Happy Birthday to me!
Last post for 2006
This has been a very scary ride this year. Normally I love rollarcoasters partially because I know I can get off at the end of the ride. This is one rollarcoaster we are all on and can't get off.
I have been building up my personal library and working on getting my house in order. I still have too high a debt load, but that is coming down slowly.
I am interested in what other people are doing. Please send me an email or leave a comment.
Happy New Year!
Michael J. Kaer
Author of "What Money Can't Buy"
Sunday, December 31, 2006
Monday, November 27, 2006
The Power of Community
The CKOAP ( Chatham-Kent Oil Age Planning) group will be showing the film "the Power of Community at the Cultural Centre ,75 William st., Chatham,thursday nov. 30th at 7pm. The film is about Cuba and how they pulled together after all their oil supplies ran dry when the USSR fell apart. The Cuban people are a shining example of how we can all work together to survive.
I hope to see you there. I'm making the popcorn. Admission is free but we do take donations to help pay for the space.
Michael J. Kaer, author of "What Money Can't Buy"
The CKOAP ( Chatham-Kent Oil Age Planning) group will be showing the film "the Power of Community at the Cultural Centre ,75 William st., Chatham,thursday nov. 30th at 7pm. The film is about Cuba and how they pulled together after all their oil supplies ran dry when the USSR fell apart. The Cuban people are a shining example of how we can all work together to survive.
I hope to see you there. I'm making the popcorn. Admission is free but we do take donations to help pay for the space.
Michael J. Kaer, author of "What Money Can't Buy"
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Doom and Gloom
On the peak oil boards I contribute to often, a discussion has been going back and forth about Doom and Gloomers. Y2K was presented as a negative example of doom and gloom, since many people went overboard about that situation. The extremists took the general premise and ran with it. I think the problem was blown up out of proportion. Yes, there was valid concerns, but I see it as a non-event simply because a ton of money and manpower was thrown at the problem. It was a problem that had a solution; all it needed was the will to get it done.
A whole slew of companies started up to sell emergency equipment and supplies to the frightened masses. I am sure sales went sky high every time a news article about the problem was put out to the mass media. Bad news sells papers and TV timeslots. Many a geek made big bucks for not a lot of work by fixing the bugs.
Peak Oil is a whole different ball of wax. It is a problem that happens to coincide with global climate change and overpopulation issues. There are no easy solutions but there are some bugs that can be fixed. Everyone knows that a CF bulb uses less power to run than an incandescent bulb. Many people have switched out the old bulbs with new ones as the old bulbs burn out. That is one small step forward. Conservation is the obvious first step to the problem.
The problem is many people do not want to change their lifestyle. It is not in the best interest of big business (in the short term) to support lifestyle changes of less consumption. The economy shrinks and a smaller economy mean smaller profits or no profits. The problem is also that a lot of big corporations are under a lot of pressure to continue creating huge profits, so they make many (in my opinion) bad short term decisions that will maximize profits at the expense of the environment and people (and animals and plants).
Big business has raped and pillaged the earth of its raw resources for so long, they feel they have the right to continue. Even Governments seem powerless to stop the pillage since a business simply will pull up stakes after it has drained one area and move to another area or country where they can not be touched. They have a group of lawyers and bookkeepers whose job it is to keep people and governments from stopping their business. They have the money to bribe or manipulate suppliers, officials and law enforcement people to get their way. No government can stand against that. The current U.S. government actually seems to be in the pocket of big business and they are the ones muzzling the scientists who are trying to show their evidence. Since they are only concerned with short-term gain, they are not willing to look at the damage they are causing and in many cases actively stop others from pointing out the damage. Since they can not see past the next shareholders meeting they are blind. The whole economy is going to fall apart from within once the energy is no longer there to keep it going.
There is the crux of the problem – Energy! The economy needs lots of cheap energy to keep it rolling. We no longer have that cheap energy so no matter what the economy does it can not create a cheap energy source that matches the energy output of oil. I think the best we can do is to create as much renewable energy sources (wind and solar generators, geo-thermal, wave…) as possible as well as educate people about solar heaters and cookers and “Hay box” cookers. To stop a wide spread die off due to famine, also educate and encourage everyone to form community gardens and private gardens to supplement what the local farmers can provide.
The people who happen to point out the obvious conclusions of a possible mass scale die off are called Doomers and Gloomers. I guess I would be called one in that case. I am optimistic that we can avert a lot of the damage, but that would mean major voluntary changes from everyone. I do not see that happening in the west, in fact I see the opposite happening. There is still a ton of money to be made selling emergency supplies and I think everyone should have some extra supplies on hand for emergencies. Creating an atmosphere of fear will spur sales of such items and that is what I think happened with Y2K. Commonsense says you should be prepared for power outages, water contamination and food shortages. Insulating your home make sense so you and your stuff stays warmer I winter and cooler in summer, so you will not need as much energy to cool off or heat up. That will save you lots of money. The most efficient means of travel is the bicycle. It is even more efficient than walking. That is something that needs to be promoted in a large way. It also happens to be healthy and fun.
So what is going to happen when the economy tanks? Massive layoffs, massive hunger and money (fiat currency) will not be worth the paper it is printed on; those are the immediate outcomes of a market crash. Doom and Gloom -hell no- that is just reality. Learning skills to deal with barter in a no-money local economy is going to be a major mind shift for many. Instead of a dozen eggs = $2.19 it will
now be a dozen eggs = a bee’s wax candle or a couple of sewing needles or a bottle of apple juice…, a real market will be set up.
Are you able to feed and clothe and shelter yourselves right now? I could for the short term, but it would be difficult during the winter. I am not even close to self-supporting. I have a certain amount of supplies that I could stretch with forage from the countryside and fishing and the amount of clothes I have could last me several years. I just fixed up my house so it should be good for a while. I want more solar panels and I plan on building some solar heaters and cookers. The less fuel I use to heat my place the better. The less fuel I use to cook my food the better. The less fuel I use to get my food the better. I am counting on my many skills to barter with others for the things I will need to survive. Many things could be done at the government level to help me be more self-supporting. If they de-regulated the hemp industry, I could survive that much easier. Do I expect that to happen? No. Does that make me a doomer? No, It just means I have a realistic outlook as far as what I see governments willing to do. Governments do not like giving up power. What they want is more power.
Where does that leave us? In quite a pickle. We are going to have to grow down before we grow back up.
Michael J. Kaer
Author of "What Money Can't Buy"
On the peak oil boards I contribute to often, a discussion has been going back and forth about Doom and Gloomers. Y2K was presented as a negative example of doom and gloom, since many people went overboard about that situation. The extremists took the general premise and ran with it. I think the problem was blown up out of proportion. Yes, there was valid concerns, but I see it as a non-event simply because a ton of money and manpower was thrown at the problem. It was a problem that had a solution; all it needed was the will to get it done.
A whole slew of companies started up to sell emergency equipment and supplies to the frightened masses. I am sure sales went sky high every time a news article about the problem was put out to the mass media. Bad news sells papers and TV timeslots. Many a geek made big bucks for not a lot of work by fixing the bugs.
Peak Oil is a whole different ball of wax. It is a problem that happens to coincide with global climate change and overpopulation issues. There are no easy solutions but there are some bugs that can be fixed. Everyone knows that a CF bulb uses less power to run than an incandescent bulb. Many people have switched out the old bulbs with new ones as the old bulbs burn out. That is one small step forward. Conservation is the obvious first step to the problem.
The problem is many people do not want to change their lifestyle. It is not in the best interest of big business (in the short term) to support lifestyle changes of less consumption. The economy shrinks and a smaller economy mean smaller profits or no profits. The problem is also that a lot of big corporations are under a lot of pressure to continue creating huge profits, so they make many (in my opinion) bad short term decisions that will maximize profits at the expense of the environment and people (and animals and plants).
Big business has raped and pillaged the earth of its raw resources for so long, they feel they have the right to continue. Even Governments seem powerless to stop the pillage since a business simply will pull up stakes after it has drained one area and move to another area or country where they can not be touched. They have a group of lawyers and bookkeepers whose job it is to keep people and governments from stopping their business. They have the money to bribe or manipulate suppliers, officials and law enforcement people to get their way. No government can stand against that. The current U.S. government actually seems to be in the pocket of big business and they are the ones muzzling the scientists who are trying to show their evidence. Since they are only concerned with short-term gain, they are not willing to look at the damage they are causing and in many cases actively stop others from pointing out the damage. Since they can not see past the next shareholders meeting they are blind. The whole economy is going to fall apart from within once the energy is no longer there to keep it going.
There is the crux of the problem – Energy! The economy needs lots of cheap energy to keep it rolling. We no longer have that cheap energy so no matter what the economy does it can not create a cheap energy source that matches the energy output of oil. I think the best we can do is to create as much renewable energy sources (wind and solar generators, geo-thermal, wave…) as possible as well as educate people about solar heaters and cookers and “Hay box” cookers. To stop a wide spread die off due to famine, also educate and encourage everyone to form community gardens and private gardens to supplement what the local farmers can provide.
The people who happen to point out the obvious conclusions of a possible mass scale die off are called Doomers and Gloomers. I guess I would be called one in that case. I am optimistic that we can avert a lot of the damage, but that would mean major voluntary changes from everyone. I do not see that happening in the west, in fact I see the opposite happening. There is still a ton of money to be made selling emergency supplies and I think everyone should have some extra supplies on hand for emergencies. Creating an atmosphere of fear will spur sales of such items and that is what I think happened with Y2K. Commonsense says you should be prepared for power outages, water contamination and food shortages. Insulating your home make sense so you and your stuff stays warmer I winter and cooler in summer, so you will not need as much energy to cool off or heat up. That will save you lots of money. The most efficient means of travel is the bicycle. It is even more efficient than walking. That is something that needs to be promoted in a large way. It also happens to be healthy and fun.
So what is going to happen when the economy tanks? Massive layoffs, massive hunger and money (fiat currency) will not be worth the paper it is printed on; those are the immediate outcomes of a market crash. Doom and Gloom -hell no- that is just reality. Learning skills to deal with barter in a no-money local economy is going to be a major mind shift for many. Instead of a dozen eggs = $2.19 it will
now be a dozen eggs = a bee’s wax candle or a couple of sewing needles or a bottle of apple juice…, a real market will be set up.
Are you able to feed and clothe and shelter yourselves right now? I could for the short term, but it would be difficult during the winter. I am not even close to self-supporting. I have a certain amount of supplies that I could stretch with forage from the countryside and fishing and the amount of clothes I have could last me several years. I just fixed up my house so it should be good for a while. I want more solar panels and I plan on building some solar heaters and cookers. The less fuel I use to heat my place the better. The less fuel I use to cook my food the better. The less fuel I use to get my food the better. I am counting on my many skills to barter with others for the things I will need to survive. Many things could be done at the government level to help me be more self-supporting. If they de-regulated the hemp industry, I could survive that much easier. Do I expect that to happen? No. Does that make me a doomer? No, It just means I have a realistic outlook as far as what I see governments willing to do. Governments do not like giving up power. What they want is more power.
Where does that leave us? In quite a pickle. We are going to have to grow down before we grow back up.
Michael J. Kaer
Author of "What Money Can't Buy"
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Hi folks.
I have been so busy on the running on empty boards or ROE for short to get much writing done here. I am on ROE2, ROE3, ROEca and OWL ( old ways living) as well as others dedicated to alternative energy sources. Here is an update of what has been going on.
1) My house is nearly done. All they have left to do is put in the new furnace. Then the work of re-painting and getting rid of stuff and adding stuff begins. I had planned on doing something with my garage, but that did not happen.
2) My girlfriend's patio is now done along painting the front porch, fixing the front room and painting the bedroom door.
3) The CKOAP (Chatham-Kent Oil Age Planning) group is meeting on a regular basis and we just finished a SWOT of Chatham.
4) I have been buying supplies and so has my girlfriend. We have about 6 months worth of food. I have more months of liguid vitamins( I am aiming at having a year stocked up).
5) My Portal site is up and running. One of the gateway pages is http://maximumheavytraffic.com/mibmy137 . I am focussing on that site in my traffic exchanges that I am still using. The best one still is one of the older ones at http://www.trafficswarm.com/go.cgi?120579
6) 2 of my books are for sale online at http://www.mjk-private-income.com . Both are Peak Oil related, One directly and the other is a "How to" book on making Candles,Firestarters and Hobostove fuel cells.
I guess that is all for now.
Michael J. Kaer
Author of "What Money Can't Buy"
I have been so busy on the running on empty boards or ROE for short to get much writing done here. I am on ROE2, ROE3, ROEca and OWL ( old ways living) as well as others dedicated to alternative energy sources. Here is an update of what has been going on.
1) My house is nearly done. All they have left to do is put in the new furnace. Then the work of re-painting and getting rid of stuff and adding stuff begins. I had planned on doing something with my garage, but that did not happen.
2) My girlfriend's patio is now done along painting the front porch, fixing the front room and painting the bedroom door.
3) The CKOAP (Chatham-Kent Oil Age Planning) group is meeting on a regular basis and we just finished a SWOT of Chatham.
4) I have been buying supplies and so has my girlfriend. We have about 6 months worth of food. I have more months of liguid vitamins( I am aiming at having a year stocked up).
5) My Portal site is up and running. One of the gateway pages is http://maximumheavytraffic.com/mibmy137 . I am focussing on that site in my traffic exchanges that I am still using. The best one still is one of the older ones at http://www.trafficswarm.com/go.cgi?120579
6) 2 of my books are for sale online at http://www.mjk-private-income.com . Both are Peak Oil related, One directly and the other is a "How to" book on making Candles,Firestarters and Hobostove fuel cells.
I guess that is all for now.
Michael J. Kaer
Author of "What Money Can't Buy"
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
This is important stuff so I have put this rant in several places. Here it is.
Hi folks.
I just saw an older film, made in the 90's called "The Hemp Revolution"
Some of the claims made by the hemp activists are a little over the top, but I write that off as passion for their cause. They made many valid points, namely that Marijuana is still illegal even after many studies showing it should not be, because the drug enforcement crowd and the government( as well as banks and organized crime) make a ton of money on it. They also pointed out the reason is was made illegal in first place was because DuPont saw hemp as a threat to their new processes based on oil and coal. Farmers used to grow all fibre, food , medicine and fuel over a hundred years ago. The Big Oil boys have taken over everything to do with the farm and "Farmed " it out to the Pharm-a-cyst and factories, including food. Once Oil is not to be had, we will be forced to go back to the old ways. Hemp was a major player back then and it will be once more. Hemp has been written out of the history books the same way Tesla was. At the Smithsonian
Institute, all mention of hemp has been removed. The reason given was (maybe not exact quotes)" The children do not need to know about hemp; it will just confuse them" . That is just sick. How stupid do these people think our kids are? Sounds very "1984ish". Big Brother knows what is good for you and you can't argue against it if you do not know an alternative exists
That is my rant for today. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Michael J. Kaer in Canada
Author of "What Money Can't Buy" available at www.mjk-private-income.com and writer of myhemp.blogspot.com
Hi folks.
I just saw an older film, made in the 90's called "The Hemp Revolution"
Some of the claims made by the hemp activists are a little over the top, but I write that off as passion for their cause. They made many valid points, namely that Marijuana is still illegal even after many studies showing it should not be, because the drug enforcement crowd and the government( as well as banks and organized crime) make a ton of money on it. They also pointed out the reason is was made illegal in first place was because DuPont saw hemp as a threat to their new processes based on oil and coal. Farmers used to grow all fibre, food , medicine and fuel over a hundred years ago. The Big Oil boys have taken over everything to do with the farm and "Farmed " it out to the Pharm-a-cyst and factories, including food. Once Oil is not to be had, we will be forced to go back to the old ways. Hemp was a major player back then and it will be once more. Hemp has been written out of the history books the same way Tesla was. At the Smithsonian
Institute, all mention of hemp has been removed. The reason given was (maybe not exact quotes)" The children do not need to know about hemp; it will just confuse them" . That is just sick. How stupid do these people think our kids are? Sounds very "1984ish". Big Brother knows what is good for you and you can't argue against it if you do not know an alternative exists
That is my rant for today. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.
Michael J. Kaer in Canada
Author of "What Money Can't Buy" available at www.mjk-private-income.com and writer of myhemp.blogspot.com
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Hi Folks.
I have come to the conclusion that I am a whimp. If I get a stuffy nose or sore throut that is enough to throw my whole day off. Yesterday we ( my girlfriend and I) visited a friend who just got out of the hospital. All the people in that household smoke. I have quit for a while so I got watery eyes and a stuffy nose and a sore throut this morning. I am waiting for the tea to steep and a Hall's type candy to sooth my throut. We are lucky that we have the stores and the infrastructure for me to have my petty sniffles easily taken care of. No one would question some thing as simple as a Hall's type candy (or even tea for that matter)not to be available when we demand it. After the big crash, there are going to times when those will not be available and someone will be making a substitute that will not taste as good or work as well. Tea and honey helps. In the future tea will be a luxury item and so will honey. Honey stores very well. Even if it crystalizes, it is still good. Tea does store but not near as well as honey. Most things do not store as well as honey! Stocking up on honey now while you can still get it in the stores would be a wise thing. I also plan on getting a large batch of tea bags and putting them in vacuum packed plastic. I have one of those foodsavers. They are highly recommended by the do-it-yourself homefood storage crowd. Vacuum sealing will keep the tea fresher longer. It also allows you to store more in a smaller space since you have taken all the air out. Instant coffee in the jar will last for years. Glass jars would be better than plastic, but you have to protect them. If you bought a case of them, leave them in the case. Sugar also stores well if it is sealed completely. These items are cheap in most cases, if bought in bulk. The one food item you must stock up on is salt.It is very cheap but you must have it in your diet.If you want spices, buy them whole and grind them as you use them. Herbs you can grow every year. Spices from distant places will be very expensive once again.
We are off to see Al Gore's movie tonight. I will tell you how it went in another post.
All for now.
Michael J. Kaer, Author of "What money Can't Buy"
I have come to the conclusion that I am a whimp. If I get a stuffy nose or sore throut that is enough to throw my whole day off. Yesterday we ( my girlfriend and I) visited a friend who just got out of the hospital. All the people in that household smoke. I have quit for a while so I got watery eyes and a stuffy nose and a sore throut this morning. I am waiting for the tea to steep and a Hall's type candy to sooth my throut. We are lucky that we have the stores and the infrastructure for me to have my petty sniffles easily taken care of. No one would question some thing as simple as a Hall's type candy (or even tea for that matter)not to be available when we demand it. After the big crash, there are going to times when those will not be available and someone will be making a substitute that will not taste as good or work as well. Tea and honey helps. In the future tea will be a luxury item and so will honey. Honey stores very well. Even if it crystalizes, it is still good. Tea does store but not near as well as honey. Most things do not store as well as honey! Stocking up on honey now while you can still get it in the stores would be a wise thing. I also plan on getting a large batch of tea bags and putting them in vacuum packed plastic. I have one of those foodsavers. They are highly recommended by the do-it-yourself homefood storage crowd. Vacuum sealing will keep the tea fresher longer. It also allows you to store more in a smaller space since you have taken all the air out. Instant coffee in the jar will last for years. Glass jars would be better than plastic, but you have to protect them. If you bought a case of them, leave them in the case. Sugar also stores well if it is sealed completely. These items are cheap in most cases, if bought in bulk. The one food item you must stock up on is salt.It is very cheap but you must have it in your diet.If you want spices, buy them whole and grind them as you use them. Herbs you can grow every year. Spices from distant places will be very expensive once again.
We are off to see Al Gore's movie tonight. I will tell you how it went in another post.
All for now.
Michael J. Kaer, Author of "What money Can't Buy"
Thursday, June 29, 2006
Hi folks.
Yah, I know;I have not been around for a while. Summer gets like that. Here is a couple of update and then I think you may forgive me for not being around. 1) my house. My house is getting torn apart and put back together again. They have finished the bathroom and kitchen for the most part. They started on the roof today. I have new steel doors and a new electical system put in. They still have all the windows to do and the furnace.My house will be much safer and warmer, at the same time costing me less. I took my own advice about getting my house in order. 2) The CKOAP group is going to be showing a short movie about sustainable communities. 3) I have been very active on the Running on Empty yahoo groups. I have been both teaching and learning alot.
That is my excuse and I am sticking to it.
Michael J. Kaer - http://www.mikesworms.com amd http://www.mjk-private-income.com
Yah, I know;I have not been around for a while. Summer gets like that. Here is a couple of update and then I think you may forgive me for not being around. 1) my house. My house is getting torn apart and put back together again. They have finished the bathroom and kitchen for the most part. They started on the roof today. I have new steel doors and a new electical system put in. They still have all the windows to do and the furnace.My house will be much safer and warmer, at the same time costing me less. I took my own advice about getting my house in order. 2) The CKOAP group is going to be showing a short movie about sustainable communities. 3) I have been very active on the Running on Empty yahoo groups. I have been both teaching and learning alot.
That is my excuse and I am sticking to it.
Michael J. Kaer - http://www.mikesworms.com amd http://www.mjk-private-income.com
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Hi Folks.
Just a quick update for those who may be in the Chatham-Kent, Ontario area ( close to the Windsor/Detroit border and between them and London Ontario). We will be showing "The End Of Suburbia" at the local library on Queen street, Wed. May 31 at 7:00. The showing is free and we accept donations to further our work of getting the message out to more people. Thank you.
Michael J. Kaer, Owner of www.2bitpixel.com and www.mikesworms.com
Just a quick update for those who may be in the Chatham-Kent, Ontario area ( close to the Windsor/Detroit border and between them and London Ontario). We will be showing "The End Of Suburbia" at the local library on Queen street, Wed. May 31 at 7:00. The showing is free and we accept donations to further our work of getting the message out to more people. Thank you.
Michael J. Kaer, Owner of www.2bitpixel.com and www.mikesworms.com
Sunday, May 21, 2006
P.O.P.
Peak Oil Plans
What are you going to do when your money cannot buy anything? You need a new M.O.E. (Medium Of Exchange). The problem is where do you start? You could start as small as trading a safety pin for a Band-Aid. You need an exchange to happen in order to get what you need. That is how we survive right now. A problem that could arise is in a society that just collapsed it’s economy, there will be some who decide to take what you have, using a gun or other means. First, you need a safe environment in order to have a true exchange. I plan on holing up as long as I can, not trading with others till I have too and then only with neighbours I trust.
A government person may declare that all the food and goods I worked hard to gather is now to be part of the collective, with no receipts for what is taken (stolen) and could turn around and accuse me of hoarding (It may be a capitol crime at that time). The best way to keep anything away from those who would steal them is to hide it. Caching, it is called. Usually burying something is involved. Another part to a cache is knowing how to protect the item in order to get it ready to be buried.
A good place to do bartering would be a central place that is open to all, like an open field or a park that has a centre stage to do the bartering from. A small fee from all the bartering parties in the form of food or other goods may be paid to personal police. Also a form of looking after the waste left over from the crowd would need to be picked up. A small fee for the use of the washroom may take care of waste management. If not, disease will break out quicker. People kicked out of their homes would be forced into tents and shacks. The barter spots would be the only place they could trade their skills or goods. How do you keep your stuff save if you are moving around? You can do like the gypsy’s and travel in a small wagon. Make sure the wagons can be locked well. In my case it may be riding my bike to the park with a trailer and a tent to set up a booth. I would avoid the use of the washroom, by urinating in a container and hauling the urine back with me to be used as fertilizer on my gardens. As far as solid waste, I would be working on a way to compost it to send it back to the soil. The air quality is not going to be great, but with no cars, it will be tolerable.
Many things will be shut down. Get that through your heads. Houses are going to be on fire because people will be doing stupid things to stay warm and there will be no firefighters. Neighbours will be forced to get along; or they are going to die. When I go to the marketplace I will want to bring one or more people with me to help out and watch my back. I would also like to have someone at my house to protect it. A time of lawlessness is going to be starting the second you can’t pay your police force. What are they going to do with people in jail? If I had the money now, I would sell all my useless toys and stock up on everything I need for a couple of years. I would then find a hiding place, maybe on an island, and just stay there for 2 or more years, till the worse of it was over. Right this second I do not have that option, so I am stuck where I am. I am praying we hold things together till this fall. I will have my house finished and that will give me time to find as much money as possible and stock up as much as I can. Good luck.
Michael J. Kaer, Owner of http://ww.2bitpixel.com and http://www.mikesworms.com
Peak Oil Plans
What are you going to do when your money cannot buy anything? You need a new M.O.E. (Medium Of Exchange). The problem is where do you start? You could start as small as trading a safety pin for a Band-Aid. You need an exchange to happen in order to get what you need. That is how we survive right now. A problem that could arise is in a society that just collapsed it’s economy, there will be some who decide to take what you have, using a gun or other means. First, you need a safe environment in order to have a true exchange. I plan on holing up as long as I can, not trading with others till I have too and then only with neighbours I trust.
A government person may declare that all the food and goods I worked hard to gather is now to be part of the collective, with no receipts for what is taken (stolen) and could turn around and accuse me of hoarding (It may be a capitol crime at that time). The best way to keep anything away from those who would steal them is to hide it. Caching, it is called. Usually burying something is involved. Another part to a cache is knowing how to protect the item in order to get it ready to be buried.
A good place to do bartering would be a central place that is open to all, like an open field or a park that has a centre stage to do the bartering from. A small fee from all the bartering parties in the form of food or other goods may be paid to personal police. Also a form of looking after the waste left over from the crowd would need to be picked up. A small fee for the use of the washroom may take care of waste management. If not, disease will break out quicker. People kicked out of their homes would be forced into tents and shacks. The barter spots would be the only place they could trade their skills or goods. How do you keep your stuff save if you are moving around? You can do like the gypsy’s and travel in a small wagon. Make sure the wagons can be locked well. In my case it may be riding my bike to the park with a trailer and a tent to set up a booth. I would avoid the use of the washroom, by urinating in a container and hauling the urine back with me to be used as fertilizer on my gardens. As far as solid waste, I would be working on a way to compost it to send it back to the soil. The air quality is not going to be great, but with no cars, it will be tolerable.
Many things will be shut down. Get that through your heads. Houses are going to be on fire because people will be doing stupid things to stay warm and there will be no firefighters. Neighbours will be forced to get along; or they are going to die. When I go to the marketplace I will want to bring one or more people with me to help out and watch my back. I would also like to have someone at my house to protect it. A time of lawlessness is going to be starting the second you can’t pay your police force. What are they going to do with people in jail? If I had the money now, I would sell all my useless toys and stock up on everything I need for a couple of years. I would then find a hiding place, maybe on an island, and just stay there for 2 or more years, till the worse of it was over. Right this second I do not have that option, so I am stuck where I am. I am praying we hold things together till this fall. I will have my house finished and that will give me time to find as much money as possible and stock up as much as I can. Good luck.
Michael J. Kaer, Owner of http://ww.2bitpixel.com and http://www.mikesworms.com
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Hi folks.
First f2f meeting of the CKOAP group
At the first meeting we had a diverse lot of talents in only 5 members who could show up . I (Michael) was made acting Secretary since I brought my pad with me. Some of the resources between us where a farm and a bookstore and some of the talents included a Paramedic, a Grant and Propossal Writer, A Reflexologist, A Vegitarian, a Macrobiotic cook, a Medical Supply person, a worm farmer, a writer and a person who is going to get the Permaculture training. Not bad for such a small group. We tried to figure out what our best purpose was and we decided we wehere to be a practical think tank. Some one commented that was an oxymoron. Lance handed out alot of printed matter paid for out of his pocket, so if we get any donations or raise funds somehow, I will be the first one to vote he gets fully re-imbursed. Thanks goes out to The boxing club that lent use the space to hold the meeting. We decided we would aim for a monthly meeting and we could stay in touch by email. Some of the topics we kicked around was living off grid,organic food co-ops, seedbanking, finding out who the organic farmers are locally,hemp,the Chatham-Kent Community Strategic Plan, where to get face masks cheaply,a list of some of my blogs, and a little about my book, "What Money Can't Buy" and 2 other websites at http://livingeconomies.org and http://countmeout.ca . The meeting ran about an hour or so. The final word was about the movie "The End of Suburbia" showing at the library Wed. May 31 at 7:00 at 120 Queen Street, Chatham. Free addmission, donations accepted.
I am not sure if I posted this here, but someone on one of the groups asked me for some of the sources I use in my replys. Here is my reply
Hello Anyone reading this.
First off I have my own blogs at http://survival-list.blogspot.com, http://myhemp.blogspot.com and http://kaerpackage.blogspot.com . I also wrote several small books, two of them available online at http://www.mjk-private-income.com One is on Peak oil and the Chaos it causes and the other is a "How To" book on making Bee's wax candles, firestarters and hobostove fuelcells. I also have tons of downloads on a couple of disks and on my laptop to read through.
Here is a partial list of books I have on hand starting with shelter and energy
1)Earth Water Wind and Sun by D.S. Halacy,Jr.
2)Low-Cost,Energy-Efficient Shelter for the owner and builder edited by Eugene Eccli
3)The Harrowsmith Reader edited by James Lawrence
4)The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Capentry & Woodworking tools,terms & materials by Stanley Schuler
5)A popular science book- Formulas, methods, tips and data for home and workshop by Kenneth M. Swezey
6)Make and do the woodcraft way by J.G.Cone ( a scouting book)
7)Roughing It Easy- A unique ideabook for camping and cooking by Dian Thomas
Food
8)Grow It Indoors by Richard W. Langer
9)The nutribase Guide to Carbohydrates, Calories & Fat by Dr. Art Ulene
10)Encyclopedia od Organic Gardening by J.I. Rodale and Staff
11)The Hunter's Field Guide to the game birds animals of North America by Robert Elman
Medical
12)The A.M.A. Family Medical Guide - Random house
13)What Your Doctor Won't Tell You ( all about alternative medicine) by Jane Heimlich ( yes-wife to inventor of the Heimlich Maneuver)
14)How To Be Your Own Doctor (Sometimes) by Keith W. Sehnert,M.D. and Howard Eisenberg
15)Camping & Wilderness Survival by Paul Tawrell
Other
16)Home Gunsmithing Digest by Tommy L. Bish , edited by Jack Lewis
I hope that helps.
Michael J. Kaer, owner of www.2bitpixel.com and www.mikesworms.com
First f2f meeting of the CKOAP group
At the first meeting we had a diverse lot of talents in only 5 members who could show up . I (Michael) was made acting Secretary since I brought my pad with me. Some of the resources between us where a farm and a bookstore and some of the talents included a Paramedic, a Grant and Propossal Writer, A Reflexologist, A Vegitarian, a Macrobiotic cook, a Medical Supply person, a worm farmer, a writer and a person who is going to get the Permaculture training. Not bad for such a small group. We tried to figure out what our best purpose was and we decided we wehere to be a practical think tank. Some one commented that was an oxymoron. Lance handed out alot of printed matter paid for out of his pocket, so if we get any donations or raise funds somehow, I will be the first one to vote he gets fully re-imbursed. Thanks goes out to The boxing club that lent use the space to hold the meeting. We decided we would aim for a monthly meeting and we could stay in touch by email. Some of the topics we kicked around was living off grid,organic food co-ops, seedbanking, finding out who the organic farmers are locally,hemp,the Chatham-Kent Community Strategic Plan, where to get face masks cheaply,a list of some of my blogs, and a little about my book, "What Money Can't Buy" and 2 other websites at http://livingeconomies.org and http://countmeout.ca . The meeting ran about an hour or so. The final word was about the movie "The End of Suburbia" showing at the library Wed. May 31 at 7:00 at 120 Queen Street, Chatham. Free addmission, donations accepted.
I am not sure if I posted this here, but someone on one of the groups asked me for some of the sources I use in my replys. Here is my reply
Hello Anyone reading this.
First off I have my own blogs at http://survival-list.blogspot.com, http://myhemp.blogspot.com and http://kaerpackage.blogspot.com . I also wrote several small books, two of them available online at http://www.mjk-private-income.com One is on Peak oil and the Chaos it causes and the other is a "How To" book on making Bee's wax candles, firestarters and hobostove fuelcells. I also have tons of downloads on a couple of disks and on my laptop to read through.
Here is a partial list of books I have on hand starting with shelter and energy
1)Earth Water Wind and Sun by D.S. Halacy,Jr.
2)Low-Cost,Energy-Efficient Shelter for the owner and builder edited by Eugene Eccli
3)The Harrowsmith Reader edited by James Lawrence
4)The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Capentry & Woodworking tools,terms & materials by Stanley Schuler
5)A popular science book- Formulas, methods, tips and data for home and workshop by Kenneth M. Swezey
6)Make and do the woodcraft way by J.G.Cone ( a scouting book)
7)Roughing It Easy- A unique ideabook for camping and cooking by Dian Thomas
Food
8)Grow It Indoors by Richard W. Langer
9)The nutribase Guide to Carbohydrates, Calories & Fat by Dr. Art Ulene
10)Encyclopedia od Organic Gardening by J.I. Rodale and Staff
11)The Hunter's Field Guide to the game birds animals of North America by Robert Elman
Medical
12)The A.M.A. Family Medical Guide - Random house
13)What Your Doctor Won't Tell You ( all about alternative medicine) by Jane Heimlich ( yes-wife to inventor of the Heimlich Maneuver)
14)How To Be Your Own Doctor (Sometimes) by Keith W. Sehnert,M.D. and Howard Eisenberg
15)Camping & Wilderness Survival by Paul Tawrell
Other
16)Home Gunsmithing Digest by Tommy L. Bish , edited by Jack Lewis
I hope that helps.
Michael J. Kaer, owner of www.2bitpixel.com and www.mikesworms.com
Friday, May 05, 2006
Hi Folks.
I have been very busy posting at sites like running on empty3 and running on empty . ca and I part of a local group called CKOAP which is part of a larger organization postcarbon.org. I highly recommend visiting the sites and joining up if you have some wisdom to share or questions to ask. There are people from all over that are freely sharing what they know and if the do not know it, they have good suggestions on where to look. No one person can have all skills and know everything. We need to be part of a larger whole in order to survive.My predictions are an Economic crash will happen as a result of A) Avian Flu or some other Pandemic and/or B) E.W.E.'s (Extreme Weather Events) battering down North America too fast, too often for it to recover quickly and/or C)the war for oil will get too expensive and someone is going to call the States in to cash in their chips. On top of this you have peak oil with the highest prices for oil ever driving everything up. All it takes is one push from the wrong direction and WHOOSH! the whole house comes down like a pack of cards.
Others are calling for a more moderate view of the situation. The debates are civil, no one is flaming me because of my opinions on the situation. There is disagreement, as there should be when diverse minds get together to try and find a solution to the chaos caused by Peak Oil. Some hope that it will happen gradually. We all seem to agree that a collapse of society will happen, it is just a matter of when, how and for how long. There are good suggestion there and good people. Stop reading this and go to those sites!
Michael J. Kaer
I have been very busy posting at sites like running on empty3 and running on empty . ca and I part of a local group called CKOAP which is part of a larger organization postcarbon.org. I highly recommend visiting the sites and joining up if you have some wisdom to share or questions to ask. There are people from all over that are freely sharing what they know and if the do not know it, they have good suggestions on where to look. No one person can have all skills and know everything. We need to be part of a larger whole in order to survive.My predictions are an Economic crash will happen as a result of A) Avian Flu or some other Pandemic and/or B) E.W.E.'s (Extreme Weather Events) battering down North America too fast, too often for it to recover quickly and/or C)the war for oil will get too expensive and someone is going to call the States in to cash in their chips. On top of this you have peak oil with the highest prices for oil ever driving everything up. All it takes is one push from the wrong direction and WHOOSH! the whole house comes down like a pack of cards.
Others are calling for a more moderate view of the situation. The debates are civil, no one is flaming me because of my opinions on the situation. There is disagreement, as there should be when diverse minds get together to try and find a solution to the chaos caused by Peak Oil. Some hope that it will happen gradually. We all seem to agree that a collapse of society will happen, it is just a matter of when, how and for how long. There are good suggestion there and good people. Stop reading this and go to those sites!
Michael J. Kaer
Monday, April 24, 2006
M.R.E. part one & two
I am experimenting on an empty stomach. When I opened the package I noticed the inside was lined. I am assuming that it is to hold water to put one of those chemical heaters in, but the package does not tell you this. There is an assumption also that you have water and a cup for the juice, coffee and hot chocolate as well as a bowl for oatmeal. I guess you could eat it right out of the package, if you had to. If that is the case, I would use the bread pouch to pour the oatmeal in. There is enough coffee for two cups. This is a breakfast and lunch set (what is a soldier supposed to do with his lunch while eating breakfast?)
The oatmeal is not bad-very rich. I made it with hot water.
The coffee is not great, but what do you expect with instant? I am spoiled with fresh brewed Tim Horton coffee. The whitener needed to be stirred twice before it would settle in. Jim said his cup was ok. He said you could tell it was instant, but if you were on the front lines and needed your fix, it would punch the ticket.
He bread turns out to be a mini flat loaf and the bread is a sweetbread. I don’t like marmalade but the two packets where plenty (a little on the runny side) and it was a different taste. The hot chocolate is rich and hits the spot. Not bad for instant chocolate. I am starting to feel almost full. I don’t know if this is meant to be eaten in one sitting or two. I still have the main course to go and a cup of “juice” some gum and a candy.
If I was in a survival situation I may have burned up a lot of calories building a shelter or gathering wood or hauling water. Since I am not, I do not need as many calories. Since I am doing this research for my book as well as my blogs I get to write this off as a tax deduction (I am doing this during tax season!). If I was in a group of others and we all have these meals I would save some of the goodies for trade or as something to play cards for. Another reason why I am doing this research is to figure out the best way to keep me fed during the flu pandemic. My girlfriend works for Public health so she will be on the front lines working if and when it happens (most likely when and the answer to when could be as soon as this fall)(I will be holing up in my house for about 3 months when the first wave hits. I don’t know what I will do if a second wave or a third wave comes). The problem will not be so much as so many people dead, but the massive amount that will be sick and the rest of use trying to tend to them. That is what is going to make the economy come to a standstill.
As a side note, Jim just said the coffee must be high test because he feels he has more energy, like when he drinks too much coffee. That is good if you need to stay awake.
I can eat a lot. When I am by myself I can get by on very little. I think I could get by on just this one package of food for one day if I was stuck inside the house and could not go anywhere.
They thought of everything! I did not notice till I looked in the bottom and found a toothpick. The inside of the bag has a reflective surface. If you opened it up completely and had bright sunshine, you would have yourself a little solar stove. If you had several of them taped together, you would have a bigger solar stove.
I just cooked up the beans and wieners. I would suggest having a knife ready to cut the pouch. It is HOT! I used about half the salt and pepper. Again since I was thinking in survival mode, I licked the plate and the inside of the pouch. I would hoard the salt and pepper for when I am making soup or some other dish. If I were in full survival mode I would have carefully cut the pouches so I could use the reflective surfaces for solar heating. Some of the beans could have been made into a paste to act like glue till something better came along. The raspberry drink crystals are sweet. It is better than just plain water and I am sure there must be extra vitamins in the mix. It reminds me of using Jello to make a drink when a person is sick. Now comes dessert. The pineapple I found to be very sweet. It was nice to have "fresh” fruit with the meal and it would add needed bulk to a well-rounded meal. The gum is still fresh. It is a nice way to get saliva going in the mouth if you are low on water. It is also a way of brushing your teeth with out brushing your teeth. I was disappointed that the hand wipe lost most of its moisture. The matches still work.
Part two.
Happy Earthday! It is the 22nd and I started my day helping with the cleanup effort on the banks of the Thames River. I had Breakfast and a snack so I am not starting on an empty stomach, but this time I did a few hours of labour.
So far the matches still work in this pack, the coffee is the same as the fresher one but the whitener has clumped up a bit and then went to normal. I have not detected any difference between the 2005 and 2002. The drink crystals are pear flavoured. The small candy is different and it is raspberry jam this time. I am about to try the cereal. It is more of a crunchie Granola with coconut If I knew what it was, I would have eaten it plain or mixed with the pineapple bits. I read somewhere on the net that there is a recipe book of ways to use MRE’s in a more mixed fashion. I could have hoarded my extra whitener and sugar but I am adding it to the hot chocolate. I did save half my salt and pepper from yesterday so I have a complete serving of salt and pepper that could be used in some other food. It is amazing how just a little salt and pepper can change a bland meal into something great to eat. Imagine eating a potatoe without salt or pepper. See what I mean? The hot chocolate had to be stirred more than the fresher one yesterday. It still tastes great. I noticed a different company made the main course. I saw more pieces of meat in smaller cuts. I think I like the taste of this batch more than I did the fresher batch. Did the people making the packs charge more and the government switched to save money? Who knows? One other note- the spoon is smaller than I use at home. I am forced to take smaller bites and chew my food more. You get fuller faster that way. The bread feels, looks and tastes the same. How they do it is beyond me. Jam I can see lasting for decades if it was properly sealed. Same with powdered coffee and chocolate.
I have a hard time understanding that the bread I am eating was made over 4 years ago. Simply amazing! All I have left to consume is the candy, the gum, the pineapple and the drink. The pineapple does not look or taste as fresh as yesterday’s batch, but another company made it so that may explain the different taste. If some wise guy managed to get access to a lot of these fruit pouches, I think he could easily get them to ferment and make alcohol. Cards anyone? Want to bet your fruit pouch? The hand wipe was fine in this pack. The candy tastes good (butterscotch-yum). The gum is still good and the pear drink-well… not so great, but better than plain water.
My conclusions:
1) Survival in a cooped place would lead to boredom and there would come a time where you just would not feel like eating anything. Voila- get an MRE to get you through that time.
2) I feel full and I feel fine. I can not see much if any difference between an MRE made last year and one made 4 years ago. That proves they have this system down pat.
3) I like the variety an MRE gives. I also think I could stretch one meal out to an entire day if I had too.
4) If you where with others I think they would barter the candies and gum or maybe other parts of the meal or use it like money to bet with.
5) With two of the packs open I now have 2 long spoons I could use like drumsticks. I told you boredom would take over.
6) Reusing the packaging to make solar stoves keeps you busy doing something and it will save you fuel.
7) MRE’s have a small place in any survival strategy but they are extremely expensive. I would be better off getting canned goods and reusing the cans.
8) I believe the claims I have heard of MRE’s being eaten after ten years with little loss of flavour and nutrient value.
Michael J. Kaer, Owner of www.2bitpixel.com and www.mikesworms.com
I am experimenting on an empty stomach. When I opened the package I noticed the inside was lined. I am assuming that it is to hold water to put one of those chemical heaters in, but the package does not tell you this. There is an assumption also that you have water and a cup for the juice, coffee and hot chocolate as well as a bowl for oatmeal. I guess you could eat it right out of the package, if you had to. If that is the case, I would use the bread pouch to pour the oatmeal in. There is enough coffee for two cups. This is a breakfast and lunch set (what is a soldier supposed to do with his lunch while eating breakfast?)
The oatmeal is not bad-very rich. I made it with hot water.
The coffee is not great, but what do you expect with instant? I am spoiled with fresh brewed Tim Horton coffee. The whitener needed to be stirred twice before it would settle in. Jim said his cup was ok. He said you could tell it was instant, but if you were on the front lines and needed your fix, it would punch the ticket.
He bread turns out to be a mini flat loaf and the bread is a sweetbread. I don’t like marmalade but the two packets where plenty (a little on the runny side) and it was a different taste. The hot chocolate is rich and hits the spot. Not bad for instant chocolate. I am starting to feel almost full. I don’t know if this is meant to be eaten in one sitting or two. I still have the main course to go and a cup of “juice” some gum and a candy.
If I was in a survival situation I may have burned up a lot of calories building a shelter or gathering wood or hauling water. Since I am not, I do not need as many calories. Since I am doing this research for my book as well as my blogs I get to write this off as a tax deduction (I am doing this during tax season!). If I was in a group of others and we all have these meals I would save some of the goodies for trade or as something to play cards for. Another reason why I am doing this research is to figure out the best way to keep me fed during the flu pandemic. My girlfriend works for Public health so she will be on the front lines working if and when it happens (most likely when and the answer to when could be as soon as this fall)(I will be holing up in my house for about 3 months when the first wave hits. I don’t know what I will do if a second wave or a third wave comes). The problem will not be so much as so many people dead, but the massive amount that will be sick and the rest of use trying to tend to them. That is what is going to make the economy come to a standstill.
As a side note, Jim just said the coffee must be high test because he feels he has more energy, like when he drinks too much coffee. That is good if you need to stay awake.
I can eat a lot. When I am by myself I can get by on very little. I think I could get by on just this one package of food for one day if I was stuck inside the house and could not go anywhere.
They thought of everything! I did not notice till I looked in the bottom and found a toothpick. The inside of the bag has a reflective surface. If you opened it up completely and had bright sunshine, you would have yourself a little solar stove. If you had several of them taped together, you would have a bigger solar stove.
I just cooked up the beans and wieners. I would suggest having a knife ready to cut the pouch. It is HOT! I used about half the salt and pepper. Again since I was thinking in survival mode, I licked the plate and the inside of the pouch. I would hoard the salt and pepper for when I am making soup or some other dish. If I were in full survival mode I would have carefully cut the pouches so I could use the reflective surfaces for solar heating. Some of the beans could have been made into a paste to act like glue till something better came along. The raspberry drink crystals are sweet. It is better than just plain water and I am sure there must be extra vitamins in the mix. It reminds me of using Jello to make a drink when a person is sick. Now comes dessert. The pineapple I found to be very sweet. It was nice to have "fresh” fruit with the meal and it would add needed bulk to a well-rounded meal. The gum is still fresh. It is a nice way to get saliva going in the mouth if you are low on water. It is also a way of brushing your teeth with out brushing your teeth. I was disappointed that the hand wipe lost most of its moisture. The matches still work.
Part two.
Happy Earthday! It is the 22nd and I started my day helping with the cleanup effort on the banks of the Thames River. I had Breakfast and a snack so I am not starting on an empty stomach, but this time I did a few hours of labour.
So far the matches still work in this pack, the coffee is the same as the fresher one but the whitener has clumped up a bit and then went to normal. I have not detected any difference between the 2005 and 2002. The drink crystals are pear flavoured. The small candy is different and it is raspberry jam this time. I am about to try the cereal. It is more of a crunchie Granola with coconut If I knew what it was, I would have eaten it plain or mixed with the pineapple bits. I read somewhere on the net that there is a recipe book of ways to use MRE’s in a more mixed fashion. I could have hoarded my extra whitener and sugar but I am adding it to the hot chocolate. I did save half my salt and pepper from yesterday so I have a complete serving of salt and pepper that could be used in some other food. It is amazing how just a little salt and pepper can change a bland meal into something great to eat. Imagine eating a potatoe without salt or pepper. See what I mean? The hot chocolate had to be stirred more than the fresher one yesterday. It still tastes great. I noticed a different company made the main course. I saw more pieces of meat in smaller cuts. I think I like the taste of this batch more than I did the fresher batch. Did the people making the packs charge more and the government switched to save money? Who knows? One other note- the spoon is smaller than I use at home. I am forced to take smaller bites and chew my food more. You get fuller faster that way. The bread feels, looks and tastes the same. How they do it is beyond me. Jam I can see lasting for decades if it was properly sealed. Same with powdered coffee and chocolate.
I have a hard time understanding that the bread I am eating was made over 4 years ago. Simply amazing! All I have left to consume is the candy, the gum, the pineapple and the drink. The pineapple does not look or taste as fresh as yesterday’s batch, but another company made it so that may explain the different taste. If some wise guy managed to get access to a lot of these fruit pouches, I think he could easily get them to ferment and make alcohol. Cards anyone? Want to bet your fruit pouch? The hand wipe was fine in this pack. The candy tastes good (butterscotch-yum). The gum is still good and the pear drink-well… not so great, but better than plain water.
My conclusions:
1) Survival in a cooped place would lead to boredom and there would come a time where you just would not feel like eating anything. Voila- get an MRE to get you through that time.
2) I feel full and I feel fine. I can not see much if any difference between an MRE made last year and one made 4 years ago. That proves they have this system down pat.
3) I like the variety an MRE gives. I also think I could stretch one meal out to an entire day if I had too.
4) If you where with others I think they would barter the candies and gum or maybe other parts of the meal or use it like money to bet with.
5) With two of the packs open I now have 2 long spoons I could use like drumsticks. I told you boredom would take over.
6) Reusing the packaging to make solar stoves keeps you busy doing something and it will save you fuel.
7) MRE’s have a small place in any survival strategy but they are extremely expensive. I would be better off getting canned goods and reusing the cans.
8) I believe the claims I have heard of MRE’s being eaten after ten years with little loss of flavour and nutrient value.
Michael J. Kaer, Owner of www.2bitpixel.com and www.mikesworms.com
Thursday, April 13, 2006
The Perfect Storm
Some people saw the movie about a captain taking his boat out in weather that turns hellish quickly due to several factors reinforcing each other to make the perfect storm. I can relate the premise of that movie to what is happening now in and in the near future.
Back in 1995 and even earlier, people were talking about Y2K. A lot of money was thrown at the problem and a lot of hard work went into making it a non-event. Remember in 1998-99 companies sprang up, ready to supply you with MRE's and emergency power equipment plus an assortment of dry and canned foods + water. The people buying that stuff considered the price paid to be a form of insurance, one you could resell or at least eat. Earlier than that, in the 70's, it was gas shortages. We have survived plagues and pandemics in the past and we will do so again. We got a nasty shock with 9-11. We got a wake-up call when we had the major power black out. Next was E.W.E.'s (Extreme Weather Events)during christmas holidays and hurricanes like Katrina wiping out New Orleans, not to mention the year of Peak OIL (2005). Lets add to this mix scientific evidence, the poles are melting and the global warming is getting hotter and the hole in the ozone is getting larger.
Can you see the "Perfect Storm" brewing? The U.S. is overspending on the war in Iraq to the point some people think the States are bankrupt. There has been a major world shift from U.S. dollars to Euro's. What does that mean? Lets say a small terrorist attack on certain Oil producing countries makes Gas prices go up even higher. Add to that limited production means limited supplies = Crime waves. Add a record number of extreme floods, hurricanes, tornados and fires. Now add a possible outbreak of a deadly strain of flu = people not going anywhere and barricadeing themselves in = a stalled U.S. economy. If the U.S. dollar falls, so does the loonie and since the entire world is in each other's back pockets, a possible world economy colapse. The deadly flu does not even have to hit for this scene to play out.
A lot of good starts on alternative fuel sources and hybrid cars will be scrapped, with no one to buy the product. In some cases the rich will be getting richer and the poor will be busy getting dead. By rich , I mean actual goods, animals or land. Money will not be worth anything untill a new money system restarts. What happens when you can't pay police and firefighters and other emergency people? They quit or you work out a deal to provide food and shelter to the workers and their families in exchange for their services. The barter system will be the only way of getting goods untill money is UNIVERSALLY introduced. Can you say "One world currency"? Personally I would put forth the idea of a money system based on hemp since it is a plant that grows everywhere mankind can survive(except maybe the extreme north, but with the poles melting, who knows)
I have thought this out many different ways and most of them are bad. Some are worse than others. The smallest of things could spark it. When that happens the U.S. will officially or unofficially try to invade Canada. Either gangs of roving thugs looking for food will force themselves across our border or The U.S. will try a land grab. That could mean the end of Canada as we know it or we could throw some nukes at them and get pummeled back. They can distroy a lot of land and the people on it with conventional weapons. They need our land and minerals and water, and may use that time period of chaos to grab (steal) it. That is one of the bad scenarios. There are worse. The pandemic could hit while all this other stuff is happening and catch everyone with their pants down. That means a lot of dead people. I don't have to like it, but that is some interpretations I have of current affairs under the shrub, I mean Bush administration. The ball is in his court and George and Dick are fumbling it.
Please don't flame me too hard, I am only the messenger, telling the possible truth as I see it. Michael J. KaerMonday, April 10, 2006
I am putting this on all my blogs at once since this information is so important. Look at the Archives for the rest of the information I was referring to.
Why be prepared?
My girlfriend is getting fed up with me talking
about ways in which our society as we know it
could (rapidly) change. In my last post I talked
about E.W.E.'s (Extreme Weather Events). In past
posts on this and my other blogs (myhemp,
survival-list, moneyhowtogetsome, moneythebook,
xchangesnumber1 - all blogspot.com like this
one)I have talked about how peak oil is going to
drive gas prices too far up and more wars will be
faught over this resource. One thing I have not
addressed to well(so far) is the next pandemic. At
first people think-Avian Flu and they could possibly
be correct. It does not have to be Avian Flu, it
could be another type of flu. History has shown that
the entire regions where decimated by waves of
flu and plague with a certain regular cycle to them.
According to those cycles we should have had a
bad one last year or maybe this year. Now that
world-wide travel is easier to do, the spread will
be world-wide. Someone is going to hop a plane
to get out of a region that is struck by it, to get
away and in the meantime infects half the
passengers and crew. The crew and the other
passengers do not know they have it till they report
to work that they are ill in a few days. All those
people have spread to other points of the country
spreading the illness as they go. Since some
percentage of the population will be immune, they
may be carriers. If the United States or Canada
decided to close their border and patrol it A) the
cost would be huge, B) they would still not be able
to keep everyone out. We are simply too wide
open. This region of Ontario where I live has alot
of farms that import hired hands to pick crops and
such. One of the migrant workers may bring it in.
They are a multitude of ways for a flu bug to
spread.
So what do you do? Prepare as best you can!.
The Mormans have a standing policy of having a
year or more supply of everything they need. If they
shut themselves in for the few months to 18
months a bad pandemic could last, they would be
one group who would survive. The rest of us will be
lucky if we have more than a week's worth of food
and maybe a couple of bottles of water. EEEENK
( insert sound of buzzer), Guess what- you are out
of the game. In all the research I did for my book,
everyone said you need a gallon( 4 litres) of water
a day to drink, cook food, wash etc. That is per
person and more if you have babies or pregnent
mothers to look after. If you stayed indoors for 3
months or so, say 100 days that equals 100
gallons per person or 400 litres if I filled up every
jug and the tub and sink, I think I could just barely
make it.I would still need 3 months supply of meds,
vitimins and food. I have a 3 month supply of
vitamins and about that much or more in food, but
my prescription meds I can only get a month at a
time. Ok lets say you have 100 days worth of
water, food and what not, what are you going to do
with yourself for 3 months indoors? I will not be
anywhere close to my girlfriend since she will be a
frontline worker, if and when it breaks ( she works
for public health). I have a large library of tapes
and dvds I could go through. Lots of music
besides. I have music instruments to play, a
sewing machine to work on, silver wire and hemp
twine to make jewelry with, about 50 pounds of
bee's wax to make candles with and lots of books
and magazines as well as the internet and TV to
watch. I can do Tai Chi exersises to keep fit.
Great. Now what happens if the electricity or gas
shuts off because too many people running them
get too sick to work? Right now I have a couple of
small solar panels that could charge a battery long
enough to charge my laptop. I may still be able to
get online even if the power goes off, but it will not
be for long periods. I have enough propane to last
a few days if I used the grill in the garage to cook
my meals and heat water for coffee and tea. I
would use up any fuel for my camp stove, but I
could not be able to heat my house. It would mean
a cold winter covered in blankets and heavy
clothes. It would mean not being able to wash my
clothes. It would mean no shaving, who cares I am
not going outside anyway. It would mean I would
survive but just barely. I would have to have
enough cash in the house to pay for my meds and
phone them up to deliver them, putting the money
in my mailbox and getting them to put the package
in the mailbox also. I would have to get it with
gloves on and a face mask and spray the bag with
a bleach/water solution as well as the actual
bottles. Garbage would have to be stored
somehow. It is do-able for 3 months, but right now
it is not do-able for any longer time period.
Can you see why my girlfriend is calling me Mr.
Joyfull and Mr. Happy? This is enough to depress
almost anyone. Don't shoot the messenger,
instead plow that emotion into saving your own
butt. The Government at all levels will be too
overwhelmed all at once to help much. You must
help yourself. I hope you pass this on to a friend or
even an enemy ( if they work for public works or
the gas company) the more you do now , the
better off you will be later. Buy my book and read
it. Go to www.mjk.private-income.com
and get the book, "What Money Can't Buy". After
you do that and pass to all your list of people, then
do some of your own looking around on the net.
There are too many sites for me to list but they are
out they. Jusy google "prepared" or "avian flu" ,
something good will show up. Sorry this is so long,
but the information is good. USE IT!
Michael J. Kaer, owner of www.2bitpixel.com
Why be prepared?
My girlfriend is getting fed up with me talking
about ways in which our society as we know it
could (rapidly) change. In my last post I talked
about E.W.E.'s (Extreme Weather Events). In past
posts on this and my other blogs (myhemp,
survival-list, moneyhowtogetsome, moneythebook,
xchangesnumber1 - all blogspot.com like this
one)I have talked about how peak oil is going to
drive gas prices too far up and more wars will be
faught over this resource. One thing I have not
addressed to well(so far) is the next pandemic. At
first people think-Avian Flu and they could possibly
be correct. It does not have to be Avian Flu, it
could be another type of flu. History has shown that
the entire regions where decimated by waves of
flu and plague with a certain regular cycle to them.
According to those cycles we should have had a
bad one last year or maybe this year. Now that
world-wide travel is easier to do, the spread will
be world-wide. Someone is going to hop a plane
to get out of a region that is struck by it, to get
away and in the meantime infects half the
passengers and crew. The crew and the other
passengers do not know they have it till they report
to work that they are ill in a few days. All those
people have spread to other points of the country
spreading the illness as they go. Since some
percentage of the population will be immune, they
may be carriers. If the United States or Canada
decided to close their border and patrol it A) the
cost would be huge, B) they would still not be able
to keep everyone out. We are simply too wide
open. This region of Ontario where I live has alot
of farms that import hired hands to pick crops and
such. One of the migrant workers may bring it in.
They are a multitude of ways for a flu bug to
spread.
So what do you do? Prepare as best you can!.
The Mormans have a standing policy of having a
year or more supply of everything they need. If they
shut themselves in for the few months to 18
months a bad pandemic could last, they would be
one group who would survive. The rest of us will be
lucky if we have more than a week's worth of food
and maybe a couple of bottles of water. EEEENK
( insert sound of buzzer), Guess what- you are out
of the game. In all the research I did for my book,
everyone said you need a gallon( 4 litres) of water
a day to drink, cook food, wash etc. That is per
person and more if you have babies or pregnent
mothers to look after. If you stayed indoors for 3
months or so, say 100 days that equals 100
gallons per person or 400 litres if I filled up every
jug and the tub and sink, I think I could just barely
make it.I would still need 3 months supply of meds,
vitimins and food. I have a 3 month supply of
vitamins and about that much or more in food, but
my prescription meds I can only get a month at a
time. Ok lets say you have 100 days worth of
water, food and what not, what are you going to do
with yourself for 3 months indoors? I will not be
anywhere close to my girlfriend since she will be a
frontline worker, if and when it breaks ( she works
for public health). I have a large library of tapes
and dvds I could go through. Lots of music
besides. I have music instruments to play, a
sewing machine to work on, silver wire and hemp
twine to make jewelry with, about 50 pounds of
bee's wax to make candles with and lots of books
and magazines as well as the internet and TV to
watch. I can do Tai Chi exersises to keep fit.
Great. Now what happens if the electricity or gas
shuts off because too many people running them
get too sick to work? Right now I have a couple of
small solar panels that could charge a battery long
enough to charge my laptop. I may still be able to
get online even if the power goes off, but it will not
be for long periods. I have enough propane to last
a few days if I used the grill in the garage to cook
my meals and heat water for coffee and tea. I
would use up any fuel for my camp stove, but I
could not be able to heat my house. It would mean
a cold winter covered in blankets and heavy
clothes. It would mean not being able to wash my
clothes. It would mean no shaving, who cares I am
not going outside anyway. It would mean I would
survive but just barely. I would have to have
enough cash in the house to pay for my meds and
phone them up to deliver them, putting the money
in my mailbox and getting them to put the package
in the mailbox also. I would have to get it with
gloves on and a face mask and spray the bag with
a bleach/water solution as well as the actual
bottles. Garbage would have to be stored
somehow. It is do-able for 3 months, but right now
it is not do-able for any longer time period.
Can you see why my girlfriend is calling me Mr.
Joyfull and Mr. Happy? This is enough to depress
almost anyone. Don't shoot the messenger,
instead plow that emotion into saving your own
butt. The Government at all levels will be too
overwhelmed all at once to help much. You must
help yourself. I hope you pass this on to a friend or
even an enemy ( if they work for public works or
the gas company) the more you do now , the
better off you will be later. Buy my book and read
it. Go to www.mjk.private-income.com
and get the book, "What Money Can't Buy". After
you do that and pass to all your list of people, then
do some of your own looking around on the net.
There are too many sites for me to list but they are
out they. Jusy google "prepared" or "avian flu" ,
something good will show up. Sorry this is so long,
but the information is good. USE IT!
Michael J. Kaer, owner of www.2bitpixel.com
Saturday, April 01, 2006
I am busy writing a book about money and I am writing notes on the side for volume 2 of "What Money Can't Buy". The subtitle will be something like "What'cha goin ta do about it". This will be the positive side after all the negatives I laid out in the first book. I may go into a little more detail about what the negatives are just before I address them because some people may have not read the first book(what are you waiting for, go to www.mjk-private-income.com and get it now!)
I recently ordered some samples of MRE's and rations and such to test and put in the book as well as post the results here. I would like to know what experiences you have had with MRE's, Ration Bars and freeze dried foods or even companies that sell these items.
You can leave a comment to this blog that you are sure I will read.
Michael J. Kaer,owner of www.2bitpixel.com
I recently ordered some samples of MRE's and rations and such to test and put in the book as well as post the results here. I would like to know what experiences you have had with MRE's, Ration Bars and freeze dried foods or even companies that sell these items.
You can leave a comment to this blog that you are sure I will read.
Michael J. Kaer,owner of www.2bitpixel.com
Thursday, March 30, 2006
It's all in the book
Michael J. Kaer, owner of www.2bitpixel.com
I have been answering a lot of questions on Yahoo and some of them are coming from the research I did to write "What Money Can't Buy". Take the price of gasoline or what the next big stock is going to be. I have educated guesses as to what those are and where they are going. The book looks like it is going to be an ongoing project. I got so involved in the work, it is hard to turn to other things. I was following Bucky Fuller's ideas at the start about the promise of hydrogen, only to see massive breakthroughs and changes in that one area alone. Solar panels and wind generators have also undergone a huge leap forward. Nanotech is finally getting past being wet behind the ears. Alternative sources like geo-thermal as being seriously looked into. This is an exciting time folks
Exciting times does not come without a price. The price I see we will all have to pay is a total money system colapse. In the end the world currency maybe Hong Kong $'s or Yen or Euros. As I am typing this I am praying that I am wrong. The timelines are skewed and the data coming in says we are screwed and governments all over the world can't even get together to do the minimal least( The Kyoto accord). The stupidity and greed I have read about during this grueling timeperiod, forces me into a survivalist mode of thinking. My girlfriend called me "Mr. Happy" or "Mr. Joyfull" when I was discussing these things with her. Yes, they are depressing, but that is not my fault. Don't shoot the messenger.
The good news is there are several things you can do to stop my future from happening. I am writing a book about money and at the same time making notes for a second volume to go with "What Money Can't Buy". The good news is we can pull our butts out of the deep hole we have dug and get healthier while we are doing it. The good news is that it does not have to be as bad as I see it to be. I have hope. After going through thousands of pages online, I see individual states picking up the ball the feds dropped. Here in Canada I see individual provinces doing their best to meet and surpass Kyoto protocals. I see inventers freely giving their work away so it can not be squashed but big business interests. There is hope.
Another reason to see hope is in groups like freecycle. I belong to chathamkentfreecycle. It is a moderated group through Yahoo and it is for giving things to your community or receiving things from your community. No money is exchanged. But the item on the board once or twice and if it does not go, give it to Goodwill. This keeps items out of landfills and helps everyone's karma. Locally.
There is hope for us yet. The hint of how to survive a major trauma like a power failure or money failure is in the local community. Make your links with people now. Swap stuff or give it away, downsize, do more with less. How can someone steal from you if you are willing to give it to them? Think about that.
Michael J. Kaer, owner of www.2bitpixel.com
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Battery-Free Flashlight
Here is a picture of the box and the flashlight I bought recently. I have been seeing these advertized all over the net and on Ebay. Being the type of person who A) loves gadgets and B) is an Electronic Technician and C) concerned with the environment, so any item that would cut down on throw away batteries is O.K. in my book and D) has lived through one of the worst power outages in North American History (so far!) and E) am a Survivalist Equipment Tester, I would like to give you my thoughts on this product so far.
It claims to float and be waterproof. I have not tested that as yet. It does claim to not need batteries to run. That is not strictly true, it does have a couple of small batteries to hold a charge that the system generates. To be truely Battery-Free, you would need a capacitor setup to store the charge or some other way of storing the charge. The light given off is bluish due to the type of LED ( Light Emmiting Diode) being used as the light source. You can read by it. It does get pretty strong for a small flashlight. I like another feature they do not show or talk about. When you charge it up and turn it on then set it on a flat surface(light beam down) it acts like a lantern since the cover is clear plastic.
I am torture-testing that feature as I type. I charged it up and turned it on face down. It has contnued to give light over 24 hours. I am trying to completely discharge the batteries to test the exact number of shakes needed for good light. This could take a while since most LED’s use very little power, a fraction of a volt, usually.
There is one caution I must give you about this type of lightsource. Since it uses a strong magnet and a coil to take advantage of Faraday’s law, it is strong enough to wipe out credit cards, debit cards, laptops, ipods..., take my word for it and keep it away from electronics and your wallet.
My conclusion so far- even with the limitations ( store it in a pouch or hang it from your neck) of keeping it away from electronic devices or credit cards, this is one item I plan on adding to my permanent equipment. It is not very expensive and the fact that you will not have to buy batteries for it, makes it a great bargain.
Michael J. Kaer, owner of www.2BitPixel.com
Ps. After I finshed this little article, I tested if it does indeed float and if it is waterproof. Yes it does float. I do not know how far down you can go diving with it, but it is waterproof. I forgot to tell you that it has a built in ring at the end to put a line through so you can easily wear it around your neck.
PPs.To make sure it is completely waterproof, I would take it apart and seal the lens on with silicone and silicone the on/off switch to the on position from the inside and add more to the outside of the switch. Then I would feel safe taking it diving.
Here is a picture of the box and the flashlight I bought recently. I have been seeing these advertized all over the net and on Ebay. Being the type of person who A) loves gadgets and B) is an Electronic Technician and C) concerned with the environment, so any item that would cut down on throw away batteries is O.K. in my book and D) has lived through one of the worst power outages in North American History (so far!) and E) am a Survivalist Equipment Tester, I would like to give you my thoughts on this product so far.
It claims to float and be waterproof. I have not tested that as yet. It does claim to not need batteries to run. That is not strictly true, it does have a couple of small batteries to hold a charge that the system generates. To be truely Battery-Free, you would need a capacitor setup to store the charge or some other way of storing the charge. The light given off is bluish due to the type of LED ( Light Emmiting Diode) being used as the light source. You can read by it. It does get pretty strong for a small flashlight. I like another feature they do not show or talk about. When you charge it up and turn it on then set it on a flat surface(light beam down) it acts like a lantern since the cover is clear plastic.
I am torture-testing that feature as I type. I charged it up and turned it on face down. It has contnued to give light over 24 hours. I am trying to completely discharge the batteries to test the exact number of shakes needed for good light. This could take a while since most LED’s use very little power, a fraction of a volt, usually.
There is one caution I must give you about this type of lightsource. Since it uses a strong magnet and a coil to take advantage of Faraday’s law, it is strong enough to wipe out credit cards, debit cards, laptops, ipods..., take my word for it and keep it away from electronics and your wallet.
My conclusion so far- even with the limitations ( store it in a pouch or hang it from your neck) of keeping it away from electronic devices or credit cards, this is one item I plan on adding to my permanent equipment. It is not very expensive and the fact that you will not have to buy batteries for it, makes it a great bargain.
Michael J. Kaer, owner of www.2BitPixel.com
Ps. After I finshed this little article, I tested if it does indeed float and if it is waterproof. Yes it does float. I do not know how far down you can go diving with it, but it is waterproof. I forgot to tell you that it has a built in ring at the end to put a line through so you can easily wear it around your neck.
PPs.To make sure it is completely waterproof, I would take it apart and seal the lens on with silicone and silicone the on/off switch to the on position from the inside and add more to the outside of the switch. Then I would feel safe taking it diving.
Monday, March 20, 2006
I wrote this for my blog about money at http://moneythebook.blogspot.com and since it pertains to this blog, I thought I would a post it here too. That doubles my chance that someone reads it (which is the whole point of running a blog).
A worth of a thing...
Upon further research into this subject of money, I have come across different stories. Wait a minute; I was researching survival sites and this topic came up in a story. Now that I think about it money and survival have been linked often. I will not quote the story but it went something like this.
The man was talking about barter items and he asked what a box of nails was worth. In certain circumstances that box of nails would be worth their weight in gold , since gold would not be worth much, neither would silver. Maybe a trade for a bottle of alcohol or 2 cigarettes or some fresh fish. In a barter trade it depends on what the other person is holding, how badly you need (want) it and what you are willing to give up. If society broke down to the point of no transport trucks were transporting goods and a smoker had no access to nicotine, they may very well trade the box of nails for the a couple of smokes. A person brewing and distilling their own hooch, would gladly trade a bottle of the stuff if they had a leaky roof that needed fixing. I person who caught a whole mess of fish would be willing to part with a couple and the holder of the box of nails could be starving. Does this mean that a bottle of booze = a couple of smokes = a couple of fish? No! Yet under the right circumstances they very well could be. This story illustrates that in a trade or exchange the worth of the item depends on the needs of the two parties trading, therefore the worth of an item is flexible. Money is the same way. Since it is a token of worth and it has no intrinsic value (except as a piece of paper or a bit of metal) it flexes from day to day depending on what millions of transactions say it is worth. That is the simplified version anyway.
Right now I am willing to trade several months of research and hundreds of hours of writing in the form of two books for what? One of my needs are arrows or crossbow bolts and BB's. Well, with the money/credit system in place and still functional, I can have my books available 24 hours a day at www.mjk-private-income.com. A person wanting that valuable information can trade money in the form of digital bits directly into my paypal account. I can turn around and use those bits to ask someone who makes arrows or BB's to send me some and I will transfer some of those bits into their account. Everybody ends up happy.
Till next time...
Michael J. Kaer
A worth of a thing...
Upon further research into this subject of money, I have come across different stories. Wait a minute; I was researching survival sites and this topic came up in a story. Now that I think about it money and survival have been linked often. I will not quote the story but it went something like this.
The man was talking about barter items and he asked what a box of nails was worth. In certain circumstances that box of nails would be worth their weight in gold , since gold would not be worth much, neither would silver. Maybe a trade for a bottle of alcohol or 2 cigarettes or some fresh fish. In a barter trade it depends on what the other person is holding, how badly you need (want) it and what you are willing to give up. If society broke down to the point of no transport trucks were transporting goods and a smoker had no access to nicotine, they may very well trade the box of nails for the a couple of smokes. A person brewing and distilling their own hooch, would gladly trade a bottle of the stuff if they had a leaky roof that needed fixing. I person who caught a whole mess of fish would be willing to part with a couple and the holder of the box of nails could be starving. Does this mean that a bottle of booze = a couple of smokes = a couple of fish? No! Yet under the right circumstances they very well could be. This story illustrates that in a trade or exchange the worth of the item depends on the needs of the two parties trading, therefore the worth of an item is flexible. Money is the same way. Since it is a token of worth and it has no intrinsic value (except as a piece of paper or a bit of metal) it flexes from day to day depending on what millions of transactions say it is worth. That is the simplified version anyway.
Right now I am willing to trade several months of research and hundreds of hours of writing in the form of two books for what? One of my needs are arrows or crossbow bolts and BB's. Well, with the money/credit system in place and still functional, I can have my books available 24 hours a day at www.mjk-private-income.com. A person wanting that valuable information can trade money in the form of digital bits directly into my paypal account. I can turn around and use those bits to ask someone who makes arrows or BB's to send me some and I will transfer some of those bits into their account. Everybody ends up happy.
Till next time...
Michael J. Kaer
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
I just re-read R.A.H.'s "Tunnel in the sky", one of his juvi's about a survival course for highschool kids gone very wrong. What was to be a 10 day outing at the most turned into a 2 year ordeal. Very interesting stuff. Robert is often quoted in many of the survival sites I go to. Speaking through his character Lazarus Long he says "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts,build a wall,set a bone,comfort the dying, take orders, give orders,cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." (page 248-Time Enough For Love). Speaking of Survival sites, I downloaded the the survival bible #2, which is just a .pdf file with a few articles and hundreds of links to survival sites. Alot of the sites are no longer up and running, but a bunch of the die-hard sites are still in operation. Some of them have been going for 10 years, so they must be doing something right.
I was wondering why such a large amount of sites listed where not there. I know people get tired of running a site and just close it down if it is not making any money or giving any satifaction.In some cases I think many people have "bugged out" to their retreats after 9-11 and just stayed there. I have a 5 year plan in place to start the move. I am fixing up my house and plan on selling it in about 5 year's time. I life in a small city where I can't have an open fire (other than a BBQ) and there are a lot of restrictions on other activities I would like to do. I can't raise rabbits or chickens without the city raising a squack. I can't shoot an arrow or a BB gun for practice without attracting undue attention. I live in Canada, so gun ownership is frowned upon. I have a nice assortment of knives and practice with them indoors, while doing Tai Chi. I have a throwing knive I whould like to get provicient with that is in the same boat as the arrows and BB's. I need more land!
Here's my wish list of what I think I need. I can live on 5-20 acres if I have a bit of bush and a pond and some fruit trees on it. It would need to have well water and be located near a hill. It would need a small barn/workshop. I could live in a trailer for all I really care. My 17 footer would not be big enough. My main two crops would be sunflowers and hemp. I of course would put in a huge garden. I would like the hill to not be seen from the road because I would like to put one or more wind generators. If there is no hill I would set up a tower. The barn and the trailer would have as many solar panels on it as I can afford I would heat the barn and the trailer with a safe woodstove that can divert it's smoke to a smoke house next to it. Water pipes around the woodstove, then buried in the ground leading to the trailer and barn would bring heated water. I could tap some for hot water and the rest would heat the floors. With that much space I could have goats, rabbits and chickens as food and worms for bait and organic fertilizer. That is my simple outline of what I could set up as a self-sustaining farm. I figure that would be good enough for me and my girlfriend.
Any thoughts? I would like to hear them.
Michael.
I was wondering why such a large amount of sites listed where not there. I know people get tired of running a site and just close it down if it is not making any money or giving any satifaction.In some cases I think many people have "bugged out" to their retreats after 9-11 and just stayed there. I have a 5 year plan in place to start the move. I am fixing up my house and plan on selling it in about 5 year's time. I life in a small city where I can't have an open fire (other than a BBQ) and there are a lot of restrictions on other activities I would like to do. I can't raise rabbits or chickens without the city raising a squack. I can't shoot an arrow or a BB gun for practice without attracting undue attention. I live in Canada, so gun ownership is frowned upon. I have a nice assortment of knives and practice with them indoors, while doing Tai Chi. I have a throwing knive I whould like to get provicient with that is in the same boat as the arrows and BB's. I need more land!
Here's my wish list of what I think I need. I can live on 5-20 acres if I have a bit of bush and a pond and some fruit trees on it. It would need to have well water and be located near a hill. It would need a small barn/workshop. I could live in a trailer for all I really care. My 17 footer would not be big enough. My main two crops would be sunflowers and hemp. I of course would put in a huge garden. I would like the hill to not be seen from the road because I would like to put one or more wind generators. If there is no hill I would set up a tower. The barn and the trailer would have as many solar panels on it as I can afford I would heat the barn and the trailer with a safe woodstove that can divert it's smoke to a smoke house next to it. Water pipes around the woodstove, then buried in the ground leading to the trailer and barn would bring heated water. I could tap some for hot water and the rest would heat the floors. With that much space I could have goats, rabbits and chickens as food and worms for bait and organic fertilizer. That is my simple outline of what I could set up as a self-sustaining farm. I figure that would be good enough for me and my girlfriend.
Any thoughts? I would like to hear them.
Michael.
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Just a quick update on my bug-out kit. It is still not complete, but most of the stuff is there. I need to re-photocopy my ID and important papers. I found one of my 2 wind-up radio/flashlights. The battery booster is fully charged, and I have a 400 watt and a 600 watt inverter ready for hookup. I have 2 small solar panels and on larger one ready to work. What I would like to have is some more small, sealed 12 volt batteries. They are very expensive (still). This year I am planing on constructing a large battery from plans I got online. The cost of the larger solar panels are starting to come down. I saw a 15 watt on sale for $80.00 Canadian dollars. That is a good start, but we need them to come down alot more before people with buy them in a large quantity.
That is all for today. Let me know what your plans are. Do you have 3 months worth of food? I would seriously start now!
Michael.
That is all for today. Let me know what your plans are. Do you have 3 months worth of food? I would seriously start now!
Michael.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
I wrote this for my other blog, but it needs to be in this one as well. Since not everyone reads all my blogs, I have increased my chances that you have read this by 100% :)
At about 11:15 PM March 1,2006, I got a wake up call. It came in the form of a total power black out. Well not total, downtown had power, but one whole side of the city was in blackness. I ALWAYS keep a flashlight in my kitchen window. The trick is to walk in total darkness without killing yourself or knocking things over. Silly me forgot that I had a fully charged penlight close to the lightswitch in the computer-room.
I had a fully charged laptop I could write on and do some reading if I wanted. I had looked forward to a nice warm bed and a book, but that did not happen. I found a few other flashlights and took stock of what I had and what I needed to do. I checked the emergency jumpstarter. It had not been plugged in for some time, so it had almost no charge. I have a small solar panel in my window that keeps a charge on 2-12 volt batteries and I have an inverter to power anything that is under 600 watts. It was working fine. I looked around for my emergency windup radio/flashlight. I have two of them and I could not find either one. I think one is at my girlfriend's place in our camping equipment and the other is outside in my trailer. I had another small battery powered radio/flashlight that used to be attached to my bike. It's charged and working.
I have about 3 months worth of emergency food and enough water for up to a week. If this had been a "Bugout Scenario" I would not have had all my gear in one bag to grab. I have been working with my girlfriend to get her's ready since she would be on the frontlines in any disaster ( she works for public health). I got her a nice, compact windup radio as part of her birthday present. I like to get little odds and ends for her kit, and have been neglecting mine in the process. It is nice one of us will be fully prepared. I have gone through my bag and I know I need at least another pair of underwear and socks, maybe 2 more, they do not take up much room. I have no clothes in there and I have not updated all my ID or copies of my important papers. Other than that I am not in too bad a spot. With a little work over the next few days I can have most of my kit totally ready. I need to fill up my fanny pack as well. I need to choose just one extra book, something small but practical and it may have a few stories in it. Any suggestions? With that I will end this post.
Michael J. Kaer, President of Kaer Enterprises (.com),www.mjk-private-income.com, www.2bitpixel.com and www.mikesworms.com
Ps. I am just finding out just how much you can shove into those Altoids tins if you wrap them in rubber bands after!
At about 11:15 PM March 1,2006, I got a wake up call. It came in the form of a total power black out. Well not total, downtown had power, but one whole side of the city was in blackness. I ALWAYS keep a flashlight in my kitchen window. The trick is to walk in total darkness without killing yourself or knocking things over. Silly me forgot that I had a fully charged penlight close to the lightswitch in the computer-room.
I had a fully charged laptop I could write on and do some reading if I wanted. I had looked forward to a nice warm bed and a book, but that did not happen. I found a few other flashlights and took stock of what I had and what I needed to do. I checked the emergency jumpstarter. It had not been plugged in for some time, so it had almost no charge. I have a small solar panel in my window that keeps a charge on 2-12 volt batteries and I have an inverter to power anything that is under 600 watts. It was working fine. I looked around for my emergency windup radio/flashlight. I have two of them and I could not find either one. I think one is at my girlfriend's place in our camping equipment and the other is outside in my trailer. I had another small battery powered radio/flashlight that used to be attached to my bike. It's charged and working.
I have about 3 months worth of emergency food and enough water for up to a week. If this had been a "Bugout Scenario" I would not have had all my gear in one bag to grab. I have been working with my girlfriend to get her's ready since she would be on the frontlines in any disaster ( she works for public health). I got her a nice, compact windup radio as part of her birthday present. I like to get little odds and ends for her kit, and have been neglecting mine in the process. It is nice one of us will be fully prepared. I have gone through my bag and I know I need at least another pair of underwear and socks, maybe 2 more, they do not take up much room. I have no clothes in there and I have not updated all my ID or copies of my important papers. Other than that I am not in too bad a spot. With a little work over the next few days I can have most of my kit totally ready. I need to fill up my fanny pack as well. I need to choose just one extra book, something small but practical and it may have a few stories in it. Any suggestions? With that I will end this post.
Michael J. Kaer, President of Kaer Enterprises (.com),www.mjk-private-income.com, www.2bitpixel.com and www.mikesworms.com
Ps. I am just finding out just how much you can shove into those Altoids tins if you wrap them in rubber bands after!
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Ever since I finished "What Money Can't Buy" and my "how to" booklet on making Beeswax candles,firestarters and hobostove fuelcells I have been searching for ways to promote them( besides this blog, which I created just for that purpose). Just as a reminder you can download both of them at www.mjk-private-income.com. I am working on getting them in the clickbank system so other people can sell them for me and make money doing it.
The other thing I am trying is to advertize them on my new website at www.2BitPixel.com
To all you survival type people out there, if you run a website or a pixeltype site like mine and you want to trade links or trade pixels for pixels, than I am open to that. You can go to that site www.2BitPixel.com or you can email me at michaelkaer@yahoo.ca and we will work out the details.
The other thing I am trying is to advertize them on my new website at www.2BitPixel.com
To all you survival type people out there, if you run a website or a pixeltype site like mine and you want to trade links or trade pixels for pixels, than I am open to that. You can go to that site www.2BitPixel.com or you can email me at michaelkaer@yahoo.ca and we will work out the details.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
Alas,Babylon
I am Re-reading a classic book by Pat Frank, first printed in 1959. The Blurb on the cover says " The startling novel of the end of the world and the day after." I remember reading this in school but I do not remember what grade I was in. It is very serious reading material for grade school, so I assume it was in High School. I am right at the part where the hero has to tell people what is going on and planning on what to get in the form of supplies. He can only tell certain people he trusts. Slowly the vast scope of what is facing him dawns on him as he is hugging his girlfriend.
Why am I reading this again? They were talking about hydrogen bombs destroying the country quickly. Our situation is different and much slower, but with the terrorist and religious extremists out there a potentially similar thing could happen. The form would be different that is all. I am studying how the people are reacting and how they are thinking in this long-term crisis.
Here is my short list of books I suggest everyone read.
1)Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
2)After the bomb by Gloria D. Miklowitz, also After the bomb:Week one
3)Farnham's Freehold By Robert A. Heinlein
Of course there are a ton of other books like the one I wrote and set this blog up for in the first place, What Money Can't Buy - ready for download at www.mjk-private-income.com. Go online and type in "survival" or some other keyword and a whole world of information is laid bare at your fingertips. Newsgroups are a great place to get specific questions answered and get advice on tools and such.
Stop reading this- Go -download my book or find other books to read and hop to it NOW! You may not have time to do so in the future.
Michael J. Kaer, President of Kaer Enterprises (.com) and www.mikesworms.com
I am Re-reading a classic book by Pat Frank, first printed in 1959. The Blurb on the cover says " The startling novel of the end of the world and the day after." I remember reading this in school but I do not remember what grade I was in. It is very serious reading material for grade school, so I assume it was in High School. I am right at the part where the hero has to tell people what is going on and planning on what to get in the form of supplies. He can only tell certain people he trusts. Slowly the vast scope of what is facing him dawns on him as he is hugging his girlfriend.
Why am I reading this again? They were talking about hydrogen bombs destroying the country quickly. Our situation is different and much slower, but with the terrorist and religious extremists out there a potentially similar thing could happen. The form would be different that is all. I am studying how the people are reacting and how they are thinking in this long-term crisis.
Here is my short list of books I suggest everyone read.
1)Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
2)After the bomb by Gloria D. Miklowitz, also After the bomb:Week one
3)Farnham's Freehold By Robert A. Heinlein
Of course there are a ton of other books like the one I wrote and set this blog up for in the first place, What Money Can't Buy - ready for download at www.mjk-private-income.com. Go online and type in "survival" or some other keyword and a whole world of information is laid bare at your fingertips. Newsgroups are a great place to get specific questions answered and get advice on tools and such.
Stop reading this- Go -download my book or find other books to read and hop to it NOW! You may not have time to do so in the future.
Michael J. Kaer, President of Kaer Enterprises (.com) and www.mikesworms.com
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
As I was working at the shop ( my friend Jim's "A Life Full of Books") where I work on the weekend, I was helping a mother and her son look at some of the antiques Jim also has for sale. They were looking at metal rod that looked like a spear with a globe on it. The bottom had a type of stand with a heavy braided copper wire coming from it. I asked the son if he knew what it was. He did not and his mother and I explained what it was and how it worked. I then asked him if he knew who invented it. He did not. I told him "Benjamin Franklin". He had never heard of him. I said " You have never heard of Benjamin Franklin?" to which his mother promptly replied that they don't teach that stuff anymore. A grade school child not knowing who invented the lightingrod or our modern postal service is a child that is missing out on something. Having been out of the school system for a couple decades I must confess I have no clue what they are teaching kids these days. I know my daughter is getting a great education, being homeschooled. Next time I get to visit her I will ask her if she knows who Benjamin Franklin is (was).
This list is for our future survival.
1)If you have children or grandchildren or friends who have children get involved and find out what is being taught in school these days.
2)Talk to those children and gain their trust.
3)Make sure you teach them what you want them to know that is not being taught.
4)Teach the children to learn because they want to.
5)Teach the children to question what they are learning.
Our future is in their hands;make those hands the best you can. Do not let media and a school board decide what is best for your child. If they do not teach history (from different perspectives) we are all doomed to repeat it.
Michael J. Kaer, President of Kaer Enterprises (.com),www.mikesworms.com, www.mjk-pivate-income.com and www.onthespotmassage.biz
This list is for our future survival.
1)If you have children or grandchildren or friends who have children get involved and find out what is being taught in school these days.
2)Talk to those children and gain their trust.
3)Make sure you teach them what you want them to know that is not being taught.
4)Teach the children to learn because they want to.
5)Teach the children to question what they are learning.
Our future is in their hands;make those hands the best you can. Do not let media and a school board decide what is best for your child. If they do not teach history (from different perspectives) we are all doomed to repeat it.
Michael J. Kaer, President of Kaer Enterprises (.com),www.mikesworms.com, www.mjk-pivate-income.com and www.onthespotmassage.biz
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
After going through a frustrating night of trying to add a couple of images to my webpage at www.MJK-Private-Income.com I found out the images hade been given a large type .JPG filename rather than a .jpg ,so it was not loading properly. Here is my list for this post.
1)Always check the details!
2)Don't give up.
3)If you do not find the solution right away, sleep on it. A fresh start sometimes does aworld of good.
Here is something I wrote last week when I was at work and did not have access to the internet to upload it.
25 years and counting
I recently saw a Reader’s Digest article where a self-taught man in France made his own electricity and fuel to run his car and hot water to heat his home all from the same huge compost pile. Once the pile totally fermented and gave up all it’s heat, the compost was then spread on his land to create a wonderful garden.
I know it is not feasible for everyone, especially city dwellers to have a huge compost heap heat the house and make electricity or run the car BUT this information came out in the 1981 edition, 25 years ago. I have never heard of this person, “The King of Green Gold” Jean Pain.
I do not remember being taught about people like Nickola Tesla growing up as well. It has been said we have only been taught one side of the story and purposely not taught the other side. Why? My guess is money. How can they sell the lies they are handing out as truth unless the real truth has been suppressed. How can a utility survive and the government make tax money off you the consumer, if you don’t need their services? Jean did not need a special education to achieve what he did, nor did he need special equipment. He made due with recycled materials. How are the big oil companies going to charge large amounts of money for their dirty energy solution when you can create your own clean, cheap and sustainable energy solution? The answer is to suppress the knowledge that any other option is available.
That is the end of my rant for this post.
Michael J. Kaer, President of Kaer Enterprises (.com), www.mikesworms.com , www.mjk-private-income.com and www.onthespotmassage.biz
1)Always check the details!
2)Don't give up.
3)If you do not find the solution right away, sleep on it. A fresh start sometimes does aworld of good.
Here is something I wrote last week when I was at work and did not have access to the internet to upload it.
25 years and counting
I recently saw a Reader’s Digest article where a self-taught man in France made his own electricity and fuel to run his car and hot water to heat his home all from the same huge compost pile. Once the pile totally fermented and gave up all it’s heat, the compost was then spread on his land to create a wonderful garden.
I know it is not feasible for everyone, especially city dwellers to have a huge compost heap heat the house and make electricity or run the car BUT this information came out in the 1981 edition, 25 years ago. I have never heard of this person, “The King of Green Gold” Jean Pain.
I do not remember being taught about people like Nickola Tesla growing up as well. It has been said we have only been taught one side of the story and purposely not taught the other side. Why? My guess is money. How can they sell the lies they are handing out as truth unless the real truth has been suppressed. How can a utility survive and the government make tax money off you the consumer, if you don’t need their services? Jean did not need a special education to achieve what he did, nor did he need special equipment. He made due with recycled materials. How are the big oil companies going to charge large amounts of money for their dirty energy solution when you can create your own clean, cheap and sustainable energy solution? The answer is to suppress the knowledge that any other option is available.
That is the end of my rant for this post.
Michael J. Kaer, President of Kaer Enterprises (.com), www.mikesworms.com , www.mjk-private-income.com and www.onthespotmassage.biz
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
