TEOTWAWKI and Invisalign: My Two Current Indulgences

Kind of an odd headline, ain't it?  Well, those two topics indeed have been my current indulgences.  The latter -- Invisalign -- is one that I proudly beam to all I meet.  Being an adult, I originally felt a bit guilty going to my orthodontist about straightening my teeth, never having been all that happy with my smile.  Mind you -- my teeth weren't "that" bad, but I was a bit self-conscious.

Initially, I wasn't too thrilled that my plan also included having buttons and attachments to my teeth, along with "elastics"; but, being that many of my "clientele" (read "students") likewise have metal and elastics in their mouths, I figured I would be in good company.  However, now I have completed my two years of plastic trays and am now in the "retainer phase", needing to wear them pretty much full-time for a year to allow healing of the bone. (Thereafter, I will only wear them at night ... for the rest of my life.)  It's nice to be in the home stretch of orthodontics.

My other indulgence?  TEOTWAWKI: "The End of the World As We Know It."  As Wiktionary  explains it, "The original phrase was popularized in the song It's The End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine) by the band R.E.M. It is used often online by members of survivalist groups."  It was also an acronym first coined by Mike Medintz on misc.survivalism in the mid-1990s. (Pronounced "ti.ɑt.wɑk.i" ... I guess it rhymes with "Milwaukee.")

Being a volunteer with The American Red Cross, I know they and the government advise that everyone have several days' worth of food and supplies in cases of emergencies.  Then, while watching a show on History Channel advised by former military and government guys (of course), the likeliest scenario they presented was that of a pandemic, for which all advised having about a 45-day supply.

I guess I come by this passion honestly.  Dad was a pilot during the early days of  The Cold War.  I remember him telling me a bit of his training: pilot survival training in Alaska, close calls as he flew The Bomb around the globe, knowing secrets for which he could possibly still be court martialed, etc.  Here's one wild thing he told me when I was a girl: he still held on to some lance-like, drug-laced objects that would put a man into a coma for several days, dropping heart rate and breathing so low that it would mimic death should "the enemy" come across your body ... gives a kid some vivid imagery, you know?

I am trying hard not to go overboard with disaster preparedness, worrying that I might go the way of those hoarders we see on TV.  Luckily, a good book has given me some well-reasoned arguments for not thinking that the world would explode tomorrow: The Disaster Preparedness Handbook by Arthur T. Bradley, Ph.D.  Bradley eschews "the sky is falling" mentality and instead goes more for the practical and more realistic idea of  "plan for what makes sense" -- events such as natural disasters (here in the Midwest, tornadoes are common), terrorist attack such as a computer hack on food supply chains, or a pandemic.  (Anyone see "Contagion" last fall?)  This book has talked me down from the rafters a bit and helped me to realize I don't have to go all survivalist with this obsession and can instead keep disaster preparedness more reasonable.  Plus, watching National Geographic's new series "Doomsday Preppers" helps me gain perspective .... or, does it fuel my fear?  Gulp!

So, what have I done so far?  Well, in my basement I have a mix of canned goods, MREs ("meals-ready-to-eat"), and freeze-dried meals (i.e. short-term, mid-range, and long-term storage ... also going from cheap to more expensive). I probably have about a month's worth of food in canned goods, 2 weeks' worth in MREs, and about 70 servings of freeze-dried meals.  I've also got a small mix of over-the-counter medications and some minor first aid supplies, tequila and wine (gotta have the booze stash ... great for consoling you when the shit hits the fan or "WTSHTF"), very simple cooking equipment a la backpackers, a terrific water purifying system, etc.

My next big purchase: something to offer a back-up power supply.  Some candidates: Goal Zero, and Ecotricity Portable Back-Up Power Solar Generator.  With my coming tax rebate, I have a little flexibility; but, I do want to be sure to purchase something that will deliver a lot of bang for the buck.  I'll keep you posted on this when the time comes.


For disaster preparedness supplies, here are a couple of  companies who have given excellent service thus far:
- Emergency Essentials
- MyPatriotSupply.com

So, I guess you'll see this "hobby" develop as I continue researching and adding to my stockpile.  Beside offering product info, I'll also share good retailers and resources.  I invite you to do the same!