Came across some fascinating Wikipedia reading about the origin of the term "Bohemian".
Interesting that the article lists my own area, Mile End, Montreal (good photo essay here, by the way) as a contemporary Bohemia. It certainly was when I moved here, although now embourgeoisement -- otherwise known as gentrification -- has made it more difficult to actually set up that lifestyle here. (People who moved into rent controlled apartments years ago, like me, hang onto them -- and the lifestyle possibilities that go with -- for dear life.)
The website of a book called "A Bohemian Manifesto: A field guide to living on the edge" describes five types of Bohemian: the Nouveau, Gypsy, Beat, Zen, and Dandy. This makes for some glib but entertaining sociology.
It seems under those criteria my partner & I are a blend of Zen with an element of Nouveau and -- hate to say it -- a slight touch of Dandy. Actually at my stage of life, I tend to live it more than look it ... for better and for worse.
