Stuff: items, things, or matter.
For decades our “dependence” or “need” for “things” has increased. As I recently sat at my one table, a table covered in my belongings at the local flea market, trying at times almost desperately to hustle a few dollars for something I originally paid much more for I wondered, “where do we get all this crap?”.
Some of my junk that I was flogging at the Market of Fleas - photo by Nancy Morrison
I had one table out of hundreds in one large barn like building in one city. Inside this building are vendors and dealers, some who have been there for over 20 years weekend after weekend selling their own and other peoples discarded “stuff”.
Just as one example, remember those VHS video tapes of all the hit Disney movies that came out long before the acronym DVD was ever invented. I remember people collecting those, waiting for the release of the next one, stocking bookshelves with their shiny white plastic cases that housed two spools of video tape contained within another plastic box. Disney had people eating from the palm of their hand, holding back releases of certain titles and then only releasing certain amounts to create even more of a demand. Well, it’s only been what, 20 years? Twenty years since some of those titles that went for $30 plus dollars each were on the top of many a movie collectors list. Fast forward to present day where if one were so inclined they could walk into the Vancouver Flea Market and buy all those Disney titles in VHS and in triplicate for literally pennies on the dollar. In more than one vendor’s booths I saw stacks of these movies standing as I high as I do. Going for a dollar or less each. The DVD versions aren’t fairing much better. Then, despite knowing that it’s because technology is changing so fast I still started to wonder why, even though we as humans know that something will be obsolete in 6 months to a year to we keep buying, buying, buying.
more…
I spent the most of the morning finding and going to some computer shops in Barrie. Gathering opinions on what my options are with my broken hard drive. The consensus seems to be that the files may be recoverable but that it’s like going to cost a good chunk of change. It seems the arm that holds the heads the read and write to the platter (disc) is damaged from the drop. The disc itself may or may not be damaged but either way it’s got to be taken apart to be determined. So I’ve decided to wait until I get back to Vancouver where I’ll find a data recovery specialist to see what they can do. Besides, by the sounds of it I’ll have to save up some money to cover the costs anyway.
My hardest job today was to find peace with the uncertainty of the status of my first 95 days worth or travel, work and photos. I am trying to remain positive that it will all work out while I continue on.
I drove through the sunny day today looking for new shots. But as some days have an abundance of shots but no good light, today was the opposite. I simply didn’t really see much that inspired me to stop at least until I rolled into Parry Sound. As I pulled in the sun was setting, I found a shoreline and saw some good shots. The brilliant day was not a complete loss.
Another thing I want to mention is that some of my financial stress that was starting to build up has taken a turn. Between friends and family I now have the assurance that I can make my way home and still have the freedom to wander a bit. My heart is full and my remaining days will be full of opportunities. I can feel this.
Goose Love
Category: Cross Canadian Road Trip 2009-2010
Tags: Barrie, challenges, computers, damaged, data, finances, Friends, hard drives, money, ontario, Parry Sound, positivity, recovery, stress, sunny, sunset Leave a Comment
I’m not sure what I was expecting. Not sure what I thought I would feel or even what I wanted out of it but the fact that I made it this far and now essentially have to turn around has left me feeling a little off. Honestly I was feeling a little blue the last few days anyway but figured I’d get over it once I hit the East of the East.
It’s not like the adventure is over, I still have to make it home and have no set agenda as per the way here. Basically it comes down to making the money last.
As I was leaving to come on this trip a friend gave me a book written by Stuart Wilde. I’d never read any of his stuff but have read other books regarding spirituality, energy, positivity and “the universe” etc before. I just opened this book and am halfway through it tonight. Good timing too as it made a lot of sense and I feel much better about a lot of things, including the rest of this trip and my goals upon my return to “regular” everyday life. What makes me smile is the fact that since I have everything to do with it, my regular everyday life is going to get pretty sweet in the next couple of years. I don’t have much to complain about and a lot to be thankful for so really it’s not a long journey. I simply have to keep my “ego” in check and lose the fear, the fear of actually doing what I’m doing now so I can keep doing it. Yes, you heard it here first, this trip wasn’t exactly “easy” for me to just get up and do. It still isn’t.
For now though I am back in the right headspace. Tomorrow will be another great day for photos as I explore Bonavista Newfoundland Then I will again be slowly on my way closer to people that mean the world to me. Until I get there, I will be lost in my element, appreciating what is absorbed through these orbs in my skull.
Lighthouse at Cape Spear
To really show how impromptu this whole trip was here’s something I didn’t consider until recently.
Newfoundland is an island, (really I did already know this). What I didn’t even think to consider when leaving home is that there would be costs for ferries. I’ve taken two so far. One was a free short 10 minute trip in Quebec and another was $46.00 from Baie-Comeau, Quebec to Matane Quebec as I was anxious to get to the Gaspe Peninsula and Perce Rock.
Now after that one I started looking into the ferry to Newfoundland as it won’t be a cross Canada trip if I can’t get there. The problem is the combined vehicle and driver price for a one way trip is $110.25. Whoa, that’s $220.50 there and back. I know it’s dumb on my part but I didn’t think it would be this much. What I also didn’t know is that it can take from 4.5 to 6 hours. Not a big deal as I’m not in a hurry but the price is a bit of an issue.
I’ll be seeing what I can do as I really was looking forward to standing as East as one can get in North America and to be able to say that I DID completely cross Canada. Not to mention that people have been telling me about the photo opportunities there. I may just have to bite the bullet and fore go Tim Hortons for awhile.
