Decorative paint strokes with faint image of man writing at a desk

Ryan Johnson

digital work / analog life

  • Jun 2, 2022

    I relied on Gaia GPS for search and rescue missions. Not anymore.

    When I joined search and rescue, I bought the Gaia GPS Premium service. It worked great for awhile, until a debilitating bug and woefully indifferent customer service ruined it.

  • May 29, 2022

    Favorite gear: original Leatherman PST

    I was gifted an original Leatherman multitool when I graduated high school in 1999. It’s taken years for me to understand how rare it is.

  • May 27, 2022

    Joining search and rescue part four: why I joined

    Search and rescue is demanding. It’s financially expensive (mostly gear and gas), time consuming, and emotionally taxing. So why did I join?

  • May 19, 2022

    Joining search and rescue part three: old trucks (and old shoulders)

    Following my shoulder surgery in December, and subsequent physical therapy, I’m preparing to return to search and rescue by equipping my old truck.

  • Apr 27, 2022

    Here we go again

    Five years ago I explained why I was leaving Facebook. This time, with the last remaining social media account I had, I’m tired of explaining.

  • Mar 28, 2022

    Favorite gear: Swiss Army rucksacks

    I’ve owned the iconic ‘salt and pepper’ Swiss rucksack for over 20 years, but just recently learned the reason for its legendary canvas weave.

  • Feb 19, 2022

    The 10 best books I read in 2021

    It was another pandemic year, and I was sidelined with a surgery for the latter months, so I had plenty of time to read in 2021. I read more fiction this year than any year before, and my list of favorites reflects that.

  • Oct 30, 2021

    Joining search and rescue part two: gear

    I’ve been onboarding to a search and rescue team over the past few months. We’re required to have 55 specific pieces of gear. Here’s what I chose for required gear.

  • Oct 26, 2021

    Joining search and rescue part one: training

    I’ve been onboarding to a search and rescue team over the past few months. Here’s how it’s going so far.

  • Oct 5, 2021

    Developing film with instant coffee: part two

    My latest round of film developed with instant coffee turned out much better than the first. I think the lens filters did the heavy lifting.

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Analog and relunctantly digital thoughts and observations. Opinions are mine alone unless otherwise stated.