I don't have a Solio yet, but would love to pick one up. They've gotten good reviews all over the place. I've managed to scare up a 10% discount on new Solio products. Take 10% of at Solio.com with coupon code: EcoGift10.
Use it wisely!
1/31/08
Solio
Hey fellow Internet zombies, TEOTWAWKI Blog has added a new sponsor: Solio! Makers of ultra-portable solar chargers to keep your rechargeable battery devices running after the apocalypse. You're going to want to have your iPod kickin' out tunes while you blast away the endless hordes of mutant zombie bikers, right? And you'll never know when your GPS could go dead during your bug out to safer lands.
I don't have a Solio yet, but would love to pick one up. They've gotten good reviews all over the place. I've managed to scare up a 10% discount on new Solio products. Take 10% of at Solio.com with coupon code: EcoGift10.
Use it wisely!
I don't have a Solio yet, but would love to pick one up. They've gotten good reviews all over the place. I've managed to scare up a 10% discount on new Solio products. Take 10% of at Solio.com with coupon code: EcoGift10.
Use it wisely!
1/30/08
Tiny But Out Cabins Pt. II
Came across a more "reasonable" small bug-out cabin at Simple Solar Homesteading. Owner built for $2000. A little rougher than the Tiny Homes mentioned previously, but a lot more practical.
Small Cabin covers one guy's experience building an inexpensive cabin in the woods. He totals up $1256 in materials for building his cabin, though has no power system, appliances, or plumbing from what I could see. He uses a wood stove for heating.
I've personally had zip in the building construction department, so it will be a while before I tackle building my own cabin, but I'd love to give it a shot. But, if you're willing to "do-it-yerself", there are lots of examples, kits, and plans out there on the internet to help you on your way.
Obviously, you don't need to drop $50k on a 100 square foot home--that money could easily equip an entire family, purchase a BOL and build a modest, livable cabin (or three).
Small Cabin covers one guy's experience building an inexpensive cabin in the woods. He totals up $1256 in materials for building his cabin, though has no power system, appliances, or plumbing from what I could see. He uses a wood stove for heating.
I've personally had zip in the building construction department, so it will be a while before I tackle building my own cabin, but I'd love to give it a shot. But, if you're willing to "do-it-yerself", there are lots of examples, kits, and plans out there on the internet to help you on your way.
Obviously, you don't need to drop $50k on a 100 square foot home--that money could easily equip an entire family, purchase a BOL and build a modest, livable cabin (or three).
Hot Tips
- Wal-Mart is running some sales for the Super Bowl weekend. At least in my area, survival related deals include:
- Plastic storage bins. $9.98 for giant 35 gallon ones, other sizes for less
- Plastic utility drawers and cabinets
- 4 tier wire rack for $30
- 4 tier plastic shelves for $1o
- Flat panel/LCD TVs to serve as a "monitor" for your "war room"
- Check out other grocery stores for sales on canned goods, etc. I found some pretty good deals last year, this year's ads look promising as well. We're going to fill our freezer up with cheap ground beef we found on sale for $1.59/lb locally.
- Pocket Organizers, sold by companies like TAD Gear and County Comm ROCK! They're awesome for carrying some of your EDC gear, and make it easy to transfer between other bags. I keep a 80 GB portable hard drive, pens, pencil, Sharpie, pen-screwdriver gizmo, and a cleaning stick in mine. Carry it in my school bag throughout the week, transfer around to other bags as needed. I've wanted one forever and bought myself one for Christmas. Great piece of EDC gear.
- Go see John Rambo! You will love it. Best action movie in a long time, great way to close out the Rambo saga. Stallone, with the help of some chemicals, manages to really pull the role off. For an older guy, he's still in better shape than 99% of the world. There's one scene where he's hauling ass away from a search team, plowing through the jungle, jumping over logs at full speed--I'd like to see anybody else his age pull that off. Really good stuff. I'll see it again while it's in theaters, something I rarely, if ever, do.
- I haven't seen Cloverfield yet. Haven't had a huge desire too, although I'm a big Lost fan (which starts up again tomorrow night), and they share production companies (Bad Robot)
- Watch precious metal prices over the next few months. We're either on the verge of a recession or will sneak by it. If we miss the recession bullet, I would expect silver prices to drop back down; if you're into silver for investment purposes, watch the markets!
- With the housing slump, home values are plummeting. Again, watch the markets for an opportune time to invest in a home, BOL or investment property. For the immediate future, prices will only continue to drop.
- Costco, at leas the one by me, has some really nice metal shelving units. One, large, industrial unit sells for $150, and the shelves can support 2000 pounds. EACH. That's a LOT of preps!
1/29/08
Keep your BOB organized!
Just a quick note here--make sure to keep your BOB ready to rock.
Tonight, I was prepping a "bug out" check list, basically an itemized list of what to grab/prioritize if we ever needed to leave our home in a hurry. We repacked our BOB's last week, but in making the list, I realized there's a few things that I need to get together.
For example, our water containers are empty. Camelbaks sit in the packs, no water in them. Nalgenes/water bottles are used daily. Mind you, we keep enough water on-hand to fill them up, but it would mean an extra maybe 5 minutes delay in getting out of the house. I'm not sure how our Camelbaks would stand up to holding water over a long period--a couple months in between rotations, possibly. If anyone has experience with this, LMK. I could always store a few gallons of water near our kits, to grab-and-go out the door. Fill up on-the-road.
I've been keeping my camp knife, a BK-7 in a nearby desk drawer--needs to be strapped to the bag. My Leatherman helps with odd jobs around the house; it usually rests on my desk, and could be forgotten if we were leaving in a hurry. I should probably get a duplicate for dedicated BOB use, or just store it in the BOB after use.
I recommend taking inventory of "last-minute" items you'd need to grab on your way out the door, and try to add those now, before you need them. In a disaster, you may have only a few, panicked seconds to grab-and-go, and you don't want to leave any essential preps behind in the confusion to get out the door.
Tonight, I was prepping a "bug out" check list, basically an itemized list of what to grab/prioritize if we ever needed to leave our home in a hurry. We repacked our BOB's last week, but in making the list, I realized there's a few things that I need to get together.
For example, our water containers are empty. Camelbaks sit in the packs, no water in them. Nalgenes/water bottles are used daily. Mind you, we keep enough water on-hand to fill them up, but it would mean an extra maybe 5 minutes delay in getting out of the house. I'm not sure how our Camelbaks would stand up to holding water over a long period--a couple months in between rotations, possibly. If anyone has experience with this, LMK. I could always store a few gallons of water near our kits, to grab-and-go out the door. Fill up on-the-road.
I've been keeping my camp knife, a BK-7 in a nearby desk drawer--needs to be strapped to the bag. My Leatherman helps with odd jobs around the house; it usually rests on my desk, and could be forgotten if we were leaving in a hurry. I should probably get a duplicate for dedicated BOB use, or just store it in the BOB after use.
I recommend taking inventory of "last-minute" items you'd need to grab on your way out the door, and try to add those now, before you need them. In a disaster, you may have only a few, panicked seconds to grab-and-go, and you don't want to leave any essential preps behind in the confusion to get out the door.
1/27/08
John Rambo
Saw this last night. Loved it. My favorite movie in a long time. Really, they don't make enough movies like this anymore. Amazing battlefield visual effects, awesome action scenes. For any action movie fans out there, go see it!
1/26/08
Nuclear Weapon Archive
Stumbled upon this while looking for high resolution images of nuclear blasts/mushroom clouds for another project. While the test images are low quality, they are spectacular. The site is rife with information about nuclear weapons, their development, the testing process, etc. I have only briefly poked around the site, but it looks good!
Nuclear Weapon Archive
On a side note, if anyone knows a source for high-res nuclear test images, let me know!
Nuclear Weapon Archive
On a side note, if anyone knows a source for high-res nuclear test images, let me know!
1/23/08
Tiny Bug-Out Cabins?
I came across this link surfing the interweb: Tumbleweed Homes. I came across Tumbleweed in this thread on the Zombie Squad forums.
Tumbleweed sells tiny, tiny houses. Like 100 square feet. Many of the houses are built onto trailers for easy moving around the country. The selling idea is simplicity and lower environmental impact.
Sometimes I feel jammed inside my 2 bedroom apartment...can't imagine trying to live in one of these places. They are quite cleverly designed and make good use of the little space available...but I think most people would go nuts from lack of space. Definitely only enough room for a single person...putting a couple in one of those things would strain any marriage. Add kids to the mix and you could kiss sanity goodbye.
Aside the cramped feeling, there's not a lot of storage room. No room for food, water storage, guns, ammo, the wife's pile of shoes, clothes, and all the other crap we end up piling in closets and attics. You could resolve that with a separate storage area--an insulated cargo container, perhaps. Some of the designs don't have bathrooms, though you could dig an outhouse at your BOL.
So say you're a single guy, don't have a lot of stuff, and set up a cargo container or similar set up for added storage (if you need it). A tiny house would have a low electricity needs, so solar power would be relatively easy, I'd imagine. So, it could, I suppose, make some sense.
The price of buying one of these "tiny homes" ruins the idea, though. Most of them ring in at about $50k. Yep. $50k for a 100 square foot home. You can buy the plans for a couple hundred bucks, but if you're going to build a house on your own, why not build a normal house/cabin?
If you want a small, mobile living space, why not buy a trailer for quite a bit less?
There are built-it yourself cabin kits out on the market as well that provide more living space; I'm not sure how difficult they are to assemble, though, or have professionally put together. I would guess that you'd end up with a larger, equal-quality home for about equal or less than a "tiny home."
There's also the current favorite in retreat building, the cargo container. You can do-it yourself; there are also companies specializing in converting containers into living spaces, offices, etc. Here's an example. You'll have much more space to work with and a solid, steel structure built to withstand hurricane force winds and crashing waves.
These tiny homes are definitely interesting and quirky, but not a good option for a survival retreat. Too small and expensive, but a unique idea in terms of design, use-of-space, and alternative housing.
What do you guys think?
Tumbleweed sells tiny, tiny houses. Like 100 square feet. Many of the houses are built onto trailers for easy moving around the country. The selling idea is simplicity and lower environmental impact.
Sometimes I feel jammed inside my 2 bedroom apartment...can't imagine trying to live in one of these places. They are quite cleverly designed and make good use of the little space available...but I think most people would go nuts from lack of space. Definitely only enough room for a single person...putting a couple in one of those things would strain any marriage. Add kids to the mix and you could kiss sanity goodbye.
Aside the cramped feeling, there's not a lot of storage room. No room for food, water storage, guns, ammo, the wife's pile of shoes, clothes, and all the other crap we end up piling in closets and attics. You could resolve that with a separate storage area--an insulated cargo container, perhaps. Some of the designs don't have bathrooms, though you could dig an outhouse at your BOL.
So say you're a single guy, don't have a lot of stuff, and set up a cargo container or similar set up for added storage (if you need it). A tiny house would have a low electricity needs, so solar power would be relatively easy, I'd imagine. So, it could, I suppose, make some sense.
The price of buying one of these "tiny homes" ruins the idea, though. Most of them ring in at about $50k. Yep. $50k for a 100 square foot home. You can buy the plans for a couple hundred bucks, but if you're going to build a house on your own, why not build a normal house/cabin?
If you want a small, mobile living space, why not buy a trailer for quite a bit less?
There are built-it yourself cabin kits out on the market as well that provide more living space; I'm not sure how difficult they are to assemble, though, or have professionally put together. I would guess that you'd end up with a larger, equal-quality home for about equal or less than a "tiny home."
There's also the current favorite in retreat building, the cargo container. You can do-it yourself; there are also companies specializing in converting containers into living spaces, offices, etc. Here's an example. You'll have much more space to work with and a solid, steel structure built to withstand hurricane force winds and crashing waves.
These tiny homes are definitely interesting and quirky, but not a good option for a survival retreat. Too small and expensive, but a unique idea in terms of design, use-of-space, and alternative housing.
What do you guys think?
1/21/08
Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles Ep. 3 "The Turk"
Disappointing episode this week. Zip on the action and survival content. Some lame "teen drama" plots with John going back to high school...I REALLY hope they steer away from high school hijinks/mystery. There were some fun character moments...but...the episode left a lot to be desired. Not exactly a "must see."
The bad terminator (Chromartie) is making a comeback...but we know there's another terminator out there already, so it doesn't seem like an extra special threat to the Connors. Have the writers just forgotten about the other terminator? Why should we care about Chromartie?
Overall, a pretty forgettable episode...hope the next one picks up!
The bad terminator (Chromartie) is making a comeback...but we know there's another terminator out there already, so it doesn't seem like an extra special threat to the Connors. Have the writers just forgotten about the other terminator? Why should we care about Chromartie?
Overall, a pretty forgettable episode...hope the next one picks up!
1/20/08
Glock 17
Look what Santa brought me!
Well, truth be told, Santa screwed me over again--I got this one for myself. It's a Glock factory refurbished 17, a 2nd generation I believe. Based on the SN, it was once a police issue gun and was made in the mid-90s, but you'd never know from the look of the gun. Glock did a beautiful job cleaning it up--looks brand spankin' new. Came with the standard Glock plastic box, 3 magazines, and some misc accessories, and saved me about $100 over the price of a new-generation Glock.
I'd been shopping for a used Glock for quite a while--this was roughly in the same price range as the used Glocks in town, and basically new. Couldn't pass it up. The gun store had just put it out on display that morning, and another one sold as I was leaving the store. Good way to get a like-new Glock for cheap, if you can find them in your area and don't mind the older frame design.
I have to admit, with traveling to non-gun friendly territory over the holidays, bad weather, and busy life, I haven't gotten it out to the range yet. I've had most of my handgun shooting time on a Ruger P95, and the Glock blows it away in terms of comfort, weight, and natural aim--for me at least. The overall feel/quality/impression is great. Once I get it out to the range, I'll know more.
I plan...sometime in the future...to get the Advantage Arms .22lr conversion kit for plinking and maybe to throw in the BOB. Would be nice to have in a waterproof pelican case along with a few hundred rounds of .22lr...could come in very handy. Will probably also add some aftermarket sights in the future--the Big Dot sight looks good.
The 17 is currently running nightstand and home defense duty, loaded with Federal Hydrashocks.
I'll post up a range report once I get out there!
Well, truth be told, Santa screwed me over again--I got this one for myself. It's a Glock factory refurbished 17, a 2nd generation I believe. Based on the SN, it was once a police issue gun and was made in the mid-90s, but you'd never know from the look of the gun. Glock did a beautiful job cleaning it up--looks brand spankin' new. Came with the standard Glock plastic box, 3 magazines, and some misc accessories, and saved me about $100 over the price of a new-generation Glock.
I'd been shopping for a used Glock for quite a while--this was roughly in the same price range as the used Glocks in town, and basically new. Couldn't pass it up. The gun store had just put it out on display that morning, and another one sold as I was leaving the store. Good way to get a like-new Glock for cheap, if you can find them in your area and don't mind the older frame design.
I have to admit, with traveling to non-gun friendly territory over the holidays, bad weather, and busy life, I haven't gotten it out to the range yet. I've had most of my handgun shooting time on a Ruger P95, and the Glock blows it away in terms of comfort, weight, and natural aim--for me at least. The overall feel/quality/impression is great. Once I get it out to the range, I'll know more.
I plan...sometime in the future...to get the Advantage Arms .22lr conversion kit for plinking and maybe to throw in the BOB. Would be nice to have in a waterproof pelican case along with a few hundred rounds of .22lr...could come in very handy. Will probably also add some aftermarket sights in the future--the Big Dot sight looks good.
The 17 is currently running nightstand and home defense duty, loaded with Federal Hydrashocks.
I'll post up a range report once I get out there!
1/15/08
YouTube find: Lego Zombies
Found some hilarious little stop-motion Lego films on YouTube today. There are literally about 30 Lego zombie films on YouTube at the moment. Here's one of the best:
SCC Last Night
Another SCC episode hit the airwaves last night--good episode; not jaw-droppingly ubertastic, but good none-the-less! Looks like SCC is getting off to a good start...
A couple funny scenes of Summer Glau's she-terminator trying to fit in, mimicking behavior, etc. She is, so far, an unknown model of terminator. More will obviously revealed. I was holding out judgment for the character, but last night won me over.
Interesting plot twist: Future John Connor has sent back teams of resistance soldiers to assist the main characters in their fight against SkyNet. We'll be seeing more of these guys in the future.
Survival content:
A couple funny scenes of Summer Glau's she-terminator trying to fit in, mimicking behavior, etc. She is, so far, an unknown model of terminator. More will obviously revealed. I was holding out judgment for the character, but last night won me over.
Interesting plot twist: Future John Connor has sent back teams of resistance soldiers to assist the main characters in their fight against SkyNet. We'll be seeing more of these guys in the future.
Survival content:
- Apparently you can get fake ID's for $20,000...pretty good deal, but only if you know the right people.
- You can hide a small safe behind a "Hang in there!"-cat poster and a Terminator, with all his sensors, vision modes, etc. will never find it.
- Not only are diamonds a girl's best friend, they are a very portable form of wealth. Unfortunately, they would probably be fairly difficult to convert into cash; walking into a jewelry store with a bag full of gemstones would raise a few eyebrows.
- Don't pick up strange endo-skeleton skulls you find lying around. It won't turn out good.
- Dogs are handy beasties to have around.
1/14/08
Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles
Caught SCC last night...TiVo'ed and nicely commercial free. I'm a die-hard Terminator fan, and I'm excited to actually see SCC hit the airwaves. Will it be good, or a weak-kneed pile of watered down network programming?
As most know, the pilot had been leaked to the Internet several months earlier. What was aired last night was largely the same, with a few changes. Most noticeably, the actor for Sarah Connor's fiance was changed. In the original pilot, he was a nice, family-man type. The new actor is rougher looking, tattooed, and frankly more believable as Connor's man-friend. I don't have any more info on the change--maybe one of my readers can chime in.
There's some good action, not a ton of survival content, but there's enough there to keep the S/P crowd entertained and may provoke some thoughts. The characters have to bug-out several times, and I would have loved to see this handled a bit more in-detail. Bug-out bags loaded into the truck, "Grab the guns, John!"...but no, opportunity missed. Oh well.
I had doubts about Summer Glau as the "good Terminator," and I'm still not sold on her character. I liked her in Firefly/Serenity...but, at least in the pilot, it requires a little bit too much suspension of belief for me. That being said, I'm neutral about the character--giving her the benefit of the doubt, for now.
There's another episode on tonight--looks action-packed from the previews! Take a look, if you haven't yet--with the WGA strike, it's not like there's much else on TV!
As most know, the pilot had been leaked to the Internet several months earlier. What was aired last night was largely the same, with a few changes. Most noticeably, the actor for Sarah Connor's fiance was changed. In the original pilot, he was a nice, family-man type. The new actor is rougher looking, tattooed, and frankly more believable as Connor's man-friend. I don't have any more info on the change--maybe one of my readers can chime in.
There's some good action, not a ton of survival content, but there's enough there to keep the S/P crowd entertained and may provoke some thoughts. The characters have to bug-out several times, and I would have loved to see this handled a bit more in-detail. Bug-out bags loaded into the truck, "Grab the guns, John!"...but no, opportunity missed. Oh well.
I had doubts about Summer Glau as the "good Terminator," and I'm still not sold on her character. I liked her in Firefly/Serenity...but, at least in the pilot, it requires a little bit too much suspension of belief for me. That being said, I'm neutral about the character--giving her the benefit of the doubt, for now.
There's another episode on tonight--looks action-packed from the previews! Take a look, if you haven't yet--with the WGA strike, it's not like there's much else on TV!
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