Mike Brewer

I was going to make this a poll, but I figured I'd miss so much more that way. I want this to be a simple, easy, light thread where people can talk about the best parts of where they live. We've got a pretty diverse group of people here, and I'd personally like to know what kinds of things they like to do.

Think of this as a kind of "Voyager" satellite for Defend.net. If we had to compile a list of the things that put the most smiles on our faces, what would they be? If we had to show off the things we love to an alien race that had no concept of humankind, what would we show them to give them an idea of what's good and fun and enjoyable about this place we live?

Looking forward to the answers.

Oh, and by the way -

My answers are (in no particular order):

• Music Concerts
• Museums
• Sports
• Cookouts

Michael Wright

I don’t really have anything good to say about England, to be honest its a shit hole and its on it’s knees. I’m in London because of my Job and my Boxing, that’s pretty much it. In the next 2 -3 years I will be out of here.

My family and my heritage is Irish, from County Mayo on the West Coast of the Republic. I love Ireland and I love the Irish people. Community, Faith, Passion, Family, Music, Joy and Guinness - not necessarily in that order.

I hope to make my home back there some day, until then I just have to make do with the Irish bar round the corner. I’d like my ultimate destination to be Ireland, however due to my job and my training, the next chapter of my life is probably going to be in the USA.

So keep a space on the couch for me Mike….

Hardball

I'm in Baltimore, Md, USA and You can smell the freedom in the air.

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Mike Brewer

Well, taking it down a tier from the political conditions, I guess what I'm looking for is what are the things that just simply make you forget all the bullshit?

Today, for example, I went to a movie and a great steak house for a slab of buffalo and a solid Cabernet to go with. That's awesome! It's one of those activities that makes me laugh and joke and forget about all the heavy issues in life - even if it's just for a couple hours.

What about stuff like that? What are your "escapes?"

TTEscrima

The US NAVY!! Afterall, 2/3 of the planet is water. And while the Bush administration would have you believe it's the recent troop surge that has improved the situation in Iraq. Truth of the matter is the Navy loaned the Army some Sailors and we're showing 'em how it's done. Whether it be Sea, Air or Land we're keeping you safe and insuring the American way of life...The United States Navy.

GQchris

Well its the land of the Free.. for now anyways, the most blessed Nation on Earth where I can pursue my hopes, dreams, and passions.

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Mike Brewer

Try and think simpler, guys. I'm not looking for concepts or philosophies or even broad spectrum lifestyles. I'm trying to put my finger on things like "The ability to go shopping for groceries whenever I need them." "Baseball games." "Salvation Army jeans and t-shirts for a couple bucks apiece."

Stuff like that.

Tom Yum

A peacful, stable nation - sorry, this sounds too philosophical.

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kingoftheforest

Besides Tom it's been so long since we've had those things I don't think they count.


It's all about ice cream and porn vids baby.

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Mike Brewer

Okay, Tom - try it this way. What makes it "peaceful?" What makes it "stable?" What tangible, physical, real things do you see, and what activities do you participate in that differentiate a free, peaceful, stable nation from one that isn't?

Ice cream is a good one, actually. That's the kind of stuff I'm after.

The reason I'm asking about this is because it's very often the little differences we use to escape the seriousness and gravity of life's bigger picture that define us. For example, can you imagine someone in a Sudanese refugee camp going out for a double dipped cone with sprinkles? Can you imagine someone in a Palestinian refugee camp going out with some friends to play a game of pickup ball with his friends? Can you imagine Somali kids watching cartoons on Saturday morning and laughing at Bugs Bunny outsmarting Elmer Fudd?

It's very often those kinds of little escapes that define us as a people, and it's very often those kinds of things that we take for granted... as evidenced by how hard it is to come up with them when asked.

jubaji

How many, if any, of these things are unique to any one country? In other words, are any of your little pleasures things you simply cannot experience anywhere else?

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Mike Brewer

Probably not. I mean, they might be things you don't see very often in some places. Like I doubt that those Sudanese refugee camps are littered with iPods and internet access, for example. But that's really the thing I'm trying to get to. The fun of getting together with some frineds and going to see a movie, or the idea of hopping in your very own car and driving to a concert are relative unknowns in some places. Of course, one of the other "little things" for me is being able to grab a knapsack and go camp out in the woods for a few days. I'm sure there are lots of folks who'd love a nice warm bed and a roof that didn't leak.


Partly this thread came up because I've been brainstorming lately about the little things that we in the West might be able to use to relate to others from different cultures. I don't know if you saw the golf course/PSYOP video in the tactical area, but a makeshift driving range in Iraq, equipped with donated equipment and balls, has become a source of bonding and common ground for soldiers and locals. That single hobby - golf - has allowed the soldiers to build such a rapport with the local populace that it's probably done more to further relations than anything else in that neighborhood. It made me wonder if exposure to other "simple things" might be able to do likewise.

Tom Yum

Food?

Everyone has to eat and most people get some basic pleasure from eating. More importantly sharing and comparing food. Not the fancy schmancy stuff -how about basic staples: Bread/Rice. Vegetables. Meat.

Back in highschool, I went on a homecoming date with a Persian girl. To my suprise, the date included her parents....

Well, we spent the evening talking about...food. That was a safe topic. Her father then went on to show me a Hooka and explain how tobacco was smoked through it. I worked at a restaraunt at the time and talked about how I cooked different things. From then on other conversations just seemed to flow naturally and spontaneously.

I actually had a really good time - her parents approved!

Even more important than talking about food, was the act of breaking bread together

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Mike Brewer

Now you've got the idea! This is what I was looking for.

Tant01

Just what you'd expect from a "lifer"...

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"In all countries where personal freedom is valued, however much each individual may rely on legal redress, the right of each to carry arms - and these the best and the sharpest - for his own protection in case of extremity, is a right of nature indelible and irrepressible, and the more it is sought to be repressed the more it will recur."

James Paterson