Looks Like Citizens Will Be Securing Our Borders - HUH???

Secure our borders before these guys do!

OK, so this is just my opinion, but doesn't something seem wrong here? Isn't it time our government woke up and put a big giant fence or wall or something up along ALL of our Mexican borders. Why is this so hard? We've spent billions sending men to the moon, but can't secure our own borders. And now it looks like we may spend billions more just to take care of the illegals who are crossing over every day! Just put a damn giant wall up!
And now there are at least two private groups trying to recruit citizens to go down to our borders and secure them. I smell trouble here. Not that I disagree, because something has to be done. I'm just not so sure that a bunch of private angry citizens will stay peaceful. I recall in 1969 when Hell's Angels were informally hired to act as security at a Rolling Stones concert in California (Altamont Speedway). For those that are too young to remember, it was a disaster that included stabbings murder, guns, band members being beat up, people being trampled - well, you get the idea.
There is a big difference though between Hell's Angels, who did the gig for $500 worth of free beer, and the groups that are planning on going down to secure our borders. The first group is The Minuteman Project led by Jim Gilchrist, a former US Marine. That project is called Operation Normandy, but unlike the invasion of Normandy, they do not plan on crossing the border.

Another group simple calling themselves "Patriots" are already down there in 4 locations in Texas and 3 in Arizona. They are seeking donations to purchase things such as night vision goggles and other tactical gear.
Both groups are saying that the government is not securing our borders, and somebody has to. The Minutemen Project can be reached at http://minutemanproject.com or calling them at 949-587-5199.
The other group mentioned here can be found at http://www.thethreepercenters.org

I'm not encouraging anyone to join a militia group, but simply wanted to help make people aware of the situation.
I'm just hoping and praying that maybe, just maybe our government will wake up and stop rewarding people who cross our borders illegally, and start making plans to secure our borders, before a war breaks out at them.

Illegals just strolling on in

Border Patrol Cap

Fishing and Hunting Can Be Fun

by Chris Vegvary

I’ve been fishing a couple of times in my life, but I couldn’t really appreciate it at the time. You see, I was a kid at the time, and standing or sitting around in one spot for long periods of time while waiting for a something to bite (or get stuck on a boot or some other type of trash) didn’t exactly appeal to me at the time. Not to mention that we always threw back whatever we caught, which really wasn’t too much. Now that those days are over, however, I find myself wanting to go sit in a boat somewhere and fish over the side.

I’ve never cleaned and gutted, or in any way hurt a fish, really, but I’m totally willing to learn how, because I realize at this point in my life that having certain skills can prove beneficial in the event of an apocalyptic situation, or even just in everyday life. While I’ve fired guns and rifles before, I’ve never gone hunting for a deer or anything like that. Again, though, it’s something I would be willing to try, because it’s an important survival skill. Probably not something you think about too much when you’re a kid, but I think that the sooner you realize and come to appreciate activities like hunting and fishing, the better.

I wish that my childhood had consisted of some form of hunting where I would take down a deer, skin it and do all the good, horrifying stuff that you have to do in order to make it edible, and then serve up some venison for dinner. Also, it would be nice to catch a decently sized fish of some kind and fry it up to eat after properly removing all the nasty stuff and making it ready for human consumption. That, or stick it on a plaque, mount it above the fireplace, and watch it sing and dance when I tell it to. Can’t say I’d mind having a large deer head also mounted above the fireplace, looking off to the side slightly as if it heard something right before it got taken out.

I’m not a huge fan of venison or fish, but if a situation came along to force me into eating these things for survival, I could make do. What I wish I could do, however, is make my own barbecue sauce in the wild, because that’s what I need on my venison to make it less tough. Also, I require my fish to be seasoned and cooked to perfection, restaurant-style…but I can live with just normal, fully-cooked fish and barbecue sauce made out of deer or elk blood. I refuse to let this go down any other way.

For some of the best in hunting and fishing supplies out there, I invite you to take a look around at the merchandise geared towards those very things over at www.armynavyshop.com.

Artificial Limbs Have Come a Long Way

by Chris Vegvary

Remember back in the days of yore, when people would replace their lost limbs with wooden pegs or hooks? I suppose hooks are still around, and then there’s wooden and rubber limbs, and all other kinds of materials, but at any rate, we really are living in the future these days. For instance, now we’ve got artificial limbs that are robotic, have the same exact proportions of a person’s normal-sized hand, and is controlled by the user’s brain. Does that not freak you out? It’s spectacular for someone who’s lost a limb, though, like a disabled veteran, or someone who’s been in a bad accident.

Technology has come a long way, and it just keeps coming. How long will it be before the first artificial limb becomes a weapon of some kind, whether it be projectile or melee? That kind of technology can’t be that far away, what with the ability to control robotics with the mind and all. I can’t imagine the prototype for that sort of thing would work out too well for the test subject, but once it was perfected (assuming no one died from the testing phases), that could really be something. A rocket launcher attached to your arm, or a chainsaw, or even a massive harpoon could make for some interesting times, do you deny that? You needn’t bother.

But if your brain can control the robotic limb, is there also some way to make the robotic limb feel the sensation of touch? And, if there is somehow a way to make a person regain their sense of touch through robotics and such, will that also bring back any sense of pain caused by damage to the artificial limb? These are the questions I need answered before I go accidentally losing a limb and paying a dangerous amount of money in order to have all my parts again, whether they be real or real enough. If technology still isn’t there yet, I suppose I can live with that, because it’s really just a matter of time until we have everything we need to make it all happen. In reality, though, if I absolutely had to have a robotic arm, I’d have to insist on it not having the ability to make me feel pain.

What can this mean for the FUTURE of the future of artificial limbs? Could we be just a head with an entirely artificial body? I don’t see how it’s possible, but the future scientists of the world out there might have some ideas. If I go bald one day, could I possibly get some artificial hairs in the form of tiny robotic strands that grow like natural hair? How would that look? That’s right, it WOULD be awesome. In summation, technology is getting better all the time, and they can apparently rebuild you better, stronger, faster, and…stuff. And by the way, if you happen to like stuff, boy have I got some stuff for you. Come check out all these spectacular military clothes, hunting and camping gear, Zippos, wallets, and more we have over at www.armynavyshop.com and get yourself some good whatnot.

Cheating on Nuclear Reactor Tests?

by Chris Vegvary

You like to feel safe in your comfortable little home or apartment, or wherever it is you live, don’t you? You enjoy the safe feeling you get knowing that there’s people out there that are strictly looking out for your interests, because they know what they’re doing, don’t they? I don’t know about you, but I’m starting to believe that they DON’T all know what they’re doing, especially when I hear things like, for instance, over thirty sailors in the US Navy have been caught cheating on nuclear reactor tests.

First of all, why the hell would you cheat on something like that? I don’t have all the information on what it takes to be in charge of a nuclear reactor, or even what it takes to work on one, but I’m pretty sure that those things can be dangerous in the hands of people who don’t know what they’re doing. You’re not just putting your life in danger with that kind of crap, you’re putting a lot of people at risk, pretending you know how operate a submarine’s nuclear reactor. What’s the appeal in cheating, anyway? Do you get paid more? If so, then money truly is the root of all evil.

But don’t think this is all just on the Navy, because as it turns out, at least ninety-two nuclear missile launch officers in the US Air Force were also caught cheating on monthly tests. What the hell? Why…? I can’t wrap my head around the reason that some of the people who are supposed to look out for us and protect us, or in some cases, the ones that make decisions for us (I’m talking to you, politicians), decide to endanger us all for pretty much no reason. How do we, as a country of people, stop this kind of thing from happening? The problem is, when someone gets in trouble like this, there’s a lot of waiting for any kind of punishment, or there’s no punishment at all. In fact, it seems like in most cases, throwing enough money at a problem like that will just make it go away.

When do we hold people accountable for this type of thing? How can we make it so that instead of a long, drawn-out process that will probably end with nothing bad happening to the guilty party or parties, they are immediately held accountable for the horrible lies they tell in order to make more money or have more power? Just once, I’d like to see someone who has screwed over the American people and put us in danger go to jail for a sentence equal to all the sentences for the lesser crimes that people commit and get sentenced to life for.

Of course, I’m not saying there's anything bad about the military in general; quite the opposite, in fact. For instance, there’s something like 16,000 sailors in the Navy and most of them work hard and are to be respected, and they are not representative of the tiny percentage that makes up the people that cheated. Yes, it was only a few people in the grand scheme of things, but one person is all it takes to do some serious damage. What if this is part of some kind of terrorism plot, did anyone think about that? I’d say this warrants a full investigation by the Navy AND the Air Force.

While I’m probably not likely to be satisfied in that respect anytime soon, YOU, the reader, may be satisfied in showing your support in one or more branches of the military. Have a family member out there protecting us? Show some support by checking out all the military-based clothing, survival and camping gear, and all kinds of other military items at www.armynavyshop.com.

Homelessness and Military Veterans

by Chris Vegvary

One thing I can’t understand is why there are so many military veterans out there without homes. Not just without homes, but living out there on the streets, struggling for survival, sleeping in parks or trash or wherever they can find that’s warm enough to keep them alive for the night. I just don’t get it. I’m all for equality among people and everything, but these people have served in the military and then kind of just discarded by anyone in a position to really do anything to stop it from happening. Honey Boo-Boo gets a reality TV show and becomes a celebrity for being whatever it is they’re supposed to be, but meanwhile, there’s a Vietnam veteran that got his legs blown off wheeling himself around on the sidewalk asking for change because he doesn’t have anything. Is anyone else disgusted by this?

I’ve never been homeless, but I know people who have been, and I’ve been told it’s not fun. I don’t need to go through something like that to know it’s not a good experience, and I think that probably goes for almost everyone else out there in the world. So why do we ignore the people who have helped keep the country (and by extension, us) safe when they’re asking for help? Yeah, you can throw them a little bit of change as you walk by on your way to wherever it is you’re in a hurry to, but that change is only going to go so far.

Luckily, cities like Phoenix and Salt Lake City are joining in on a plan to end homelessness among veterans. I lived in Phoenix, and while Arizona seems to have its share of problems (corrupt police officers and officials, high crime rate, etc.), this is a step in the right direction. I’ve never been to Salt Lake City and know nothing about the place, but I’m glad they’re stepping up and doing something about this issue that’s been going on probably since the beginning of war, I’m sure.

This blog isn’t intended to be a guilt trip, but an eye-opener. However, if you do feel a twinge of guilt as you look over all these words, then maybe you have a reason for it. Why not give a little extra change (or a couple dollar-dollar bills, y’all) to the next veteran you see on the side of the road holding a sign asking for help? They helped you, whether you realize it or not, and I’d say it’s about time to start repaying the favor in some way. Let’s get everyone out there a home. I know it can be done, but the naysayers will tell us it can’t. Anything can be done, but it’s a matter of whether people are willing to get up off their lazy asses and actually do something instead of sitting there and telling everyone why it won’t work.

Camping Tools – What I Would Bring

by Chris Vegvary

As you may know from one of my previous blogs (entitled “Is Camping Fun?”), I’m not big on camping. I believe I’ve been camping a total of three or four times in my life, but I’m not really sure. What I am sure of is that I didn’t like it one bit. Turns out I like technology too much to just go off the grid for a couple of days out in the wilderness. Chances are that I won’t be going camping again anytime soon, but if there is ever a possibility that I may have to, I’ve made a list of the things I’d like to bring along with me.

For starters, I have no idea how to start a fire, and I imagine I’d have no luck in making one by rubbing two sticks together, no matter how long I tried. Therefore, I’d probably want to take something like this Swedish Firesteel Scout, which is good for three thousand strikes and works for starting a fire in any weather. Some may consider this more survivalist or somehow “cheating” in some way, but guess what? If I need to start a fire real quick, I’ll have that option, whereas we’ll see how long it takes you to rub two sticks together. Bring it.

You know what I don’t like at all? Insects. Especially the ones that bite and leave itchy red marks, and that is encountered a lot when you’re out camping. Don’t deny it, don’t tell me you love the thrill of nature or anything weird like that. Instead, I would say to you that you need to try some form or brand of insect repellant to keep the hungry little critters from devouring you throughout the day and night. You think it’s not worth it now? Wait until you wake up being carried off by some pretty serious-looking ants the size of club bouncers, then come talk to me about not wanting to keep bugs away. It’s a real eye-opener.

Lastly, but not leastly, I want to know where I’m going at all times. People like myself aren’t going to know where the crap to look for the North Star, or how to use the sun to tell which direction I’m going. Getting lost in the woods is not appealing to me, what with all the…you know, nature and whatnot. Also, I like to know what time it is. However can I combine the two to make something that will tell me the time as well as which direction I’m headed? Oh, how about BOOM: here’s a military field watch with a compass attached to it. Were you expecting THAT? Of course you were, you’re always two steps ahead of me.

So while I don’t foresee any possible future where I’ll be camping anytime in the near future, I realize that it could happen, and if so, I want to be prepared for it. Hopefully, if you’re like me and have no idea what to bring on a camping trip, this article may have helped you to be ready for whatever comes. Just remember to keep the bugs away.

Military Clothing for Cold Weather

by Chris Vegvary

If you’re like me, you don’t really care where your clothing comes from, as long as it’s clean (and in most cases, new), fits well, and keeps you warm when you need to be. Unfortunately for those of us with thin blood, winter is here and that means cold weather. While this is all going on out there in the world, I figured it might help if you took a look at some military clothing to help you out during these cold times.

First things first: you want a decent jacket that’s going to help you keep warm when you’re out in the snow. I submit to you that this snorkel parka can help do the job, what with its water-repellent nylon shell a fur trim hood. Not too shabby, I’d say, and it’s something I’d rather have than my current jacket. Warm enough, but too large for me. With this, the snow melting on you would just turn to water and roll off the jacket, which is more than enough reason for me to want one.

Next up, I would say you probably want a good pair of gloves. I don’t know about you, but when my hands get cold, I find it hard to function, especially if I have to drive or anything. With that in mind, and the possibility of having to thrust your hand into some snow in order to open a vehicle door, for example, I would go with the Seal Skinz Chillblocker Gloves, which not only provide protection from the cold with many layers, but they are also waterproof. Not too shabby if you happen to drop your keys into a snow mound or something of the like.

But in order to keep most of your body heat in, a jacket and gloves might not be enough. Sure, there’s snow boots and snow pants, but even that might prove to be less than you want. When it gets cold, you want to wear as many layers as you can. I suppose that actually depends on the situation you’re in, but you might consider wearing something thermal. In that case, I would recommend these selections of military thermal underwear to really help keep in the warmth.

While that stuff in itself might not be enough to keep you warm, in particular, well…at least it’s a start. It’s military clothing, but the items I’ve listed seem warm enough and water-resistant enough, and if I had the money to spend, you can bet that’s how I’d be dressing this winter. While I’ll have to make do with what I have, if you can spend the extra money, it would probably be worth it this winter, what with the temperature being -20 degrees in some places. Just saying.

Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 5

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

Alright, this time aliens have invaded the Earth. After a devastating air assault, followed by a ground assault to wipe out any remaining resistance, the world is pretty much done at this point. However, you and probably some other have survived. Do you have a kerosene lamp with plenty of fuel and extra wicks? Hopefully you read this article in time and prepared for the worst. It’s likely the alien attacks will have wiped out all or most forms of communication, as well as electrical devices, meaning no lights and no heat.

What if there is also some kind of biological contagion released in the air? It’s possible that this contagion spreads quickly, causing its victims to either die a slow, painful death, or possibly mutate into horrific creatures. Either way, you don’t want to catch it. There’s one way to make sure that doesn’t happen: get yourself a gas mask and some extra filters for it. The last thing you want when leading the rebellion against the aliens is to end up falling prey to their nasty future weapons, and all possibilities should be considered. We don’t want to underestimate them, that’s what got us in this situation in the first place.

Since electronics won’t work due to no electricity, it’s possible that the aliens’ attacks did not corrupt every single electronic device on the planet. Clinging to that hope, you’ve kept items like your cellphone and maybe an iPod handy so that the world will have some form of music in the future, despite what your preferences regarding that may be. You’ll have no way to charge any devices, though, right? Wrong, I tell you. With this solar charger, all you’ll need to get all that stuff working again is the sun. The only issue will arise if they have already thought that far ahead, and either wipe out any chance of electronics working across the globe, or they block out the sun. Either way is terrifying.

Now you’re a little better prepared in case this horrible future ever comes to pass. But if we plan now, maybe we won’t need to stock up on these kinds of items. It’s always good to be prepared, so I would think that if aliens DO attack anytime in the near future, you’re going to be ready to lead us all to a brighter tomorrow by surviving the apocalypse and wasting some alien scum.

Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 4

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

Let’s say that this time around, there’s been a massive flood that wipes out most, if not all, land out there. For some reason or another (maybe you were in a boat or something), you were lucky enough to get away from the rising tide and survive. Not only that, but you were able to get some of your survival gear, which in this case includes a plastic matchbox full of wooden, “strike anywhere” matches. Not that they’ll necessarily help you out in this event, seeing as all land could be submerged underwater at this point, but there’s always a possibility. Let me put it this way: you’d rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it. I mean, it’s the end of the world here, right?

You know what else might be good in this situation? Some waterproof clothing. The last thing you want in a world full of water is to go around wearing something wet. While you’ll always be out there among the water now that the world works that way, there are ways of making it easier on you. Consider, if you will, this pair of Sealskinz Waterproof All Season Socks to keep the water from soaking your feet, hence, keeping you from being colder than you no doubt already are. It may not be the first thing you think of, but I’m confident that something like this will help out in this horrifying watery new world.

While there are many things out there to consider in this situation, it might also be prudent to keep a journal of your thoughts through these dreary apocalyptic days. But let’s keep in mind that you may be on a rickety boat or raft, and no matter how much you write, the water eventually soaks your notebook, making it all a waste of effort. Ah ha, though…you thought ahead and brought a whole bunch of pens and whatnot, but you also got a waterproof notebook so that this end-of-the-world scenario can be ever so slightly less bleak.

No matter how you look at it, the end of the world is going to be a bad thing. Rioting, looting, murder, and worse…what can we do? We can consider many, if not at some point eventually ALL, of the possibilities that may lie ahead. This may not be what you’re looking for, but hopefully it helps you in some small way to prepare.

Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 3

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

A hole has opened up in the earth, and strange, Lovecraft-ian monsters are pouring out from another dimension. Think In the Mouth of Madness, or Stephen King’s The Mist. Chances of survival in a situation like that may not be very high, but there are ways to increase your odds. For instance, here you can find a Camper’s Sure Pak, which comes with twelve meals and a flameless ration heater so you can stay warm. Be sure to stock up on rations, because without food, you’re going to have to go out in search of some, and you risk being attacked by giant tentacled creatures or other desperate survivors.

You may run out of electricity fairly quickly, especially if these monsters are smart and disable power grids and such. It’s a possibility we can’t rule out, and we have to be as prepared as we can be. Luckily, there’s such a thing as a wind-up flashlight that might just come in handy for this type of situation. It can provide eight minutes of light per charge, but again, stock up on these, because if you break one…well, you’re probably not going to want to let it get broken. Running past creatures in the dark is not fun.

Let’s say you don’t have a flashlight that works, not even a wind-up one. You need to see what’s going on out there in the dark, maybe you even need to see something that’s a good distance away, but you’ve got no way to see anything without a flashlight, right? Wrong. While you could simply go out there without a source of light and just hope for the best, it’s not recommended, because you may get torn apart or eaten (or both). Stay low and stay hidden, and pull out your night-vision binoculars to get the view you need without exposing your position to the beasts.

This may not be a likely scenario, but you can’t really discount anything when it comes to the end of the world. We know that if it happens, it’s going to be devastating, but hopefully I’ve imparted even the slightest bit of wisdom to anyone who will listen, regardless of whether any of this stuff comes to pass or not. Don’t thank me…I feel like it’s my job to help.

Survival Items: What You Might Need – Part 2

by Chris Vegvary

What kind of survivalist are you? Do you think that the supposedly pending apocalypse will come from nuclear devastation of some kind, or do you believe it might start with a zombie attack? Whatever you believe in terms of how it’s all going to end, you’re going to need the gear to help you survive the aftermath. There are many items to consider, and in this article, we’ll consider a survival situation and what you might need in that instance.

This time, the world has been devastated by an EMP attack. That’s electro-magnetic pulse, for you non-techies out there. All forms of communication, every electronic device, and most, if not all vehicles, have been disabled. What’s a person to do? Not wallow in self-pity, that’s for sure. Let’s consider some food first. Your fridge won’t work anymore, so all the food in there is spoiled. Luckily, you have some emergency food rations that have a five-year shelf life. These should provide you with enough nutrients and other important such and such to keep you moving during the day and resting at night, or vice-versa, depending on the situation.

Next up, you may want to find a way to stay warm. You know that when there’s no power, there’s no air conditioning for hot days and there’s no heat during the winter. How are you going to stay warm? You could pile on plenty of layers of clothing, but that may not be enough sometimes, and you’re going to want to consider starting a nice fire to stay warm by. This Zippo doubles as a lighter and a hand warmer, which can provide up to 12 hours of warmth with one filling. Just make sure you’re stocked up on lighter fluid, because that might be hard to come by once the looting begins (and it will).

Let’s also pretend for a second that you’re not as interested in survival after the apocalypse as you are concerned about being clean. With no running water, there’s not going to be any showers or any hose water for you to wash up with, so you may be relying on toilet water. That doesn’t sound too pleasant, does it? It doesn’t. It might behoove you to stock up on certain items that can keep you clean, because you’re just not too likely to find any working baths, so maybe stockpile a bunch of these “shower in a towel” items.

These few items are just the tip of the iceberg, but if you read this today and the apocalypse happens tomorrow, hopefully you will have gained some small amount of knowledge and use what you’ve learned to keep you alive until the next apocalypse. It could be fun…but it won’t be.

Christmas Wants Your Attention

by Chris Vegvary

It looks like Christmas is just around the corner again. What’s up with that? It’s almost as if it happens every year. Regardless, you can’t very well just set up your tree and then have nothing to put under it, can you? Of course not. With that in mind, here comes a whole bunch of suggestions for those of you who are military, or have military family or friends, or even if you just think some of it looks cool.

If you follow this link, you’ll find a good number of items for you to browse through, but allow me to tell you what’s in store for you there. You know anyone who collects Zippos? There’s a category for all kinds of military-style Zippos, and there are some really great designs on a lot of them. You may prefer one (or more) of the engraved ones, which I would also prefer. No offense to other Zippos, but I find those to be nicer looking. Or perhaps you know someone in need of a good military watch? They have plenty of those.

If you’re looking for the kids, or maybe someone you know who collects military-style games and playsets, then you may be interested in something like these army games and toys. With items like toy guns, playing cards, and boomerangs, what is there not to love? While a boomerang might not be your first choice for a younger child, the military playsets look pretty fun. Don’t be afraid to love them all, because the prices are pretty low on all of it.

But if you’re in the market for something a little more adult, then there’s plenty of that to go around. For instance, there is a category for novelty flasks, featuring military symbols or logos like ARMY, or the Marine Corps. logo, and even Spanish wine botas. Who still drinks out of those? Apparently, anyone can, because they’re sold here. As you can see by the picture off to the side, there’s even more interesting designs, such as a flask resembling a miniature gas can.

You’re going to have a good Christmas, or maybe you’re only going to have a decent one, but with the items offered in the links throughout the article, you’ll get a lot without having to pay a lot. It doesn’t have to be a Christmas that breaks your wallet, because you need something you like, or that you hope others will like, within your budget. There are so many other great items for military-minded people that can be found throughout the site, including clothing and survival gear, so take a look around and you’re sure to find something that suits you.

Why Do People Like to Go Camping?

by Chris Vegvary

For the life of me, I can’t understand what people find so appealing about living off of nature. Sure, at some point after the zombie apocalypse, or whatever apocalypse is coming, we’re all going to have to fend for ourselves and not be able to rely on technology, but until that day comes, I enjoy the luxuries of living in a home. Those of you who like to be outside with nature more often than not, however, might have to carry around insect repellant to keep bugs from bothering you. Why put up with the hassle? And with no electricity, the only light source you might have is a kerosene lamp. Doesn’t sound like good times.

Maybe you carry an LED lantern, though, but how are you going to charge it in the wilderness? You’re not, that’s how, because there’s no outlets out there. Lucky for you, though, technology has come far enough to give us things like foldable solar chargers and other things of that nature. Do you realize that when camping, you run the risk of coming face-to-face with some of the worst creatures nature has to offer? I suppose it all depends on where you’re at. If you find yourself staring down a bear that’s decided it wants what you’ve got, maybe it would be a good idea to have yourself some bear mace to spray it with. While I would personally never get close enough to mace a bear, you might be the type of person who enjoys that sort of thing. If that’s the case, I’d like to see that someday. Just don’t go out there without the things you need to get by.

The Search For a Good Zippo

by Chris Vegvary

When I look for a Zippo lighter, I never look for the right things. There’s plenty of imitations out there, and I’ve been suckered a couple of times. Admittedly, I look for a good design that’s appealing to my eye without paying attention to the little details. For instance, does the flame stay lit in the wind? As in, if I were dropping it from a certain height into a crowd of zombies standing in a pool of gasoline, should I be worried the flame is going to go out before it reaches its intended target? These are the things I should be thinking about when searching for a Zippo.

Design is still important, but the finer details make all the difference. The imitations that would have you believe they’re real Zippos look the same, but they don’t function exactly the same. The lighter fluid runs out faster, and the wick seems almost flame-resistant. That should not be. At some point, the flint will probably snap off, too, and then it becomes completely useless to me, because I’m lost when it comes to replacing part for a lighter. After all, it’s just a lighter.

However, Zippos aren’t just lighters. They can be your best friend if you end up in a completely dark place with no other source of light, like a flashlight. They can help you start a fire in the wilderness when you don’t have survival tools. It’s hard to tell the difference between the fakers and the real thing sometimes, but if you follow the links throughout the article, you’ll find the real deal available for purchase.

The Importance of a Good Survival Knife

by Chris Vegvary

You know what’s fun? Knives. Not that it’s fun to let children play with or anything, but us adults can enjoy the look, feel, and uses of a good blade. Whether it’s a rubber knife for training or a military-style machete for chopping brush out of the way, knives, blades, and survival items of the like are so important when you’re out there in the wilderness. You may not think it when you’re at home packing for a hunting trip or something, but when you get there, you might wish you had. What could be the reason for that? What if some crazy animal comes out of the woods looking to make you its next meal? That right there is a good reason to carry a knife, even if it’s only for self-defense.

It’s good to have a blade with some chopping power behind it, so keeping it covered and sharpened is important. If you don’t believe me, just go ask Bear Grylls, who is apparently one of the experts when it comes to surviving in the wild. Some of the knives he sells come with important survival tools other than just a knife, including fire starters. Think about being stuck out there in nature with no way home, and all you have is your Bear Grylls survival knife. It’s getting cold and you need warmth. Pull out the fire starter hidden away in the handle and boom, instant campfire (some assembly required). Just remember that it’s always smart to have a good survival knife any time you go out for more than a day.