Winter Update

Yeah its been a while since I posted last. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Mine didn't go so well. I ended up in the ER Christmas Eve. Turns out a cold that I was fighting turned into a double ear infection. I spent most of my Christmas day sleeping. But that was the worst that happened.

My dad asked me what I wanted for Christmas, I almost jokingly typed "Ammo and MREs". I told my brother and sure enough, for Christmas a case of MREs landing on my lap. 12 MREs and 650 rounds of ammo, and some miscellaneous stuff were my gifts. My wife got her first pistol too! Its a very exciting time. It was a great holiday with my family. It was the first without my brother-in-law, who passed away several months ago, and my brother and his family, they moved out of state making it tough to get together for holidays. But enough of all that.

The York Gunshow was last weekend. In the wake of tragedy in CT, the good folks that love and own guns have lost their minds. I am a (stable-minded) gun owner, I don't like to panic buy. However, dealers there, and from what I understand, everywhere, have gouged their prices for "assault rifle style" weapons. (Side Note: I hate the term assault rifle because its not through around in the media to describe any rifle that has a pistol grip and is magazine fed. ALSO, they started throwing around the term "Semi-Automatic". The words "Assault" and "automatic" scare the crap out of people that don't understand or respect weapons.) I saw Saiga shotguns, that 3 weeks ago at the Harrisburg MAAC gunshow, were around 750-800. They were 1100 at the York show. The unfortunate part is people were happy to pay whatever price dealers felt like selling it at. AR style weapons were in the 2000 range. They were flying off the tables. When we allow that kind of treatment, we tell the dealers that this is okay. Also, when we behave like this it gives these anti-gun folks something to point at and yell "SEE! THEY'RE UNSTABLE! LOOK AT THEM BUYING! WE CAN'T HAVE THIS!" Please, please, please, stop buying like this. They're just using us to fuel their own machine. Now, on a positive note, gun parts were at an all time low price. There wasn't much there, though I wasn't surprised in the least. I knew this gun show would be the push for rifles and ammo. 7.62x39 was sold out by Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, a single case was left. Each box of 20 rounds was selling at a $10/box.
So gun parts were low priced and tactical gear was plentiful. I picked up a great thigh rig and a pouch for $20. That's it in the picture. Also, picked up a magazine for the pistol and for the wife's pistol. Including $29 in fuel, we spent right under $100. It was a good run. I also got my samurai patch, made my donation to the Wounded Vets, and finally got a 550 cord bracelet that fit!

Over the weekend, I officially started integrating my wife into the prepping. Shes always been a part of it, she's supported it and actively participated. But we've now broken the barrier. We're going to starting putting together her B.O.B. She officially has her own box on the shelf. I know it doesn't seem extremely exciting but it is to me.

Speaking of the shelves, I recently revamped the prepping room. Originally, the shelves were placed against the wall making them fully visible from the door. This was easy access for our food when we were going to use it. However, it was visible from the door. There was the problem. I didn't like that by walking past the door, or looking up through the window you could see the shelves. You weren't able to see what was on them, but shelving units like this are not a standard furnishing in an apartment like mine. Someone might be able to tell that I was stockpiling. I have taken to the idea of its probably best to stay low-key. Taking the opportunity to rearrange I could also go through everything. So the picture there is what is left of the food stuff after I picked it over. For two people, I'd say that isn't so bad.

I also missed the whole Mayan end of the world thing. Obviously, we're all still here. No one did anything really dumb. We all live to fight another day.

Well, this went much longer than I thought it would. I hope everyone enjoys the last of 2012! I'll update with some winter updates as things change. Its a very exciting time!

Post Gear Inventory Review

I didn't get the feedback, but the folks that did respond (and thank you for the responses!) gave me great advice!

So everyone that respond brought up some simple things that I have completely looked over. The simple things usually get looked over completely. So here are a few things that folks brought up and some things I thought of.

1. A compass.
I have a compass. Its an app on my iPhone. ...Obviously, I cannot rely on that.

2. Duct tape.
Who the hell doesn't have a roll of duct tape!? Me. But not for long. I'm going to fix that.

3. Solar lights.
These can be found pretty cheap and would be really nice to have in a no power situation. ...as long as the sun doesn't burn out I have a reusable resource.

4. Fishing kit. 
 I have one, BUT I've been meaning to expand it.

5. Water purification system.
I don't have one. ...Thats silly. I'm going to work on that.

6. Eating utensils.
No plate, bowl, cup, fork, knife, or spoon. I'm a little surprised that I've overlooked that.

So we're going to fix those things. I'm going to keep working on other stuff. I've got some other things I want to learn. I'll update everyone with that later! but for now, I'm off! Its back to normal grind tomorrow! 

Physical Gear Inventory

I decided I wanted to go through my gear so I can see a full list. This is going to be the list of what I have on my shelves. I'll make a post later this evening after I've made my decisions about which direction I want to go. SO here is it!

1 Power Inverter
1 Hand crank radio/flashlight
2 AAA Battery powered LED flashlights
1 AAA Battery powered LED Headlamp
20 AAA Batteries
10+ Lighters
10+ Boxes of matches
5 Bricks of Triocane
50+ Tea light candles
3 Bandanas
1 Shemagh
1 Pair of leather gloves
12 Pairs of latex gloves
1 Drop Holster
2 2-quart canteens
1 compressed fleece blanket
5 Heavy-duty contractor bags
100+ Feet of 550 cord
1 Fully stocked gun cleaning kit
1 Fully stocked sewing kit
2 Fully stocked first aid kits
1 Fully stocked tool kit
1 Minor electrical repair kit
1 Duffel bag
1 Backpack
2 Compressed nylon bags
2 30 caliber ammo cans
1 Etool
Various bottles of vitamins
Various manuals
Various local/county maps
1 Kubaton
26 12 gauge shells
2000+ .22LR rounds
260 7.62x39 rounds
200 5.56 rounds
10+ Various knives (including metal, poly, folding, and fixed)
2 Pairs of handcuffs

I also have my primary, secondary, and hand to hand weapons.

I'd let to get some feedback on this so I can get a different view point before I post my second post tonight.

Pre-Winter Inventory

So as you may remember my Pre-Fall inventory was a little painful. I didn't realize how much I DIDN'T have. Needless to say, at the end of that day I was feeling a little like a beat puppy.

Since that day, I made some lists and some conscious decisions to make some changes. SO without further ado, I present my Pre-Winter Inventory:

(1) Camp Stove
(1) 3 Gal. Drink Dispenser
(4) Cans of Sterno Fuel
(3) Bottles of propane
(48) Bottles of water (stored)
(9) Boxes of Mac and Cheese (Requires Milk and Butter)
(16) Cups of mixed fruit
(8) Boxes of assorted dry pasta
(2) Jars Spaghetti sauce
(2) Bottles of ketchup
(1) Bottle of BBQ Sauce
(2) Boxes Mac and Cheese (Requires nothing extra)
(1) Carton bread crumbs
(34) Packs of Roman Noodles
(3) Cans of Dinty Moore Beef Stew
(4) Cans of assorted soups

Its still not my target but it is WAY better than before. From here I'll be making additional lists and some more decisions about what is going to be useful.

As for plans for the following couples months, I've made a list of things I'd like to accomplish. This is the list in no specific order:

1. Learn how to properly pickle. As a first test, make pickles.
2. Reform my decisions in the gym. Starting with my lack of gym time.
3. Learn how to make bread.
4. Continue my stockpiling.
5. Reform my finances.
6. By the end of the winter, I would like to own my first shotgun.

I don't think that any of that is unreachable. But that list is ever changing and currently it is not prioritized.

For now, that is it. I'll be working on my physical inventory of non-food items and eventually post it. I know there are a few small kits that I would like to finish before I post it.

I'm Gearing Up to Return

Being on hiatus for almost a month, I've had time to get thing back into order. So over the next couple days I'm going to start posting posts. This weekend I'll be doing my pre-winter inventory along with some a list of corrections from my pre-fall inventory. Also a post of what I'll be doing for the next couple months. For now though, lets recap the Superstorm Sandy.

In my particular area, Sandy was a flop. It did not turn out to be what it was thought to be. Now, miles away my parents house got hammered, they had multiple trees come down close my and snap multiple lines, and some damage was done to near by cemetery. Hopefully everything can be fixed. I know most of the damage happened in one of the old parts. The flop is not really the main part of the conversation. The wife and I didn't seem immediate danger, we did some travelling and errand running Monday after the county I work in was declared state of emergency. We decided that it would be fun to go for a walk around walmart to find out what they did to it. I wish now that I would have taken pictures because it was comedically bare. Propane, water, flashlights, camp stoves, bread, and most batteries were wiped clean. Also, surprisingly, junk food. People were stocking up on comfort food. I didn't need anything but we did decide to pick up two cases of bottled water because they were available and the storm gave me a reason to buy it. The other reason was the line was all but empty. It was fun to be able to go into the place and not worry about trying to find anything or desperately search for scraps.

We took a run west to Chambersburg to Gander Mountain. I was looking for ammo prices and found that people had pillaged Gander for propane and camp stoves. So here is where it got fun, to prepare for a long duration indoors we made a trip into Comics World and got lots of entertainment and reading material.

Side Note: 
Comic Fans listen up! The following comics are awesome:
1. Before Watchmen: Comedian
2. Before Watchmen: Rorschach
3. Batman: Arkham Unhinged
4. Hit Girl (From Kick Ass)
5. Batman: The Dark Knight
 
It occurred to me that morale is terribly important in these situations. These goofy ill prepared people grabbed flashlights and water and went home to a tense family. While the power was on they were watching TV, playing video games, or messing with their phone. What happens when the power is gone? Suddenly no one has something to focus attention on. I'm all for families spending quality time together but if you're not used to it, they will eventually get irritable. Makes for a terrible bug-in situation. SO, Sandy taught me to never forget about morale.

So, when we got home we decided the wind was picking up and the rain was starting to fall we decided to button up the house. Cleaning out the bathtub and filling it, taking the dog out for a quick walk, pack up the porch, and purge all the garbage were priority. We were locked down in just less than 15 minutes. I was proud however, I think its time to decide protocol for lock down. After I originally posted that we had it locked down, Bohica said practice. I think that is a good idea so that in case we have a short notice problem, which are most problems are, we can get it together as fast.

That's it for now! Saturday I'll be doing my Pre-Winter Inventory. As a preview, I'm way happier with this inventory than the Pre-Fall Inventory.

Week in Review

You can look at this as very late or 3 days early.

If you're thinking its very late, its because it is. My apologies. I've been running full speed the past week. So here's the timeline!

Last week: Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing, Nothing

Saturday: Left nice and early in the morning and went to Baltimore for Comic con! This was the wife's first convention and she loved it. She decided that she wants to go back next year, but she wants to go in costume. SO, that gives me an exciting opportunity. I would like to dress up too and what I want to make allows me to get a few of the things I'd like for my kit. Now, I can piece it together over a long period of time because I have over a year to do it. Its not going to be one big lump sum all at once. The picture is the idea for my costume. With that costume I'll have to buy the gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads I've wanted. I'm also adding a thigh rig to it, and a few pouches since my pockets in the pants won't be able to be used I'll have to have something to put stuff into. Finally, I'll need to purchase proper boots and a set of black BDUs. But its all beside the point, it really has nothing to do with prepping. But its gonna be fun anyway.

Sunday: I spent some time at Barnes and Noble reading. I've been looking into alot of books about personal finances. The new system we came up with is working GREAT. We have majority of our bills paid off the FIRST paycheck of the month. I'm taking care of some debt when I get paid and we knocked down some extra on a one of the credit cards. But again, like Comic Con, it has nothing to do with prepping. Simply, we're working with our money and getting more out of it. Hopefully, this extra money we can expand our prepping.

Now we get to this week and its all headed down hill.
Monday: Nothing happens, Panzer is acting funny.

Tuesday: Panzer continues to act funny. That evening, I bent down to pat Panzer for following his command perfectly, suddenly a pain shoots up from the base of my spine to the back of my neck. I ignored and powered through the pain thinking it will be better in the morning.

Wednesday: I wake up and can hardly move. My back is stiff and very sore. Again, like an idiot, I power through it. I make it through work until about lunch. My wife made my first ever Chiropractor appointment. The chiropractor could be my friend, I felt pretty good. However, basically my right side is way more tense then my left. This is connected to my ankle hurting. Also may be the reason my knee has been hurting.

Thursday: Woke up very sore. ...Very sore. Can't really move. Unfortunately, I had to call off. With my wife off for the day and me being down for the day we decided to take Panzer to the Vet. He has been acting funny for the past 2 weeks. He wasn't eating, scratching, and had some sores on his belly and tail. Turns out he has fleas and the eating problem is his being picky. So I spent the day tearing apart the house and cleaning top to bottom. I'm not interested in any kind of infestations. It gave me a great chance to clean from top to bottom. This evening we started out second round of obedience training classes.

The week has been a little rough. 

Tomorrow, I go back to the chiropractor to have him look. Also, going back to work with being off for a day is terrifying. I never know what I'm walking into. But I'm ready to take it all on.

The plan for this weekend is to go to DF and EF's future house, we're doing some repainting and I get to check out the next locations for a greenhouse.

Man, that's all for now. I'll update again on Sunday. Again, sorry for the delay.

Week in Review

This week has been very calm. Nothing of major note has happened.

While I wasn't actually going to post anything, it has become a weekly ritual. I don't like missing weeks.

There is one thing that came of this week. After all the numbers and looking at the money I've decided that for the next couple months I'm going to very low. I have some shows and movies I want to catch up on, some range time to put in, some planning to do, and some games I've been meaning to put some time in to. Most of all, money to save. So I'm putting all Field Trips on hiatus. There aren't many Field Trips left that I had planned, but the ones I did I'm putting on hold probably for a few months. However, I'm hoping for some more training exercise ideas. I think my next one will be a hands on time with my bug out bag. I wish I had more people around that would take part in a bug in/bug out weekend. I would love to set up a weekend. I'm working out the kinks. Even if no one else will participate I'll do it by myself. I'll begin planning this week, work out the kinks then have a full on scenario.

Anyway, I have to cut this short. I've lost track of time today. Sorry this wasn't more exciting.