Just got back from the holiday break. I went home to the province to celebrate the holiday with my family. As always, I am in charge of the pasta. Lots of food! Yummy food to be exact. I had pinapaintan, adobong puti, BBQ, pasta, etc...and i got to spend time with my family. I also met my brother-in-law and niece for the first time. It wasn't as bad as I expected. My niece is a cry baby, but cute none the less.
With regards to the bag. I was able to complete hand sewing all the reinforcement patches. As expected i was not able to do anything at home. I did manage to cut the pattern for the shoulder strap and manage to cut one of the traps from my fabric. The other i will do tonight including the hip belts. Now i think i wont have enough fabric for the front pocket. So maybe I will opt not having a pocket anymore. As for the compression straps, maybe I'll just put 1 on each side. which would mean sewing more patches, which is ok. no worries about the sewing, its the cutting i am really not comfortable with.
For the pads, I decided to use the insulation (the one with double sided silver coating used for cars.) for the pads in the shoulder strap and hip belt. Since the pack shouldn't carry more than 15 pounds, it should be ok.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
The Budong Project: Update 1
The Budong project is progressing rather slowly. Sometimes i find myself with lack of motivation or just down right lazy to do something for fear of ruining the entire project. So far I have fabric glued the reinforcement patches and hand sewn 2 of the 4 patches for the shoulder straps. I got myself one of those wooden circle things used for hand embroidery so that my fabric is taught when I hand stitch. I have employed the backstitch which my girlfriend says is a running backstitch...which is much more efficiently called a "backstitch." (Spent about five minutes arguing how to call the stitch...ahhh...)
Tonight I hope I can sew the remaining patches and finally have the chance to cut out the pattern for the shoulder strap and hip belt. Dimensions of the shoulder strap is 24" x 4", hip belt is 10" x 4". I haven't done the cutting yet. I am considering adding hip pouches, but its is rather ambitious considering that this is my first backpack project.
I didn't take pictures yet of my progress. Again i am overcome by laziness to even take pictures. My time on the project is spent more on visualizing how this a certain part should be made and how it should all come together and how it should look...and stuff like that. It is mentally exhausting to the point that I fall asleep thinking about this. I really wish i had a sewing machine that can handle heavy thread. That way I wont need to hand stitch every single part of the backpack. I dread hand stitching the entire side of the backpack which is 25" long. Imagine backstitching the entire length and i cant do that with a single piece of thread. i have to section stitch it. As in 5-inch sections because that is what I can stitch at a time without the thread looping on itself. I also have a bit of a concern for thread tension when doing a hand stitch.
Then there is the front pocket and the extension collar. which adds more sewing time to the pack. oh and the roll top closure system which I haven't yet made because I have no webbing! Crud! Someone please find me a supplier for the materials! Divi is of no help as of yet. I haven't found the secret places to buy fabric yet. I did find an online supplier but its just too expensive. Seriously, 200 pesos for 1 meter of ripstop? That's just not right, right?
Quality side release buckles are also hard to find. Help! Anyone!?
Tonight I hope I can sew the remaining patches and finally have the chance to cut out the pattern for the shoulder strap and hip belt. Dimensions of the shoulder strap is 24" x 4", hip belt is 10" x 4". I haven't done the cutting yet. I am considering adding hip pouches, but its is rather ambitious considering that this is my first backpack project.
I didn't take pictures yet of my progress. Again i am overcome by laziness to even take pictures. My time on the project is spent more on visualizing how this a certain part should be made and how it should all come together and how it should look...and stuff like that. It is mentally exhausting to the point that I fall asleep thinking about this. I really wish i had a sewing machine that can handle heavy thread. That way I wont need to hand stitch every single part of the backpack. I dread hand stitching the entire side of the backpack which is 25" long. Imagine backstitching the entire length and i cant do that with a single piece of thread. i have to section stitch it. As in 5-inch sections because that is what I can stitch at a time without the thread looping on itself. I also have a bit of a concern for thread tension when doing a hand stitch.
Then there is the front pocket and the extension collar. which adds more sewing time to the pack. oh and the roll top closure system which I haven't yet made because I have no webbing! Crud! Someone please find me a supplier for the materials! Divi is of no help as of yet. I haven't found the secret places to buy fabric yet. I did find an online supplier but its just too expensive. Seriously, 200 pesos for 1 meter of ripstop? That's just not right, right?
Quality side release buckles are also hard to find. Help! Anyone!?
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Budong Project
This project is about making my own hiking pack out of some ripstop material I sourced from Divi. Its blue and its my first prototype backpack. Construction is fairly simple, granting that you are an expert with a sewing machine and a master seamstress. The design is based on a lot of designs I have seen on the internet.
Wish me luck.
The materials have been cut. (most of it). I will be using free patterns on the internet for the shoulder straps and Hip belt. Target date of completion is January 12. Some materials will be from an old pack since buckles are hard to come by. I took the pack apart and scavenged the straps and buckles. I have one more backpack to dismember for its straps.
Specs:
- Capacity: 23L + 10L(extension collar)
- Roll top closure. like a dry bag.
- One external front pocket.
- With compression straps
- Backpack (Budong pack)
- Quilt (Replaces the sleeping bag)
- Bivy (for weather/bug proofing the quilt. Can also be used without the quilt on warm summer nights)
- Tarp (Main shelter. replaced the tent. Downside is, no privacy)
Wish me luck.
Home
Going home every Christmas holiday is one of the most awaited times of the year for me. Being away for most of the year makes it even more satisfying. Being able to see my family, sleep in my bed, eat Mom's cooking, rummage though my stuff, using my Amang's tools, and just being able to be me.
This year brings a bit of hesitation for me to go home. I'm sure there are going to be awkward moments especially since I think my family was invaded. Aside from the fact that we are no longer complete because my younger sister left for KSA to work there for 2 years, it just doesn't "feel" normal. Then again maybe its just me.
I called Mom last night, and i requested for her adobo. Of course, her adobo is the best in the world and you cant argue about that with me. I'm sure I will be doing the pasta again, but this time the BBQ sauce wont be made by my younger sister. I wonder who will do the sauce this year.
I try to avoid some things, but i guess this year its inevitable. I will have to go home and I will have to face someone. Will I be able to control myself? I cant say for sure. Maybe. Maybe not. Although I am excited to meet someone else. I'm sure she is the cutest new person I will meet. I already have my gifts for her. When she grows up I'm gonna take her mountaineering with me. I just hope her mom doesn't object.
Home! Its where I will always want to be whenever I am down. It will always be the place I'll go back to. Maybe even the place I will go to take my rest someday. A ton of memories, a lot of experiences, more memories to come.
This year brings a bit of hesitation for me to go home. I'm sure there are going to be awkward moments especially since I think my family was invaded. Aside from the fact that we are no longer complete because my younger sister left for KSA to work there for 2 years, it just doesn't "feel" normal. Then again maybe its just me.
I called Mom last night, and i requested for her adobo. Of course, her adobo is the best in the world and you cant argue about that with me. I'm sure I will be doing the pasta again, but this time the BBQ sauce wont be made by my younger sister. I wonder who will do the sauce this year.
I try to avoid some things, but i guess this year its inevitable. I will have to go home and I will have to face someone. Will I be able to control myself? I cant say for sure. Maybe. Maybe not. Although I am excited to meet someone else. I'm sure she is the cutest new person I will meet. I already have my gifts for her. When she grows up I'm gonna take her mountaineering with me. I just hope her mom doesn't object.
Home! Its where I will always want to be whenever I am down. It will always be the place I'll go back to. Maybe even the place I will go to take my rest someday. A ton of memories, a lot of experiences, more memories to come.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Ready...
There are certain events in ones life that are just difficult to accept. Things that are common but unprecedented. They are simple events, not very complex to understand, but very hard to swallow. Back in college I thought I was prepared for everything. Little did i know that everything is already prepared for me. All i needed to do was to choose and let others choose.
I avoid some things in my life that have affected me greatly. Events that betray my own expectations of life. Its not hard to understand - everyone understands. Its just really hard to take in. I smile, i make jokes, but deep inside i am confused, angry, hurt, betrayed. The questions, How, and Why. keep on echoing in my head. The world collapsed in an instant. While others have already cleared themselves if the debris, i find myself still knee deep in the dust and dirt, trying to find the answers in the rubble. Turning every stone hoping to find that which is not really there. Others have rebuilt yet i sit on what was. Refusing to accept the the now. Its easy to say move on. Taking the first step is the hardest especially when you don't know where to step and what direction to take.
I avoid some things in my life that have affected me greatly. Events that betray my own expectations of life. Its not hard to understand - everyone understands. Its just really hard to take in. I smile, i make jokes, but deep inside i am confused, angry, hurt, betrayed. The questions, How, and Why. keep on echoing in my head. The world collapsed in an instant. While others have already cleared themselves if the debris, i find myself still knee deep in the dust and dirt, trying to find the answers in the rubble. Turning every stone hoping to find that which is not really there. Others have rebuilt yet i sit on what was. Refusing to accept the the now. Its easy to say move on. Taking the first step is the hardest especially when you don't know where to step and what direction to take.
Kwaderno
Repost from my mutiply blog. Entered Feb 19, '12 9:25 PM
Hey! I was going through my stuff today and I found the only Kwaderno publication I had. I was going through the pages and i remembered you once told me that you would write for this publication. I dont know if the one i have contains your writing. I went through the pages and i thought maybe one of the poems here was yours. I remember you once told me you never used your name whenever you write. Only problem is I dont know your pen name. I never really asked you about it. Even when you were here I never paid much thought in knowing your alias.
The Kwaderno I have is the 2002 publication, but remember that was the year you left. I guess i was 1 year late because your composition may have been printed in 2001. The book is pretty beat up its been read by a couple of people over the years. I like how its a double sided book. There is no front nor back. You can start reading from any side. The truth is, i haven't read all the contents. Sometimes i just browse through the pictures and wonder how the artists were able to come up with those impressive pencil drawings. The style is still influenced by the 90's. None of those photoshoped, super colorful vector art we often see today. Its gritty yet a work of art, its somewhat chaotic yet you can easily see the thought in each page.
I still envy that you had that publication. I always asked myself, "Why cant we have that too?" It defined who you were. It showed a form of freedom of speech. Like a rebel's yell in a dictatorial government. So radical...
I will never know your pen name now, but I hope one of the poems is yours. So, did your poem get printed in the Kwaderno that i have? I hope so.
Mike
Malunggay: The tree of life....almost
Repost from my mutiply blog. Entered Jul 7, '09 5:32 PM
I was a bit confused last Sabbath about the Malunggay tree being the Horseradish vegetable. I tried researching and apparently, Horseradish is a different plant. It seems my hunch wash right afterall...there is no way that our beloved malunggay is the horseradish. I tried researching some more and apparently, I was also wrong. The malungay that grows almost everywhere in this country of ours, is in fact called the horseradish tree. It could be used as a substitute for horseradish and therefore can be used to make wasabi and kim chi. I also found out a few interesting things about this plant.
1. It can grow almost anywhere, except in freezing lands.
2. It needs little maintenance since it loves the sun and warm weather.
3. All parts of the plant can be used in some way, from food to textile dyes and even poison.
4. Its nutritional value is so high [leaves] that it is one of the answers to malnutrition in third world countries.
5. Its leaves don't lose its nutrients even of dried and ground to powder.
6. Its seeds can be roasted like nuts and is believed to be a virility drug.
7. The plant can be used in water filtration and is a cheap alternative for mechanical filtration.
That's not all, in some countries its used to feed livestock. Personally, I'd rather eat the plant myself than feed it to livestock. In the tagalog region, only the leaves are known to be edible, in the ilocano region however, even the fruit is eaten. The fruit is usually peeled, cut to 3 inch sticks, and cooked in dinengdeng with other vegetables. The leaves are boiled and eaten as a salad in the morning.
After I found out that you can grind the dried leaves to powder, I realized it can be stored indefinitely as survival food. Just add boiling water and you have a soup. Nice huh?
If it wasn't for the Varona's, I would never have known that malunggay, a commonly ignored vegetable tree, could be the answer to our health problems. Mabuhay ang Malunggay!
1. It can grow almost anywhere, except in freezing lands.
2. It needs little maintenance since it loves the sun and warm weather.
3. All parts of the plant can be used in some way, from food to textile dyes and even poison.
4. Its nutritional value is so high [leaves] that it is one of the answers to malnutrition in third world countries.
5. Its leaves don't lose its nutrients even of dried and ground to powder.
6. Its seeds can be roasted like nuts and is believed to be a virility drug.
7. The plant can be used in water filtration and is a cheap alternative for mechanical filtration.
That's not all, in some countries its used to feed livestock. Personally, I'd rather eat the plant myself than feed it to livestock. In the tagalog region, only the leaves are known to be edible, in the ilocano region however, even the fruit is eaten. The fruit is usually peeled, cut to 3 inch sticks, and cooked in dinengdeng with other vegetables. The leaves are boiled and eaten as a salad in the morning.
After I found out that you can grind the dried leaves to powder, I realized it can be stored indefinitely as survival food. Just add boiling water and you have a soup. Nice huh?
If it wasn't for the Varona's, I would never have known that malunggay, a commonly ignored vegetable tree, could be the answer to our health problems. Mabuhay ang Malunggay!
When The Clock Stops Ticking
Repost from my multiply blog. Entered Jun 20, '09 9:37 PM
As the Mahogany trees shed their leaves, he bid farewell to the world of the living. he has finally come to rest after many years of pain. He fulfilled his purpose in this earth with utmost zealousness. I have never met anyone like him and i doubt i will ever again be able to meet anyone like him in this lifetime.
He is a popular artist in our hometown, inventor, craftsman, servant of God. A loving husband, good father, the best grandfather, a great friend. He was a genius. His level of intelligence i can only dream of attaining. His memory, so sharp, he rarely forgot anything. In spite of all these, he was a humble person. Everyone knew him as a gentle and jolly man - one who rarely gets angry. He believed that every conflict can be solved by kind words and earnest prayers.
When i was born, he was one of the happiest people to welcome me into existence. I can imagine the tears he shed when he heard me cry. Those tears were both tears of joy and sadness. Tears of joy for having a grandson, tears of sadness because i wasn’t normal - i had a gaping hole right under my left nostril. My parents cried for me because i might not be able to speak normally. Despite all the uncertainties, they had me fixed. During my operations i know he prayed for me.
As i returned home, he wasted no time teaching me to speak. He told everyone, "I will never stop until he speaks perfectly." He took care of me when my parents were at work. He taught me how to sing, he even made me memorize the cabinet members at that time. I grew up in his house with him as my mentor. He gave me toys that he himself made. Being the inventor that he was, this was no big task. He made those toys with things found around the house. I was so happy whenever he emerged from his shop holding a new gadget for me. Growing up in his house made me his favorite grandson.
He suffered a stroke when i was about to enter grade school. He never recovered from it. This, however, did not hinder him from his duties to the Lord. His mind was still as sharp as ever. I enjoyed talking to him more than playing my Nintendo Family Computer. He was ans still is my inspiration in attaining a higher level of intelligence, though i may not attain his level.
When he passed away, i knew my life would never be the same again. I had hoped to show him my achievements. I wanted to show him my future wife and i wanted him to hold his great grandson from me, but this is no longer possible for he has now gone to his rest. But this is not the end, i know for sure he will rise again on the second coming, for her is the most faithful man i have ever known. One who has experienced miracles in his life, and a lot of them for that matter. Like the mahogany tree that lost its leaves, i know new ones will sprout in its place..its just a matter of time.
I can proudly put him at par with the greatest minds this world has ever produced. But one thing he had more than them is his faith in God. His ideals in faith will live on in me. This will be my tribute to him. By God’s grace, i will do all i can to live as he showed me, and to pass his teachings to the generations that come after me. "Daddy, I will see you soon on that bright morning when Jesus returns."
A tribute to the greatest man i have ever known - Otilio A. Manzano Sr.
As the Mahogany trees shed their leaves, he bid farewell to the world of the living. he has finally come to rest after many years of pain. He fulfilled his purpose in this earth with utmost zealousness. I have never met anyone like him and i doubt i will ever again be able to meet anyone like him in this lifetime.
He is a popular artist in our hometown, inventor, craftsman, servant of God. A loving husband, good father, the best grandfather, a great friend. He was a genius. His level of intelligence i can only dream of attaining. His memory, so sharp, he rarely forgot anything. In spite of all these, he was a humble person. Everyone knew him as a gentle and jolly man - one who rarely gets angry. He believed that every conflict can be solved by kind words and earnest prayers.
When i was born, he was one of the happiest people to welcome me into existence. I can imagine the tears he shed when he heard me cry. Those tears were both tears of joy and sadness. Tears of joy for having a grandson, tears of sadness because i wasn’t normal - i had a gaping hole right under my left nostril. My parents cried for me because i might not be able to speak normally. Despite all the uncertainties, they had me fixed. During my operations i know he prayed for me.
As i returned home, he wasted no time teaching me to speak. He told everyone, "I will never stop until he speaks perfectly." He took care of me when my parents were at work. He taught me how to sing, he even made me memorize the cabinet members at that time. I grew up in his house with him as my mentor. He gave me toys that he himself made. Being the inventor that he was, this was no big task. He made those toys with things found around the house. I was so happy whenever he emerged from his shop holding a new gadget for me. Growing up in his house made me his favorite grandson.
He suffered a stroke when i was about to enter grade school. He never recovered from it. This, however, did not hinder him from his duties to the Lord. His mind was still as sharp as ever. I enjoyed talking to him more than playing my Nintendo Family Computer. He was ans still is my inspiration in attaining a higher level of intelligence, though i may not attain his level.
When he passed away, i knew my life would never be the same again. I had hoped to show him my achievements. I wanted to show him my future wife and i wanted him to hold his great grandson from me, but this is no longer possible for he has now gone to his rest. But this is not the end, i know for sure he will rise again on the second coming, for her is the most faithful man i have ever known. One who has experienced miracles in his life, and a lot of them for that matter. Like the mahogany tree that lost its leaves, i know new ones will sprout in its place..its just a matter of time.
I can proudly put him at par with the greatest minds this world has ever produced. But one thing he had more than them is his faith in God. His ideals in faith will live on in me. This will be my tribute to him. By God’s grace, i will do all i can to live as he showed me, and to pass his teachings to the generations that come after me. "Daddy, I will see you soon on that bright morning when Jesus returns."
A tribute to the greatest man i have ever known - Otilio A. Manzano Sr.
Teleporter
Repost from my multiply blog. Entered Jun 20, '09 9:35 PM
"Are you running away from someone?"
"Something"
"Your Past?"
"My present."
"Where are you going?"
"To the future."
"Why? What’s in the future?"
"I dont know. Thats why im going there..to find out."
"Something"
"Your Past?"
"My present."
"Where are you going?"
"To the future."
"Why? What’s in the future?"
"I dont know. Thats why im going there..to find out."
Coffee Break for Two
Woke up in the morning, to a bright Sunday;
Took a bath, got dressed and went on my way;
At a distance you were there, and I don’t know why;
Suddenly I found myself, right there by your side.
Was it fate that led me there? ‘Cos it wasn’t my intention;
But I can say this for sure, it was divine intervention.
In that coffee break for two, I never thought it could be;
The two of us together, smiling happily;
I knew by your smile that you felt it too;
Something beautiful was starting, in that coffee break for two.
We found out as we talked, that we had a lot in common;
I prayed really hard that it would go on and on;
The conversation with you, it brought such joy;
Joy that I was certain, I never felt before.
Was it fate that led me there? ‘Cos it wasn’t my intention;
But I can say this for sure, it was divine intervention.
In that coffee break for two, I never thought it could be;
The two of us together, smiling happily;
I knew by your smile that you felt it too;
Something beautiful was starting, in that coffee break for two.
I kept thinking of you, as the days went on;
The events that transpired caused me great confusion;
It took prayer and supplication, to find a resolution;
Until that fateful day, when I found my reason.
Was it fate that led me there? ‘Cos it wasn’t my intention;
But I can say this for sure, it was divine intervention.
In that coffee break for two, I never thought it could be;
The two of us together, smiling happily;
I knew by your smile that you felt it too;
Something beautiful was starting, in that coffee break for two.
In that coffee break for two, I never thought it could be;
The two of us together, smiling happily;
I knew by your smile that you felt it too;
My forever started with you, in that coffee break for two.
Pagikot ng mundo
Repost from Multiply. Posted Jul 2, '08 4:52 PM
Minsan sana tumigil ang oras, kahit isang taon lang, na walang tatanda at walang prublema.
Pero, hindi nga naman natin mapapatigil ang oras. Ang magagawa lang natin ay harapin lahat ng prublema habang tayoy tumatanda.
Ang bilis lumipas ng panahon ano? Parang kahapon lang noong una tayong magkakilala.
Kung iisipin, ilang taon narin ang lumipas. Marami nang nangyari, at ang mga pagkakamali ay di na mailalagay sa tama.
Ngunit kahit ganun pa man, naging masaya din tayo minsan. Ang mga matatamis na alaala ang baon ko sa paglipas ng panahon.
Salamat at nakilala kita. Di kita malilimutan habang buhay. Maglaho man ako sa mundong ito.
Minsan sana tumigil ang oras, kahit isang taon lang, na walang tatanda at walang prublema.
Pero, hindi nga naman natin mapapatigil ang oras. Ang magagawa lang natin ay harapin lahat ng prublema habang tayoy tumatanda.
Ang bilis lumipas ng panahon ano? Parang kahapon lang noong una tayong magkakilala.
Kung iisipin, ilang taon narin ang lumipas. Marami nang nangyari, at ang mga pagkakamali ay di na mailalagay sa tama.
Ngunit kahit ganun pa man, naging masaya din tayo minsan. Ang mga matatamis na alaala ang baon ko sa paglipas ng panahon.
Salamat at nakilala kita. Di kita malilimutan habang buhay. Maglaho man ako sa mundong ito.
Once burned, twice shy
Repost from my mutiply blog. Entered Apr 4, '08 8:43 AM
All of us are afraid of getting hurt. It’s a natural reaction to get away from familiar situations that, in the past, caused us pain. We shun similar situations because we don’t want to get hurt anymore.
Loving someone is the best feeling in the world. It makes you feel like superman. Oftentimes than not, this love isn’t reciprocated. It is during these times that we get burned. You put your trust is someone only to get your heart broken in the end. It brings loneliness, despair, anger, and hate. You start questioning yourself, and you have this feeling of hopelessness. When the time comes to pick up the pieces and start over again, you become extra careful. You train yourself to see differences between the past and the present. You try to find that sign or something that may lead you back to getting hurt. We take lesser risks, we over analyze, we become overly cautious, and sometimes we just stay where we are – afraid to move because we might get hurt. Afraid to take risks, and letting opportunities pass.
I am afraid to get burned again. I already got burned many times. Yet against all logic and reason, I still hope. I still risk my heart even though I know it might not work. Why do I fear it too much, even though I already know what to do just in case I get burned again? Rejection is one of the things I am really afraid of. Maybe that’s why I haven’t made any move yet. Maybe that is why I am afraid to jump off this cliff, because there might be no one to catch me at the bottom. It’s going to hurt really bad if I hit the ground. I guess I just want to be sure before I take the plunge. Being sure isn’t bad. It just takes too much time, Time that should be spent on more worthwhile things…like living and getting burned. J
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Still Got It
Mountaineering is one of my passions. If there was a way to make money out of climbing mountains, I may have swiched careers by now. Being engulfed in nature and the great outdoors is an indescribable feeling. For me who resides in a concrete jungle, its something different. Though i spent my younger years in the province, I was never really the outdoor type. For one, my parents were always protective of me and two, I was somewhat frail as a child. I experienced the outdoors in boyscout campings in elementary and highschool, but they were different than what I was really after. Of course I cannot discount the fact that being a boyscout gave me the basic idea of how to survive in the wild. I started over 2 years ago in this hobby and I haven's lost interest yet. In fact. I think its become an obsession. I have climbed two of the highest peaks in the Philippines, APO being the highest and Pulag being the third, and next year, I will probably be climbing the 2nd highest, Dulang-dulang.
I always end up digging through the internet about mountaineering gear, but I have, as of late, deviated from the production gears to the DIY. Nothing spells satisfaction for me than to be able to make my own gear. I have gathered a lot of info, saved a lot of files, made a lot of sketches and notes. Still I encounter a big problem on where to source my fabric. Of course one more question is, would it be cheaper to make my gear or just buy one. So far what I have suits my needs and has served me well. Only things missing are a camp stove and a tent. I have been experimenting on alcohol stoves, but they are still too slow and somewhat insuited for the type of meals I am used to. Alcohol stoves are not meant to cook for more than 2 people and I know for a fact that it will not be able to cook rice. It was meant only to boil water and cook those easy to cook meals. As for the tent, I want one with full protection since my greatest threat in the outdoors is rain. I have made my own designs in Sketchup, but havent really gone into making the actual tent simply because I want it done perfect the first time.
I am considering going lightweight in mountaineering. Of course, i will need to change my current backpack and go for an ultralight tent. I have considered using a tarp and bivy, but of course that offers little protection from a tropical cyclone. I have designed tarps with weather protection, but my designs seem lacking somewhat. I guess I haven't yet found the right balance between full protection and right ventilation. The last thing I want is to drown in my own sweat on a warm summer night, or get all wet in a storm and suffer hypothermia. Another thing I consider is the sleeping capacity. I am looking to design a 2-person shelter because I want to bring my girlfriend along in my hikes. A 1-person tent is also not that bad. I also have designs for those types and I was hoping to make one for my girlfriend as well. For those times when she goes on outings to remote places with her friends. As for the bag, I already have a few designs, but I have been simulating the process in my head and it seems more difficult to make than I imagined. My designs are simple, but with lots of options. Pockets are important to me for quick access so I have a design in mind where there are about 5 pockets. Thats a lot of space for small items, but I want my pack to be light since i will no longer be lugging a 2.4Kg tent if ever I decide to take the plunge and use a tarp.
There is much to consider about this obsession of mine- time, money, effort. Of course this is not the only thing I do. I have a job too so there is that to consider. I have to admit though, this is one obsession/addiction that is really hard to shake. Thats why after 2 years of hiking, i still got it.
I always end up digging through the internet about mountaineering gear, but I have, as of late, deviated from the production gears to the DIY. Nothing spells satisfaction for me than to be able to make my own gear. I have gathered a lot of info, saved a lot of files, made a lot of sketches and notes. Still I encounter a big problem on where to source my fabric. Of course one more question is, would it be cheaper to make my gear or just buy one. So far what I have suits my needs and has served me well. Only things missing are a camp stove and a tent. I have been experimenting on alcohol stoves, but they are still too slow and somewhat insuited for the type of meals I am used to. Alcohol stoves are not meant to cook for more than 2 people and I know for a fact that it will not be able to cook rice. It was meant only to boil water and cook those easy to cook meals. As for the tent, I want one with full protection since my greatest threat in the outdoors is rain. I have made my own designs in Sketchup, but havent really gone into making the actual tent simply because I want it done perfect the first time.
I am considering going lightweight in mountaineering. Of course, i will need to change my current backpack and go for an ultralight tent. I have considered using a tarp and bivy, but of course that offers little protection from a tropical cyclone. I have designed tarps with weather protection, but my designs seem lacking somewhat. I guess I haven't yet found the right balance between full protection and right ventilation. The last thing I want is to drown in my own sweat on a warm summer night, or get all wet in a storm and suffer hypothermia. Another thing I consider is the sleeping capacity. I am looking to design a 2-person shelter because I want to bring my girlfriend along in my hikes. A 1-person tent is also not that bad. I also have designs for those types and I was hoping to make one for my girlfriend as well. For those times when she goes on outings to remote places with her friends. As for the bag, I already have a few designs, but I have been simulating the process in my head and it seems more difficult to make than I imagined. My designs are simple, but with lots of options. Pockets are important to me for quick access so I have a design in mind where there are about 5 pockets. Thats a lot of space for small items, but I want my pack to be light since i will no longer be lugging a 2.4Kg tent if ever I decide to take the plunge and use a tarp.
There is much to consider about this obsession of mine- time, money, effort. Of course this is not the only thing I do. I have a job too so there is that to consider. I have to admit though, this is one obsession/addiction that is really hard to shake. Thats why after 2 years of hiking, i still got it.
Monday, July 2, 2012
You Are Important to Me
I thought I learned my lesson. I guess its true that people can't change on their own. I was very confident that I already know what to do in a relationship like this. I lost someone before, because i was too naive to notice something so obvious. I always expected her to be there and I neglected to make her feel important to me. It came to a point that I was no longer part of her world. I became just a memory. To her i was just a whisper in the wind. Before I knew it, she was already far away that no matter how hard I tried, my efforts to reach her were in vain and she was gone. Her words are still in my head, " I never felt important to you." I promised myself that I wouldn't make the same mistake again and for the longest time I was very confident that I learned my lesson.
Now I find myself in the same situation. Though I grew older, nothing changed. I guess you can say I didn't grow up. You were crying out for me, but I was never there to listen. Now fear has once again come to me, the fear that you might leave because you feel unimportant to me. Is it really too late? Can I no longer redeem myself and make up for the mistake? Losing you would be the greatest mistake. I would be the dumbest man alive if I ever let you slip away.
I want to listen to your stories. I want to know your pains and frustrations. I want to know what makes you happy and what makes you sad. I want to be able to solve your problems, or at least share your burden to carry it. I want to be able to carry you when you are down. I want to be the one to make you smile. I want to teach you how to play the guitar. I want to listen to your corny jokes and your cheesy one liners.
Its my turn to cry out for you. I just hope you can hear me. Don't give up on me, I am certain its you I need. It may be hard to believe me now, but I hope you open your heart to me, I hope you will listen...."You are important to me."
Now I find myself in the same situation. Though I grew older, nothing changed. I guess you can say I didn't grow up. You were crying out for me, but I was never there to listen. Now fear has once again come to me, the fear that you might leave because you feel unimportant to me. Is it really too late? Can I no longer redeem myself and make up for the mistake? Losing you would be the greatest mistake. I would be the dumbest man alive if I ever let you slip away.
I want to listen to your stories. I want to know your pains and frustrations. I want to know what makes you happy and what makes you sad. I want to be able to solve your problems, or at least share your burden to carry it. I want to be able to carry you when you are down. I want to be the one to make you smile. I want to teach you how to play the guitar. I want to listen to your corny jokes and your cheesy one liners.
Its my turn to cry out for you. I just hope you can hear me. Don't give up on me, I am certain its you I need. It may be hard to believe me now, but I hope you open your heart to me, I hope you will listen...."You are important to me."
You Are Important to Me
I thought I learned my lesson. I guess its true that people can't change on their own. I was very confident that I already know what to do in a relationship like this. I lost someone before, because i was too naive to notice something so obvious. I always expected her to be there and I neglected to make her feel important to me. It came to a point that I was no longer part of her world. I became just a memory. To her i was just a whisper in the wind. Before I knew it, she was already far away that no matter how hard I tried, my efforts to reach her were in vain and she was gone. Her words are still in my head, " I never felt important to you." I promised myself that I wouldn't make the same mistake again and for the longest time I was very confident that I learned my lesson.
Now I find myself in the same situation. Though I grew older, nothing had changed. I guess you can say I didn't grow up. You were crying out for me, but I was never there to listen. Now fear has once again come to me, the fear that you might leave because you feel unimportant to me. Is it really too late? Can I no longer redeem myself and make up for the mistake? Losing you would be the greatest mistake. I would be the dumbest man alive if I ever let you slip away.
I want to listen to your stories. I want to know your pains and frustrations. I want to know what makes you happy and what makes you sad. I want to be able to solve your problems, or at least share your burden to carry it. I want to be able to carry you when you are down. I want to be the one to make you smile. I want to teach you how to play the guitar. I want to listen to your corny jokes and your cheesy one liners.
Its my turn to cry out for you. I just hope you can hear me. Don't give up on me, I am certain its you I need. It may be hard to believe me now, but I hope you open your heart to me, I hope you will listen...."You are important to me."
Now I find myself in the same situation. Though I grew older, nothing had changed. I guess you can say I didn't grow up. You were crying out for me, but I was never there to listen. Now fear has once again come to me, the fear that you might leave because you feel unimportant to me. Is it really too late? Can I no longer redeem myself and make up for the mistake? Losing you would be the greatest mistake. I would be the dumbest man alive if I ever let you slip away.
I want to listen to your stories. I want to know your pains and frustrations. I want to know what makes you happy and what makes you sad. I want to be able to solve your problems, or at least share your burden to carry it. I want to be able to carry you when you are down. I want to be the one to make you smile. I want to teach you how to play the guitar. I want to listen to your corny jokes and your cheesy one liners.
Its my turn to cry out for you. I just hope you can hear me. Don't give up on me, I am certain its you I need. It may be hard to believe me now, but I hope you open your heart to me, I hope you will listen...."You are important to me."
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