Checking in: Survival of the Fitest

Something has me distracted from writing a little the last few days. I don't know if I mentioned it before in "writing what you know" or not... But my father is a conspiracy theorist, former USAF, that whole boy scout "Be Prepared" has been a part of my life going back forever, and after six months living halfway across the country away from him it started to really hit me with the elections and "12/21/2012" exactly how unprepared I am.

I cannot believe that I moved to a place that is more than 200 miles from my nearest relative, and 1500 miles from my immediate family, and did not bring a gun. With the recent hoopla after the Sandy Hook shootings and the crack downs that may end up taking that right from me. I caved in and took the last few days off building my Bug-Out-Box.

Dad would be proud I'm sure. I only have the basics at the moment because space is at a premium, laying in food and water is not a luxury available to me, and I'm not certain I would want to lay in too much anyways, Dad always said it was harder to hit a moving target, and when you have too much it gets harder to move. I need to get him to ship me my Rifle while I work on acquiring a 9mm and a .223 and appropriate ammunition.

I spent about 95.00, I know it can be done for less but money isn't all that important to me. My Starter list includes:

• SAS Survival Handbook, Revised Edition: For Any Climate, in Any Situation
• Rothco Type III Commercial Paracord (Black, 550-Pound/100-Feet)
• SE Lensatic Compass 
• Chainmate CM-24SSP 24-Inch Survival Pocket Chain Saw With Pouch
• SE KHK6320 7-Inch Hunting Knife with Fire Starter
• Emergency Fire Starter Flint and Steel
• Potable Aqua Water Treatment Tablets
• Four Seasons Survival Tinder-Quik Fire Tab
• UCO Survival Wind & Waterproof Matches LOT of 1 Package of 15ct Matches 
•  Emergency Zone Deluxe Survival Bottle Kit with Gerber MultiTool.

You can see I put a great deal of focus on being able to make Fire, the bottle has a basic First Aid kit in it as well as an LED flashlight. The idea was that most of the above listed I know that I can pack into my Ninja Utility belt... Yes I did just say Ninja Utility Belt, I have a strong love for pockets and most girl type clothes don't have them. I can hook the bottle to the belt via carabiner. I know it didn't need to have quite that much, it could have been effective and cost less than 30.00 but my goal was efficient, not just effective.

When I start picking up camping gear this Spring that list might look more impressive.