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       # 2025-08-22 - Christina's August Questions
       
       I have enjoyed reading others' answers to
       
 (TXT) Christina's August questions
       
       Here are my answers.
       
       > What trinket, knick-knack, collectible, etc. in your home would you
       > miss the most if it were gone?
       
       I don't put much stock in material possessions.  I prefer disposable
       or at least replaceable items because that lightens my load.  I would
       miss practical items such as keys, official papers, and such, but
       that's a different category of item.  I have non-tangible items such
       as my digital music collection.  But my most treasured possessions
       are my mental possessions.  For example my self confidence that i am
       resourceful and "can do" what i set my mind to.  I would miss that.
       
       > Whom do you consider a national treasure in your country?
       
       This question challenged me even more than last month's question
       about patriotism.  I view nationality as an accident of birth.  For
       example, if there were a famous programmer in Fooland, there is a
       possibility that i would treasure them even more than a j-random
       multi-generational Foolander would.
       
       > The characteristic features of Indian culture have long been a
       > search for ultimate verities and the concomitant disciple-guru
       > relationship. ... He was one of the great masters who are India's
       > sole remaining wealth. Emerging in every generation, they have
       > bulwarked their land against the fate of Babylon and Egypt.
       
 (DIR) Autobiography of a Yogi by Parahamsa Yogananda
       
       Who are those 10 "good people" for whose sake my nation has so far
       been spared the fiery apocalypse?  I don't know!  But here are two
       American people who i appreciate.
       
 (HTM) Michael Hart, founded Project Gutenberg
       
 (TXT) Peace Pilgrim, peace movement consciousness raising
       
       > What footwear do you prefer in summer: sandals, or
       > sneakers/trainers/runners/running shoes?
       
       Until my mid-teens i preferred to go barefoot in summer.  Sandals are
       nice around the house, but for outdoor work and serious foot travel i
       prefer boots.
       
       > If the answer is tomatoes, what is the question?
       
       What is the epitome of the truth that storebought cannot compare to
       home-grown?
       
       > What tips do you have for making friends in a new place?
       
       Shun the Internet.  Make first contact.  Initiate conversations.
       Be led by what you authentically enjoy.  Ask where the local
       community bulletin boards are for flyers and event ads.  Go to a
       gas station and hold up a FREE HUGS sign.  Go to a park, lay a game
       board on a picnic table (chess, go, mahjong, rummikub, etc), and
       invite others to play.
       
       When i was younger i would hang out in smoke break areas even though
       i dislike the smell of tobacco.  They are active spots for
       socialization.  To a lesser degree, so are cafes and tea houses.
       
       tags: bencollver,community
       
       # Tags
       
 (DIR) bencollver
 (DIR) community