Brian A. Wilkins – Page 6 – Maximize opportunities, minimize mistakes.

Arizona Van Dwelling: Basics For First-Time Phoenix Campers

Published April 4, 2016

April 4, 2016

NOTE: SOME OF THIS INFO MAY BE OUTDATED, BUT STILL PROVIDES A GOOD BLUEPRINT FOR PHOENIX VANDWELLERS.

I’m leaving Phoenix until at least November of this year. I’ve lived there for a good portion of my life while in a van, so know the ins-and-outs. Its best to avoid all together in the summer months, which, heat-wise, span from April to October. But for whatever reason, some van and RV folks love the heat and will live there all summer. More power to you. March and April are still bearable months however, so this guide will help anyone traveling to the desert capital find a few parking spots, amenities and other friendly spots. read more

3 Comments

Emergency Comfortable Showering For Vandwellers

Published April 4, 2016

BrianWilkins.org
April 4, 2016

SOMEWHERE IN CALIFORNIA — When you haven’t showered in three days and you don’t feel like dealing with traffic and other Monday B.S. that comes with locating a gym to shower, this is an effective alternative.

Find a deserted spot, put on the shower shoes, two gallons of room temp water, 24 ounces of boiling water, generator for shaving/trimming tools, and shower away. Crazy the average American shower lasts eight minutes and uses 17 gallons of water, per one source. But two gallons is more than enough for your pre-wash spray down, then wash yourself with whatever you use (I’m a body wash guy), and use the remaining water to rinse. read more

Leave a Comment

My New Bed In The Van

Published December 30, 2015

December 30, 2015

The cup is full of 90% hot green tea and 10% cold Barefoot Pinot Grigio; and lemon and honey. Always use a carbon monoxide (CO) detector when using any propane appliances indoors. Even Mr. Heater which is meant for indoor use and has a low-oxygen sensor, still requires a detector. You also need cross-ventilation all the time i.e. cracked windows on each side of the van.

The new vacuum is probably the best addition of all. No more searching for car washes in unfamiliar cities. Now vacuuming is part of the daily routine. The BioLite Nanogrid is great for 3-4 hours of bright light on a full charge. Those coil light bulbs in a desk clamp lamp are golden for a small inverter system like mine and are great for similar bright light when the BioLite dies. read more

Leave a Comment

Kansas Shortcut Between Midwest and Southwest

Published November 10, 2015

BrianWilkins.org
November 10, 2015

The van is now approaching that 200,000 mile[stone]. Interstates are always best as far as speed limits, amenities (i.e. 24 hour rest areas, truck stops, etc.), lighting, smooth pavement and everything else that makes living on the road for months at a time more comfortable. But in most cases interstates are not the shortest route to your destination.

Those who have traveled a lot between the Midwest and Southwest (for me, Des Moines to Phoenix) have probably used the I-80 to I-25 in Denver route until you get to I-40. The scenery in Colorado, along with the atmosphere, is always worth the trip. But that route extends 1,600 miles. I decided to try the Kansas route that is only 1,410 and takes two less hours than the interstate/Colorado route. You also still avoid Texas entirely (albeit by only about 2.5 miles). read more

1 Comment

A Typical Day In The Van

Published September 9, 2015

It takes about 10 minutes to set up/lock the generator and put the AC unit in the window.

Always remember: minimize materialism, maximize liberty.

Leave a Comment

Co-Creation: History And Future Of Collaborative Creativity

Co-Creation: History And Future Of Collaborative Creativity

Published June 18, 2015

Greenwood District of Tulsa, Okla., aka "Black Wallstreet" was built by newly-freed enslaved Africans in the late 1800s. It was firebombed by the National Guard and Oklahoma Police in June of 1921. — Greenwood District of Tulsa, Okla., aka “Black Wallstreet” was built via co-creation. Newly-freed enslaved Africans who came together to build their lives in the late 1800s. The city was bombed and destroyed by the National Guard and Oklahoma Police in June of 1921.

The definition of co-creation is simple to decipher in its face. Co-creation, like it sounds, is collective creativity between two or more people in a collaborative space. Those people can include business stakeholders, trained professionals in various disciplines, consumers or members of communities.

A 2009 white paper by market advisory firm Frontier Strategy Group defined five guiding principles of successful co-creation: inspire participation, select the very best, connect creative minds, share results, and continue development. There are many examples from as far back as the 17th century in the United States that fit these parameters. But it’s only been in the past couple decades that co-creation as a concept in business and mainstream vernacular started picking up steam. read more

Leave a Comment

Personal Response: 7 Biggest Risks of Raising Black Children in a White Environment

Personal Response: 7 Biggest Risks of Raising Black Children in a White Environment

Published January 27, 2015

My homies and I. Circa 1979. — My homies Joe, David, Patrick, Greg, Geoff, Grant, and I. Circa 1979.

This interesting article “7 Biggest Risks of Raising Black Children in a White Environment” was published on Atlanta Black Star January 19. My hometown, Marshalltown, Iowa (population about 24,000 back then), was 95-plus percent white when I was born and raised (1970s, 1980s, early 1990s). The Des Moines schools I went to after my parents were divorced around 1987 were at least 60/40 white/black, give or take. I was shuffled back-and-forth between the two towns after 7th grade, thus I have a really unique perspective. read more

3 Comments

Joseph Philippe Laroche And Juliette Lafargue: The Real Rose And Jack In Titanic

Joseph Philippe Laroche And Juliette Lafargue: The Real Rose And Jack In Titanic

Published January 19, 2015

January 19, 2015 (updated December 6, 2018)

Mr. Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche (R) with his wife Juliette Lafargue and their two daughters Simonne and Louise. — Mr. Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche (R), with his wife Juliette Lafargue and their two daughters, Simone and Louise.

The fictionalized story of poor vagabond Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio) and 17-year-old aristocrat Rose DeWitt Bukater (Kate Winslet) falling in love on the Titanic won James Cameron a Golden Globe for Best Director. The film also won Best Motion Picture, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song. Titanic was also nominated for 14 Academy Awards, winning 11. The original film and the 3D version released on April 4, 2012 to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of RMS Titanic sinking, grossed over $2 billion globally. That is the 2nd highest total ever for a film, second only to Cameron’s other blockbuster, Avatar. read more

2 Comments

Wallace, Idaho Rest Stop Has Interesting Story

Published November 17, 2014

NOVEMBER 17, 2014

This was sometime in early August; my third straight month living on the road. Forgot there’s over 100 hours of footage on my phone from this extended excursion , so might as well post some of it. One thing you can count on with Idaho and Montana: beautiful scenery.

And I finally showered in Spokane, Washington.

Leave a Comment

Cheyenne Frontier Days And Yellowstone National Park

Published August 31, 2014

BrianWilkins.org
Sunday, August 31, 2014

The four days spent in Cheyenne, Wyoming were completely spontaneous (like much my entire life) after pretty much being forced to stay by the locals.

The first rest stop when you enter Wyoming from Fort Collins, Colo. via Interstate 25.

It just so happen to be the time of year for the town’s annual Frontier Days, which was described as the largest rodeo in the world by several individuals there. Now I truly understand the saying “this isn’t my first rodeo.” No matter how many of those things you see depicted in cartoons and television shows, there’s absolutely nothing like seeing one in person…for numerous reasons that are not the subject of this article. Despite the fact some moron backed into my generator and ripped up its outer casing at a truck stop in Cheyenne, Frontier Days was pretty awesome…and pretty country! read more

1 Comment

Brian A. Wilkins Posts