I had no idea that my post about the McMansions would stir people up so.
It's just an example of the wastefulness of our culture.
I am not saying we should live like people in a third world society. I'm just saying that we can live well without so much waste.
No matter how many kids your two or three like to have over to your house, they don't need huge amounts of interior space. I can see having two living rooms, with two TVs. God knows, I could do with watching fewer games and fewer episodes of "Family Guy." I would also like to hear less "Guitar Hero." I am of the firm opinion that kids can have TVs in their rooms. And, if they have girl- or boy-friends over, it's nice for them to have a place to hang out besides a room with a bed in it.
In my youth, lucky or privileged families had "rec rooms" (or "wreck rooms"). These were usually converted basements or garages, with old furniture and old carpet, and nobody cared if sodas got spilled, or popcorn bits got under the couch cushions. They weren't clones of Mom and Dad's living rooms, complete with designer furniture and hardwood floors.
We are wasteful in so very many ways. Our national diet leads to obesity, which means we are eating too much of the wrong foods, and wasting medical resources treating the resulting damage to our bodies.
We waste time and money. We waste water, oil and trees.
I could go on to write a book on the topic of waste, but I'm sure it has been done, more than once.
I am not attacking any individual who happens to think they need one of the over sized houses known as McMansions. We have been so gradually seduced into the mindset that these things are necessary to our happiness and well-being that I completely understand how you feel.
I just think that we all have to wake up and really think about the decisions we make in our lives, and consider the consequences of our actions.
Wyn mentioned selling her house after her children are grown, and buying a condo, so that she won't have to deal with the yard. I like that idea. I hate gardening. It's obvious to me that she has thought about it.
Me? I'd like to have a small house that did not abut anyone else's. I'd like to have a wild prairie grass preserve for a front yard. And back yard. I really only need two rooms...a bedroom and a living room/kitchen/office. One bathroom will be sufficient, thank you. I guess I could use an extra room for storage, as I max out every closet I ever have. A washer and dryer would be nice, but I would also like a clothesline, as some things are just nicer dried out in a stiff breeze.
By the way, if I'm starting to sound like Thoreau, just shoot me, OK?
If we didn't waste so much there would be no need for so much oil, therefore no Iraq. Just my humble opinion, of course.
ReplyDeleteWe have neighbours who live in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom and drive 4 cars. Mother, father and 10 year old son. Tell me, please, who needs 4 cars? Who?
Of course, other tenants are inconvenienced because there are not enough parking bays. Inconsiderate and ignorant! Eck, it makes me angry!
Geez, I hope I haven't sirred up another hornests nest!
Well, according to my dealership, I don't waste enough oil. My sunroof is losing it's memory because I don't use it enough. My car is four years old and only has twenty-six thousand miles on it. They've actually advised me to drive it more. When it's parked, it's in one of our three garages so at least I don't have to worry about blocking anyone.
ReplyDeleteIt hadn't occurred to my until yesterday that my husband is actually worse off than a generation ago. The house he grew up in was about the size of ours, if you don't count the full basement. His dad, my late father-in-law, grew up in a house that had an elevator (it was removed in later years) and a tennis court. So by past standards, I guess we aren't doing that well.
There seems to be a lot of misplaced anger in some of the comments that have been posted over the size of houses and the number of cars people own. If you aren't happy with the building boom, contact the mayor and city council. Find out why it's being allowed. Some towns actually control growth. If your mayor and city council aren't doing the job you think they should, vote them out! And if you aren't happy because someone has more than you, get over it.
And mgt, why not ask your neighbors why they have four cars? I don't understand why they would need four cars either but that's a question easily answered. And if they are being inconsiderate and taking up your parking, call your management company and complain. Ask your other neighbors who it bothers to also call and complain. It's the management's job to solve the problem.
Yesterday I saw the glass as half full, today it's half empty. I think I'll go get in my car, open the sunroof, and drive by some houses that are nicer than mine. I will curse them all for having tennis courts and swimming pools. They don't need them, they should be able to be happy with a house just the size of mine.
Wyn, why they have 4 cars is their own business. I should ask them why they don't park some of them in the visitors parking, but I don't. Cowardly, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteMy grandson plays together with their 10 year old son and I would hate him to be victimised over something that bothers me.
I really don't care who has what, or what they do with it. I just don't like people being inconsiderate and ignorant. like everyone else, I have an opinion.
Ronni's blog is a place that I can usually shoot my mouth off without being chastised. I like it here.
I, too, have friends with large houses. And Jim and I own four vehicles--the Miata, which I drive, the motorhome, which I have lent out to Brendan's family for the rest of the year, the Suburban, which I have lent out to a friend who was trying to run two careers (hers and her husband's) and two teenagers with one car, and the Oldsmobile muscle car, which is still cluttering up the driveway. We had sort of acquired them by default, as the RV and the Suburban belonged to Addy. I traded my Buick for some yard work.
ReplyDeleteI know you are being sarcastic, Wyn, when you talk of being less well off than your elders. As long as you need and use what you have, it's all good.
Yes, I was just being sarcastic. I'm actually pretty happy with my life and since I don't play tennis, and can't swim, a tennis court and a pool would be quite useless.
ReplyDeleteI'd have to ask those people why they have four cars though. Not being judgemental, just curious. They might not be inconsiderate or ignorant. Could be they're just clueless.
My neighbor runs a business from his home and has three people who work for him. One of them continually parked directly in front of our driveway and we live on a narrow street. My husband asked them to please park ten or fifteen feet further down. They were very apologetic. Hadn't even realized how it affected us. Or how close my son repeatedly came to clipping their car.
And mgt. I wasn't chastising you. I just happen to have an opinion that differs from yours. Like Ronni said, it's all good.
I know that, Wyn. Sorry, if you thought I directed that at you. I meant being chastised by Ronni. She allows me to babble away about all sorts of nonsense really. I'm quite sure that if I went too far she would up an "have me". I try to behave.
ReplyDeleteI am a self-confessed whimp. If I had a man around the house and a couple of sons I might take on the neighbours. It is not advisable to cross a Scotsman, not even in your dreams.
BTW, you will travel a long road before you find the stuff Ronni is made of. Another opinion of mine.
ReplyDeleteAbout the car thing (trying to justify my bad behaviour here). They don't have grown children, they don't have many visitors and there are just the two of them, I don't get it.
ReplyDeleteRonni, you have made good use of your cars. This is completely different, I think.
It dont matter what you live in as long as it's clean, i agree with you there is alot of waste in this world, i have never tryed to live as tho i am up in this world when i no that i am not, i have never been rich ,nor will i ever be but i am blessed and thats all that matters, no one needs 4 cars, alot of these people just do it for show and i can bet you they worry each month alot more then i do about paying there bills.......breeze
ReplyDeleteI think it is all show, Breeze.
ReplyDeleteNow that I've started, I'll finish. One of them works with cement and doesn't remove the filthy things before entering the carpeted entrance. I think it has to be the father.
We have huge rough haired mats just inside the hallway, but, oh no! Rather walk all the way up the beautifully carpeted stairs and take your boots off outside your own door. It is very annoying and very inconsiderate.
I just realized we have 4 cars in our driveway. My son's recently wrecked muscle car waiting for repairs, and his replacement truck a loving friend helped him score so he'd have a way to get to work while repairing said beloved wrecked car. The parts are not easy to come by because of the vintage. Then there's my Cougar, and my husband's Ford truck. That leaves my late Mother's motorhome, which I am still going through with a fine tooth comb before I can donate it to charity. It's packed to the gills with important papers and other items. Thank goodness we have a very long driveway.
ReplyDeleteHi Nadine! I don't care how many cars people have. I just don't know why two people would need 4 cars. They are not different types of cars like, vans, motorhomes, 4x4 jeeps or anything. So why?
ReplyDeleteAlso you have your own space to park your cars. These asswipes help themselves to the other tenant's spaces. That's crap!
Morning all!
Joni Mitchell ~ Woodstock:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3SjqGfe-yM
Saw it and thought of you. Beautiful photography. xoxo.
Darragh