Lighting the Way

I've got another backpacking trip coming up and it's time to start thinking about what worked, what didn't, what I'll take on the next trip, and what will be replaced.  One thing that worked very well and will be along for every trip are my Lifegear glowstick / flashlight / flasher / whistles.  I bought the first one because it weighs almost nothing - shipping weight is only 1.6 ounces.   I have bought a second to carry as a backup instead of carrying extra batteries and having to fumble around in the dark trying to replace them.  It uses 3 small watch-type batteries which are included and free replacement batteries are available at http://www.lifegear.com/ (s & h not included). 

Click once and you've got a flashlight, twice a flishlight/glowstick, three times a glowstick only, and 4 times puts it in flasher mode.  On the end is a whistle with a cap to keep it clean.  All of these functions are demonstrated in the video.  (I'm jealous.  I want to make a snow cave!)  What the video doesn't tell you is that it has a detachable lanyard.  I can hang it from the top of my tent in glowstick mode as a sort of lantern and it illuminates the entire space enough to find my shoes, my shorts, or whatever else I need.  The flashlight is bright enough to find a trail in the dark and I had no problem finding a tree in the middle of the night.  It's also bright enough to read by if you shine the light directly on the page.   

One of the fun things about backpacking with a group is comparing gear with the other hikers.  When we were sitting around the campfire I had to show everyone the ultra-cool, ultra-light flashlight I found that could also save our lives in an emergency because I could whistle or signal for help.  One of the guys starting calling me Flo because my personality reminds him of the Progressive Insurance lady.  I like Flo.  I can live with that.

    

All Talk and No Do

It seems everyone likes to talk about doing things but very few follow through.  Have you noticed this?  Little irks me more.

Poker Guy kept talking about Vegas and trying to convince me I wanted to go, but when I started trying to pin down a date, he suddenly was busy or needed to check his funds...always had an excuse.  I finally told him I'd believe him when it happened and shortly thereafter sent that insomnia message.

I had a backpacking trip in Colorado that got rescheduled until June.  Since I had already planned to be out of town but now had nowhere to be and my Wyoming crush had said he wished I could come sooner, I sent him a message that I could be there 4 or 5 days at the end of May if he was still interested.  I got no response.  One more case of all talk and no do.  I sent another insomnia message last night and may have burned that bridge...but really if he was serious about me visiting he should have sent some kind of reply.

It's not limited to guys, either.  People say they would love to come on my road trips, or workout, or go camping but something always comes up and I end up going alone.  From now on I'm only planning solo trips or events with BCO.  People do have to cancel at times even with the outdoor club, but at least I know they really do backpack, camp, or kayak on occasion because I meet them while we're participating and not just talking.
 
UPDATE:  He didn't have reliable internet service where he's staying.  I'm busy trying to pry the foot out of my mouth so I can use it to kick myself.  If I haven't completely screwed things up and it gets serious...I may have to come back and edit this post before I tell him about my blog...

Kemp's Ridley Sea Turtle

Image from Flickr.
IMG_9293, originally uploaded by ziegs45s.

The photo is of a baby endangered sea turtle released from South Padre Island National Seashore in 2009, another animal that will surely be effected by the oil spill even if it doesn't reach Texas beaches. There have been dead turtles washing up on shore. They haven't yet stated the cause or linked any of them to the disaster in the Gulf, but it can't be good for them.

Now I'm hearing it will be months before the flow stops and this is potentially much worse than what happened in Alaska.

From an Associated Press article by Seth Borenstein:
" The Exxon Valdez was a tanker with a limited supply of oil. The rig 40 miles from the Gulf Coast may leak for months before a relief well can be drilled to stop the flow, Kinner said.


And LSU's Overton said: "I'm not very optimistic that they'll be drilling a relief well in three months."

You can read the full article here.

My heart is breaking.  I should stop watching the news.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

When I Grow Up I Wanna Be a Writer

Am I the only one who is sometimes more entertained and inspired by commercials than by anything else on TV?  


 

I remember when I was in elementary school I loved to write stories.  I created a series of them about a squirrel.  I created his mother, father, brother, sisters, friends, home, school...his entire life.  I would write about the trouble he got into with his friends, vacations he would take with his family, and how he celebrated holidays.  My mother was supportive at first, but my father hated it.  I was wasting time I should be using to do something productive.  Since I received nothing but ridicule, I stopped.  I remember writing a few plays in junior high and even attempting a novel in high school, but I hid it.  If I got caught, I pretended it was a school assignment. 

Blogging has reminded me how much I love to write.  I think that should be my major.  I can't think of an industry where the ability to communicate wouldn't be a bonus.  Who knows, I might eventually write a best-seller...or become a travel writer.   

My father doesn't get a vote.

   

Business Cards

I had to print out the cards and then scan them in order to post them here. 

I got the idea from Unknown Mami.  Hers look much more professional than mine.  I suspect it's because I need a printer upgrade.  Lately, I've been meeting a few people who also write and understand my need for creative release.  Some even blog or have blogged in the past themselves.  It would be handy to have something to give them instead of searching for a pen and scrap of paper.  Also, last year on my roadtrip I met several people who gave me their information, on scraps of paper, because they wanted updates on my trip.  It was inconvenient to try to send emails to several different people and the scraps of paper were too hard to keep up with.  This year, I will hand out the cards to people I meet instead.  They can get updates from my blog.  

I like the third version best, but I'm not going to pass them out until my trip is underway.  The first version, which doesn't mention the trip, looks a bit naked but I can't think of anything to add.  What do you think?

  

Disaster in the Gulf

Brown Pelican, originally uploaded by Vesuvianite.

The Brown Pelican, recently removed from the endangered species list, is only one of many birds found along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico. As we speak, 5,000 gallons of oil per day are spilling into the waters and heading towards Louisianna. I had planned to visit several of the National Wildlife Refuges near Lake Charles in a few weeks. By the end of this weekend they will be a black, gooey mess.

Will the oil eventually make it's way to Texas beaches? I remember as a child all the restaurants and gift shops required customers to remove the tar from their feet before entering. After all the progress we've made cleaning the beach, are we going to see that again in our near future? What about Gulf shrimp? The fishing industry?

Words cannot express the anger and sadness I feel.

Giveaways

Image from Flickr.

Up until now I've been avoiding the giveaways.  I don't think there's anything wrong with hosting them, I just didn't start blogging to enter the modern version of sweepstakes, which was my first impression.  Now that I've taken a closer look, I may have changed my mind.  They are not giving away plastic swords.  I'm not receiving a genuine CZ diamond along with a special offer to have it set in a beautiful ring for the ultra low price of $499.99 if I act within the next thirty days.  They are giving away some nice merchandise.

I've been trying to teach myself to cook recently and trying out new recipes.  Nobody sells exactly half a pound of ground turkey or 6 ounces of dried cranberries.  I've been guesstimating.  I've been thinking about buying one of those kitchen scales, but didn't want to spend the money because I was debating if I really need it.  Then I stumbled upon Blueviolet's EatSmart Precision Pro Kitchen Scale Review and Giveaway.  I believe I might like to own something like that, especially if I don't have to pay for it.

I follow the if-I'm-hungry-I'm-gonna-eat-dammit diet plan so I won't be using it to count calories, but for those of you that do it looks like this scale could be of help.  Head on over to Blueviolet's to read the review, enter the contest, or purchase the scale from Amazon for $25.