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I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

theguardian.com

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Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#341

Post by milchek »

telesilla wrote: post #266

"This valley is cut in the shape of my heart". I've known farmers like him, bachelors who are mild mannered and love their lives and the extended family that comes with living an entire life in one valley. He maybe goes to Sunday service for socialization and the local pub to watch the game, and as long as his sheep are healthy and the sky does what it promises (because he knows the day before always if it will rain)…

One of the reasons that this is quite beautiful is that it portrays the ideal of having just enough, living simply, and being grateful. There is something also stoic about the character described.

I imagine the farmer you're telling us about doesn't want attention, material possessions, or any kind of excess at all. This person is happy to build something slowly over time, in small increments. They're happy with what they have, who they are, and that they exist.

I think there are elements in your portrayal that we can all strive for, whether this person was a farmer, carpenter, or programmer, doesn't really matter.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#342

Post by s-lambert »

auslegung wrote: post #155
noofen wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> How incredibly small-minded. How incredibly patronizing. Have you considered that people have different tastes? Personally, I hate eating; if I could take a pill to replace all my nutrition needs, I would in a heartbeat, even if it costs more than my current dietary expenses.

Have you tried Soylent? https://soylent.com/

You still need to eat soylent and chugging it down is unpleasant at best.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#343

Post by StanislavPetrov »

usgroup wrote: post #286
telesilla wrote: post #266

"This valley is cut in the shape of my heart". I've known farmers like him, bachelors who are mild mannered and love their lives and the extended family that comes with living an entire life in one valley. He maybe goes to Sunday service for socialization and the local pub to watch the game, and as long as his sheep are healthy and the sky does what it promises (because he knows the day before always if it will rain)…

I appreciate the romance, but those of us who have children leave behind much more than stone walls we built in our 20s. He’s a 72 year old Batchelor who’s once stepped foot outside a Welsh valley. If happiness is a lobotomy then credit to us who don’t choose it.

Perhaps he gets more satisfaction out of a stone wall than a child. Happiness and achievement are completely subjective. It isn't a credit to anyone who doesn't grasp that, much less denigrate another out of that lack of understanding.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#344

Post by renewiltord »

M277 wrote: post #314
usgroup wrote: post #286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I appreciate the romance, but those of us who have children leave behind much more than stone walls we built in our 20s. He’s a 72 year old Batchelor who’s once stepped foot outside a Welsh valley. If happiness is a lobotomy then credit to us who don’t choose it.

People are different, with different desires, personalities, mentalities, ..... Isn't it only natural then that 'happiness' would be different from one person to another? Why speak low about him? You're content with your life, and he is content with his... it really is that simple. You can't go up to an artist and say, "Hey, your painting is crap, you should change x, y, z," because it is the artist's painting , not…

These threads are always so entertaining. Someone will make up this pastoral romance while implying that the city life is somehow lacking. Then someone will do the opposite and the wars will begin. Very entertaining.

For my part, I enjoy modal editors so I think vim is better than emacs and I like the GPL over BSD.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#345

Post by StavrosK »

usgroup wrote: post #286
telesilla wrote: post #266

"This valley is cut in the shape of my heart". I've known farmers like him, bachelors who are mild mannered and love their lives and the extended family that comes with living an entire life in one valley. He maybe goes to Sunday service for socialization and the local pub to watch the game, and as long as his sheep are healthy and the sky does what it promises (because he knows the day before always if it will rain)…

I appreciate the romance, but those of us who have children leave behind much more than stone walls we built in our 20s. He’s a 72 year old Batchelor who’s once stepped foot outside a Welsh valley. If happiness is a lobotomy then credit to us who don’t choose it.

> If happiness is a lobotomy then credit to us who don’t choose it.

Why not? By definition it would leave you happy, what does it matter?

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#346

Post by watwut »

Jtsummers wrote: post #87
ipaddr wrote: post #67

I wonder about the two strokes. Him and his sister. Probably genetic or is it a result of the same diet they both share? Is eating an egg a day really bad for you. Science has gone back and forth on this. He would get plenty of exercise what could have caused the strokes?

Strokes can be caused by a variety of factors and are increasingly common as people age regardless of physical fitness and diet. An injury or illness leading to bed rest can cause clots to form. Clots can just form anyways. High blood pressure. Which, again, becomes increasingly common as people age regardless of fitness level and diet.

Then again, vegetable intake lowers chance of stroke too.

The guy lives wholesome lifestyle, but that lifestyle is not that terribly healthy as people want it to be. Simple lifestyles are not always the most healthy thing you can do. His diet is limited by habit/routine, but also possibly by cost and additional effort it would take to cook more healthier. He already works a lot and healthier food woold require more effort.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#347

Post by makach »

indy wrote: post #298
usgroup wrote: post #286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I appreciate the romance, but those of us who have children leave behind much more than stone walls we built in our 20s. He’s a 72 year old Batchelor who’s once stepped foot outside a Welsh valley. If happiness is a lobotomy then credit to us who don’t choose it.

There are many paths to happiness, no need to denigrate this man's life.

I don't think he was doing that. It's just a perspective.

It is when I read these stories that I truly consider how short our lives are. I can't stop thinking about how fragile our beliefs are once we hold them up against someone elses values, earthshaking.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#348

Post by lelanthran »

renewiltord wrote: post #344
M277 wrote: post #314

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People are different, with different desires, personalities, mentalities, ..... Isn't it only natural then that 'happiness' would be different from one person to another? Why speak low about him? You're content with your life, and he is content with his... it really is that simple. You can't go up to an artist and say, "Hey, your painting is crap, you should change x, y, z," because it is the artist's painting , not…

These threads are always so entertaining. Someone will make up this pastoral romance while implying that the city life is somehow lacking. Then someone will do the opposite and the wars will begin. Very entertaining. For my part, I enjoy modal editors so I think vim is better than emacs and I like the GPL over BSD.

> For my part, I enjoy modal editors so I think vim is better than emacs and I like the GPL over BSD.

We need more fuel on this fire. What's your take on spaces vs tabs?

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#349

Post by raffraffraff »

beaner wrote: post #299
usgroup wrote: post #286

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I appreciate the romance, but those of us who have children leave behind much more than stone walls we built in our 20s. He’s a 72 year old Batchelor who’s once stepped foot outside a Welsh valley. If happiness is a lobotomy then credit to us who don’t choose it.

Such a close-minded view. Children are great but they're just more people with their own experiences, like this man. And it seems rare these days that they might be as naturally at-one with the world around them as he is.

I hear you. In not sure if want to be raising kids today.

I had a moment in my 20s where I just stopped and thought, "Every single ancestor I had from my parents back to algae had offspring. What if I don't?"

If you consider the whole Ocean as history, and the present moment as a single solitary wave heading towards the shore, and your life as the surfer on that wave, it doesn't matter what came before you. What matters is the wave. You get to ride it and wipe out. And that's it. I don't care if that wave is a composite of a million unknown ripples in the cast Ocean. It doesn't matter really.

Re: I’ve had the same supper for 10 years

#350

Post by StanislavPetrov »

faichai wrote: post #337

I’m not trying to be mean, but there is a chance this guy has some deep anxiety and self-esteem issues which means he doesn’t even think to look outside of his comfort zone. Routine is a way of not stressing yourself out with newness and the possibility you might not cope, and fail.

If he is happy and content, why would he want to leave his comfort zone? Why does that denote some mental flaw? You could just as easily say that those who feel the need to challenge themselves outside of their comfort zone suffer from some deep-seeded inadequacy that they are trying to fulfill.
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