News

*China's Revenge: Fake silver & gold coins/rounds/bars are hitting the US market. Buy a $10 digital scale that measures in Troy ounces and save your pocket book. Video HERE.

*Free land for the modern homesteader. Kansas video HERE. Other states HERE.

*Oh F me, I just erased 75% of today's blog. %#*! Screw it, I don't have the energy to re-write the entire thing now. Maybe tomorrow.

The Backup BOV

–

Not the best photo. But, here's my trusty mountain bike, ready to transport me once the Big One hits and Oaktown collapses into a maze of rubble-filled streets. Dual disk brakes, 24 speeds, aluminum frame, bar ends, toe clips, front and back racks, an LED Cateye, toolkit bag & 2 Kryptonite locks w/an additional cable. I don't know what brand this bike is, but I like it. It's not high-end but it's well made. I got it half price by using an REI dividend and a 20% coupon. Added most of the extras after the fact. Bar ends were $2 at a yard sale. Pannier bag (not shown) was %20 off due to a flaw. Still need to investigate flat-proof Kevlar tires.

My rule of thumb: Always lock you bicycle, even at home. Always keep it inside. Never leave it locked up unattended in public for more than 10 minutes. Everyone I know has had bicycles stolen, but no one follows these rules.

–

More Libya

Above, rebel fighters reminiscent of characters from The Road Warrior. Below, scenes of urban destruction following the retreat of Loyalist forces.

Today's Estate Sale Scores

1 new-condition axe handle - $1.00
1 vintage coffee can - $.50
1 brass fogger hose attachment - $.50
1 fruit crate - FREE
1 army duffle bag - $3.00
1 folding slingshot - $2.00
2 antique cobalt blue pill bottles - 2 x $2.00 = $4.00

There have been old-fashioned estate sales at 3 local houses recently. Lots of cool, vintage stuff.

Images from Rebel Libya

These are images I gathered from the internet. What they show are a lot of irregulars armed with AK-47s, anti-aircraft guns and pickup trucks, out in the flattest sandbox you never saw. I sincerely wish these guys the best of luck, but without training, armor or aircraft, they are going to continue to have a tough row to hoe, even with the extreme help being provided by the Allied bombing runs.

Above, a Long Range Desert Patrol Vehicle. Note the civilian mattresses lashed to the sides, as well as the inevitable anti-aircraft gun with accompanying wooden crates of ammunition.

Note that the anti-aircraft gun in the above photo is being fired on the run, but it is not being accurately aimed. Spent bullet shells are in the air.

OK, this dude is firing an assault rifle at aircraft from a desk chair in the middle of the road. I'm not knocking it, just wish he had better options.

Above, the Road to Nowhere

I like this dude above, and I hope he makes it out alive.

Shit, an anti-aircraft gun on-the-fly. Hope he hit his target, cuz whatever he's shooting at is carrying a bigger gun than he is.

The above truck has so much machine gun ammo in it that it is seriously overloaded. Note how in other photos the AA guns don't fit correctly in the back of the import pickups. They are probably meant to be stationary, and would need to be loaded onto a flatbed to function properly. I suspect that they are of limited use to the rebels. Would like to know how they are supposed to be used. Are they effective for anything other than AA fire?

Above, clearly under attack and desperate.

Gotta love these dudes, above. What better use to put that car to, than a run towards the front lines?

Go, Bro!

So the above truck looks like a green bush. The only green bush for a thousand square miles! Well, it's either that or coat the white paint with mud.

Improvised roadblock, I'm sure.

Ciao, Brothers.

61 Uses of Baking Soda

Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda has many different uses in the household. Although much more expensive products have been developed over the years to do the same jobs, baking soda can work for you just as well, if not better. Use it in the following ways:

1. To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.
2. Be sure to keep an extra box of baking soda by your stove in case of grease or electrical fire. Scatter the powder by the handful to safely put it out.
3. Keep a container of baking soda in your garage as well as in your car to put out a fire. It won't damage anything it touches.
4. Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.
5. Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and rise the produce.
6. Wash garbage cans with baking soda.
7. Soak and wash diapers with baking soda.
8. Oil and grease – stained clothing washes out better with soda added to the washing water.
9. Clean your fridge and freezer with dry soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. Rinse with clear water.
10. Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting in an open container of baking soda to absorb odors. Stir and turn over the soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
11. Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty litter on top.
12. Always add 1/2 cup soda to your washing machine load.
13. Clean combs and brushes in a soda solution.
14. Wash food and drink containers with soda and water.
15. Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3 tablespoons of soda in 1 quart of warm water. Let stand awhile, then rinse.
16. Clean formica counter tops with baking soda on a damp sponge.
17. Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
18. To remove stubborn stains from marble, formica or plastic surfaces, scour with a paste of soda and water.
19. Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but not aluminum) in a soda solution ( 3 tbsp. soda to 1 quart water).
20. Run you coffee maker through its cycle with a soda solution. Rinse.
21. Give baby bottles a good cleaning with soda and hot water.
22. Sprinkle soda on barbecue grills, let soak, then rinse off.
23. Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
24. Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.
25. For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on handles: place the silver on aluminum foil in an enamel pot. Add boiling water and 4 tbsp. baking soda. Let stand, rinse and dry.
26. Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some soda on the bottom.
27. Run your dishwasher through its cycle with soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
28. To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
29. For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.
30. Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth and dry baking soda to shine it up. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, scrub in the direction of the grain.
31. Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
32. Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with soda and water.
33. Sprinkle a bit of dry soda in your ashtrays to prevent smoldering and reduce odor.
34. Clean your bathroom with dry soda on a moist sponge – sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
35. Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
36. Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to clean them.
37. To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with soda, then rinse.
38. Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
39. Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.
40. Add 1/2 cup or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
41. Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby's bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
42. Apply soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.
43. Take a soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
44. Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
45. Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
46. Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
47. To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.
48. Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.
49. Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and water.
50. Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.
51. Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1 1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
52. Use soda as an underarm deodorant.
53. If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.
54. When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off easier and flesh will be clean and white.
55. Repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
56. Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.
57. Add to water to remove the "gamey" taste from wild game.
58. Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.
59. Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
60. Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda.
61. To eliminate dog odors or just freshen up the air, sprinkle baking soda on your carpet where your dog lies and vacuum up. Leave the soda on the carpet for half an hour. It also eliminates odor in your vacuum after it has been vacuumed up. A great way to freshen up your home air during the winter when everything is closed up.

THE ABOVE MATERIAL WAS WRITTEN BY HARRY GODWIN

More DIY Crafty Goodness

Sample carpet squares, purchased for 1 dollar each at the most awesome & local East Bay Depot for Creative Re-Use, can be cut up & used as liners for wooden toolboxes, saving the bottom from wear & tear.

What else can be purchased at the Depot? You never really find much of the same thing twice there, but they sell metal tins, glass vials, paper towel rolls, old records, fabric, picture frames, glass jars, odd containers, plastic prescription bottles, industrial cardboard yarn cones, plastic spools, candles, burlap coffee bean sacks, and ten thousand other used things that defy easy description but can be used for crafts. All at the cheapest prices imaginable. And they accept as donations things that we'd normally throw away or toss in the recycling can, things like plastic strawberry baskets, cardboard toilet paper rolls, wooden brie rounds & clean peanut butter jars.

Recycle & Re-use

Bottom tray-type box was found on the sidewalk, has been reinforced with nails & corner brackets, & also stained. Smaller toolbox was re-conditioned from a whiskey box, & now holds my box-repair toolkit. Pint-sized Jack Daniels bottle on top is now a canteen. Funny how fast I can empty the JD bottle when it's full of H2O.

Newshworthy Shtuff

•Today the UK/France/USA launched 112 cruise missiles at Libyan air defense targets, to prepare for a UN-sanctioned No Fly Zone. I sincerely hope that we blew the shit out of Qadaffi's air and armored forces. And I sincerely hope that we continue to keep crippling his mercenary army until the rebels kick his ass and hang those motherfuckers from telephone poles.

•Killer video HERE.

•There's a Super Moon tonight - the full moon will be its closest to Earth in 18 years, and will appear much bigger and brighter than usual. Only problem is...it's pissing cats and dogs outside. We ain't gonna see anything except rainclouds tonight.

•I'm getting scared that we are going to have a big quake in NorCal. I mean, TS is really hitting TF right now, all across the world. What's next?

•Have you noticed how orderly the Japanese are in the face of this mega-disaster? No rioting, no looting, no crime. The sign of a very homogenous & well-behaved middle-class society. Amazing. Compare that to the United States, where every man is for himself and we are all armed to the teeth...

More soon, byatches.

Another Thneed - The JakPak

Well, it seems that a Seattle-based couple is selling a third version of the 21st Century Thneed, this one called the JakPak. It is a jacket, a sleeping bag and a tent, all in one. I don't know what to make of these garments. They are kind of geeky, and a bit silly, but I can see that in the right circumstances they would be useful, and very possibly life savers. For instance, if I was homeless, I'd want one. And if TSHTF and I was a nomad, I'd want one. If I was a pilot, I'd want one in my survival kit. Anyway, there you have it. Honestly, I'd rather see innovation than not, and I am always a proponent of compact, multi-use tools/appliances/garments.

But wait a second. I have a tiny & super-light Snuggy sleeping bag, and a Gore-Tex bivy sack, and a micro-fleece jacket, and they are awesome. So I don't need a Thneed.

El Toolboxo

In Image 1 above we see a simple toolbox made out of a whiskey bottle box that was purchased for 1 dollar at a local re-use store.

In Image 2 above we see the same box, open.

This box was first cleaned & lightly sanded, then partially taken apart & reassembled for a tighter, squared fit. Then it was painted with a layer of boiled Linseed oil & left to dry for several days. The oil finish gave the wood a warm glow, & also acts as a protectant & sealant. Lastly, hinges & a hasp lock were added. A handle will also be added, & when the weather warms up the box will be painted with another layer of boiled Linseed oil & left to dry again. Once the excess oil is wiped off, the box will be left to air out for at least a week while it off-gasses, then it will be attached to the rear rack on my bicycle, to serve as a "trunk".

Is this box perfect? No. The lid has a crack on one end, & an additional crack on one side. There are discolorations where two leather cinch belts were once attached. But she looks way, way better than she did before she was re-built. And, she's more functional.

†

Dreams

When I was 20 years old, I went through a particularly rough 6-month period. It sucked, day in and day out. I will spare you the excruciating details. But during this time, I had the most amazing dreams. In hindsight, they seemed to offset some of the pain I was experiencing.

Once, I went to sleep and dreamed that a green bird was sitting on my shoulder. We had a long, long conversation. We were good friends and we loved each other very much. When I awoke, I was happy. Another time, I dreamed that the animals of the forest assembled before me in a field and sang a beautiful song to me. Again, when I awoke, I was happy. I wish I remembered that song. Still another time, I fell asleep and dreamed that a clown was doing slight-of-hand magical tricks for me. I laughed and laughed, and woke up smiling.

Perhaps the most profound moment of this 6-month misery stint was a particularly transcendent state I found myself in one night. It is hard to describe what I experienced, because it was a non-ordinary state of consciousness. It was a bliss so extreme that it transcended any high I had ever previously experienced. Nor have I encountered it since. This feeling of profound spiritual peace was accompanied by images: I was in an alabaster city, walking its cobblestone streets with a group of bald monks who wore white robes. Everything was pure and white. That night I experienced ecstasy.

Back then, I could go out into the woods, and sit down in a Redwood grove, and actually feel the peace and beauty emanating from the trees. I walked and biked most everywhere, and lived in the foggy forest. I was still connected to nature at that time, and it was everywhere around me. Santa Cruz was the most beautiful place I ever lived.

Now, I spend my days plugged into computers and driving East Bay streets. I don't feel as much as I used to. I've lost touch. The dreams are gone, but so is much of that pain I once felt.

Happy Happy Joy Joy

What a fucked day. So angry I could scream. I arrive at work this morning not in the best of moods and the first thing I get is another sarcastic, biting comment from my coworker. One in a long line. I can only take so many before I lose my cool. But I also know that no matter what I say, what I do, it will cause some kind of commotion, and with commotion comes payback. You can't fucking win.

Trying to think of something positive to say. Hey, I left work early before I had a complete meltdown. Yay. Probably shouldn't have driven though. A car is a dangerous weapon. Uh, Japan sounds fucked six ways from Sunday. Core meltdown in progress? Probably. Me and Japan both! Hold on. Gotta take a piss. ... ... ... ... ... ... Uh, much better.

FUUUUUUUUCK!

The Ogallala Aquifer Is Running Dry

Oh Lord, just saw this article. This spells very, very bad news for the MidWest, which is the breadbasket of America. This is the beginning of the 21st Century, folks. Water scarcity that defies our collective imagination. Whole continents will run dry, as the underground aquifers that have sustained them for the last century run out, never to be replenished. Case in point: One hundred years ago, India's water table was 6 feet below the surface. Buckets could be dropped into wells and pulled up by hand. Now India's water table is ONE THOUSAND FEET BELOW THE SURFACE, due to the effect of millions of wells and electric pumps sucking the continent dry for a century.

I can only recommend that you think about the future and what it holds. If you build a new building, consider building rain water catchment and a cistern into the project. Consider retrofitting existing buildings to do the same thing. Consider ways to reduce water consumption long term, and implement them. Try to put used water back into the water table, not into the storm drain system, which runs to the sea.

And actively vote against legislation which limits the people's access to water, to rain water catchment, to gray water use, etc. It's up to us to reign in the power of the multinationals and to keep them from using water as an economic weapon.

Of Jap Tsunamis & Quakes, Nuke Meltdowns, Singers & Smaller Things

MORE IMPORTANT:

*This Jap disaster should serve as a wake-up call to all preppers that TS can HTF at any moment, leaving society utterly crippled.
*Rite now there is a serious possibility that one or more Jap nuke reactors are going to meltdown in short order. This will probably send fallout across the Pacific to our neck of the woods. N95 particle masks and potassium iodide are necessities. Potassium iodide is what you take to reduce the effects of certain types of radioactive fallout. I'm no expert, and I suspect that taking this stuff probably fucks your thyroid and body up in other ways, but it is believed to have radically reduced radiation damage after the Chernobyl incident, when it was administered to millions of people in Russia and Poland. I just ordered mine online from CVS.
*BTW: Our own San Onofre nuke plant lies at the water's edge in SoCal. This exact meltdown scenario could occur there in the event of a similar quake & wave. In fact, I betcha that one day it will happen, and the fallout will hit LA LA Land, and LA LA Land will get permanently evacuated. Millions of refugees will then flood Northern California, making real estate in the sticks worth a fortune. Just my 2 cents.
*In light of this disaster I have re-attached my survival pod to my backpack, and also double-checked my BOB. Will also throw some food & water bottles in my truck tomorrow.

Less Important:

*Gasoline cost me $4.10 a gallon for premium today.
*Daylight Savings kicks in tonight, Sunday March 13th @ 2:00 AM. Spring Forward, Fall Back. We lose an hour this time around.
*Fixing up old wooden boxes & then staining them with boiled Linseed oil makes me happy. It's virtually free, keeps me out of trouble & then I have nice storage containers.
*Heading to the desert next month. Oh Boy!
*Never forget that online coupons rock.
*The potatoes are coming along, enough that I'm mounding them.
*Harvested some home-grown green onions last week. Never bagged them, just left them out on the counter or loose in the refrigerator for a few days, and they didn't wilt or go bad. They were 100% fresh after 4 days. I'm thinking that that is the sign of quality produce. Never had a store-bought green onion do that. Don't they usually wilt in a few hours after you leave 'em out?

Weird:

*Almost bought a 1940s-era Singer sewing machine today at a garage sale, for $175. Then thought better and didn't buy it. Too big & I don't know how to sew. Decided maybe I'd buy a pre-electric treadle Singer one day on EBAY instead. 9:00 PM this evening I was walking down the Avenue 2 blocks from my house...and there was an antique Singer treadle sitting on the sidewalk with a FREE sign on it. There was no sewing machine attached, just the iron bench with working treadle...in my mind a beautiful, useful antique. I snagged it, brought it home and cleaned it. Will detail and oil it tomorrow. Would like to figure out how to connect a battery to it, for manual charging. This relic is very heavy. Minor rust w/some pitting, but completely intact. A fortuitous & wonderful score!

Frontier Concept Vehicle

What we need is a 21st century Land Rover Defender - a simple yet high-tech vehicle that can handle the frontiers of the emerging post-Everything world. This vehicle will need to be lightweight, adaptable, usable, durable and very fuel efficient. I propose that it will be more of a platform than a traditional vehicle -- literally a platform, and a very lightweight platform at that -- with modular add-ons that allow you, the King, to turn it into whatever you want.


I live at a remote ranch community in the mountains of Northern California in the brave year 2038. This is a period of tremendous global conflict. Civil wars and resource wars are raging around the globe. Oil, metals and food are all in high demand and universally rationed, their supplies ever-diminishing as humanity reaches the final end of the Industrial Age and enters the Age of Scarcity at full steam. Climate change, starvation, pollution and ecosystem collapse have wreaked havoc on entire nations and laid waste to immense swaths of land, turning them into poisonous wastelands.

It is in this world that I struggle to survive.

I own and use a 2032 TC6 FVP (Tyco Concept Model 6 Frontier Vehicle Platform). It is essentially a skeletonized, drive-by-wire, 4-wheel electric vehicle with a single-seat open cockpit and a flatbed. You might call it a tractor, or a buggy, of sorts. I have configured its battery pack to hang evenly beneath the flatbed, reducing the vehicle's overall center of gravity. A highly efficient solar ragtop roof covers the entire vehicle, providing trickle power during all daylight hours. There are also 2 portable 12-volt wind turbines onboard, which can be flipped up any time I am stopped to add additional battery-charging ooomph.

My TC6 has a small electric motor in each wheel hub, and airless tires. The battery pack powers the motors, and the motors are "smart" -- that is, they automatically adjust their speed and turn off and on on their own accord, according to the terrain we are traversing and their own energy-saving protocol. The TC6 seamlessly becomes a 1-, 2-, 3- or 4-wheel drive vehicle at its own whim. In fact, it drives semi-autonomously around the entire ranch, going wherever I prompt it, traveling on what it discerns to be the most-tried-and-true routes. The battery pack is charged by the solar ragtop, the wind turbines, regenerative braking, downhill regeneration, and, when I am parked at home, by the 24/7 community pelton wheels in the creek and river.

I do not often travel long distance, as this is my ranch vehicle, so running out of power is not a pressing issue. When I do travel to Hayfork or Eureka though, I have two power options. One is to strip all excess weight off the TC6, wait for a sunny/windy day, and make the trip as-is with charged batteries, at very slow speed. The TC6 is a crawler, very efficient and able to traverse extreme landscapes, and it excels at energy-efficient low speeds. The second option is to attach a small turbo-diesel generator to the flatbed and plug it into the battery pack. Using this method, the TC6 can attain speeds of up to 60 miles per hour. Either way, it is fully capable of driving itself, and responds to my personalized voice commands.

On a day-to-day basis, I use the TC6 to haul tools, feed and people around the ranch as I fix fences, repair roads, feed animals, run security, etc. Generally speaking, the heavier the load, the slower the TC6 moves, as it eeks every possible centavo out of the battery pack. It can traverse extreme slopes, mud, potholes, etc effortlessly. Sometime we affix a wooden bench or two to the flatbed, to accommodate passengers. Sometimes I attach tool boxes, or tow around light farm equipment.

I foresee the possibility that the electrical system might one day fail due to age, faulty components, or an EMP attack. In that case, the TC6 could be stripped of its entire electrical system, and used as a wagon. It could be pulled by a horse, a mule, goats or dogs. It could also be pushed and/or pulled by people. It's that lightweight. The bottom line is this: The TC6 functions well, and at multiple levels, in this fucked up, low-energy world we now live in. Because of its advanced utility, I am generally unburdened by the quest for expensive and scarce liquid fuel, and have watched many lesser vehicles decay around me over the last decade, to be replaced by bicycles, horses and human feet.

The AR-23

Yet another concept gun from a story I wrote. I call it the AR-23, though that designation may already exist for some other existing weapon. The dealio with this assault rifle is that it has 4 tube magazines located in the stock assembly. Each tube is loaded with different ammo, and the wielder of this weapon chooses his ammo as necessary by pressing a switch and cycling between tubes. Utilizing hi-tech micro-motors, the rifle can cycle the tubes at high speed, rotating the relevant tube to the barrel in an instant. The ammo is caseless, and the armor-piercing and high-velocity rounds use small-caliber slugs in sabot cladding. This allows a large charge to fire a thin, lightweight projectile thru the barrel at high-velocity. Other types of ammo might include incendiary, explosive, fragmenting, rubber, wireless Tazer, etc.

This concept could stand alone, but ammo capacity and reloading seem like they would be impeded. Therefore, this concept might be best used with small-caliber grenades or shotgun shells, with an additional & separate assault rifle located beneath it. In this configuration, the weapon would include an assault rifle with a normal bottom-loading box magazine, on top of which was stacked the tube concept weapon. A single trigger & sight would control both weapons. Buttons would allow the operator to seamlessly switch barrels and ammo on the run.

Example: PIG 6116 is fighting for his life in the ruins of San Francisco. He is crouched inside a bombed-out bus, firing his AR-23 up at an apartment window across the street. He's blasting away with the .223 assault rifle, laying down suppressing fire. The enemy soldier above withdraws from sight. PIG then seamlessly switches to his integral top-mounted grenade launcher, chooses HE, and fires 2 high-explosive rounds into the apartment. BINGO. An arm flies out the window, Russkie rifle still attached to the fingers, and PIG knows the enemy is out of commission.

†

The Ripper Assault Pistol

Another sci-fi concept gun from my archives, though not so very sci-fi at all. Just illegal! Ha ha. Basically, the Ripper is a modified, pistolized assault rifle (readily available at the present time in numerous states not including CA) -- that is, an AK-47 or AR-15 with a very short (approximately 6-inch) barrel and no stock. To this basic assembly you add ports on the barrel, a collapsing stock, a 30-round box mag, perhaps a red dot sight, and a sling. That's it! Like I said, it's currently illegal because it combines elements of a pistol and a rifle. So, it's a sci-fi concept. Would be an amazing weapon, very compact with assault rifle power.

The BuzzSaw subAssault Rifle

This is a concept weapon from a sci-fi story I wrote long ago. It fills a niche that perhaps the PDW now fills. What the Buzzsaw is, is it's a compact, lightweight, highly controllable full-auto assault rifle with a very high rate of fire. It achieves its high rate of fire by firing caseless ammo, which means that there is no cycling breech or ejection port, and theoretically the gun cannot jam. It has a ported, ceramic barrel which cannot melt. It can accept regular 20- or 30-round box mags, or larger 100-round SAW-type mags, or it can be belt-fed via 250/500-round chest- or back-pack magazines.

I'm not sure about the caliber on this one. 7.62 x 39 mm would probably be too big and heavy, and 44 Magnum would characterize this weapon as something less than an assault rifle. Thus it would probably fire proprietary lightweight 44 caliber "subAssault" caseless bullets consisting of gas-filled explosive slugs with "NanoTech" propellant. The propellant would take up as much space as a cap does on today's bullets, and would adhere directly to the back of the metal round. These exploding pistol-caliber bullets would have tremendous stopping power and specific AP (anti-personnel) application (as opposed to armor-piercing, incendiary, etc.).

The BuzzSaw would have fore and aft pistol grips. A telescoping wire stock. Quick-switch ported ceramic barrels of different lengths. Iron or red dot sights. Designed to be fired on full-auto like either an assault rifle or a sub machine gun, it would be specifically designed to be used in running firefights to achieve overwhelming firepower superiority. Its extreme controllability -- due to its overall light weight, ported barrel, and compact ergonomic design -- would allow it to be accurately hip-fired, or fired on the run, or easily fired like a conventional rifle, while maintaining a tremendous rate of fire.

Oops, gotta run. It's bed time.

Today's Lecture

•There is a fat, hot, fluffulous cat in my lap. It is so spoiled that it sounds like Brittney Spears, or Paris Hilton, when it meows. But I am madly in love with it anyway. Life makes little sense sometimes. This is what kind of a survivalist I am.
•Planted the Gala apple tree today, in the rain. Muddy, wet work, but now it's done. Found out that the first apricot tree, planted 3 years ago, gave a crop of 50 apricots last year, and they were strategically picked before the fucking blue jays ate them. It's a small tree, too, so it gave a good yield. I hear they tasted real good. Fantastic news.
•Wanted to plant hazelnut trees this year, but there is a blight in California right now and Hazelut trees are not for sale. Fuck. Maybe plant a walnut instead?
•The olive tree nursery is looking great so far. Pops, the master bonsai-ist, says he bets 100% of the trees grow to maturity. He showed me his bonsai olives. Cute, but they don't produce!
•More later. Gotta go see a friend.

Notes

•Bought a 1953 milk crate for $5.00 at an estate sale today. It's in decent shape with hardwood sides and a very strong metal frame and floor. I brought it home, brushed it off with a wire brush, sanded it a tad, cleaned up the metal, and painted it head-to-toe with boiled Linseed oil. The wood and metal were parched, they just sucked the oil up. Then I wiped the excess off and left it outside to dry overnight. It'll last a long time if I don't leave it outside.
•The Hyampom SAW will henceforth be called the Hyampom BAR, because it is a heavy son-of-a-gun and, well, being semi-auto, its rate of fire will more resemble a BAR than a SAW.
•Bought a new computer and it's so tiny and lightweight that already my old laptop feels like a Cold War relic. Advantages of this new laptop: It has a flash drive instead of a hard drive, which means no moving parts, faster speed, less heat and WAY less energy usage. And, it has 2 processors. It's quick. So what if it has a little screen? It's still letterbox!
•Finally figured out how to create hyperlinks on this damn blog! Took me 3 years and the damn button was right in front of me the entire time.
•I find this war in Libya fascinating. A mercenary army hired by an insane dictator, a rebel army with absolutely no training or leadership, random battles in the flat desert, pickups with machine guns mounted on them, cities being attacked, captured, then abandoned in a single day! It's as if nobody on either side has any tactical expertise. But I do hope the rebels win and kick Kadaffy's ass. In fact, I think it would be cool to go over there and help the good guys. But that ain't gonna happen. I'd probably get caught by Kadaffy's goons and tortured. Ugh.
•The dudes at Survival Cache continue to put out an awesome weekly newsletter. It's one of the highlights of my week. That, and gettin' laid. And getting high.
•Some of the best things in life: Yoga, baking soda, bicycles, laptops, raw milk, grass-fed beef, free-range organic eggs, nettles, Lambs Quarters, potatoes.
•Been researching alternative currencies and local currencies. Some mints are producing barter tokens. These tokens are either 1 oz copper rounds, fractional silver rounds, or fractional gold rounds. No dollar values stamped on any of the rounds, but a 1 oz copper is 2 units, a 1 oz silver is 50 units, and I forget what a 1 oz gold is...but it may be 500 units. The idea is that each round has inherent value because of its metal content. BUT, the value is really up to the people trading with it. And, it would also fluctuate depending on the price of metals on any given day. I like this concept, though it is really difficult for alternative economics to catch on. And the only way they can work is if people believe in them and buy into them, and that almost never happens. So fuck it. No, not really. I think this shit is awesome.
•Ate like a fucking saint today. Feeling good. Starving though! Gotta go get something good for dinner. Maybe In-N-Out? Mmmmmm!

21st Century Thneeds

Those of you who watched The Lorax as a child may remember that a "thneed" is a multi-purpose garment that can be whatever you need it to be. Well, apparently there are at least two European garments in existence, both of which are highly praised, that function as survivalist thneeds. The first is the Fjellduk, by Helsport. The second is the Bivanorak, by Hilleberg. I do not have any personal experience with either, but they receive high praise and are worthy of serious consideration for both your BOB and general outdoor use. Basically, they both function as lightweight & waterproof ponchos, shelters and tarps.

Image 1 above is of the Helsport Fjellduk. Here is the description given on the Helsport website:

"Helsport Fjellduk is a convenient multi-use product used in different ways depending on the situation. Whether you are surprised by extreme weather or light camping, the Helsport Fellduk will have a function. The hoody and arms are detachable and can be zipped off/on, depending on needs. It can be partly used as a poncho, sleeping bag, windsack and as a tarp. Helsport Fjellduk comes in different colors/patterns and thickness. Helsport Fjellduk is delivered with a compression bag and red emergency flag."

Well, Christ on a cracker. I've seen better translations. And this garment looks strange. It has funky euro-camo. And, I already have rain gear and a poncho and a bivy sack. And, I can't find a price on this and it's only available in Europa. But what the hey, I still think it's cool.

Image 2 above is of the Hilleberg Bivanorak. It costs US$175. Per the Hilleberg website:

"An innovative, multi-purpose piece of equipment that is indispensable for nearly every outdoor activity.

Shelter Profile

Originally developed as a survival tool for Swedish air force pilots, our patented Bivanorak is a bivy bag/sleeping bag cover, rain garment, portable windbreak, and emergency shelter, all in one – and all in a 580 g/1 lb 4 oz package. The Bivanorak is made from a lightweight, tough, polyurethane-coated waterproof breathable fabric and has fully taped seams.

Bivy Bag/Sleeping Bag Cover

The Bivanorak is cut long and wide to provide room for both a sleeping bag and pad in bivy bag mode. Its lower hem and cuffs have draw cords (those in the cuffs are elastic) which can be secured shut to keep warmth in and rain and snow out, and its long front zipper makes entry and exit easy. The large hood will easily accommodate the hood of a sleeping bag, yet it can be cinched tightly around your face. Combine a Hilleberg Bivanorak and Tarp to create a highly effective – and incredibly lightweight – shelter system.

Rain Garment

The Bivanorak is worn anorak style and can be adjusted to a variety of lengths. Simply pull the bottom hem up inside the body of the Bivanorak and tighten the draw cord around your waist or tuck the extra fabric under your pack’s hip belt. There is even enough room to carry a backpack underneath! Pair it with rain pants or chaps and you have superb wet weather protection. Its single size and easy adjustability allow both the tallest and smallest person to use the Bivanorak.

Windbreak/Shelter

Pull it out of your pack and climb in. The wind and waterproof material, adjustable cuffs and hem, and generous hood make for a roomy, comfortable temporary refuge! It’s a versatile alternative to our Windsack as safety equipment for one person. A Bivanorak makes any spot perfect for a lunch break while ski touring!"

I think it sounds cool. And useful. Look around online and you'll hear people raving about it.