By request, building Bard, a build thread

[bradthebard]

Another member has requested I tell the story of my cabin. I have begun posting it in my blog. It documents the jouney I made from homelessness and living in a tent to the hand building of the cabin my family lived in for three years and I for four. Though the smallest of journeys and unimpressive to many, it was the primary and formative time of my life. Read it if you want, I will post in this thread when I add to the blog.

This is the story of my fall, my rise and the lessons I learned and didn’t. I went from well paid to homeless, lived in a tent, ate beans and wild plants when I had to, and built a house in the woods with my two hands. I do not mean to judge those who do and mean no disrespect to anyone, but I am proud none the less to say that I never accepted food stamps, I did not go onto welfare or charity. In many ways I fell into fortunate circumstances, however I pulled myself through those circumstances in ways few men have the heart to do. This is my story.

I was a productive member of society then. Those days when I went each and every day to the ....

bardthecyotekicker

[Grape Ape]

Following along with it. Good story so far.

[mgramann]

Definitely gonna follow along. Great so far! Thanks!

[yjislander]

Wow, very interesting story. Are we gonna see pictures later?

[Chadrick454]

Thanks for posting this, going to follow every bit of it.

[_Chris_]

Very nice.

[spife7980]

i agree, im gonna keep up with this too.

[Metaloholic]

Originally Posted by bradthebard

Another member has requested I tell the story of my cabin. I have begun posting it in my blog. It documents the jouney I made from homelessness and living in a tent to the hand building of the cabin my family lived in for three years and I for four. Though the smallest of journeys and unimpressive to many, it was the primary and formative time of my life. Read it if you want, I will post in this thread when I add to the blog.

bardthecyotekicker

Amazing story but there are a few things I don't quite understand. You have enough skill to build a log cabin in the woods by yourself, but not enough to find a job to support your family? Do you think it was smart to risk your life and your health building this cabin in the woods? Why would you just all of the sudden give up and sell your house? You could have waited it out, forclosed, filed for bankruptcy, whatever. Seems like you have enough knowledge and ability to find a job, even if you have to work 3 low paying jobs to support your family it would have been easier.

[mgramann]

Originally Posted by Metaloholic

Amazing story but there are a few things I don't quite understand. You have enough skill to build a log cabin in the woods by yourself, but not enough to find a job to support your family? Do you think it was smart to risk your life and your health building this cabin in the woods? Why would you just all of the sudden give up and sell your house? You could have waited it out, forclosed, filed for bankruptcy, whatever. Seems like you have enough knowledge and ability to find a job, even if you have to work 3 low paying jobs to support your family it would have been easier.

Luxury does not equal a better life, and that's all 3 jobs would provide, luxury. Seems to me Bard was able to do what alot of us want to do-go into the wilderness and hack it out for yourself. If I could do this, and keep my insurance, I would in a heartbeat.

I know I'm searching for my "One mountain among thousands, one tree among millions"-Frightful's Mountain (Sequel to My Side of the Mountain, a book every boy should read)

To some of us the call to the wild is strong. Either you get it, or you don't. It's not a bad thing, but I don't think you truly understand...

[Sambox]

Originally Posted by Metaloholic

Amazing story but there are a few things I don't quite understand. You have enough skill to build a log cabin in the woods by yourself, but not enough to find a job to support your family? Do you think it was smart to risk your life and your health building this cabin in the woods? Why would you just all of the sudden give up and sell your house? You could have waited it out, forclosed, filed for bankruptcy, whatever. Seems like you have enough knowledge and ability to find a job, even if you have to work 3 low paying jobs to support your family it would have been easier.

Because foreclosure and bankruptcy are less than honorable. That's giving up, saying "Hey, even though we made an agreement, I'm not going to keep my end of the deal." Kind of cowardly. By working like he did he maintained his moral dignity.

I'm tenacious and prideful, but the Bard has me beat. I would have given up by then...That is the kind of man we need today.

[Grape Ape]

Originally Posted by Sambox

Because foreclosure and bankruptcy are less than honorable. That's giving up, saying "Hey, even though we made an agreement, I'm not going to keep my end of the deal." Kind of cowardly. By working like he did he maintained his moral dignity.

Exactly, not many people think this way anymore. Most would go the easy route take the bankruptcy, then max out all the new credit cards they get offered and end up in the same spot again down the road. The selling of a home and paying off the loan is the way it should be done. Not going to the courts and having them tell the bank, "He can't afford to pay you even though he said he would, but since he is living in the house we are going to let him have it for what he has paid. We will make a note on his credit report for a few years. You need to leave him alone now." That is the wussy way out.

[bradthebard]

Originally Posted by Metaloholic

Amazing story but there are a few things I don't quite understand.

Based on your post I would say there are a great many things you don't understand. I'm going to be patient and answer you line by line, though I don't think you will comprehend what I say.

You have enough skill to build a log cabin in the woods by yourself, but not enough to find a job to support your family?

If you notice, I did find a job (actually I returned to a job I had left on very short notice to go to GM. When I left the supervisor told me that if it didn't work out, come talk to him.

Do you think it was smart to risk your life and your health building this cabin in the woods?

I think it was the wisest, most profoundly positive thing I have ever done in me life. I do not regret a single moment of it, in spite of the hardship. Building ones own shelter and over-wintering in it should be a requirement for all young men.

Why would you just all of the sudden give up and sell your house? You could have waited it out, forclosed, filed for bankruptcy, whatever.

Seriously? Are you seriously asking me this? There is a such thing as honor.

Seems like you have enough knowledge and ability to find a job, even if you have to work 3 low paying jobs to support your family it would have been easier.

Ahhhhh. Yes indeed. It truly would have been easier. But I would not have seen the moonlight on the oak trees at midnight.

[bradthebard]

Originally Posted by yjislander

Wow, very interesting story. Are we gonna see pictures later?

Oh yea.

[bradthebard]

Originally Posted by mgramann

Luxury does not equal a better life, and that's all 3 jobs would provide, luxury. Seems to me Bard was able to do what alot of us want to do-go into the wilderness and hack it out for yourself. If I could do this, and keep my insurance, I would in a heartbeat.

I know I'm searching for my "One mountain among thousands, one tree among millions"-Frightful's Mountain (Sequel to My Side of the Mountain, a book every boy should read)

To some of us the call to the wild is strong. Either you get it, or you don't. It's not a bad thing, but I don't think you truly understand...

"My Side of the Mountain" was one of the most influential books of my youth. Not it's context, specifically (though the story was great), but the philosophy behind it.

[Metaloholic]

Originally Posted by bradthebard

Based on your post I would say there are a great many things you don't understand. I'm going to be patient and answer you line by line, though I don't think you will comprehend what I say.

If you notice, I did find a job (actually I returned to a job I had left on very short notice to go to GM. When I left the supervisor told me that if it didn't work out, come talk to him.


I think it was the wisest, most profoundly positive thing I have ever done in me life. I do not regret a single moment of it, in spite of the hardship. Building ones own shelter and over-wintering in it should be a requirement for all young men.

Seriously? Are you seriously asking me this? There is a such thing as honor.


Ahhhhh. Yes indeed. It truly would have been easier. But I would not have seen the moonlight on the oak trees at midnight.

I didn't mean to be an sound like an *** so you don't have to treat me like one. Maybe my principles are different. I would want to do what is best for my family and provid for them, no matter how many jobs I have to work. You made your family homeless and sold your house that you worked hard for and for probably much less than it was worth, I don't find any pride in that. You have a family and it's not about you.