Thursday, June 19, 2025

Adventurist adventures

I really want to participate in these things :-D

Like the Rickshaw Run and the Mongol Rally. I think I'd like to "invent" or adapt the events to Finland, like...

I also want to participate in some adventure races, and things like Tough Mudder

🔧 Mechanical Prep

Basic maintenance & repair: Changing oil, brake pads, spark plugs, fuses, tires, jump-starting, clutch cable replacement.
Emergency fixes: Using duct tape, cable ties, and improvised parts (e.g., fixing a split hose with tape and a water bottle).
Toolkit: Compact but complete, plus spares for the common failures of your car model.

🗣️ Language Skills

Russian basics (though some routes now avoid Russia due to geopolitics).
Turkish, Persian (Farsi), or Central Asian languages: even just greetings, “where is…,” “help,” and numbers go a long way.
Google Translate offline: practical lifesaver.

🏕️ Survival & Travel Skills

Camping competence: Pitching a tent fast, cooking on a camp stove, safe water collection/filtration.
Navigation: Reading maps without GPS, compass basics, understanding terrain.
First aid: Wilderness-oriented if possible (splints, dehydration, heat stroke, wound care).

💪 Physical & Mental Fitness

Endurance: You’ll sit long hours in a hot, cramped car — stamina helps.
Resilience: Things will definitely go wrong (border issues, breakdowns, sickness). Staying calm and adaptable is more important than pure fitness.
Driving stamina: Practice long stretches on bad roads — gravel, sand, potholes, no lighting.

📜 Paperwork & Bureaucracy

Visas: Some Central Asian visas are complex; learn the process early.
International Driving Permit: Needed in multiple countries.
Carnet de Passage (sometimes): Check whether required for your chosen route.
Border etiquette: Practice patience and politeness — it helps.

🌍 Cultural Awareness

Hospitality etiquette: Central Asia, Iran, and the Caucasus are very hospitable; knowing how to accept tea or say thanks respectfully is huge.
Dress sense: Modest clothing in Muslim-majority regions.

🛠️ Practice Runs

Take your rally car on a “shakedown trip”: a couple of days on bad back roads, camp out, break something small, fix it. This is the best training.

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🏃‍♂️ Obstacle Course Racing (OCR)

Examples: Tough Mudder, Spartan Race, Rugged Maniac.
Format: 5–20 km courses with mud pits, rope climbs, barbed wire crawls, wall climbs, ice baths.
Focus: Strength, agility, teamwork, and mental grit.
Preparation: Strength training, running, grip strength, high-intensity intervals, teamwork drills.

🗺️ Adventure Racing (Expedition Style)

Examples: Eco-Challenge, GODZone (NZ), Patagonian Expedition Race.
Format: Teams navigate non-stop over 3–10 days (or more), disciplines include trekking, mountain biking, paddling, climbing, orienteering.
Focus: Endurance, navigation, teamwork, wilderness survival.
Preparation: Multisport training (bike, trek, paddle), map/compass navigation, sleep deprivation management.

🏔️ Ultramarathons & Trail Endurance

Examples: Marathon des Sables (Sahara, 250 km), UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, 170 km), Badwater 135 (Death Valley).
Format: Foot races of 50 km to 250+ km, often self-supported.
Focus: Endurance running, heat/cold management, mental toughness.
Preparation: Gradual mileage buildup, nutrition/hydration strategy, terrain-specific training.

🚴 Multisport & Triathlon Variants

Examples: Ironman Triathlon, Xterra off-road triathlons, Norseman (Norway extreme triathlon).
Format: Swim + bike + run (sometimes kayak instead of swim, MTB instead of road cycling).
Focus: Cardiovascular endurance, transitions, pacing strategy.
Preparation: Periodized training plan, cross-discipline balance, long “brick” workouts.

❄️ Extreme & Survival Races

Examples: Iditarod Trail Invitational (Alaska, human-powered), Polar Circle Marathon (Greenland), Yukon Arctic Ultra.
Format: Survival-oriented ultradistances in extreme climates (polar cold, desert heat).
Focus: Logistics, cold/heat survival, gear management.
Preparation: Environment-specific training, resilience, layering systems, survival skills.

✨ Common Threads Across Them All

Physical base: Running, cycling, strength, and core training.
Mental game: Pain tolerance, focus, grit, teamwork.
Logistics: Gear management, nutrition strategy, sleep planning.
Community: These events often value camaraderie as much as competition.

🏋️ Physical Preparation

1. Build an Aerobic Base

Running, cycling, rowing, swimming — long, steady sessions (Zone 2 heart rate).
Goal: comfortably go for hours without redlining.
Start with 2–3 sessions/week, gradually lengthen them.

2. Strength & Mobility

Focus on functional strength: pull-ups, push-ups, squats, deadlifts, carries, lunges.
Core stability: planks, rotational work, hanging leg raises.
Mobility: hips, shoulders, and ankles (huge for injury prevention).

3. Specific Conditioning

Trail running for ultras.
Grip & climbing for OCR.
Multisport (bike + trek + paddle) for adventure racing.
Practice transitions (run → bike, bike → kayak).

🥾 Skill Preparation

1. Navigation

Learn map & compass orienteering.
Practice in forests or parks — especially at night.

2. Survival & Camping

Pitching tents fast, starting a stove, purifying water.
Sleep systems for different weather.

3. Technical Skills (if relevant)

Mountain biking on rough trails.
Paddling (kayak, canoe, packraft).
Rope work (basic climbing, rappelling, knots).

🧠 Mental Preparation

1. Train Discomfort

Practice long days in bad weather.
Train tired, train hungry (safely).
Sleep short before a workout — build tolerance.

2. Develop “Why”

Have a reason bigger than comfort: teamwork, proving something, raising funds, personal growth.
When everything hurts, your “why” keeps you moving.

3. Practice Teamwork (if not solo)

Train with your race team.
Practice decision-making when exhausted.
Rotate leadership, manage morale.

🥗 Nutrition & Recovery

Experiment with race fuel (gels, real food, electrolyte drinks).
Learn what your stomach tolerates on the move.
Dial in hydration strategy.
Prioritize sleep, stretching, and recovery days.

📆 Suggested 6-Month Prep Framework

Months 1–2: Build aerobic base + basic strength.
Months 3–4: Add sport-specific skills (trail running, biking, paddling, OCR obstacles).
Months 5–6: Simulation training — back-to-back long days, night navigation, multi-discipline weekends.

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I would like to create/participate in a "true" Polar Circle Marathon, following the polar circle around the globe as close as possible...

I'd also like to create/participate in a "water race" in Finland, using the waterways and canoes/kayaks or something like that.

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Do the "Most epic pirouettes, turns, spins and unknown ever"

Thursday, May 22, 2025

Learn old-fashioned straight-razor barbering

🪒 Step 1. Learn the Basics (theory first)

Study old manuals (like Moler’s Barber Manual or The Standardized Textbook of Barbering). These will show you the classic grips, strokes, and shaving maps of the face.
Watch modern demonstrations on YouTube: barbers often film traditional hot-towel straight razor shaves. These help translate the old illustrations into motion.
Understand hygiene: sterilization, stropping vs. disposable blades, preventing nicks and infections.

🪒 Step 2. Equipment & Tools

Straight razor or shavette: beginners often start with a shavette (uses half of a double-edge razor blade) because it doesn’t need honing or stropping. Traditional straight razors require more maintenance.
Strop (if using a real straight razor): practice stropping before shaving. This is an art in itself.
Brush & soap/cream: lathering is half the ritual.
Hot towels: soften the beard and open pores.

🪒 Step 3. Technique Practice (without shaving first)

Practice holding the razor at the correct angle (around 30°).
Learn the four main grips (different ways to hold for different parts of the face).
“Air shave” on a balloon or your thigh (without a blade) to practice steady strokes.
Get comfortable stropping if using a traditional razor.

🪒 Step 4. Start Shaving Yourself

Begin with just the cheeks (easy flat surfaces).
Use short, controlled strokes.
Always stretch the skin with your free hand.
Progress to jawline, neck, chin last (hardest areas).
Expect a few nicks at first—everyone gets them. Alum block will stop bleeding.

🪒 Step 5. Learn the Full Barbering Ritual

If you want to replicate the old-time barbershop shave:

Hot towel → oil → lather.
First pass (with the grain).
Re-lather → second pass (across or against the grain).
Cold towel → alum or witch hazel → aftershave.

✨ Think of it like learning to fence or tailor: lots of old texts will give you the theory, but the skill only comes with practice under guidance.

📚 Public Domain Barbering Books

Most old barber manuals were published around 1890–1930, when barbering was both a trade and a regulated craft. These often include shaving, haircutting, beard and mustache care, and hygiene. You can find many on Internet Archive or Google Books.

The Barbers’ Manual – A. B. Moler (1900, several editions).
One of the classic texts, written by the founder of Moler Barber College in Chicago. Covers straight razor shaving, hair cutting, and even shop management.
Standardized Textbook of Barbering – Associated Master Barbers of America (first edition 1920s, many later updates).
Used in barber schools for decades. Early editions are sometimes public domain.
The Art and Science of Barbering – Frank R. Smith (1920s).
Very detailed, with shaving positions, lathering, and safety advice.
The Moler System of Barber Colleges, Text Book on the Art of Barbering (1903 edition).
Step-by-step training manual, very visual.
Barbering, Ladies’ Hairdressing, Manicuring, Facial Massage – (early 1900s trade school book).

🪒 What They Teach

Razor handling: grip, angles (about 30°), shaving directions with and against the grain.
Lathering: how to build a hot lather with a brush and soap.
Preparation: hot towels, oils, skin stretching.
Finishing: alum block, witch hazel, tonics.
Hygiene: sterilizing razors, brushes, towels (hugely emphasized in older manuals).
Haircuts & beard trims: classic styles of the late Victorian and Edwardian eras.

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Learn bespoke tailoring

Bespoke tailoring is both an art and a craft—it combines technical precision with a deep understanding of fabric, form, and personal style. You can approach learning it in stages depending on how far you want to go (from hobby sewing to becoming a master tailor). Here’s a roadmap:

1. Foundation Skills

Before bespoke tailoring, you’ll need strong sewing and garment construction basics.

Learn to sew well by hand and machine: straight stitches, buttonholes, blind hems, pick stitching.
Study basic garment construction: make trousers, vests, and jackets using commercial patterns.
Practice pressing/ironing techniques—shaping fabric with steam is as important as stitching.

Resources: beginner sewing books, YouTube channels (e.g. Bernadette Banner for historical sewing, Gentlemen’s Gazette for classic tailoring).

2. Move into Tailoring Techniques

Tailoring is much more than just sewing clothes: it’s about structure and fit.

Canvas work: learn pad stitching, shaping lapels, chest pieces, and collars.
Hand sewing techniques specific to tailoring.
Pattern drafting and alteration: learning to create and adapt patterns to fit real bodies.

Recommended resources:

Classic Tailoring Techniques: A Construction Guide for Men's Wear (Roberto Cabrera).
Bespoke Tailoring: The Fundamentals (Rory Duffy, Savile Row tailor, also offers online courses).

3. Apprenticeship or Formal Training

The traditional path is apprenticeship, but schools also exist:

London (Savile Row): London College of Fashion, Newham College, or directly through a Savile Row apprenticeship.
Italy: Scuola di Moda (Milan), tailoring schools in Naples.
Online: Rory Duffy’s Handcraft Tailor Academy has in-depth video courses.

4. Practice with Real Projects

Start with a waistcoat (simpler structure).
Move to trousers.
Then tackle a jacket (the most complex, due to canvassing, lapels, and fitting).
Each project should be fitted on a live model—learning how fabric sits on the body is essential.

5. Study Fit and Style

A tailor’s true skill is fit. Learn:

Proportion (shoulder width, trouser break, jacket length).
Adjustments (for stooped posture, one shoulder lower than the other, belly, etc.).
Different house styles (Savile Row structured vs. Neapolitan soft tailoring).

6. Community and Mentorship

Tailoring is a craft passed down.

Join online forums (Cutter & Tailor, Styleforum).
Follow master tailors on Instagram/YouTube.
Seek a local master tailor for mentorship, even part-time.

✨ Tip: If you’re learning solo, balance books + video learning with a lot of hands-on practice. Nothing replaces hours of stitching canvas, ripping seams, and redoing until the jacket sits perfectly.

Public Domain Tailoring Books

Pattern Drafting & Cutting

The “American System” of Dressmaking and Cutting – James McCall (1870s–1880s).
Practical Cutter and Tailor’s Guide – Jno. J. Mitchell (c. 1900).
The International System of Garment Cutting – F. T. Wampen (1890s).
The Cutter’s Practical Guide series – W. D. F. Vincent (late 1800s–early 1900s). This was the tailoring textbook of its era, very influential in both Britain and abroad.

Tailoring Technique

The Practical Guide to Cutting and Making All Kinds of Garments for Men, Women, and Children – 19th century manuals often bundled cutting + sewing.
The Art of Garment Cutting, Fitting, and Making – Archibald Whife (1939) — later editions may still be under copyright, but early ones are sometimes available.

Specialized

Practical Tailoring: A Handbook of Instruction – various authors, early 20th c.
The Modern Tailor, Outfitter, and Clothier – A. A. Whife (early 1900s editions).
The Complete Guide to Practical Cutting – E. T. Osborn (early 1900s).

Thursday, April 24, 2025

to be able to climb and jump and all these things...

Thursday, April 17, 2025

Get a new hobby

How to Find a Hobby As an Adult: 125+ Ideas to Help You Find a Hobby You Love

I find this list quite amusing.

"Hobbies for animal lovers: beekeeping, taxidermy..."

Hobbies to learn new things: sudoku. Wordle? What is it I'm supposed to learn by playing sudoku or wordle?

I'll think about this a little, and come up with my own list of 100+ new hobbies for people.

They also have several hobbies in more than one category...

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Dog circus

Irina Markova

Miss Anna

Carmen Kulyns

A poodle circus-style act draws on both dog training and showmanship, so you’d need to think about it from both the canine and audience perspectives. Here’s a roadmap:

🐩 1. Start with the Dogs

Temperament: Poodles are excellent choices (they’re intelligent, agile, and love to perform). Choose dogs who enjoy activity, are food- or toy-motivated, and comfortable around noise, lights, and people.
Health: Ensure the dogs are physically fit. Veterinary checkups, especially joint health for jumps and agility tricks, are crucial.
Training Foundation: Basic obedience is essential (sit, stay, come, heel, focus). Then build on it with fun tricks.

🎪 2. Train Circus-Style Tricks

Think in terms of acts rather than random tricks:

Balance & Agility: walking on hind legs, standing on props, weaving through legs, climbing ladders, balancing on balls or stools.
Jumps: over hurdles, through hoops (can be flaming hoops for flair, but LED hoops are safer), jumping rope.
Precision Tricks: rolling over, bowing, spinning, paw waves, carrying props, forming “poodle pyramids” (standing on each other’s backs).
Comedy Bits: one dog “misbehaves” (pretends to be lazy, hides, steals a hat), while another “corrects” them.
Dance Routines: choreograph to music – dogs spinning, jumping, circling you, or moving in sync.

🎭 3. Stagecraft & Presentation

Costumes: Colorful but comfortable for dogs. Light capes, hats, collars with sparkles. For you: circus-style attire (ringmaster, clown, or themed costumes).
Props: Small platforms, hoops, agility gear, rolling barrels, ladders, balls. Props should be stable, safe, and easy to transport.
Music: Upbeat circus tunes or themed tracks help set the mood.
Choreography: Build short routines (2–5 minutes per act), with a rhythm of energy: fast trick, pause for applause, repeat.

🏟️ 4. Safety & Welfare

Always positive reinforcement training (treats, toys, praise).
Breaks, water, shade, and rest areas.
Avoid overly stressful crowds until dogs are well socialized.
Limit show time to what the dogs enjoy—better to leave the audience wanting more.

📣 5. Business & Performance Side

Venues: Fairs, festivals, children’s parties, schools, dog expos.
Marketing: Posters with colorful photos, social media reels, “meet the stars” introductions.
Theme: Maybe “Dancing Poodles of Paris” or “Circus Canine Extravaganza.” A strong brand makes it memorable.

👉 A good first step: start training one poodle with a set of tricks, string 3–4 into a little “mini-act,” film it, and see how it feels to perform. Then you can expand into a full show with multiple dogs, costumes, and stage effects.

Fifi Roncey

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