Love and kindness are the very basis of society. If we lose these feelings, society will face tremendous difficulties; the survival of humanity will be endangered. – Dalai Lama
I get a kick out of being an outsider constantly. It allows me to be creative. – Bill Hicks
The status quo sucks. – George Carlin
“If the fool would persist in his folly, he would become wise.” – William Blake
Check out the vintage bike frame I was given for FREE.  I’ve always wanted an old school Specialized Rockhopper, so I had to fix it up, and ride.  The bicycle needed some TLC.  I bought new handlebars for $1, rubber grips, a back tube and tire, plus located a matching racing seat and post.  It must be a 1989, or 1990 Specialized, featuring Shimano Deore LX components.  The original matching wheels came with. Â
Survival Bros also pressure washed everything, to get the road grim off.  Just had to share the photos with the fans.  I haven’t seen this bike, this nice, anywhere online in my searching.  I sold the restored project for $150.  Funny part was, the buyer showed up in a classic Volkswagen Vanagon like mine, so we had lots to talk about, and share.  This bike was just too small for me, with a 17 inch frame, it’s best suited for a teen.  It went to a good home, and freed up space inside my van. More cycling projects being blogged about soon. Â
Holding a Battleship Grey colored Rockhopper Comp frame
Riding the fully restored mountain bike for the first time on trails
Produced by Cameron McKirdy – Survival Bros Founder
As you can see, nobody beats up gear like me. Â I took the new Kershaw Secret Agent knife to the beach, and put it through a rigorous torture test. Â I sliced, and stabbed ocean debris washed ashore in Long Beach, Washington.
Flashing the tool with the protective sheath on!
 Model Number 4007, the Secret Agent isn’t flashy.  It’s functional.  The spear point blade has a black-oxide coating for protection against corrosion.  Additionally, the surface is non-reflective.  So it won’t catch light, or be easy to see.  Both sides come sharpened, making it easy to puncture nearly any material.  The Secret Agent handled rope, plastic, aluminum, fiberglass, and even a dead jellyfish!  After the beating, it was still sharp, and the tip showed little wear.  Of course, knives don’t like sand, so I plan to sharpen it for the first time, or I can send it back to the KAI warehouse to get it cleaned up for free.  I’ve stopped by Kershaw headquarters in Tualatin, Oregon (South of Portland) before for a hassle free repair, which took less than an hour.
This knife is a favorite in my collection because it’s lightweight at only 3 ounces.  The ergonomic handle is glass-filled nylon.  It’s well balanced.  Fitting securely in my palm, without being too wide.  Plus, with a rubberized, textured grip, it’s not going to slip out of my hand.  You can wear it on a lanyard, or strapped to your leg.  Blade length is perfect, and no joke at 4.4 inches long.  The black sheath is quality, with a wide, tight clip.  At under $40, the Kershaw Secret Agent knife may be the best value in the industry.  Don’t forget Kershaw Knives’ products are backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty against manufacturing defects. Bottom line:  The Secret Agent belongs in your Every Day Carry knife rotation.  It’s Survival Bros tested and approved.  For more HD videos, SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL.  Thank you.
I was gifted tree resin fit for a King today.  Pictured is a fat handful of Frankincense and Myrrh gum bled from a plant.  My buddy Gypsy Hugh got the aromatic harvest burning on a hot hookah charcoal.  Next, we place the purifying fragrance in my 1986 Volkswagen Vanagon.  The pleasant odor filled my bus with smoke, and the scent should linger for days.  It smells like incense, only more pure, and natural to me.  It was a kind gesture to hot box my vehicle like that, and very appropriate on Christmas Day.  Enjoy the pictures below.  I’d never seen these hardened resins in person, called tears. Â
Everybody loves a quality photograph. Â Here’s some of the images I’ve snapped, or uploaded recently, and put on my Instagram account online. Â Enjoy a sample of the image gallery here on Survival Bros. Â My favorite new shot is the one of the older vintage Volkswagen bus parked next to mine, or the double rainbow captured on The Prom in Seaside, Oregon. Â
One of my favorite activities do to for myself is taking a trip to an isolation chamber, or flotation tank in PDX.  The two spas Survival Bros have checked out are Float On, and Common Ground.  Both are open to the public, just call ahead before you try this form of alternative medicine.  There’s many benefits to floating, but in general it’s excellent for meditation, and relaxation.  Specifically, I use this type of therapy for an improvement in circulation, and to enhance creativity.
So how does it work?  Well, the video interview featuring Joe Rogan is a good place to start your journey.  But since I have experience, here’s how it went when I stopped by Common Ground at the Everett House Healing Center and Spa.  They are located at 5010 NE 33rd Ave, Portland, OR 97211. First, I reserved a floating session by phone (503-238-1065), which cost $65 for 90 minutes.  If you call them, and ask for a promotion, you may be able to get a better rate.  There’s two tanks here.  Common Ground is a wellness co-operative, so consider becoming a member for more savings.  It’s a wonderful environment, bursting with plant life outside, and welcoming people all around.  The reception area is cozy.  Shop, explore other services, such as massage, or you can help yourself to a beverage like hot tea.  Check in for your float, then grab an over-sized towel and hit the showers and sauna.  Beware, locker room may be coed at times, so you may see some boobies.
After loosening up in the sauna, and breaking a sweat, I rinsed off again, and took off my bath towel. Â I slipped into the dark tank, and got settled in. Â Using earplugs is recommended, so one more bodily sense is cut off from The World. Â That’s the idea. Â You use an isolation chamber to go inside yourself, work through issues, and make discoveries. Â A floating air pillow supports your head and neck. Â Then you simply lay there in darkness, mostly submerged in salty water. Â The Epsom solution is ideally the same temperature as your skin, at 93.5-95 degrees. Â So as you relax, you begin to lose a sense of where your body ends, and where the The Universe begins. Â It’s like being thrown back into the womb. Â Finally, you’re alone with yourself again, and can process life better.
Follow the links provided to find out more benefits of flotation tanks. Â You’ll begin to discover how it changes your brain. Â If you try out an isolation tank, you may feel your mind bending. Â According to Common Ground in Portland, OR this “stimulates left/right brain synchronization; shifts brain waves from Beta to lower frequency Alpha, Theta and even Delta; creates mental clarity, alertness; increases creativity, problem solving; heightens visualization; deepens meditation; expands awareness, intensifies acuteness of all the senses, accelerates learning.” Â Sign yourself up. Â If you try this, you won’t be disappointed. Â It is not a waste of time. Â It’s something new to most, and good for you on many levels. Â Leave a comment if you have additional questions, and I will do my best to answer them. Â I will explore this topic further, and blog more about floating soon. Â Cheers.
The colors! Witness two magical rainbows going into the Pacific Ocean water. Photo taken on the Prom near 12th Ave. in Seaside, Oregon. Produced by http://www.cameronmckirdy.com  More fun movies, and van dwelling Vlogs coming soon.  I’m still around.  Thanks for visiting my website.  Have you ever seen a double rainbow in person?  It was awesome.  I love The Universe.
Car camping is one of my favorite blog topics.  I hope you find it interesting too.  Here’s a checklist of my top foods to store in your vehicle.  Many items instantly turn into grub by adding hot water.  I got ideas for the perfect van dwelling foods by watching YouTube videos of Thru Hikers packing for their long distance trips.  Search for Pacific Crest Trail aka PCT, or Appalachian Trail Backpackers online.
Ziplock bags are a trusted way to keep organized. Â You can even write on the outside with a permanent pen to label things. Â Plus, plastic sacks maintain some protection from water, rats, an other elements. Â Let me know if you have any questions about my setup. Â Add several gallons of distilled and spring water (not pictured), and I’m ready to go off the grid for weeks. Â I’m stocked up on:
Honey with ginseng, bee pollen, and royal jelly
Drinks: water, aloe water, coconut beverages, teas, fruit juices
Soups in cans to heat and serve, and powdered packets
Protein Powder, plus various green powders (wheat grass)
Pasta Sides, and Dishes like Top Ramen
Dehydrated Food such as Mountain House Freeze Dried Meals (Apple Crisp is my favorite)
Fruit: Fresh Produce like apples and bananas, also fruit strips, bottles, and cans
Nuts and Seeds like Almond and Hemp
Granola Bars, and OatmealÂ
Instant Coffee, instant milk
Condiments: Packets of butter, salsa, pepper, salt, raw sugar, mayonnaise, ketchup, and everything else Free and Holy
Canned meats: Flavored tuna, Spam, Chicken Salad with crackers
Out of nowhere, my VW Bus is struggling to start.  Everything electrical flickers.  The radio cuts out.  The engine sputters.  Plus, the battery and OXS (oxygen sensor) light came on.  I called Avery’s Air-Cooled in Kelso, WA and they helped me diagnose the problem over the phone.  We figured the issue was a faulty voltage regulator.  Mechanics Jason and Kelly had a $40 Bosch part, and installed the unit for only $29.  But before I got fixed up and back on the road, I was parked on the shoulder of Highway 101, waiting for Classic Towing to get me to another state – Washington.  Thank God for AAA.  I’m on the Premier towing package.  Nothing but the best for my baby.  Funny that I broke down on the way to the repair shop.
Avery’s Air-Cooled always hooks me up, and keeps my bill low.  And if you have a Volkswagen, chances are they will have the part you need in stock.  Call them to order something at (360) 425-1119  Here’s their website too!  http://www.averysaircooled.com/  I will have to shoot some HD video there soon.  They have tow truck loads of vintage bugs, buses, and beyond.  And if you hang out long enough, you’ll get to see a traveling Art Show as the graffiti passes on the nearby train tracks. Â
I’m all about my freebies. Â Maybe you remember all of the product samples I’ve scored, and blogged about in the past. Â You can get free stuff easily by requesting trials online, and they will be delivered to you by mail. Â When I’m not filling out forms like that, I’m in shops trying to get hook ups. Â In Starbucks this week they were sampling out pasteries. Â They weren’t on display yet. Â The stash was sitting off into the corner on the counter, with a Manager’s note saying “Sample these.” Â I politely asked an employee if I could have one of the items. Â There was all sorts of muffins, bars, and scones to pick from. Â On day one I took the pink cake filled lolly pops with sprinkles. Â I didn’t eat them in public.
I went back to the coffee shop for more samples the next day, just in case they were still available.  Really, I just needed the WiFi to upload my previous video.  I scored the squishy coffee cake that day, but didn’t stop there.  I requested 3 honey packets too, since they don’t put those out at all Starbucks locations.  I swiped a few raw sugar packets as well.  Plus, I saw another sign saying I can request a free sample beverage using their coffee pods if I asked.  When I mentioned it, the worker said they haven’t used that set up to brew complimentary cups of fresh java lately, even though the machine, and sample pods where still on the front counter.  I didn’t have time for them to pretend to look for an extension cord, so I took samples for later consumption.
I like to visit the health food store weekly, and my last trip was really worth it.  They always have free tablets of Vitamin C to help yourself to, but there was more.  I found packets of food-grade Diatomaceous Earth, Natural Calm magnesium mixes in three flavors, Barlean’s Greens, one DHA pill, and a bag of tea.  These individually wrapped servings are perfect for my backpacking trips, and the small emergency caches I like to build to prepare for tsunamis.  If I can swoop up all of these freebies, than so can you.  Ask for a nibble when you’re in the food court, or browsing the deli counter at the grocery store.  It’s fun to see what you can get for asking.  Happy hunting Survival Bros.
These cake pops were amazing!
Free coffee cake went well with peanut butter and strawberry jelly
By Cameron McKirdySilver Salmon Being Processed at The East Mooring Basin in Astoria, Oregon
Sushi grade Coho Fillets
My buddies needed a lift, and Designated Driver for a fishing trip in Astoria, OR.  I dropped them off at the East Mooring Basin.  You’re suppose to pay to park there.  They we’re on the water for around four hours before they limited out.  The guys ended up with pounds and pounds of fresh fillets.  One man kept the salmon eggs for future fishing bait.  All of the fishermen had plans to either freeze, and smoke the meat shortly.  It was interesting to see the Captain of the boat cut up Coho so efficiently, and discard the waste down properly down a slide.  All he needed was a large fillet, and butcher’s knife made by Victorinox of Switzerland.  I made sure to ask.  He was sharpening the knifes every few fish.  Also pictured is the rowdy sea lions that live there on the docks.  I saw one beast puke on another, and he didn’t flinch.  More blogs coming! Peace. Â
Get me the 8″ Victorinox Butcher’s Knife for Christmas
Holding a Battleship Grey colored Rockhopper Comp frame
Riding the fully restored mountain bike for the first time on trails
