Category Archives: Blog

What are your goals for the coming year as related to Self-reliance, Personal Sovereignty and Security?

Striving for Self-Reliance

The process of becoming more self-reliant or sovereign is not a short one if you are of average or even slightly above average income and means.  This process can be as involved, costly and complicated as you make it or it can be relatively simple depending on your goals.  It starts with the right mindset and a commitment to making it a reality in your lifestyle.  Be assured this is a lifestyle, not something you do for recreation.

I believe the thought processes involved in leading a person down this path of greater self-reliance are complicated.  It also requires one to be a bit of a critical thinker and at least partially capable of seeing issues from an objective viewpoint rather than just subjective.  Far too many of us, myself included, find ourselves totally wrapped up in day to day living, taking care of business and we at least temporarily lose sight of the bigger picture.

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Set New Year Goals

Now is the time to set new year goals for yourself

Every new year, people set multiple resolutions, vow to follow them 100%, work really hard at it for a few days, then inevitably have a small slip.  Instead of just reacting to the slip-up and correcting any factors that may cause it again, they fall totally off the wagon and vowing to start the whole process over again in 1 week, 1 month, or maybe even next year.

This is not the way to improve yourself.

Set goals, not resolutions.  It is 2014 – so for simplicity, set 14 goals for yourself.  Try to not focus on more than one at a time.  Sure, if you are wanting to improve your diet, every nutritious item you add is important.  But only focus on that goal when you have a good chance of really attacking it and changing it from a goal into an acquired life habit.

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Choosing a Handgun – A Firstimer’s Experience

The Preamble

I should state up front that although I am not new or inexperienced with firearms, I am however new to the world of handguns.  Ever since I can remember I’ve had a distinct fascination with guns in general and pistols are no exception.

I had the privilege of growing up around firearms, primarily rifles and shotguns.  I remember the first time I heard the report of my Dad’s .30-30 Winchester Model 94 lever gun…I was probably five years old and was hooked!  I shot .22 short as a young kid at camp and had a .177 cal AR-15 style air rifle from about 10 years old.  I had toy guns galore and I used to shoot my air rifle with great enthusiasm as a young fella.

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Choosing My Rifle and Caliber – Or did it choose me?

I purchased my first Remington at the tail end of last winter.  I wasn’t sold on one manufacturer or particular model of firearm.  I was looking to upgrade from my old right hand Savage Model 340 in 30-30 Winchester to something left handed, faster, flatter shooting and a more modern style.  I inherited the Savage from my wife’s grandfather several months before he passed away from cancer in the mid-90’s.  It always was and still is more of a sentimental hand-me-down than a useful hunting rifle due to the fact it’s the wrong hand for me.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 30-30 cartridge.  In fact, if you were taking a deer under 200 yards, which is more the norm than the exception I understand, then 30-30 is the perfect round.  It has much less recoil than larger caliber rifle cartridges (that I can verify) and has more than enough kinetic energy due to the 150 grain or especially the 170 grain bullet to take a large buck in one shot…even with a poorly placed shot.  Sounds like my kind of cartridge!

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Federal Government Bans Incandescent Bulbs

The Canadian Federal Government Bans Incandescent Bulbs

Starting 01 January 2014, there is a ban on standard incandescent light bulbs with an output of 75W and 100W.  I had totally forgotten about this, since the discussions were seven years ago.  But now I see that this is still set to take effect in the new year.  40W and 60W are set to be off the shelves by the end of 2014.

The goal is to displace the use of incandescent bulbs with the more expensive compact fluorescent CFL bulbs.  This is still the direction that they are going, even though there is still much controversy on their efficiency claims, bulb life expectancy, and disposal concerns (these bulbs contain Mercury).

Personally, I feel there is a place in the house for both CFL bulbs and traditional incandescent.  I’m not an opponent of energy efficiency or protecting the environment.  But sometimes we are blind by trying to optimize for only one variable.

My go-to source for information on this has been a recent Globe & Mail Article:  Federal Incandescent Light Bulb Ban Set to Start in New Year

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Question: What Are The Top Five Must Haves for your BOB (Bug-Out-Bag)?

The five items you need to have with you for bugging-out BOB or for emergencies

My top 5 never change much – except for the time of year:

#1 – Water filtration / purification tabs (summer #1 / winter #2)

#2 – Fire Starter or Tinder & Striker Kit (winter #1 / summer #2)

#3 – Knife (tactical folder)

#4 – Space blanket (will double as a poncho to keep the water off too)

#5 – Emerg food / water rations (small packs)

What’s in your bug-out-bag?

Schools Teach Conformity Quote

Jack Spirko: “Schools Teach Conformity”

“Schools teach conformity.  Schools are not designed to educate.  Education is about teaching people to learn.  Schools are designed to breed conformity.

Everybody sit in a desk in a nice straight line.  Put your head down and take a nap when you’re told.  Be on time or you’re in trouble.  Learn at the same speed as the person next to you – even if the person next to you is a friggin’ moron!  It’s fair, it’s fair that Johnny is a dumb ass and Timmy is smart and that Timmy has to slow down his learning unless Timmy goes into a special place for the accelerated gifted child.  Where he will work harder and get the same.”

– Jack Spirko / The Survival Podcast episode 1269

High River Gun Grab

Updates to my thoughts on the High River gun grab

I had previously published some softer thoughts on the flooding in Alberta and the High River gun grab.  I still don’t want to make this into the usual cop-bashing “right to bear arms” rant, but I am more troubled by this than I was before.

 

What has changed in me?

Well first I want to say that we are allowed to change our minds, or even just allow our opinions to evolve somewhat.  In fact, I encourage it.  Not being open-minded and just sticking to your opinion because you’re afraid to keep looking at facts is just plain bad.  This is what leads to bigotry.

I definitely feel more negative about this RCMP gun grab than I did in the past.  Mostly because I have taken the CFSC & CRFSC – Canadian (Restricted) Firearms Safety Course.  The rules surrounding firearm storage are exact and easily understood.

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Christmas Gift Ideas

It’s that time of the year again where we are constantly looking for good Christmas gift ideas.

But what should you the the loved ones in your life?  Things that they will enjoy and will help promote self-sufficiency.  They may not be a homesteader, prepare, modern survivalist, etc – and they don’t have to be to make the most of the right gifts.

However, a gift is pretty useless if it doesn’t appeal to the person you give it to.  Choose wisely!

Some of my Christmas gift ideas:

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5.11 Tactical Rush MOAB 10 Unboxing & First Look

My first impressions of the Rush MOAB 10

Over the years I have tried a number of different bags for my everyday carry and laptop.

Messenger style shoulder bags, backpacks, and laptop sleeves – I’ve tried a lot of different combinations.  Things are more difficult because I have a 17″ MacBook Laptop – many packs and bags are meant more for 15″ units.  For about the past five years, I have used a Targus backpack that would take my large laptop.  It’s EDC capabilities were ok, but it was gear more just for the laptop, a book, and some documents.

I’ve also had a decent Oggi EDC backpack that my employer gave me.  I was better for carrying items (first aid, food, small jacket, flash light, multitool, etc.) and was pretty heavy-duty.  But the layout still wasn’t quite what I was looking for.  Plus my laptop wouldn’t fit, so I had to use a sleeve with handles.

So I decided to take a close look at the Rush MOAB 10 by 5.11 Tactical

Click here for Pricing and Reviews from Amazon

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