So, I'm heading off on another work trip and need some suggestions on something to keep my mind/hands occupied. I probable wont be able to take it with me, so something I could order and have it on the way would be a plus and since it may get left behind nothing to expensive. I wont have much personal space, so able to fit in a backpack would be a good size, and at camp it's a 24/7 quiet area.
Last trip was mind numbing, which was a good thing for work but bad thing for my sanity. The group I'm going with is an emergency response kind of thing, mainly sit around on alert for 12 hours a day 7 days a week for months on end.
Any thoughts? No chemicals, no noise, no batteries/power...kind of rules out alot of my hobbies.
Sounds like knitting.
Expect crude sexual suggestions from the other guys, not me of course.
In reply to 2.0dohc :
When I had that sort of event I used to do the research for my next project. I’d either bring the technical manuals with me ( pre internet) or go to the local library on my off time.
[insert crude sexual suggestion]
Knitting/crocheting/darning is a great idea. This will sound odd, but how about adult coloring books? Mandalas maybe? Very zen.
Stickman Jump, Quizland, and backgammon are on my phone. Quizland uses data and downloads each question but the other two don't as far as I can tell.
Rubix cube
a good book or magazine
Tangrams
Mahjong tiles don't take up much space
Mancala is a game that requires two, but maybe a good way to meet your travel neighbors. That can be played in the dirt with stones and twigs you find.
No batteries allowed, or just no power provided? If the latter, I'd go with a Kindle e-reader. The e-ink devices have a really long battery life if you're not using the back/side light, and if you bring a small solar panel you can charge it back up.
Crossword puzzles if you're a word person. Sunday puzzles ftw.
Word search book.
Sudoku if into numbers.
Instead of reading a book, write one. Couple of note pads and pencils.... Do you like to draw?
I should be able to plug in at some point and plan to take my kindle loaded with books. I can't count on having internet, so no school on this trip and no data/cell phones where I go. Tried jigsaw puzzles last trip, even at work I didn't have any table space that could be used for anything bigger than 2x2'.
2.0dohc said:
I should be able to plug in at some point and plan to take my kindle loaded with books. I can't count on having internet, so no school on this trip and no data/cell phones where I go. Tried jigsaw puzzles last trip, even at work I didn't have any table space that could be used for anything bigger than 2x2'.
There are some very small ones that fit in a 6x9 picture frames, which is also handy for holding them together.
You could also do the various 3d puzzles that dont take up much table space
I’d bring a butane soldering iron and build an 808 replica.
Film photography? A table top tripod, cable release, and a decent macro lens might be fun.
how about Tak?
is glue/super-glue considered a "chemical"? because, I'd expect 2x2 means models of some kind, to me at least.
what's the mail situation like; are you in range of an APO?
How about “Metal Earth” models?
Many different options to fit your interests, small space requirements, and no glue or chemicals.
Amazon link
Torkel
New Reader
1/8/19 9:38 a.m.
Dude, this is why they invented books! Buy a kindle.
No kidding, I'd be reading my face off.
Another option: a whole bunch of popsicle sticks and some white glue along with a copy of Chassis Engineering. Now you can either build bridges or build little race car chassis and test them for rigidity. Bonus points if you bring along some thin card stock to stand in for aluminum sheet.
If you're going to crochet, following my friend Marbufs on Instagram. She's a crocheting machine--and also a fellow car nut.
sleepyhead said:
how about Tak?
is glue/super-glue considered a "chemical"? because, I'd expect 2x2 means models of some kind, to me at least.
what's the mail situation like; are you in range of an APO?
The first place I should be going will have mail, but I have been told its around a 3 or 4 week wait for amazon prime. Super glue may be ok, but cameras and photo gear would be a hard no unless I just taking pics in my tent and nobody wants to see those photos.
2.0dohc said:
sleepyhead said:
is glue/super-glue considered a "chemical"? because, I'd expect 2x2 means models of some kind, to me at least.
what's the mail situation like; are you in range of an APO?
The first place I should be going will have mail, but I have been told its around a 3 or 4 week wait for amazon prime. Super glue may be ok, but cameras and photo gear would be a hard no unless I just taking pics in my tent and nobody wants to see those photos.
As an FYI, I went looking, at looks like super glue, and most glues outside of maybe wood glue and Elmers is not allowed by the FAA because of flammability.
sleepyhead said:
As an FYI, I went looking, at looks like super glue, and most glues outside of maybe wood glue and Elmers is not allowed by the FAA because of flammability.
Last time I flew home I had to push a stack of M-4/M-16s out of the way so I could find a place to sleep on the floor. Don't remember last time I went through a real security check. The issue with chemicals is more of a smell/hazard in the tents.
SVreX
MegaDork
1/10/19 8:09 a.m.
I used to travel with a hardcover blank unlined journal.
I would sketch, write poems, wrote songs. Most of it was crap, but kept my mind working.
The best work was journaling my travels. I wrote letters back to imaginary friends documenting the stuff I saw that they wouldn’t. I filled a half dozen journals, and got published. One of those “Chicken Soup” style coffee table books.
Can also lead to some residual income.
If you are living in a tent without electricity, I promise someone will be interested in reading your stuff. You could consider publishing old school, or converting it to a blog when you are back online.
a couple other thoughts that center around the idea of models/carving.
1) foam board glider models, although they're usually built with hot glue, which needs power... but you could probably do it with packing tape?
2) indigenous NA paddle carving... probably 50% scale? Greenland Kayak, or Canoe. I'm actually thinking of starting this myself, soon. Could do it with a hack saw and sandpaper.
3) using pinewood derby kits to build car models: F1, Hudson Hornet, McQueen, whatever floats your boat. I think there are some water-based paints, then shoot it w/ clear to hold when you get home?
4) "carving" in general. I hear people used to do this all the time to 'whittle the time away'... or was that 'while the time away'?
and, out of left field:
braid paracord?
