[at-l] 2000 Plus Or Minus

[icw39@ncfreedom.net (Clark Wright)]

your ending comment is really my point - but the way you replied makes
me think you did not see where I was trying to go with this, so here
goes again [the short version!]  I asked these questions not because
they matter to any particular extent to me, but to try and get people to
think a minute about the fact that we ALL use various symbols every day
- so it is a bit ridiculous to get fixated on saying, well - MY symbols
are more important than YOURS, or YOU must be too hung up on symbols
'cause YOU want a 2,000 miler patch . . . while I am more "special" [and
thus somehow holier] because I DON'T want or need that symbol . . ."

In short, it's all way too much ado about nothing - we all value various
symbols, and we ought to all respect each other's various "symbol value
systems" without too much fussing! [or cussing!]

ambulating on,

thru-thinker

Jonathan Hartford wrote:
> 
> On Sun, Mar 24, 2002 at 05:54:24PM -0500, Clark Wright wrote:
> > While I tend to agree with Cliff, just to play devil's advocate, ask
> > yourself the following:
> 
> [caveat: i have not thru-hiked... yet]
> 
> > 1)  Do you have any patches on your pack, or pins in your hat?
> 
> Nope.  I wrote some stuff on it though.  So people can identify me.
> 
> > 2)  Do you have any bumper stickers on your car or truck?
> 
> No, because they lower your resale value (honestly!)
> 
> > 3)  Do you wear any T-shirts or caps with logos on them?
> 
> Its near impossible to buy clothing w/o logos these days.  I think
> what you mean to ask is do we wear any clothing BECAUSE of the logo...
> 
> > 4)  Have you mentioned your love of hiking, or doing the AT on a resume
> > or job application?
> 
> If you skip off work for more than 1-2 months, employers will be "concerned".
> Most any reqcruiter will tell you have that you really should explain
> any large gaps on your resume, with some kind of "appreciable" activity.
> 
> > 5)  Do you use any American currency, or keep a bank account?
> 
> Yes.  I like food, clothing, and shelter, and TOYS!
> 
> > 6)  Did you make a photo album, web or hand-held, of your AT trip?
> 
> I'll definitely take a camera.  Memories are important!
> 
> > 7)  Ditto re a journal?
> 
> Gonna try, dunno how well it will work.
> 
> > 8)  Did you sign the registers at Springer, Harper's Ferry and Katahdin?
> 
> Probably will.  But whose to say its not for the same reasons as signing
> a trail shelter register?
> 
> [snippage]
> 
> I just wanted to point out that there are other reasons for doing what
> you mentioned above.  Filling out a form, or putting a patch onto your
> pack is not, by itself, proof that you are out to prove something to
> other people.
> 
> Sometimes, its just a cigar.
> 
> --
> Jonathan Hartford                               jon@outland.net
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