The Laughing Wolf

Upon reaching the door to the office, it was clear that the noise was not up front, but from the laundry area directly in front of me. And what a racket it was. Clearly not a mouse, but what the heck was going on? Grabbing the first non-overkill item to hand, my great great grandfather’s Civil War saber, I proceed to try and find out what has breeched the defenses.

What ever it is, it is not happy and wants out into the lair. I am not happy and am determined it shall not pass. Nothing is obvious and even with a flashlight I can’t see anything, so whatever it is, it is trapped in the dryer and/or the dryer ductwork. Suits me just fine, so I don’t need the sword or the blowgun I found during this time. Hmmmm. In the ductwork is it? I flip the heat setting to high and cut on the dryer.

Whatever it was, it was even more unhappy then, emitting an “EEEEEEEEEEE” sound like a rat. I think it moved on back into the vent and I hope went up. At any rate, the dryer got run for a while anyway to encourage it to move on out and Stay Out! When I went outside, up on the roof was a heck of a lot of lint and debris, indicating that something may have come out in a hurry. The head of maintenance is supposed to come by to help me check everything to be sure I don’t have a rat/tree rat (squirrel) corpse in the system. It may not quite have been the naked adventure that Tammi had yesterday, but it sure made my morning interesting and non-productive.

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First up was a Victor Hugo 2002 Rose, made from Syrah grapes. No, not the writer, but interesting all the same. The colour was garnet and the nose was both sweet and tart. The mouth was tart, giving way to fruit and grape skins. A very different rose, but with some interesting possibilities.

Next up was a Ruston Sauvignon Blanc 2002 from Napa Valley. The colour was a clear pale straw, with a sharp nose of vine with spice that extended out into fruitiness. The mouth was nice, with a mixture of sweet with fruit and tartness. This led into some interesting tropical fruit flavors and a nice finish. A bit different, but it would go very well with a number of dishes.

The next offering was Victor Hugo 2001 Zinfandel. The ruby red colour leads to a nose of tobacco and spice, while the mouthfeel is surprisingly mellow. Tobacco is followed by fruit, spice, and a nice and slightly sweet finish.

The fourth offering of the day was Victor Hugo 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon. Again, a ruby red colour with a nice nose of tobacco over leather, what I consider a nice barn smell, with some mineral under. The mouthfeel was fair, lighter than anticipated from the nose, tobacco giving way to fruit and an okay finish.

The final wine of the day was Victor Hugo Oppulence, 1999, and it was an interesting treat. The colour is a solid ruby with an equally solid nose of tobacco and spice. The mouthfeel was fair, starting with tobacco with dark chocolate leading to spice notes and a nice finish. The flavors were interesting, and the result of the blending of 40 percent cabernet franc, 33 percent merlot, 20 percent cabernet sauvignon, and 7 percent petite verdot.

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One of the things that has made me feel old lately was meeting up with a young lady at the Games. Now, I have known this young lady since she was about 12 or so and even took her to some games. At a young age, she got interested in her roots and when her family wasn’t, she went ahead and researched it on her own and got involved. Her family was not overly supportive, and it was a struggle for her to get to any game. I helped out a bit, even go so far as to take her to a game or two and making sure she had a room. With a chaperone to protect her from big bad wolves (and to protect us big bad wolves from any chance of accusations). It was a true pleasure to be invited to her high school graduation and to see a well-mannered and thoughtful girl turn into a well-mannered young lady.

This weekend was interesting. It was so very good to see her, to meet her husband, and to catch up a bit. She is still quite lovely, well-mannered, and charming. She is also pregnant. I felt old.

I haven’t felt that old in years in some ways. It was another young lady who did it to me then. Years ago, the English Werewolf and I attended a convention/conference when rooms still had keys. You know, the type you had to play with sometimes to get them to work. There was a girl trying to get into the room next to ours, who probably did not quite clear my belt. We helped her out, showed her how to deal with the key situation, and she caught on quickly – good mechanical aptitude. We hit it off with her parents later, and got to know the family. Flash forward many years, and I am at the same convention/conference. There is a tall, beautiful young lady walking around that I give the once over. She sees me and comes over, puts her hands on my shoulders, looks down at me and says “You’ve shrunk.”

No prizes for guessing who she was.

Adding to some of the blows of late are some neighbors of mine. They seem to be nice people, friendly, and far too well mannered. Every one of them call me sir. Every time. I applaud the manners, but on at least one level it hurts. Particularly from the young ladies.

So, what makes you feel old? Why does it make you feel old? Are you truly looking at it the right way? What makes you feel young? Why? Are you truly looking at it the right way? Should we not consider that what makes us feel young may really only be making us feel immature again, and that which makes us feel old does so because it limits our ability to be immature? Think on it a bit today, and go find something to make yourself feel young again for all the right reasons.

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The medical really is easy to do. First aid kits can be bought almost anywhere today, in all sizes and shapes. They pay for themselves because you don’t have to have a true disaster or emergency to need them. Around some of my family and friends, all it takes is everyday life. Add to that what some of my friends and I like to do for hobbies, and first aid kits and training are a great investment. Here is my big kit as I call it, which is in addition to the bought smaller kits scattered around the home and vehicles.

It offers a wide range of basic to medium-level first aid gear and is easy to use. One thing I also keep in it are spare keys. This is because people do some interesting things, and it gives a central place to keep keys for domestic or real emergencies. One key that is about every kit is a handcuff key, an idea I picked up from a friend who used to be a medic, and it is interesting how often such a key can and does come in handy. I don’t have the high-speed drill they had to use in regards a coke bottle one time… I also make sure that it is stocked with things I know I may need, such as antihistamines and stimulants in case I am stung or have other problems.

The other “big” kit is what I call my crash kit. It holds surgical dressings, gauze, tampons, and other things that come in handy if there is major trauma to deal with.

I hope that I never have to use it for its intended office, but various bits have come in handy just dealing with the scrapes, burns, and other delights of everyday life. And, yes, I did say tampons above. A corpsman pointed out to me one time a highly unofficial but very effective use for them with penetrating wounds, as well as giving one the chance to be a white knight if one is unexpectedly needed for its official office. If you have friends with teenage girls, the latter can happen more often than might be expected.

The comment posted to this post points out the fact that you do need to be able to look after yourself in other ways as well. While the author has told me that he was engaging in at least some hyperbole, the fact is that there are far too many moral and intellectual cripples our there who are serious. These are the people that will take the opportunity of a disaster or emergency to run wild. You need to be prepared for them, and to deal with them as you would any other rabid animal.

My own take is similar to Kim du Toit’s, only I am not going to say what all my preparations are right now. If someone sees me coming, some may be obvious, and some will not. To be honest, I am not going to say in part because I want anyone seeing me to wonder a bit about what I have or don’t have, who might or might not be with me and what they may or may not have, and to wonder if I have reverted to type with some friends and be moving with a screen out. Think, wonder, and run away.

Now, not everyone is going to do this, or at least not at first. If you fall in that category, you have two options: partner with someone who can and will, or look at other options for protection. I highly recommend partnering with people, as numbers and diversity of skills give you advantages. If firearms are not your thing, look at other things.

This is my hatchet or hand axe. I actually have several of them, from Dixie Gun Works, because my favored sport at Highland Games is axe throwing. Having several means that in an emergency I almost always have one to hand, and am not averse to throwing one away for good effect. These are a good investment, and I like them a lot more than the 100-things-in-one yuppie hatchets for sale.

In a true rotary impeller situation, blades come in very handy. You may need to cut, chop, and more, and a good hand axe and a good knife are crucial. For personal protection, people tend to be more afraid of getting cut than shot, so use that. If you won’t carry a gun, carry a knife, sword, or axe. For swords, while I love the katana, for ease of use and dealing with on foot, consider a Roman gladius. Also consider a bow and arrow, since the ammo is reusable or can be made with readily available resources. It has range and accuracy, relatively silent, and can do many things including getting rope or cord where it is needed.

As before, if you are going to go with only one weapon, consider a shotgun. It is versatile, effective, and efficient. One shotgun with some accessories gives you personal protection, the ability to hunt, and the ability to signal.

Whatever decisions you make, do prepare and do remember that in any emergency of any type, the only person who is responsible for you and your safety is you.

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With strong prodding from the media and most especially from the publishers, the government stepped in. The case was made that competing newspapers provided competing stories and competing coverage. This meant that different viewpoints would be heard, more stories had a chance at coverage, and that the public would be better informed and better capable of self-governance. The Government bought into this, and ended up, among other things, agreeing that newspapers could share a common printing plant so as to reduce costs and keep flagging papers going.

Ultimately, it didn’t work because the market was no longer there. While one can argue need, ultimately the public did not want that diversity in newspapers. They could and did put their time and money into other sources of information. That did not stop efforts to save the newspapers, because there was a clear perception in Government that divergent viewpoints were needed. Such efforts did not taper off until the 1980s.

Now, move forward to the last half of the 1990s. The internet has taken off, all news channels are on cable, and new technologies are changing the way in which we get and analyze news and events. Competing sources of news are now available in ways and amounts never dreamed, as are divergent opinions. Stories that would never have seen print or broadcast now draw world-wide attention.

Even more importantly, expert analysis is freely available (see here for more on this). Not only are “experts” available to write for publications, they also appear on television to discuss events for cheap or for free. They provide detailed analysis along with supporting documentation online in blogs and other New Media sites, most of which are available to anyone without charge.

Now, go take a look at Government policy during that same time. Look at legislation that has been introduced or passed. Look at regulations attempted or issued by agencies who control the means of distribution. The picture is not a pretty one, for there were and are efforts underway to eliminate dissenting opinion, to reduce competition or other challenges to the Old Media. Rather than the much needed competition of the 50s-70s, it is now a threat to be controlled or eliminated.

So, I have to ask: Who are the real brownshirts here? Those who attempt to muzzle a truly free and open press? Or those who live up to the ideals of journalism and point out mistakes and lies?

If pointing out inaccuracies, mistakes, and flat-out fabrications, and providing in-depth analysis by and from experts in the given fields is being a brownshirt, then I will wear that designation with pride. If pointing out the stories not covered by, or lost in, the Old Media and increasing the number of stories and viewpoints makes me a brownshirt, then I will wear that designation with pride. If pointing out efforts to limit or eliminate individual freedoms and liberty, if challenging Government and politicians makes me a brownshirt, then I will wear that designation with pride. For in this case, I would far rather be a brownshirt, than to be one of those who appears to have brown where grey matter should be.

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UPDATE: One of the most articulate posts I have read on this, which cuts deep to the underpinings, is not surprisingly this one at Baldilocks. The more I think about this, the more I loathe and despise Gore for prostituting himself into the Bush=Hitler meme for nothing more than partisan politics and personal gain. What he has done is a calculated and vicious insult to every victim of the Holocaust, Jew, Gentile, and Other. It is a slap at those who opposed, those who died, and those who survived. Thank God this miserable excuse for a human did not become POTUS. Mr. gore, read my lips: Kisch mir im Tuches!

Small kits hold small amounts of materials, and will get you by short term. If you are worried about longer term issues, from severe winter weather cutting you off from the world to someone doing something really nasty, you need a bit more tucked away. One of the best means of doing this are paint buckets.

Paint buckets are for all practical purposes air and water tight when sealed, hold a large volume, and have many, many uses. They can store items, they can store liquids, and they make handy-dandy field expedient toilets as needed. Their use is limited largely by your imagination.

I use them for larger kits and bulk storage (and when brewing beer). There are some kits I have done in them that contain somewhere on the order of a hundred different items. Others serve as hygiene kits, holding 12-24 vacuum sealed (to reduce bulk) rolls of toilet tissue, tampons, toothbrushes, and other such items. Still others hold bulk packages of textured vegetable protein, salt, baking soda, and other food. They are easy to carry, easy to transport, easy to store, and have at least a 20 year shelf life if kept in cool, dry places. Line one with about three garbage bags, cut several layers of cardboard for a seat, and you have a field toilet. Once opened and used, they can then be used for other purposes, such as hauling water or other materials.

Do I have all of this here at the lair? Not hardly. You see, one of the things I have done is tuck some of these items away at other locations, ones that I am likely to head to or by if I have to bug out in an emergency. That way, if the disaster hits while I am out or away, I still have options. They also provide the people I care about a core around which to build their own preparations. If I am home and have to bug out, it gives me flexibility in choosing what to take.

Which leads us to the concept of staging. When planning a bug out, plan it for several levels. If there is time, I am going to load as much as possible into my vehicle. In fact, I am going to try to take it all with me. If the vehicle dies or there is another problem, I am prepared to switch to a bike and proceed on with all that I can. When the bike fails, then I am on foot and reduced to what I can carry on my back.

Remember also that the ability to move long distances as quickly as possible is often a key to surviving any disaster. Having as many modes short of walking greatly improves your odds, so try to figure out how to give yourself as many options as possible. For example, there is a rental center almost next door. If time permits, I would look at renting a truck and trailer. Load as much as possible in the smallest truck I can get, get the vehicle(s) up on the trailer, and bug out. If something happened to the truck, then pare down to the vehicle(s). When something happens to the vehicle(s), go to motorcycles or bikes. If something happens to them, try to find a horse. Only as a last resort should you go to shank’s mare.

Plan ahead for this, decide in advance what will get taken, and what will get left at each stage. If you have caches elsewhere, it makes that decision process much, much easier. The more you plan, the better off you are going to be. So, plan for the worst and hope for the best.

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NEXT: Looking After Yourself

The simple answer is as old as most of recorded history: you put it on your back. This limits what you can carry, but you can get a surprising amount out that way. I have my big pack for big things:

And I have smaller packs for smaller things and smaller people:

Now, I have these because I love hiking and camping, and because of work. The big pack was bought for the former, and the smaller pack for the latter. Why on Earth would I need a pack for work? Simple, when doing trade shows you need to carry out each night the truly valuable stuff, lest it disappear. The pack was the easiest way to do this, and it also tended to draw less attention from thieves and muggers than the fancy cases used by others. It also could be used for any hiking or climbing I got to do whilst on such trips…

Now, the large pack is not fully packed as shown here. There are many things, such as sleeping bags, that should not be kept compressed. I have all of my gear in one area, so that in an emergency I can pack it very quickly. The paper you see is a note to myself on some items, including where to find them. Things that can be packed ahead of time are, and many are packed in add-on pockets already in place. I like the add-on packs and pockets as they give a great deal of flexibility, and they give you additional options for caching and flat-out ditching. I have a post here talking about snivel gear and such that goes in the pack.

The short version is that I have shelter, light, food, water, means to get more potable water, comfort gear, some clothes, comfort gear, and means for defense and hunting. The load-out will vary based on the disaster at hand. By swapping out add-ons and such, the conversion can take place very rapidly if need be.

The smaller packs are for smaller emergencies and smaller people. In any disaster, everyone must pull their weight, from the eldest present to the youngest. Given that not everyone can carry a 50-100 pound pack, have some around that are appropriate for the others involved. As I said before, I use these for other things, so make yours multitask as well. Be creative, and give the items as much fun use as possible.

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NEXT: Bigger, Better, Where To Cut

The idea of such coverage is not new. From the earliest days, publishers would invite various experts – or at least big names – to come in and write about their areas of expertise. After all, the publishers were often the writers, and even when not it just made sense to have someone knowledgeable do the writing.

Yet, this state of affairs diminished for two reasons. The first was the cost of writing, and the second was the need to write for a mass audience.

The cost of writing/coverage has always been a factor in the business that is the media. Publishers, and I use this term to include those that own broadcast facilities, have always looked to maximize profit, since despite the tattered trappings in which it tries to cover itself, journalism is in the end nothing more or less than a business. So long as big names and experts were willing to do the work for free or a token, they were used. The big names/experts often were glad to do it as it gave them a forum for shaping politics and governmental actions.

As a veneer of ethics and such came into being, this incestuous relationship came to be questioned. The net result was that the relationship was moved to the editorial pages and out of the news – for the most part.

Economics, however, was also a major factor in this. Experts posed two problems for the publishers. First, they could, would, and did write for themselves and their purposes. This did not always translate into stellar prose, or even scribbling that would entice a reader. Second, publications had evolved to staffs, and staff tends to resent those that do the work for free. It infringes on their job, and contributes to lower standards – and most importantly – to lower pay. Unions and the workers as a whole helped put a stop to this, leading to requirements that everyone be paid the same. So, while “ethics” provided a pretext (and I have no doubt that some of it was sincere), economics was a strong driver in removing experts/big names out of the news pages.

Generalists were and are the better bargain. They are willing to write in the style of the publisher, willing to work hard for that byline and the chance to advance, and they work cheap. Such is not just a salary issue, but in how you can use them. A general writer can and will cover the PTA one day and a mayoral debate the next. They can be given almost any assignment and if good at what they do, provide coverage that sells at the lowest possible cost.

Now, contrast that to a specialist. A specialist or expert has extra training in regards their area of expertise. They most likely have extra time/experience in that area. All of this translates to a higher salary cost, and you lose the ability to use them in a general manner. After all, you are paying them more so you want to get more out of them, so there is a tendency not to want to “waste” them on general stories. There is also the consideration that while they are an expert in one area, they may be hopeless in others. This leads not merely to bad coverage and writing, but to “inappropriate” questions and speculations that can bite the publication badly.

The latter, however, is also true. When you send a generalist to cover a specialty story, bad things happen. The reporter can be out of their depth, miss what is obvious to someone in the field, and otherwise get the story wrong. Sometimes, this can be humorous. For example, an early radio gig I got came from hearing a reporter refer to Zero-G as an exercise being done by the astronauts. I called up, politely informed and explained, and offered my services. Sometimes, however, it can have can have catastrophic effects. A good example of this was the breast implant scare, which resulted in something close to mass panic and the bankruptcy of a major company.

Breast implants and Alar are just two of the bad science stories out there. There are many more, and that is just one area. When you look at all the specialty areas, the scene is dismaying if not devastating. One factor that usually binds these stories together is the fact that they came from general reporting: the Old Media often deliberately bypassed its own staff experts to go with the sensational and wrong.

Why?

Ignorance and Economics are my stock answers to this. The root cause of both lie in the media education system and pecking order. Until fairly recently, those in higher positions in the Old Media might or might not have a college degree. Publishers wanted those that would work cheap, and this tended to exclude those with lots of formal education. This changed over time, but you need to take a hard look at the degree.

Few, if any, journalism schools require any mathematics, science, philosophy, or other outside coursework. Any such courses are those mandated for undergraduates by larger institutions. Specialized institutions rarely offer such, and journalism schools can be specialized. Even when a part of a larger institution, the core curriculum is narrow and insular and not designed to encourage forays beyond the borders. Even if completely unintended, this results in a lock-step mentality that is further fostered by the need to move up the chain. The chain and the coursework tend to weed out those who think differently, so that the result is a large group that tends to think alike. Hence the unintended conspiracy of the many.

You also get a leadership cadre that is woefully ignorant about things outside their area of journalism and any hobbies. As a general rule, they have little or no knowledge of the military, history (other than journalism), mathematics, statistics, business, law, regulations, or science. The insularity fostered by the Old Media system also means that they see themselves as representative of the “average” person, so that their ignorance and biases are the ignorance and biases of all. Since they are rarely interested in, and sometimes intimidated by, science, business, etc., it means that “everyone” else is as well.

While economics contributes strongly towards the problem, it also provides some mitigation. Publishers tend to pay attention to things that can get them money, and specialized coverage can do this on occasion. Thus, larger publications began to develop specialized areas of coverage. This includes everything from the social pages to business coverage. So long as it pays for itself, there will be sports, social, and business sections to the larger papers. Yet, that need to maximize the profit also means that there will be a tendency to try to use general assignment reporters in such and to use true expert reporters sparingly.

Look at the masthead of any major paper. When you go through it, you will find that there are usually only one or two specialized reporters in any given section. This also tends to hold true at magazines as well. Broadcast outlets of any type rarely have even that many, unless it is a major network operation. If you want a really eye-opening experience, check out any local television news operation and see how many – if any – experts there are outside of the sports desk. Check the total number of members of the Society of Professional Journalists, and then compare that number to the total membership of the National Association of Science Writers. To make it even more interesting, contrast the number of freelance members between the two.

Insular is the polite term, but the culture of the Old Media is truly incestuous. The inbreeding is tremendous, and while many deficiencies and problems in the journalism education process have been identified, there is not a strong requirement to change. That said, however, economics provides hope.

Within traditional print and broadcast media, the specialization curve offers some solutions. In the print world, you get specialty publications, ranging from the Wall Street Journal, which covers the world from the business perspective, to special topic magazines such as Military History. In the broadcast world, cable television has allowed this to flourish, with networks ranging from the History Channel to Food TV. Satellite radio will offer the same opportunity in that media.

My own anecdotal observations have shown that specialty reporters tend to leave the traditional Old Media and migrate towards the specialty publication market. Why waste time working at low pay in an often frustrating environment, when you can go work at a publication devoted to your area? Add in better pay or related circumstances, and it makes it even more attractive to the true subject matter expert. As staff positions dwindle, this accelerates and brings more people into the freelance market as well.

And staff positions are dwindling. Why buy a paper to wade through it to find that what coverage there is of the story of interest to you is poorly done? When you don’t buy, that paper cuts back on staff because profits are down, and people aren’t reading a given section. There is some circularity of logic/causality here, but it is a real artifact. Publishers see diminished demand for particular types of coverage because they can’t compete with a publication devoted to that area. That publication has no need to hire a large staff, since freelance writers can and do provide most of the copy. Since they aren’t on staff, you don’t have the huge regulatory burden of staff, and can pay more per word or assignment than a writer would get otherwise. Or, rather, they should but that is a rant for another day.

The New Media is also providing strong competition that will shape this as well. Many experts are starting their own blogs. Sometimes this is to provide commentary, sometimes to write stories that would not otherwise get published because they are too specialized, and sometimes it is just because they are tired of the games that have to be played in the publishing world. In many respects, these reasons really don’t matter. What does matter is that even more specialized coverage is emerging, and it is already having an economic impact. As more and more people come online, this is going to increase.

Ultimately, it will be for the good in that the public can be as informed on any given subject as they care to be and have the wit to compare and contrast the different information provided. Meantime, it will be a rocky ride as things shake out, from the coverage to the attempts to regulate and eliminate this threat to traditional media. So, hang on and enjoy the ride.

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Below is part of the gear I have tucked away in my car. It is only part because I got tired and lazy, and refused to haul up any more to photograph it. This gives you a good idea and basis on which to build. Here you can see a means to inflate a tire or anything else that can be blown up, pull myself out of a ditch, fix minor mechanical problems, and bug out if needed.

Believe it or not, this all fits in a very compact area, and with it I can handle most things that happen. A small pack that has some food, a compass, and other small items gives the ability to leave the vehicle if necessary. But, most things are designed to let me keep mobile in the vehicle.

Notice the collapsible water jug in the mix. Remember the first question? Let me tell you what some people I know did. The hose went out in the middle of nowhere, and they made it to the side of the road safely. A rag helped dry the hose off, and reinforced tape allowed a temporary patch to be made. They then used a collapsible jug to get water from a nearby creek, refilled the radiator, and made it to where they could do a proper repair. What could have been a real problem was turned instead into a minor inconvenience and a good story.

I have managed to get stuck a couple of times over the years, and so have a come-along tucked away. In place of steel cable, I bought the strapping from a cargo parachute used to drop heavy things. This is just as strong as cable, takes up less room, and cost far less. The bonus was getting twice the length for less than half the cost of half the length. The come-along has also come in handy for moving objects out of the way or off of things.

The tool kit should be obvious, and good small kits are not expensive these days. I do recommend putting in some hose clamps and such as they come in handy. Cord or rope do as well, as does some wire. Get heavy duty jumper cables, they are worth the extra money. With these things, minor problems remain that, and not something that keeps you stranded and dependent on strangers and/or the authorities.

I have two first aid kits, as each has different things inside. This gives me options and flexibility in an emergency, and helps ensure that at least one will be available when needed.

The pack not only allows me to bug out, but also to stay put if needed. It has an emergency blanket, an Exstream water purification bottle, a day’s worth of dried food, compass, light, and such. It is mostly empty, however, so that I can add to it things from the car that might be needed. With it and its contents, I can survive a great deal and have options as to staying or going.

There is a folding shovel for dealing with a variety of situations. I can dig myself out, dig a latrine, or even make a quick shelter if needed. There is a canvas tarp to provide extra cover if needed, along with smaller stuff to provide comfort. I have a small fabric cooler as well, both for unplanned shopping and to provide an insulated container if needed in a real emergency. The axe and knife come in handy as well.

There are some canvas bags I picked up at trade shows in there too. They come in handy for hauling things, and I would point out that one that is waterproofed as a beach bag also makes a handy container for transporting liquids.

There are a few other goodies, including road flares, but you get the idea. So, what’s in your car?

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NEXT: Packs

So, long before Tom Ridge thought it was a good idea, I started keeping some things handy. When any emergency happens, time is of the essence, so you don’t want to waste time hunting supplies whilst the outside pours in. To that end, there is latch top storage container in each room with some basics. Those usually consist of tape, tacks, brads, hammer, plastic, small first aid kit, knife or some means to cut the plastic, and some form or forms of alternate lighting. There are often other things, most often including a couple of decks of cards.

The plastic sheeting is the central player in these kits, as everything else pretty much revolves around it. The plastic can cover electronics, furniture and more to protect it from the elements if there is a whole in wall or roof, or a window is blown out. It can then be used to patch the hole if possible. Even if there are tree parts or such in the way, you can use the plastic sheeting to block, and even to re-direct the water back out or where it will do the least damage. It can cover where the window used to be, or in the event of a man-made disaster, cover the window. The various types of tape, tacks, brads, cutting tools, and such are all there to support this effort.

Each room has its own flashlight, and each kit has chemical lights, candle lanterns, and maybe another flashlight. I want as many options as possible, for as many disasters as possible. If gas or inflammability is an issue, I have chemical lights, and my flashlights (Hubble) are designed for such environments. If long-term lighting is needed (winter storm or such), I have the candle lantern and candles along with waterproof matches. The church key gives me a bottle and can opener, and the cards a means of passing time if needed.

You will note that every kit of every type discussed this week will have one thing in common: a pencil. Pens are great and I keep them around, but pens dry up and don't work under a lot of conditions. Pencils will work almost anytime and anywhere, and are easy to sharpen. So, there is one in every kit. I also tend to put the medicines I use or might need the most in each kit.

Now, the room kit is not designed for heavy work. It does not contain anything that will remove tree parts, pry things apart, or do other Herculean tasks. It gives you some basics to protect property, treat small ouches, and get a handle on things. But that is crucial because in any emergency you want to buy yourself as much quality time as possible. That time is what gives you a chance to think, to plan, and to act in a deliberate manner to meet whatever challenge has arisen, while retaining as many assets and options as possible. Especially if you have to wait on emergency crews, insurance adjusters, or others who don’t quite share your sense of urgency about the situation.

Also in each room is an emergency food kit. Also in a latch-top container, these vary but most often have textured vegetable protein in various forms, along with other goodies that vary based on what I had that would last a while and might be good. Vacuum packed coffee is in many of them, along with other “just add water” items. I also stick other things in there that might be useful, from spare keys sewing kits. If there is room, why not make use of it? These kits are not short term or pretty, but are designed for long-term storage and viability. Just in case.

These kits are all modular for a reason. Actually, for several reasons. First, it makes them easy to store, tucked away in the back of a closet or on top of a cabinet out of sight. It provides some weather protection for the contents as well. It also makes it easy for bugging out, in that the containers are easily grabbed and loaded into a vehicle. I will discuss staging more later, but the containers give you maximum flexibility and utility. Having them in multiple locations also guarantees that if the disaster damages or destroys part of your home, at least some of the kits should survive intact.

One final note is that you will notice a lot of things in the kits are vacuum sealed. I have a food saver, and will note that it does not have to be used just for food. I have sealed up papers from my parent’s estate for storage; what I hope will be collectible items for future enjoyment or sale; and, even weapons of various types. I love my food saver system in the kitchen, but don’t let its use stop there. Think about this, and about what other things you may have that can do double duty.

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NEXT: Car Kits.

I went over a few minutes after 0700 to find that not only had Chris beaten me over, but had already emptied the trailer and was well on his way to set-up. Oh, did I forget to mention the trailer? A wonderful benefactor has been doing lots of good things for our Society, which include a nice sized trailer to haul things around; custom-made flags; chafing dishes and such; tents, and a lot more. In a very short time, one tent was added to the one the games provided, the front set-up, the field kitchen set-up, and the Donnachaidh Diner was ready to go.

Light spread for us, only two cakes, fruit and topping for the cakes, some cookies, bratwurst and knockwurst on the stove, marinated mozzarella balls, soft drinks, water, lemonade, and roasted peanuts. The latter two were given away in front of the tent. The nice people from the Middle Tennessee games next to us asked if they could join in, and their homemade Scotch Eggs joined the fray.

Chris had even stopped on the way over and picked some Scottish and American thistle (beware doing this, as the spines/thorns will even go through leather gloves) to add as decoration.

Because it is a small games in a small area, the playing of the bands can be somewhat intimate.

There was a somewhat different parade of Tartans as a part of opening ceremonies. Only one person per Clan allowed, so I volunteered to attempt to march and took part.

I also cheerfully went and indulged myself. My day truly started at Hamish’s Kitchen/The Frying Scotsman. This family run operation was started by the late, great Hamish himself and is now run by his daughter. Coffee was a good start, followed by a Scotch Egg. Take a hard boiled egg, do a bit, coat in a sausage mixture, and deep fry. Serve with HP sauce and it is heaven. Despite the lunch at the Donnachaidh Diner, I went and got fish and chips from the same source, as they do some of the best fish around. Threw out the chips and ate the fish (and some other delights back at the diner, including homemade Scotch Egg). Finished it off with a deep-fried Mars bar also from the Kitchen. Did I mention that I’ve been looking forward to a visit to Hamish’s for a year now?

True decadence was buying a new cookbook on modern Scottish/Celtic cuisine that looks wonderful, and a book on handfasting rituals. There were several more books I wanted, both on Celtic mythology and on cooking, but will wait a bit on them. Think I got the best of the selection as it was.

If you go somewhere and people have weapons on display or such, do me a favor. I won’t come up and fondle your wife or grab your gun. You, in turn, don’t come up and grab and play with weapons on display. It is rude, uncivilized, and dangerous. Have to come up with a tactful sign on basic weapons etiquette for the tent, as taking ill-mannered idiots to the middle of the commons and doing a medieval version of “This is my rifle, this is my gun” is frowned upon (though fun).

To counter some of the boorishness, I ended up giving a couple of weapons lessons/displays showing proper use of swords. This included showing how to fight a two-handed claymore one handed, sword in each hand, etc. The kids ate it up, loved the dirty aspects of the fighting, and learned a bit. Would that some adults would.

Also, before I forget and before Tammi, Da Goddess, and others can jump in: yes, I was good about the arm. Chris would not let me do a lot because of the arm, and when I did do things I tried to use the left arm. The Borzoi can vouch for that.

Our tent was also picked for first place in the judging. My take on it is that Chris did a good job with the set-up and that all of us had a lot of fun helping people find out about their ancestry, Clans, and more.

In all, a very fun and wonderful day. I leave you now with an “awwwww” picture of one of the youngest participants who was around all day.

What is wrong with it, however, is what they have done and why it is being done. The facts are that France is allegedly a friend and ally of the United States. The open and admitted facts are also that:

There is evidence that the government of France supplied intelligence, aid, and comfort to a leader/country with whom we are at war.

There are reports that the government of France has also worked to undermine the War on Terror (Islamofacism) on several fronts, openly and clandestinely, and in so doing put not merely the lives of American military in jeopardy, but also the lives of all Citizens.

There is evidence that the government of France has also openly and clandestinely worked against the United States, its putative ally, in order to bolster French power and prestige. This was not for noble ideals.

One would also think that the Treaty of Versailles and that unpleasantness with that Hitler fellow might have taught them a thing or two about onerous burdens, but that does not appear to be the case. I question the decision in regards the debt incurred by Saddam being held against the new regime, and wonder how much has to do with harming America, hindering peace and creating a pool for fishing, and if certain companies and politicians might not be profiting on several levels.

There is more, go look it up and read. Think.

Then, look up the definition of racism. Think

Look up honor. Think

Look up ally. Think

Then, let me ask you some questions. Does an ally refuse to aid you in a time of need? Does an ally offer aid and comfort to your enemies? Does and ally work to undermine your diplomatic and military efforts in order to bolster their own power and prestige? Does an ally deliberately circumvent normal chains and the desires of the people they are allegedly concerned about in an effort to manipulate the elections within an allied country?

Now, let me ask: What are the actions of an enemy? How is calling out the actions of any government racism? Why should I support a government that is clearly working against my country, and in so doing jeopardizing the safety of the world? Why should I support anyone who is against me in a time of war? What am I supposed to do, give them tea and crumpets and a pat on the head saying how good they are?

Friends honestly disagree with you, and play things above board. They talk with you in private, oppose you in public and to your face if that doesn’t work. They act with honor, courage, and integrity. Think on that a bit, and then think on it a bit more. For pointing out facts is not hatred. Refusing to reward false friends is not hatred. Nor is it racism.

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The first wine of the day was Montesol Rueda Classico 2002. This is a 50/50 blend of Verdejo and Viura grapes. The colour is a nice pale straw, and the nose is rich with citrus and fruit, with just a bare hint of honeysuckle. The mouthfeel was nice, crisp with green fruit and citrus, with a hint of honey towards the side. The finish was pleasant, and it would make a good warm weather wine and one for lighter fare.

The second wine of the day was Pasil Pie Franco Rueda Superior White 2003, and the name is not wrong. The wine is 100 percent Verdejo grapes, something I have not had before. The colour is again a pale straw, but the nose is strong and filled with grapefruit and citrus with a hint of flowers all over fruit in the base. The mouthfeel is solid, with grapefruit and citrus again dominating at the start, but with fruit under with hints of floral notes on the side. The finish is very nice, and this full-bodied full-flavor wine can hold its own with most food and would be excellent even with a spicy paella.

The next wine was a red, Roblemar Jumilla 2001. It is a 50/50 blend of Tempranillo and Monastrell grapes. The colour is a deep ruby red and the strong rich nose is filled with chocolate, leather, and coffee. The mouthfeel is nice, though not as strong as the nose, and filled with chocolate, leather, spice, and tobacco in a complex delight. The finish is dry, and pleasant.

The next wine was Valdegracia Rebera del Guadiana 1998, and is 100 percent Tempranilo. The colour is a nice ruby red, and the nose is rich and earthy with tobacoo and toast with notes of vanilla on swirling. The mouth starts light to medium, and builds to a full, smooth pleasure filled with tobacco and spices. The flavors combine for a delightful taste with a good finish.

The final wine was Senorio del Aguila Carinena 1994 Reserva, and is a blend of Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. The deep ruby colour is followed by a sharp nose of sherry, spice, and caramel over deeply buried fruit. The mouthfeel is nice with spice and sweet notes with fruit under. The finish is good, with the sherry once again providing notes at the finish.

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