Music!!

Issues....

Might as well be...

So despite my persistence of efforts, lack of means is taking a bit of a toll.  My five plus year old beast of a computer will no longer start up.  Three days now.  It is putting a tremendous burden on my work for this project.  You realize just how much our lives are centered around computers and the internet these days.  Networking, communicating, researching, whatever...  I have one that I can use, but only limitedly and the internet doesn't always work on it.  Luckily I have been mostly preparing for this and have been putting most of my data and saving things onto a flash disk/memory stick/pen drive (so many names for the same thing...), or writing things directly into online materials such as this blog service.  But it leads to one very definite new priority, computing...  I have been going back and forth with the idea of what to take to try to be connected throughout my travels.  An i phone and a keyboard were my last best estimates, but I have gotten very little response to lead me to believe that I could guarantee this would work there.  I know that Blackberry is functional, though again, have heard they don't travel well.

Posting/Email Test...

Sorry for this, but I just saw something that might help with the posting/emailing part of things and the linking to the site.  So for those getting this via email, let me know if you were able to read the rest of this on the email or had to link to the website...


So the rest of this is really not a whole heck of a lot, but how about some more music!!!

Random Taskings...

So today is thus far pretty straight forward, I've looked into some interesting stuff.  I actually did start an REI registry, but really so I could have a list of things that I decide upon.  The first one is described below, the SteriPen for water sanitation, and is actually on sale!!  So I'm gonna have to get on that one!!  I have also just been running through music from Sierra Leone on a great website SierraLeoneNow.com.  I found a couple decent songs, one of course was a good slow jam which immediately got me fired up!!!






And a little rap.... which unfortunately doesn't give me an embed option for right here.

I called the Hennessy Hammock people and the website phone number went directly to a women's mobile number who had to call me back because she was 'outside the country'!!  Not sure how that worked...  But anyway, good conversation.  They actually let you get a hammock for a couple weeks and if it doesn't work out for you, you can send it back.  That's a great deal, sleep in it a few nights in the woods and still take it back, sweet.  We talked about two options, the Hyperlight ($229) and the Deep Jungle ($269), the deep jungle has two layers on the underneath part of it, and another pad if desired, so that mosquitos can't bit you through the fabric - sneaky little critters!!  The other one is just plain light.  I didn't ask about the difference between the bottom entrance versus the side zip entrance, but as per looking at the website now it seems I should have.  It would be nice to be able to use it as a chair as well, side zip?  There is one called the Ultralight ($189) that has the side option, as does the Deep Jungle.  They all come with the rain tarps, but she thought it might be worth thinking about a larger one if I'd be in rainy areas.  Worth a thought, but I should be there after the rainy season is mostly ending and under trees as well.  

But the most important thing thus far is that I started going through my list of NGO's doing work in Sierra Leone and sent several of them emails introducing myself and the project.  This will be of the utmost importance as once I am on the ground it will nice to have people to coordinate with and just simply sit down with and talk to.  I will be able to bring them additional publicity through any exposure I can generate, and in-turn possible help them obtain more donations.  Obviously as well, there could be longer term implications for cooperation once our non-profit is further established.    

SteriPEN (REI Review)


Many of us like this miniature light saber. It uses ultraviolet light to deactivate the unseen cooties (viruses included) that could be lurking in water. Short-wave UV light (specifically, UVC, which transmits "germicidal" attributes) zaps, or "disrupts," their DNA, rendering them unable to reproduce and thus cause illness. This is what my coworker's daughter took on her trip, and she returned healthy and well-pleased with its performance. The SteriPEN is typically my first-choice water-treatment item for backpacking trips, but every person has different preferences. It may or may not be the right item for you.


Pros:

• All SteriPEN models are small, simple to use and lightweight.
• No wait time is needed once water has been exposed to UV light.
• UV light imparts no taste to the water.
• The wand can be used to treat water (without ice) in individual drinking glasses, such as in hotel rooms.
• UV light is very effective against Cryptosporidium, the most treatment-resistant pest among protozoa and bacteria.

Cons:

• The quartz lamp could break.
• Batteries can run out. (The manufacturer recommends using lithium batteries.)
• Not effective in very dirty or gritty water unless it is prefiltered or clarified. Light must interact with organisms in order to be effective.

Tips:

• If water has a high particulate content, use the SteriPEN's prefilter — a screw-on cap for water bottles equipped with a 4-micron screen.
• The use of the prefilter is advised in any outdoor situation to keep water as particulate-free as possible.
• For speed and simplicity, bring a water bottle with threads that are compatible with the prefilter.
• If the water clarity is poor, give it a second or even a third dosage of UV light.

To do list...

So today is a day to try to get things done.  First things first, I called the NY Giants to see if while I'm away they could save some copies of the games for me so I could watch them when I get back!!  Lol.  Yes, I know, I have issues... but I don't want to miss the whole season!!  I ended up having to leave a message with the a PR lady, but the initial conversation with the community relations women "Jen" was positive!!

I spent some time working on Hammocks and found what sounds like some good ones, but there's no way I can get real far unless I can physically get out there and lay down in one or two.  the more you read, the more you realize how individualized the comfort is.  I don't have the luxury of being able to get a couple and try them out.  One shot deal with little room to try things - especially without shipping things back and forth all over the world (which I heard a rumor is rough on the environment..;)  But this is one of the struggles we all face as the world moves to primarily internet based commerce, some things are forgotten, like that somehow somewhere some things need to be tried before they are bought.  Specialty items are tricky, can't keep a retail store open with them, but can't buy them without trying them!?!

My mom thinks I should look into a new backpack after this weekend's endeavor, I had thought I'd go and try to get fitted just to see how far off my current one was (I can't even find picture online for it, bought in 1999?), its all about cash though - you have it or you don't!  She also thinks I should have a 'going away shower' in leuw of the baby and/or wedding showers I won't have!!  Wait?!?! Has she given up!?!)  lol.

I went back through the wintersilks page for silk apparel as well, might be a better option than the spouse beater I wore.  They have a couple things on sale.  But I don't know that it is a solution so maybe I should just pick up a shirt and see how it feels?  Still thinking I'll ask for donations from them...  I also looked at - to my horror - underwear!!  I don't know, I haven't worn briefs since probably puberty, tough call.  I put a phone call in to Vibram as well to introduce my self and the concept, but of course I was met with voicemail!!

I've gotten my hands on some of the Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars music.  Interesting Afro-reggae inspired light sounding, heavy hearted stuff.





Also in speaking of music, I haven't been able to get this song out of my head for days.  Its this little jingle that comes on when you go to Africell's home page.  I am working on an email for them and Comium to ask about the i phone and there thoughts on my needs.  Zain, which seems to be the one with the most coverage doesn't seem to have an email address, interesting...  More to do, and the heat of the day is here, so its time to get hydrated and outside to see if my feet can handle a bit of running!!  :p