Monday, August 27, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Week In Review
Well, we're almost back to normal. Its been a pretty standard week. I've been taking a few medical problems I've been having and I'm going to start taking care of them. I recently listened to a podcast called In The Rabbit Hole (ITRH), which is a fantastic podcast. They're very tasteful, not overly paranoid, and they make tons of good points. But anyway, the episode was called "Survival CHI". At first glance I thought it was stupid but it played over my stereo at work and it was actually pretty enlightening.
Community
Health
Intelligence
Yeah, not as stupid as it sounds, right? I'm working on my community. I'm getting a few locals on my Facebook and that's great. However, Health, not my strong point. I'm feeling good about myself, but I know there are some things I need to fix. I'm working on them but some I actually need to see a doctor to have it looked at. My ankle has been killing me for the past couple weeks, but its been hurting for several months. I am bullheaded enough to just go through with the pain. It is starting to effect my work and that's not good at all. So its time to start making the changes. I have insurance, so why not?
This week Panzer graduated from his basic obedience training with flying colors. We're very proud of him. In September he'll move on to his next course. We have been looking into his bug out gear. That stuff is expensive. A pack for a dog is just as much as a backpack for a human. That's ridiculous. But what is more important is that its there. Port-a-bowls are also pretty nifty too. We may end up buying his gear soon.
He doesn't like hats.
Friday night we weeded out the garden because we really fear we’re not going to get a harvest from it. Though as we were weeding it out we found that our tomato plants actually are starting to bear fruit. So we narrowed out the whole garden and we’re down to four tomato plants and two green pepper plants. The gardens at the bug out locations produced HUGE amounts for harvest. The zucchini are averaging just shy of a foot long. We’re waiting on the cucumbers and some other things. We lost our green beans and lettuce in our garden, we lost the green beans because of a lack of light. We lost the lettuce because it seeded too quickly. The four lettuce plants were giant. But we waited to long to harvest. We lost two cilantro plants, but no matter what we lost, we made it grew something from seed to fruit. I’m still impressed we did it. Now with that in mind, since then I have been thinking about how I want to build my first green house and I’ve come up with the first plans that include the materials and even the cut list. It is unknown what we are going to grow but I know how I want to build a nice greenhouse. With the greenhouse I’m coming up with plans to build a rain catcher so we are going to have water right beside greenhouse. THAT made me think even more about it. I’ve decided that I want to incorporate the rain catcher and the greenhouse. …I’ll post a picture when the blueprints (…I guess) when they are completely done. VERY excited.
Finally, I may be making a purchase I've been wanting to make soon. Hopefully, I'll be buying my thigh rig soon. I'm hoping to buy my thigh rig and a few pouches. Also, completely unrelated to prepping or ANY of this for that matter, the wife and I decided that for Christmas we decided to abandon the typical Christmas garbage we decided we're going to buy ourselves a nice TV. I'm very excited that we can finally get rid of failing 27 inch CRT TV sitting on the odd rolling thing its sitting on. The important part to all this is: I get to build a TV stand and I know exactly what I'm building. Again, this is completely unrelated but here is the picture!
Enjoy your french toast.
So I don't really know how to start this. Something has been bugging me and it has to do with the general public. Why is it when I mention that I prep the general public gives me a look like I said that I store dead bodies? Usually though at the end of the conversation it ends with "Well I know where to go if something bad ever happens..." Well, thats pretty unfair. First, you look at me like I'm a serial killer, then you just go ahead and invite yourself if you ever need help?
My other big problem is, I'm a bigger fellow. When I explain what I do people look at me like bigger folks don't stand a chance. Its as if, if your skinny you're obviously going to survive anything, you can run forever, and you'll always be ready to move. I'm a big guy and if I have to, I can move. There are people that can vouch for that. I'm mathematical, always prioritizing and calculating, and I have a decent head on my shoulders. Lets also not forget that I have some extra fat stored away so I'm not a skeleton in 2 weeks if something bad should happen.
Why is our lifestyle/hobby so scary to people? Why so quick to make a judgement about me if I clearly am not a fanatic? I've watched Doomsday Preppers, its really just fun to watch. I don't want to be like some of those people. Most have forgotten that they still have today. They only live to survive the future. I work a normal job, have a wife and a puppy, I go out to the movies, I go to the range, I clean my house, read comic books, play video games, and watch TV. But if you open the door to my spare bedroom you'll see 2 shelving units of organized, stockpiled food, and a few boxes with inventory lists on.
Really what I'm trying to figure out is: Why is the idea of what we do so frightening to "normal people"?
Some of my family think I've dove into the deep-end preparing for the "zombie apocalypse" stockpiling MREs, guns, ammo, and band-aids. When they've never asked why I do what I do, what I'm actually afraid of, or any question that involves bringing the subject up. Its pretty scary to think that I'm simply doing what my great, great grandparents did. To most people we're insane but they don't realize that insanity is rushing out the grocery store to buy milk, bread, and eggs when snow might be coming. Those people don't plan and when something bad may happen they LOSE their minds.
Enjoy your french toast.
For the record, those people that I just described are the relatives that think that I'M the crazy one.
My other big problem is, I'm a bigger fellow. When I explain what I do people look at me like bigger folks don't stand a chance. Its as if, if your skinny you're obviously going to survive anything, you can run forever, and you'll always be ready to move. I'm a big guy and if I have to, I can move. There are people that can vouch for that. I'm mathematical, always prioritizing and calculating, and I have a decent head on my shoulders. Lets also not forget that I have some extra fat stored away so I'm not a skeleton in 2 weeks if something bad should happen.
Why is our lifestyle/hobby so scary to people? Why so quick to make a judgement about me if I clearly am not a fanatic? I've watched Doomsday Preppers, its really just fun to watch. I don't want to be like some of those people. Most have forgotten that they still have today. They only live to survive the future. I work a normal job, have a wife and a puppy, I go out to the movies, I go to the range, I clean my house, read comic books, play video games, and watch TV. But if you open the door to my spare bedroom you'll see 2 shelving units of organized, stockpiled food, and a few boxes with inventory lists on.
Really what I'm trying to figure out is: Why is the idea of what we do so frightening to "normal people"?
Some of my family think I've dove into the deep-end preparing for the "zombie apocalypse" stockpiling MREs, guns, ammo, and band-aids. When they've never asked why I do what I do, what I'm actually afraid of, or any question that involves bringing the subject up. Its pretty scary to think that I'm simply doing what my great, great grandparents did. To most people we're insane but they don't realize that insanity is rushing out the grocery store to buy milk, bread, and eggs when snow might be coming. Those people don't plan and when something bad may happen they LOSE their minds.
Enjoy your french toast.
For the record, those people that I just described are the relatives that think that I'M the crazy one.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Wishlist v2.0
I’ve decided to abandon my last wishlist. I think since I wrote that I’ve matured a little bit, and saw the true flaws in my stockpiling. The cooking issue needs to be addressed quickly and a few other things need to be taken into heavy consideration. So, without further delay, I present Wishlist v2.0:
1. Camp Stove
2. Additional Propane cylinders
3. 2 Walther P22 magazines
4. Gloves
5. Kneepads
6. 2 poly camp sporks
7. Duct Tape (I have zero, and it is incredibly useful.)
8. Food Saver
9. Additional Ammo (.22, 7.62x39, & 12 Gauge)
10. 10-round SKS magazines
I say I matured a little because a few of the things I really wanted were more for looks than truly helpful. There are still a few things on my list that were on v1.0 but I’ve removed some things that were far less important to make room for the crucial. And we all my field trips I’ve found the cheapest places for some of this stuff.
Also, if anyone has access to Sam’s Club, I’d like to know if they have camping equipment available. I know they do at BJ’s. I’m pricing stuff there this weekend, probably. I’m also hoping for a successful pirate raid (Flea market) this weekend. But it looks like its calling for rain, so I may not get to. Around this time of year people start dumping all their camping gear to make room in their garages and such. I might be able to pick up a nice stove for a couple bucks. If anyone has any thoughts about things I should change on my list, please let me know. I’m still new with the whole thing and I’m trying to make proper decisions, but the kid in my brain keeps coming out wanting to play army man and telling me I need silly shit.
1. Camp Stove
2. Additional Propane cylinders
3. 2 Walther P22 magazines
4. Gloves
5. Kneepads
6. 2 poly camp sporks
7. Duct Tape (I have zero, and it is incredibly useful.)
8. Food Saver
9. Additional Ammo (.22, 7.62x39, & 12 Gauge)
10. 10-round SKS magazines
I say I matured a little because a few of the things I really wanted were more for looks than truly helpful. There are still a few things on my list that were on v1.0 but I’ve removed some things that were far less important to make room for the crucial. And we all my field trips I’ve found the cheapest places for some of this stuff.
Also, if anyone has access to Sam’s Club, I’d like to know if they have camping equipment available. I know they do at BJ’s. I’m pricing stuff there this weekend, probably. I’m also hoping for a successful pirate raid (Flea market) this weekend. But it looks like its calling for rain, so I may not get to. Around this time of year people start dumping all their camping gear to make room in their garages and such. I might be able to pick up a nice stove for a couple bucks. If anyone has any thoughts about things I should change on my list, please let me know. I’m still new with the whole thing and I’m trying to make proper decisions, but the kid in my brain keeps coming out wanting to play army man and telling me I need silly shit.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Week In Review
Well, I still have not gotten back to normal. I've been doing research and putting some things into perspective.
I'm further disappointing myself with my lack of motivation and drive. I'm hoping to reestablish my balance soon. I think I went from nothing to everything as fast as I could and just burned myself out. I'm feeling progressively shittier about myself. I have ever intention of changing that. I know these are not the things you'd like to hear but I'd rather say how it really is than lie to make myself feel better.
Phase 2 has come to an end. The plants have grown a lot, don't get me wrong but they bear nothing. However, I will say that through this process I have learned an incredible amount. Also, if nothing else, we've also made plans for a spring crops and started making plans for 2 to 3 different greenhouses at possible bug-out locations. Talking with friends who are in the process of buying their first house, we've decided to work together and put in some crops of all kinds at their place as long as everything comes together nicely.
Stockpiling is moving along, previously I've inventoried my food stuffs and it was pretty pitiful. I've assessed my current situation and made a budget plan to continue stockpiling without breaking the bank. I have a list of financial goals that I've set for the next 6 months. My first is to take care of two guys that have graciously ignored my debt to them. While not much I feel its only proper to take care of them first.
In the next two weeks I'll be purchasing a stove and some extra propane bottles so i can test them and learn to work with them so its not brand new when I have to use them. Thanks to my mom and dad I've added some ammo and a few other things to the collection. They gave me some kick-ass birthday gifts.
The next thing is a little weird but I felt it needed to be done. In a lot of books I've been reading I constantly read "you get what you put in" when it comes to your body. I needed to know how much of that was truth and how long it would take before you saw results. Well, I did it and needless to say its true. Very true. This week I went and ate what I wanted and just lived a really relaxed life. There was zero gym time, shitty diet, no vitamins, and lots of tv time. It took 2 days to start to see results. Fatigue, short attention span, and making mistakes constantly. Monday through Friday I just did what i wanted. By Wednesday I was a little tired, sluggish, a little cranky, and catching mistakes left and right. It went downhill from there. By Friday I was back to feeling tired by 10:00am, I was making mistakes constantly, my already short fuse had decreased substantially, (just noting this) zero sex drive, very sluggish, nodding off, and absolutely zero motivation. When SHTF a balanced diet and exercise must become mandatory or you will not survive. It took two days to feel the effects for just going to a manual labor job that doesn't take much thinking just alot of doing, think about how it would effect you if you have to fight to stay alive. That experiment is done. The alarms are reset on my phone to remind me to take my vitamins and supplements. I'll be reestablishing contact with gym buddies to go back.
Finally, I'm working on a plan for a bug in/bug out weekend. I don't know who would be interested in participating in my area but it would be a great way to see how your gear and you would handle it. I'm thinking what I'll do is take half a dozen scenarios and put them into a hat and draw one with everyone participating watching on a Friday night and see how far we can go before realizing we're unprepared. I plan on taking notes all the time so I can review them later to make proper changes.
Thats all for now. I know I ask alot of advice from everyone but, I really need some advice now. I've lost drive and motivation. I need to get back into it. Anyone have any ideas?
I'm further disappointing myself with my lack of motivation and drive. I'm hoping to reestablish my balance soon. I think I went from nothing to everything as fast as I could and just burned myself out. I'm feeling progressively shittier about myself. I have ever intention of changing that. I know these are not the things you'd like to hear but I'd rather say how it really is than lie to make myself feel better.
Phase 2 has come to an end. The plants have grown a lot, don't get me wrong but they bear nothing. However, I will say that through this process I have learned an incredible amount. Also, if nothing else, we've also made plans for a spring crops and started making plans for 2 to 3 different greenhouses at possible bug-out locations. Talking with friends who are in the process of buying their first house, we've decided to work together and put in some crops of all kinds at their place as long as everything comes together nicely.
Stockpiling is moving along, previously I've inventoried my food stuffs and it was pretty pitiful. I've assessed my current situation and made a budget plan to continue stockpiling without breaking the bank. I have a list of financial goals that I've set for the next 6 months. My first is to take care of two guys that have graciously ignored my debt to them. While not much I feel its only proper to take care of them first.
In the next two weeks I'll be purchasing a stove and some extra propane bottles so i can test them and learn to work with them so its not brand new when I have to use them. Thanks to my mom and dad I've added some ammo and a few other things to the collection. They gave me some kick-ass birthday gifts.
The next thing is a little weird but I felt it needed to be done. In a lot of books I've been reading I constantly read "you get what you put in" when it comes to your body. I needed to know how much of that was truth and how long it would take before you saw results. Well, I did it and needless to say its true. Very true. This week I went and ate what I wanted and just lived a really relaxed life. There was zero gym time, shitty diet, no vitamins, and lots of tv time. It took 2 days to start to see results. Fatigue, short attention span, and making mistakes constantly. Monday through Friday I just did what i wanted. By Wednesday I was a little tired, sluggish, a little cranky, and catching mistakes left and right. It went downhill from there. By Friday I was back to feeling tired by 10:00am, I was making mistakes constantly, my already short fuse had decreased substantially, (just noting this) zero sex drive, very sluggish, nodding off, and absolutely zero motivation. When SHTF a balanced diet and exercise must become mandatory or you will not survive. It took two days to feel the effects for just going to a manual labor job that doesn't take much thinking just alot of doing, think about how it would effect you if you have to fight to stay alive. That experiment is done. The alarms are reset on my phone to remind me to take my vitamins and supplements. I'll be reestablishing contact with gym buddies to go back.
Finally, I'm working on a plan for a bug in/bug out weekend. I don't know who would be interested in participating in my area but it would be a great way to see how your gear and you would handle it. I'm thinking what I'll do is take half a dozen scenarios and put them into a hat and draw one with everyone participating watching on a Friday night and see how far we can go before realizing we're unprepared. I plan on taking notes all the time so I can review them later to make proper changes.
Thats all for now. I know I ask alot of advice from everyone but, I really need some advice now. I've lost drive and motivation. I need to get back into it. Anyone have any ideas?
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Pre-Fall Inventory
Well, I finally got the time to inventory my stockpiled food in the room. I would have gone further but I was disappointed enough that I stopped to decide how to proceed. I have found my obvious problems. But lets start with the rough list of food, this is going to by WAY shorter than you'd think. Here we go!
(2) bx - Mac & Cheese
(12) pk - Roman Noodles
(7) bx - Noodles
(14) can - Chef Boyardee - Pull top
(2) can - Chicken Noodle Soup
(1) can - Green beans
(16) can - Mixed Fruit
(2) cans - Dinty Moore stew
(1) jar - Jelly
(1) can - Bread Crumbs
(2) btl - Ketchup
(1) btl - BBQ sauce
Yup, thats it. That is everything food wise stocked in the room. That doesn't include in the kitchen.
Problem number 2! In the case that the power is out I'm boned. Something I overlooked in the beginning was the ability to cook. I have my grill to cook on, sure. However, I don't have anything to cook with inside. The best I can do is use my FONDUE POT! Yeah, I own one, don't judge. The thing about that is: I only have 3 fuel canisters to heat with AND I also don't know if you can get water to boil using a canister like that. That will be looked in to, however, I'll be buying a camp grill and some extra bottles of propane.
I'll be working on inventorying the non-food side of my stockpiled gear.
Also, as far as this goes, its time to take a new approach to this. I'm also going to set some new goals. Expect that post in the next 24 hours along with some other stuff.
(2) bx - Mac & Cheese
(12) pk - Roman Noodles
(7) bx - Noodles
(14) can - Chef Boyardee - Pull top
(2) can - Chicken Noodle Soup
(1) can - Green beans
(16) can - Mixed Fruit
(2) cans - Dinty Moore stew
(1) jar - Jelly
(1) can - Bread Crumbs
(2) btl - Ketchup
(1) btl - BBQ sauce
Yup, thats it. That is everything food wise stocked in the room. That doesn't include in the kitchen.
Problem number 2! In the case that the power is out I'm boned. Something I overlooked in the beginning was the ability to cook. I have my grill to cook on, sure. However, I don't have anything to cook with inside. The best I can do is use my FONDUE POT! Yeah, I own one, don't judge. The thing about that is: I only have 3 fuel canisters to heat with AND I also don't know if you can get water to boil using a canister like that. That will be looked in to, however, I'll be buying a camp grill and some extra bottles of propane.
I'll be working on inventorying the non-food side of my stockpiled gear.
Also, as far as this goes, its time to take a new approach to this. I'm also going to set some new goals. Expect that post in the next 24 hours along with some other stuff.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Month in review!
Yeah, I'm sorry guys. I've been incredibly busy. Its been a crazy month.
First, we have a new addition to family. Meet Panzer! He is a year and half old. Hes a mix some Pitbull, Jack Russel, and some other stuff. We're in our 4th week of obiedence training. We're in the process of getting the "Good Citizen" award.
...I've also been looking a doggie bug-out-bag.
He knows Sit, Stay, Down, Quiet, and he knows Loose leash walking. He is completely non-aggressive and is so friendly its scary.
I've also been working on the apartment! I've made some big changes to the house. Well, first I started by going to the doctor and getting checked out for Sleep Apnea. Guess who almost dies multiple times every night? Yeah, you guessed it! Me! So with my CPAP machine I sleep complete silent at night and the wife is able to abandon her small bedroom!
After a few trips to walmart and a couple places we came home with some new gear!
After it was all built, I started organizing all my gear to it was centralized and I can keep track of everything easier. Its all getting better organized and coming together wonderfully.
Then at the beginning of August we went on a family vacation to the beach. My paranoia was pretty calm most of the time. I was in Delaware which is a state that doesn't honor Pennsylvania concealed permits. Its fine though, we kept it unloaded and broken down. But having it near by was enough to keep peace of mind. In my bag, I had my shemagh, multi-tool, and lighter in a gallon freezer bag. I wasn't the best I could do but it was better than nothing. Luckily, nothing happened. It was a flawless trip.
On the return day I went to Barnes and Noble and bought The Building a Bug Out Bag book. I'm about half way through. I'm enjoying it so far. I'll have the review done soon. Hopefully I'll write it tomorrow.
Hopefully, I'll take care of that AND I'll finish my Pre-Fall Inventory. On sunday, I hope I can pick up a few 3 gallon refillable water jugs with the spigot for the room. I've already made room on the shelves.
Well thats all for now. Thats really been for this month. I'll get back to my weekly updates. Thanks everyone for being patient!
...I've also been looking a doggie bug-out-bag.
He knows Sit, Stay, Down, Quiet, and he knows Loose leash walking. He is completely non-aggressive and is so friendly its scary.
I've also been working on the apartment! I've made some big changes to the house. Well, first I started by going to the doctor and getting checked out for Sleep Apnea. Guess who almost dies multiple times every night? Yeah, you guessed it! Me! So with my CPAP machine I sleep complete silent at night and the wife is able to abandon her small bedroom!
After a few trips to walmart and a couple places we came home with some new gear!
After it was all built, I started organizing all my gear to it was centralized and I can keep track of everything easier. Its all getting better organized and coming together wonderfully.
Then at the beginning of August we went on a family vacation to the beach. My paranoia was pretty calm most of the time. I was in Delaware which is a state that doesn't honor Pennsylvania concealed permits. Its fine though, we kept it unloaded and broken down. But having it near by was enough to keep peace of mind. In my bag, I had my shemagh, multi-tool, and lighter in a gallon freezer bag. I wasn't the best I could do but it was better than nothing. Luckily, nothing happened. It was a flawless trip.
On the return day I went to Barnes and Noble and bought The Building a Bug Out Bag book. I'm about half way through. I'm enjoying it so far. I'll have the review done soon. Hopefully I'll write it tomorrow.
Hopefully, I'll take care of that AND I'll finish my Pre-Fall Inventory. On sunday, I hope I can pick up a few 3 gallon refillable water jugs with the spigot for the room. I've already made room on the shelves.
Well thats all for now. Thats really been for this month. I'll get back to my weekly updates. Thanks everyone for being patient!
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