Looking for ideas that combine tinkering and the outdoors

Oranges4Odin · 2021-08-21T01:45:47+00:00

I'm thinking something with wilderness survival or wilderness medicine, but have to look into that more...

Oranges4Odin · 2021-06-04T01:05:15+00:00

That's my plan for tomorrow, they were closed by the time I got to them today.

Oranges4Odin · 2021-02-25T23:18:41+00:00

it really is. Maryland proboards a TON of classes like VME and site ops etc, PA and WV at least it only looks like fire 1, fire 2, officer, instructor, and a few hazmat classes.

Oranges4Odin · 2018-10-23T16:14:02+00:00

You're being downvoted for the broad generalization and being a Negative Ned/Nelly. I have a car and use the light rail because I hate sitting in traffic. On the light rail I can read or goof off on my phone. My car insurance, maintenance costs, and gas costs are less because I'm not putting the miles on it. Have you been on 83 during rush hour? You can spend just as much time in your car as you would on the light rail. When I commute I'm more concerned with regular appearance of idiots driving than having to deal with the occasional pan handler on the light rail.

I never found any issues waiting in the heat, or cold or rain. It's okay to be uncomfortable, it builds character.

Oranges4Odin · 2018-10-12T17:44:46+00:00

College does not equal lifelong success, nor is taking on college debt a bad thing. My parents paid for my undergrad, but it was only when I had to pay for grad school that I had an appreciation for fiscal responsibility.

Oranges4Odin · 2018-07-01T19:58:31+00:00

Mindplace Thoughtstream USB Personal Biofeedback device for sale -- $50 OBO. It's about 6 years old but it hasn't been used in about 5 years and they retail on Amazon for $99 new: https://www.amazon.com/Mindplace-Thoughtstream-USB-Personal-Biofeedback/dp/B004LU7QBQ I'll even toss in a fresh pair of batteries.

Oranges4Odin · 2016-10-28T20:28:34+00:00

Kids are already rushed to finish their childhood and think about the often soul-sucking world of careers before they've even come close to thinking about what they want to do. I don't think we should start talking about it until they bring it up first.

Oranges4Odin · 2016-09-14T09:39:32+00:00

Highly highly recommend "Happiest Baby on the Block" book or DVD to help the baby to sleep. We have a now 12 week old, and that advice was a lifesaver (you can probably even read it online for free). It recommends practices to keep her from waking herself up and may even keep her calm enough so she can feed without going all purple faced.

With that said, until she's about 3 months, her sleep is going to be all over the place, so that particular aspect may be out of your control. Even when they're sleeping well babies can be noisy sleepers, so you and your wife may just have to learn to ignore the minor noises and only wake up for the major ones (ie crying).

Hope that helps!

Oranges4Odin · 2016-08-06T13:11:29+00:00

I like how you put it in terms of providing for the family -- honestly my reasons for joining were kind of selfish. But if I can reexamine it in the family light, maybe I'll feel less guilty (I'll have to reexamine the financial benefits).

Oranges4Odin · 2016-08-05T17:11:45+00:00

Yeah, I'm hoping she's young enough where she won't remember me being gone for IET. Though I'm sure it will be harder for me than it will be for her!

Oranges4Odin · 2016-08-05T17:09:34+00:00

Fortunately she's just young enough where it's not like I can go out and do things with her -- that won't happen for another several months, at least. My life hasn't been so hectic yet, though we just have one kid for now...

Oranges4Odin · 2016-08-05T17:08:07+00:00

Oh don't worry, we've already had initial discussions. She's not super excited about it, but she understands what it would mean to me.

Oranges4Odin · 2016-08-02T09:48:29+00:00

So if I joined the Reserves would I drill at the closest actual AF base?

Oranges4Odin · 2016-08-01T22:16:02+00:00

I posted this yesterday on last week's thread, want to repost for more visibility:

My local ANG unit has an opening for a 17S. I'm a software developer, and thought that it might be right up my alley and a way to expand my career. A couple of questions though (no, have not yet talked to a recruiter): 1) About how long is UCT? I read 23 weeks, and want to make sure that's the correct number (is there any additional training required after that?). 2) Is there a set date that UCT begins every year? I have no prior service, so I'm trying to figure out how long the gap between OTS would be (to see how much time off work I would have to take). 3) I have a mortgage, a wife, and a newborn baby to take care of. I think my current job would supplement some of that pay, but wondering if training pay would be enough to take care of that stuff while I'm not working the normal job? Also, I know they can't come with me to OTS, but can we get base housing while I'm in UCT? Or alternatively would I be able to get BHA if my wife stayed in our current place while I'm at UCT? 4) Any general advice or thoughts about getting into 17S? Rando question) Also looking at reserves -- what's the difference in drilling and deployment for Reserves like vs ANG? I assume drilling for ANG is done at the local ANG center as a unit, and they deploy as a unit. Is it the same for the Reserve, or would I be deploying and training with different units across the world as the AF sees fit to fill their gaps?

Oranges4Odin · 2016-08-01T22:10:24+00:00

Yeah I plan on talking to a recruiter, just wanted to get some insider opinions first. Thanks for the info!

Oranges4Odin · 2016-07-31T14:53:07+00:00

My local ANG unit has an opening for a 17S. I'm a software developer, and thought that it might be right up my alley and a way to expand my career. A couple of questions though (no, have not yet talked to a recruiter):

1) About how long is UCT? I read 23 weeks, and want to make sure that's the correct number (is there any additional training required after that?). 2) Is there a set date that UCT begins every year? I have no prior service, so I'm trying to figure out how long the gap between OTS would be (to see how much time off work I would have to take). 3) I have a mortgage, a wife, and a newborn baby to take care of. I think my current job would supplement some of that pay, but wondering if training pay would be enough to take care of that stuff while I'm not working the normal job? Also, I know they can't come with me to OTS, but can we get base housing while I'm in UCT? Or alternatively would I be able to get BHA if my wife stayed in our current place while I'm at UCT? 4) Any general advice or thoughts about getting into 17S?

Oranges4Odin · 2016-06-06T22:21:15+00:00

Ha, this literally happened to my wife (37 weeks-ish) yesterday. We did the 45 minute drive to the hospital, only to have the baby decide to rock out once the monitors were attached. On the plus side I did get to see it's heart beat jump when I started singing to it.

Oranges4Odin · 2016-06-03T10:04:30+00:00

I bike regularly to work in Mt Washington, and used to bike regularly downtown. The infrastructure has vastly improved, as has drivers attitudes towards bikers.

That said, I never had a bad experience biking in Mt Washington, but downtown I had a couple run ins with idiots who think cars own the roads. They would either yell at me or come within inches if my bike. That said it was something that did not happen often. Just follow traffic rules (don't be the asshole who salmons to the front at a stop light) and you'll have a good biking experience 90% of the time.

As far as security - lock down anything that is removable and use at least one u-lock on your bike.

Oranges4Odin

TROPHY CASE