This blog is about me, it is about how I plan to get off the grid, get back to the land, and hopefully contains enough information for other to either follow in my foot steps, or skip mistakes that I make. I don't like using labels such as 'survivalist' on myself, but the shoe fits.

I have been in the past many things, but I was an information broker for close to twenty years, and also a full-time working traveler (caravaner) for about 14 years. I'm not retired, don't believe in it, but I am in the middle of a career switch to producing ceramic goods, such as tiles, coffee cups, pots, etc.

I live in British Columbia, Canada. But we'll see how long that lasts. The first task I am currently working on is getting a farm, by that I mean, a property that can be used for commercial agriculture, because I'm sick of just surviving, I want to thrive.

This blog hasn't always been about the view point above, hence some older posts no longer apply to who I am. I am changing, and this blog reflects that, you have been warned.

I am influenced by both the left wing, and the right wing, I consider myself neither. At times I post about issues that fall into the political realm of blogs, left wing views, right wing views, survivalist, artist, activism, and various other stuff. Like I said, this blog is about me, I am all those things and none of them, this is about improving myself, learning to do things myself, and recording as much of it as I can here.

Because of the current global situation I have become more of a survivalist recently then I have in the past, at some point in the future I will become something else, but for now, this is who I am. James Rawles hosts Survivalblog.com and has a profile list of other 'preppers', which have answered various questions. I have not offered James my profile yet, as I am waiting for a few final steps to be completed concerning 'that which I do not talk about' to be finished (I'll post about what is missing in my blog at a later date when these issue are finished, friends and family know what I am referring to), but for now here is my current survivalist profile, updated regularly:

PRESENT HOME: 1,200 sq/ft fully detached house in an industrial area of the city.

AGES: 40/husband 36/wife 18/son 16/son 13/son 11/son

ANNUAL INCOME: (withheld, from everyone)

PROFESSION: Webmaster/Technical Writer

INVESTMENTS: Large Pension (Provincial Based, British Columbia), small pension (federal based), small offshore investments (LLC), misc. troy silver, Large compensation pension (Provincial Crown, Ontario/Federal mixed).

We have no stocks, mutual funds, or market based investments at all we cashed out years ago and switched everything over to GIC based pensions, and paid off debts (mostly old student loans, and a bad business deal). We did have another investment in a house which tanked on us. We are almost 100% debt free as of yesterday (Oct. 8th 2008) and are now thinking about buying stocks on a limited base, only because the stock market has crashed so badly we might want some stocks in alternative energy etc,. However, buying farm land is priority number one.

VEHICLES: none. (near future plans are for the purchase of a Ford Crew Cab, 1 tonne, diesel with PVO biofuel conversion)

FIREARMS: none (have access to two hunting riffles, and a shot gun if I stay in British Columbia in the current area, before/during the move other measures will be met), near future plans include the purchase of .303 or a .223 bolt action, any simple 12g shot gun, and a small BB gun for killing rats. I don't like crossbows, but I am planning on buying two compound powers (75lbs pull) as well. If I can afford it, a .308 stainless steel bolt action is on my wish list. Hand guns have to wait to be added to the shopping list till after the election, I had two P38s before, I will likely get these again.

GEAR: Two HEPA filter masks (need four more), Large assortment of camping equipment (should actually sell some off to get what is missing), three months supply of dry foods, ceramic water filters (We have an all season creek in our backyard, and constant rainfall), completely set up to cook/bath without electricity, gas heat/electric heat, alternative heat, complete camo for entire family (including civi clothes set up with BOBs to be discarded), several well tested BOBs.

Fuel Storage: Butane for the mini stove to last our family for about two weeks, kerosene for the Coleman to last about a week, propane for the bar-b-que for two weeks.

Alternative Hideout: We have located an area within crown land that we feel will be a good temporary fall back position, I've tested surviving in the area on my own. I'm familiar with the wildlife, water sources, and fishing. It takes me three days to walk there from my current home (I do a lot of walk abouts so it is likely a four or five day trip for most other people), but we have bikes. I believe that one should be practicing survival skills in as close to real life situations as possible under the worse case you can think of, if the HEPA filters are needed to be worn during a Bug-Out, I was very surprised that it tripled the walking time. Hence was the start of taking a look for the farm more seriously, bugging out at the 11th hour is NOT practical.

POSITIVES: Not many people realize there are a few houses in this area, and I am at the end of dead end. There are no food based industries, nor industries that will likely be targeted during a collapse of society, there is also a psychophysical barrier between us and the rest of the surrounding area. We are close enough to the highway, and at the edge of the city to get a jump start out of the area if need be, plus access to several working 4x4 jeeps (legally). There is also an alternative off road access to the land I mentioned on crown access which is never patrolled by the local police.

NEGATIVES: To close to the hospital and high density populations, being close enough to a hospital is an important factor in looking for the farm, but I feel we are two close to a major one in our current situation. (Thinking SARs etc), To close to a major highway to avoid crowds leaving the city, and a major road. On flood plain, and within an earthquake zone. To far family in Ontario. Only 25% self-efficient here, compared to anything/anywhere else. Set up finances in such a way that they survived the crash of Wall street, but to much liquid funds in the pensions, should spend a large chunk on the actual land/farm soon before things tank completely.

PLANS: Waiting on one more issue before we can move, this might be a really bad thing for us, but we have no choice. However, the second the issue is resolved we are out of the city faster then the road runner. Most of this blog at the time of writing this about page is about the process.