Unemployment numbers up by one

On Jan. 12, 2009 I became a government statistic

I lost my job and joined the rapidly growing number of unemployed. But unlike most suddenly without work, I rejoiced, not at losing half of our family income, but because the job loss would force me to do something different.

For too many years I always believed to be a good husband and father and the man of the house, it was up to me to go into the world and make as much money as I could. Unfortunately, most often that meant doing jobs that I hated -- or as in my last job – I had tyrannical bosses, or just had to work for stupid people that thought just because they had a title, they were always right. Sound familiar, if so, then this blog is for you.

Ever since college I wanted to pursue art and writing while living off the family's small 100 acre farm to fill in the gaps. My wife and I had planned what we would have to cut out of our budget if one of us lost our job. A good plan is the first step in this journey.

Within days I discovered that true freedom of mind and soul comes from not giving others power over me. Independence comes with a price – you either make it on your own or you don't.

On Jan. 12, 2009 I became a government statistic

I lost my job and joined the rapidly growing number of unemployed. But unlike most suddenly without work, I rejoiced, not at losing half of our family income, but because the job loss would force me to do something different.

For too many years I always believed to be a good husband and father and the man of the house, it was up to me to go into the world and make as much money as I could. Unfortunately, most often that meant doing jobs that I hated -- or as in my last job – I had tyrannical bosses, or just had to work for stupid people that thought just because they had a title, they were always right. Sound familiar, if so, then this blog is for you.

Ever since college I wanted to pursue art and writing while living off the family's small 100 acre farm to fill in the gaps. My wife and I had planned what we would have to cut out of our budget if one of us lost our job. A good plan is the first step in this journey.

Within days I discovered that true freedom of mind and soul comes from not giving others power over me. Independence comes with a price – you either make it on your own or you don't.

Today I dedicate this blog to the many who have dreams of becoming self-sufficient, strive to live a sustainable lifestyle, or who just like to live an alternative lifestyle removed from the materialism promoted by the corporate whores and media that seem to be running this country into the ground.

It is called Back-to-the-land Two because I will strive to avoid the mistakes that the first back-to-the-land movement of the 1960s and 1970s made. Most of them are not around, but instead are now a part of the large corporations that want to suppress individualism.

Future entries will be focus on gardening, grain production on small pots, stocking up and even some commentary analysis of how business and leadership in this country has molded out thinking to make living an independent life out of the question for most.
Enjoy.