Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Y’know, its tough to prepare for the upcoming apocalypse and not get political about it. Way back when (”Back in the day”) our friendly .fedgov used to give out brochures and blueprints for making your own bomb shelters. Now Tom Ridge, the grasshopper of “The Ant And The Grasshopper” says that if we all just store three days of food and water we’ll all be fine. I suppose the only upside to this is that if youre stupid enough to believe that then the world will be a better place when you die because you didnt know how to use a gas shutoff wrench, staunch the bleeding in your leg from the broken window, or asphyxiated because you lit your barbecue grill indoors.

You want Homeland Security? Put me in charge…I’ll show you Homeland Security. Government pamphlets on preparedness, tax credits, surplussed military rations and equipment given to states for their own emergency agencies, completely non-porous borders, disaster response teams that work…and funded quietly and cheaply.

Ah well…chaos brings change…control the chaos and you can control the change. Maybe some sort of horrible national tragedy is whats needed to effect a sea change among the sheeple. What sort of change is needed? Very simple – get people back the the way of thinking that made this country great … that each person was responsible for their self and their families. That government assistance was something to be eschewed and avoided at all costs. You get people away from the idea that government is their mommy and you start getting people who want smaller government..and smaller government is good.

Really, the well-being of others is not my concern. My concern is the well-being of me and my tight little circle of LMI’s.

Y’know, its tough to prepare for the upcoming apocalypse and not get political about it. Way back when (“Back in the day”) our friendly .fedgov used to give out brochures and blueprints for making your own bomb shelters. Now Tom Ridge, the grasshopper of “The Ant And The Grasshopper” says that if we all just store three days of food and water we’ll all be fine. I suppose the only upside to this is that if youre stupid enough to believe that then the world will be a better place when you die because you didnt know how to use a gas shutoff wrench, staunch the bleeding in your leg from the broken window, or asphyxiated because you lit your barbecue grill indoors.

You want Homeland Security? Put me in charge…I’ll show you Homeland Security. Government pamphlets on preparedness, tax credits, surplussed military rations and equipment given to states for their own emergency agencies, completely non-porous borders, disaster response teams that work…and funded quietly and cheaply.

Ah well…chaos brings change…control the chaos and you can control the change. Maybe some sort of horrible national tragedy is whats needed to effect a sea change among the sheeple. What sort of change is needed? Very simple – get people back the the way of thinking that made this country great … that each person was responsible for their self and their families. That government assistance was something to be eschewed and avoided at all costs. You get people away from the idea that government is their mommy and you start getting people who want smaller government..and smaller government is good.

Really, the well-being of others is not my concern. My concern is the well-being of me and my tight little circle of LMI’s.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Christmas rolls around, and what, may you ask, did the Zero get? Well, for starters I got a really cool 3-point tactical sling for my AR. I also got a very handy small Schrade folder that clips to my backpack strap. And a couple books, including “Where There Is No Dentist”. Lemme tell ya, fellow bunkerdwellers, some people just know the perfect gifts when they see ‘em.

I’ve been busy with my non-Zero life so I havent been doing much lately. Interestingly, there have been several things of note going on….lets review:

Saddam Hussein capture:
At least Hitler had enough class to take his own life. This guy had bunkers and palaces all over the place and all he can come up with was a hole in the ground? Where were the anti-personnel mines? The fanatical followers? The guy has the whole Iraqi treasury at his disposal maybe he coulda learned how to fly a plane and get his ass outta Iraq? (Sure, where would he go with a $30million price on him….)

The Flu:
It isnt Captain Trips, but its making news. I keep disinfectant soap (”Dial”) in the bunker and make it a point to wash my hands frequently during these times. Conspiracy theory fodder: its a govt made bug designed to scare people into getting ‘flu shots’ that are not really flu shots at all but something else.

Reports of terrorist threats:
This again? Department of Fatherland security should just come out with a form letter to save time – “We have (confirmed/unconfirmed/anonymous) reports that (suicide bombers/terrorists/Al-Qaeda operatives) will strike (NYC/Washington/US interests abroad) sometime during the next (week/month) to coincide with the (holiday/Christmas/election/Independence day) celebrations”. Yeah, yeah, yeah…Ive heard it before, Tom.

Sometimes its hard to know who to root for these days. Oh, wait, no its not..I root for me.

Christmas rolls around, and what, may you ask, did the Zero get? Well, for starters I got a really cool 3-point tactical sling for my AR. I also got a very handy small Schrafe folder that clips to my backpack strap. And a couple books, including “Where There Is No Dentist”. Lemme tell ya, fellow bunkerdwellers, some people just know the perfect gifts when they see ’em.

I’ve been busy with my non-Zero life so I havent been doing much lately. Interestingly, there have been several things of note going on….lets review:

Saddam Hussein capture:
At least Hitler had enough class to take his own life. This guy had bunkers and palaces all over the place and all he can come up with was a hole in the ground? Where were the anti-personnel mines? The fanatical followers? The guy has the whole Iraqi treasury at his disposal maybe he coulda learned how to fly a plane and get his ass outta Iraq? (Sure, where would he go with a $30million price on him….)

The Flu:
It isnt Captain Trips, but its making news. I keep disinfectant soap (“Dial”) in the bunker and make it a point to wash my hands frequently during these times. Conspiracy theory fodder: its a govt made bug designed to scare people into getting ‘flu shots’ that are not really flu shots at all but something else.

Reports of terrorist threats:
This again? Department of Fatherland security should just come out with a form letter to save time – “We have (confirmed/unconfirmed/anonymous) reports that (suicide bombers/terrorists/Al-Qaeda operatives) will strike (NYC/Washington/US interests abroad) sometime during the next (week/month) to coincide with the (holiday/Christmas/election/Independence day) celebrations”. Yeah, yeah, yeah…Ive heard it before, Tom.

Sometimes its hard to know who to root for these days. Oh, wait, no its not..I root for me.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Food. Food. Food.

Years ago I had a situation where I had no money, no job, my rent was only paid up for three months and I had nothing in the fridge except a box of baking soda and some ketchup. I wound up eating every ther day to try and stretch whatever I had or could scrounge. It was ugly. And, like many people who have had an unhappy experience, I swore I’d never be in that position again.

There is a very special calmness/peace/serenity to knowing that you arent going to starve. It must be some sort of lizard-brain primitive instinct. I open the cabinets in the kitchen, see the boxes/cans of food, and I feel secure. This is a good thing.

From a practical standpoint, it really doesnt take much to keep from starving. Drop into any village in Honduras or VietNam and you’d be amazed at 1) what you can eat when youre hungry and 2) how little food you actually need to keep from dying. Sure, I’d love a life of pizza, ice cream, pop, cheeseburgers, bread and potato chips…but I know I can live on alot less.

Some meat, some rice, a few vegetables, some spices and something to drink. Simple enough.

It is not my job to take care of my fellow man…esp. when my fellow man is just as capable as I am of getting his own meal. However, I do find myself feeling bad for the hungry. The homeless? Not really. The jobless? Nah. But the hungry I feel for. And, really, in this country, its almost impossible to believe you can go hungry. Hell man, walk into any CostCo and you can eat free samples till you burst. Its amazing how cheaply you could actually feed someone. Some rice, some beef, a dollar or two worth of vegetables.

I have a buddy who, to me, spends his money in the stupidest manner possible. He’ll head to the supermarket and buy a pre-cooked roast beef and a tub of already-cooked mashed potatoes. This is prepared food, and its priced as such. For the same money, he could get the same meal at probably half the price if he’d be willing to cook it himself. Having been hungry once, I notice these things. And I’ve also gotten wierd about leftovers..remember grandma telling you about how it was a sin to waste food? I’ve seen people throw away food that was more than some meals I’ve had. If I have leftovers, they go in the fridge..1/3 of a plate of chicken and mashed potatoes left? It gets a sheet of saran wrap over it and then a trip to the fridge. Eat it tomorrow.

Hungry people are dangerous people. When someone gets hungry they shed their civility real fast. You can see it in Africa, you can see it Arkansas after a tornado…lines at the supermarkets, people getting beaten for taking more than their share, etc, etc. Its worth the sacrifice of storage space and a few luxuries for me to not have to worry about being in that situation.

Theres also a control angle….face it, when you have to rely on someone with a government ID card to feed you, clothe you, house you or treat you, you’ve become, basically, a pet. Your options have become limited, your future uncertain, your freedom curtailed.

So, tonight, I’ll go home. I’ll re-arrange space in my basement for more shelving. I’ll start listing food to buy. When I buy the food I’ll mark the date on it, stack it away, rotate it as I use it, and be extraordinarily content with myself. Next time you feel the urge to spend $14.99 on a pizza, you might want to think about what $14.99 would mean to you someday down the line when your hungry and the supermarket is unreachable or closed.
—-
An example. This is what I eat alot of when I dont wanna spend alot of money. This makes a huge amount of food and normally lasts for two or three days. If I have any cheese, I’ll melt it over the top. About five bucks and gets me through two days of lunch and dinner. Three days of just one big meal per day.

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes in sauce [$1.19]
1# regular ground beef [$1.99] (from ‘remaindered’ meat bin)
1 onion, chopped [$0.20]
1-3~ clove garlic [$0.10~]
1 green pepper, julienned [$1.00]
2 cups uncooked white rice [$0.30]
Tobasco, Worcestershire, salt, cumin, to taste [$0.25~]

Brown ground beef and drain. Return to pan with chopped onion, garlic and pepper. Add liquid spices. Fry until onion is translucent. Add crushed tomatoes and sauce. Simmer uncovered. Add dry spices. Simmer until reduced a bit. Mix with cooked rice. Melted cheese, optional.

Food. Food. Food.

Years ago I had a situation where I had no money, no job, my rent was only paid up for three months and I had nothing in the fridge except a box of baking soda and some ketchup. I wound up eating every ther day to try and stretch whatever I had or could scrounge. It was ugly. And, like many people who have had an unhappy experience, I swore I’d never be in that position again.

There is a very special calmness/peace/serenity to knowing that you arent going to starve. It must be some sort of lizard-brain primitive instinct. I open the cabinets in the kitchen, see the boxes/cans of food, and I feel secure. This is a good thing.

From a practical standpoint, it really doesnt take much to keep from starving. Drop into any village in Honduras or VietNam and you’d be amazed at 1) what you can eat when youre hungry and 2) how little food you actually need to keep from dying. Sure, I’d love a life of pizza, ice cream, pop, cheeseburgers, bread and potato chips…but I know I can live on alot less.

Some meat, some rice, a few vegetables, some spices and something to drink. Simple enough.

It is not my job to take care of my fellow man…esp. when my fellow man is just as capable as I am of getting his own meal. However, I do find myself feeling bad for the hungry. The homeless? Not really. The jobless? Nah. But the hungry I feel for. And, really, in this country, its almost impossible to believe you can go hungry. Hell man, walk into any CostCo and you can eat free samples till you burst. Its amazing how cheaply you could actually feed someone. Some rice, some beef, a dollar or two worth of vegetables.

I have a buddy who, to me, spends his money in the stupidest manner possible. He’ll head to the supermarket and buy a pre-cooked roast beef and a tub of already-cooked mashed potatoes. This is prepared food, and its priced as such. For the same money, he could get the same meal at probably half the price if he’d be willing to cook it himself. Having been hungry once, I notice these things. And I’ve also gotten wierd about leftovers..remember grandma telling you about how it was a sin to waste food? I’ve seen people throw away food that was more than some meals I’ve had. If I have leftovers, they go in the fridge..1/3 of a plate of chicken and mashed potatoes left? It gets a sheet of saran wrap over it and then a trip to the fridge. Eat it tomorrow.

Hungry people are dangerous people. When someone gets hungry they shed their civility real fast. You can see it in Africa, you can see it Arkansas after a tornado…lines at the supermarkets, people getting beaten for taking more than their share, etc, etc. Its worth the sacrifice of storage space and a few luxuries for me to not have to worry about being in that situation.

Theres also a control angle….face it, when you have to rely on someone with a government ID card to feed you, clothe you, house you or treat you, you’ve become, basically, a pet. Your options have become limited, your future uncertain, your freedom curtailed.

So, tonight, I’ll go home. I’ll re-arrange space in my basement for more shelving. I’ll start listing food to buy. When I buy the food I’ll mark the date on it, stack it away, rotate it as I use it, and be extraordinarily content with myself. Next time you feel the urge to spend $14.99 on a pizza, you might want to think about what $14.99 would mean to you someday down the line when your hungry and the supermarket is unreachable or closed.
—-
An example. This is what I eat alot of when I dont wanna spend alot of money. This makes a huge amount of food and normally lasts for two or three days. If I have any cheese, I’ll melt it over the top. About five bucks and gets me through two days of lunch and dinner. Three days of just one big meal per day.

1 can (28 oz) crushed tomatoes in sauce [$1.19]
1# regular ground beef [$1.99] (from ‘remaindered’ meat bin)
1 onion, chopped [$0.20]
1-3~ clove garlic [$0.10~]
1 green pepper, julienned [$1.00]
2 cups uncooked white rice [$0.30]
Tobasco, Worcestershire, salt, cumin, to taste [$0.25~]

Brown ground beef and drain. Return to pan with chopped onion, garlic and pepper. Add liquid spices. Fry until onion is translucent. Add crushed tomatoes and sauce. Simmer uncovered. Add dry spices. Simmer until reduced a bit. Mix with cooked rice. Melted cheese, optional.

Originally published at Notes from the bunker…. You can comment here or there.

Winter is a quiet time for Commander Zero. Except for winter-testing new gear and wondering when the power will go off, its pretty quiet.

I’m still working on my spreadsheet of things I need. Naturally, it then expands into several other spreadsheets covering different venues of preparedness (food, fuel, guns, clothing, tools, etc, etc) but once the list is ‘frozen’ (no more changes made to it) it’ll be nice to have a plan to work off of.

In national matters, the economy is slowly creeping along and getting better, so Im told. Jobless recovery, maybe. The busy Christmas season is coming up which is prime time for terrorist activities. The North Koreans are still up to their old tricks. Mission creep is in full swing in Iraq. So, yeah, things arent really getting better…

I’m going to start working on clearing some of the junk out of my basement to free up more space for storage. Means I’m going to have to put in some new shelves and whatnot, but thats something Ive been meaning to do for a few years now anyway. I like to buy stuff (toiletries, food, clothes, etc) at CostCo (or sometimes WalMart) in enormous money-saving quantities and storing it in the basement would make things alot easier. First step though, is to throw out alot of the crap thats already down there.

Winter is a quiet time for Commander Zero. Except for winter-testing new gear and wondering when the power will go off, its pretty quiet.

I’m still working on my spreadsheet of things I need. Naturally, it then expands into several other spreadsheets covering different venues of preparedness (food, fuel, guns, clothing, tools, etc, etc) but once the list is ‘frozen’ (no more changes made to it) it’ll be nice to have a plan to work off of.

In national matters, the economy is slowly creeping along and getting better, so Im told. Jobless recovery, maybe. The busy Christmas season is coming up which is prime time for terrorist activities. The North Koreans are still up to their old tricks. Mission creep is in full swing in Iraq. So, yeah, things arent really getting better…

I’m going to start working on clearing some of the junk out of my basement to free up more space for storage. Means I’m going to have to put in some new shelves and whatnot, but thats something Ive been meaning to do for a few years now anyway. I like to buy stuff (toiletries, food, clothes, etc) at CostCo (or sometimes WalMart) in enormous money-saving quantities and storing it in the basement would make things alot easier. First step though, is to throw out alot of the crap thats already down there.