Other chat websites

I like to know what chatroom site would you recommend? I'm open to suggestions.

 

I stopped visiting those chat sites since leaving AOL. It's become a small world in this technological era. If I were to find a chat site, it would be one based on one of my interests(like the arts, or activities like hiking). But, those are hard to find. And then there are those sites where a payment is expected. Of course, it takes some looking.

 

When computers were dinosaurs

I first went online in 1985 via Telenet, and then Compuserve. It was $6+change an hour to be online. However, the forums were by interest, and I liked that (miss it). I joined a Writer's forum that was rich and interesting, rather like gathering in a coffee shop to field ideas and get quality feedback, suggestions, and provide the same for others. Social sites are more popular now, e.g. facebook, and for business Linkd In, but really all of them have become a marketplace of some type or other. It is a tedious task to muck through them all and to avoid the buy buy buy that assaults at every turn! I like it here, quiet, no demands, good conversation. For live chat yahoo messenger is okay, and I have it, but keep it closed when writing. @Gorath, have you hiked, or thought about hiking the App trail?

 

So far, I have taken long walks, but have never hiked. I am doing the research on thru- hiking the AT. I am researching backpacks, sleeping pads and bags, footwear, clothing,trekking poles, lights, wilderness survival schools,etc. I had wanted to thru- hike the AT for a couple of years now. I read Backpacker and Outside. I even read a book about one man's thru-hiking experience. It was quite interesting. I hope to seriously plan for it soon. I need an adventure away from my mundane life.

 

I don't actually have a mundane life, and have hiked several miles of the AT, but that was over 20 years ago. Would like to dedicate some time to hike more, just to get away from the busyness of life and hang out with nature for awhile. Thinking Walt Whitman (a little bit). :smt001

 

I talked to a guy whose son thru-hiked the AT. He had no real problems. But when he entered Maine, he had his work cut out for him. They say Maine will kick a hiker's ass before getting to Mt. Katahdyn.

 

Big commitment

My brother's step daughter and her husband hiked the trail. I don't know how far they went, but it was a four month hike. Their dog had to carry his own supplies in a saddle pack. I learned a lot about distance hiking from them, the importance of planning, and way stations. A lot of it is common sense, but I can't say I would have thought of a lot of it. Preparation and research is critical. The few miles that I hiked (with bottled water and some beef jerky) is nothing compared to the commitment of hiking this trail through several states! I know several Burning Man folks who have taken on the challenge. Any Burning Man people here?

 

After reading about the story of Chris McCandliss(the person behind the film Into The Wild), I know now how important it is to be equipped and prepared. Sadly, McCandliss was ill-equipped and he went to Alaska at the wrong time of year. It shows that desire is not enough. It will give you motivation and that is about it. For my plans on the trail, I probably won't cook much except for tea, hot apple cider or hot cocoa. Food: beef jerky(the Oh,Boy Oberto brand is in my opinion very good), homemade oatmeal bars,mixed nuts,tuna fish/ sardines, trail mix with raisins and as much water I can carry. When I enter a town on the trail, I will eat heartily as well as pick up the supply box mailed to that site. So much planning and training. as for the Burning Man, I had seen video clips and pictures. It is a wild desert party with sun, live music, mud activities and other things leading to the burning of the 20 foot man after dark. I am sure you would enjoy it there, too. If you are fortunate, you might see a herd of Tarantulas in the moonlight migrating to another place to live. Tarantulas won't bite unless startled. They won't be anywhere near the site of the Burning Man. If you go there, have a great time and pack a lot of water with you.

 

I know quite a bit about Burning Man actually. A very dear friend of mine goes every year, and a LJ associate also goes every year. As I understand it, the rule is that participants have to pee "clear" (to ensure dehydration doesn't become an issue), and yes, there is a lot of partying at Burning Man, but also a lot of very cool art.

I know a little something about Tarantulas as well. I became responsible for a Mexican Red Knee in 1984, and being basically phobic of 8 leggers, I had some research to do about their care, the different types and their traits, characteristics, food preferences, with my preference being NOT me. Personally, I am all for leaving "exotics" in their natural habitat. That said, upper east Tennessee is not a natural habitat for tarantulas of any genus. In 1994 I took in an unwanted Chilean Beautiful who I named Greta, and she became my writing partner. At NO time did I walk around with one on my shoulder (pink toes form that type of attachment with humans), but I was not/am not afraid to let one walk up on my hand when I move them to clean their living quarters.

I saw the movie you reference. That had a very sad ending.

 

What genre do you write?

 

Chris McCandliss was a big idiot. Surving in the wild without money and refusing help from the people who lived in the wild most of their lives. His example should be a lesson to people who should learn more on living on the wild via information and suggestions from experienced hikers. As for the chatrooms I wished they set up a time to chat or a chatroom for people who is into interracial relationships.

 

My current project is fiction.

 

Short story? Novella/ novel? What genre in particular? Western, historical, young adult, romance, adventure, horror, science fiction, police/ detective/ legal?
I had written a novella(it's not published yet). It is detective fiction. It took me twenty-five years to write it. I had begun writing another story.

 

Well, the abandoned bus that Chris McCandliss lived until he died is sort of a shrine. There are a lot of people who said that McCandliss fucked up, but he fucked up beautifully. I see nothing beautiful about fucking up, especially when you lose your life. But, the way these people see it was because McCandliss died living his dream. He wanted to be free and live life like the characters in the Jack London books like Call Of The Wild. Chat rooms for those of us in the ir lifestyle(or perhaps we should call it a lovestyle, should we?") are around but, but I think there is too much drama in those rooms. I wish that INTERRACE magazine was back up and running again. They even had an accompanying magazine called BiRacial Child. Candy Mills, publisher of INTERRACE and BiRacial Child, where are you when we need you most?

 

I was going to ask you a question, but I do believe the thread has gone way off topic here. However I would be happy to discuss this with you in email, or that chat place. I know where it is now.

 

My email address is yankeeskylion@yahoo.com.

 

It is sad the bus is a memorial for stupidity at the highest level. Especially,since that guy had funds to live on the wild for the rest of his life but, does not think money is important. I wished Candy Mills had sold Interrace magazine since she could be doing other things like Interracial Child magazine. One had to find a public library to find issues of that magazine.

 

Chris McCandliss came from a privileged background. His parents were divorced and he simply gave all of it up to reinvent himself. He called himself Alexander Supertramp. He worked odd jobs as he traveled to Alaska by any means necessary. He didn't have a a lot of equipment with him except for a couple of traps, a knife, an ax, a .22 rifle(it should've been a stronger caliber). He even left notes along the road asking for help when he got seriously injured. Sadly, none came. Candy Mills was on Regis and Cathy Lee back in the 80's. I got a little upset because her interview was very short. I subscribed to the magazine in 1998 and enjoyed it immensely. They even had Interrace singles and family cruises to the Caribbean. Carnival Cruise Lines provided it. That is why Interrace, or a magazine like it is needed now.

 

I will update this later.

 

Wished someone had placed Interrace online sometime in the 90's. It was a great magazine that is needed. When Interrace Child folded in the early part of the 21st Century there has been a void that is yet to be fulfilled.