December 7 – Community. Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise, in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011?

The desire for community is a consistent theme in my life – it exists somewhat uneasily with my other desire to be a hermit.

The husband took some photos of goats recently – in each photo, a different goat is staring suspiciously directly into the camera. I do like goats, and if they weren’t so destructive I would be tempted to get some. There’s a property we drive past each morning that has a big goat herd (for slaughter, I presume, as they don’t seem to have dairy facilities), and they are usually being let out as we’re going past, trotting eagerly down towards their paddock next to the river.

I often think about the idea of living on a large property with a group of other people – some who would work outside the property, and some who would work on the property – growing vegetables and fruit, raising cows and goats and making cheese. Those who work outside make the money for everyone, and the ones who work on the property provide the food – or at least some it. I have this entirely selfish desire to stay in my current job and get provided with home-grown food and be able to hang out with goats, without doing things I dislike, ie. actual farm work.

Unfortunately, I think communes – which this scenario basically is – are a little hard to manage; finding the right mix of people, and dealing with the difficulties of only certain people earning money which they then share with the community. But nevertheless I think it is an idea which will always appeal to me.

December 10 – Wisdom. What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out?

How on earth can you judge your own decisions as wise? Your decisions are what they are. I don’t think I have ever thought back on a decision and decided it was unwise – what would be the point? And so equally, I don’t see how I can declare my decisions wise.

(For Reverb10)