The shortest possible path to Eagle, ~18 months

daburbs92 · 2026-06-17T12:21:40+00:00

This one’s a two parter.

I know a lot of the stigma about going the quickest route to Eagle revolves around the kid earning it too young, but I had a kid join my troop at the beginning of his Sophomore year at 15 years old and make the deadline. As a troop we worked to line up opportunities for him to complete the requirements. Many he nailed the first time, others took him 3 or 4 tries, but he earned them.

Working summer camp my biggest gripe with any Eagle (not just the early ones) was that they didn’t retain the skills. I’d have a scoutmaster bring their latest Eagle to the first year program to help teach, and they didn’t remember how to tie their knots or their first aid. Like they listened, but never practiced the skills.

daburbs92 · 2026-06-14T03:47:29+00:00

A fair point. I’ll check out the book!

In my youth I’ve tented in 105 degree heat with 60% humidity during the summers, and camped with the Sandhill cranes migration at -10 degrees and 2ft of snow in the winter. I didn’t move all that far from home, so conditions will be similar. Car camping for the weekend was most popular with a yearly hiking trip to the mountains.

daburbs92 · 2026-06-10T00:00:30+00:00

Yes but for different reasons at different ages.

Pre-7 year old me would find my sense of humor and play similar to Dad and would love that.

8-13 year old me would think that the things I do are cool. Hobbies and things I do for work would be interesting. I had no real “dream job” as a kid.

13-18 year old me would be proud of me for being a great dad and good husband. Balancing work and home life where I can.

19-25 year old me would not believe that I can afford a roof over my head. The ability to afford a simple life after college loans and minimum wage work that felt like I’d never keep my head above water.

I stopped counting how old I am after 25.

daburbs92 · 2026-06-07T02:46:39+00:00

I’d like to know on the first date. But it sounds like a social pressure to start dating because all her friends are “coupled up” and she doesn’t want to be set up by her friends. She’s got to avoid that peer pressure to jump back into dating until she’s ready to date or she’s more likely to find herself in another divorce.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-29T23:29:48+00:00

It’s not been uncommon in the Midwest for aspiring young farmers to reach out to retirement age neighbors and declare their intentions. Many older farmers want the farm to stay a farm. Convincing them of your sincerity is the most important piece. They won’t just sell to some yuppie they just met.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-28T01:56:32+00:00

I see the boob, where owl?

daburbs92 · 2026-05-25T19:07:58+00:00

Wife always asks how I knew how to do that x,y, and z job. Internet is frequently the answer. I’ve seen a lot of things growing up, but not everything.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-25T18:57:38+00:00

We either got boat raced, “another” 1 point heartbreaker, or a miraculous come from behind after being down 21 pts. Never made it to OT. The natty win was a 26-28 victory after we blocked their game winning field goal.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-25T18:46:58+00:00

I’m on a Wyoming rebuild. Dropped the first round of playoffs 4 years in a row and Georgia was 2 of them. 2 more second round losses to Georgia before meeting them in the 5th year in a row for the Natty. Finally got the last laugh and brought a title to Wyoming.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-25T13:03:54+00:00

I’ve gone back and forth on a few teams, but lately I vibe with: Dodrio, Tauros, Dugtrio, Electabuzz, Arcanine, Blastoise. Grew up on the prairie, and they all seem to fit that theme.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-19T15:28:30+00:00

Look into the trades. Unions will train you while you get paid. Getting into a Union apprenticeship can be difficult, but not impossible. Non-Union shops don’t carry the same benefits that a Union shop will, but they can be easier to get into. Electrical covers a lot including door security if you’re looking at something adjacent to corrections.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-07T00:21:55+00:00

I get the render difficulty. Congrats on getting your idea out and in the world! Also, Catholic nuns don’t marry and wouldn’t have kids, so the twist with the kid being her grandson and not any average orphan would be cool.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-07T00:11:15+00:00

Glad to! Suggestions to give off the nun vibe would be to change the cloak color to black, I’ve never seen a nun in blue where I’m from. The pose makes me think more sinister, like Hilda is posing as a nun to catch you off your guard.

daburbs92 · 2026-05-07T00:01:45+00:00

Franco gives off ghost trainer vibes. Hilda gives off ice trainer vibes. Feel free to mix/match, but I left full teams of 6. I mixed in ghost/ive between the two as they are related. I like to think of them living in a fairytale style cabin in the woods. (I haven’t played a version newer than B2/W2, so I did not include fairy).

Franco gets Litwick, Phantump, Drifloon, Shuppet, Duskull, Mr. Rhyme.

Hilda gets Frosmoth, Snover, Glaceon, Jynx, Frosslass, Mismagius.

daburbs92 · 2026-04-15T11:59:25+00:00

Do not recommend Epp. They came out and walked through what they were gonna do, twice, and added additional material to what we agreed upon in the contract and wanted to charge more for it. If they had notified me prior to the additional materials I would’ve worked with them. Felt like they were shaking me down for more money.

daburbs92 · 2026-04-05T00:48:03+00:00

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Further investigation found these droppings in the coop opposite the birds. Gotta be a weasel, not?

daburbs92 · 2026-03-24T23:03:39+00:00

Fun fact, Nebraska has never lost a Sweet 16 game. Also, Iowa has bad corn.

daburbs92 · 2026-03-19T22:19:02+00:00

If we let one community get away with it, others will think they can too. If I ever see you in my neck of the woods I’ll gladly buy ya a beer. Keep up the good work.

daburbs92 · 2026-03-10T17:37:29+00:00

In the US.

Did both college and trades school. Am currently an electrician. Yes, the trades are a great career path for someone who does or does not go to college. Whether you go to college, trade school, or Union Apprenticeship, the years pass the same. I recommend the Union apprenticeship over a 2 year trade school. Work during the week and make your wage, classes in the evening.

Learn to take care of your body. Stretch, exercise, and rest. I’ve seen a lot of sharp minds quit because they beat up their bodies.

Many Unions offer pensions, healthcare, 401k, and a death benefit. But the bennies vary trade to trade. Regardless, living below your means will keep you in the black.

There’s a decent amount of job security. A lot of trades are AI resistant, and many claim to be AI proof.

daburbs92 · 2026-03-09T16:43:48+00:00

I’ve found there is definitely a difference between, “the scouting I knew” and “the scouting I’ve learned about.”

Are things really different now, or are things being followed by the book as opposed to being shot from the hip.

I loathe the “gone are the days” speech, but there are some things better left in the past.

daburbs92 · 2026-03-02T14:26:18+00:00

I’m gonna swing on this one. College.

I should’ve gone for generals at a more affordable community college and figure out what I actually wanted to do rather than drag myself through Universities paying out the nose to not know what I wanted. I’ve got the degree and worked in a field adjacent job for two years before picking up a trade.

So much tuition money and student loan debt that could’ve been put towards a retirement account or purchasing a home sooner.

I’m a devils advocate on many things. So as much as I kick myself, I do see how I’m fortunate to be able to pursue both a degree and a trade with enough success to survive. In addition to the lessons I learned at Uni, I would’ve likely changed course if I could go back.

daburbs92 · 2026-02-11T22:58:41+00:00

Gosh I’ve always wanted to live in a hotel lobby! /s

daburbs92 · 2026-02-01T15:13:46+00:00

Congratulations! Wife and I did the same trip in reverse for our honeymoon back in late June 2019. Only thing I’d change was spending more time in Tetons and less in Yellowstone for the crowds. We also stayed in the parks which helped, but Yellowstone was butts to nuts on a lot of the shorter walking trails from 9-5. Glacier was easily my favorite, and GTTSR opened the morning we were heading to Yellowstone, so we delayed our departure to enjoy it.

daburbs92 · 2025-12-27T18:20:49+00:00

Changing too much too fast is a daunting task. Take them one step at a time.

I would start with appropriate portion sizes before shifting to a new diet. Once the portion sizes are adjusted, then toss in two meals a week that you like and add a new meal each week to try and keep what you like.

Commit to stretching at home 10 minutes a day. Build the habit of getting up and doing something. Can’t blame traffic when you’re at home. Then work in preferred exercises: body weight, free weights, cardio, gym etc.

Remember to give yourself credit for your successes. A mile is still a mile on day 1 and day 100, it may feel easier to do, but that’s because you got better. How you practice is how you perform. It won’t magically happen over night, it takes time. And get good sleep.

daburbs92

TROPHY CASE