A Mutant's Guide to Mutation
Chapter 3
Planting the Seed
In chapter one, we made mention of the art of planting seeds.
All Mutants are farmers, or at least they can be farmers when they play their cards right. Whether it is for their growth, or for their own demise.
Throughout the lifetime experience one comes across entities that can become landmarks that chart the course of our existential maps. In truth, we are all but ships at the mercy of the fleeing winds, but there are times when we spot a land populated by creatures that can make it feel
like home ... at least for a while. These temporary leaps in space-time create memories
that mark the character of our growth as Mutants, and even as spiritual beings.
Now I am not one to speak of spiritual things, at least not anymore, but fundamentally this is a type of experience all living creatures share in one way or another. So I will speak now about learning how to appreciate, plant, and harvest the seeds of charm and good will to others, in order to survive the harsh winters of the Mutant way of life.
In this chapter of T.W.M. we will discuss the art of planting the Mutant seed, the
places and occupations where one can find such fertile grounds to farm these weeds,
and how to overcome the natural ego-based urges that can keep you from
becoming a successful farmer.
Chapter 3
Planting the Seed
In chapter one, we made mention of the art of planting seeds.
All Mutants are farmers, or at least they can be farmers when they play their cards right. Whether it is for their growth, or for their own demise.
Throughout the lifetime experience one comes across entities that can become landmarks that chart the course of our existential maps. In truth, we are all but ships at the mercy of the fleeing winds, but there are times when we spot a land populated by creatures that can make it feel
like home ... at least for a while. These temporary leaps in space-time create memories
that mark the character of our growth as Mutants, and even as spiritual beings.
Now I am not one to speak of spiritual things, at least not anymore, but fundamentally this is a type of experience all living creatures share in one way or another. So I will speak now about learning how to appreciate, plant, and harvest the seeds of charm and good will to others, in order to survive the harsh winters of the Mutant way of life.
In this chapter of T.W.M. we will discuss the art of planting the Mutant seed, the
places and occupations where one can find such fertile grounds to farm these weeds,
and how to overcome the natural ego-based urges that can keep you from
becoming a successful farmer.
--- Planting the Seed ---
Settlers will simply call this process
"making friends" but to those of our Kin the act of connecting and relating to others can not only prove to be more difficult, but in general can yield to far more fruitful and meaningful relationships than the average Settler would normally gain from such endeavors. The reason for this is that when time is limited, all beings always want to squeeze the most juice from the fruit of friendship, and enjoy its sweetness before their time in the garden comes to an end. The ritual of leaving when the relationship is at its peek also makes for a long lasting impression, one that can last a lifetime when the traveler has mastered the art of timely departure.
Whatever your nature, people are the same everywhere you go. Like all other Mutants, you will either be loved by those whom you cross paths with, or you will be hated. Most new to mutation couldn't give a shit less about the temporary grounds they travel through, or about the opinions of those who inhabit them. This is part of the nature of the inexperienced traveler, and it is the very nature that can piss off a lot of Settlers.
Settlers have a tendency to care about the people and the environment that surrounds them, or at least are proficient at keeping up pretenses. This is their nature, and it is a basic means of survival. Try not to judge, their nature is a survival mechanism, not unlike your own. They care because the people and surrounding environment provide a means of safety, and the possibility of growth within the community can lead to financial rewards as well as social status. This is important to them ... whatever their reasons might be.
Settlers have a tendency to care about the people and the environment that surrounds them, or at least are proficient at keeping up pretenses. This is their nature, and it is a basic means of survival. Try not to judge, their nature is a survival mechanism, not unlike your own. They care because the people and surrounding environment provide a means of safety, and the possibility of growth within the community can lead to financial rewards as well as social status. This is important to them ... whatever their reasons might be.
Learning to pretend is the key to successfully surviving the temporary stays within The Grid, between your quantum leaps.
Pretend enough times, and it will change you.
Smile. Look pretty. Be funny and learn the art of inappropriate offensive timing. Learn to listen and pretend. Be clever, and pretend to care ... and learn to care when no one else seems to care, for it is there that one will find the fertile grounds to plant the Mutant seed. Seeds that can grow to become lifelong friendships, lovers, and future safe havens for your travel weary shoes.
There is a Mutant gene in everyone, all Settlers possess it still, hidden somewhere deep
within the primal section of the brain. A genetic memory of a time when man had to migrate in order to survive, and fearlessly needed to explore the mysterious and exciting world in which
they lived. A time, long, long ago, when the world was not so crowded and small.
Planting these seeds is an important part of the journey, for the memories of those who have crossed your path become living diaries that tell the story of your life. Furthermore, these temporary ties provide a vital psychological replacement for the basic needs of emotional and physical attachments. They keep us connected, and grounded, and human. Overtime, the traveler spark that started the Mutant fire can grow to burn down whole cities if one looses connection with the world; these seeds, these people, keep us connected.
The traveler spark is in all of us; be true to who you are, and you will find the ones that
posses that ancient spark that mirrors your own.
Pretend enough times, and it will change you.
Smile. Look pretty. Be funny and learn the art of inappropriate offensive timing. Learn to listen and pretend. Be clever, and pretend to care ... and learn to care when no one else seems to care, for it is there that one will find the fertile grounds to plant the Mutant seed. Seeds that can grow to become lifelong friendships, lovers, and future safe havens for your travel weary shoes.
There is a Mutant gene in everyone, all Settlers possess it still, hidden somewhere deep
within the primal section of the brain. A genetic memory of a time when man had to migrate in order to survive, and fearlessly needed to explore the mysterious and exciting world in which
they lived. A time, long, long ago, when the world was not so crowded and small.
Planting these seeds is an important part of the journey, for the memories of those who have crossed your path become living diaries that tell the story of your life. Furthermore, these temporary ties provide a vital psychological replacement for the basic needs of emotional and physical attachments. They keep us connected, and grounded, and human. Overtime, the traveler spark that started the Mutant fire can grow to burn down whole cities if one looses connection with the world; these seeds, these people, keep us connected.
The traveler spark is in all of us; be true to who you are, and you will find the ones that
posses that ancient spark that mirrors your own.
--- The Job Market ---
The transient living of the Mutant way of life is filled with occupations that can facilitate the acquisition of monetary means to continue one's journey. Local pubs, hotels and restaurants, fisheries and the like, are a Mecca for the scallywag passerby and those beginning their mutation, even if they don't know it yet.
The Hospitality industry has long been a refuge for the rejects of society, and can play an irreplaceable role in the basic schooling of every Mutant. There, one can find the cons, the fakes, the liars, the cheats and the wounded. People who's lives have seen tough times and ships have wrecked on the shores of broken hearts and forgotten dreams. Their hardened mugs, a testament to the hard lives they've lived.
It is there that a Mutant can learn the trick of the smile,
and earn the hard shell required to endure the hardships of perpetual departure. A stage where one can practice
the fake craft, learn to perform the cons and scams,
and master the sad magic that all Mutants
seem to posses.
and earn the hard shell required to endure the hardships of perpetual departure. A stage where one can practice
the fake craft, learn to perform the cons and scams,
and master the sad magic that all Mutants
seem to posses.
The fishing industry is probably the ultimate Mutant hideaway, and by far, it's the most profitable and preferred of all Mutant occupations. Sea jobs are avast, you can join the merchant marines, you can readily get a job on a tug boat, cruise ships are always hiring, and like most occupations you can find a menial job in 'em. From hospitality to merchant, and electrician, all the way down to the boiler-rooms, there are jobs to be had on the high seas.
Now, there would be treasonous accusations if I were to elaborate on the specifics of this most historic of Mutant occupations, the code prevents us from doing so. But if a fellow was motivated, there are more glamorous, and involved occupations that one can work on while navigating through the wild blue desert .
Historically, some of the most renown Mutants have taken to
the high seas. Reason for this can by large be accredited to the fact that the sea is the Earth's final frontier, the last of the old wild west, where man isn't governed by laws of bureaucrats, but by the law of the sea. These legendary Mutants sailed wherever the wind would take them, raping, pillaging, and plundering as they saw fit. Answering to no man and taking what they saw to be theirs. Pirates!
That's right, I said it! Pirates!!
A washed down word that's too often, and lightly, thrown around these days thanks to those over-romanticized crappy movies. But in olden days, it was a word that struck
chilling fear in the hearts of all Settlers.
the high seas. Reason for this can by large be accredited to the fact that the sea is the Earth's final frontier, the last of the old wild west, where man isn't governed by laws of bureaucrats, but by the law of the sea. These legendary Mutants sailed wherever the wind would take them, raping, pillaging, and plundering as they saw fit. Answering to no man and taking what they saw to be theirs. Pirates!
That's right, I said it! Pirates!!
A washed down word that's too often, and lightly, thrown around these days thanks to those over-romanticized crappy movies. But in olden days, it was a word that struck
chilling fear in the hearts of all Settlers.
From the first Vikings, to the modern day
Somalian bastards reclaiming the word and putting the "rat" back in pirate, it does not get any more "Mutant"
than the life of the buccaneer.
The world is filled with occupations that can allow the traveler to continue his journey,
however life has a way of throwing the proverbial bitch-slap once in a while and things don't always workout, so you might have to make do with a temp job every so often. Temporary job agencies, and manual labor are sometimes an option when one is passing through a
city and is in need of quick cash.
however life has a way of throwing the proverbial bitch-slap once in a while and things don't always workout, so you might have to make do with a temp job every so often. Temporary job agencies, and manual labor are sometimes an option when one is passing through a
city and is in need of quick cash.
My humble opinion on this matter is as follows:
For the most part, random jobs are awful, and soul crushing,
but they can get you out of a jam if and when you find
yourself in one.
But for those of you truly considering the way of the traveler,
I advice to take some time to put on your thinking caps, and honestly reflect on your natural talents, strengths, and weaknesses. Contemplating these for a spell should provide you with some insight on the kind of profession that could best suit your needs. Preferably one that won't make you want to kill yourself at the end of the day.
Variety makes the world an interesting place to live in. Life is but a series of ever changing moments, each unique and wonderful in its own way. Get to know yourself and don't be afraid of trying several different things before choosing the path you really want to take. Plant some seeds along the way and watch them grow; the journey is what matters most. And on your way to trying to find your way, you might just meet some kindred spirits that could change your perspective entirely, and lead you to find a more interesting you. Through the process of trial and error you will pick up invaluable insight on your inner workings,
as well as a better understanding of the incredible
world you are trying to explore.
"Remember ... the most powerful weapons in Batman's utility belt are his money, and his resourcefulness, and you are going to need them both in order to survive."
The Wandering Mutant
For the most part, random jobs are awful, and soul crushing,
but they can get you out of a jam if and when you find
yourself in one.
But for those of you truly considering the way of the traveler,
I advice to take some time to put on your thinking caps, and honestly reflect on your natural talents, strengths, and weaknesses. Contemplating these for a spell should provide you with some insight on the kind of profession that could best suit your needs. Preferably one that won't make you want to kill yourself at the end of the day.
Variety makes the world an interesting place to live in. Life is but a series of ever changing moments, each unique and wonderful in its own way. Get to know yourself and don't be afraid of trying several different things before choosing the path you really want to take. Plant some seeds along the way and watch them grow; the journey is what matters most. And on your way to trying to find your way, you might just meet some kindred spirits that could change your perspective entirely, and lead you to find a more interesting you. Through the process of trial and error you will pick up invaluable insight on your inner workings,
as well as a better understanding of the incredible
world you are trying to explore.
"Remember ... the most powerful weapons in Batman's utility belt are his money, and his resourcefulness, and you are going to need them both in order to survive."
The Wandering Mutant