Wondering what backpack to use shows how little you are prepared for bare-bones trekking it. Portable stove, pots and pans, all these things your are worried about lugging around are frivolous. You don't even need those the simply survive. And yet that is what you say you are trying to avoid doing. There is no magical words, no special quotes of tips for doing what you are trying to embark on. You will learn best from going out and doing. And God knows it will suck. All you need to survive and experience the even remotest areas of North America can be carried in a small Eastpack or JanSport bookbag. You would be surprisingly close to all modern convinces nearly everywhere you could possibly go in the lower 48 and Canada.
There is no need to go and sell everything you think you don't need. If you're a normal, rational human, you will appreciate those creature comforts even more so when you return home, and I highly doubt you will return thinking that liquidating all your possessions was the wisest thing you've done.
So my magical bit of advice, go get a terrible job, something that you'd think you'd really hate, or even the only job you can find and work at it. Work at it and see firsthand how much it sucks. On your days off, do your little wanderlust walkabouts, spend your entire weekends off walking the roads and highways, eating by campfire, sleeping under the stars. When you've absolutely have had enough of your crappy job, then you can quit, and go full Monty with your expedition. Hopefully you'll have managed to save up a little cash to subside on while you wander - fully vested in being footloose you could get by on less than ten cents a day. I will bet any amount of money the novelty will wear off in less than a year. When you finally have seen first hand how it isn't always awe inspiring sunrises and sunsets sitting on a majestic rock outcropping, you can maybe focus on what you can do for a career to make a living at that would also make you happy and give you a level of satisfaction. The sooner, the better. And when your out there curled up in a tent after showering in a musty YMCA, curled up in the fetal position with gut churning cramps from eating whatever and a high fever while a downpour soaks even through your canvas you can savor every second of it and call up that memory later when you think life with first world problems is such a drag and too mainstream. There is a reason mankind prefers life as it is versus living under whatever rock or overpass they can find thinking simpler is better.
I feel for you if you are surrounded by people of influence that are unhappy, working stiffs. I love my job, I have loved and had more than one career. And I have had jobs that I didn't like too. I'm glad I had those too, so I know what I don't like doing and appericiate the opportunities to do the things that I love.
The state powers that be are trying to bump the gas tax $.09 over 5 years, and it seems like a majority of the public around here is ok with it. Citing it as a "fair tax" since fuel is something everyone uses. Sorry, but I disagree. Gas is something I believe is disproportionately used by various income levels. Low income earners do not have the luxury of choosing a residence as optimal as possible to where they are employed - therefore usually end up having to drive further and more often to work or even multiple places of employment. Furthermore the lower income brackets do not have the means to simply buy, maintain, and utilize the most efficent vehicles on the market. When is the last time you saw someone working for minimum wage driving a hybrid or other fuel efficent vehicle? They often have to make do with the cheapest option at the time they are in the market for a reliable vehicle. Thusly they end up consuming more fuel per mile than other more expensive, but more economical in the long run, newer and more efficent vehicles. Even if all things were equal, if folks sit down and consider it, gas tax is harder on the low to middle income earners than the high end.
If folks truly realize this and are still ok with it, it is fine with me. But I have serious doubts that general populous is savy to what this truly entails. There is a reason payday loan shops and cash now tax shops are making record profits, people are not as educated as they might like to believe. But that's just my ranting $.02... and they can't tax that, yet.
I had a '69 Camaro RS with a nicely tuned 350. I ended up selling it before getting to do all the things I wanted to to it. That would have to be my favorite, with my current toy, an '02 Ford Lightning; a close 2nd, almost tying for top spot. I'd like to find and pick up another '69 RS and do it up the way I initially intended, but we'll see what the future brings.
So far all I've done is a cold air intake, dual electric fans, a shift kit, and a pulley kit for an additional 2 to 3 pounds boost coming out of the supercharger.
The cathedral in Grand Cannon is taking shape; slowly, but surely, and I am much happier with the progress. The only issue so far is it will possibly be too big for the island itself - even with the harbor expansion project in full swing. I may have to re-engineer some parts of it, but oh well. Upwards and onwards. Some things I hope to include in this magnificent building -
Tall imposing Quartz pillars - I intially wanted these in the last building before it ended up taking on too much of a fort look to it.
A central dome - not exactly sure the specifics, but would like something like the US Capital Building with a stunning 360 degree view from up there.
A stunning floor mosaic - Fallen's design is very nice. I need to find or figure out something that will equal or trump that for the central floor area!
Catacombs - I have a few ideas that bleed into this hopefully future area, like a masoleum / museum type place. Plenty of ornate stone tombs with other artifacts tastefully displayed. The catacombs will have a dark, and damp feel to them. Scarcely placed torches, lots of mossy cobble and mossy smooth blocks and dripping water from the ceiling. Possibly even mob skulls randomly placed. I might even try to look up some eerie three or four noteblock rifts that could be tripwire triggered when entering the catacombs.
Some secret hidden door areas - The design of the building is leaving plenty of gaps and hidey holes between wall right now so I would possibly like to utilize those areas in some way too. So there is that.
A massive map wall - I think this goes without saying, but putting it up here so I don't forget it on my do-do list. A big wall with a large portion of The Wilds 3 on it to help new citizens and travellers get a birds-eye view and their bearings before setting off for one of the many villages.
An area displaying numerous artworks - This might also blend with the catacombs or if I have an area that needs a purpose, fill it with paintings like a gallery. This also may blend in with or be completely seperate from a rules / general guidelines area with signs outlining things to be expected of The Wilds 3 residents and/or citizens of Bloom County.
So that is a little update, State of the Nation address I have been mulling over in my mind. May the chicken deities smile upon you and lay a great fortune for you and yours.
During today's morning Ravine visit we have learned that despite our successful extraction of Timmy from the ravine, he has succumbed to sickness I suspect he contracted during his ordeal down in the dark dampness of the ravine floor. Being cold, wet, and alone must have severely impacted his soul, and from that he never seemed to have recovered. The chicken gods have strange ways, but I am not one to question their motives. The villagers did not appear to have a system for dealing with death and the deceased, so I offered to conduct a funeral service in accordance with Chickenism customs. We held a candlelight ceremony at dusk after which we buried the body in an egg shaped coffin while clucking the 13 sacred truths of Chickenism. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I think a few of the villagers were quite moved. Literally - they moved and fell into the hole we were trying burying Timmy in. Far be it for me to interfere with their way of dealing with grief, so I left the grave exposed until they were done doing whatever it was they were doing.
On a more positive note, the mine has a sturdy door now, to prevent unauthorized access. That should cut down on unnecessary accidents and exposure to possible radiation from redstone ore I have discovered further down. It holds remarkable properties, as I have brought quite a few samples back for further study. The unearthly red glow is somewhat unnerving though.
Day 41 - Let the Paper and Wheat Production Begin
Today we completed the wheat and sugarcane farms and mills. Oh happy day! We held a celebration at the site and invited all the villagers. They were timid at first to leave the comfort of their homes, but Mr. Peckingsworth and I were able to herd them up to the new mills in short time. We handed out freshly milled wheat as party favors. Towards the end of the evening Mr. Peckingsworth treated everyone in attendance to some spectacular potato soft-shoe dancing but after a little too much to drink, made an off-color joke about falling down a ravine. Too soon, Mr. Peckingsworth, too soon. And with that, the party pretty much fizzled as the villagers made their way back to their homes. I will surely have to speak with Mr. Peckingsworth about his bad form once he is sober again.
Mr. Peckingsworth woke me this morning to tell me something was making his potato sense tingle. After our usual breakfast of seeds, grass and a piece of bread, I could feel it as well - something was amiss. We headed down to Ravine, and as soon as we were with in earshot we could hear excited chattering. Still unable to fully understand the the language, it was quite obvious that the villagers were upset and visibly shaken about something. I suggested to the villagers that perhaps a prayer to the shrine I constructed for them would be a wise use of their time. I coaxed them to the shrine and led them in a marvelous prayer to the chicken deities, thanking them for the bountiful harvests, beseeching them for continued protection, begging for forgiveness, requesting increased fertility, and inquiring at to what the heck was wrong with the stupid villagers. It was after I had led them in prayer that Mr. Peckingsworth noticed we were one villager short at the ceremony. Eureka, Mr. Peckingsworth! You are a genius, for a potato. And wouldn't you know it, it was one of the villagers who refused to come to the unveiling of my gift of the Chicken Shrine. The chicken gods are not to be trifled with, little one! Scoff at them at your own peril!
We immediately set out to search for the lost villager. It took nearly all day, but we were finally able to locate the lost soul, at the bottom of the ravine that intersects Ravine. Fortunately for Timmy, as I've aptly named this one, a natural spring pouring from the wall of the ravine must have broken his fall and gently lowered him to the ravine floor. Oh the gods are kind, little Timmy. I suggested he thank the deities should he ever make it out of the ravine alive and dedicate his remaining life to Chickenism.
By the time we had located Timmy and discovered his fate it was already dusk, so we were forced to drop some blankets and extra wrappings to keep him warm through the night until we are able to hatch a rescue operation to extract him from the ravine.
Leave a note explaining how sorry you are for ripping her girly poster and also include your insurance information. They say you should exchange insurance information, right? (But really leave a fake name and address, cause you ain't that stupid)
0
There is no need to go and sell everything you think you don't need. If you're a normal, rational human, you will appreciate those creature comforts even more so when you return home, and I highly doubt you will return thinking that liquidating all your possessions was the wisest thing you've done.
So my magical bit of advice, go get a terrible job, something that you'd think you'd really hate, or even the only job you can find and work at it. Work at it and see firsthand how much it sucks. On your days off, do your little wanderlust walkabouts, spend your entire weekends off walking the roads and highways, eating by campfire, sleeping under the stars. When you've absolutely have had enough of your crappy job, then you can quit, and go full Monty with your expedition. Hopefully you'll have managed to save up a little cash to subside on while you wander - fully vested in being footloose you could get by on less than ten cents a day. I will bet any amount of money the novelty will wear off in less than a year. When you finally have seen first hand how it isn't always awe inspiring sunrises and sunsets sitting on a majestic rock outcropping, you can maybe focus on what you can do for a career to make a living at that would also make you happy and give you a level of satisfaction. The sooner, the better. And when your out there curled up in a tent after showering in a musty YMCA, curled up in the fetal position with gut churning cramps from eating whatever and a high fever while a downpour soaks even through your canvas you can savor every second of it and call up that memory later when you think life with first world problems is such a drag and too mainstream. There is a reason mankind prefers life as it is versus living under whatever rock or overpass they can find thinking simpler is better.
I feel for you if you are surrounded by people of influence that are unhappy, working stiffs. I love my job, I have loved and had more than one career. And I have had jobs that I didn't like too. I'm glad I had those too, so I know what I don't like doing and appericiate the opportunities to do the things that I love.
0
The state powers that be are trying to bump the gas tax $.09 over 5 years, and it seems like a majority of the public around here is ok with it. Citing it as a "fair tax" since fuel is something everyone uses. Sorry, but I disagree. Gas is something I believe is disproportionately used by various income levels. Low income earners do not have the luxury of choosing a residence as optimal as possible to where they are employed - therefore usually end up having to drive further and more often to work or even multiple places of employment. Furthermore the lower income brackets do not have the means to simply buy, maintain, and utilize the most efficent vehicles on the market. When is the last time you saw someone working for minimum wage driving a hybrid or other fuel efficent vehicle? They often have to make do with the cheapest option at the time they are in the market for a reliable vehicle. Thusly they end up consuming more fuel per mile than other more expensive, but more economical in the long run, newer and more efficent vehicles. Even if all things were equal, if folks sit down and consider it, gas tax is harder on the low to middle income earners than the high end.
If folks truly realize this and are still ok with it, it is fine with me. But I have serious doubts that general populous is savy to what this truly entails. There is a reason payday loan shops and cash now tax shops are making record profits, people are not as educated as they might like to believe. But that's just my ranting $.02... and they can't tax that, yet.
0
So far all I've done is a cold air intake, dual electric fans, a shift kit, and a pulley kit for an additional 2 to 3 pounds boost coming out of the supercharger.
1
0
0
Tall imposing Quartz pillars - I intially wanted these in the last building before it ended up taking on too much of a fort look to it.
A central dome - not exactly sure the specifics, but would like something like the US Capital Building with a stunning 360 degree view from up there.
A stunning floor mosaic - Fallen's design is very nice. I need to find or figure out something that will equal or trump that for the central floor area!
Catacombs - I have a few ideas that bleed into this hopefully future area, like a masoleum / museum type place. Plenty of ornate stone tombs with other artifacts tastefully displayed. The catacombs will have a dark, and damp feel to them. Scarcely placed torches, lots of mossy cobble and mossy smooth blocks and dripping water from the ceiling. Possibly even mob skulls randomly placed. I might even try to look up some eerie three or four noteblock rifts that could be tripwire triggered when entering the catacombs.
Some secret hidden door areas - The design of the building is leaving plenty of gaps and hidey holes between wall right now so I would possibly like to utilize those areas in some way too. So there is that.
A massive map wall - I think this goes without saying, but putting it up here so I don't forget it on my do-do list. A big wall with a large portion of The Wilds 3 on it to help new citizens and travellers get a birds-eye view and their bearings before setting off for one of the many villages.
An area displaying numerous artworks - This might also blend with the catacombs or if I have an area that needs a purpose, fill it with paintings like a gallery. This also may blend in with or be completely seperate from a rules / general guidelines area with signs outlining things to be expected of The Wilds 3 residents and/or citizens of Bloom County.
So that is a little update, State of the Nation address I have been mulling over in my mind. May the chicken deities smile upon you and lay a great fortune for you and yours.
1
0
Who am I to buck the system and start following the rules?
Also, what exactly is the everything supermarshmallowsaving anyway?
0
Wait a minute, was that baked beans? Double click that!
3
Day 36 - The Work Must Continue
During today's morning Ravine visit we have learned that despite our successful extraction of Timmy from the ravine, he has succumbed to sickness I suspect he contracted during his ordeal down in the dark dampness of the ravine floor. Being cold, wet, and alone must have severely impacted his soul, and from that he never seemed to have recovered. The chicken gods have strange ways, but I am not one to question their motives. The villagers did not appear to have a system for dealing with death and the deceased, so I offered to conduct a funeral service in accordance with Chickenism customs. We held a candlelight ceremony at dusk after which we buried the body in an egg shaped coffin while clucking the 13 sacred truths of Chickenism. It was a beautiful ceremony, and I think a few of the villagers were quite moved. Literally - they moved and fell into the hole we were trying burying Timmy in. Far be it for me to interfere with their way of dealing with grief, so I left the grave exposed until they were done doing whatever it was they were doing.
On a more positive note, the mine has a sturdy door now, to prevent unauthorized access. That should cut down on unnecessary accidents and exposure to possible radiation from redstone ore I have discovered further down. It holds remarkable properties, as I have brought quite a few samples back for further study. The unearthly red glow is somewhat unnerving though.
Day 41 - Let the Paper and Wheat Production Begin
Today we completed the wheat and sugarcane farms and mills. Oh happy day! We held a celebration at the site and invited all the villagers. They were timid at first to leave the comfort of their homes, but Mr. Peckingsworth and I were able to herd them up to the new mills in short time. We handed out freshly milled wheat as party favors. Towards the end of the evening Mr. Peckingsworth treated everyone in attendance to some spectacular potato soft-shoe dancing but after a little too much to drink, made an off-color joke about falling down a ravine. Too soon, Mr. Peckingsworth, too soon. And with that, the party pretty much fizzled as the villagers made their way back to their homes. I will surely have to speak with Mr. Peckingsworth about his bad form once he is sober again.
1
Mr. Peckingsworth woke me this morning to tell me something was making his potato sense tingle. After our usual breakfast of seeds, grass and a piece of bread, I could feel it as well - something was amiss. We headed down to Ravine, and as soon as we were with in earshot we could hear excited chattering. Still unable to fully understand the the language, it was quite obvious that the villagers were upset and visibly shaken about something. I suggested to the villagers that perhaps a prayer to the shrine I constructed for them would be a wise use of their time. I coaxed them to the shrine and led them in a marvelous prayer to the chicken deities, thanking them for the bountiful harvests, beseeching them for continued protection, begging for forgiveness, requesting increased fertility, and inquiring at to what the heck was wrong with the stupid villagers. It was after I had led them in prayer that Mr. Peckingsworth noticed we were one villager short at the ceremony. Eureka, Mr. Peckingsworth! You are a genius, for a potato. And wouldn't you know it, it was one of the villagers who refused to come to the unveiling of my gift of the Chicken Shrine. The chicken gods are not to be trifled with, little one! Scoff at them at your own peril!
We immediately set out to search for the lost villager. It took nearly all day, but we were finally able to locate the lost soul, at the bottom of the ravine that intersects Ravine. Fortunately for Timmy, as I've aptly named this one, a natural spring pouring from the wall of the ravine must have broken his fall and gently lowered him to the ravine floor. Oh the gods are kind, little Timmy. I suggested he thank the deities should he ever make it out of the ravine alive and dedicate his remaining life to Chickenism.
By the time we had located Timmy and discovered his fate it was already dusk, so we were forced to drop some blankets and extra wrappings to keep him warm through the night until we are able to hatch a rescue operation to extract him from the ravine.
0
0
0
Thank you for the kind words fellow brother of the yolk. Your chicken is quite impressive and awe-inspiring. Keep spreading the good cluckings.
0