Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Wal-Mart The Black Hole of the Holidays

Well after surviving my second trip to Wal-Mart during the Black Friday weekend, I came to realize; we all may have too much stuff.  Regardless of your economic standing, the fact that you're reading this express somewhat of your collection of stuff over the years.  Now my second trip was chore related, had to pick up an air filter and some extra strands of light for decorations, and the day before I was in a particularly festive mood having purchase new toys for my kids.  Unfortunately, here we are three days after Black Friday, the store still had a frantic feeling and then seeing the customer service area’s lines already backed up with preemptive returns, started to depress me.

I missed being outside hiking or camping where the only focus was what tasks I had to get done before night fall.  Getting disgusted with all the excess we surround ourselves with really made me long for a very minimal setting.  I think it’s about two and a half days out in the woods before I feel the true decompression from modern society; and to tell you the truth nothing makes me happier than my journal back to civilization.  This of course followed by the overwhelming feeling of appreciation about the time and place I live.

It’s what some may refer to as a win-win.  Bushcrafting out in the woods is filled with struggle and discomfort, but also great accomplishment and serenity.  Then when you leave the woods you can feel such an appreciation for what you have.  So as I watch those returning there recently procured High Def Televisions, I wonder what if any experiences that person may have to appreciate that item.  Although this may sound as a judgment I assure you it is not, for I realize that those persons are me.  I reflect on the question “Do I appreciate the stuff I have accumulated over my tenure on planet Earth?”

Not that I shun the TV or the Computer or anything modern within reason, it just seems a reoccurring truth keeps on flagging me down.  The simple struggles and challenges, accomplishments and appreciation, our friends and families should be the cornerstone of what drives us, not the next mission in our war of collecting stuff.

-Adam

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Headlamps, more necessary than a flashlight?


So I was never much of a headlight guy until recently. If you are ever in the deep dark woods they become worth their weight in gold. So in the last few months I have collected a few.

I just picked up a few petzls, a black diamond, and the el cheapo energizer. The field test and reviews are coming. Prices can very, as can lumens so stay tuned.

But the question arises, are headlights have more utility then ? I realize that the flashlights have more options and are generally more versatile, but hands free is something we can't over look. What do you guys think?
Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

YouTube - E2E, Year One! Equip 2 Endure LLC

YouTube - E2E, Year One! Equip 2 Endure LLC

Equip 2 Endure - Main Page

Equip 2 Endure - Main Page

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Too much tech outdoors?

Not that this is very insightful. I'm sitting in bed with my Samsung Galaxy Tab typing a new Blog in reference to the outdoors; but the question arises," is there too much tech outdoors? "

I just purchased this little contraption about a week ago, and already it has brought the ability to effectively and efficiently bring more work everywhere I go. So imagine this picture: I'm sitting in my debris shelter in freezing weather shipping an item to a friend from my little tablet here.

So that sums up that little moment in irony. Trying to keep up with all of this, key word being "trying". The next post should be more Equip 2 Endure related soon as I figure this blog thing out.

Be safe as always and remember "if you're not always prepared, you're never prepared! "

-Adam

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5