By Cameron McKirdy
Check out the contents of a Blessing Bag made by Girl Scouts for Homeless People. Please share this video! Send this to a friend, and add it to your own YouTube Playlist. I hope you consider making kits like this for vandwellers in your area. The less fortunate could use your help as Winter approaches. #vanlife
Thanks for visiting our blog. More on the way from Oregon.
By Cameron McKirdy
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.
Wikipedia information on Bartering and Gift Economy
Oregon Country Faire Take One, Leave One blanket from 2015
This picture courtesy of Regina Mattingly
Starring Cameron McKirdy
Survival Bros gets 26 different free samples in his local Costco shopping center on HD video. This total number doesn’t reflect when Cam swooped up multiple trial bites of the same item. You’re allowed to take more than one, as long as it’s on the tray. All of this complementary grub made a full meal, but he is still hungry. Cam didn’t even purchase any stuff, and doesn’t have a Costco membership card. Get access with a Costco Gift Card, then sample up, or buy an inexpensive meal at the food court deli.
Try going at the end of the day for extra samples. They are trying to get rid of the products before closing time. What’s your favorite line from this production? Leave a comment. You can also subscribe at the top left to get free articles delivered to your email inbox. Survival Bros doesn’t Spam, but we do store it just in case. Mmmmm. More crazy adventures coming on this blog. Cheers.
Free Food Samples List:
1. Cinnamon Rolls x 2
2. Meat Balls with Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
3. Buffalo Bites with Blue Cheese Dressing
4. Unknown Baked Roll
5. Sausage
6. Doritos Chips
7. Juice x 2
8. Kielbasa Road Show Beef x 3
9. Flavored Water x 3
10. Pretzels with Cream Cheese Spread
11. Chicken Salad
12. Guacamole on Pita Bread
13. Digestive Health Gummies
14. Airborne Immune Supplements
15. Whey Protein Drink
16. Lentils and Rice
17. Dave’s Killer Bread Cheese Sandwich
18. Cherry Almond Cereal
19. Veggie Patties
20. Organic Pot Stickers
21. Mini Tacos
22. Egg Rolls
23. Hot Sriracha Chicken Bites
24. Soy Milk
25. Trail Mix
26. 6 Layer Dip and Chips
Check out http://www.CameronMcKirdy.com for a variety of comedy, and Art.
Produced by Cameron McKirdy – Survival Bros Founder
As you can see in this HD video, nobody beats up gear like me. I took the new Kershaw Secret Agent knife to the beach, and put it through a rigorous torture test. 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.
The Kershaw Secret Agent is as mean as it looks.
Produced By Cameron McKirdy
On my way to the park for some exercise, I noticed a roadside table bursting with bright dahlias. Next to them was a sign painted “FREE FLOWERS.” What a concept! They could have just left a cash box out there with a price. But nope. It wasn’t too good to be true. It was just someone doing a good deed.
I got to talk to the retired man tending his garden. He said it’s easier to give them away. Then he doesn’t have to stay out there, or be mad when someone steals the cash. What can you give away today?
Survival Bros by Cameron McKirdy 