Do you know what TEOTWAWKI is?

TEOTWAWKI - The End Of The World As We Know It. This is an acronym that I recently discovered. It means what life is going to be like after a major disaster, man made or otherwise. With 2012 coming and the world the way it is I have looked into perhaps preparing for the worst. I am not talking about building a fallout shelter in the middle of nowhere, but perhaps just being cautious and having things ready in case we should need to leave town quickly.

So I have started to put together what is commonly referred to as a Bug Out Bag, or Get Out of Town Bag. It has simple items in it that you would not commonly think of as survival gear. Warm dry clothes, personal hygiene products, food and most important WATER! It will also have medical supplies and some other survival gear and it will all fit in a small backpack, sitting in the garage, ready to be grabbed and tossed into the back of the car and off you go.

It is a little piece of mind, nothing too radical. I have heard of a lot of folks starting to do this. It is simple and when you need to leave in a hurry you do not want to be running around the house looking for stuff. Another way to do it is to get a large trash can, like one you might have in the garage and fill it with the stuff you might need for a family of four for 96 hours. You could also do it with 3 or 4 five gallon buckets with lids. This way each family member can grab their can and get going.

I may go as far as setting up four individual buckets for each of us and one backpack with the common stuff, IE survival gear and medical supplies. You can find out more by Googling Bug out Bags.

I hope it does not come to it, but I for one will sleep better knowing we have the means to get out of town quick if something should go wrong. I have heard it said that civilization hangs by a thread at all times. We can see that this is true and you only have to look at what happened in New Orleans. One disaster and it was total anarchy, every man for himself, with reports of Police even abandoning their jobs to save themselves. You will not be able to count on anyone but yourself so be prepared, you will be the one responsible for protecting your family.

Another thing to think about is your health. I mean right now. How are your teeth? You should make sure to go to the dentist and get your teeth in good health. There will be a serious shortage of Dentist if things fall apart and a tooth ache is the last thing you need. Also, any elective surgery you have been planning, get it done.

So set yourself up a BOB and tuck it way, you could even make a smaller one for your vehicle and that way if you get stranded on the highway you have some stuff to keep you occupied until you get rescued.

Here are some link to get you started.

Captaindaves

and a list of good items to collect.

Basic Bug Out Bag/Kit

Packing it:
* Large hip bag or fanny pack

Directions
* Flash cards or small booklet (purchased from local bookstore)
* (Tom Brown's books of Survival are good, though too big for this smallest of the kits.)

Environmental Protection
* Space blanket
* Hand warmer packs

Water
* Stored
^ 1 or 2 Qt. canteen. (I like the canteen, since it lets me use the water as needed for non
emergencies, and that trains me to keep it in the car.)
^ You can buy retorts of water (like juice boxes) if desired.
* Carried/found - baggies 1Qt. size
* Purified - iodide tablets

Food
* Stored
^ Soup packets or bullion cubes (Herb Ox brand is best!)
^ Coffee packets with sugar packets.
^ A salt and pepper packet is nice too.
* Gathered
^ Folding can opener
^ Small fish kit (Hand line, 2 swivels, 2 sinkers, 2 hooks)
^ Snare wire
* Preparing
^ Sierra Club stainless steel cup, fork, spoon

Fire Making
* Bic lighter
* Fresnel lens
* Waterproof matches
* Hexamine tablets and maybe a stove

Light
* AA flashlight w/ spare bulb (Maglight) or candle

Health and First Aid
* Minor Kit (purchase) Band-Aids, aspirin, smelling salts
* Bug repellent
* Lip balm - find some that doesn't melt
* Sunscreen

Signaling
* Mirror
* Whistle
* (see also: Fire making and Light)

Navigation
* Compass - small keyring type
* Local map

Social Survival
* Coins and Bills ($1 coins/ $20 bills)
* Ammunition (one or two 50 round boxes for trade, money may have no value)
* Pen and paper, waterproof
* Swiss Army Knife {for scissors and corkscrew}

Cleaning Up and Sanitation
* Toothbrush
* Small hotel type soap
* Condoms +/or Tampons

Entertainment
* Miniature Bible or cards or dice

General Tools
* Swiss army knife (Captains)
* Cordage
^ Dental floss
^ String - Use fish line
^ Cord - 20 ft. 1/8" nylon
^ Wire - small spool
^ Sewing kit - hotel type
* Screwdriver disk
* Aluminum foil 1ft/sq
* Hacksaw blade - short
* Bobby Pins
* Safety pins
* Fingernail clippers
* Red Bandanna
* Rubber bands
* Nails
* Cup hooks
* Small file
* Super glue +/or epoxy, small
* Tape

Carry Also
* Clothes, lots of them
* Money
* Water
* Food
* Cell phone, CB radio and/or Emergency Location Transmitter (ELT)
* Duct tape
* Flares and/or strobe
* Larger flashlight
* Any personal medications & glasses

Dying Young and Those Left Behind

First of all, I am not dying. I just had my well visit and everything is good to go.

I know a this guy. He is rich, has a great job, big house, two cars, pretty wife and two kids. But he works all the time and spends his off time doing his hobby, refereeing soccer games at the international level. He seems to have what most would call a great life and now he is dying of cancer. He is around 42 years old and his children are seven and three.

Now he is where I was 5 years ago roughly, and that is when I made the decision to leave my job and the big city to spend more time with my family. He does not get that choice, he will be dead by my birthday and his children will grow up without a Dad. That kills me. It makes you think about the choices we make in life. Do we work all the time to support our family and never see them, or do we take a lesser job and spend more time with the kids. I chose the latter and I think my life is better for it.

The other thing I have done is ensure that I have enough life insurance to pay the mortgage and all the bills. I would hate to think of me dying and leaving my family in a tight spot. Suzy is finishing her degree so that she can get a job if she needs to. What I am trying to say is hope for the best, plan for the worst and play with your kids like you are going to die next month. Leave them with a memory of you that will last them a lifetime.

This man's diagnosis has reaffirmed my resolve that my children will know that their Daddy loved them and that he was there for them when they needed it. In addition, I am going to record myself reading a few of my favorite books, just in case. I have had several friends tell me one of the big regrets they have about relative that have past is that they do not have voice recordings of them. One even told me he kept on paying his wife cell phone bill just so he could hear her recording. That is very sad. I will not make these mistakes and I am planing also to do some videos too.

Dying young sucks.

A Turning Point in the Madness

Last night a Republican won the Senate seat in Massachusetts, something that has not happened in over 46 years! The Dems thought it was "in the bag" and when it started to go downhill for them, they started the blame game immediately. The Dems on Capital Hill blamed Coakley, She blames them, and this all started before the results were final. As the news has reported....

Massachusetts Senate race results: Obama's signal that all is changed

Scott Brown did the impossible and this is a resounding signal to the Dems that America does not want their brand of Socialism. I, for one, am jumping for joy, as is most of America, the America that is, that holds the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Our Founding Fathers sacred.

The Liberal Left in this country fooled the youth and independents into voting for them stating that they were "Change", now they see that this kind of change is bad, very bad and they are speaking up by voting out the Dems. 2010 will be a year of reckoning for the DNC and a strong message to Mr. Obama that we do not wish to become just another Socialist member of the European Union.

Let us all stand up and let them hear our voices loud and clear at the polls, NOT one more step will we fall back! No longer will we allow them to take our Liberties one small piece at a time until all our freedoms are gone, and just a memory, something our grandchildren will read about in a book, an illegal book at that.

Dogged out by the Wife......Harsh

Well on my way home for a job I passed the KFC and thought, man that would be good for lunch. But being responsible fiscally I decided against it. When I got home my wife tells me, I could really go for some KFC. Now she never goes in for fast food, for her it is a once every month thing, maybe. So I think maybe she is going to tell me to go get some, but no, she say no more.

Later she asks if I would like some left over chicken and dumplings warmed up for lunch. This was not the what I really wanted, but I said OK. She calls me over and hands me a plate of food that looked like a dog had yaked it up. I sit down and start to eat and she joins me when I am almost done. She starts to comment, "It doesn't look like it warmed up too good." I tell her that is seems to have lost something in the translation. She tastes her's and then pushes it away. She gets up and dumps her's in the trash! She let me eat mine! Here is the evidence....


Then she tells me, full stomach of mush, that she is going to KFC to get some chicken. I am floored! I tell her, "What's the deal, make me eat the crap and then you go get yummy KFC?!" She smiled sheepishly and then asks me if she should get original or extra crispy.

To her credit, Suzy arrived home a few minuets later with a BUCKET of KFC, so I at least get to have that wonderful, crispy, yummy KFC for dinner. I guess I will let her off the hook.....This time. ;)

Battlestar Galactica 2000

As I have stated before, one of my hobbies is Replica Prop Building. Right now I am currently working on BSG2000 props so I thought I might write something about the series.

Now I am 47, so I was around for the original BSG. At the time, it was the bomb as they say. Great special effects and good characters. But face it, by today's standards is was ridiculous. Hooker nurses and Disco aliens, by the time they go to earth they we on flying motorcycles, just too corny. Another thing was the fact that everyone in the fleet was doing OK and you never heard of food shortages or dissension among the fleet.

The new BSG is a bit different. The Cylons return with a vengeance and in a matter of hours wipe out 99 percent of humanity with nukes, very ugly. They use all of the human frailties to do it too as they have evolved to the point where they are now organic beings, flesh and blood, but still manufactured. They have 12 models and they use there human disguise to infiltrate the defense system and shut it down.

But enough of the story in detail, go watch it yourself. I would like to comment on the writing and casting. The writers really did an excellent job writing a gripping story filled with all the weakness and strengths of humanity. You have, drugs, gambling, sex, murder, revenge the whole gambit of humanities failings, but you have bravery, sacrifice, nobility and all the things that seem to redeem us in the end.

The story has high points that make you cheer the characters on and lows that have you wanting to just hold them and cry with them. In the end, it is hope and perseverance the saves what is left of mankind and they endure, despite the overwhelming odds.

I highly recommend this series to any scifi fans out there and anyone who just loves a good drama. You can root for the good guys or bad guys, and the lines blur quite a bit in this series as to who is who. So go out and rent the miniseries, this is the first disc, a four hour movie that sets things up and shows the Cylon attack. I think you will enjoy it.

Let it go.......

I was recently watching Meet the Robinsons with my kids and the end song they play with the credits is "Little Wonders". I did not think much about it, but later watching the bonus features I really listened to the words, and they spoke to me. This happens once in a while with a song. I reaches me on a personal level, and later there was an interview with the writer/singer, and he told of his inspiration for the song. He was walking his dog, in a hurry, and the dog would not move. He pulled at the leash and nothing. Looking down he saw that the dog was facing into the wind, enjoying the breeze on his face as it hit him. It is the little moments that matter, living for the now. This made me think of things that have happened in our life, mostly the relationships my wife and I have with the in-laws.

What is it with in-laws? You seem to either have a great time with them or it is a total bust. The way my family is I never understood this. Even after my Mom and Dad got divorced we still got together for holidays and birthdays. They did not fight, it was all very amenable. When Suzy and I got married, my entire family took her in and made her feel at home, part of the family. My dad was not sure at first, as we had a pretty fast romance and marriage, but he still embraced his new daughter-in-law with open arms.

My experience was just a bit different. Perhaps some of this was my fault as I have pretty clear cut ideas about the whole wife/husband relationship and what it means to be married as opposed to other types of relationships, IE., mom/daughter, brother/sister, sister/sister. To start with, my wife asked that we not tell her family, except for her brother, that we were getting married. She had her reasons, the foremost was he ex and the fact that they were related, something like 3rd or 4th cousins by marriage. They were still trying to dispose of joint property and she did not want him knowing the she had just remarried as he would be vindictive, a prediction that came true in the end, but as I like to say, that is another story.

When we finally broke the news to the rest of her family, her sister, brother, aunt and grandparents were thrilled. They all made me feel welcome. Her mother was another story. She felt slighted and she let Suzy know in no uncertain term her displeasure. Suzy was in tears and I was furious. I said some things that on later reflection could have been said better and it led to a lot of bad feelings between Mom and I for the first year. We patched things up and now I have a pretty good relationship with her mom.

Then came her sister's drama. Her sister has not made great decisions in life. A high school mother, she had to give up her first child for adoption. Even though it was an open adoption and she keeps in touch with her daughter, I think it has left scars on her. Then she married her present husband. He is not the brightest bulb in the box. Not entirely his fault as he was not allowed to graduate high school by high guardians as a teenager. Then of course, he made some really bad decisions in his life. Together they have had four children, three girls and one boy.

Now I will not go into the horrid details of the huge disagreements we have had with these two, suffice to say it has been ugly, very ugly. I am all about responsibility, being a good parent, having a clean and healthy place for the kids to grow up in and most of all, putting your children first. Suzy's sisters husband is all about himself, buying cigarettes and giving money to his family when there isn't any food in the house. Not bettering himself for his families sake and getting a G.E.D., even when the opportunity was laid out for free before him. Her sister on the other hand keeps a house that is so bad that it makes me want to puke from the smell of the baby shit, dog piss and rotten food on the dirty dishes.

Suzy tried to get her sister to clean up her act and in doing so alienated herself. This has caused me no grief as I just wanted to get clear of the mess, but Suzy loves her sister and her nieces and nephew. For over two years now she has not be allow to see them or talk to them. All efforts to bridge the gap by Suzy have been met with rebukes and nasty, snide remarks. Her hateful, vindictive sister knows that the best way to hurt Suzy is to deny her access to her nieces.

So I put it out to the cosmos that Suzy's sister needs to Let it Go. Her sister loves her and loves her children. Who cares what I think? I am just the in-law and I could really care less how they live, I was just trying to help them better themselves, but HE is the master of his house, HE makes the decisions for his family. But he too needs to Let it Go.

I end this post with the lyrics from Little Wonders. A very poignant song that points out the fact that we live out our lives in the moment, not the past, and we need to get over it and get on with our lives. The moments we miss will be lost forever, like tears in rain.

let it go,
let it roll right off your shoulder
don't you know
the hardest part is over
let it in,
let your clarity define you
in the end
we will only just remember how it feels

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

let it slide,
let your troubles fall behind you
let it shine
until you feel it all around you
and I don't mind
if it's me you need to turn to
we’ll get by,
it's the heart that really matters in the end

our lives are made
in these small hours
these little wonders,
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away,
but these small hours,
these small hours still remain

all of my regret
will wash away somehow
but I cannot forget
the way I feel right now

in these small hours
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away but these small hours
these small hours, still remain,
still remain
these little wonders
these twists & turns of fate
time falls away
but these small hours
these little wonders still remain

The singer/song writers music can be found here. Rob Thomas and you can listen to the song here Little Wonders

How I Met My Wife or My Search for Mrs. Cleaver

When I was young, I knew that I eventually wanted to get married, but being young, I wanted to first see things and play. I joined the Marines at seventeen and left on a grand adventure that took me to six continents and 18 countries around the world. During that time I learned one thing. The divorce rate in the Corps was HIGH, VERY HIGH. I decided that I would not subject a potential wife to the rigors of that life, and, I am old fashioned, I planned to marry for life.

Abruptly my life in the Corps ended with the downsizing of the Marines in 1991. After thirteen faithful years of service I found myself booted out on a Medical Discharge thanks to Uncle Bill's (Pres. Bill Clinton) decision to reduce the number of Marines from 365,000 to 185,000. This too is another story.

So I find myself a civilian again with no job and injured. I was given a huge check, a lump sum settlement, and made some hard choices. I paid off my truck, found a place to live and paid the rent for a full year, paid my utilities for the year and then sat back and had a pity party.

I drank myself into an ulcer and bitched about the unfairness of things. After I came to my senses and having only $500 left in my bank account, I sobered up, found a job and started to live again. I played, went out to the bars, met women, but just never seemed to find the right girl. I would tell my friends, "I am looking for June Cleaver's daughter", they all told me the same thing, "She don't exist". I then joined up with my 501st friends and then one day I noticed this girl with one of my friends. I had just convinced him to join the 501st and was making him a costume.

He and I had known each other for around eight years. We had met during my war gaming years and had become good friends, but had drifted apart when he had gotten married to a very controlling wife. After his divorce, we hooked back up again and as I said, I had convinced him to join me in my Star Wars group and one day I see this girl with him. I asked who she was and was intrigued when I found out that it was his older sister.

Now I had met her about five years before when she was visiting her brother and he had come over for some reason or another. We had spoke briefly and I had given her a gift of some homemade candles that I had laying around my apartment. I really did not give it another thought as she was married at the time. Now she had returned, and she had just left her husband. I asked some more questions about her and he said, "Do you want me to hook you up with her?"

I didn't know what to say, "Sure", I told him and we arranged a dinner with the three of us. I was very nervous. I wanted to leave a good impression, so I cooked a grand meal. Steak with all the trimmings. They arrived and the meal went very well and while talking afterwords she told me she still had the candles I had given her all those years ago. I couldn't believe it. That one small act of kindness and she had remembered and kept them all this time. I knew there was something here. We started to date and the more I learned about her, the more I knew that she was the girl I had been looking for all those years. She cooked, sewed, quilted, cleaned, wanted to be a stay at home mom and she wanted children.

I had found June Cleavers daughter! I kicked my game into high gear and we dated intensely from October till January. Her divorce was finally complete the first week of January and I knew it was time to make my move. I told her that I wanted to make her my wife and to my surprise she said she would have to think about it. I was floored.

Thankfully, her brother came to the rescue. She had gone to him and told him she just wasn't sure she should get married to me, he told her this. "Your right, all Tom would do is give you a House with a white picket fence and a family, let me hook you up with some of my other friends who will beat you and cheat on you." Well that seemed to do the trick and she finally relented. I also found out later that she was concerned about our age difference as I am eleven years older, but that has not been a problem at all.

We were married on February 2nd, 2002. Yes that is right, 020202, my wife has a thing for numbers. Needless to say, there were some interesting times at the beginning of our marriage, her mom and I did not hit it off and her former husband's family was convinced that she had been cheating with me for years, but we worked it all out and now things are running smooth.

Frank was born October 1st, 2002 or 10012002, and Jack came along January 31, 2005. Suzy and I have been married now for eight years this February and I see no end in sight, which is a good thing. We mesh well and I am finally getting her to lighten up some and enjoy life, something I am really good at and she is helping me to be a nicer person, something she is really good at.

I look forward to living out my life with Suzy and raising my young ones. But sometimes I think about it and say to myself, "Your 47 with a four year old and a seven year old, are you out of your mind!?!" Then Jack or Frank will come in and say they want to play and I forget what I was thinking and start playing with my then and become a kid again.