New York, New York

well, here goes.
first off back to work for a bit, just a few months but it beats the ass raping I have endured up till now trying to utilize the system.  I'll be whining again in a few months.

     There is an eye opener for everyone everywhere.  better yet another eye opener.  New York, New Jersey... Superstorm Sandy.  As a disclaimer It's unfortunate that people lost their lives and homes, and although some of it could have surely been avoided  some of it is unavoidable, but honestly, and with no disregard to human life, the losses are fairly low compared to similar events happening elsewhere around the world.  the earthquake in hati kills thousands, the one in la during the world series killed somethign like 4 people.  then there is the tsunami all those years ago during the holidays, hundreds of thousands people killed.  how about the Japanese earthquake that wreaked havoc all over the nuclear power plants. 

     Here in America we had all those folks lose their houses to Katrina.  they openly mocked common sense, said the hurricanes always go around, and they were the victims of poorly maintained inadequate levees and barriers.  tragic loss indeed.  then it happened again.  Aparently after you lose one house built 13 feet under sea level to a tropical storm and massive flood a lightbulb doesnt go off for some folks.  I understand ties to the area and not wanting to move, it's why I still live in the economically dismal michigan) but what the hell does it take to make you realize some things are a bad idea. 




    


     Then comes Superstorm sandy.  that weathersystem put a beating on New York, New Jersey and several other areas like they have never seen before.  subways flooded, buildings burst into flames, tragic loss of lives.  I can't help but think some of it could have been avoided with some preparation and planning.  Given the ammount of folks without power and the cold nights and lack of resources I'll bet it'll get a bit worse before it gets better.   don't get all bitchy because I say what needs to be said.  take any country boy give him 5 minutes to fill a school sized backpack with stuff he ownes and chances are he'll be able to feed himself and survive for a given ammount of time wherever.  take the city boy who relies on everyone else for everythign else and he won't make it a week.  i'd say he wouldnt make it a day but it usually takes a little longer to starve to death.





     That brings me to this weeks sermon.  People need to be prepared.   I'm not talking about trying to secure a spot on the laughably funny doomsday preppers, or arming up for a zombie apocalypse.  Living in Michigan, I think "What happens if we lose power for a week or two in the middle of February due to a massive snowstorm, similar to what hit northern NY stat and similar areas last year?"  most people shop for groceries about a week at a time, but say the storm hits around shopping day and they have to live on what they have in their house for 2 weeks.  are they smart enough to fill up jugs of water and the tub as soon as power goes out, can they heat their house, cook?  do they realize stores will likely be closed and gas stations can't pump gas?  I live out of town so I have a well, and I know how to make it work without power if need be, but i can almost assure you no one around me does.  start small, buy an extra dozen cans of vegetables when they are on sale 2 for $1.  buy a few extra boxes of pasta.   maybe a small camping stove, and throw a package of disposable lighters in there.  use your heads folks.

     In all honestly though, I think preparing for a short term disaster should involve plans for not so short term but I won't get into that.  I honestly wouldn't think New york would get massive flooding and fires, I figure they would have fallen to another terrorist attack or rioting over some stupid crap. (remember the UK riots, are you ready for a week living in fear of going out at night, plus having to worry if someone is going to torch your apartment because they got bored looting the retail shop on the base floor?)

     Have you ever been to a yard-sale and seen a good blanket at a fair price? how about a wool sweater? bet some of those folks on the coast would like an extra blanket on these cold nights with no sign of power restoration.  How about candles.  I get every candle I can at yard-sales, not the fru fru smelly ones so much but the tall slender candles.  they burn a bit brighter, just not as long.   lots of folks over they are sitting at home during the night in the cold and the dark.  no place open to buy flashlights, batteries or candles for that matter.

     Like the looks of the gridlocked traffic and folks pushing and shoving their way onto the buses?  or the fact that the subways can only go so far because some tunnels are still flooded or without power.   here the Bicycle reigns supreme, anyone that knows me knows I love bikes.  you can scout around and find a discarded or neglected bike for free, then spend some elbow grease and a few bucks on tires and tubes and you have instant, gridlock free transport.  I'd also be willing to bet if you had a generic big box bike you could sell it for double your money in times of crisis.  don't feel bad either, you are taking money from folks whose opinion of you and your bike ranked right up there with homeless window washing guy.

     I just heard some city officials pleading for much needed supplies, food, water, blankes, and fuel.  start small, even a copy paper box full of stuff that doesn't expire for a couple years might save your life.  if it gets close to the expiration date and all is well, give it to the food bank and fill another box.  that way your world and the world of someone else can be a little better