Question "What items have you decided to sacrifice in your preps, to insure an ample supply of mission critical items?"

Some of my personal sacrifices are coffee, cigarettes, chocolate, deodorant, new glasses, visit to the doctor regarding my shoulder... I 'll step aside now and let you all share your (can live without) sacrifices for post rollover.

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), October 31, 1999

Answers

A five dollar bar of roll-on deordorant that lasts half a year is a big sacrifice?

-- taking it to (the@extreme.pu), October 31, 1999.

Taking it to: Be careful how you make light of another's efforts to make ends meet with limited resources. There are an awful lot of people already living on the razor's edge now without having to get ready for whatever Y2K may bring.

-- Neil G.Lewis (pnglewis1@yahoo.com), October 31, 1999.

Michael,

There are things that I didn't get, because they have been outside of my price range (some were always out of reach while others only recently are out of reach): a new vermont castings wood stove, a modest solar power system (one that would run a grain mill or other device for 6 hours per day including recharging batteries for the shortwave radio, etc.), a rainwater cachement-cistern system (3,000 gallon capacity), a recirculating fish pond and aquaponic garden- greenhouse, a large garden-fuel shed, and various other expensive things that would be a great start to greater self reliance and smarter living.

Other preps and gear that I won't be getting: various camping gear, a handgun, lessons in its firing and good maintenance, and permit to carry, dehydrated food for 8 months, and new doors and windows for the house.

Things I probably wont have if it gets bad: cigarettes, hot showers, canned beef, and fresh sheets.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (faryna@groupmail.com), October 31, 1999.

Michael,

Define "mission critical", please?

-- GoldReal (GoldReal@aol.com), October 31, 1999.

Pu. - As usual, there would be a sampling of dotage during the

discourse of a serious question. Personal hygiene will be paramount to

forestall infections, disease, and other problems that we would

routinely see the Doctor or Rx about. A bit of au natural is a small

trade off for another bottle of lighter fluid and rack of flints, or

another set of shoe laces for everyone. You obviously have a lesser

view of the outlook for extended problems, I hope you're right.

I am not prepping for a return to normal, I don't think it will ever

be the same again. For the number of people times the number months I

believe we will have to go without, $5.00 won't cut it anyway.

How will you make soap when you run out? Could you actually repair

a steam generator, if you had one? Could you build a still to

sterilize water? Think you could collect the raw materials and make a candle from scratch? Have you actually learned anything that will aid in survival, except to hoard? I suggest you add a few bottles of bleach to your stash! Oh yea, maybe a bag or two of lime, so they can cover your carcass, so it won't stink, huh. Oh yea, you can

probably afford lye, so get that instead, ok? Don't forget the garbage bags too.

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), October 31, 1999.

Thanks for the response Stan. You've reminded me of one of my back burner preps, which was one of the purposes for this exercise. I still need to acquire grow lights for the hydroponics garden, thanks.

You have the two most important staples for attaining a sustainable arc. Sentience and an opposable thumbs, I'm confident you will be among those at the great "Rendezvous" on the other side.

PS. Funny, but I get the feeling opposable thumbs won't help the majority of the herd.

Got seeds?

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), October 31, 1999.

I bought a machine, tubes and tobacco to roll your own. A way to stock up at half the price for smokers. Things may be tense enough without having jumpy nerves from nicotine withdrawls.

Also have some wine, and will be getting a home brewery kit. If things go 8-10, I think we will need a few of the old comforts to make the tranisition, and if it is not bad, these items won't go to waste. We have lots of coffee, you wouldn't want to face the Mrs in the AM without her having her coffee, LOL.

No doubt it will be somewhat depressing, so we have extra St. Johns Wort that may help. Also, lots of vitamins to keep the immune system strong, the last thing we want are sick ones around if it can be avoided. That won't go to waste if it a BITR either.

-- Bill (bill@tinfoil.com), October 31, 1999.

Your mission (and mine) Mr/Mz. GoldReal, should you accept it, is to withstand the inertia of the coming crash, without being impaled by the experience, and then to pick yourself up and exist in a fashion or manner that is beneficial to others. The number of those completing the mission will be tantamount to the future of the species. All preparations for surviving, intact, this initial crash are considered "Mission Critical" And remember "No (wo)man is an island"

Forget the frills, acquire skills

Leave the past , make it last

One chance you'll get to get it right or be left behind before it's time

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), October 31, 1999.

LOL! For Pete's sake ...

Listen up, folks. We know Michael, and he doesn't smell (not even a troll). LOL

Michael is a gadget genius, a really good guy who uses his head and figures out ways to build things and utilize tools to ensure survival, with limited supplies.

And no, he's not financially disadvantaged either. He's also not cognitively challenged. He's read the threads and knows the reality. He's slung the code and divies the mode.

Michael, hope we see you soon, maybe even today? Happy Halloween! We'll bring an extra deodorant, roll-on, aloe, Jason brand (the best), got a bunch at a super sale ;^) LOL!

Michael's point is -- Y2K will not be a 3-day storm, or a 3-month inconvenience. Much more serious and chronic. Hoarding will only take one so far -- skills last a lifetime. Underlying knowledge can be built upon, and cannot be stolen.

Y2K is the pits

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), October 31, 1999.

Michael,

Please get your shoulder fixed--go to a physical therapist who does myofascial work! Pleae. How can you do what you need to later on if you don't?

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), October 31, 1999.

Stinky Michael,

Re-read your own post asshole. It says you've been going without BO protection for who knows how long. Your a loser now, and your going to be a loser in TEOWAWKI.

-- Anything less would (be@uncivilized.pu), October 31, 1999.

My dear Pu and the rest of your ke.

I have too few cents for scents and too much sense for nonsense. If your incensed by my common sense, then the absence of your adolescent fence will meet my gratuitous condolence. If confluence of idiom escapes your pious jerkwater sanctum, cut and paste this post, slip it under your rock, and GI saprophytically. Ok?

Jeesh, Asshole indeed!

-- Michael (mikeymac@uswest.net), October 31, 1999.