever by regular people to start their own tiny country.

The problems they accounted were typically doing something illegal, or trying to dodge taxes. Some, like Sealand, have survived, but they aren’t much fun.

I would love to have my own little country, and all I need to do is not avoid taxes or do anything illegal.

Here’s the very rough plan:

1. Win Lotto
2. Buy a big farm somewhere quite isolated
3. Build homes

First of all, it will work best if I am a benevolent dictator. Anyone living there does so for free, because I let them. People in that situation can be removed at will, if they are not fitting in.

It will of course be a libertarian paradise, ignoring official laws around what an individual does that harms nobody else. The property will be large enough that any raid by the police will give ample time to destroy evidence. (Yes, a lot of effort to take some drugs…)

It will be self-sufficient and barter-based, so no income taxes to pay. Property taxes and rates will need to be paid, either out of the saved Lotto winnings or by doing some real-world work. That could be selling produce or working online. It is OK to pay these taxes, it is a small effort relative to what we receive in return.

Mostly tech-free, say Amish-lite. Fossil-fuel vehicles stop at the entrance. Horse and cart is preferred. People sleep in tents or yurts, with no electricity. Clothes/dishes are washed by hand. But we will still have Internet and security cameras.

We will be very welcoming to artists/writers who want someone peaceful to be, with few distractions. Possibly, well at least try, it will be a place for people to get off drugs or escape family violence – while doing honest, hard farm work.

Ultimately, aside from being an environment I would like to live in, it could be seen as a positive example of how people can exist outside of greed and politics and the rat race.

I saw online, more than once, women desiring a partner who they could form memories with. As someone who tries very much to live in the moment, that sounded odd.

It can go two ways, I feel.

1. She thinks that we live in an Instagram life, where the recording is more important than the experience itself. People at rock concerts recording it instead of feeling it… Which means that looking back on previous situations is preferable to experiencing something in the present. Count me out!
2. Shared experiences are what establishes a relationship – a relationship is literally defined by the shared experiences. She has confused creating memories (as in being actively creative) with memories simply occurring as a consequence of existing.

I am choosing not to judge anyone who says “shared memories” because I think the intent is highly likely to be genuine and not contrived.

These people have caught my attention a lot. They are very contrary, talented, and winning.

Billie Eilish – hasn’t rushed out a new album. Persists with the baggy clothes that is affecting an entire generation, steering us away from judging people physically.

Taika Waititi – his role in Jojo Rabbit was insane, and also Oscar nominated for the movie itself. Made one of the best Marvel movies, and What We Do In The Shadows on TV is awesome. Plus, is not shy with fashion.

Bryson Dechambeau – ramped up his physique rapidly and against perceived wisdom – apparently that much muscle ruins your golf swing. Wrong, he is dominating.

AOC – keeps shining bright – is simply presenting the right message in the right way + charisma

Greta Thunberg – last year was her year, but like Billie Eilish she has maintained a presence without pushing hard. Biding her time…

The pandemic has been a wake-up call for many – the things we trust will always be there aren’t so trustworthy after all.

Toilet paper / bathroom tissue / loo roll has been part of human lives for not much longer than a century, and yet doing without it horrifies us.

We can become more appreciative of what we have, and more resilient when we are without, by occasionally, purposefully, doing without.

For those who have a toilet in the same room as the shower, go a day or two without buying toilet paper after running out. Sluice yourself in the shower. Experience something different, and revel in your adaptability.

Try tea without milk for a week, you might find you like it better. Go without bread, or pasta, or rice. Try sandwiches without butter. Skip shampoo or moisturiser.

Not refilling is easier than purposefully not using something that is sitting there. And you can refill any time you wish, if it is too uncomfortable for you.

It’s an adventure. A cost-free, risk-free experiment in not living precisely the same week as last week.

Just a small thought, that is a bit different to the standard explanation.

It is no coincidence that the demise of gay bars equals the rise of apps like Grindr. Likewise, there has been a decrease in venues that catered for straight young people simply seeking to hook up. But straight people didn’t stop going to bars, they still socialise as much as ever.

My little thought is that

1. Gay folk are more comfortable in straight environments these days, so they don’t need their own designated bars
2. It may be too presumptuous to think that gay only want to hang out with gay people. In fact, many might find such scenes tiresome

I think that with increased acceptance, and Grindr removing the hook up aspect that was such a factor in gay bars, we are simply seeing pubs and clubs as being designated as for people – in whichever flavour they come in.

Obviously 2020 will be remembered as the year we faced a pandemic.

But individually, psychologically, we will be facing our fears.

1. Fear of the Unknown. We live in a very cosy, predictable world. The coronavirus is an absolute shock to the system. Even if we only remember the toilet paper crisis, this will leave a mark on everyone
2. Fear of Ourselves. It is unprecedented, that so many people are forced to stop and think about their lives. Expect millions of breakups, and thousands of declarations of love. There will be suicides. We are putting our hectic lives on pause and examining ourselves.
3. Fear of Our Potential. If you let it, staying at home for a few weeks could mean that the book, poem, song you always meant to write will come into existence. We might also decide that we have no potential, and that is scary.
4. Fear for Family, Friends & Society. I guarantee, to some degree, going forward, we will have more respect for others. Surviving a common challenge does that. Without a doubt, beyond this, we will be more loving to others, close and far.