Eye Opener: Junk on the Brain

Part 1: Terms:

• Antiques/antiquing- An antique is an old collectible item. It is collected or desirable because of its age, beauty, rarity, condition, utility, personal emotional connection, and/or other unique features. It is an object that represents a previous era or time period in human society. Source: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antique).
• Junk/junking-  Any old or discarded material, as metal, paper, or rags. Anything that is regarded as worthless, meaningless, or contemptible; trash. Source: (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/junk).
• Flea market- A type of bazaar where inexpensive or secondhand goods are sold or bartered. It may be indoors, such as in a warehouse or school gymnasium; or it may be outdoors, such as in a field or under a tent. The flea-market vendors may range from a family that is renting a table for the first time to sell a few unwanted household items to a commercial operation including a large variety of used merchandise, scouts who rove the region buying items for sale from garage sales and other flea markets, and several staff watching the stalls. Source: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_market). 
• Thrift shop- A shop that sells used articles, especially clothing, as to benefit a charitable organization. Source: (http://www.answers.com/topic/charity-shop).
• Upcycling- The process of converting waste materials or useless products into new materials or products of better quality or a higher environmental value. Source: (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upcycling).
• Resale shop- A retail store that stocks and sells merchandise on consignment. Source:(http://www.answers.com/topic/consignment-store). 

Part 2:

1. The terms above have a great deal to do with environmental health in that everything is already owned and not being manufactured using harsh chemicals, etc.... and items are being recycled from person to person to ensure maximum usage. No wanting and wasting is being done for the most part.   

         Antiques/Antiquing:
         Old Town Antiques & Books
         Location: 102 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802
         Phone: (218) 722-5426
         Junk/Junking:
         John's Twin Ports Recycling
         Location: 614 1/2 East 1st Street, Duluth, MN 55802
         Phone: (218) 727-2185
         Flea Market:
         Studebaker Drivers Club Swap Meet Flea Market and Classic Car Show
         Location: Lake Superior College, 2101 Trinity Road, Duluth, MN 55811
         Phone: Yet to be verified
         Thrift Shop: 
         Salvation Army
         Location: 2101 West Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55806
         Phone: (218) 722-7723
         Upcycling:
         Blog: Black Rose Bags
         Location: Black Rose Bags
         Contact Info: blackrosebags@hotmail.com
         Resale Shop
         Goodwill
         Location: 700 Garfield Avenue, Duluth, MN 55802
         Phone: (218) 722-6351

Part 3:

Project 1: Cool as Ice Junk
I liked this particular project because you could do and use this junk piece for so many things. In the picture the person used the piece as an ice container/holder for her wine. You could put a vase inside it and use it for flowers as a table decor item or you could just soda or beer on ice. I liked it!

Project 2: Tag Maker Tote
I really liked this particular item because you can use it as a storage device for a lot of different things; such as jewelry, keys, mail, and even an overnight utility tote for toothbrush, contacts, etc.... It's nice because it doesn't seem to bulky. Very cool idea.

Project 3: Freeze Frame
I really liked the freeze frame project simply because who doesn't need picture frames to put their many pictures in? I know my girlfriend and I do for the millions of pictures we have! Anyway this was an awesome re-use and never really found out what it was but it was really cool, especially the sawtooth that was used to hang it on the wall. Awesome project!

Source: Project Ideas From: (Junk Market)
           

Read 'n' Seed 5: Fourth Quarter of "Man vs. Wild"

1. For the final quarter I read the remaining pages of the book which were pages 165-256.
2. The final main topics of the book were surviving the ocean and an overview of how to survive in dangerous situations and terrains. Once again like I have stated from all of the previous quarters, I learned a ton of vital, essential, and important information regarding surviving in the wild. I'm going to just talk about surviving the ocean here and finish up with the overview in the last part of the post.
3. In this section Bear talks about how to survive the ocean. Rule 1: Be Prepared: Nothing will improve your chances of surviving at sea more than thorough preparation for the unthinkable. Rehearse your survival drills and make sure all equipment is maintained and is easy and quick to deploy in an emergency. Rule 2: Protect yourself from the elements: The cold and wet will quickly cause hypothermia, and the sun will dehydrate and burn you, unless you are well protected. You can take a dip in the water to cool down but stay tied to your raft and watch for sharks. Rule 3: Preserve Water: Only drink water in large quantities during heavy rainfall. The rest of the time fill every container and never waste a drop. Treat water like gold! Take a seasickness pill (kept on all modern liferafts) at the first hint of queasiness. Nothing will dehydrate and weaken you more than sickness. Rule 4: Don't Drink Seawater: Just one gulp can be the thin end of the wedge. The relief will be extremely short lived and delirium and kidney failure will inevitably follow. Rule 5: Never Give Up: Mental strength is vital at sea as enforced passivity in a floating prison can drain your spirit unless you are prepared for it. Be the strong one. You're a born champion and, if you look for it, you have the heart to survive.
4. I learned a lot of important aspects and steps on how to survive in the ocean and would hopefully be able to implement them if I was ever in that situation. I would continue for people to take away from this post that they do have the inner drive and spirit to survive a tough situation and to keep your composure because once that's lost there's no hope. 

1. I could go on forever about this book but for time's sake and length I'll keep the overview as basic as I can. Rule 1: Decide to Survive: No matter how much you may know or not know about survival techniques, knowledge will always be secondary to spirit. Only you can decide whether to give up or go on. And in that decision is where you distinguish yourself. The pain will never last forever. Rule 2: Water is Life: When pushed, the human body can survive extreme discomfort with little or no food for as long as three weeks. But without water, it will collapse after as little as three days. Always make it a top priority, before you are too thirsty. Rule 3: Home, Sweet Home: Belonging is one of the deepest human instincts. Build yourself as comfortable and harm a shelter as is possible and things will immediately begin to look up. A warm, dry, comfy shelter brings pride and a smile, and suddenly everything will not seem so bad. Rule 4: Fire of the Gods: Nothing will improve your morale more than successfully conjuring a fire out of the resources around you. It will warm you, help feed you, and may ultimately save you. Become a master of fire making: it is one of life's key skills. Rule 5: Keep the Faith: Don't be too proud to have a faith. Have it in yourself, in your God, and in one another. Time and time again, throughout the ages, having a faith has proved to be man's greatest ally and strength.
2. The three biggest things from this book that I learned are the aspects that I have numbered because I already have a firm grasp on needing/finding water, getting to and finding shelter, and building a fire: 1.) Keep your composure, morale, and inner spirit high because once your mind tells you that you can't make it and can't survive it's all over but the crying and you will not make it out alive. 2.) Try to find the high ground or higher ground. By doing this you have a vantage point from which to see and work from and in turn have a better chance of walking out from wherever you are. Lastly, 3.) Find a river source and follow it downstream because more often times than not it will lead you to safety and salvation. 
3. What this book/information means to me is that if I ever get lost again (once was more than enough), I will have the mental capacity and tools to survive until I get rescued and or walk out myself thanks to the information and steps this book provides. It's important especially to me because like I stated above I've been lost once before and I am to this day, constantly going into the vast wilderness whether it's to go deer hunting or making trips into the BWCA (Boundary Waters Canoe Area).
4. I definitely would recommend this book to people, especially nature enthusiasts because it offers all kinds of informative material and vital information to survive all kinds of unforgiving terrain or situations; whether it's finding water or food, building an adequate shelter, or making a fire it provides invaluable information. One final note I will definitely be purchasing this book and probably will be using techniques from this book in the future while in the wild. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! 

  

                  

Eye Opener: Environmental Working Group

1. For this eye opener we had to pick one cosmetic product that we use most frequently and I chose Listerine Total Care because I probably use this product most often (twice a day). We used the website Cosmetic Database to score and analyze the particular product that we chose. I have to admit that I wasn't to concerned about the health risks with this product but after reading the website's analysis my mind was changed and I'm seriously considering changing brands. I guess I've been a victim of marketing and popularity.
2. The ingredients that raises the most concerns were sodium fluoride and ethanol (alcohol). The concerns in each of these ingredients are: cancer, developmental/reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), additive exposure sources, irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), enhanced skin absorption, biochemical or cellular level changes, occupational hazards, and use restrictions. The overall score for this product according to the Cosmetic Database was a 5 out of 10 which is a moderate hazard. Some healthier alternatives to this mouthwash are: Jason Natural Cosmetics Nutrismile Mouthwash, Thera Breath Plus Rinse, and Herbal Choice Mari Mouth Wash just to name a few.
3. To be completely honest I was very surprised and shocked to read some of the possible health hazards associated with the product that I use and I'm considering switching brands to be more health conscious. I found this site to be very informative, beneficial, and health conscious and will probably use it in the future when buying certain cosmetic products.  
4. Information obtained from: (Cosmetic Safety Database).

Share and Voice: Eco-Footprint

I saw this article and video on Northland's News Center website and thought it was really cool. It is similar to the building that we got to see at Bagley. I hope to build something like this hopefully in the future. Living comfortably and being green don't always go hand in hand but in this EDGE Home in Bayfield you'll find everything you need for comfort in a very small package. How this living space is kept comfortable in the winter makes it one of the greenest structures in the Northland. This EDGE Home by Revelations Architect costs only 30 dollars a month to heat and it has a unique way to adapt to the climate. On the North and South side of this building are giant sliding door which provide insulation to the interior while residents are away and for cold evenings. The home also has something called a butterfly roof which catches rainwater for re–use for use in the bathroom and kitchen. I found this very interesting and it's extremely efficient in cost as well as most importantly eco-friendly! You can check out the house and video at: (Small Carbon Footprint). 

Read 'n' Seed 4: Third Quarter of "Man vs. Wild"

1. For this quarter I read the next 64 pages which were pages 130-164. 
2. The main topics in the third quarter were: Surviving the jungles and deserts.
3. I've yet again learned a ton of vital and essential information on surviving some dangerous terrain; jungles and deserts. 

• Jungles: 
• Friend not Foe: Adapting to such an alien environment is a mental battle that must be won. Think of the jungle as your friend, not your enemy. It can provide everything you need to survive.
• Slow Down: Speed is not the way of the jungle. The faster you go, the quicker you'll fall. Move slowly and deliberately around obstacles, checking the undergrowths as you go. 
• Keep covered: The jungle's greatest danger is "death by a thousand cuts." Keep stings, bites, and scratches to a minimum from the outset and ensure your skin is covered.
• Sleep High: The jungle floor is a repository of creepy-crawlies. Always try to sleep on a raised platform or A-frame bed.
• Rivers: The sure way out of any jungle is by its rivers. Look for them, then follow them. They will eventually lead you to safety and civilization.
• Deserts: 
• Think Water: In the desert, dehydration is Public Enemy Number One. Don't waste a drop of water and make it your first priority to find.
• Keep Your Head Covered: In extreme heat, your head and neck will gain heat as fast as they lose it in freezing weather. Always keep them loosely covered.
• Find Shade: Nothing will make you dehydrate faster than direct exposure to the sun. Keep well covered and out of the sun and use the terrain and surrounding foliage to keep in the shade. 
• Don't Waste Energy: Any vigorous activity will make you sweat. In the heat of the day, don't exert yourself unless you are certain there is something to gain.
• Move Early or Late: If you are sure that moving on will help and you are confident of finding water, do so early or late, when the sun is less fierce, or under a full moon.

      4. I would continue for people to take away from this book that they have what it takes to survive in vast, dangerous, and unforgiving terrain. "The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude of mind."-William James. By following these tips you do in fact have a chance of surviving any types of wilderness/terrain, especially the jungle or desert. 

New Header Linky

This is a picture that I shot while fishing on Lake Vermillion during the summer of 2008. I played around with the sharpness, temp, saturation, etc.... and came up with this image. I hope you guys like it!

Share and Voice: Lakewalk

I read a very interesting article regarding the lakewalk becoming more eco-friendly. The City of Duluth has been awarded a grant in the amount of $41,159 from the Department of Natural Resources Solar Legacy Grant Fund for the purpose of placing solar powered trash and recycling units along Duluth's Lakewalk. It is estimated over 1 million people use the Lakewalk annually, which contributes to the high volume of garbage, according to the City. The trash containers can hold up to 5 times as much as traditional containers. The units use solar energy to run a compactor that reduces the trash. The trash containers operate on about the same amount of energy as one Christmas-tree light. I found this information to be very beneficial and it's nice to see that our city is trying to do its part to make things more friendly to the environment. It was a breath of fresh air so to speak to hear about these efforts to go more green. Well done Duluth! You can read more on this topic at: (Lakewalk).