Terra-Dome Earth Shelter Build

[Phast12]

Sam,

I have not commented on this string, but have avidely followed it. I am glad you are back!

Please keep up on any issues with this style of construction. You seem to have a discerning eye, and understand what sort of issues are important for construction. The hard part of this sort of pathfinder project is learning from mistakes, and since most only build a house once, we have to learn from others.

Thanks for the thread, and congratulations on getting the house finished.

To the others who feel the urge to provide social and philosophical commentary, please stay out of it. Clearly, Sam neither needs to be defended, nor educated, and it would be a sad loss to our society(particularly me) to not have followup on this project.

Best Regards
Chris

Couldn't have said it any better!

 

[Short Game]

I will post a few of the past highlights for your curiosity

That would be great for me as well, as I just fell in here today too. I went back to find pics and after several pages, caught on that I was not going to find them. I will be interested in this project.

I have ideas about user built structures that might have a hard time getting okayed by inspectors. Not because they might be weak, but only because they would be unorthodox. I think that everyone should be able to register any structure as a non-code structure and provide their own shelter if they choose. The registration would make it clear to anyone who might buy such a property that they would know what they are getting and accept it, as is. I would not, however, be building such a structure for anyone but myself.

 

[dynasim]

Sam,

Thanks. I had run through the calculations for this sort of thing, and wondered how big of a vehicle was typically allowed(and feasible). The picture of your tractor on the roof triggered the question.

Thanks again.
Chris

 

[mjncad]

mjncad, I am sure it was always obvious we were never building a dooms day shelter. Nor have we bought into the end of the world doom and gloom.

Well, anyone who buys into Pole Shift is buying into a doom and gloom end of the world scenario, and correct me if I'm wrong; but I seem to recall in an earlier post that you believe in Pole Shift.

We simple have opened our hearts and minds to the many possibilities and taken away the ability for the mainstream to shape our reality and keep us in fear. We all know the system is broken because we all failed to stand for anything meaningful. My intent was to inspire all who would dare to imagine that anyone could live independently if they were willing to work hard and think outside the box or cage we allowed them to put us in. I am simply being the change I wish the world could be. That is to live in harmony with the mother earth. I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable pushing you to read my thoughts which are out side your comfort zone.

Living in harmony with the earth is commendable, and you haven't offended me in the least. I've commended you in past posts for building an unconventional structure. I think a TD is a good idea in tornado alley where you live. Our society and world are now so interconnected that true independent living is hard to achieve for any great length of time. By true independent living, I mean where you (e.g. you, family, close friends) can source, grow, raise, and manufacture 100% of your needs.

I will tell you all that I am thankful to alive during this great shift. I like to see the many opinions of the awake and the feeling I am getting is we are all in the process of a shift into something great. It is a time where the truth will be in the mainstream and all the failed system will be replaced. It will be the end of all war, famine and greed.

Oh boy the "Rapture" is back too. I haven't heard that one in quite some time.

The only nonsense is a closed mind. Our windows are open to invite in the light in and any who may need help. We know we are all in this together. So we plan help others through these difficult times. Love is the answer. I can appreciate the kind words but please don't twist my intent of this thread which is you can achieve anything, open your heat and mind to consider the many possibilities and have a plan.

I think it's wonderful that you are living your dream; most of us myself included are not so fortunate for whatever reason(s). Please don't equate a skeptical mind with a closed mind.

Being aware and with an open mind is not paranoid. I just think it is smart to live independently. Just imagine what you could do with your life if you had no bills and did not require a job.

I try to live as independently as possible within my skill set and physical abilities; but I'm also aware that for better or worse I have to rely on other segments of society for things I am unable to do.

As for paranoia; I seem to recall a post or two where you got very upset over the utility workers peering in the windows of your home during construction.

I wouldn't be so quick to judge. Why does our culture put so much importance
on these "worldly possessions" simply because it makes us better slaves. To give up these things that bind us to this broken system is simply freedom and until you truly give up all your worldly responsibilities you won't understand.

Actually I have considered downsizing my possessions to make my life simpler. However; to truly live independently requires more tools and supplies than someone who relies almost completely on others for their needs. Compared to most of the people in my neighborhood, our home is very humble. I seem to recall that a few New York City dwellers tried living with no more than 100 items as an experiment. They barely achieved it, even though they relied on others for everything they needed.

I have ideas about user built structures that might have a hard time getting okayed by inspectors. Not because they might be weak, but only because they would be unorthodox. I think that everyone should be able to register any structure as a non-code structure and provide their own shelter if they choose. The registration would make it clear to anyone who might buy such a property that they would know what they are getting and accept it, as is. I would not, however, be building such a structure for anyone but myself.

Good luck getting the Gummint, banks, and insurance companies to agree to something like that; but I think it would be worth discussing. Think of it as the homeowner equivalent of an "EXPERIMENTAL" rating the FAA assigns to home built aircraft. The only group of people that might buy into this would be the ambulance chasing lawyers hoping to cash in on lawsuits over failed structures.

I've been watching Nat Geo's Doomsday Preppers and part of it is entertaining as he!!, and part of it is sad that these people spend almost every waking personal hour prepping. The two that cracked me up the most were the Texans preparing for Pole Shift, and the liberal New England couple who refuse to own weapons of any kind to defend themselves as they feel they can just "talk" to any angry mob and feed them a good meal while singing Kumbaya to placate them.

Pole Shift, pure BS; economic collapse, quite possible; Yellowstone super volcano, odds are it will happen again...though not in our lifetimes; global EMP, most likely from a solar flare...not caused by humans; localized human caused EMP, possible as part of a military action; GRB (Gamma Ray Burster), won't matter as everything will be fried.

As I've said before Sam; I'll defend your right to enjoy your lifestyle and express your opinion. I'll defend your courage to build a TD in spite of banks and insurance companies having heartburn with unconventional structures, along with other obstacles that you have encountered with this project.

However; I will express my opinion to the contrary when I read a bunch of superstitious bunk, even at the risk of my comments being unpopular and in the minority.

As I've said before, enjoy your new home and congratulations on achieving your dream.

 

[beppington]

Actually We were experiencing problems with others using my pictures on their commercial website making false claims, we also figured everyone had seen the pictures by now. My thread reached many people I am sorry you were just to late.

You could put a big SAM waterwark across each pic.

 

[Short Game]

Good luck getting the Gummint, banks, and insurance companies to agree to something like that; but I think it would be worth discussing. Think of it as the homeowner equivalent of an "EXPERIMENTAL" rating the FAA assigns to home built aircraft. The only group of people that might buy into this would be the ambulance chasing lawyers hoping to cash in on lawsuits over failed structures.

Many years back in California, some counties went after the back-to-the-landers by tagging their homemade houses for destruction. It was an attempt to get rid of the riffraff. Fortunately, someone had an in with the governor and they were able to get a new class of building added to the state codes.

Class K - The Alternative Building Code

Unfortunately, I don't think that is the way it works where I have my land.

 

[Short Game]

Why is a Pole Shift any more BS than the Yellowstone Volcano? Both show up in the geological record.

 

[brin]

Why is a Pole Shift any more BS than the Yellowstone Volcano? Both show up in the geological record.

Short Game...I think most folks get out of bed in the morning and amble off for their day and never give a thought to any of Natures surprises....We are all seeing things come true that were once only portrayed in Sci Fi films and the movies....how much more proof do folks need to understand there are no guarantees in this life. An asteroid could hit earth, some nut case in a 3rd world country that believes the after life is better than this life could push the Nuke button, We could have solar flares that could destroy all of our hi tech...and on and on...There are no guarantees...just enjoy life ..hope for the best and prepare for the worst.

 

[mjncad]

Many years back in California, some counties went after the back-to-the-landers by tagging their homemade houses for destruction. It was an attempt to get rid of the riffraff. Fortunately, someone had an in with the governor and they were able to get a new class of building added to the state codes.

Class K - The Alternative Building Code

Unfortunately, I don't think that is the way it works where I have my land.

The concept of an EXPERIMENTAL house classification could be interesting; but it would still need to meet some sort minimal standards just as the FAA requires EXPERIMENTAL planes to meet certain standards. The biggest downside to an EXPERIMENTAL house classification with little to no standards is that we regress backwards to a time when people built whatever they felt like regardless of safety. Too much regulation as in California is bad; but too little can have negative consequences too.

In Sam's case, the only permit he had to pull was for the septic system. However; given the quality of his construction, I would have no problem as a buyer purchasing the place. But what happens if you get some dam toothless knuckle dragger who slap dashes something together and it collapses on you a day after you bought it? Should it be completely Caveat Emptor, or should a buyer have some assurance the house is to a minimum habitable standard? The Gummint should be an umpire with fair rules to keep everyone on a level playing field; not an entity creating ridiculous regulations with the intent of generating revenue and self preservation.

Why is a Pole Shift any more BS than the Yellowstone Volcano? Both show up in the geological record.

Pole Shift as described in some of the links listed in this thread way back is so full of bogus BS that it makes astrology look like real science. Magnetic pole shift is happening all the time; but the Pole Shift described in this thread is just plain ridiculous. If it happened in the short period of time as the PS'ers think it will, the earth will tear itself apart and make the Japanese quake of last year look like a speed bump. Plate tectonics is a proven fact; but the plates move tiny amounts each year requiring millions of years to shift any great amounts to be visibly noticeable. The Himalayas were created as a result of India crashing into south Asia. The Alps are a result of Africa ramming into Europe. Earthquakes are a result of the plates grinding into, past, and under each other.

The Yellowstone super-volcano is a result of that part of the country being over a hot-spot in the mantle. Hawaii is over a hot-spot too.

 

[jinman]

Sam, you've created an unbelievable home while taking self-reliance to the level of an art form. Your dogged persistance of getting the highest quality has been obvious in everything you do. Your family being included so heavily to bring about success is just amazing. I can't help but wonder about your boys and whether they will soon branch out on their own lives or live there with you as they decide to have their own families. It's none of my business, but I still wonder. Most of us who have followed your thread from the beginning will always have mental images of your home in every stage of building. Thanks for posting and thanks for any updates you might choose to give us.

I just hope that they don't build a highway, a reservoir, or airport near to your location. Oklahoma is a beautiful place and being rapidly "discovered." With population growth, there comes all those things that could make your life miserable. Of course, you work for the Army Corps of Engineers, don't you? You might have the inside track on info that the rest of us don't know. I just think that population growth and metropolitan growth have the most likely chance of being the thing that causes you the most angst in the future.:confused3: