Vacation

Enjoying a long over due vacation. Have gotten a few things around the house done. Been trying to relax, before summer term starts. One class looks really easy, but you never know. The grades for spring will be officially posted tomorrow. Got an A in speech and a B in Math. Such a tough math class. If it wasn't for the teacher I don't know how well I would have done.

Good Bye Finals!!

So Finals have come and gone. Math I finished with a very strong B, and Interpersonal communications I ended with a perfect 100 out of 100, An A baby!! Now I have a week off and then summer term starts. Writing 121 and Intro to computers. I am all registered for fall and can't wait till it starts. I wanna get into my core classes. I know these other classes have merit, but I just want to get to the meat of the degree. So let the countdown to September begin.

Apocabox teaser!!

So Creek put out a picture, labeled June Apocabox teaser,, All I can say is, if I open my Apocabox on the 15th and see this looking at me I will probable scream like a little girl, jump up and down, shed a few tears of joy, then start work on my alter to Creek Stewart. 

So it appears that only one lucky person is getting  knife. My apocabox should arrive tomorrow. I am not holding my breath. I think someone already got it :(

School, oh what a week

So one week till finals. I had my 2nd of the big three math tests. I got a 91% so it looks like I don't have to take the third test. Yeah me. I got my last project for that class done, will turn it in tomorrow. I have a paper to write up for speech but it should be easy. I completed my SCTE final test last night, and then this morning I did the certification test. So much stress off of my shoulders. Soon a week off then summer term starts up. Writing 121, and a intro to computers that is required for my degree. The computer one I have heard is pretty easy as long as you stay up with the class work. The writing I hope will be easy, but am expecting it to be brutal. I am all ready registered for fall. The courses I need are only offered in fall, so if I had missed it I would be out of luck for an entire year. Which then means I can't take the winter or spring classes. So it may be a little premature, but one term down, four to go.

FINALS WEEK!!!!!!!!

Well finals week is quickly approaching. Think I will pass all my classes, but still pretty stressed out, and the stress is only growing. Have a math test on Tuesday, depending on how it goes I will or will not have to take the final. Probably will just because I am a glutton for punishment. Plus I need to do one last project by Thursday and then hopefully that class will be done. teacher is cool, but it so much information, and I just don't have the geometry background for it. Thankfully it is my only math class unless I decide to move onto a four year program. I think about it once and a while but not sure if I can swing it. My speech class I am sad to see ending. It has been a really fun class specially thence it was the #1 most dreaded class for me when I looked at my required courses. I wanted to get the worst out of the way first. We have a final group project it is big but I have a great group and I think were going to do really well.

Apocabox-April,2015. Remember it's not if but when

Mr. Creek Stewart is back with another amazing Apocabox. So let's rip open this box and get to it!!

First up is Thompson Survival Snare Kit $15. Designed for US Air Force troops during WWII. Comes with two different sized snares, an instruction sheet(which I really need) and tie wire. These are handmade in Missouri.

Backwoods Magazine $5, Vol36 No 3. Autographed by cover boy Creek Stewart himself. A great magazine with a great interview of Creek.

Apocaseed Vault $10. This is a mini-portable packed seed kit. It has a 3+ year shelf life. Seeds are open pollinated, heirloom vegetable seeds. Has peas, bush beans, peppers, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Kellam Camp knife $16. This is a very cool knife. I was so stoked to see it. Very similar to a Mora. Blade is Carbon steel with a hardness of 56-57. Tempered plastic handle, and ambidextrous sheath. This knife made my day. If you like Mora, you will love this one.

Light Cube Xtreme $7, this is the coolest little flashlight I have ever seen. A 9-volt battery and your in business. Has two settings and for it's size it is BRIGHT!!. I am going to get a few more of these for all my bags. Just a great little light.

Apocabands x6 $3, A modern twist on Ranger bands. Super strong rubber bands. Super good for keeping your kit where is should be, on you!

Apocabox Myol Patch $5, Everyone needs another patch on there bag.

Mustache Char cloth kit $18  Another hand made item. This kit is all so part of your challenge. You have a tin, inside it you have some cloth, some jute, a hand made flint arrow head, and a very manly flint striker. If your not familiar with char cloth you really need to learn about this fantastic fire tinder!!

RED/Black Buffalo Scarf $15, This is a 100% cotton 42"x42" scarf. A fantastic addition to everyone's kits. Scarf's are one of the most versatile things you can carry on you.

Paracord wrapped fishing kit $8, This is a super tiny all in one kit you can clip to your bag. Inside the paracord you have, fishing line, hooks, sinkers, swivels, bobbers, mini-knife, cotton fire tinder, and a fero rod!! This and a mini bivy bag with a water container and you have a decent get home kit.  

Terry Pratchett

He may be gone but he shall never be forgotten. It was recently announced that he finished a book before his death and it will be published on Sept. 10th 2015. I am not sure if it will be available everywhere on that date or just in the UK. They usually release his books in the UK a week or two ahead of the rest of the world. 

School part 2

So school is going o.k. so far. I'm learning a lot, I guess. My math class has four projects this term, and the book is broke down to 4 chapters, so the 1st project and 1st chapter are now done and turned in. I hope I did well on the project. I feel I either hit it out of the park, or bombed it completely. We will find out soon enough. Speech is by far my favorite class so far. Again we just finished out 1st module project. I hope and feel I did well, but again I shall see soon. Registration for summer term is Friday. I have everything lined up and hopefully will not screw up like I did this term.  

Follow up to this post, I got a D on my project but spoke with the teacher and got it raised to a C. Did much better on the second project, got a A, and my last project will be turned in tomorrow.

School

So yesterday was my first day back at school. It went o.k. I guess. It started with an issue, but I think it will work out. I screwed up when I registered for my classes. I clicked on the right class, but not the right day. It was open on Monday and Wednesday, or Tuesday and Thursday. I wanted the Tuesday one. So I ended up missing the course, and had to scramble and find a replacement. My next choice was a business speech or a interpersonal speech class. The business class didn't work with my schedule, so I picked the interpersonal. It is technically full, with two people on the waiting list. Several people didn't show, unfortunately, more people showed up wanting to be in the class. As it stands I am on the chopping block. 20 seats, I am number 21. Teacher was awesome and said she might make an exception for 21. I can't believe I am saying this but I am actually excited about this course. After the first day I am pumped to go to this class. Now one other thing has come up. My work has strongly requested I do another SCTE course. I started that last Friday. There giving me an hour paid each week to work on it, but this is a big course. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it. It's a 10 week course. Eight chapters, but there very long chapters. So hopefully I can power through them. My new work schedule is o.k. I guess. Four ten hour shifts is o.k. Have done it before, but it gets old fast. Being that I am starting a new shift, school, SCTE course, and am on call all at once is a bit overwhelming. I shall survive,,,,,I think

Timberline Lodge

These are just a few pics from inside the lodge.

Mt Hood

These pics are from the road and parking lot at Timberline Lodge

The coolest Cabela's

This place is amazing!!. Even if your not into outdoor activities, It's just an amazing place to walk around. The Cabela's we went to was in Lacy, WA I think. It is near Seattle. 

Beth's Cafe

The one and only place you need to eat when your in Seattle. Beth's Cafe!!!!

 The walls are covered with interesting art!!

 This is the 6 egg omelet(the small), next time I might try the 12,,,maybe

And this is man beats food!!!

Seattle Comic-con

Sir Terry Pratchett

It is with immeasurable sadness that we announce that author Sir Terry Pratchett has died at the age of 66.
Larry Finlay, MD at Transworld Publishers:

"I was deeply saddened to learn that Sir Terry Pratchett has died. The world has lost one of its brightest, sharpest minds.

In over 70 books, Terry enriched the planet like few before him. As all who read him know, Discworld was his vehicle to satirize this world: he did so brilliantly, with great skill, enormous humour and constant invention.
Terry faced his Alzheimer's disease (an 'embuggerance', as he called it) publicly and bravely. Over the last few years, it was his writing that sustained him. His legacy will endure for decades to come.

My sympathies go out to Terry's wife Lyn, their daughter Rhianna, to his close friend Rob Wilkins, and to all closest to him." 

Terry passed away in his home, with his cat sleeping on his bed surrounded by his family on 12th March 2015. Diagnosed with PCA [1] in 2007, he battled the progressive disease with his trademark determination and creativity, and continued to write. He completed his last book, a new Discworld novel, in the summer of 2014, before succumbing to the final stages of the disease. 

We ask that the family are left undisturbed at this distressing time.
A Just Giving page donating to the Research Institute for the Care of Older People (RICE) has been set up in his memory: www.justgiving.com/Terry-Pratchett

This is by far, one of the saddest days in my life. Sir Terry you will never know how many lives you touched, and how magical you made this world. You shall truly be missed, but never forgotten. Go with out fear brave knight.

College

So I am busy trying to get my financing lined up for school. Asking for so little, and having to jump through so many hoops. I will spend the summer applying for scholarships and grants, so I won't have to go through this crap again. just need a grand to get this first term behind me.

Febuary Apocabox

So I missed one box, I will go back and share it in the near future. But Lets dig into February. So far this has been my favorite box. So in no particular order I am going to share the items, and my opinion of them. 

Pure Vermont Maple Syrup $5. I tiny bottle of some of the yummiest syrup I have ever had.

Winter tree finder $6 A super handy book to I.D. trees during winter/fall when they are missing the leaves were all so used to I.D.'ing them with. The book is small, and very easy to use. A real plus to any outdoors person.

Survival Spile $3 not sure if this is relevant in my part of the world, but for many this could be a life savor. A good item, and hopefully someday I will be in an area were I can use it.

Molle Bottle Holder Kit $20 this made the month for me, love this bag, have been wanting to get one for a while and now I have it. Wish it was a different color but oh well. Nice large main pouch will hold a standard Nalgene or Klean Kanteen, small front pocket can hold a ton of smaller water purification items. whole thing has molle webbing around it so more things can be attached, can be hooked to your bug out bad, or used by it's self. I can't say enough good things about this bag. 

Batuca bug out battery case $6. nice idea, a little big. I don't think I will use this in my bug out bag, but that is just me. I can easily pack just as many batteries in half the space. 

Pocket bellows survival fire starting tool $12  this expands to about 3'. great tool for your fire kit. you get get the oxygen right were you need it, and keep your self at a safe distance. great idea, and the little plastic case it comes in can be packed with tinder so you always have dry tinder. 

Apocabox rules of 3 patch $5  I am not sure why survivalists love patches but honestly can you ever have enough?

Opinel folder no.6 $12  French pocket knife, super sharp, and has this great old world field. really high quality knife fantastic pocket knife. It's classy and functional, what's not to love about it?

Seamless survival scarf(2) $24 sorry the picture fails to really show these. basically there a tube of stretchy scarf material that you can do about a million different things with. were on your head, or neck, these are super useful.

Creek's speed block $12. This is the handmade item for this month. a small wood block about the size of the palm of your hand. the item in the center is a frictionless bearing block. You use this with your bow drill kit. A great idea, and I am looking forward to trying it out. anything you can do to make a bow drill easier is a plus in my book. 

Luminous Fire striker $10. first off, I noticed this striker is much more solid feeling then others I have. It feels heavy and well made, like it will last a life time. Next the green handle is glow in the dark, so if you drop it or loose it in your bag it will be easy to find. the striker tool is all so very solid, fits your hands well, and comes with more features then just starting a fire. best of all it puts out a tone of sparks. 

Apocabox fire picks $4   guitar picks with the Apocabox logo. Why would you put this in a survival kit? well they make great fire tinder. there waterproof and unassuming. something you can carry on you at all times. Put a few in your wallet, you'll be glad you got them. 

And last but by no means lease, a free chapter of Creek's new book. Build the perfect bug out Survival Skills If you have not read any of Creek's books your so missing out. There by far some of the best books on survival skills

Seattle comic con

It's almost time for Seattle comic con. Can't wait. March 27th-29th. 

Sick

Oh being sick sucks so bad. The flu or what ever it is going around my area is just horrible. The fever, sweating non stop, even when your freezing cold. sore throat, glands swollen, coughing, and oh so much mucus. It just never stops. I had no idea so much snot, ear wax, and flem could come out of one person.

School

So I have been wanting to go back to school for a while. I have done a ton of technical training at work through the SCTE and a few other organizations. But I am now officially, once again, a college student. 

I am working on a one year certificate in auto cad. Once it is done I may go another year or two and get the associate degree. So at the end of the month I shall be taking three classes, math, English and a business communications, summer off then three classes each term for fall winter and spring. If I still have my sanity we will see about the associates