EDC (Every Day Carry)

An EDC is defined as follows:

"Everyday Carry, or EDC, generally refers to small items or gadgets worn, carried, or made available in pockets, holsters, or bags on a daily basis to manage common tasks or for use in unexpected situations or emergencies. In a broader sense, it is a lifestyle, discipline, or philosophy of preparedness."
Source: http://everyday-carry.com/
-Follow the link for additional examples.

The above link is not where I got the idea from, but it's full of good examples of other EDCs. Previously, I had called my bag the Shit Happens bag. After a friend sent me the above link I started calling it my EDC.

Honestly, like most great ideas, I can't give you a single event or conversation that made me commit to a philosophy of preparedness. I've always lived it to some degree. The man who taught me how to break, train, and show horses use to always say, "It's better to have it and not need it, then need it and not have it." Maybe it's because I grow up in a military family. Or maybe because I grow up too fast and always needed to be prepared. It was likely a million things, and most of them I couldn't name. In any event, I have committed fully to a life of preparedness. In pursue of that goal, I have been building my EDC.

Every EDC is different. What a person carries is very much dependent on how one lives life. My EDC helps me be prepared to do the things I will likely do as well as emergency situations. However, it's also my compass in life. Being young, just out of college, I think a lot about who I want to be and how I want to live my life. I often think to myself, if I die tomorrow, will people be able to look at my life and see me?...Or will they see a different person?

These thoughts are new and convoluted in my mind so let me try to explain. It's all about priorities. Step one is to figure out what I want and where I want to go/be. Step two is to make a plan. Step three is to execute that plan. These are the steps I believe I must take if I wish to direct my life. Otherwise, life will push me along down the road and there's no telling where I'll end up. I may end up somewhere I don't want to be.

I have a good idea of how I want to live my life, major things I want to do, places I want to go, and how I want to work. Now, I just focus on moving in that direction. My EDC is a good indicator of where I am on that journey. A cop carries a gun. A construction worker carries a hard hat. These things communicate to them and everyone else what they do. I can analyse my EDC and it communicates to me what I do, who I am, and how far I have to go before I'm the me I want to be.

Currently, my EDC contains:

Electronic Tools: microscope crank and solar -FM/AM and weather band radio -/light -USB charge port and audio port 250GB external drive and USB cable 8GB USB stick long range wireless mouse (range: ~50ft.) headlamp small flashlight IPOD/charge cable/headphones	Emergency Gear: crackers and gum reserve cash water proof container water proof poncho multi tool: -compass/whistle/flashlight -/thermometer/mirror/magnifier survival kit in a can -(For content info: http://www.nitro-pak.com/products/survival-kits/survival-kits/survival-kit-in-a-can)
First-Aid: bandages chapstick Hygiene: folding hair brush oil absorbing sheets tooth brush floss tooth paste tampons/liners hand sanitizer	Medical: anti-Acid tablets Ibuprofen UTAs Benadryl Peptobismol tablets No-Doz A 1000 Uses: handkerchief
Paper Goods: Shapie and pen notebook checkbook NATO phonetic alphabet -I forget a letter every now and then :)	Tools: fire starter hobo knife tiny screwdriver length of Velcro bottle opener tool kit with bits carabiners

It's a work in progress and I hope it always will be. I add, replace, and take away as my daily needs change. If I want something for my life, for example, if I want to be more outdoorzy, then I add outdoor items to my bag and put myself in situation where I need to use them. It feels wonderful to always have what you need and its great to be that person. The one who always has that tool or knife that is needed.

*As a side note, in addition to my EDC, I carry my wallet, phone, and pocket knife on me.

Green Me Babe

So in the past year I've been a lot more focused on being green/eco-friendly. I use to think that recycling my plastic bags made me green, but I've taken it to a whole new level now. I use to think being more green meant more work and responsibility and who has time for that? However, I've learned that's not true. I've made some really simple changes that I think will make a difference and I hope they will inspire you to make small changes too. If we all do a little together we can do a lot, right? Some changes I've made include:

EDC (Every day carry):
Will ramble more about this bag of wonders later, but for now, know that I carry a hobo knife in it. A hobo knife is a folding pocket knife that has at least a fork, knife, and spoon, plus sometimes a corkscrew. This means that when I eat away from home I don't use plastic ware, which over a year, I can't imagine how much plastic that saves (I eat away from home a lot!). I also carry a clean handkerchief for clean up rather that be a runny nose, an oil leak, or a scraped up knee. This way I don't use disposable items. In addition, I carry reusable shopping bags clipped to my EDC. I never can remember to put reusable bags in my car or to bring them into the store with me. However, when I carry my EDC with me everywhere, I already have everything I could need with me, including my reusable bags. This is a link to the wonderful shrinking bags I use:

http://www.chicobag.com/p-16-chicobag-original.aspx

Recycling (duh):
I know it isn't easy for everyone. Here in Little Rock, if you live in an apartment you can't have a personal recycling bin so you have to deliver it to the recycling plant yourself (sucks!). However, places like Wal-Mart and Target have recycling bins and they will let you recycle your goods there. Don't be afraid to do so it's totally cool (I checked). Still, you may want to check with your local shops to be sure. Now that I have a house I have a bin I put out by the road. Did you know the flyer crap you get in the mail is recyclable? I didn't, but I recycle it now.

Bring your own containers:
I try (still working on the habit) to carry reusable plastic containers in my car so when I go out to eat I can use my containers for leftovers instead of using disposable containers. Again, I'm sure this cuts down on my go-out-to-eat waste. Of course, another green option for some, is to just eat all your food. Too...full... X.x ^.^

Reduce packaging:
So there are some things one has to have in a particular brand, like Cheez-It. Love Cheez-It! NOMNOMNOMNOMNOM *crackers everywhere...However, there are other things we don't care about, like trash bags. For the things I don't care about, I buy a brand that uses less packaging. For example, I buy trash bags that come in a roll without a box around them. There's just a tiny bit of sticky labeling to recycle instead of a whole box. What about those cereals that come in bags? They are cheaper and more green because there is no box. I don't eat cereal, but if I did, that would be a great way to go.

Use Method:
Method is a brand of cleaners that is focused on being eco-friendly. I like it because the cleaners are green and they smell good. If you don't like Method pick another eco-friendly brand. In any event, start looking for friendlier dish soaps, body washes, detergents, etc.

Reduce, reduce, reduce, aka: pay attention:
Just like dieting, reducing one's consumption is all about paying attention to how much you use. I ask myself, Amber, do you really need that much dish soap? Hand soap? TP? Do you really need to wash your jeans every time you wear them? In addition to saving the Earth, I save money, more money then I thought. Money saved means more fun for Amber. ^.^ Of course, I carpool as I can, walk to places, organize my errands so I travel the least distance. To save on gas in my car, I switch into neutral when waiting at stop lights. If I drove less aggressively I could save more money by slowly accelerating and driving slower but you know...

That's pretty much it for now. I'm aways looking for more ways to be green. Let me know if you have any ideas. There are a few things I'd like to do as time and money allows, but that's another ramble for another time, maybe in a couple of minutes. :)

Living in the Zone

Follow this link:
http://jacquesmattheij.com/living+in+the+zone

I've noticed this phenomenon myself. I use to get in the zone when reading or working on some bit of homework (homework generally being writing, programming, physics or calculus). I swear sometimes, doing Cal II homework, I could feel my brain expanding, building new connections. I know Cal II is at the edge of where my brain can go, which is pretty cool I guess. How many people can say they know the limit of their mind? I've never been a gifted brainiac so Cal II was the limit for me, but it was really cool to watch the truly gifted work Cal equations like...I don't know, I guess it's kinda like watching a truly gifted runner run. You know, as a culture we are sure to honor the physically gifted, but it's few who watch the mentally gifted work and stand in awe. I guess you have to understand enough of what they are doing to know and appreciate how amazing they are.

I'm not a genius or an artist or a pro athlete, but I've always wanted to be. I've always worked really hard to be first. It's cost me too. My health is complete crap from trying so hard to be something I'm not. Someone said to me recently, "Life isn't supposed to be this hard. You're not supposed to be this sick. Maybe you're supposed to be doing something else." I argued of course :), but later I gave it real thought and maybe she's right. It's just that, if I can't fly I at least want to stand next to those who do. If I can't get there I want to help others get there and maybe in return they will help me fly. Even if with their help, if I never learn to fly alone, I will have at least flown, and that is better then never leaving the ground.

They say you can be anything you want. You grow up thinking that, but I'm not sure that is the right thing to say to a child because it's not true and maybe something you shouldn't even strive for. I've been told, and generally find it to be true, that you should try to do what you do well because when you do well you're happy. So instead of telling children they can be anything, why not encourage them to find what they are good at? I wonder sometimes where I would be if I had spent my childhood looking for what I was good at. Could I be one of the greats, just not at the things I have tried? Maybe we will never know.

I had this coworker. He's a couple years younger then me. I saw something amazing in him and hired him as my assistant against much resistance from my supers. I was working for the university I was attending. Generally when hiring students the university considers GPA as a mark of a good or bad employee. This student had a very low GPA, but he was a go getter. Even through I had to tell him no so many times, he kept coming back. He send me his resume a hundred times, kept coming back with letters of recommendation, etc. He would come to my office and just hang out. He'd work with me on projects for no pay. He justed wanted a chance at an IT job. He just wanted to do the work. His commitment moved me so much I went out on a limb for him and got him hired.

He's a genius. His ability to create unique solutions out of nothing is - well, I've never seen anything like it. He is devoted to his work and loves every second of it. He had made the agreement that if he was hired he would have to bring his grades up. However, that semester he had to drop every class he was taking but one. In addition, through the course of the semester he lied to me about attending class and how things were going. This made no sense to me. How could someone so gifted, so motivated, fail so hard? In time he told me the truth and admitted to the lies. He couldn't live with himself and he was tired of trying and failing. He needed help.

We talked about it for a long time. Together we soul searched and finally settled on switching his major. He moved to my major, one that would lead him out of the world of engineering and into the world of IT. It was a hard time. It was a dream of his to hold the title engineer, but he let go of it to chase what he's good at. Now he's a success. In some courses, a favorite student. I have since left my position at the university and he has taken my place. The work he does is amazing. He surpassed me like a wild fire fueled by pure desire. His school work is top shelf, his programming skills amazing. And in his free time you can still find odd projects occurring, like a vacuum cleaner becoming a leaf blower, computers booting from flash drives full of portable admin tools, and something to do with a lamp, a small motor, and his bicycle? (Still don't know what that's going to be.) I love to watch him thrive. And he still falls down sometimes. He gets bored and lets things slide as gifted people tend to do. I makes me happy to be there and help him grow. I've been told that's my gift. I help people find and reach their potential.

He inspires me too, to keep looking for what makes me great. Didn't someone once say, do what makes you happy and the rest will follow? I think they have it right. I guess it's just a matter of finding what makes you happy.

Be Choosy

Something obvious but profound occurred to me. I've always taken what love I could get. If I sparked with someone, then I liked them, they liked me, and off we go. It's been like a line of suiters at my front desk. At the end of each relationship a receptionist yells, "Next!" Over the last year I've had some pretty interesting developments in my life and they have lead to some changes in the way I think. For the first time in my life I'm asking myself, "What do you want?" Not just in men, but in regards to all things (career, job, type of home, family structures, location, travel, hobbies, etc.). It's like for once, I'm looking into the waiting room and considering that there might be something I'm looking for in particular.

Of course, my mental ramblings have to ramble into the meaning of life type questions. What kind of analytical fanatic would I be if they didn't? So here's my question. I guess it's not the same for everyone, but for me, there's always a next. If there's always a next, then is, "He loves me.", really a good reason to do anything? I mean, look at your past major relationships. Odds are all of them loved you and the two of you didn't split because there wasn't love. You split because something between you didn't mesh. Maybe he was too needy, maybe she drank out of the milk carton, whatever, but you did love each other. So maybe love and relationships aren't really all about love. Maybe love is just a side note, a starting point. Maybe instead of looking for love I should be looking for...what? What do I want?

Which kinda segways into: what do I want for my life? In case that is too much of a jump, let me clarify. I want a relationship that lasts a life time and I want a certain type of life. It would make sense to find someone that wants a life similar to mine so then we can live this life we want together. It's not any one person giving up a dream to follow another person, but rather two people pursuing the same dream/desire together.

Okay, so easy, right? What do I want for my life? Well, I want adventure. I love the outdoors (hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming, climbing, camping, snowboarding, zip lines, CamelBak, paracord, bring it on, I love it all). I also love helping people. I love to volunteer and save the day. I'm a whore for what I call "pats" (like pat on the head for a good job). I love to be appreciated and to see that I made a difference for someone. I want a child. I haven't always wanted a child. In fact, this is a rather new development. It's a rather strong desire and could end up being a whole other ramble. I think it comes from being dangerously in love with a man, and my strong natural need to mother. I imagine someday strapping my baby to my chest or back and hiking mountains. People do it. It's not as crazy as it may sound to you. (Also another possible ramble.) Anyway, I like to tinker with cars, electronics, computers, and do general fix-it things. I find it both fun and sexy for a guy to do these things with me. I think it's good to share hobbies. I want higher highs and lower lows (not fully committed to the last part yet - will be another ramble). What I mean is, I don't want a standard boring life. I want to arrive at eighty sweaty, dirty, and laughing, screaming "Damn what a ride! Did you see that last part?! I didn't think we'd make it!" with my partner by my side with survive packs in the back and the rubber melting off our Jeep Wrangler Rubicon or Lotus Elise (which ever we're driving that day ^.^).

Okay, so what does all this say about what I should be looking for in a partner? Looks like he needs to be a fan of the outdoors for sure. I live to be in the sun. He's going to miss me an awful lot if he doesn't love the sun and being active. It would be nice if he loved cars the way I do. It would be great to work on one with him and to share the OMG moments in parking lots. He has to want to have a kid. Just one is fine, but he's got to want it too, not just tolerate it. He can't be someone who plays it too safe or we'll always fight over rather or not I/we should do things.

On the note of character, I tend to get over whelmed by my way of life sometimes. Generally this leads to me being grumpy, but I find that reassuring words and a smile is all that is needed to avoid Armageddon. I need this from my partner.

So what is the point? I guess that as Americans we are in love with the idea of love and happily ever after. But look at our devoice rate. Clearly, more then love is needed to make a relationship work. Maybe we should stop looking for love and start looking for a person. Because it's easy to love, but it's not easy to live a life together. If you can afford to be more choosy, do so. We need to stop settling for whoever gets in line next. Maybe if we're more proactive and less reactive we won't fail so hard. I guess it's like walking into a car dealership. If you don't walk in there with some idea of what you want, there is no telling what the sales people will have you walking out with.