13 years ago

Today marks the 13th anniversary of the attacks on US soil; the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and to flight 93. For most Americans today history has faded to nothing more for just another day, oblivious to all the lives we lost to acts of terror on our own soil. For others the pain is still felt as strong as it did 13 years ago. 13 years ago the world stood still and watched the horrific scenes play out on our TVs, our sense of security was lost.

Modification made to knife sheath

Last year I purchased a Bark River Bushcrafter off of eBay. Great knife, it has been out with me on a lot of day trips. Only complaint I have is the sheath that came with it. The sheath was made by Sharpshooter, which the sheath itself is a great quality sheath, but it's useless when paired with a hip belt on a backpack. The belt loop makes the knife ride high and interferes with the hip belt. Knowing that I wanted to carry the Bushcrafter with me on my overnight camping trips I started looking into what others have done.

Most obvious option was to add a dangler belt loop to the sheath so the knife would ride below the hip belt. So I dug out my leather tools and scraps of leather and started laying out a design to modify the sheath. I had some stainless steel rings I picked up at a feed store, had to cut the weld open to get it on the current belt loop on the sheath, now wishing I just cut the stitching and redo it. Took a strip of 8oz leather and measured for the width of the belt I usually use and for the loop for the ring. Dressed the leather while it was flat, leaving a few spots bare where the contact cement would be applied. Looped the leather around the ring and glued everything together, finished by stitching the three layers together. After I was happy with the fit I glued down the old belt loop and stitched it down. The new belt loop and whole sheath was waxed which darkened the leather and blended the color difference.

Pictured before reinforcing stitching was made on old belt loop.

Pictured with the other tools I usually bring with me.

Single use antibiotic ointment packet

There is a lot of great information out on the internet, most is hard to find due to the amount of useless crap cluttering the search results. One small idea was learned from reading a blog by Brian Green, he is a avid backpacker and has done some really great gear reviews. I would like share a great idea he posted, a single use antibiotic packet.

I have a first aid kit in my pack that had a couple of antibiotic ointment packets, they are fairly large with way more ointment then one would use in a single cut or blister. I hate to be wasteful and decided to look for a better option. Using a drinking straw you can make a very small packet of antibiotic ointment. For instructions on making these check out his blog. I have made about seven from one straw and have them in a small plastic bag in case one does burst by accident.

Diy wrist warmers

I have always enjoyed diy projects. I have only recently learned how to sew, which uses still have a long way to go. I have made a few small projects like a razor travel case for my Gillette tech double edge razor and a water bottle carrier for a nalgene bottle.

Tonight's project was a pair of wrist warmers for colder weather. Something to bridge the gap between the long sleeves of a shirt and jacket and the cuff of a pair of gloves. It was also a good project to recycle a pair of old worn out military socks I had from the time I was in army.

I cut the socks right above the ankle area leaving the leg and cuff part of the sock, the rest won't be used. I then hemmed the freshly cut sock with a blanket stitch. For the thumb hole I measured about 1" from the hemmed edge and made a 1.5" cut along the length of the sock following one of the ribs. I hemmed the opening edges and reinforced the two ends of the cut to prevent it from ripping open.

The wrist warmers fit great, I had to redo one of the thumb holes, it was too small and was cutting off circulation to my thumb. Now I have one more piece of gear to take with me when camping out in cold weather or just working around the house.

Workout videos

Ever watched a preview of a workout video set that makes you actually want to try it? I have watched the P90X and was reminded of my time in basic training doing every morning PT. I looks great but one thing I notice is the lack of build up in the beginning of the exercise set. Do they really think that people that are 30 - 40 pounds overweight are able to just jump right it and keep up with what they are doing in the videos? People are going to get frustrated and give up. Tonight I watched a inspirational video about a Gulf war veteran Arthur Boorman. This gentleman had back and knee injures from his time in his service. He was overweight barely able to walk and had given up. Arthur was introduced to DDP Yoga a very low impact workout regiment and stuck too it. Arthur began to loose the weight, he began to gain mobility, by the end of the video after being told he may never walk again, they show Arthur running near the end of the video, he lost 140lbs in less than a year. Arthur's story has really motivated me to start trying to get back into shape. Will be looking more into DDP Yoga, for now I have to save my money, already spent way too much this month.

 

Today marks the second day of my vitamins, noticed a odd taste from them, I ate two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at the same time I took my vitamins, about a half a hour later I had a taste of mustard in my mouth, not sure what was the cause, might try taking the various pills throughout the day and see which one was the cause for the odd taste. I actually got out this evening and walked three miles at the local college track. I managed to hurt something on the top of my foot at the ankle, which is tender at the moment. Been having several problems with pain in my ankles and feet. Seems like at least once every two weeks I have a pain here or a strain there. Hopefully my body will get use to build up of more physical activities.

Vitamins and weight loss

So with trying to get back into shape I wandered into GNC today looking for a multi-vitamin that will help get me back towards a healthier state of being. I have mentioned that I have always had a hard time remembering to take my vitamins or any sort of medicines. But now I roughly have 8 various vitamins that come in the Mega Man whole body vitapak box. Guy at the store was really helpful, and tried to find me the best package to suit my needs. I have never tried a vitapak before and the idea of putting that many pills in my body at once still concerns me.

I also picked up Hydroxycut Sk-7 to help start losing weight. With the up coming backpacking trip I rather have the weight on my back instead of my stomach. Also will be starting a exercise regiment of jogging/running two times a week and a weighted pack road march. I'm also going to go with a coworker to the gym hopefully once a week to work out. But that will be determined on if both of us working similar schedules. Currently my goal is to be 190lbs by the time I leave for my trip. that's a total of 37lbs that I need to shed, yes a very high set goal, but I need to optimistic about this right?

The new Doctor

All summer I have had debates with friends on if Peter Capaldi was going to be a good replacement for the new doctor on Doctor Who. Saturday we all got our answer, although I had to wait till today due to me having to work Saturday, thank goodness for DVR. 

He isn't Matt Smith or David Tennant, which is the foundation of my friends argument, yes he isn't the young heart throb that has brought out the hordes of fan girls drooling over the doctor. They even tapped on the forth wall on that subject in the season premier.  Yes it was a cheap marketing idea to place a dashing young man to make millions of young girls tune in to a legendary scifi TV show. No Peter has a different element to him. He is quirky, reminds me of Doc Brown from Back to the Future, his a hint of mad scientist in him. 

Whether or not Peter Capaldi will be staying long as the Doctor, he has brought a fresh breath to the show, which we all knew it needed.