Speaking of Neverending EPrep Tasks. . .

First aid kits (FAKs) need to be regularly checked, refreshed, and updated. Here’s a wee tip:

If you are making up a new FAK or refreshing an old one you may find costs have risen to uncomfortable levels for some things that need replacing or refreshing. Use alternate materials. Sterile pads for wounds? Get a double whammy by using. . . ladies’ panty liners. no, seriously! Most even contain hydrophilic homopolymers or copolymers that help contain blood lost. Oh, and duct tape is sometimes appropriate as a substitute for medical adhesive tapes. Sometimes.

And about that bleeding. . . clotting agents. Quickclot, Woundseal, et al, can be a wee tad pricey for what is essentially a finely-ground clay (kaolin), but if you reach into your kitchen cabinet (or wherever you keep your spices and such) and pull out some alum, you’ll have something that works nearly as well. There are LOADS of workable first aid materials available in nearly every household. The key is identifying them by function and getting one’s head around using them properly for first aid. (Then, of course, one has to make sure they are included in one’s kits. 😉 )

One thing I do not recommend replying on ad hoc substitutions for effective results is “field expedient” tourniquets as first line equipment for stopping large bleeds. Nope. Shell out for a good CAT (Combat Application Tourniquet) for each FAK. Just do. (An “Israeli pressure bandage” might also be a goof addition.)

Eprep Is Not a “One and Done” Thing.

It’s constant, ongoing.

Setting up a new “ADC” (All Day Carry) system to supplement my regular EDC bag. It involves adding a “dooty” (nah, NOT “duty”) belt hanging from my regular belt, and various tools and equipment attached to that via keychains (actually leather loops w/d-ring connectors on each end) to enable draping most things into my front pockets. It’s comfortable and handy so far, but I still have yet to add a multi-tool (though I doubt I’ll need to have much of one for All Day Carry, since I have a really good one in my EDC bag). Glad I have some baggy pockets. . .

Next to be added: an easily-detachable IFAK for small of back wear on “dooty” belt.

How to Survive the Coming Zombie Apocalypse

Note that when I use the term “zombie” I am referring to auto-lobotomized “mass-man,” the kind of person for whom the DummieBowl, celebrity shenanigans, and “news” from the Mass MEdia Podpeople Hivemind are MUCH more important than. . . reality.

So, how to survive?

Embrace the “prepper” lifestyle.
Condition Yellow: constant.
OODA Loop your daily life, and aim to stay inside “the enemy’s” OODA Loop.
And most importantly, learn how to really pray. (The catch is committing to being on GOD’S side, not trying to manipulate Him into being on your side.)

The way things are going, it’s the way to bet.

People. *sigh*

There are two kinds of people in the world: those who think they count, and those who can do the math. . . and thereby know that those who think they count, don’t.

It Ain’t Fair, I Tell Ya!

N.B. It is fair to note that I have actually viewed very little of the entire “Friends” opus. I have only caught bits and pieces before changing channels to avoid vomiting. Yes, every single bit I have seen is just that disgustingly stupid.

I have sometimes dumped disapprobation (OK, that’s far too mild, but just go with it) on the Joey character from “Friends,” as being a prime influencer of the degradation of English usage in our society. While I think it’s fair to say that the popularity of “Friends” has had a huge negative impact on the generation that – largely – grew up sucking down its stupidity, lumping all the blame on Joey isn’t exactly fair, though he makes a good emblem for the show’s stupidity.

A generation raised on the language, ideas (such as they are), and thematic elements of “Friends” has emulated its stupidities well. Heck, they have become the dumbed down version of Ortega’s “mass-man,” and that’s damning.

Tip for the Holidays

Getcher “figgy pudding cannons and claymores” set up early to drive off the toxically tuneless carolers who won’t go away until they get some. Give it to ’em, but good.

Too Much?

Maaaaayybe. . .

Had to remove the backpack and weight vest, cos between them and the 10# ankle weights, it was starting to feel like work. *heh*

Ah! The Burdens We Bear. . .

Are most often those we choose.

Speaking of which, 60 extra pounds (weight vest, backpack, and ankle weights) makes doing chores around the house more. . . profitable as exercise. And as an added benefit, the backpack actually seems to lessen a persistent (60-year) lower back pain, strangely enough. Pressure in juuuuust the right place, it seems. Sweet!

The burdens we choose to bear are often life’s little pleasures, in the end.

Keep a Civil Tongue!

When one finds civilized responses in the oddest places. . . *thug looks at recipient of a “Karen’s” rants — then at “Karen” and back again* “Do what you will, but just remember I’ve got a fine place for the body.”

Ah! If only society in general were that polite! Sadly, nope. One cannot dispose of “Karens” so easily. . .

Trials of the Season. . .

Oh, goodie! It’s time for me to break out some noise-canceling earbuds and crank up some decent Xmas music to drown out the disgusting crap that tone deaf, tasteless, auto-lobotomized producers slap into the Hallmark Xmas shows that a *cough* much-beloved someone *cough* likes to watch.