New sub-forum: The Newbiedome

[StrangeFire]

Glad you're on board, Ascatterling...

[slark]

Stephen Lark
Brisbane Australia
36 yo
watched End of Suburbia 2007-06, started ongoing reading of LATOC mailing list links/clusterfuck nation/other stuff regularly, watched A Crude Awakening 2007-12
figured all this stuff was happening for a few years - good to get independent confirmation from multiple sources
trawl/RSS many other sources daily (inc. Reddit & Google News)
work in IT
depressed at how oblivious vast majority of population is
starting to freak out - gonna get this: http://www.foodlifeboat.com.au/ - action conquers fear
thankful I don't live in the US
have lived in the bush off-grid for a few years up until a few months ago - excellent training
recently began first steady relationship (hence moving to Brisbane)
web presence FWIW: http://slark.shorturl.com/
sad that Arthur C. Clarke (one of my heroes) just died
that's about it
anyone else here in Brisbane/SEQLD?

[StrangeFire]

Welcome, Slark. Would love to hear more about living in the bush.

[grannyJ]

I found LATOC back in December after listening to Matt on Coast to Coast radio.  Thourghly enjoyed the program!Have found all the posts and breaking news more interesting than mainstream media. Your  breaking news is far ahead of local, national news.  Being tired of getting spoon fed by the news, I usually read Life After the Oil Crash, Peak Oil every day.  Thanks Matt for a well done job.  I live in eastern South Dakota, on a farm and feel fortunate.  My name is Garnny J, I love to garden, we raise cattle and crops.  With gas prices high we do have a wagon and driving horses. Hopefully, may it not come to that.  Riding a bike on dirt and gravel roads are not fun so that pleasure is gone.  The window of time for gardening is May 20 to Sept. 15. here.  I am able to raise a lot of garden produce.  Canning and freezing is just about an everyday job when my garden is in full production.  Enjoy all the posts. 

[joself]

 

Hi, all.  Not new to the concept of Peak Oil or LATOC, but I am new to the forum -- and apparently have become technologically challenged in my past 2 years out of the active work force b/c I could hardly figure out how to post.

Anyway, I'm a 42 year old married mother of 2 daughters, 16 and 5.  My husband and I learned about petro dollar warfare together more than 2 years ago(from one of the parents at our daughter's gymnastics meet, of all places).  I was immediately curious and my research lead to the discovery of peak oil and LATOC.  I've been a believer from the start.  My dear husband, not so much.  We have, in the past year, for reasons other than peak oil, sold our suburban home and moved to a rental on about 2 1/2 acres out in the country.  We don't have any savings and no cushion in the income department to invest big money into self-sufficiency. 

We have a good gardens spot, and I WANT to plant one -- and do it sustainably -- but I'm a born and bred city girl.  My meat and veggies have always come from the grocery store and I'm totally overwhelmed.  I need a simple, step by step plan on how to start.  It has to be idiot-proof.  Too much detail -- bad.  I'll get lost. 

My husband is willing to help plant a garden, but he's never met a chemical he didn't like -- and the more the better as far as he's concerned.  So if I want to do this sustainably, I'm going to have to do it myself.  It's that simple.  I need a plan that is as simple-minded as me.  Any advice as to where to start?

Newbie in Missouri who wants to embrace the simple life, but can't untangle my arms from the status quo.

[lakeweb]

Hi,
I just joined today. I'm not new to peak oil or the implications. I'm in the action/planning stage of surviving. I do think community is the most important key to survival. Here is my blog:

http://lakeweb.blogspot.com/

This year we get our water and home heating on wood. We live at 7000 feet, very rural, in North Eastern Arizona.

Best, Dan.

[lakeweb]

We have a good gardens spot, and I WANT to plant one -- and do it sustainably -- but I'm a born and bred city girl.  My meat and veggies have always come from the grocery store and I'm totally overwhelmed.  I need a simple, step by step plan on how to start.  It has to be idiot-proof.  Too much detail -- bad.  I'll get lost. 

My husband is willing to help plant a garden, but he's never met a chemical he didn't like -- and the more the better as far as he's concerned.  So if I want to do this sustainably, I'm going to have to do it myself.  It's that simple.  I need a plan that is as simple-minded as me.  Any advice as to where to start?

Hi joself,
There is a category called, 'Doomer Food Production: Prepare to Garden!' here. How much land do you have? Is it in good condition? (Or do you know ?

We are gardening but don't plan to see it feed us. My wife cans and we will store what dry goods we can. The Mormons have good books on food storage.

Best, Dan.

[buddhatomic]

Hello,

I just wanted to announce my presence (though discreetly) because it feels slightly odd to be lurking in a place for a while without anyone knowing you're there.  Like a pervert in a women's change room.  Except I'm not a pervert, and I haven't been in a change room since high school.  Besides, that probably doesn't happen in real life anyway, because there's no way to be inconspicuous about it unless you're a comic book character.  Anyway, I'm rambling.  So yes.  Hi, I am Allysia, and when introduced to new, fascinating things, I tend toward the approach of chillin' in the background and observing, learning all that I can.  I want to actually have some wisdom behind my words when I speak.  So, not a pervert.

[StrangeFire]

Hey, non-pervert!  Welcome aboard!

[motherearth]

 
I am in heaven! I think I have found my real family after living with some really crazy people who don't believe this.

Grew up with family members who spent lots of time reliving the fears of the cold war and the nuclear age. Only thing I can figure for making me so easily disposed to doom theories

So, I now reside in the midwest on a farm that is constantly getting prepared! My husband is ex-military and just as actively paranoid as I am.
I am a pessimistic optimist. Only way I don't go crazy.

Just found your site this a.m. and am really jazzed. Not at the insane situation we are finding ourselves in, but the fact that there is company out there. I live in an area  where they haven't even heard of organic food. I never even breath the PO theory. LOL

I will continue to meander around the site. Please forgive any questions that have already been asked and answered. Excellent info. Thanks.

The question I would like to pose to the forum is: How far back are we going to go??

In some of the discussions, people are talking about their job, getting food even if rationed. In my musings I am not seeing that. I fear that as we were coming up the curve of the Industrial Revolution with many skills in tact, so we fall from the curve of post oil with no skills in tact, and that the period of readjustment and survival will be extremely long. How many blacksmiths do you know??
Would love to hear what other people are speculating about in their imaginings of the whole scenario.
Cheers,
motherearth

[joself]

Told you I was technologically challenged.  I couldn't even find this spot again after my first post until after someone im'd me.  So, Dan, rather belatedly, I respond to your post.  Some of the land is good, but quite a bit has had the black top soil stripped off and sold.  Since my first post I have tilled a small plot, but still haven't gotten things planted.  My acquaintances who know about such things are admonishing me to get it going because I'm going to be too late. 

I'm keeping it small and simple this year, so it would really be better for me if the true disaster waited until about a year from now to hit so that I can have a season of small successes (planting, maintaining, harvesting, preserving and preparing) under my belt before the doo doo hits the fan.  Judging from the news, it's not looking good for me in that regard.

I actually heard a sound bite of President Bush this morning acknowledging in not so many words that OPEC may not be able to keep up with what they've promised to deliver?  Really?  Who knew?  The weird thing about it was that there was no analysis or commentary about the snippet and its real meaning.  It was obvious the news people didn't "get' the significance of what he was saying. 

[km2008]

I live with my husband and child in upstate NY on a few acres with a large pond, fruit trees, and a garage full of just about every tool known to man (the DH loves to tinker).

Reading this site makes me realize that we need to prep not just for PO, but for the weather events (snow and ice) and power outages that occasionally come our way. Also, I want to make sure we have enough to sustain a few local elderly family members and serve as a place of last resort for other, non-local family members if the poo really hits the fan. We've collected several items - like a grain mill, wood stove - that'll be useful.

Immediate steps for me include getting our BOBs in order, finishing our planting of veggies and herbs, and stocking up on gardening, natural remedy and DIY books.

In the next month, I hope to sell off some unused and unneeded vehicles and larger items, build a worm bed, and start building on our stored food and supplies.

Long-term, I'd like to get comfortable with dealing with health and medical issues that may arise, and get really, really good at handling a rifle.

Our biggest challenges right now are the amount of money we spend on gas just to get to work and the crushing debt of a student loan.

[silverfox]

Hello comrades,

I live in a suburb of St. Paul MN. but was born and raised in western Wisconsin which is where I plan to relocate to. 
Is there anyone out there from the Minneapolis, st. Paul, Western Wisconsin area?  We need to talk.

[WeedEater]

What's to say that hasn't been said?  Looking for locals in the Central Virginia area (Richmond, Farmville, Lynchburg) who would network information and skills.  I seriously doubt any are around that are worth a hoot.  Experienced in primitive skills( wild edible gathering, traditional hunting/fishing methods) and slowly leading my family of seven down the road to complete self-sufficiency....We have a looooooooooong way to go!

Do I post a resume displaying my computer ignorance or do I just avert my eyes when the slander hits?

[kopperhead]

Hi  ...  my kinfolk and I are Mississippi backwoods dwellers...for all that implies. I am  37 yr old lab tech, raised in a family of former soldiers...   I am here to lurk and learn as much as possible.

We will survive....I hope.