Various things plus SPN

[zebra363]

It's been pointed out to me that I've seemed unusually irritable lately and on reflection that's probably true. I don't handle extra work hours very well, especially during the spring when so much of my time at home is a race to find and destroy weeds before they flower. The thing that tips me over the edge is probably the extra driving and the

Comments

[mr_booboo]

Country life: have you considered the "fake" rural area? Somewhere close to Cricket or in the Swan Valley?

What I'm saying is: please don't leave Perth.

[zebra363]

I don't think I could afford enough land for horses much closer to Perth - maybe 10 or 15 mins closer, but that probably wouldn't would solve my problem. Also, I don't really want to live anywhere that's more populated than where I am - in fact I'd prefer less - but I still want to be in striking distance of work and social opportunities. I need a teleporter, or maybe to find a smaller regional centre that offers some of the benefits but is easier to get to and from. I see the future here as getting worse and worse, due both to increasing congestion in Perth and increasing subdivision out my way and every other direction, so I probably need to change something before I can't stand it any more!

[maharetr]

Thanks so much for the Amish links, they were fascinating.

[zebra363]

Aren't they! I looked up a bunch of ex-Amish blogs last night and am looking forward to the rest of the current series (Wednesday nights on SBS One).

[zebra363]

If you're up for any more, this BBC documentary is great. It's about an Old Order Amish family who are somewhat at odds with their church on a number of religious matters. The woman has the most beautiful smile!

Apparently watching Amish documentaries is my new fandom.

[icouldskateaway]

You should come visit me sometime--there's quite a few Amish settlements within a relatively short drive of my house. We might be doing a trip that way sometime soon for apples and autumn stuff--if we do, I'll take photos for you.

Having watched some of the docos you linked, I do feel that I should mention that while that particular settlement seems to be fairly traditional, some of them are less so--school still stops at early teenagerhood, but some (mostly Mennonite, I think, not old order) allow women in ministerial roles, and in many areas, it's the work of the Amish women are the ones who are actually bringing in income, selling produce, quilting, etc. So some places are still very, very limited for women, but others are less so.

I have many of the same issues that you do with the feeling that the kids are sort of brainwashed, but feel that as religious groups go, the Amish are one of the less offensive ones to me, and in some areas are more progressive and worldly than one would expect.

[huckle]

LOVED the living with the amish program, it made me cry a lot

Thankiyou! I rarely watch free to air tv and would have missed it otherwise.

[zebra363]

I highly recommend http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtNXvE_rLoE&feature=related too. It's a BBC documentary about a somewhat progressive/evangelical Old Order Amish family.