#offline gps map

[origamibagel]

Got home from the bar after chris' show And dropping my coworker off without GPS I feel like such a big brain genius like who needs Google maps?? Not this cunt thats for sure

[toytulini]

insane how ppl casually bring up their families or significant others or whatever tracking their location via life360 or whatever else like its just normal and then if I'm weirded out by how creepy that is on multiple levels im the insane luddite or whatever

[leam1983]

Annoyances

Whenever I see a "if you like AI, pls die" post, a part of me wants to take a big, gigantic breath and blurt out the following, Wall of Text style:

Narrow AI is vital to several scientific fields and refers to algorithms that are geared towards the collection, classification and proper identification of datum. It doesn't steal, it doesn't crib from anyone else, but it certainly helps with overlaying false colours on CAT scans and MRI results, for example.

Narrow AI is in your spreadsheet documents. If a spreadsheet is based on a few formulae to keep track of your budget, some measure of AI is involved.

Narrow AI is your average spell-checker's brain, as well. Not Google's - Google Docs just outsources Gemini for some truly godawful proofreading - but your average offline, dumb-as-bricks spell checker qualifies as Narrow AI.

Narrow AI is in your GPS and in your phone's voice-activated commands. Remove it, and you'll have to lug maps around again, or run searches on your own.

When you excoriate someone for using an AI-based tool, you're referring to the more recent years' developments in the field of Wide AI - as in, generalist Artificial Intelligences. AI scientists the world over have all agreed that, by and large, the usefulness of Wide AI is limited.

Later evidence proves that even without the use of poisoning tools like Glaze, Wide AI is poisoning itself, all thanks to the excessive eagerness of content producers who see AI as a means to drive Search Engine Optimization. The Dead Internet Theory isn't quite proven yet; but what is is that AI-generated content is increasingly eating up its own generated slop. ChatGPT has, point in fact, already consumed every scrap of genuine human content there is to access.

So give props to your local neckbeard who wants to make sure we'll one day no longer need to remove someone's thyroid in the case of detected malignancies, because he's looking to use AI to save lives.

Artificial Intelligence isn't the problem, what is is the McDonald's-ized version of it that's being bandied about by publications like The Verge and TechCrunch.

[midasslave1]

DISTURB RA AT YOUR PERIL

PART 2.

Caleb looked up to see Ra growing even larger, and suddenly, an intense beam of pure light shone directly at him from Ra's eyes. Caleb suddenly felt himself not dissolving but slowly melting downwards like a candle.

What he thought was sweat dripping down his face was actually 100% liquid gold. His body transformed into a melting statue of gold; his clothes dissolved off him as soon as the light beams touched him. He instinctively raised his hands above his eyes, but this was not a mere beam of light. This was a real beam of pure sunlight.

Caleb was completely melted down, leaving behind a shimmering, glossy puddle of gold on the dusty stone floor. Strangely, his Yankees cap remained floating in the puddle until it sizzled away with one last blast of sunlight from Ra.

Ra had calmed down as he inspected the puddle of gold further. He began to stretch his arms out and chant something in an ancient Egyptian dialect. After the chanting, he stretched one arm out, turning the palm of his hand down, and the golden puddle began to bubble like a hot spring. The gold flowed upwards in a steady stream into his hand.

When the gold puddle was no more, Ra turned his hand palm-up, and the gold magically swirled, slowly forming into a small circular golden idol of the sun itself—a replica of the mask adorning his face. The idol levitated above his open palm, glowing an intense gold.

As the gold idol began to float further down the vast passageway, its glow dimmed, as if reaching its final destination. Ra was just about to follow the idol when he heard a voice echoing down the empty passageways leading to the main tomb room. The voice was human, calling out the name Caleb.

Ra became angry again and readied himself to melt Alex down, even before knowing what had happened.

Later that day, as darkness blanketed the sky, inside a tight space, a closed gold and blue sarcophagus contained the golden sun idols that Caleb and Alex had now been melted and remolded into, lining the sides and top of Ra's resting place. The idols began to radiate stronger than before, as one, they shone through a hole in the room, creating a beam of sunlight that shot up into the night sky.

Nearby in the town, Ricky staggered around, blinded by the peculiar sunlight after sunset. He was looking at the GPS locations of Caleb and Alex, which had gone offline hours ago. Knowing a place to begin, he arrived in the town.

Walking through a shaded alleyway, he encountered a yellow-eyed cloaked figure. “Are you looking for the fortunes of Ra, the mighty sun god himself? Ra rewards this town for its loyalty and provides a constant supply to keep our crops and river healthy. Will you be seeking his fortune this day?” That was the exact line this very same cloaked figure had told Caleb. But once he heard “fortunes,” Caleb didn’t care to hear the other details. Determined to find his friends, he asked where this place would be. The figure extended its ghostly, corpse-like hand, awaiting payment as it produced another map. Ricky reached into his wallet.

What was only a small pile of rocks Caleb and Alex entered into, had grown mysteriously into a large mountain dominating the landscape for miles.

Shining out like a powerful laser beam the light generated by the sunidols attatched to RA's sarcophagus that now we know contained the souls of many humans that unwittingly stumbled upon an angry God , was pure, it shone as if always knowing, directly at a row of solar panels beside numerous lush green fields of crops, breathing life in to a pristine river flowing nearby and fully illuminating the town.

The residents of this sleepy, innocuous village had been sending sacrifices to Ra for many millennia. In exchange, he ensured the health of their water supply, crops and more recently, provided free power to the village.

The sacrifices served as the very source of that sunlight. Everyone benefited from the occasional missing American tourist who stumbled into the desert searching for fool's gold...

WILL YOU PURCHASE A MAP AND TRY YOUR LUCK TO GAIN RAs FAVOUR, SOMEONE WILL EVENTUALLY DO IT, MAYBE IT'S YOU?

Even tho this creation is not directly linked to the gold army, please support my brothers,they are amazingly talented in story and image creation.

If you wish to join me and the amazing commmunity of not just creative writers and prompters but the best group of guys and a real privilege to call them my golden brothers.

Join the Gold Team today and become part of the best team in theworld by contacting @goldenherc9 @brodygold @polo-drone-001 for your Brocess

[slugbutter]

to everyone protesting today at no kings or otherwise, here are a few tips to stay safe. (links to more resources below).

prepare, prepare, prepare

stay hydrated (make sure any water you bring is not in glass bottles & is not frozen. metal bottles may vary in acceptability by state, but glass bottles & frozen water are being listed as weapons by law enforcement).

bring essential supplies (small first aid kit, chemical irritant removers, flashlight for night protests, cash, etc.)

don’t bring valuables.

keep your cell fully charged, bring a portable charger, & turn off bluetooth/wifi/location services. (or get a burner & either memorise or write on your body the most important phone numbers. if you’re not bringing your cell, consider bringing a digital camera & a gps or map. additionally, if you will be filming, do so in landscape as much as possible so the footage is usable in court if needed).

wear “ppe” (whatever goggles you can get your hands on - especially if you wear contacts, masks, extra padding over your vital organs, etc.)

know where you are

make sure you have access to an offline map of the venue/surrounding areas.

park far from the protest area & walk. (take a bike if you can, but make a note of where you leave it or where you parked).

plan multiple in to & out of routes.

choose an emergency meeting point with your group or, if you’re alone, make sure someone not attending the protest knows where you are.

keep yourself & others safe

maintain 360° situational awareness.

should you find yourself in harm’s way, remember that the best thing to do is remove yourself from the situation as quickly & calmly as possible. if that isn’t a viable option, protect your vital organs.

be on alert for suspicious activity & if you see something, say something.

if you’re going to a protest alone, especially as a woman, try to find a group to stay close to.

ooda stays on loop (observe crowd movements, police presence, escalation, etc.; orient yourself with past experience or research you’ve done to plan your next steps; decide to stay, reposition, or leave; act quickly & reassess immediately).

be prepared to de-escalate (stay calm, keep a steady voice, avoid provocative behaviour, don’t engage agitators, walk away if you can).

if confronted or detained

don’t resist arrest or escalate the situation.

clearly state that you wish to remain silent & request a lawyer.

don’t try to explain yourself or negotiate with law enforcement.

if safe, document everything you can. share this with legal counsel or advocacy groups. use discernment when posting to social media. we want to get the word out, but we also want to respect privacy & protect identities.

know what legal resources can aid you in any number of potential outcomes.

after the protest

contact friends &/or family to let them know you’re safe, if you are.

debrief with your group about the experience & report to legal aid groups, as necessary.

take care of yourself.

links

human rights campaign - tips for preparedness, peaceful protesting, & safety

aclu - protesters’ rights

ipmba - activists’ guide to police chemical weapons

[2022dirt]

In 2006, Sony released a PSP GPS System that would turn the PSP into a GPS device with offline maps. Although it lacked internet or traffic info, the “PSP-290 Go Explore” still works perfectly as of 2024.

[kunosoura]

god remembering that time I got caught in a hurricane 2 hours into a 14 hour drive less than 24 hours before my flight out of the country was set to leave. fucking crazy. pulling off the half submerged interstate to get gas and finding the gas stations flooded. going through asheville and the entire city was underwater. finally pulling over to safety because I didn't want to risk running out of gas on the road but power was out so I was stuck there for 8 hours, during which I subsisted on a diet mountain dew and a sleeve of ritz crackers that a random passerby offered me. just barely managing to get in contact with family and getting some documents texted out right as the networks were going down so they could have a courier service pick up my passport and make it ready for dropoff but not knowing that they succeeded until way later. finally managing to get out of the little town I was stuck in after a stranger gave me enough gas to get up the road, then again having to rely on the kindness of strangers when the gas station wasn't taking Visas and I had to ask a lady with a mastercard to pay and give me her number so I could pay her back. discovering my initial route was inaccessible because portions of the road had completely washed away. having to navigate back routes for like 4 hours based solely on the offline map saved on my phone before I got into working cell service and could 1. tell them I was alive and moving 2. finally find out that they managed to get my visa seccured 3. get freaking gps instructions. getting to nashville, getting my visa, chasing the storm up to ohio where my flight was leaving out and I was giving my car to my brother, and getting past airport security with no more than 30 minutes between sitting down in the terminal and my flight out of the country leaving.

[demonic-radio]

📖i dont actually remember what the emoji was but this is for the ask meme. what if cyphen met alastor. or any of the other peeps what if they all met alastor

I definitely can't have all of them, so I will simply have Cyphen meeting Alastor.

Cyphen groaned inwardly as they were confirmed with yet another wrecked street sign. They were quickly discovering that signs barely served any purpose in Hell, when they kept getting vandalized, stolen, or destroyed. They had wanted to grab a taxi, or any other ride, but there wasn't any driver out right now, thanks to a turf war that had started up nearby, closing down a ton of streets and sending people inside. Cyphen would have been among them, except for the fact that they lived about twenty miles away. They never would have taken a meeting out here if they knew they were going to get held up by a turf war, of all things.

They didn't have a GPS on their phone. Obviously. What they had was an offline map. The only issue was that it was pretty much useless when they couldn't tell which street they were on, given the absence of street signs. The most they had was a general idea of where they were, given they knew their starting point, but they were beginning to doubt themself on that.

They were considering just going forwards when they heard an explosion from up ahead. It could have been an explosion, or fireworks, or perhaps a large gun. They may have been living in hell for a bit now, but they hadn't yet developed the skill of identifying which was which.

Their thoughts were interrupted as a second explosion(?) went off closer to their current intersection, and they bolted to the right, walking faster with their heartbeat in their ears.

C only stood still once they were surrounded by quiet again. They took a deep breath to calm down and slow their heartbeat, opening their phone to the map they'd been using. They squinted at their surroundings to try and find a landmark of some kind, but the red streets and buildings all looked the same.

"Well, aren't you lost?"

Cyphen jumped at the sound of the voice, whipping around to come face to face with a smiling demon. He was around Cyphen's height, and the red suit he wore made him blend into the surroundings.

"You don't seem to be around here," his breath smelled disgusting as he spoke (did he eat roadkill?), and he held a microphone stand as if it were a cane, gesturing with it as he spoke. C wondered if it somehow projected his voice, given it sounded like his speech was coming from an old radio. "Would you like a helping hand?"

Cyphen had no idea who this was, but he reeked of danger (and rotted corpses). "I'm alright, thank you," they said, refusing to take a step back despite their desire to do so.

"Are you certain?" The man leaned forwards, and this time Cyphen did take a step back, their tail wound up tightly behind them with a barely restrained grimace, which didn't deter the sinner in front of them. "I know this area, dear, and I'd be happy to help you get where you're going."

Cyphen got the idea they weren't going to be left alone unless they acquiesced, so they came up with a lie. "I'm just trying to get to work. It's in the entertainment district, near the Vees' Tower." That area was populous enough that nobody would bat an eye at it.

The man in front of them squinted and smiled a bit wider, though C had the distinct idea he was anything but happy. "Well. You can simply go down this street until you reach the butcher's," he indicated where to go with his microphone stand, "and then turn left. Just keep going down that street and you'll find your way soon enough."

Cyphen thanked him for the directions and left down the street. t

Thankfully, be didn't follow. To stay safe, they didn't stop until they were certain they were out of his sight, at which point they turned off the road and checked their own map.

Thankfully, there was an intact street sign nearby, and they managed to figure out where they were from there. After they figured out their real route home, they realized the directions that man had given them were genuine, which surprised them, but they moved on fast enough.

They went on their way home, thankfully not encountering many more complications. One quick search on their computer about a smiling demon with the voice of a radio got them results about the Radio Demon.

C was thankful they'd dodged that bullet.

Ask meme response.

[inalegasn]

O projekcie

Pomysł przejścia każdej ulicy w Krakowie pojawiał się u mnie w głowie wielokrotnie, głównie dlatego że miałam wrażenie że przez swoje życie przeszłam przynajmniej większość z nich, ale nie jest to coś co mogę jasno zweryfikować. Na pewno punktem zapalnym było to co zrobił Kamil Bąbel, o czym można przeczytać m.in. tu:

Osobiście moją motywacją jest przede wszystkim dojście do głębszego zrozumienia miasta jako tkanki ludzkiej i zmiennej, do radykalnej empatii która może zakwitnąć w tobie tylko wtedy kiedy przejdziesz, najlepiej bez pośpiechu i przeszkadzaczy, każdą drogę jaką każdy chodząc w tym mieście chodził. Bardzo lubię Kraków i mieszkanie tutaj od dziecka uważam za ogromny przywilej, nawet jeśli z domu zaczęłam wychodzić dość późno.

Trzymam się osobiście teorii o tym że umysł człowieka działa w pełni tylko kiedy się porusza i sama widzę to po sobie, bo ciężko mi nie pisać w głowie kolejnego tekstu kiedy mijam znajome miejsca i pierwszy raz widziane budynki. Pisanie o Krakowie jest dla mnie trochę podpuchą żeby pisać o swoich znajomych, o doświadczeniach które miałam w życiu, o tendencjach które mną miotają i szczęściu jakie miałam okazję doświadczyć.

Ograniczenia i założenia

Zadaniem jest oczywiście przejście każdej ulicy, czyli każdej drogi która jest oznaczona nazwą (Ul. Floriańska, Al. Pokoju etc.). Wiążą się z tym oczywiście jednak różne "ale", które postaram się zapisać.

Omijam jakiekolwiek tereny zamknięte szlabanem takie jak wnętrza osiedli zamkniętych, parafie, parkingi.

Jeśli nie jest ona długa omijam ulice dojazdowe, szczególnie jeśli na ich końcu jest tylko jeden dom, (nie mam zamiaru nikogo straszyć podchodząc pod bramę w nocy)

Idę tylko w miejsca, które mają dostępne pobocze lub chodnik obok nich, jeśli natomiast da się przez nie przejechać rowerem to spróbuję to zrobić tak.

Czasami trafiając na m.in. ślepe uliczki i idące od głównej drogi nie będę dochodzić do nich dokładnie do końca, moim marginesem błędu jest około 10m

Ślady spacerów zapisuję przez GPS, który ma bardzo niską dokładność i rzadko zapisuje zmiany - jest to celowe, aby nie obciążać pliku mapy niepotrzebnymi danymi.

Ślady prostych spacerów zapisuję ręcznie, ponieważ szkoda mi baterii na lokalizację w telefonie, obiecuję że zapisuje je skrupulatnie, świadczą o tym m.in. zdjęcia które pokazują miejsca wzdłuż spacerów.

Technikalia

Podczas chodzenia używam aplikacji do map offline OsmAnd bazującej na mapach Openstreetmap

Ślad spaceru GPS zapisuje przy użyciu wtyczki Nagrywanie Podróży z parametrami zapisywania punktu co 5 sekund

Ślady zapisane wstawiam na jedną mapę przez stronę uMap

Każdy post taguję znacznikiem dzielnicy według podziału administracyjnego Krakowa.

[bikersvilla]

Manali to Spiti: A Snowy Paradise on Two Wheels

A thrilling winter adventure, the ride from Manali to Spiti is a biker’s dream, offering snow-covered landscapes, icy rivers, and the mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas. The journey is not only physically challenging but also offers unforgettable views and moments of serenity.

Key Highlights:

Winter Charm:

Spiti Valley transforms into an ethereal winter wonderland with snow-draped roads, frozen rivers, and peaceful surroundings.

Snow-covered roads, frozen rivers, and fewer tourists make the ride intimate and exhilarating.

Must-See Stops:

Key Monastery: Perched on a hill, this 11th-century monastery offers panoramic views and a peaceful atmosphere, perfect for reflection and spiritual exploration.

Yak Cheese & Local Delicacies: Taste hearty Tibetan dishes like yak cheese, thukpa (noodle soup), momos (dumplings), and butter tea at local eateries.

Chandratal Lake: Known as the Moon Lake, this frozen lake offers a surreal, postcard-like landscape, accessible in winter depending on weather conditions.

Navigating the Terrain:

The journey requires skillful riding on icy, snowy roads.

Recommended bikes: Royal Enfield Himalayan (for rugged terrains) and KTM Adventure (for better control).

Essential gear: Layered clothing, insulated gloves, spare bike parts, and a reliable GPS.

Winter Riding Tips:

Prepare for the cold, check your bike thoroughly, and carry essentials like high-energy snacks, thermos with warm drinks, and offline maps.

Always plan ahead and check weather forecasts, as conditions can change rapidly.

Why Take the Ride?

This winter road trip is a transformative adventure, combining physical challenge, breathtaking landscapes, and a deep connection with nature. Whether you're an experienced rider or a first-timer, the journey promises to be a life-changing experience, offering memories that fuel your wanderlust for years.

[erisponsibility]

Been seeing news stories about hikers getting lost/ injured recently so here are some things to do to stay safe while hiking:

Make sure you've got good gear and footwear (firm hiking boots that cover the ankles) and check the weather report before setting off. Make sure to wear some bright and visible clothing so you're easy to find if you get lost, carry an emergency whistle. Also make sure to carry enough water.

Before you set off, make sure to let someone know where you're going and when you expect to be back. Tell them what to do if you don't return on time.

Now most importantly: Do NOT hike alone! I know it can be idyllic and peaceful but if something happens and there's no reception, your best bet is having someone who can get help. In that case it's important to stay in touch with your hiking partner(s). Without a phone signal, I highly recommend license free walkie talkies to stay in contact. They typically carry quite far and I've found them useful many times. Satellite phones can also be useful but they're expensive. A GPS device or at least an offline maps app (e.g. organic maps) and a Powerbank are also helpful.

Please also make sure to vet your hiking trails: if you found a trail on a community hiking app like alltrails, verify its existence using an official map and/or other apps. Make sure the trail is still maintained and that it is clearly marked. If you realise your trail becomes unnavigable, washed out, hard to see, or unmarked, turn back to where it was still in good condition.

Keep in mind how much energy you have left and ensure you have enough energy for your way back including any unexpected detours or delays. Carry snacks, including sugar-y ones so you can get an energy boost if you need it. Remember there's no shame in giving up on a hike even if your goal seems close. Better to get back in one piece without reaching that one peak you wanted to summit than not getting back at all. Also keep an eye on the time of day, you don't want your descent to be in the dark after sunset.

I've not hiked much in bear territory, so if you're hiking in an area with bears, make sure you read up on what to do and what gear to take.

Stay safe out there!

[art-of-manliness]

What to Do If You Get Lost in the Wild

Even in the age of smartphones and GPS, stories of hikers getting lost in the wilderness still regularly appear in the news. How do people get lost even when carrying their devices, and what should you do if you ever find yourself in that situation? To answer those questions, I called up Creek Stewart, a wilderness survival expert and instructor and a longtime friend of AoM. Creek is the author of numerous books on wilderness survival and has been the host of several Weather Channel shows on the subject, including S.O.S.: How to Survive. Besides his over two decades of survival experience, Creek told me that hosting S.O.S. gave him a unique perspective on how people get lost in the wilderness and what separates those who survive and get rescued quickly from those who flounder. When he hosted the show, he interviewed dozens of folks who had gotten lost in the wild, often in popular national parks filled with other people. Below Creek shares his insights on how anyone can become disoriented when traversing the great outdoors and, more importantly, how to stay safe if it happens to you. Pre-Trip Preparation: How to Ensure Your Quick Rescue in the Event You Get Lost Creek says there are three things you can do before your trip that, should you manage to get lost during it, will dramatically increase your chances of a quick rescue and a safe return: 1. Tell people where you’re going and when to expect you back. Do this even if you’re going on a simple day hike near your home. 2. Ensure your phone is fully charged and bring a power bank. If you plan on using a digital app/map to guide your hike, you’ll of course want to make sure your phone is fully charged and has a backup power source as well. A phone is of no use if it doesn’t have power. People get lost, their phones die, and they can’t figure out where they are and how to get back on track. A dead phone not only contributes to getting lost, but prevents a quick rescue as well. Creek told me the one thing that all the people who had a slow rescue had in common was that they went out into the wild without a fully charged phone and without a way to power it back up. “The people who got found quickly typically had a fully charged phone, so when they got lost, they could make a call or at least put out a distress signal with GPS,” he told me. If you’re looking for a power bank for outdoor excursions, I like and use the S.A.B.A.N.I. Portable Charger 35000mAh Power Bank. You can charge your iPhone up to five times with this power bank. 3. Consider carrying a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). Creek recommends buying a PLB or satellite communicator. While they’re pricey and require a subscription, they will allow you to send a distress signal and share your GPS location even when you don’t have cell service. Garmin makes two satellite communicators: * Garmin inReach Messenger Handheld Satellite Communicator. This device is also a Personal Locator Beacon, and it works with your smartphone, so you can text even when you don’t have cell service. * Garmin inReach Mini 2. It allows you to text and also has maps and weather forecasts. It’s more expensive than the original inReach due to those additional features. Doing those three things before you leave for your trip will ensure you get found within 24 hours of getting lost in the wild. In addition to doing those three things, Creek also recommends that you dress appropriately for the climate and bring some essential gear for any wilderness outing, even a short day hike. Pack the essentials we list here. Having those things on you in the event you get lost will help you stay safe and comfortable in the outdoors while you’re waiting to be found. The Psychology of Getting Lost If you stay on marked trails when you’re out in nature, your risk of getting lost is very low. Before you begin a hike, download an offline map on your phone in case you don’t have cell service. Again, make sure you have a power charger. And carry a paper map as a backup, too.  According to… http://dlvr.it/TCRdLG

[randadrives]

A Year in Review

It has officially been an entire year since the last shift I worked in law enforcement. That means it has also been a year since I moved out of a house, rid myself of most of my belongings, and moved completely into my new (to me) travel trailer. I had many moments in time this past year that I would stop, breathe in, and marvel at where my decision-making has brought me. I could not have predicted the paths I would take up to this point. I reflect often to help keep myself grounded. Today I want to reflect specifically on how life has improved and in what capacities. I wasn’t sure how I would summarize the things I have gained this past year, so I’m winging it. Most of what I’ve gained in this year is interconnected in some way: a sense of adventure, independence, human connection, new experiences, a decrease in stress, better sleep, knowledge from making mistakes. I believe I couldn’t have one of these things without the others.

Disclaimer: As many of my close friends and family are aware, the first two months of this lifestyle change were difficult for me. This was mainly due to my own negative attitude, but looking back and granting myself some grace, I was going through a lot at the time. We will call that my “transitional period.”

The most difficult part in the beginning of a big lifestyle change isn’t the actual execution, but convincing yourself that you are capable. I’m a big proponent of exposure therapy. Don’t feel like you can do something? You won’t know until you try. Are you really bad at something? Doing it more will probably help. Don’t have the knowledge to do something? Surround yourself with podcasts, books, articles, Facebook groups, and YouTube videos on the subject. Doing things independently was not an natural task for me in the beginning, because up until that point I’d be in group situations my entire life. I did almost nothing alone in my jobs as an adult, and all the sudden I was doing literally everything alone. I had the choice to hide in my trailer all day every day, or embrace being my own best friend. I forced myself to drive to states I had never seen. I had everything I needed between my travel trailer and truck, so that eased my anxiety for the most part. Then when I’d get there, I would make myself do the things I thought were interesting. Look at landmarks, national historic sites, go to museums, eat local cuisine. I’d make myself hike alone in environments I’d never experienced before. It was terrifying to think about. I would over prepare, which isn’t a bad thing! I had downloaded offline maps, I would share my location with at least 3 friends, carry a GPS satellite device, a bag full of tools I might need if things went wrong, and beforehand I would research every predator in the area, so I knew what to do if attacked (honestly I don’t suggest this one . . .). It was uncomfortable. But I never regretted a single moment. I would be scared until I started, then the fear would drop, and I couldn’t imagine anything I’d rather be doing. I started gaining confidence in my choices and movements. I was feeling more like the independent person I so desired to be. I was slowly letting go of the fear of missing out, because I was not waiting on anyone to do the things I wanted to do. My wants were shifting as well. The thought of a night out in Pittsburgh repulses me now, but 25-year-old me would have thought a 6 mile hike in the desert or the mountains would be daunting and she would be incapable. I wish I could say my brain has shut off all my “worst case scenario” ways of thinking, but some things take time to change – or don’t change at all. Realistically, as long as I don’t let that get in my way of enjoying things anymore, I call it a win. I have gone from being afraid to be alone, to cherishing my solitude. Going solo has spoiled me, giving me the ability to do things at my own speed and budget.

      Learning how to do things alone leads me to so many new experiences, as well as the ability to find and feel joy in everyday life. Nights at a dive bar after a 3-11 shift turned into nights of stargazing. All the sudden the sky, and what it was doing at any particular time, became very important to me.  I had time to keep track of the moon phases and start learning constellations like when I was a child. I was able to catch meteor showers and super moons. Sunrise hikes were my favorite way to avoid doing activities in the heat of the afternoon, and having a drink at sunset with friends or dogs was exhilarating. One evening in Tucson, I was doing just that: Sitting in my favorite chair with one of my favorite people and my dog, surrounded by Ironwood trees and globemallows, enjoying a seltzer with sunset views; all the sudden, what looked to be a rocket in the distance appeared over the mountain range, and we unexpectedly were enjoying a fantastic seat for a SpaceX launch from 500 miles away in California.

This past year I’ve pursued experiencing all of what the U.S. has to offer by taking advantage of National Parks and state parks. These areas are a great testament to the diverse geographical features of the land, as well as preserving nature and history. I value living in the moment now. When I see a plant that is interesting to me, I find out what it is. I rely heavily on my Merlin app to keep track of the birds I see and hear. I have time and the conscience to actually stop and observe my surroundings, to breathe. I hate to admit before the lifestyle change, these things were difficult for me to do. I was too wrapped up in the stress of my life, in work, in my phone and my notifications all day long. That’s one thing I noticed early on about hiking, as well as driving long distance, was I enjoyed the trails and sections of road where I had no service because not a single notification would get in the way of me being present. I was addicted to the convenient distraction. Now when I visit friends, I notice more how badly we are all addicted and absorbed in our screens. I’m still working actively on the effort it takes to put it down. Unplugging more frequently, letting go of mindlessly scrolling, had great benefits on my mental health.

A huge part of being in the moment for me was cutting back on alcohol. I will keep that topic short, but I rarely drink now, which means I rarely miss out on things I want to do due to being hungover. I remember more of what I’m experiencing because I’m not drinking. I will not lecture anyone on why alcohol is evil, and I’ll have the occasional beverage, but there was everything to gain from not drinking the way I was before.

Traveling the road solo had me concerned that I would miss connection, had me thinking I would have to learn to live in loneliness. If anything, I believe travel has led me to more genuine human connections. Meeting other travelers, nomads, and even locals opened my mind to alternative styles of living you won’t run into often staying in the northeast. I have made friends with other work campers and with people who have retired early and adventure full-time in their vehicles. The conversations are different with people who live so intentionally. I don’t think “small talk” exists in this type of life! At one point I was making an income pet sitting and dog walking. I was at Dead Horse Point State Park, dog sitting for a wedding officiant who ran her own business. Another business owner, the photographer of the wedding, stopped and looked at us both and said something to the effect of “I just think it’s so cool that the three of us don’t even know each other but are standing at such an amazing spot in the country, making money our own ways.” Sharing that moment with these two women was fantastic. I think back to another moment, a night I had decided to take myself out for dinner. Being solo, I tend to sit at bars so as not to take up an entire table. The bar I happened to be sitting at was FULL of other solo travelers, and we all spent the next hour eating together and swapping stories of where we had just come from, and where we were headed next. Recently I was able to meet a person I met through Instagram all the way in California for a concert (apparently that’s not just for influencers). Connection has a different meaning for me after this year than it did before.

Above all, my biggest gain has been learning to let go of the constant need to accomplish goals or to be achieving tasks. I have learned that not every single day is meant for self-improvement. It is permissible to just exist some days. I’m not sure how I consistently worked 16 hour days at one point in time. I was not living, just surviving. At the time, I was so grateful to live that way. Now I would be pissed if I still felt like it was necessary for me to do that, to work my life away. I feel sorry sometimes for the woman I was in my 20’s, forever the people-pleaser. There is a freedom I have gained. There is not an exact moment I can pinpoint that my attitude changed, but I don’t think it happens that way. It is a buildup. It’s one too many injuries, just a bit too much stress, it’s not enough time to balance everything deemed important. It required a lot for me to say I was done and walk away from everything I felt I was responsible for.

Honorable mention: I learned how to ask for help. I cringe just typing it, but there it is. If I didn’t have the ability to do that, I wouldn’t have been able to do any renovations to my trailer, or to even back it into a spot half the time. Here’s a shout out to every random old man I made feel like it was my first time towing, every single time.

As I reflect, I wish I could bottle up this feeling and gift it to everyone I care about. It was not an easy year, but that’s what I loved about it most. If it were easy, I would not have gained so much. I hope everyone has the opportunity to try something that makes them uncomfortable, and I hope having that courage leads them to experiences they never imagined. But . . . maybe I’m just a weirdo who likes “type B” fun.

[thechembow]

Hi I'm from Melbourne Australia and I'm wondering how u grid a city? Is it block by block or every 1km and is it a square pattern? Asking as it's something hard to find where the towers are especially driving solo. Another question which is a long shot is do u know anyone in australia who is currently active gifters u could link me up with? I have to say also awesome work you guys are inspiring and greatly appreciated. Thankyou for your time in advance. Regards willow

Hi Willow. We've been gifting for almost 10 years and we travel very far to gift new areas. We grid whole cities because we need to get as much done as we can once we've made the trip, and we are also proving the science of orgone energy with these experiments.

We gift all cell towers in a city (or as many as we can in a few days in larger cities) by driving street by street with a paper map in a grid fashion and being as thorough as possible, placing towerbusters near cell towers to neutralize them. We keep track of where we've gifted and of course the weather changes, documented here on this blog.

But we didn't start this way. We started by making a few orgonites and gifting near our home in LA. Then as we saw how well it worked, we started biking out farther and pretty soon we were driving out into other areas in Southern California to gift larger and larger amounts of orgonite. Now we have gifted eight states with a focus on neutralizing whole cities, which have the largest DOR concentrations negatively affecting the weather and climate.

When you're first gifting orgonite, I recommend making or buying a few properly made orgonite pieces and hiding them near cell towers in your neighborhood. You can hide one in a bush within a quarter mile of the tower. It's great to take before, during, and after photos to see how the sky changes.

You can easily see the towers in parking lots of stores and gas stations, schools, and along highways. Sometimes the cell panels are on a building or poorly disguised as a tree. They are everywhere and you can't miss them. We don't use GPS or cell phones while gifting and we don't look up cell tower locations before gifting. We find the towers with our eyes and navigate the streets with a map, offline so that the AI can't follow our work until after it's posted at this blog.

Our website has full gifting instructions and how to make orgonite. We also have orgonite for sale with discounts if you buy more TBs for gifting:

https://www.thechembow.com

Thanks for your interest.

[confines]

google maps can no longer be used without a network connection on android, even if you download offline maps. apparently it's only capable of tracking your gps location if it has a cell tower connection, something that was absolutely not true 6 months ago. it is now inferior to the tomtom navigator that came with my used car back in 2013.