Downsizing for Travel

 

Image: Created with Copilot AI

So, I’ve been watching videos lately about packing for travel... I give up.  Why does everything have to be a science?  Why can’t you just pick a few things, and throw that shit in a bag?

I know, I know.  You might forget something that you need.   You don’t want to run out of something that might not be available where you’re going. You don’t want to have to buy anything when you get there.  And the list goes on and on.

That is one concept for packing.  The other is… try to travel light.

That’s the reason for this article.  I’ve been really thinking about taking “dinky” trips lately.  I’m older, I ain’t really got shit to do (lol!), and I feel a need to get out more.  I want to do things that are somewhat creative, but don’t cost a lot. 

I want to start utilizing AMTRAK more, which I affectionately call meDIRTY Train. 😁I could take a day trip up to Philadelphia and get a Philly cheese steak and come back.  Or, got to Washington D.C. or Baltimore, or any combination of things that might be fun and simple.  I just wish they had more routes.  Also, side note, did you know Amtrak was

DiamondNZeRuff: This is my Otakon 2026 Experience!

 

Image provided by: Diamondnzeruff "Otakon 2026"

Byline: Diamondnzeruff: Author, writer, gamer and content creator.

We went to OTAKON!!!

Some of the best parts of being an anime fan is being surrounded by other anime fans and where better to do that than at anime conventions! Over the weekend I went to Otakon, the largest anime convention in DC! It’s like 4 floors of gaming, panels, SHOPPING, and anime, anime, anime!

Click "read more" to see my short image gallery!

I found an Anime / ComiCon Calendar…

 

Copilot/Adobe Express AI: Anime ComiCon Calendar

In my effort to look for hobbies and things to do I found an interesting calendar that lists many anime and ComiCon events. I must admit --I'm not deep in the anime culture, so don't ask me anything that would require facts 😁😆, but I do like the vibe. 

 

I used to work at a hotel and we sometime hosted dog shows, and a few fun events where people dressed up as movie characters.  It really seemed like they had a lot of fun.  If you are interested in ComiCon, Cosplay, or Anime...then you should out some of the events on the calendar link below.

 

https://animecons.com/events/ 

 

I also have a link on the bottom of my Classified and Other page.

 

Enjoy!

 

The Beach Belongs to Everybody.

 

So this article is going to be a rant.  It's about returning to the people what belongs to the people-- equally. And first things first... The BEACH!

There was a time when people had a "thought" of equality; but now greed has taken over and things are out of alignment. The rich people seem to want everything for themselves and nothing for everyone else. This is where a proper dose of what's is called democratic socialism should be prescribed.

We cannot continue to let corporations and rich individuals rule. 

My Travel and Gaming Journey –2nd Post; Finding Out I Can Use My Phone As a Game Controller

 

 

I am currently on a trip I decided to make to Massachusetts visiting one of my daughters before 2025 was done.   Yes, the cold, *dirty train and all.  And so far only a couple of hiccups, but it’s quite nice and I am glad I decided to take the trip.

But, this post is not about the trip per se; it’s about discovering that I can use my other phone as a game controller.  In all of my pared-down packing, I forgot to pack my game controller.  (I’m trying to make the processes of learning how to game and learning to code part of my routine—no matter where I am or decide to travel).

So, I had this brilliant thought.  Since I play Infinity Ops and other games on my phone, I wonder if I could use my phone as a controller for my computer… and the Googlers said—Yes.  I can.  🥳 So, I’m giving it a try.  

You pretty much load a dedicated app or program to on your phone to connect to your pc or console…and away you go!

Others have done it—so I know it works.  Here’s a link to the answers

Roanoke Cashie Center Video Post Explore

Image: Rest Area outside the Roanoke Cashie Center

So, today, I'm practicing adding more video content to the site! 👀  You are probably aware that I have a YouTube channel and I want to start building it up along with my blog.  I have old,  I mean vintage videos from places I've visited and businesses I've interacted with that I thought might be interesting ...at the very least good practise in adding content.  

Today, we are looking at the Roanoke Cashie Center in Windsor, North Carolina.  It is a preservation

Discover Durham

I was out searching and browsing the internet, and this cool site about Durham, North Carolina came up.  It’s called, Discover Durham.  It looks more like an arts page to highlight all the activities in the city but it looked so cool, I thought I’d share! 

As you may know, I’ll be sharing more travel information in 2024—so why not get started with North Carolina!  I’m an administrative consultant and personal assistant so hit me up if you need travel arrangements.  Let’s talk about it.

Explore Your World From Where You Are… Then Travel!

DHSpeller Image: Beach/Cove TGOW Project

In my opinion, exploring is part of human nature.  Some people like to do it a little, others like to do it a lot.  Today, I'm here to encourage you to not be discouraged if you can't do it as often as you like. As a matter of fact, I would argue that actually going to a location is only part of the journey.  Start the trip by seeing it in your mind's eye first.

Take some time to learn about destinations right from where you are. Use resources like your cellphone, computers, books, and even people that you might know who have been where you want to go or might be native to where you want to travel. That will help build  upon the overall experience and prepare you for what you might encounter when you get there.

I currently live in a rural area, but I've traveled some in the past.  And some of the things I learned from the military when preparing to change duty stations is to learn about the place you are going to.  That has endured as such a lesson to me that I often look up places I intend to visit even now!  I often go to YouTube and pull up live webcams for Florida, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, Africa, or even New York or D.C. just to put my mind in position of being there.

I encourage you to explore more--right where you are and prepare for the journey!

Happy travels and safe journeys!

Resources: Link to YouTube Video

Bertie County's Tall Glass of Water Project (TGOW)

Looking at the Bertie/Edenton Bridge afar.

Have you visited the beach at the Bertie County’s Tall Glass of Water Project?  It started gaining steam back in 2019.  I’ve linked to the Bertie County page above.  It tells all about the project and I encourage you to go and read about it for yourself.  I got so interested in it, I took a quick trip out to take a look for myself. In my opinion, it looks like it could be a great start to a good thing.

However, I must mention a few things that you might need to be aware of.

Things that made me go…Hmmm

1. The GPS is slightly off if you are using it to travel to the location (video link from a revisit to the site).  And signage could be better.  I drove smooth past the entrance when I saw a little graveled road and the GPS said I had farther to go to get there. 
2. The gravel road.  Big rocks. One and a quarter lane.  Which means you have to share the road going in and coming out. It wasn’t a difficult maneuver, but was still a little awkward.
3. Parking.  There is a big grassy field where you park… much like some makeshift concert secondary parking; but it was doable. 
4. The actual beach fronts.  Country is what country does. 😎  This actually reminded me more of a cove situation. In some places you had more space to put beach chairs and what not, but in all situations, the shore was narrow.  There were rusted engine blocks and tires—which made for good exploration and adventure, but Nags Head twin… it was not. 🙂☺

 

But, I can say that there were a good number of people out there having a great time, and more were coming in as I was leaving.  I think this will be a well-used beach/water access.  Congratulations to the project planners!  And I look forward to many more great things.  I took pictures!

 

 

  

Hey Y'all!

Webcams Jam - Travel through Webcams!

Sometimes a staycation means pulling out all stops! Splurge... from the comfort of your own home! I've listed a few live webcams to get you started.  Even if you can't travel to the actual spaces because of circumstance, you can still enjoy and learn through technology. 😉  

(If the links below don't all work, you can always do a new search by typing something like "world live webcams" to start your exploration.)  Enjoy!

Cam Links: 

SurfChex Webcams: https://www.surfchex.com/ 
Explore Live Cams:  https://explore.org/livecams/ 
Earth Cams: https://www.earthcam.com/ 
Africa Webcams: https://www.skylinewebcams.com/en/webcam/africa.html 

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