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
In this Survival Bros vlog I visit a gym to use a free trial membership. Really, I just wanted to use the sauna and shower at no cost. I encourage you to ask more, and see what you can get in life.
Using an infrared sauna will get rid of toxins, open pores, and relax tense muscles. It was hot as Vegas, but I loved IT. I lasted 25 minutes. No idea what the temperature was! After this I drove my new Mustang to Portland to hustle at pawn shops and thrift stores. I forget what I found…but I’ll find it again. ha
#SurvivalBros swaps fake dollar bills for a more authentic, and traditional unit of exchange (silver) in this HD video production. Please like, comment, and share this #movie For more content, take a minute to SUBSCRIBE to the Survival Bros YouTube Channel if you have an account! Thanks.
You just saw proof that you can still get real silver for silver certificates. The Government really should honor these novelty items. But no. You may only have Federal Reserve Notes. Thanks!
After consulting with expert buyers/sellers in my community, the consensus is that paper silver certificates don’t go for more than $2-$5, unless you get a particular year, which I don’t know anything about yet.
But why stockpile silver versus other goods to trade potentially? Because paying for storage sucks, and I’m condensing my wealth to a smaller physical size. And silver in undervalued at this time, in my mind. So I can get more in trade later.
Yeah, but Walmart doesn’t take silver bullion! Not yet. And if you have silver coins you can simply take them to the coin shop in your hood to get cash to purchase Chinese garbage and GMOs.
Well, that dollar with The Rock on it isn’t worth a dollar, so you ripped them off, and you’re a jerk. Hmmm….I think it’s still redeemable. And Dwayne Johnson may as well be on our money since it’s so funny. Audit The Fed.
Take a second to leave a comment on this blog post, if you’d be so kind. What do you stockpile just in case, if anything? Cheers.
I spent the weekend on the Oregon Coast in Seaside, and had spare time to experiment with a new Art project. First, I dug through a recycling bin for cardboard to create a small handmade sign with a permanent pen. Then I rounded up some fun objects I didn’t need anymore, like a Smokey The Bear keychain whistle. These goods would be available to begin the open bartering. I spread out a towel, and placed the trinkets on The Prom’s concrete path.
With little effort, and few resources, a self-serve system was born. A take one, leave one blanket is a place where an item of any kind can freely be exchanged as you see fit. Share this concept with people in your town. You wouldn’t believe the response. Nearly every biker, and pedestrian stopped their forward progress to figure out what was going on. This open trading system seemed to inspire, confuse, and even make some people greedy.
I may have seen people taking without giving, thinking nobody was looking, but I’m not sure. Others had no issue taking nice items, like a Tree of Life necklace pendant, and replacing it with trash. I found the blanket riddled with wrappers, cardboard scraps, and even half of a marijuana cigarette. Take a close look at the pictures, and you’ll see other small stuff, like a paperclip, pocket change, flower, price tag sticker, and a pile of sand from the beach.
I discretely checked back every few hours for a day, and saw some of the action in person. People generously placed beautiful possessions with little hesitation. There were cool things left behind that I didn’t get a picture of, because I didn’t want to interrupt the process. My favorite moment was when a 12-year old girl named Krystin Crawford set down her hand painted sand dollars. She took a braided piece of grasses someone constructed. The girl enjoyed sharing the Art she made, and getting involved. See her craftsmanship below. The found, and re-purposed shells were adorable. Krystin and her mom came back to the free exchange place the following morning with a positive attitude. Everything had changed. This artist endeavour has restored my faith in humanity once and for all, despite some shady, but acceptable transactions by others.
In conclusion, I will try this social experiment again. I was thrilled to see this interactive art piece evolve rapidly. I saw joy on many of the participants faces. This free trading system can be implemented anywhere, at anytime. Let’s spread the concept, and see the random generousity of others displayed in public. And remember, you’ll usually get more than you give. Leave a comment, or question if you like. Thanks for visiting Survival Bros.
My #EDC or #EveryDayCarry – Mini Bic Lighter, small Swiss Army knife, P-38 Can Opener and an LED Flashlight. What’s in your pocket? You could throw together a simple survival kit like this one for around $10. So take the time, and get prepared for the future now.
Send Survival Bros a picture of your #EDC tools, and we’ll share it on the blog site here! thesurvivalbros@gmail.com
I’ve been on the hunt at local thrift shops for a bargain. After scouring the Eugene/Springfield, Oregon area I hauled in fresh gear, and saved a wad of money buying items second hand. However, most of the swag is new. I’ve been popping tags. I hope to use these pieces backpacking, vandwelling, and as essential Every Day Carry items.
I found a new pair of Nike Special Field Boots or SFB at St. Vinnie’s. They retail online for $140 or more, if you can locate your size. I had hoped they were size 12’s when I spotted them on display. It was my lucky day, because they were a match for me. The desert tan kicks had been marked $29.99, but were half off that day. I got the shoes for $14.99! I’ve been wanting this exact pair of 8 inch high military style boots. Here’s the male equivalent of girls wearing Uggs in public. I get lots of compliments on them. No I haven’t served, but I train with soldiers.
I lost one of my all black Mechanix M-PACT Covert gloves bouncing around town celebrating New Years. So, now I’m breaking in another pair of work gloves that I had for backup. I like wearing them while biking, or even driving my Volkswagen Vanagon. This brightly colored safety wear is men’s size Large. Newer versions fit even better. I also like that they dry out quickly in the sun.
I’ve found some treasures, and I look forward to going back into the city to discover what else I can’t live without. Thanks for supporting the blog. Visit again shortly. I have lots of wacky videos in the works. Have a great Spring Break, and Summer!
The BAN 420 car license plate is still available – $50,000 Or Best Offer
Email me about anything at thesurvivalbros@gmail.com
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.
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.
Holding a Battleship Grey colored Rockhopper Comp frame
Riding the fully restored mountain bike for the first time on trails
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.
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. I slipped into the dark tank, and got settled in. Using earplugs is recommended, so one more bodily sense is cut off from The World. That’s the idea. You use an isolation chamber to go inside yourself, work through issues, and make discoveries. A floating air pillow supports your head and neck. Then you simply lay there in darkness, mostly submerged in salty water. The Epsom solution is ideally the same temperature as your skin, at 93.5-95 degrees. So as you relax, you begin to lose a sense of where your body ends, and where the The Universe begins. It’s like being thrown back into the womb. Finally, you’re alone with yourself again, and can process life better.
Follow the links provided to find out more benefits of flotation tanks. You’ll begin to discover how it changes your brain. If you try out an isolation tank, you may feel your mind bending. 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.” Sign yourself up. If you try this, you won’t be disappointed. It is not a waste of time. It’s something new to most, and good for you on many levels. Leave a comment if you have additional questions, and I will do my best to answer them. I will explore this topic further, and blog more about floating soon. 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.
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.
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 