Just got back from the Grocery Store

[RPM]

got 15 days worth of canned foods @ ~1000 calories per day for my wife and me as well as 7 gallons of spring water.

I think i will get a large gasoline can and fill it.

a gun is also a consideration.

So - am I a nut now - or am I someone who lucidly sees that the government is completely disinterested in what happens to me in case of a societial dislocation?

on edit - i am in western PA

[justabob]

1. Wise move I'd say

I bought as much as I could when I went on Wednesday, so did other members of my family. (We're in Dallas)

[underpants]

2. You forgot the claw hammer?

[RPM]

3. i have a claw hammer already...

also one hell of a pry bar!

[supernova]

4. "An Ugly Woman"?

:wtf:

Ooohhh, I'm sceeerrrd. :scared:

[RPM]

6. i dont have one of those - my wife is hot

maybe i can borrow one

[Mizmoon]

9. tell her to ugly herself up a bit

maybe rub some dirt in her hair and knock a front tooth out or something ...

[-..__...]

14. Might I suggest,,,

[RPM]

19. are there any legitimate uses for either of those 'tools'?

Deathstick... :scared:

[RPM]

20. are there any legitimate uses for either of those 'tools'?

Deathstick... :scared:

[Akoto]

5. Well, putting the government part aside ...

It's always wise to keep a healthy supply of canned foods on-hand, and a spare can of gasoline is also a good idea.

When I was in the hurricanes last year, I heard so many people on the radio begging for supplies because they had not prepared in advance. Everyone felt sorry for them, but there was nothing that could be done because the stores were empty for days.

[Blue Diadem]

7. No, you're not a nut,

I don't know if you live in a city or rural area. I live in a rural area/small town and have kept emergency supplies since moving here. After the blizzard back in the 70's, we've also kept a full kerosene can and a kerosene heater for power outages. I've even used it to cook on if our power was out for a long time.

Where I'm at now, people were cut off from civilization for 2 weeks or more during the blizzard back then..no power and isolated.

It's all about survival. Oh..a little tip..remember to rotate your canned goods and bottled water.

[RPM]

16. on that - i have a reminder in my palm pilot as to when they expire

we'll eat them before that date.

good reminder!

[Gormy Cuss]

8. In earthquake country,

we are told to keep a specific level of emergency supplies available just in case. Some are specific to here, like a wrench tucked away from the house that can be used to shut off the gas supply lines from outside the house. Many people do not have even the minimum water set aside, but I can say that it is a small comfort to know that we MAY have food and water available in the event of the Big One.

Now that you're building an emergency kit, add a list of things you'd want to take with you if you had to evacuate (toiletries, mementos, deeds and other legal papers, etc.) By listing it in advance you will be far more focused should you ever need to go into this mode.

I'd vote you're lucid. Please don't get a weapon unless you know how to use it (or are planning to learn.) It sucks as security if you don't know what you're doing. Having a gun and knowing how to use it might help you extend the food supply through hunting too, even if you're in an urban area. Think squirrels, if nothing else.

Aside: Thank you, W, for bringing us to this point.

[tigereye]

10. I don't think it hurts to be prepared for emergencies

but what are you expecting? According to what I have read, there are NO shortages of anything outside of those areas affected. I live in WPA too. WHat do you need a gun for, other than to hunt? I don't think that what is happening in NO constitutes a total breakdown of US social order. Increased prices, yes. Disorder, no.

:shrug:

[Wcross]

12. This time there are no shortages- yet.

Whos to say they will get the gas back on line within a month. Two months? How does food get from the farm to the Kroger store?
As was demonstrated in New Orleans, a small percentage of the population will prey on the rest. If you are capable of using a firearm responsibly it is a must have. I would have no problem putting down a person who intends to do me harm or cripple my ability to survive. (I guess its the former Marine in me)

[RPM]

18. I just went to a gas station in Pittsburgh

they had no gas. pumps shut off, manager gone.

[tigereye]

31. I didn't see any problems when I was out this pm

there are no gas shortages, according to Rendell. Prices have jumped though.

[RPM]

38. The shell at Penn & Braddock in Pittsburgh was closed

don't know if it has reopened yet...

[tigereye]

39. hmm

the ones near me ( not too far from that one) see fine. Where are you, East End, somewhere? :hi:

[RPM]

41. that station is open again - i think shell had a supply issue

[fudge stripe cookays]

13. 18 Wheelers need a lot of gas.

It is now costing them at least 55 cents a mile (usually WAY more) to get goods from one place to another. And that's if they are going to be able to fill up. Lots of places are OUT of gas.

We heard on C-Span the other night that 25.8 % of our oil supply was affected.

We are going to begin seeing scarcity on our shelves very soon. Also keep in mind the many tons of goods shipped from the Midwest down the Mississippi to N.O to the port.

Also keep in mind that when we DO find something in stock, chances are we may be paying twice as much for it. If they're paying twice as much to ship it, we'll be paying twice as much to buy it.

This is not a minor thing. He definitely has the right idea.
FSC

[crispini]

27. "25.8 % of our oil supply was affected"?????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good god, I'm going to start shopping NOW.

[Wcross]

11. I have always kept supplies on hand.

A nut is the person that assumes "somebody" will help me. Nobody gives a rats ass if I live or die, I am insignificant. It is up to me to prepare for my own survival.
I am on a well and have a hand pump as a back-up to my electric. I have enough food on hand to feed myself and my animals for six months. (I do a lot of canning from my garden)
I own several firearms. I don't anticipate looters/hooligans to be a problem for me but the firearms will come in handy for taking game.

I am working towards being totally self-sufficient power wise. I have my eye on a solar system but as a po-boy it will take time to gather the funds (25,000).

If you don't look out for yourself, who will?

[LynneSin]

15. I'm going to give you the best advise EVER!!!!!

Make sure you have a couple spare just incase!!

[RPM]

17. I bought mainly pulltab cans

Ravioli (boyardee) yeech, but caloricly heavy and lessthan $1/can

[JVS]

34. Hey you put some grated parm on that and you'll have yourself...

a "festa" until the authorities show up

[-..__...]

21. One of the best military inventions ever..

[nickinSTL]

22. I've been considering similar acquisitions...

the cans/water aren't a problem...

storing the gas would be...as I live in an apartment

and I have actually been thinking about a gun...which for me is a big thing, as I'm not big on gun rights...but if things start slipping...and we may be on the edge...I'll be getting one soon, I think.

[miss_kitty]

23. get stabiliser for the gas

And I hope the water is in glass.

No you are not a nut. As a person who lives in an area where we keep hearing about waiting for 'the big one' (earthquake or pyroclastic flow from Mt Rainier) and living on the bottom floor of an old building, and being a single female to boot in a blue city, I hear ya.

[northzax]

24. living in DC I kept my LA habits

and have supplies for three people, including water, canned and boxed goods a camp stove and fuel, candles, batteries, a couple of new books and, of course, emergency booze, set aside all the time. If you really want to be prepared, in a city keep a backpack with smaller amounts ready to leave at the drop of a hat.

Also keep some cash around. I have a couple of hundred in 20s. I also keep a carton of cigarettes I replace every now and then, that's good currency!

storing gasoline is very dangerous.

the booze is key. Also, don't forget to have a good plug for your bathtub, in case of emergency you can fill it quickly and be able to flush the toilet and clean...

[Bridget Burke]

25. Sounds like a Hurricane Kit

Also known as an Earthquake Kit or Blizzard Kit, depending on the area.

[RebelOne]

26. This is also a handy gadget

My daughter in South Florida used it when Katrina hit South Florida and at least gave them some power. Of course, you can't use it for long as it will kill your car battery. So maybe, it would be useful to have a spare battery. I have ordered one because I have constant power outages here in North Georgia.

http://www.lakeside.com/catalog.asp?CAT=1&ST=KWD&SS=SOR&KWD=inverter&x=11&y=6

[sarcasmo]

28. Picked up a 30 day supply of bottled water. The Freeper relatives

will not be getting any water from this house.

[JVS]

29. Hey, cut mom+dad in you selfish SOB!

I don't want the world to go to hell and find out that the only thing she has in the cupboard is butter. ;-)

My apartment is a bit too small for so much supplies. I think I'll just keep a "abandoned merchandise retrieval system" aka crowbar.

[arwalden]

30. Why Use A Gasoline Can For Water?

You can get 5 gallon water jugs from any large camping or sporting goods store... they cost about $3-$4... they have spigots... they are sanitary, and you're not likely to confuse them for being anything else.

Good luck!

[JVS]

32. I think he's saying he has the spring water and is planning...

on getting a big can of gasoline.

[arwalden]

33. Ah... On Second Read, I See That You're Correct.

At first glance I put the two phrases together and assumed the water was going to be used to fill the gasoline can.

[RPM]

35. ahhh - brothers

always there to explain what the other meant.

thanks

[tedoll78]

36. My pantry/laundry room is full..

in my apartment, but as soon as I buy some land and build my off-the-grid home on it, I will have at the minimum one month's supply of food there at all times. I do not trust the govt to save my life if I needed food or water.

[BlueIris]

37. I stocked some emergency supplies a while ago.

Mostly lots and lots of water. Soap, shampoo. Female things. You know, in case. You're not nutty. I live in Western Oregon, where some things (like gas prices in some areas) are relativley stable, and our state government is (relatively) sane and I felt the need to be prepared.

[Deja Q]

40. Gasoline goes bad after one month.

Unless you add lots of stabilizers, which also do their bit to lower gas mileage and possibly roughen up the engine.

Nice idea though.