Tuesday, March 29, 2011

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.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

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.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

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.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011