Urban Survival Secrets

Stuck in Amsterdam

Well,

I have been in Africa for the past few weeks.  On the flight from Africa to Amsterdam I was starting to feel a little rough.  As I though was a good idea, I let the flight attendant know of my situation.  Next thing I know, they are contacting ground control, the company I was working for and the FAA in the city I was to land at in the US.  I was removed from the plane and had to get a medical clearance to travel - AHHHHHHHH

So here I am 4 hours later.  Bowels still a rumbling from something I ate at the 4 star hotel I was put up in, having to spend a night in a lousy hotel for 100 Euros (138 bucks) and had to pay 35 euros for a medical exam - that wasn’t so bad!  None the less - it puts me in 18 hours later than I wanted and gets me an appointment with a tropical diseases specialist since there is a potential for Malaria!!!

For those who do not know, there is a drug resistant strain of malaria.  What bugs me (pun intended) is that I took precautions.  I wore DEET and sprayed my clothes.  I took my meds and made sure the folks that came over with me did the same.  And what do I get?  Removed from the plane.  Nice.

When discussing with the KLM ground control agent (nice guy and a great airline) he mentioned that due to the Swine Flu, anyone who is suspect needs an exam and clearance.  If I would have known, I would have done this prior to getting on the damn plane.  Gotta love the US!!

Fortunately, I kept in my first aid kit anti diarhheal meds, aspirin, my anti malarials, and other supplies I thought was best.  Staying prepared was good as when I went in for my exam, I told the nurse the stuff I was taking and she changed my dosage so I could control my bowels.  What I did not tell her was my body was empty and I only ate broth and stuff like that to control the solids in my system.

Looking back, I still wonder the “wisdom” of my mentioning the bug I had.  I wanted to make sure that the flight crew understood on the 9 hour leg from europe to america that I might need to run to the can.  Oh well.  Weather here in Amsterdam is rainy otherwise.  I will just go get my room and crash for the eve.  Get up and grab a bite from the lounge (I got to fly business thank God!) and get the hell out of this joint!

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Update on Swine Flu

As I mentioned in my blast yesterday, the siwne flu has reached the US and according to the World Health Organization, has the potential to become a Pandemic. I hope this concerns you as an Urbansurvivalsecrets reader.

For those who do not understand the ramifications of the pandemic lable, let me explain.

A pandemic is a worldwide outbreak of a virus/disease.  It has the ability to literally wipe out large numbers of people.  An epidemic, it typically a localized issue.  Both have nasty consequences, but the pandemic is much larger.

The reason this thing becoming a pandemic is such an issue is that with our jetsetting culture, spread of infectious disease is very easy.  I can be seated in a restaurant in Denver International next to someone who has come from overseas.  As I am eating, that person is exhaling in my general area and the virus is airborne.  I continue on to Arizona and to Africa carrying the virus….. Pretty simplified and scarry.

In Mexico, 81 have died and 1300 have contracted the flu.  24 new cases were reported just yesterday alone.  Cases have been found in New York, California (San Diego), Kansas and Texas.

In Mexico, they are closing down public places left and right.  Interestingly though, the subway is still available.  Talk about being trapped in a confined space with a sick person.

A question I recieved is will a surgical mask help?  Yes, it will, provided that you have it on your head and face correctly.  You do not want gaps or anything.  3M makes a great mask model 8511.  The key is to have two straps and not one!

Another tip, wash your hands frequently.  Those hand sanitizers are not nearly as effective as hand washing.  The sanitizers also contain a goop that dries on your hands and retains the virus.  By washing, the virus is physically removed.

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Swine Flu and Urban Survial

Hey Gang

Its been a bit.  I have been getting ready to go to Africa on business for the past few weeks, not to mention having to travel to Oregon and Colorado.

As you have heard, there is a new flu virus - swine flu.  What is scary is the fact that it is it has a few strains of avian and human flu viruses. 

What can you do? 

First, watch what is going on TV/Radio.  Monitor the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov/swineflu)

Second:  Avoid travel to Mexico, Texas or California (as of now)

Third:  Avoid congested places for now - who knows.

We could be looking at a pandemic according to the World Health Organization as of this afternoon.

Please be sure to talk with you doctor/health provider.  Looks like Tamiflu is effective against everything  that this virus means.

OK, I need to review some additional info to what this flu means.  Be sure to eat well, take your vitamins and get plenty of rest <- yea, thanks mom!

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Urban Survival Gardening - a quick note

Hey All:

I was speaking with a friend who was telling me about a method of gardening called the Square Foot Gardening which produces about 3 times as much as regular row gardening.

What’s awesome about this is that you are able to constantly harvest and replant all within a decent sized container no deeper than 6 inches! It does take a special soil mix which is not too hard to put together.

He states that he feels guilty as to how productive and easy the garden is! Especially since he has it set on a drip irrigation system to ensure daily watering here in Arizona!

My Son is working on his gardening merit badge for the Boy Scouts, so we are going to try this. I will also report back on the building and soil.

Until next time, I bid you good eating and smart living

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G20, New World Order, and Food

The G20 - great now more countries are involved with the new world order.  As if I could not even comprehend this 15 years ago when I was discussing this concept with a former intelligence officer.  Face Facts:

1. Obama has no spine in world politics - a VERY WEAK LEADER IN OFFICE

2. More concerned about himself in the world view than here!

3. He is listening to that Socialist crackpot president from Brazil (interesting interview on CNN March 29th)

4. He calls the greatest country in the world arrogant.  Funny thing that we bail out everyone else in the friggin world!

5 Of the Trillion dollars committed, we (the US) are paying 80% <- and no one has said a thing about it

6. We (the US) pay the lions share of UNs Operating funds.

7. Given the above, Although we are the wealthiest country(though China is a close second), everyone wants us to be at their level and we need to stoop to their level of POVERTY.

8. Tax the rich until they are poor, reset the tax limits, tax the rich………

This is leadign us to the new world order mentioned so eloquently by Gordie Brown - YUK.  What does this mean to us?  We will need to live by international law and not US law, the Constitution will be gutted to get to International Law, and we will be a bunch of underemployed, gunless, hungry masses.  This fool of a President is allowing George Soros to pull the strings of Him, Comrad Pelosi and Gutless Harry (Ried).  This administration is so corrupt, it makes me sick.

Last week I was in a car with two left wing Dems.  One states, I am disappointed in Obama for not keeping his promises.  Which of the many.  Gitmo she responds - and goes on for a 10 minute diatribe.  I reminded her of the lack of transparency, the ongoing bail outs and his problem with finding appointees without tax issues (Who wants to work for a Tax Cheat??)  Then I listen how Bush is a war criminal…

The most interesting comment I heard was this ->  I mentioned that I Obama is our president and when push comes to shove, I will uphold and defend the Constitution and our president, the libs stated that they would not have done the same for Bush.

Then I discuss O’Riely and a few other conservative commentators - Oh, they are a bunch of blow hards…  I asked when was the last time you watched them - Never.  Ever listen to Rush - No Hannity, Levine, Savage?  No.  But the Liberal media is sooooo good.  I submit that the majority of liberals are lemmings, no matter how educated they are.  Cannot bother to read the issues, vote for feeling.  BARF!

OK, off to a new topic!

Food Storage for your Urban Survival Food Cache this week.  If you have a membership to Costco, Sam’s or a similar warehouse store, do your shopping there as it is the best bulk prices. You can also shop for some bulk items through a natural foods store as well.

What to buy:

get a large chicken bullion - 2 lb ($7.00), a bag of rice (20 pounds) not sure of price and Salt (4- 1 lb containers).  This should put you in the 20 dollar range.  Why the bullion?  It really dresses up plain flavors and lasts a long time.  Yum.

You should already have a couple of big bags of beans - 2-10 pounders.Water - lots o water (I am dumping my drums of water today and refilling. At least the garden will be happy!)

If you do not already have a propane camp stove and a few bottles, you really need to get one.  The bottles filled at a welding store or a Luv’s truck stop should be in the neighborhood of $2.50/gallon (what I saw on the Luvs sing yesterday).  The quick exchange places are pricey and are only good if you need to change your tank out due to corrosion (rust.)

Question for this week:  Do you have  a water treatment system on your house?  Reverse Osmosis or straight filtration?

Lock and Load!

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Attack of the SPAMMERS and more

Thank goodness that I have a filter for approving comments prior to posting. In the last 2 days, I have had 36 nudie spams - argh!  Then some moron who is posting for a medical assistant training center.  Nuttin about survival there, unless you are a stay at home jerker…  Now back to our regular program.

So, how is the economy treating you lately?  Have you been able to put some $$ away for a rainy day - like $20 a month?  What is your food storage like.

I recieved an email from Bob in the US the other day.  clipping his letter so he can stay anonymous (and yes, Bob is not his real name!)  Bob mentioned that he was glad that he started to follow some advise on putting food away that I gave several months back.  Specifically, he too $30 a week and bought dried goods and other staples for food storage (including dried beans.)  He took time to learn how to prepare them and spice them up => yes, herbs and spices must be in food storage.  He was glad about the discussion I had on Sprouting last May,

The result - he lost his job and income for about 6 weeks.  Fortunately, his food storage was enough to get him through the hard times.  Thankfully, he is back in work and replenishing his supplies.

I am working on a weekly program for buying food for your storage needs. I had one prior to the crash and now I have to re-invent the wheel (OK retype the booger!)  As soon as I have it done, I will send it out to everyone who is signed up for the newsletter - it will be an attachment to the new subscriber email.

Also, I am changing autoresponders in the next few weeks - the cost of aweber (who I use) is too much at this time and I am opting for a more cost effective solution.  Please bear with me as I make the change.

Keep it safe, save a few sheckels and laugh at the nay sayers - what a bunch of goofs!

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Survivng Our Govt

Ugh - without reading the stimulus bill, our congress and president passed and signed it - what a bunch of morons! fact is that it is going to cost us forever and a few generations after the Apocalypse! What is an urban survivalist to do?

1. Spend wisely. IF you need it, buy it. If you want it and dont need it, don’t buy it. If you are going to buy it, buy the best you can afford - simple in practice, hard in reality.

2. Budget to live within your means. When you budget your money - get your rainy day fund going. Budget your money to pay a little extra to get out of debt.

3. Get out of debt quickly. Take the credit card with the lowest payment and double it. Make the double payments until it is paid off. Then take that money and put it to the next card. You should be out of debt in about 3 to 4 years if you have a normal amount of debt. DON’T CONSOLIDATE YOUR LOANS.

4. Renegotiate your interest rates with the credit cards. I recieved a call from one of my cards telling me they have a special program to assist me with debt. My rate will go down to 1.9% BLAH BLAH BLAH. Fact is, take advantage of the crooks.

Lastly, think about additional ways to create income. I will provide a few, but lets stay away from the traditional pizza delivery, etc. We are a smart bunch, lets not allow the government to make us a bunch of paupers.!

CARPE DIEM!

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An Act of Protest or is it Patriotism?

Here at the Urban Survival Secrets compound, we get way too much email, spam and snail mail.  It comes from friends, relations and relatives.  Some good, some not so good.  One I received yesterday is worth rephrasing and sharing.  What does this have to do with survival you may ask?  it is about letting government know that their pathetic tax package and stimulus package is BS and is killing your wallet!

A Teabag

Like you, I am an honest, law abiding citizen!

I get up and go to work and pay my taxes, make donations
and and obey the laws.

Over the past few months, I have been disgusted about what
our government is doing. They are bailing out banks (many of which)
do not need bailing out.  They are telling the officers how much
they should be making.  They are talking about tax rebates
to all us poor souls who make less than $250,000 and
taking from the “rich” because it is patriotic. (NOTE: VP Biden - This
statement wants to make me PUKE since you are such an
ass!  I am patriotic and do not need you to tell me how
to live my life you scum sucking bottom dweller!)  Heck, the Government
cannot even get a treasury secretary who pays his taxes and blames it
on Turbo Tax - we call that operator error!  Why couldn’t Mr G get an accountant like many of us do?  Arrogant Asshole!

So in protest, just as the our Forefathers did, we need an act of Protest that will get the point across!

Just place a tea bag in an envelope and mail it to your congressman, senator and the Whitehouse.  Be sure to have a return address label on it since it will be treated as trash if you do not.  If you have the guts, place a small note with the teabag since most of our US Reps do not have enough brains to figure this out.

I figure the cost for this act of patriotism is about a buck per letter (includes envelope, stamp and tea bag).  Pretty cheap way of protesting from your own home!  All this in about 3 minutes per envelope!

Respond back to this with your thoughts!

CW

Technorati Tags: Urban Survival Secrets, Tea Bag, Protest, Taxes, Biden, Congress

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Gettin Screwed by the banks!

Over the past 24 hours, life has been hectic around the Urban Survival Secrets compound.  You see, the bank had decieded reduce our credit lines without discussing it with us.  All because I have one late card payment due to a scum client who bounced a large check to me.  Talk about a domino effect!

Fortunately, my banker and bank manager jumped on it and corrected the situation.  What happened, I had some advance checks with a 6 month, 0 percent interest rate.  We took advantage of this to preserve some capital that would take a week to get ahold of and with the DOW at less than 7000, I didn’t want to touch the investments.  So we take out $3500 of free money for my son’s car.  We even  cleared it with the bank prior to the withdrawl!  A week later we get a call from our banker about this - a friggin week later.  So last night, I get the mail and there is a notice of decrease of credit line.

So, I acted in good faith and discussed the situation with my banker.  He was pissed and took it up the ladder since we made sure that the funds were available.  In the mean time, we are getting the money back, just will take 4 days.  Great.

Lessons Learned:

1.  Advanta is a disingenuous card provider.  My card with them is a Corporate Card.  Yet the felt they needed to report a late payment on my personal credit record.  Fixes: Filed a complaint and discuss with my banker.

2. Bank credit department is a bunch of morons (Bank of America).  Needless to say, they screwed up yet my wife and I are left to clean up the mess.  Don’t worry aboout the changed credit limits after the phone calls.  Nah, we’ll screw you anyways.

3.  My Bank Manager and Account Rep are Heros!  I will be sending them a thank you gift for the overtime they put in on my account!  I got a call after 6:30 p.m. last night giving me an update.

Recommendations to my readers:  Do not trust Advanta - they are a bunch of friggin liars.  I will be paying those idiots off asap and will never work with them for a business line of credit - actually, I am never going to have another line of credit again for business purposes.

Yes, I made the mistake with taking out a credit line and actually using it.  I should have paid it off prior to the market crashing, but did not want to loose more than I did.  Oh well, lesson learned.  I am not perfect, but now 20 years of a great credit rating is shot because of Bank of Amerika credit services.

Alms for the poor!

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More Gun Control

Well, the Dems are at it again!  Now they are wanting to impose the Assault Rifle Ban.  You heard it. They have the audacity to say that they are assisting the Mexican Government with the Gun Wars.  And Pres Obama is having his watch dog Rahm Emmanual heat this up.

Folks, gun control is gun control.  I do understand the thought.  However, just as in Russia/Soviet Union,  first the guns are controlled, then the food, then the people - the perfect path to socialism.

First it was House Bill 45, now its an all out vocal acknowledgement that Assault Weapons need to be banned.  Next it will be bb guns and sling shots.

Mr. President, we are adults.  Once again, you are treating the Symptom of the illness, not the cause.  You are not looking as to controlling drug flow.  You are not looking at drugs due to your Hollywood friends enjoy too much and want dergulated.  You are not dealing with the breakdown of the family unit, pushing the youth to gangs pushing drugs.  You are not an idiot Mr. President.

To My Readers:

You need to contact your congressman again!  Go to www.house.gov and locate who they are.  Email them a short, non-ranting note opposing any gun control legislation.  If you can, donate to the NRA (www.nra.org).

We all need to avoid gun control at all costs.  If we go down this path, all we will have left is shovels (most of you do not have pitch forks!)

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