Posts Tagged ‘news’

Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Watch me get as many complementary samples as possible.  SPOILER ALERT: I score a free trial of sausage, cheese, lotion, cologne, ice cream, vitamins, purified water, and even ukulele entertainment.  I also considered using the mall’s power to charge my cell phone.  At a larger shopping center I’m sure you could eat the equivalent of a meal by sampling grub at all the food court’s restaurants.  This was simply a fun exercise of frugality.  Cheers!

free ice cream sampleCam poised to strike the ice cream vendor for freebies

Produced By Cameron McKirdy with Tactical Gypsy

Homeless.  That’s what we were.  My bro and I stayed on this boat for weeks last summer to avoid paying rent, and getting a regular job.  We were free, and so was our lodging.  But with that comes less.  We had to deal with a lot of crap.  It’s noisy in the Skipanon and Warrenton Oregon Marina.  Sleeping is challenging.  People work on boats at all hours, so there’s usually people clamoring, and trucks hauling.

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Skipanon Warrenton Oregon Marina at Night

Once we had to stay on the boat right after our host varnished the interior.  We opened the craft up, but the stench was still awful.  I got a headache, and while grateful for the place to lay down, I was ready to split and catch the bus into town.  In the HD video above we got a solid fire going, but I didn’t film the smoke that filled the cabin, and it was horrible.  I got a headache from that too.  Again, we lifted the lid on the boat, and opened up the ceiling, but sacrificed warmth.  The Survival Bros slept on a wet mattress because the boat had recently sank.

We had a key to the shower and restroom, but that was a hike from the boat.  Plus, we didn’t want to get hassled by security, so we kept our creeping to a minimum, and laid low.  The smart move was to pee in plastic bottles to avoid detection.  However, the other fisherman on the marina were typically very helpful.  We had their assistance many times when we had to do work on the boat, or move it to another slip.  Speaking of, the rent for a spot there is only $70 per month, and our buddy paid that.  You have to pay a little more for electricity, but it’s still the cheapest place to crash in town.  In exchange for a bed, Tactical Gypsy worked on the boat, making sure the bilge was pumping out water, or whatever.  I kept him company, and learned what I could from the Maritime Scientist.  It was an adventure for sure, and I’m happy to share it with you.  More homelessness tales soon.  Thanks for supporting Survival Bros.  Peace and love.

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Selling waterlogged boat motors for cash

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

Survival Bros decided to help a previously abandoned shelter pup out, and take him for a walk around Lake Sacajawea in Longview, Washington today.  Charlie spends way too much time in his concrete kennel, and was aching for attention, and exercise. The shelter is completely full of dogs right now, and would like to get some adopted out immediately.  Stop by or give them a ring if you need a buddy.

charlie

 When we got to The Humane Society of Cowlitz County they asked if we would release a wild, rescued duck too.  I’m a University of Oregon Duck, so of course I helped out.  We put the female in a crate, and drove to it’s home on the water.  She followed us for a ways down the path, but eventually settled in, and got regrouped.  All in a good days work.

survival bros logoProduced By Cameron McKirdy.

I thought it would be fun to suffer, and film the superstorm we just had on the Oregon Coast in Seaside.  I was blinded by the fierce pellets of water, and nearly perished smashing into a barricade when the brakes went out on my beach cruiser.  All is well, and I think I scored some superb footage for Survival Bros followers.  First is an HD video I filmed on September 28, 2013.  I biked around Seaside, OR and showed off all the flooding and storm damage.  I covered a lot of ground, and used my GoPro Hero 3 Black head camera to shoot the high-definition action.

On the next day, Sunday September 29th 2013 I biked into Seaside on another, much crappier bike because  I got a flat the day before.  I made it to the sand along the Pacific Ocean, right before the bicycle gave up on me.  It fell apart, and had to be ditched in a bush. This video shows me walking on the beach while the storm sand blasted my body.   Exfoliating.  

Cameron McKirdy GoPro HeadCam is ready to film.

Produced By Cameron McKirdy

The first nasty storm of the season is underway on the Oregon Coast.  The wind is bending trees, and flooding is a possibility.  I’m surprised the power is still on.  Seaside, OR is expected to have gusts up to 80 miles per hour!  Have a survival kit together, and an emergency plan for your family.  Here’s a checklist of supplies to gather just in case of a disaster.

– Water (A gallon per person per day for a minimum of 3 days.)

– Fuel AKA gas for cooking, and dry wood for fire

– Food (Stores could close for days without electricity.  Don’t buy perishable goods that need to be refrigerated.  Think fruit.)

– Candles

– Flashlights and headlamps with fresh batteries

– Blankets

– Shelter (It’s probably a good idea to stay inside, so you don’t get wet and sick.)

– Emergency Weather Radio

– Toys for kids, and treats for pets, because they will be scared in a super storm

– First Aid

– Gas (Fill up your vehicle in case there’s a rush for fuel, and you can’t get some later.)

– Books (Maybe ones on emergency planning.  We don’t want you to lose your mind without TV.)

– Whistle to signal for help

– Multi-tool and Wrench to turn off water, etc.

– Moist wipes, and garbage bags for sanitation and personal hygiene

– Local maps

– Manual Can Opener

– Generator and/or solar charger for electrical devices

– Cash/Silver/Barter Items

– Rain Gear/Warm clothes

– Prescription Medications

– Lighter and waterproof matches

– Paper and Pen for notes, and more checklists

– Communications: Cell Phones with chargers, and two-way radios

With all or most of these things you should be good to go, and ready for a super storm bringing flooding.  If you can think of any other handy items, please leave your suggestions in the comment section.  Thanks, and wish us Oregonians good luck this weekend.  It’s
going to be a wild one.  Peace and love from Survival Bros. 

Here’s a link to the live webcam in Seaside, OR on The Lanai at The Cove so you can checkout the current conditions.

There’s no flooding on Highway 101 right now, but high tide isn’t until this evening.

seaside odot cam

seaside odot floodingIt looks like Highway 101 is starting to flood!  Be careful out there.

Cameron McKirdy from Survival Bros recommends covering your cameras connected to the internet for privacy.  Try putting stickers over the lenses on your cell phone, and laptop.  Take a stand on surveillance.  Boycott Big Brother.  Please like, comment, and share. 

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I left my phone in a friends car. I didn’t have their number memorized, so I messaged them on Facebook. No response. Thinking my phone was in the glovebox on silent, I called my number anyway. They picked up, and drove back. That’s why I don’t like wearing shorts without pockets.

If my phone was really lost or damaged, I’d want a list of emergency contacts on me or nearby. Also, if I was ever injured, having these numbers on my person could save my life. So I created a list of people I can trust. Then I copied it.

I rolled up one list, and put it in a small metal geocache bottle. I hung that from my backpack I use everyday. The other contact list is folded up, and tucked behind my black Magpul IPhone 4S case. I will make another list for my wallet, and then a digital copy for my laptop, and backup USB thumb drive. This is just another small preparation that could save the day.

Note: Emergency responders may look in your phone for a contact named I.C.E. (in case of emergency). Store your top contact as ICE.

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Produced by Cameron McKirdy

Produced by Cameron McKirdy

My bro known as “Tactical Gypsy” sent me these delicious pictures to blog about. He loves his elk. You can see all the spices and flavorings used to produce the glorious nuggets. Half of the loaves are spicy, half mild. Both varieties went well with pepper jack cheese, sharp cheddar, and even brie on crackers. Most of these will be stored in the freezer tonight, the others gifts.

Here’s the recipe:
8 LBS Elk burger
1/2 cup Morton’s Tender Quick. Mix well & let sit overnight in fridge.

Add… 1 1/2 TBSP Coarse pepper, 1 1/2 TBSP Garlic powder, 1 1/2 TBSP Crushed Red Pepper Flakes, 1 TBSP Mustard seed, 1 Tsp Cayenne pepper, 3 TBSP Liquid smoke…. MIX well!

Make 8 rolls/loaves. Put on broiler pan & bake 4Hrs @ 250* turning 1/4 turn every 1/2 Hr. Make sure internal heat gets to 150*.

Cool to room temp before wrapping and freezing.

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By Cameron McKirdy

I’ve been busy hustling. I haven’t been working out like I should. It’s time to make a change. In 6 weeks I plan to lose just 40 pounds!

I’m 6 foot, 240lbs. This is the heaviest I’ve been. I don’t feel fat, but I could look and feel better. So I’m launching a Survival Bros training camp. I will kick my own ass. I’ll be mountain biking, running, swimming, hiking, balln, and making sweet love. ;^].

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This is the before picture.

I will keep you posted on my progress. It’s going to be hardcore. I will also take my diet seriously, eating raw fruits and vegetables, while juicing plenty. Plus, I will eat mainly high protein foods like: salmon, chicken, turkey, rice protein powder, and more. I intend to avoid high-fat grub, and sugary substances. It’s gonna be a long road. Join me. Check back soon, and set your own goals. I believe in you.

Update: I did some heavy detoxing today. Sweating can be one of the best feelings. I helped a friend move all morning. It was intense. I stayed hydrated though, drinking coconut water, pomegranate juice, and spring water. Later I savored a hot bubble bath in minerals with essential oils and extracts, including juniper and menthol. Then I took a nap. Tomorrow I will track down some green tea to help flush more toxins from my body. I’m also going to be looking for a new gym. I may have found one with an infrared sauna. I’m going to hit that hard, and cycle through hydrotherapy by showering in brutally cold water after enduring the heat. I can’t wait.

In addition to eating better, and hard training, I’m taking superfoods, and supplements. Here’s a picture of what I have on hand this week. I will add more to this cocktail soon.

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Subscribe to Survival Bros. We have enormous plans for the blog in the near future. I got a GoPro HD Hero 3 Black Edition camera to record my adventures in a first person point of view. I just tested it by filming a mountain bike ride in rain showers on Highway 101. It was mounted on my head. Video coming!

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Update #2: I’ve been taking care of myself. I hit another sauna this week. After heating the rocks for an hour, I got the room up to 200 degrees! It was crazy hot. I did some serious detoxing, and hit ice cold showers in between rounds. It felt amazing. I’m sure I cut a few pounds. I was so relaxed after. Nothing was bothering me.

I’ve been training very hard. I got back into lifting weights. I gain muscle easy, but I figured with cardio mixed in I’d begin losing pounds. But I actually gained 6 lbs! It didn’t make sense. Something was wrong. I should have started this mission with a detox kit from the health food store. I came to the conclusion I was constipated. I should be lighter, and feeling better. I did some research, and found that all the antacids I’ve been munching are the culprit.

So this morning I tried bisacodyl for the first time. And I may have over done it. I took 3 pills throughout the day. I’ve pooped 8 times already! That’s a personal best. Graphic I know, but I could have posted a picture. Honestly, I’m exhausted. I’m pounding water and eating healthy. I juiced too. And I threw in a little extra psyllium into my H2O for good measure. Now the weight loss begins. It just got real.

In other news, I’m still looking for a new gym. I’ve been hitting up every one in town for a free trial. The YMCA gave me 7 free passes. Another fitness center offered a free week to workout. I may never pay for a gym. There’s nothing natural about exercising in a health club anyways. I’d rather hike. I’m climbing Mount St. Helens tomorrow. I will film it for you. Next, I’m going to call around and get some free tanning in. A little won’t hurt my pasty butt.

Update #3: Well, I ended up gaining weight. I worked out a lot more, and packed on muscle. Who cares? I like being a heavyweight. However, I am gearing up, and training for a new challenge. In a month my dad and I will be backpacking about 16 miles per day, for 4 days, on the famous Eagle Creek Trail in Oregon. To prepare I’m stepping up my cardio training, and working on my flexibility. I will hike Mt. St. Helens again, and Saddle Mountain soon. Plus, I’m doing yoga, and other low impact training, like cycling. I’m just going to mix it up, and stay loose. I will lose weight rapidly when I get on that treadmill. I just scored a FREE 30 trial membership at another local gym, so it’s on. More on my preps for the next big adventure soon. %^D.

If you haven’t been to the wonderous, massive, Tillamook Cheese Factory, drop the can of Cheez Whiz and go. I went for the free samples, and damn did I score. Plus, I got some epic cheese for later, and fresh jerky for my bug out bag. Pictured below was my lunch; three huge scoops in a chocolate waffle bowl with peanuts including: Grandma’s Cake batter ice cream, Marionberry Pie with chunks of crust, and Mint Chocolate Chip. I nearly died grubbing down on this, but it was heaven. I also snagged free samples of fudge.

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Tillamook County in Oregon has the best dairy in America. Nobody cares about heifers from Wisconsin. So with that in mind, I pillaged the village! Once at the famous Cheese Factory, I scurried to the self guided cheese sampling line. I grabbed a tooth pick, and began stabbing square chunks. So moist. Flavors dancing on the trampoline that is my tongue. There were 7 scrumptious varieties to try. I made the most out of it, and picked up two of the biggest nuggets in the dish each time. My mouth is bigger than most, so it’s only fair I take more. My favorite may be the smoked garlic and white cheddar cheese. You also have to try the legendary squeaky cheese sold only at the Tillamook Cheese Factory. It makes you sound like a hyper chipmunk when you chew it. I went through the line twice.

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From upstairs you can watch the cheese-makers create huge 40 pound blocks to package. It’s fascinating. The famous factory was packed with fanatics. It’s a must see in Oregon. Just down the road was a deal on smoked, natural, turkey and beef jerky. This is the perfect food to stockpile for an emergency. It will last awhile, and it’s a good source of protein. I picked up a stick, and a few bags. It was a great price, and tender. Mmmmm. Cheese, jerky, and ice cream. That’s a Survival Bros adventure.

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Produced by Cameron McKirdy