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    1. Any fans of regular non-smart watches?

      I recently fixed my old wristwatch when I realized the need to know time is one of the causes for my smartphone addiction. It is nice to know the time from a device without WhatsApp, a web...

      I recently fixed my old wristwatch when I realized the need to know time is one of the causes for my smartphone addiction. It is nice to know the time from a device without WhatsApp, a web browser, or notifications.

      Here it is, nothing fancy but extremely durable, about 15 years old: https://imgur.com/gallery/daDVelR

      I’m looking into getting a Casio digital wristwatch with a simple alarm function and a light to see it in the dark. Again, nothing fancy. Just a piece of reliable, single purpose hardware. I love things like that.

      They also look really nice.

      Do you have and enjoy “dumb watches”? Why? Let’s talk about that :)

      30 votes
    2. Do you carry a knife with with you? If so, what type/company?

      I do, and my personal go-to is the SOG Key Knife. Small, fits perfectly on my keychain, usable for most daily tasks, and not made in China, despite being inexpensive. I also tend to keep an old...

      I do, and my personal go-to is the SOG Key Knife. Small, fits perfectly on my keychain, usable for most daily tasks, and not made in China, despite being inexpensive. I also tend to keep an old folding Buck my dad gave me in my bag for heavier duties.

      Edit: added a photo of the SOG.

      Second edit: Don’t get a knife for self-defense, they require significant training to properly use without getting hurt, and put you closer to your assailant. Learn situational awareness first and foremost, then if you still would like, pick up some pepper spray or a firearm.

      24 votes
    3. Are there any other dog trainers here?

      I spent a lot of my youth training my dog for obedience and agility. I sorta-kinda got back into it about eight years ago when I got my first dog while living on my own. My trainer at the time...

      I spent a lot of my youth training my dog for obedience and agility. I sorta-kinda got back into it about eight years ago when I got my first dog while living on my own. My trainer at the time stopped offering classes a few years ago. This was shortly after my dog and I competed in our first USDAA trial (which was a disaster, but that's to be expected).

      I finally got around to ordering some new equipment (four jumps, a tunnel, and a set of weave poles), and I was reminded of how much fun it is! My dog (Loki, a 7 y/o Australian Shepherd) picked up right where we left off when I set up a super small course in the back yard at lunch today.

      Does anybody else on Tildes compete or do any dog sports for fun? I'd love to hear what you're doing or any other stories about dog training people have. :)

      10 votes
    4. Got my new skate boots!

      Previously, on Tildes… They're here, and they're gorgeous! I received them a few days ago, but with the rinks closed and a bout of depression (triggered primarily because the fucking rinks are...

      Previously, on Tildes…

      They're here, and they're gorgeous! I received them a few days ago, but with the rinks closed and a bout of depression (triggered primarily because the fucking rinks are closed), I couldn't gather the strength to go put a blade on them until today.

      Pictures!

      And as planned, I put up some roller blades on the old boots. They're Roll Line Lineas, which my pro shop assures me gives a very close experience to regular figure skates.

      After a truly shitty stressful week, I feel a lot better just having them. It was nice going to the rink even if I couldn't skate there.

      Unfortunately it looks like everything will remain closed until the 15th of January (which is ridiculous, since they reopened swimming pools here…). I think I might go out of the country for a bit to try them out… even if I have to quarantine for it, I am having a hard time dealing with the rinks being closed.

      12 votes
    5. Any motorcyclists here?

      I live in Colorado and I love cycling along twisty mountain roads. The experience of being on a bike rather than in a car is a completely different way of experiencing the state. I'm always going...

      I live in Colorado and I love cycling along twisty mountain roads. The experience of being on a bike rather than in a car is a completely different way of experiencing the state.

      I'm always going like 40 mph slower than the cars that pass me though, and I can only go so far before I'm completely exhausted, so I'm considering getting a motorcycle (It seems like I'd actually be safer, since at least I'm going the same speed as the people trying to kill me now). I'm signed up for an MSF class next week to get my endorsement.

      I'd love to hear people's opinions on first motorcycles if anyone has them. I don't think the type of motorcycles people normally recommend (Suzuki TU250X etc) will work for me because of the large amount of steep road riding I'm planning to do, so I think I need something with a bit more torque. Something like the Triumph Street Scrambler seems like a good idea!

      I'm also looking for advice about whether it's completely insane to store such a bike outside. I don't have a garage, but I do have a driveway behind my house in an alley where mostly only the residents of the block ever go. I can also block my bike in with my car when I'm not using it. Is this situation plus a disc brake and a cover enough to keep my motorcycle safe-ish from theft?

      6 votes
    6. Are there any sailors on here?

      So if there are any sailors or prespective sailors on here some questions. What region do you sail in? Captain or crew (I guess also own or crew)? What kind of boat? What level do you sail at?...

      So if there are any sailors or prespective sailors on here some questions. What region do you sail in? Captain or crew (I guess also own or crew)? What kind of boat? What level do you sail at?

      This is a lot of questions I know, but I've gotten into sailing more and more over the last few years and I've found it's one of the main things that's kept me sane throughout the pandemic.

      13 votes
    7. A friendly reminder: If you own a bicycle, you must own a helmet

      I shivered at the thought of being severely brain-damaged after being hit by a car while cycling about a month ago. I am now extremely humbled by the fragility of the human body. The vehicle that...

      I shivered at the thought of being severely brain-damaged after being hit by a car while cycling about a month ago. I am now extremely humbled by the fragility of the human body. The vehicle that hit me was going really slow--a hard requirement of the lane. An apt cyclist can easily achieve 30 MPH (48km/h). That's enough to do a lot of damage itself. Now imagine a shock with a vehicle coming in the opposite direction at a mere 20 MPH (32km/h) (that’s not what happened to me BTW. I have no recollection of the accident, and no wish to get in touch with the driver. I don’t resent him at all, in fact he was extremely caring and wanted to ride with me in the ambulance but my mom was already occupying the only spot).

      I'm terrible at physics but you guys and girls are probably not, so you make the calculations. To sum up, without a helmet a ridiculously "benign" accident at low speeds can literally impair you for life.

      After the crash, my helmet went into pieces. I wish someone had got it so I can visualize the extent of my luck. It was an old helmet that should have been replaced at least 2 years ago. It cost me about 30 bucks and probably saved my life or cognition.

      So, cyclists: own a helmet and use it whenever you're on the bike even if there are no cars around. A skilled cyclist can still crash all by himself/herself. And a car could appear from nowhere.

      Some people get brain damage by falling in the bathroom. Why would you be safer waltzing around on top of a metal frame?

      41 votes
    8. Do you have any hobby electronics projects in progress?

      I’ve been wanting to get in to hobby electronics now that I have some free time, but I’m not sure what I want to start with. I am super interested in building an 8-bit computer but I’m curious...

      I’ve been wanting to get in to hobby electronics now that I have some free time, but I’m not sure what I want to start with. I am super interested in building an 8-bit computer but I’m curious what other types of things people have built or are building. Feel free to talk about any Raspberry Pi or Arduino projects as well even if they’re not strictly ‘hobby electronics’.

      8 votes
    9. Cheap/small alternative to the guitar

      Being cooped up inside has made me realize how much time I spend in front of screens, for work and for play. I think it would be healthy for me to try to find something that's not screen related...

      Being cooped up inside has made me realize how much time I spend in front of screens, for work and for play. I think it would be healthy for me to try to find something that's not screen related to do but remain socially distant, and I think learning to play an instrument would be a good candidate.

      The problem is, I don't know which one to learn. When I was in middle/early high school I played the drum set, but having moved out on my own I certainly don't have the space for that anymore. I also thought about the recorder, since people play cool medieval music on it, but I'd rather not subject my neighbors to the shrill monstrosity that is someone learning to play recorder. I like the type of music that can be played on a guitar, but ideally I'd like something physically smaller, and perhaps a little more interesting. Also, for social distancing's sake, it would be ideal if it was an instrument where it is possible to teach oneself how to play.

      Am I overcomplicating things and should just learn guitar? Are there any instruments that hit inexpensive, self teachable, small, and can be used in music in ways similar to a guitar?

      13 votes
    10. Starbucks been there mug exchange

      Sorry if this is frowned upon in these parts - but I was wondering if anyone would be interested in an exchange thing of the mugs Starbucks do? Due to coronavirus most of the fun traveling I do is...

      Sorry if this is frowned upon in these parts - but I was wondering if anyone would be interested in an exchange thing of the mugs Starbucks do? Due to coronavirus most of the fun traveling I do is cancelled for the foreseeable future. I figure it might be fun to find a few folks who'd be willing to do a trade for a new mug from somewhere else.

      For what it's worth, I'm based in the northeast of the US, so I can likely trade a Boston, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, or Maine mug.

      8 votes
    11. What are you into lately?

      I love planted aquariums and lifting weights but because of the corona and personal problems I haven't done any of that in this year. Lately, I am fixing old camera lenses and reselling them on...

      I love planted aquariums and lifting weights but because of the corona and personal problems I haven't done any of that in this year.

      Lately, I am fixing old camera lenses and reselling them on eBay I almost don't make any money but it is a lot of fun.

      And you guys? What are you doing besides eating, working and sleeping?

      22 votes
    12. Getting my new skate boots!

      I'm so excited. I'm getting measured very soon for custom-fit Harlick figure skating boots. Takes 8-10 weeks for them to be ready, so I'll have them before my local rink reopens! I've been going...

      I'm so excited. I'm getting measured very soon for custom-fit Harlick figure skating boots.

      Takes 8-10 weeks for them to be ready, so I'll have them before my local rink reopens! I've been going to an ice rink much further so I don't get rusty in the mean time… it's fun, but exhausting (and expensive) to travel an hour and back every time for just 3.5hrs of training.

      Booking for measurements wasn't exactly simple either. I have to travel to France, take two trains and three taxis to get to some city I've never even heard of. And that's the closest shop to me.

      Seriously I'm hyped. I feel like a kid waiting for Christmas day right now, and this week I'm traveling to give my wishlist to Santa in person.

      16 votes
    13. Looking for resources to create a Wilderness Survival/Camping 101 syllabus

      Hi everyone, Recently I became interested in learning about wilderness survival for the first time since I was a Cub Scout. I like to camp, but I'm the type of person who pours a can of fire...

      Hi everyone,

      Recently I became interested in learning about wilderness survival for the first time since I was a Cub Scout. I like to camp, but I'm the type of person who pours a can of fire starter on the camp fire after setting it up tipi style and then goes around bragging about how good I am at fire-starting. (I would be completely lost without a lighter and starter fluid.) I am planning on taking a camping trip with a friend of mine who has a great deal of wilderness survival training after COVID-19 restrictions are loosened, and I would like to come prepared.

      I have found outlines for several course syllabi on wilderness survival, but not resources for each of them. Here are two examples below:

      Example 1

      Lesson I: Introduction

      Lesson II: The Psychology of Survival

      Lesson III: Introduction to wilderness survival planning

      Lesson IV: Fire

      Lesson V: Clothing

      Lesson VI: Shelters

      Lesson VII: Sustenance (Food and Water)

      Lesson VIII: Introduction to Signaling

      Lesson IX: Introduction to map and compass

      Lesson X: Survival Kits

      Example 2

      Lesson 1: Introduction to Wilderness Safety and Survival

      Lesson 2: Survival Essentials for the Wilderness

      Lesson 3: Selecting the Right Gear

      Lesson 4: Health and Safety

      Lesson 5: Treating Illness, Bites, and Stings in the Wilderness

      Lesson 6: Traumatic Injuries and Environmental Illnesses

      Lesson 7: Environmental Illnesses and Their Treatments

      Lesson 8: Understanding the Importance of Your Clothing

      Lesson 9: Procuring and Purifying Water

      Lesson 10: Food and Nourishment: Plants, Fruits, and Bugs

      Lesson 11: Food and Nourishment: Crustaceans, Birds, and Fish

      Lesson 12: Food and Nourishment: Tracking and Acquiring Mammals

      Lesson 13: Food and Nourishment: Preparing and Cooking Game

      Lesson 14: Navigation

      Lesson 15: Signaling

      I was hoping that perhaps some Tilderinos could help me out in filling in the blanks with resources for wilderness survival topics, or even some anecdotes about learning wilderness survival yourselves.

      Thanks for any help!
      -gbbb

      7 votes