Day: February 7, 2012

Note from JWR:

Today we present another two entries for Round 39 of the SurvivalBlog non-fiction writing contest. The prizes for this round include: First Prize: A.) A gift certificate worth $1,000, courtesy of Spec Ops Brand, B.) A course certificate from onPoint Tactical. This certificate will be for the prize winner’s choice of three-day civilian courses. (Excluding those restricted for military or government teams.) Three day onPoint courses normally cost $795, and C.) Two cases of Mountain House freeze dried assorted entrees in #10 cans, courtesy of Ready Made Resources. (A $350 value.) D.) A 9-Tray Excalibur Food Dehydrator from Safecastle.com (a …


The Expat Option, by Sandy X.

I am a 65-year old male expatriate (“expat”) from the US. I have lived in Costa Rica, Singapore and now Panama. I am thinking of moving to Chile, but I would go anyplace for the right opportunity. I have traveled extensively and love the expat lifestyle. It is definitely not for everyone, but if you are considering it, here are some things you should know. What Is Expatriation? The word just means the act of leave your native land. (Unless otherwise noted, I will be limiting my comments to Americans.) It is important to note that expatriation does not require …


Signs of the Times: What are the SHTF Tipping Points?, by CentOre

One of the most crucial decisions a ‘prepper’ will ever have to make is deciding when to stop preparing, and instead, begin surviving.  This is especially difficult when the life one has still contains the last dregs of normality.  It is difficult to make the decision to G.O.O.D. or Bugout in the absence of actual chaos in one’s normal life.  One reason many preppers move to rural areas and isolated retreats is to exchange space and time for having to make the decision to act, or not act, within a very short time frame.  This essay is about whether the …


Letter Re: Global Warming, Global Cooling, or Just Climate Weirding?

Jim, If climate change people would improve their arguments, it’s not so much global warming as it is climate chaos, or Climate Weirding.   As a Peak Oiler in the Portland area, I’ve also sat through my share of lectures, given by peer-reviewed scientists, on the subject. When you artificially add more CO2 and methane to the atmosphere, you don’t just necessarily get record warmer temperatures (although we’ve definitely seen this, within the last decade in particular). What you get is more unpredictable weather, along with dry areas getting drier (Texas, for example), and wetter areas getting wetter (We had a …


Letter Re: Barter, Post-TEOTWAWKI: The Micro Store

James, I thought Barter, Post-TEOTWAWKI: The Micro Store by A.A.A.[posted on December 22, 2011 that was recently awarded First Place in the blog’s writing contest] was a great article. I loved it and I was very appreciative. I’ve spent a little time thinking of the same thing and have a couple of notes to add:   Regarding coffee, it might be a good idea to buy a supply of black tea which is cheaper, still has caffeine-like effect, and can be sold by the packet.   On tobacco, instead of cigarette cases, I think it could be more economical to …


Letter Re: Your Lawn and OPSEC

The Schumer has  hit the fan, you’ve made it safely to your retreat, everyone is inside, bedded down for the night, prayers are said in thanksgiving, and you all go to sleep.  In the morning, as you look out the window, you realize your OPSEC is printed all over the lawn.  A series of neat lines trampled across the tall, un-mown grass tells any observer about how many people are inside, and where they went to when they were out. We take lawns for granted.  My forested mountain retreat came with a very unusual volunteer lawn, one that taught me …


Economics and Investing:

G.G. flagged this: Under Twist, The Fed Has Purchased 91% Of All Gross Issuance In Long-Dated US Treasurys Sicily Pitchfork Movement in Revolt – Western Media Blackout Hunkering down, or just a lifestyle change? Jim Cameron family “intend to reside indefinitely in New Zealand and acquiring property to operate as a working farm. (Thanks to N.V.T. for the link.) And from B.B. a link to another Zero Hedge piece: Greece Warns It Will Soon Be In “Condition Of Absolute Poverty” Items from The Economatrix: Silver and the Shift To Measuring Wealth in Ounces Instead of Dollars Hiring Surges in January; …


Odds ‘n Sods:

G.G. was the first of several readers to send this: The great Asian gold theft crisis    o o o I heard about some American-made Boost Regulators that are useful off the grid. These can produce 14 volts with just 9 volts input.    o o o Linda U. suggested this article: Three Oregon mushroom pickers rescued after 6 days lost. JWR’s Comment: It is indeed a miracle that they survived. Consider: Poor prior planning. (This was a case of PPPPP.) Pitiful clothing and equipment. No signaling capability. No map and compass. No GPS. And if the temperatures had been …