New blog in T-2 days and one sooncome
Hypothetical situation. Are you ready? Comfy? Pillow? Okay.
You are at home, at night, blogging. The power goes out. [why is the power out, Crab?] I don't know. It doesn't matter, and really, your first response is probably not going to be to determine the reason. It's probably not a hurricane, or you wouldn't be blogging, WOULD you? Oh, right, I forgot. NEVERmind.
First things first. At this moment, can you find a working flashlight or other source of illumination besides your cheerful smile and, in my case, shiny head? Okay, so you have things to work on already, perhaps. Yeah, it's not hurricane season yet, but there are a myriad of things that could cause your power outage. [How long is it going to be out, Crab?] Well, that will depend upon the source of the outage, but we really don't know, do we? It could be ice, storm, ice storm, switching station snafu, earthquake, terrorist action, tornado, transformer malfunction, meteorite, auto accident, fire, electrical fire, something local to your own dwelling, CERN collider, volcano or a whole bunch of other things that are statistically less likely. So how'd you do so far? Got your flashlight? Was it working? Give yourself one point for a handy, working flashlight. (note: having your cell phone with a light within reach counts. That's a gimme, by the way.) 
BTW, if you own a Van De Graaff generator, give yourself 5 points, just for being a wingnut. Nevermind.
So lets say there is no information as to the cause nor duration of the power outage. It's just out everywhere. Your blackberry, cell phone and other communication devices yield no additional info.
Can you cook tonight, or have ready-to-eat foods? Give yourself one point for having a working, accessible cooking device, and another if you additionally have ready-to-eat foods on hand. Even if this doesn't involve cans, give yourself an additional point for a handy can opener. Deduct a point from your tally if you wimp out and choose to go out to dinner. What're you crazy? It's DARK out there!! Who knows what has happened? Spam is NOT food, but it can act like food for short periods. 
Give yourself three points if you have a working generator AND fuel and an additional two points if it kicks on automatically.
Okay, onward. So, the night progresses. How's your water supply? Can't go down to the store, what you have is what you have. Hey, this is my game, I'll run it how I choose. haha
Give yourself a point for each gallon of treated or bottled water you have on hand at this moment. You can include the volume in your water heater, but only if you have an acceptable filtration/purification system to make it potable AND know how to safely release the water and capture it. Divide the total number of water points by the number of family members in the house. Each dog counts as one family member, as do 4 cats, unless you have a constant supply of running water outside. If you have a good supply, such as a well or creek, lake, etc., you only get water points if you have an acceptable filtration system. If that is the case, your total water points are limited to the capacity or life of the filtration system and addition stored filters/cannisters.
There are water shortages everywhere, I mean worldwide, and not just lesser developed nations. Check out the links below*
How're you doing so far? The night ends, and it's the next day. Okay, by now, you've gone against your basic instincts and have gone out and about to find the reason for the power outage. Let's suppose that the best estimated time of restoration of power by somebody who is supposed to know is "unknown". That's pretty bad. If you haven't already garnered at least 50 points, you're probably in deep puckey, like at least knee-deep. Now, it's possible that your water supply to your home will still have pressure, but again, you've got to have the ol' filtration/purification system/device.
Give yourself 10 points for reading this far. Go ahead.
So now, days have passed. That food sure hit the spot. Good thing you were able to protect your goods, huh? You folks in the city centers especially. You didn't need nearly as much food as you thought to survive, but without boucoup amounts of water, you're toast.
Give yourself 10 points for having at least 50 gallons of water in portable containers. Oh, BTW, beer counts as full credit, as you can probably trade it for water, plus it's nearly water. If you ONLY have beer and no water, well, you're not going to be having a good time, and no water credit for you. No credit for wine or other alcohol. The jury is still out on mead, so we'll forego it for now. You don't drink mead anyway, do you?
How'd you do?
Okay, this is kinda tongue-in-cheek and silly maybe, but it could be real, and it could be soon, and as I talked about earlier in this wandering rant, there are few, if any places that are 100% safe from this or a similar situation. I could live off my own body fat for at least a week, if not more. 
HUMP?
WHAT HUMP? I'd begin to crash after 2-3 days without water. So would you, most likely. Time and time again, when I see the harrowing things that befall us humans, invariably the one thing that is usually underplanned is water. This becomes a greater issue for you country folk with livestock and such, and the liklihood is that you have provisions for them. Also, you country folk are probably more adept at protecting yourselves and your resources, and adapt easier in general, to off-grid living.
So, if you're still with me, give yourself another 5 points. Total them up.
<50 = you're not ready at ALL. You are probably a good person, but unless you have skills or things to trade, you might be considered a detriment to your community in times of emergency. You might be part of the problem.
50-100 = you've got a fair chance, although the duration of the emergency had better be a month or less. Good luck.
100-200 = you're ahead of the curve. You've already thought about this. That's why so many points given for water and so little for everything else. You probably even have extra toilet paper crammed in 1-quart ziplock bags.
200-500 = you get it. You don't want to see it happen any more than I do, but you realize this stuff doesn't cost you any more than you'd already spend, and you probably rotate your food stocks, and have the sense to buy stuff that you like. Too bad about that "mother-in-law" bedroom, but it couldn't be helped. You'll make room if TSHTF.
>500 = Other than your obsession about watching every little quirky news item that comes down the pike, you're pretty well settled. You have little fear of the future, because you've done all you can to mitigate potential event impacts. You probably won't need THAT many backpacks of hand tools, but what's the harm? Don't let your neighbors know you have gas masks and rad detectors, they'll only think you're a whackamole, but good on you for the case of duct tape and the 1000 feet of climbing rope. You'll be a big help once your own family is safe and secured.
Thanks for playing. Just wanted to provoke a little thought process. Obviously, the rating scale and points have little bearing on a real-life response, but the necessity to change our paradigms about governments helping in times of need might just be more real that any of us care to think about. YOYO= you're on your own, and the time to plan for YOYO is BEFORE the event. How'd I do? Well, the game is rigged in my favor ;o)
BTW, this little exercise is not meant in any way to be a list of things needed to augment your survival, especially in hurricane times. Please check Collinsfarm's and Pat's blog for additional prep items.
All best, be safe, live and be happy nananana
Crab
Orlando - Town considers forcing water limits
Emergency Water Source Guidelines
Potable Water Storage Tanks
Desert survival - solar still
Berkey Water Filters
Water purifier 101.com
Experts fear water shortages
Global Wate Shortage Looms
Collapsible Water Containers
Reader Comments
Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 — Blog Index
What a great lift that I needed! Picked up the phone Monday afternoon and it was Crab!
He sounded really great and it was just wonderful to talk to him. He is going to have some great advice and pictures for us when he gets back. He said he definitely has some recommendations on things that work and things that don't.
As Collins said, he still doesn't know when he will get back online. Apparently the phone system was extensively damaged underground in some areas ...
Their house passed the electrical inspection but now it seems they might be waiting for transformers.
I do believe he misses the internet more than the electricity! Me personally .. well, I can't imagine going without electricity but 2 months but if anybody can handle it, they can. Da Bride is doing good too.
He really misses folks here and is really looking forward to joining back in; asked me to also thank everyone for their support.
I be smilin' for awhile .... just what the doctor ordered!
take care all! :P
Have a Terrific Tuesday. :-)
Thank You Scarlett!
Another step closer.
Can't wait for you to come back. Your missed by so many.
so happy to get your updated from Scarlett! Puts a smile on our face!
So happy you two are doing so well in stressful environment, but we know you two cando this sort of thing. ..not easy but doable.
I am sure you will have some really helpful hints for next season!
Happy New Year to you both and hope you have internet soon!
Gams
Graphics & Myspace layouts

Sending best wishes Bro!
Missing you.
Can't wait to see your first post.
They have power!!! Wahoo! Power has finally been restored to Crab and Bride's home. They are so happy. Only about 20% of the island has land line phone/internet service restored as of now. Crab has no idea when they will get their phone and internet connection. But they are so proud to have the power back on again. Crab says he turned on every electrical device in the house. This was verified by a GOES Satellite that noted a powerful light beacon originating from the Caribbean last night! LOL!
Thanks again to everyone for the continued well wishes, prayers and good vibrations.
WOOHOOOOOOOOOOO
WOOHOO! You have power!!
It's like getting that most wanted toy under the Christmas tree, you just can't stop playing with it.
Collins- NASA was scrabbling trying to find the source, glad they confirmed it.
It was good to hear his voice. He sounds really good and is in good spirits still. And the Bride is doing well.
He says they are still living like Vampires, even after getting power back on. The light they thought as really useless as it was so low dimmed, isn't. They use that one more now then ever.
As Collins and Scarlett both said their house did very well in the storm. Most of the damage was caused by water.
Coconut trees didn't fair so well
He did take a moment during the peak of the storm and go outside to take a wind reading. He stayed on the backside of the house and stuck his hand out he recorded a wind gust of 145.
He also said it's looking like it will be April sometime before they get their net service back.
He has 2 lists going a Winner and Wiener list.
He'll get them posted.
He can't wait to get back here and see all the posts.
Crab, we miss you around here so much and cannot wait to hear from you again.
Thank you so much for contacting friends here who can give us updates.
will be interesting to know what you "really" need in your hurricane supplies to get thru "long term" power outages!
Take care!!!
Missing you! Think of you daily....
I shared the story about Earthshine w/ SurfMom, how you told me the meaning after I told you about playing the song "Soulshine".... you know "the rest of the story".
Hopefully, you finally got my little package. Not much, but I hope you can use the few, meager items I tossed in there. Next time, I need to know what K needs!
Hugs, Hugs & more Hugs!
Miss you, tremendously!
Sure hope you are all getting a little more back to normal and your internet sevice comes up soon!
Just wanted to dig your blog up and wish you a wonderful weekend.
Cannot wait until we get a post from you again!
Take care,
Gams
Graphics & Myspace Layouts
As if you haven't figured out by the time you read this far back in your old blogs, you might be gone from our sight but you're certainly not forgotten. Think about you often and sending all kinds of love and good wishes your way.
I just wanted to bump you up again and wish you a wonderful Saturday and a great weekend. Hope everything is coming along nicely.
We Miss you!
Gams
Awesome MySpace Comments & Myspace Layouts
Quick update on the Crab & da' Bride....
Spoke with him briefly on Wednesday, they are thankful to have power back and they seem to have everything they need. Crab says he will be back as soon as internet is restored and will post a detailed blog about the experience.
He joked and said that he would probably be on blogs for 10hrs straight, just catching up! LOL
Just wanted to provide everyone w/ a brief update!
Miss you Crab!!!!
Only 10hrs? I wonder if he has any idea how many comments he has now:)
Trust me it will take longer than 10 hours to read all the posts and see all the love that's here.
***To the Internet Providers on Cayman Brac***
Please restore service ASAP... we all miss Crab!
Missing you both. I wish April would get here faster.
Glad to hear you spoke with Foxx.
I know she'll agree hearing your voice on the other side of the phone is such a WUnderful feeling.
You might want to take a little more then 10 hours. Between your blog and WU mail you'll be busy for a bit.
Miss you both and Love You!
XOXOXOXO
ImageChef.com Poetry Blender
Comments - Graphics - Layouts - Photobucket
Cannot let a special day like today go by without stopping by to say hello and
Happy Valentine's Day.
Hope you two are enjoying your day together!
Valentine's Day - Graphics for Myspace, Hi5, Friendster
Comments for Myspace, Hi5, Friendster : CoolMyspaceComments.com
Tis March and they said net might be up in April, it seems so long away still. Wishing and hoping that it comes sooner rather then later.
It's winter time here on the blogs, most have gone into hibernation or in semi-hibernation. Many have been busy with home projects.
Aqua- is starting her first garden. It's been an adventure for her. Hope she keeps her blogs up so when you find the time you can see what she has done. Skye and others have been giving her tips.
Emmy- Still has the Pirate's Deck going strong. She's now tileing and painting her Pirate's Apt.
Code- You should see her new boy. He's so big and he's a lover, but her Chloe is still the Queen of the house.
Gamma- Has been enjoying her time with all her Grandbabies. Betsey and Baron have spet some time with her and Poppy this winter. Their all growing so big.
There many things going on with many of us, but I'm afraid if I keep typing it will take one whole blog page.
I think about everything you told me on the phone and wish there was a way to make our way down there to help you all.
Know that you, Da Bride and everyone on the islands are always in our thoughts and prayers.
Love You and Miss You Both.
Hugs and miss you.
(Rays thanks for consolidating the update. GREAT JOB!)
Myspace Comments
{{Crab and Bride}} we miss you lots and wait impatiently for your return.
Many of us have moved and/or started new jobs. Some have gained children-in-law and new grandbabies. A lot has gone on since you've been gone.
Dear Lord- Fix Crab's internet so he can come back to us. Amen
updated - how kind of you to do this and keep him updated in our hearts and minds.
I miss you crab and pray you strength
and only good things for you and your
wonderful island oasis....
we are so with you in spirit.
God bless.
Miss you lots dear friend.
St Patricks Day Glitter Graphics
Happy St.Patrick's Day!
Just missing you around here. Understand you are still busy helping put your paradise island back together again.
I wanted to pop in and say Happy Weekend to you.. hope you get to have some fun and relaxation!
Weekend Glitter
Viewing: 751 - 791
Page: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 — Blog Index