So we can put a man on the moon, we submerge into the depths of the sea, etc. I still am breathtaken at the site of my new car, my new guitar amplifire(I meant that), etc.

Things that are taken for granted by many are often things that I sit and ponder upon(OK - guilty of being a daydreamer).

With all of the leaps and bounds we've made as a (?)"civilization"(?), why is it such a major undertaking to get myself "off the grid"?

I mean, I've looked into it and it seems like a PITA. People say that it is not yet cost effective enough, blah blah blah.

I don't plan to move unless I leave the country altogether so I'm not too worried about putting money into the place. I would LOVE to get "off the grid".

Edison aint making a grip of money off me - my bill is probably, average, 50 bucks a month - pretty cheap for 3 bedroom, 3 occupant household with said occupants' penchant for computers, TVs, stereoes and live music.

My wish for getting "off the grid" is not really motivated by saving money. I like the whole idea of being as self sufficient as one pushing 40, grown up on creature comforts, living in white bread suburbia dude can possibly be.

When the S hits the fan as I believe most of us here concede that it will, likely *within* 5 years, I'd rather not have to rely on ANYBODY for ANYTHING!

Now, we all know that's damn near impossible, save shedding it all and taking up residence in grass hut, but at least we can take steps in the proper direction.

I have looked it up and just like anything else worthwhile, they don't seem to make it real easy for ya. That is, transcending all that which is regular and getting some photovoltaic cells mounted on top o' the crib.

Anybody here doing that?

At the sin of spraying and not keeping tightly focused, I welcome ideas from anybody about anything they may be doing to be self sufficient in anyway possible. I know there are some brilliant minds around here. Tell me what you're doing please.

Tell me about your solar powered house.

Tell me about your home-grown produce.

Tell me about any way you're stickin' it to "the man" by not participating with him.

Please include experience, like hardships, costs, adventures, humor.

You broke it but you wanna see it shatter...