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Much has changed in the last 18 months. We sold our house, moved across the country, and I left to seek fortune in a far off land. We’ve done well, in that time we’ve paid off over $60,000, purchased a home that was in a desirable location that came at a price 20% below market price, and have been able to continue saving towards that freedom. It’s on the horizon now. We’ll be done with this path towards financial freedom in about 6 months. At that point, I have no idea what our goal will be. My hope is it will continue to be to reach beyond the cultural norm and pull back the curtain on humanity at it’s grittiest.

In our time I’ve been gone a lot. By the time we’re done with this I’ll have been home for 3 months in 28. Not long for some folks, but still a very long time. My bride is ever patient with me and in seeking our goals as a couple. For us, freedom is soon. With me gone until the end of October of this year, we’ll reassess where we want to go and what we want to pursue after that. This nomad’s lifestyle fits me, but for her, having a home to call her own is salvation from the outside.

We ended up with many amazing things. Rugs, gems, and exotic spices. A product of going to a world that’s been wartorn for decades and disappeared from the global agenda. For me, meeting the people, and specifically the children humanized them and put my soul in a position of compassion towards them. People don’t choose to be oppressed, unfortunately oppression financially, physically or mentally seem to be a common state of affairs globally. Where we are fighting our financial burden, it’s an honor to help others be free from their own demons.

This year will be much the same as the last. Into a place where the innocents don’t have a voice. It’s lucrative, and something that fits my soul.

So, my wife and I have discussed selling our house for a long time now. What we didn’t know was how best to bless someone with it, and make sure we can pay the mortgage off.

Well, I think we’ve figured it out. We’re going to have an essay contest and give it to the winner.

The premise is simple, you tell us why you want the house, if your essay is the best essay among the lot, we give you the house. This will be awesome. And the first step to walking away from life.

I’ve been kicking this one around for a while now, what defines quitting life? What is the ethos of this blog and how is it affected by people?

I was reading Quora this morning, and came across a post by a gentleman that had followed my life path, and felt similarly empty. He, like me, had achieved the American dream as instilled by our parents and grandparents.

Namely:

1. Received degree, did well

2. Received corporate offer, worked hard

3. Wasted years of his life looking forward to a middle aged retirement working for the man.

There was no risk, no fire in his belly. For the life of me, I can’t believe that has humans, the pinnacle of our species is to sit in an office chair for 8 to 10 hours a day and stare at a screen. No, I still believe we have been conditioned to live to pay bills, to insulate us from risk.

For some, that’s acceptable. For me, and the people this blog is meant for, that’s death to our souls.

Having defined death as an aseptic existence with no risks, what is life?

Life is understanding these moments are precious, the sunrise will always happen, but we may not. Accepting that our existence is futile, but appreciation for the surroundings is forever.

Currently, I’m working on two things:

1. A UAV company specializing in timber cruises. This is a super cool idea, but I haven’t found equipment yet that will accomplish what I need. But… I took a risk and bet a significant amount of capital on it. It may fail, and gloriously!

2. I’m considering what I want to be, you know, as a grown up… I’m in discussions with a friend to purchase their family farm and turn it into a hops farm. This has a modicum of risk as farming is dependent on so much outside of ones control. And so much hard work. I’m looking forward to that.

I was a wanderer.

Yesterday I read an article detailing the loss of mankind’s ability to accept risk. Over the course of a few generations we have lost our ability to accept adversity, risk, and the potential for loss. Like dogs, we have been domesticated and become accustomed to comfort. With no adversity, we risk nothing, we live in comfort, and we die in anonymity.

When I was young, I was reckless. 

This was also trained away. Now, I calculate and plan and scheme. And yet, here I am, working 8-5 as a minion that will never make it out, but I am comfortable. The adventure is now confined to weekends camping, or sailing.

I have debt.

$165,000 with my house and car, or about $85,000 without my house. To me, my debt is 200% of my annual income. I am chained like a prisoner because of it. For me, I will not be able to escape that debt before children, or illness, or common sense strike me. I am a prisoner to the debts around me.

This blog was, and continues to be a place to chronicle that struggle.

So, therefore, I vow to fight that death of soul. Small steps, small risks, small gambles towards freedom.

Recently we started a UAV company. My hope is to chain myself to that endeavor and push that debt away. Then freedom can be found in the form of owing no man anything. I would own my soul, no matter my station, it’s mine. To achieve that… that is bliss.

I’d prefer to not talk about it for now, many things are on the roll. Suffice it to say my better half didn’t see the wisdom of a personal IPO, did allow the purchase of a fairly large asset for commercial use, and is a wonderfully amazing woman.

In other news, I’m back to trying to bike again. Since being domesticated in lower Alabama, I’ve gotten fat. Well, not fat per American standards, I can still run a sub 9 minute mile and have good vitals, but my middle section has put on pounds. I bought my first size 36 jeans ever this week… And that must stop.

So in that light, I’m rebuilding my old faithful bike as a cyclocross bike and going to start commuting.

For background:

Many moons ago I bought this love old ride form a guy down the hall where I worked. His son had had it, but hadn’t ridden in years. I paid $200 for it, and have put many 10’s of thousands of miles on it. It’s a 1983 hand lugged Italian bike with Campagnolo Record gearing. She’s beautiful, but tired. To give her new life, I’ve started the process of restoring parts, and improving others. Currently I’m exploring changing out the old worn gearing for something newer and more responsive, putting thicker tires on her, and hopefully this weekend taking her for a spin.

blech. I’m so very institutionalized. Next I’ll say we’re having 2.3 children, and are purchasing a minivan…