Category: Odds ‘n Sods

FEMA Suggests Disaster Readiness Christmas Gifts. (Thanks to Lisa E. for the link.)    o o o The Suburban Survivalist suggested a good video of Mike Rowe (of “Dirty Jobs” television fame) speaking about what he’s learned of the value of work.    o o o On a recent trip to a more populous region, I noticed that some people just don’t know how to drive in the snow. Even with chains on, the Nervous Nellies creep along at 5 to 10 m.p.h. on straight and level roads. These folks even cause accidents, by forcing those approaching them from behind …

Solar Storms Ahead? (Thanks to Donald G. for the link.)    o o o Rob at MURS-Radio.com (one of our loyal advertisers) wrote to let us know that he is running a special offer just for SurvivalBlog readers, until December 17th. By using the code SB5OFF at checkout customers will receive 5% off their total order (before shipping). There is no minimum order and the code can be used multiple times. Any order placed on or before December 17th will be shipped to arrived before Christmas.    o o o A cousin mentioned this collection of links over at Mouseguns.com: …

Reader J.K. sent this one to file under “Emerging Threats”: Two burglaries today used vehicles to smash into buildings. J.K.’s comment: “This serves as evidence that vehicles can/will be used as modified ‘entry tools’”.    o o o My old friend Peter K. (now living in Germany) mentioned this web page that helps explain the current shortage of loaded ammunition and reloading components: Why Can’t I Find Sierra Bullets?    o o o For those of us that take buying American-made products seriously (or at least Not Buying Mainland Chinese), Ron B. suggested this site: MadeInUSA.org

Jen suggested this article, which has some Get Out of Dodge Vehicle implications: I live in a van down by Duke University; How do I afford grad school without going into debt? A ’94 Econoline, bulk food and creative civil disobedience    o o o Safecastle (one of our most loyal advertisers) is offering a 2-for-1 special on long term storage dehydrated diced potatoes.    o o o F.G. flagged this one: Minnesota man arrested for trespassing on his own land    o o o Erik Prince, head of US security firm Blackwater, ‘was CIA operative’ (Thanks to Damon for …

Reader “Hope in the Northwest” stumbled across a good basic web site with articles on common health issues, with pictures included. Some useful topics covered are bugs, eye diseases, foot problems, etc. There’s also basic info on treatment for common illnesses.    o o o The Californization of Colorado continues: Colorado State University bans guns on campus. (Thanks to Chad S. for the link.)    o o o The folks at DNS Down announced that they are now giving away their software free of charge, as a public service. Be sure to check it out!    o o o Glade …

Joe H. mentioned a site with an animated map of global air traffic patterns that was linked once before on SurvivalBlog. Joe’s comments: “Two key things to note are that you can see the ‘sunny side’ and air traffic seems to increase by a factor of five as daylight arrives, and there is not much air traffic routing around Cuba– a hole in the traffic.”    o o o C.B. was the first of several readers to mention this Popular Science article: How to Build a Propane-Fired Metal Forge    o o o Reader Michael G. wrote to mention that …

Reader Todd H. mentioned a newspaper article about Cupertino’s Fairgrove Neighborhood    o o o Michael W. mentioned that Wiggy’s makes a dog coat that is insulated with Lamilite— the same material as their sleeping bags. Michael says: “Our dog loves hers.”    o o o Damon S. found an article on pinhole emergency glasses.    o o o From CNET News: EFF Sues Feds For Info On Social-Network Surveillance

Reader Brian S. noted that plastic drum liners look like a good way to re-use otherwise sketchy 55 gallon drums for at least storing washing water. Brian’s comment: “I’ve ordered other items from US Plastics before. It is a good place to buy in bulk.”    o o o From Cheryl: At Midnight Last Night (Dec 1st), The UK Ceased To Be A Sovereign State    o o o Frank B. sent us two clever bike trailer building articles at Instructables: Combined cart bike trailer and Shopping Cart Bike Trailer

SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson found an amazing story that illustrates the anarchic situation in Somalia: Somali Pirates Open Up a “Stock Exchange”. Mike pointed out this quote: “Piracy investor Sahra Ibrahim, a 22-year-old divorcee, was lined up with others waiting for her cut of a ransom pay-out after one of the gangs freed a Spanish tuna fishing vessel. ‘I am waiting for my share after I contributed a rocket-propelled grenade for the operation,’ she said, adding that she got the weapon from her ex-husband in alimony. ‘I am really happy and lucky. I have made $75,000 in …

BulletProofME.com (one of most loyal advertisers) is running an Interceptor Body Armor special until December. 23rd: $590 in Small and Extra Large ($830 for Medium or Large), and 20% to 30% off selected Kevlar Helmets. For example: $156 for a Level III-A helmet with the ACH / MICH blunt trauma pad system, and as low as $67 for unused, military contract overrun PASGT helmets.    o o o KT sent this indicative piece on The Guns of Goldman: Arming Goldman With Pistols Against Public.    o o o A SurvivalBlog reader has a launched a business making a line of …

Jim B. sent a link to a BBC story about a British prisoner of war who smuggled himself into Auschwitz during WWII. It includes some interesting observations on cigarettes as barter items.    o o o Courtesy of Captain Bill and Bayou Renaissance Man, a The Daily Mail piece about a British couple who demonstrated what not to do when your house catches fire.    o o o SurvivalBlog regular Bill Buppert sent a link to a study on the effectiveness of current camouflage patterns. Bill’s comments: “One of the keenest bits of advice is contained in paragraph 4.b. in …

Jack H. mentioned a good article in The City Journal: The Cyber-Threat Grows    o o o SurvivalBlog’s Editor at Large Michael Z. Williamson said he thought that this book looked interesting: Confessions of an Igloo Dweller: Memories of the Old Arctic    o o o A reminder that the special two-week 25% off sale on canned Mountain House foods at Ready Made Resources ends on Monday. They are offering free shipping on full (“unbroken”) cases lots. But because of the higher handling costs, if you “mix and match” cans within cases, shipping will be charged.    o o o …

M.K. sent a link to a piece on potassium iodide (KI) that ran on NPR. By the way, KI and KI03 are sold by several SurvivalBlog advertisers.    o o o Joe Ordinary sent a link to footage of a large meteor that went over South Africa late Saturday evening. Listening to eyewitness accounts it was seen from as far away as Maputo (in Mozambique) Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. The meteor was traveling northwest and was presumed to have landed beyond the Botswana border. This video footage was taken approx 350 kilometers from the border.    o o o The …

Reader Paul D. sent us a YouTube link that shows how to make a 16 Brick Rocket Stove.    o o o FJ forwarded a link to an article on Teeny Tiny Houses    o o o Reader MP recommended this Wired article: Vanishing in the modern age

Real estate bust opens doors for parties at vacant houses. (Thanks to GG for the link.)    o o o Reader Ken S. wrote to mention: “I have also been diving construction dumpsters at various construction sites for excess building materials. You’d be shocked at what a construction hand will throw away. It’s just another way to survive this worsening economy and put stacks of building materials in my storage shed.”    o o o Courtesy of reader HPD comes another Nanny State Britannia Update: British police arrest people ‘just for the DNA’; More than three-quarters of young black men …