BARBELITH underground
 

Subcultural engagement for the 21st Century...
Barbelith is a new kind of community (find out more)...
You can login or register.


Where do you go?

 
 
Strange Machine Vs The Virus with Shoes
14:30 / 24.02.02
Where do yuo go to think? To be alone? Why?

For a long time i used to go to Tower bridge,London, when I was philosophising about life or felt depressed. Before that I used to go to the coast I think there is definately a water link for me.
 
 
STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK
14:36 / 24.02.02
I usually go to sleep to get away from stuff/people.
But in terms of ACTUAL places- I went through a phase where whenever I wanted to be alone, I'd hit the British Museum and just wander about, looking at stuff that was really OLD and had nothing to do with people I'd ever MEET... and the anonymous crowds of tourists paradoxically helped (that "alone in a crowd" thing cuts both ways.)
Most of the time I take my dog to the cemetery round the corner from my house- it's absolutely beautiful, the dog loves it, there're little paths there where NO FUCKER goes, and somehow, even when I want to be alone, the dog doesn't seem like excess people- she's quiet, very good-natured, and always listens, even when I'm talking shit. All the nice parts of people without the bits I try to avoid when I feel like that.
Oh yeah- and mobile reception there is FUCKING TERRIBLE. Which rocks.
 
 
Shortfatdyke
16:37 / 24.02.02


[ 24-02-2002: Message edited by: shortfatdyke ]
 
 
Mourne Kransky
20:25 / 24.02.02
quote:Most of the time I take my dog to the cemetery round the corner from my house

Used to sit for hours in the old cemetery in the village I grew up in too, Moominstoat. Great place to think the big thoughts adolescents think. Glad it wasn't just me. My parents were prone to worry about how I was turning out...

These days, living in the city, it's easier to be alone in a crowded place. I walk to work and then, by an astonishing coincidence, I walk home again and I really enjoy that space /time to clear my head.

And the walkman's a marvellous device for removing yourself from the bustle around you. Lets you be alone with your thoughts and the soundtrack you choose, wherever you are. But none of those leaky-earphones jobs that leaks drum and bass like a chemical irritant.
 
 
w1rebaby
20:32 / 24.02.02
Generally, these days, I stay in my room. But I also sometimes go down to Oxford Street and mingle with the crowds. Somehow, there's something about being in a group of strangers who don't give a shit about you that can make you feel more alone than sitting on a cliff at the end of the world.
 
 
Strange Machine Vs The Virus with Shoes
20:40 / 24.02.02
quote:Most of the time I take my dog to the cemetery round the corner from my house

Used to sit for hours in the old cemetery in the village I grew up in too, Moominstoat


Have I stumbled into a goth site?

I agree with SFD,I can remember Stephen Fry saying that nature is always beautiful.
When in crowds I always feel compeled to look at others and generally feel uncomfortable if I want to be alone. But I don't mind crowds if not thinking too deeply.

[ 24-02-2002: Message edited by: panarchy ]
 
 
fluid_state
20:45 / 24.02.02
The top of Centennial Hill (toronto). I can see suburbia for miles and miles, most of which is pretty uniform and uninteresting, in a pretty-sea-of-electricity kind of way. far from people (it's surrounded by a park, seemingly empty at night) and close to low-flying planes.

Random poorly-lit pubs/coffee warrens; I've got random comfortable nowheres in every area of my city.

the Royal Ontario Museum. It's a safe bet I won't run into anyone i know there, and I find my awareness of existence changes significantly when I'm surrounded by the trappings of the march of time.
 
 
Ganesh
10:20 / 25.02.02
Public transport, particularly train stations. There's something quite nice about feeling anonymous and still while a great mass of travelling humanity mills about you...
 
 
Goodness Gracious Meme
10:27 / 25.02.02
the beach, late at night, in winter. not a soul for miles... especially good in the fog, sea/sky merge and seem endless.
 
 
Cherry Bomb
12:21 / 25.02.02
"A dreaded summer day, so I'll meet you at the cemetery gates..."

I don't think I could feel alone in a cemetery, but that's me.

Usually I take a walk with the walkman, or I take a nice long soak in the tub, or maybe I find a nice little cafe.
 
 
pointless and uncalled for
12:29 / 25.02.02
During the winter I go to the beaches in Toronto. The boardwalk is usually unpopulated and if it is the I walk at the waters edge. There's a circuit of gallerys downtown that I go to as well. Usually they're wuiet and nobody intrudes upon your personal space.

During the summer I just walk. I'll take a subway somewhere and then start walking. I like going to Finch and then walking south on Yonge, it's strangely peaceful as long as Yonge isn't in full wind tunnel mode. Other times it's a walk in the park.
 
 
Ofermod
19:31 / 25.02.02
Generally, I take a bike ride. Once I get onto the levee and don't have to worry about cars, my mind can wander wherever it wants. Eventually, I just stop somewhere and watch the Mississippi roll by.

For being alone nothing beats big water. Every place I've lived, I've lived within 5 miles of an ocean, bay, lake, river. It has become a requirement of anyplace I move to. Nothing like sitting alone on the rocks of a jetty, or walking down the beach at night with the lights of the city on one side and the end of the world on the other. I tell you, big water is where it's at.
 
 
that
19:53 / 25.02.02
I've just realised how frighteningly disinclined I am to go out. Such a lazy fucker, mentally as well as physically. Jeez.

[ 25-02-2002: Message edited by: Cholister ]
 
 
Bear
20:40 / 25.02.02
I can't think of anything worse than the crowd thing, but to each their own - back home I'd go to the woods about 5 mins walk from my house, there was a little burn and no people..

In London however nowhere yet, maybe the roof of this flat..although I could do with finding somewhere - I don't think I've been this depressed in a long time....what a cheery thought...
 
 
Ganesh
09:02 / 26.02.02
quote:Originally posted by Cherry Bomb:
"A dreaded summer day, so I'll meet you at the cemetery gates..."


Keats and Yates are on your side...
 
 
gridley
09:13 / 26.02.02
Philadelphia's got two rivers, one on each side, both of which have a calling for me when I'm in a mood. If I'm relatively happy, it's down to Penn's Landing on the Delaware river, where I can stare out across the river at the ruins of the once proud city of Camden.

But on cases where I need seriously meditation (i.e. brooding), it's the skanky Schuylkill river on the west side. I'll walk down along the train tracks by the bases of bridges, climb the hill by the art museum, and wander down to Fairmount park. From there it might mean sitting on the banks or it might mean climbing still higher and walking through the wooded cliffs that overlook the zoo.

That's where I go.
 
 
Rage
09:22 / 26.02.02
I put on my headset, blast some good music, and walk through the mall on cocaine.

The mall is the best place for me to feel alone, especially when I am listening to some good music and walking through it on cocaine.

[ 26-02-2002: Message edited by: Ragel Hinewater and The Magic Ring ]
 
 
Shortfatdyke
09:22 / 26.02.02
my original post was edited as it gave rather too much away! i tend to try and escape to cornwall, where my parents live, go for walks alone on the beautful, empty beach. sunrise over the north atlantic clears my head. then i go up to the cemetary and wander there. even the train journey makes me feel better.

in london, it can feel more difficult to be alone. i've taken to spending time in a local veggie cafe, drinking forbidden coffee amongst the more hippy hackney types and generally relaxing away from the horrible atmosphere at 'home'. but i have also taken night time bus rides around the city and docklands, which can be very calming. bear - don't despair, you can find space here.....
 
 
Persephone
19:26 / 26.02.02
quote:Originally posted by Cholister:
I've just realised how frighteningly disinclined I am to go out.


Hey there, you and me both. I have a very sunny living room, so I'm happiest on the couch & all my stuff around me. When the weather's nice, we have a little bit of roof that we can go out on & that serves for the outdoors & even better because it's a bit of outdoors that no one can else can get to, that feels very ultimate.

This thread is very relaxing to read... I'm getting a good picture of all of you, in your various places, with faraway looks on your faces.
 
 
STOATIE LIEKS CHOCOLATE MILK
21:40 / 26.02.02
Hey, Panarchy... the use of the cemetery is not down to any gothness on my part, it's purely practical- it's the closest dog-walking space to my house. But I must admit, I did used to go to the same place years ago when I used to live round here and didn't even have a dog... (Oh, and it is a GREAT fucking cemetery- when it's all covered with snow, and you're listening to Bowie's "Heroes" album, or when it's really swampy, and you've got Cave on, or... I think I'd better stop and close these parentheses right now).
Oh, and Ganesh? Wilde reckons me and him can have you, Keats AND Yeats. (And if you say that seems so unfair you want to die, then- well, I don't know.)
 
 
Jack Denfeld
05:02 / 11.01.06
These days I just step out late at night and have a smoke. Or if work is getting hectic, I go out for a break. I wouldn't know how to take these little mindclearing breaks without cigarettes. I'd feel weird just sitting outside my house for a few minutes doing nothing. Superlate walks to the store when it feels like you own most of the world (or just the street you're walking on), or a nice quiet booth in the corner of a 24 hour breakfast place. I guess I can only really think late at night.
 
 
All Acting Regiment
05:43 / 11.01.06
Library! There's loads of great hiding places if you know where to look but the library's one of the best. Lose yourself in a book and/or books.
 
  
Add Your Reply