Storm preparation: I don't get it.

[droptop]

So it took the whole first half to get your generator out and hooked up!!!

It took a little more than 15 minutes, Football games are also divided into Quarters. If it was 5 minutes into the 2nd Half, it would have taken me over 2 hours, the Superdome also had its own problems with power .:laughing:

 

[3930dave]

I don't like the term "prepper" because it does denote an extreme mentality..... And don't pay much attention to the "use by" dates either on canned goods/dry goods. They are a relatively new invention meant to make people throw perfectly good food away.

Yeah.... with today's Extreme Media (Live, at the Coliseum, Christians vs. Lions Holiday Weekend Double Header) "Prepping" has the connotation of buried bunkers, and armed confrontations.

Self Reliance..... good term, used to be regarded as just common sense.

LightnSound sounds like a great guy to have as a neighbour, friend, or relative when the "stuff" hits the fan. Many other posters on here fall into that category. Unfortunately, some (many ?) people fail to learn by example, when shown that it is not that hard to be self-reliant.

A few people have zero (or sometimes even what I think of as negative) knowledge of anything mechanical, electrical, or chemical. For people like that, they probably are better off not attempting to do anything for themselves, as they often create serious hazards for themselves or people around them.

There is another group of people who are mostly just too lazy to do things for themselves, or in a larger sense, take responsibility. Access to information is not the issue - it would be hard to find a basic DIY task that would take more than a few clicks on the internet to find.

Allegedly, libraries still have books, and they are free to borrow !

Use By is part marketing, and part liability limitation. As a former poor student (as opposed to just a now poor working adult ) I learned to NOT push the KD dates out too far. Something that they put in that neon orange "cheese" mix definitely does have a lifespan - I've got a pretty strong stomach, but the cheese does "age" to a place that I don't want to follow ! :yuck:

Rgds, D.

 

[teejk]

Yeah.... with today's Extreme Media (Live, at the Coliseum, Christians vs. Lions Holiday Weekend Double Header) "Prepping" has the connotation of buried bunkers, and armed confrontations.

Self Reliance..... good term, used to be regarded as just common sense.

LightnSound sounds like a great guy to have as a neighbour, friend, or relative when the "stuff" hits the fan. Many other posters on here fall into that category. Unfortunately, some (many ?) people fail to learn by example, when shown that it is not that hard to be self-reliant.

A few people have zero (or sometimes even what I think of as negative) knowledge of anything mechanical, electrical, or chemical. For people like that, they probably are better off not attempting to do anything for themselves, as they often create serious hazards for themselves or people around them.

There is another group of people who are mostly just too lazy to do things for themselves, or in a larger sense, take responsibility. Access to information is not the issue - it would be hard to find a basic DIY task that would take more than a few clicks on the internet to find.

Allegedly, libraries still have books, and they are free to borrow !

Use By is part marketing, and part liability limitation. As a former poor student (as opposed to just a now poor working adult ) I learned to NOT push the KD dates out too far. Something that they put in that neon orange "cheese" mix definitely does have a lifespan - I've got a pretty strong stomach, but the cheese does "age" to a place that I don't want to follow ! :yuck:

Rgds, D.

Notice I said canned/dry goods! Decades ago we had to seek refuge in an old trapper's cabin...the 500 year old canned goods (I might be stretching that) perhaps weren't the best but I'm still here. And of course anybody needs to "rotate" the stock so the "use by" dates are helpful...but contrary to what many people think, it does not make you achieve room temp at midnight on that date. As for the "self-reliance", I guess some of us are just naturally inquisitive and most times get some great personal satisfaction out of fixing something (many times comes down to that "wetting one's pants in a dark suit").

And as I said earlier, it might be a cultural thing so my German heritage helps...my wife sometimes says I'm "cheap" but she is german and swiss so in theory she should be worse yet (I knew a Swiss immigrant that for some reason got the job of running the town dump...always went to work with an empty truck, always full when he got home). She was the only girl so I guess they "spoiled" thrift out of her.

 

[KYErik]

As a teacher at a community college, each year I give my biology students a "disaster plan" assignment. They have to make long term preparations for an unpredicted 7 day disaster which has disrupted ALL utilities- including electricity, city/county water, natural gas, land line phone and cell phone service and the roads have been closed or are impassable (downed trees, snow, quarantine etc.) They have to list the number of people that live in their home and determine how many calories/how much protein and how much water each person will need, how they would store all of the food/water for long periods and they have to write a reasonably appetizing meal plan for all 7 days. They must also describe how they will keep warm and heat the food/thaw the water if the high temperature is 20 degrees F for all 7 days. I also require that they tell me how they would get by if the disaster went on 3-4 weeks (long after their 7 days of supplies ran out)- those responses were "interesting" (especially if they had neighbors with livestock) and reminded me a bit of "Lord of the Flies".

Most don't consider that that they have 30-50 gallons of drinkable water sitting in their water heater (if they have a tank type heater) that will likely take several days to freeze- I make them aware of that when I give the papers back.

After they turn in the paper, I ask for an honest show of hands of the students who are either prepared right now or who at least feel motivated to prepare (stock up on water and non perishable food) for a 7 day disaster. Sadly, less than 40% raise their hands...

 

[teejk]

As a teacher at a community college, each year I give my biology students a "disaster plan" assignment. They have to make long term preparations for an unpredicted 7 day disaster which has disrupted ALL utilities- including electricity, city/county water, natural gas, land line phone and cell phone service and the roads have been closed or are impassable (downed trees, snow, quarantine etc.) They have to list the number of people that live in their home and determine how many calories/how much protein and how much water each person will need, how they would store all of the food/water for long periods and they have to write a reasonably appetizing meal plan for all 7 days. They must also describe how they will keep warm and heat the food/thaw the water if the high temperature is 20 degrees F for all 7 days. I also require that they tell me how they would get by if the disaster went on 3-4 weeks (long after their 7 days of supplies ran out)- those responses were "interesting" (especially if they had neighbors with livestock) and reminded me a bit of "Lord of the Flies".

Most don't consider that that they have 30-50 gallons of drinkable water sitting in their water heater (if they have a tank type heater) that will likely take several days to freeze- I make them aware of that when I give the papers back.

After they turn in the paper, I ask for an honest show of hands of the students who are either prepared right now or who at least feel motivated to prepare (stock up on water and non perishable food) for a 7 day disaster. Sadly, less than 40% raise their hands...

I heard a discussion on your thoughts a few years ago...we teach theater and social studies and computer skills and such...very little attention paid to "basics" anymore (boys used to have mandatory shop classes but most of those went "bye bye" because of legal concerns, girls had mandatory home-ec courses but they went "bye bye" because of the gender specific thing).

I think we need to demand a whole semester in high school (gender neutral) teaching some basic stuff on how to survive/get by.

We should open up a new topic on that and develop a checklist. Things like how to check a faulty pilot light or jump a car or survival tips (like layers/basic food/fluid stuff). We can even teach them how to read the supermarket labels and what "cost per ounce" means.

Just a story...building my new house in very cold temps my son came with me but always reached for his favorite cereal that was at eye level...I was ashamed to have to tell him to look down and check the price on the bottom shelf for the same cereal in the bigger box, asking whether he could finish that box before it went stale. I'm proud to say that now he is more "value aware" than is his mother who taught him how to shop.

 

[tractchores]

I like the idea of planning for a 7 day to 4 week disaster. In our case we'd be in pretty good shape, but mostly because we live in a more rural area with ample food sources that are easily acquirable with tools I have at hand (pond full of fish that are easy to catch, plenty of small wildlife that is easily caught, etc). I think they should teach everyone some of the basics, even folks in cities. As a kid when we were in 8th grade we had an entire class dedicated to winter survival, the final exam was that we were let outside at 5pm on a cold winter evening and not allowed to come back in until the following morning. We each got 2 matches and a knife. We had to make a snow shelter to sleep in and a fire to keep warm. Everyone passed. Imagine doing that in this day and age!

 

[dave1949]

Teaching survival is a good idea, I don't know if public schools should have that on their plate though. There are only so many tax dollars to go around, I guess it depends on priorities. Sometimes I think the schools are already trying to do too much, meet too many needs.

Shopping should not only be taught for price per unit, but it is important to look at price versus nutritional value too. Cereal, for example, is a prime example of an item where you can spend a lot for empty calories.

 

[charlz]

I heard a discussion on your thoughts a few years ago...we teach theater and social studies and computer skills and such...very little attention paid to "basics" anymore (boys used to have mandatory shop classes but most of those went "bye bye" because of legal concerns, girls had mandatory home-ec courses but they went "bye bye" because of the gender specific thing).

I think we need to demand a whole semester in high school (gender neutral) teaching some basic stuff on how to survive/get by.

They do teach some of the basics my kids both (one girl, one boy) recently took (I think it was called) 'Life Skills' which is cooking and sewing. Same as what we called 'Home Economics'.

The school system here has broken out auto repair, welding, small engines etc to 'specialty' high schools on a separate campus, something I don't really care for. If the kids want to take one of those classes they are bussed over there. It appears to be set up to separate 'college' bound students from 'trades' bound students. I took wood shop, drafting, small engines, welding etc alongside physics, chemistry, calculus etc. It is a shame the schools are more or less forcing students down one path or the other.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

They do teach some of the basics my kids both (one girl, one boy) recently took (I think it was called) 'Life Skills' which is cooking and sewing. Same as what we called 'Home Economics'.

The school system here has broken out auto repair, welding, small engines etc to 'specialty' high schools on a separate campus, something I don't really care for. If the kids want to take one of those classes they are bussed over there. It appears to be set up to separate 'college' bound students from 'trades' bound students. I took wood shop, drafting, small engines, welding etc alongside physics, chemistry, calculus etc. It is a shame the schools are more or less forcing students down one path or the other.

Looks like they want to follow the China/Russian socialist education model , Get ready it's coming and we can't stop it

 

[charlz]

I always wondered what people did with 10 extra loaves of bread and 8 gallons of milk...a person can only eat so much french toast.

I was thinking about the bread thing over the weekend. It actually makes sense if you live in an apartment or a house where, if the electricity goes out, you have no way to make hot food. Sandwiches 3x a day. Easy to make, no heat required, lots of variety if you have all the other fixin's etc. What they do with the bread if they don't use it I dont' know.

 

[dave1949]

When I was in the 8th or 9th grade, don't remember for sure, all the boys were cycled through a home-ec course for six weeks or so.

Many of the vocational schools serve multiple school districts, and are often built on their own separate campus. Some vocational programs are partial school day schedules, and students have every opportunity to participate in college prep courses.

When vocational schools become viable, it often results in reduced funding for the traditional industrial arts classes. School boards are just spending their limited funds as efficiently as possible, and they tend to see too much overlap between vocational and industrial arts classes to want to fund both.

I don't think vocational schools now are the academic dead-end they once may have been. Many link into the area community college programs, for example.

Let's not ignore the various interests and abilities students bring to the classroom and the need to engage all students. It is not a plot designed to destroy our country.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

When I was in the 8th or 9th grade, don't remember for sure, all the boys were cycled through a home-ec course for six weeks or so.

Many of the vocational schools serve multiple school districts, and are often built on their own separate campus. Some vocational programs are partial school day schedules, and students have every opportunity to participate in college prep courses.

When vocational schools become viable, it often results in reduced funding for the traditional industrial arts classes. School boards are just spending their limited funds as efficiently as possible, and they tend to see too much overlap between vocational and industrial arts classes to want to fund both.

I don't think vocational schools now are the academic dead-end they once may have been. Many link into the area community college programs, for example.

Let's not ignore the various interests and abilities students bring to the classroom and the need to engage all students. It is not a plot designed to destroy our country.

This country needs more vocation trained hands on workers ,pipefitters,welders,cabinet makers ,mechanics ,etc etc etc by producing cubicle workers we have turned this country into a throw away society ,nothing gets restored or repaired anymore it's just throw it away and finance a new one how many actual mechanics are in your town and I'm not talking about dealership parts swappers ? These kids today wouldn't shovel the sidewalk if you paid them let alone have the ability to manage getting their own car out of a ditch , most have never even driven a rear wheel drive car made in this country

 

[jymbee]

This country needs more vocation trained hands on workers ,pipefitters,welders,cabinet makers ,mechanics ,etc etc etc

Absolutely-- well stated! I've been singing the same song for many years...

 

[dave1949]

This country needs more vocation trained hands on workers ,pipefitters,welders,cabinet makers ,mechanics ,etc etc etc by producing cubicle workers we have turned this country into a throw away society ,nothing gets restored or repaired anymore it's just throw it away and finance a new one how many actual mechanics are in your town and I'm not talking about dealership parts swappers ? These kids today wouldn't shovel the sidewalk if you paid them let alone have the ability to manage getting their own car out of a ditch , most have never even driven a rear wheel drive car made in this country

I don't disagree with your sentiment, but they (kids) have to face economic reality. They need the skills and knowledge that will earn a living and many repair businesses are not viable for that. I don't know how far I would have to go to find a shoe repair shop, a custom tailor, TV/electronic repair, etc. Very few can make a living doing those things that used to be common.

There are apprenticeships that go begging here because not enough young people are interested, or lack a good perspective on the potential of the skilled trades. I think we need to promote/educate kids on where and what good paying, steady jobs are. We also have to rethink the value that we place on skills of all kinds in this country.

I think there is a persistent slightly negative attitude about jobs (and those who fill them) that are hands-on type of work. Can't blame the younger generation for that. We have lost an appreciation for skilled craftsmanship. But that may be expected since many of the products we use and depend upon, are not things anyone can economically build one-offs no matter how skilled their hands are.

Automation and robotics are already making a measurable dent in employment numbers, it will likely continue in that direction. People are being played off against machines, and we all contribute to that by expecting cheap goods and services, then complain about tax dollars to support working families in poverty. Something has to give.

 

[Grumpy Old Man]

I don't disagree with your sentiment, but they (kids) have to face economic reality. They need the skills and knowledge that will earn a living and many repair businesses are not viable for that. I don't know how far I would have to go to find a shoe repair shop, a custom tailor, TV/electronic repair, etc. Very few can make a living doing those things that used to be common.

There are apprenticeships that go begging here because not enough young people are interested, or lack a good perspective on the potential of the skilled trades. I think we need to promote/educate kids on where and what good paying, steady jobs are. We also have to rethink the value that we place on skills of all kinds in this country.

I think there is a persistent slightly negative attitude about jobs (and those who fill them) that are hands-on type of work. Can't blame the younger generation for that. We have lost an appreciation for skilled craftsmanship. But that may be expected since many of the products we use and depend upon, are not things anyone can economically build one-offs no matter how skilled their hands are.

Automation and robotics are already making a measurable dent in employment numbers, it will likely continue in that direction. People are being played off against machines, and we all contribute to that by expecting cheap goods and services, then complain about tax dollars to support working families in poverty. Something has to give.

The kids have to face economic reality ? give me a break ,They want to sit in a/c and tap on a computer , Did you eat today ? Thank a poor lowly farmer

 

[jerry56]

Remember ..the Weather channel is ratings driven.....the more dramatic they make it the more people tune in....the more money they make....with this last storm the National weather service was predicting 6-10 inches for NYC...the Weather channel said 2 feet..!!! I bet that drove the ratings thru the roof....nobody in NYC would have watched if they thought they were getting less than 10 inches...the weather channel even started naming the storms...it makes better drama...one last thing ..NBC now gets all of their weather products from TWC...ratings...and money...nothing more...

 

[dave1949]

The kids have to face economic reality ? give me a break ,They want to sit in a/c and tap on a computer , Did you eat today ? Thank a poor lowly farmer

Well, there are a lot farmers going out of business too, or supplementing farm income with outside work. That is reality. What is your point, that a kid should open a repair shop nobody will frequent? What economic sense is to be found in that? I think you are looking for argument :laughing:

 

[teejk]

I'll date myself and say that grades 7-9 used to have mandatory "teaser" classes in all the trades plus the academics. It was kind of like getting a "sampler" on a restaurant menu. Those days are gone I guess and somebody other than the student decides their career path. I think I opened this can of worms so I apologize but seems to me that a semester in teaching all kids some basics on living would not be unreasonable, would not cost much and might actually be a fun class to teach and participate in (if I can get it going locally I'll even volunteer my time). So I'll repeat the offer...let's open a forum with some things that might be on the lesson plan.

 

[charlz]

They want to sit in a/c and tap on a computer , Did you eat today ? Thank a poor lowly farmer

I hate to be the one to tell you this but 'sit in the a/c and tap on a computer' describes modern farming

 

[jymbee]

NBC now gets all of their weather products from TWC...ratings...and money...nothing more...

There's $$$ in weather for sure.

As a point of trivia, a group including NBC and Bain Capital purchased The Weather Channel some years ago...