First, let me say thanks for caring and that these are excellent questions.
Please don't. Feel sad for me if I get cancer of the everything or if I accidentally start a family or two or if I ever have to move back to Phoenix. haha
But don't feel sad about the current trajectory of my life. haha
It seems as though we have split. It happened a couple weeks ago. We have remained on good terms though, and it has all been very polite thus far. A very "adult" break-up, I suppose. She is a good woman.
1. Do I feel that connected to them? haha
2. I do divest from many items, but that is not so bothersome. I don't need many things. After all, they are just things.
3. I divest from some people, that is true. I do this when the costs outweigh the benefits.
4. I will never be able to retire. haha! Now I know you're just razzing me!
5. I would like to divest of my car some day. I don't like driving or paying all the fuel costs and such.
6. It is highly unlikely I will stop attending my community groups. I am very involved in the atheist community and I intend to get more involved -- in many ways it is the light of my life. And I am probably facilitating another voluntary simplicity class this spring. I am thinking of doing one or two a year in perpetuity.
7. When my dog is gone I will probably be very, very sad for a few months. I will get over it though, unless he is lost or suffers a horrible death. But if he can die peacefully in a vet's office after eating a large slice of pizza and vanilla ice cream, then I will be okay with Harlan passing. I don't fear his death; I fear his suffering.
8. We're all stardust. When I pass away, regardless of how it happens or who claims or does not claim the body, then I will still be stardust.
I have! Why do you think I nag him about going fishing with me? Saturday when he came down we revealed his DNA ethnicity results. We grilled burgers and got side-dishes he likes, etc.
I am not that thirsty.
Not true! I cry foul here. I go fishing; I went Fri, Sat, and twice on Sun! While I was out there I showed some kids what wax worms were and how to fish trout because they were not catching anything. I spent an hour fishing with some Russian guy and talking about the differences of fishing trout and crappie. I exchanged pleasantries with perhaps 50 other anglers and had a long talk with a ranger about muskie. I also went to a potluck with my voluntary simplicity crew; we told lots of jokes and funny stories; we had some heartfelt discussions; we ate yummy food; the host showed us some Tai Chi. I played fetch with Harlan in the back yard.
Kinda...?