Ex-hippie, soon to be ex-corporate, getting back to roots
Bill
When I was about 20, I hit the road and hitched around, went to
Rainbow Gatherings, and did the whole road hippie thing, until I was
about 25.It was the best time of my life.
Then I slipped into corporate cubicle land and depression started to
build over the years. Now I'm 40, and I read an IAmA on Reddit from a
dumpster diver. It reminded me of the old days.
So, I got a dark hoodie, a grabber stick, a box cutter, headlamp, and
some black trash bags. Been reading a shit-ton on the internet about
it, and have been scoping out some places here in Phoenix.
Unfortunately, most of the year it's too hot to get food because it'll
go bad in half an hour due to the heat. But, it's cooling off and is
now feasable.
Trader Joes' dumpsters here are all locked up behind wooden doors.
So, what I'm looking for is some help. Tips, advice, etc. on getting
back to basics in a changed world. It's not the same as it was 15-20
years ago. There's less help, people are more paranoid, cops are
meaner, and it seems like you have to be much more resourceful. Where
can I go to learn the ropes of being somewhat freegan in today's
world? I'm checking out a local Food Not Bombs next weekend and will
get to know some folks, but any other ideas? Where to go, websites,
etc?
I need to get back to my roots, and I need help. That's my basic
situation.
Thanks folks,
- William Phoenix
b
I think the first thing is to choose your location. Don't waste time
with stuff that is heavily guarded. keep looking for more suitable
places and especially at closing time, see how and where stuff gets
left out for collection. You can often find intetesting stuff in
industrial estates, just left out.
your local municipality may have a collection scheme for domestic
waste every month or fortnight etc. Go out that night and cruise
about! same goes for end of term at local college etc.
use the web, things like freecycle. a way of saving stuff without
getting your hands dirty.
ask at stores whose waste you maybe interested in - see if they can
put it aside for you.I'm sure many will be only too happy to avoid
having to dispose of /pay to dispose of it themselves.
happy hunting.
B
eff tee in Sacramento
William,
Wow -- yes, so much has changed.
I've subscribed to this group for many years but have never posted
before.
Besides your needs to identify current freegan protocol try to keep
your self esteem nourished too!
I didn't have anything to do with this but I love it. Cut and paste
the URL below in your address bar.
http://www.sacloaves.org/intel-donates-computer-lab
If your situation permits -- maybe using your old skills from
corporate-cubicle-ism or involving some friends you run across in the
future in new ways -- you may find a situation where you can help an
organization that needs it -- or find another one where you might find
more friends that can help.
...but don't let this old world get you down.
...anyway, enjoy the link and Godspeed my brother,
-frank (posting from Sacramento, CA)