deweydecimalchickens

[deweydecimalchickens]

Spent a week hiking in Snowdonia, specifically the Harlech/Barmouth/Dolgellau area. I went up quite a challenging mountain, Rhinog Fawr, that I hadn't attempted before and where the paths are generally only obvious in hindsight. Based on that previous post about doing things solo that I perhaps shouldn't, here is a list of stuff that really earned its keep in my literal and metaphorical rucksack this time around:

Emergency satellite communicator. Mine's a Garmin Inreach Mini. Allows you to send check-in messages or SOS calls, plus your location, even when there's no phone coverage. I'd preset a "delayed but safe and nothing bad has happened" message, and I used it.

Ordnance Survey Active (waterproof) maps. They're bulkier and more expensive than the standard paper maps, but stand up a lot better to folding them the wrong way, shoving them in your pocket, then falling on your arse in a puddle. Guess how I know.

Pair of lightweight trekking poles + being taught how to use them properly. Huge improvement over having one heavy one and just sort of leaning on it at random.

Sealskinz waterproof socks. Up to your ankles in a puddle and your boots aren't waterproof anymore? No problem!

Water-to-Go bottle with a filter that kills bacteria, viruses and giardia. Makes getting drinking water from streams a bit less anxiety-inducing.

Having done a mountain skills course in the meantime. I mean yes you can figure a lot of stuff out through lengthy trial and error and try not to die, or you can...go and get taught stuff by a professional.

#Snowdonia #Hill walking #Hiking #Rhinog Fawr #Outdoors kit #Mountain skills

[deweydecimalchickens]

It really helps my anxiety to do things by myself because then I'm not responsible for anyone else staying safe or having a good time. If I'm having fun I stay. If I'm not having fun I leave. It's easy. Figuring out what other people want is a really difficult full-time job for me and getting to stop doing it is awesome.

just curious as they're always things i've never questioned just doing but people in my life are often surprised that i don't mind doing them alone

🔁 pls reblog for sample size

#I crave solitude #Probably not on Team Neurotypical #In theory some of it isn't the safest #Buuuut also getting social pressure in what should be pure risk assessment is ALSO not the safest #I am only competent when nobody's watching

[deweydecimalchickens]

I cannot get the people I hike with to carry even half the stuff my anxious ass considers important. But I made my mum an emergency kit that isn't bigger or heavier than an extra water bottle...

#Anxiety Girl goes up mountains #Like I am not mad prepper style here #At least she carries a map #Unlike the other one

[deweydecimalchickens]

The Jaynetts: "Roses they won't hurt you, no the roses they can't hurt you"

Toby Daye: *Kubrick-stares at camera in duel-wielding, blood-soaked exhaustion*

#October Daye #Sally go round the roses #Sit and cry where the roses grow #You can sit and cry not a soul will know

[deweydecimalchickens]

They were running out of time, panicked, and named me after the midwife.

For the purposes of this poll please just stick to birth names! I'd like to do another poll for names people chose themselves later in life.

#Names

[deweydecimalchickens]

Like I have literally had a Canada goose fly screaming at my face, bounce off my hastily-raised arm, and come back for two more goes.

It was a misunderstanding involving her stupid babies running around the other side of my bicycle.

They cannot break your arm. You will be fine. She's just being a good mom.

YES I’ve been chased and hissed at by a Canada goose but it doesn’t make me hate them guess I’m just built different

#Canada geese #It's just a duck on roids #Trying to get through this thing called life

[deweydecimalchickens]

YES I’ve been chased and hissed at by a Canada goose but it doesn’t make me hate them guess I’m just built different

#Canada geese #I mean they're correct #Humans are terrible #More animals should defend themselves against us

[deweydecimalchickens]

The whole time I had this nagging feeling there was one I was leaving out. I just realised it was Kay Redfield Jamison's Night Falls Fast. And I absolutely cannot show up to a neurodivergency group with a book about suicide, even though the two are massively correlated. Because then people will start making decisions for my own good, and I'll have to soothe their feelings about something I live with 24/7.

These are my books, show me yours.

We're talking about books for the neurodivergent group at work because, well, we all work in a library. One of the books on the suggested list is one I have on loan, so I'm bringing it in.

Then I got the bright idea to bring in a bunch of my books that soothe/explain/rabbithole my mind.

I have never felt so naked in my life. (And I used to model for art classes.)

#TW suicide

[deweydecimalchickens]

These are my books, show me yours.

We're talking about books for the neurodivergent group at work because, well, we all work in a library. One of the books on the suggested list is one I have on loan, so I'm bringing it in.

Then I got the bright idea to bring in a bunch of my books that soothe/explain/rabbithole my mind.

I have never felt so naked in my life. (And I used to model for art classes.)

#Murderbot #Is in there #The books that saved your life #The rise and fall of sanctuary moon #Hello please judge my soul

[deweydecimalchickens]

Not on Rex Manning Day!

#Rex Manning Day #April 8th #Empire Records #Say no more mon amour #Youtube

[deweydecimalchickens]

Unexpected benefits of global warming:

As ticks become a problem in more areas, the tyranny of capris and 7/8 leggings is over.

#Sort of joking #Not really #Give me full length leggings you fucking cowards #What if we took trousers and made them stupid? #What if we DIDN'T #Too tall for this shit

[deweydecimalchickens]

I was about to be irritated at a shitty "kids' education" website on 1770s clothing but then I learned that there's a staymaker buried at King's Chapel and now I'm just delighted to know the gravesite of a clothing worker from that era and I want to take him flowers

#Thomas Paine #WHAT #I will tight-lace to Tom Paine's bones #Seriously WHAT #If you wanna do anything to Tom Paine's bones you'll have to find them first #Could be anywhere #Tom Paine's mortal remains just in your attic or some shit #Skull pops up yelling #This is the age of reason #These are the rights of man

[deweydecimalchickens]

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Not now Not now Not Now Not now Not now Not Now Not now Not now Not Now

#Oh fuck this is why I'm exhausted all the time

[deweydecimalchickens]

I think between the cruiser handlebars with bright blue grips, MTB mud flap, armoured hybrid tyres, cheerful sparkly purple bell, and reflective spoke covers, most of what I've done tonight is actually considered a crime against vintage road bikes.

IDK man I just want something that's actually comfortable to ride. I'm this close to putting a noseless circular saddle on it.

The face of a woman who can stop Googling "how to pick a bike lock with a pen".

#I want to ride my bicycle #Wannabe wrench wench #Reluctant cyclist

[deweydecimalchickens]

The face of a woman who can stop Googling "how to pick a bike lock with a pen".

#This is why I buy combination locks #My dyspraxic ass LOSES THINGS A LOT #I hate working on my bikes #Every problem slightly mitigated reveals five more #The bike in question #Is currently upside down in my kitchen #With one wheel on #Tyres and tubes replaced #Mudguard added #Awaiting a new derailleur and chain #Switching out the handlebars and brake levers next

[deweydecimalchickens]

Question for the audience

Also leave in the tags what people usually compliment you on!!

#Sturdy by Design leggings #Dresses with dinosaurs on #Sometimes piercings or tattoos #Patch jacket

[deweydecimalchickens]

During lockdown when everyone was going stir-crazy and the one place to go for your daily outdoor activity was the local park people really set out to tame those squirrels. Fuck-all else to do.

Result being now if I go for a jog around the lake I have to hurdle large squirrels.

There's a particularly magnificent one called Nipples who just waddles up to you on her hind legs like "oi. You. Feed my babies".

Hearing that there are no squrrels in Australia, and that australians are therefore mildly freaked out by seeing them in the wild, I'd really want to take some australians on a tour to Seurasaari. And not warn them beforehand.

#Squirrels