Been a hell of a ride, but im still hanging in there.

[Stormfeather]

So, its been brought to my attention that I havent been around as much lately, so I thought I would drop in and say hello and update folks with the latest and greatest.

1- 40 some odd days left and Sandi will be done and graduated and homeward bound, cannot wait!

2- Picked her up last weekend to bring her home for the weekend to catch a Welcome Home From Overseas Party for one of my best friends, I ended up hitting a deer at 75 mph at 2:00 am, wife, myself, a friend, and all three kids in the minivan with us. No injuries, but totaled the van. Insurance is taking care of us, but sucks having to replace the vehicle again.

3- Had a bit of medical issue with meds im taking, got it straightened out hopefully.

4- finally got the laptop fixed from where the son had jumped on it and shattered the screen. Did a DIY screen replacement, was a lot simpler than I thought it would be.

5- Power went out the day after our friends welcome home party in the entire town, apparently a squirrel smoked a major transformer in a particularly important junction. I smiled when I heard the news, since I didnt need to do anything. So I decided to go out on the town and see how folks were reacting. WalMart was shut down, as was all the grocery stores. However other small mom/pop stores were open. Gas station near us was open, but on a cash/check basis. Saw lots of ice, and interestingly enough, charcoal being sold. Apparently most folks decided to bbq since there was no way electric ranges were working.

6- Did a radio interview in regards to prepping, gave the forum here a plug on it, not sure when the interview will air, but will be given a heads up when it does.

And finally...


7- Got into it with a neighbor lady, unbeknownst to me, apparently our GSD had gotten out and pooped in her yard. Made her mad enough to stop and confront our babysitter in the middle of the street while she was driving away. Then she came over to my house, onto our wraparound porch up to the gate and started screaming at my kids. They ran into the house yelling for me, and of course I come out wondering Wha-Da-Fuq is going on. this lady (Im using this term loosely) proceeds to to yell and scream at me and tries to enter via the gate on the side of the porch, as I stop her, she then threatens to shoot my dog, then threatens to shoot my kids, then threatens to shoot me. Of course I had a pistol on me at the time, and fortunately enough for me, as soon as she started yelling, I had hit 911 on my phone, so was holding my phone while connected to 911 dispatch. So when she threatened to shoot me, I proceeded to order her off of the porch and off of the property. As she kept attempting to enter my gate (its only 4 foot tall) I finally told her, to leave, or I would consider her a threat to myself and my family and would defend myself accordingly. She started screaming "what.... you got a gun?!?!? Ive got a gun and I will shoot all of you, including your fucking dog!!!" So at that point, I pulled my CCW out and held it at low ready and ordered her to put her hands up and drop to her knees. She saw I had a gun and ran screaming from the porch saying she was going to call the police because I pointed a gun at her. Right about now, the sheriffs deputy comes over the hill lights flashing and pulls up to her running down the road. He came up behind her, so she didnt see him coming. Shes goes racing up to him screaming that a crazy man pointed a gun at her and the deputy needs to arrest him. Well, imagine her surprise when he puts her at gunpoint and proned her out on the ground in front of the car. She denied ever saying anything, however after some probing by the deputy, he explained to her that everything was recorded at 911 dispatch and he listened to it as he was responding. Needless to say, she ended up coming clean and admitting to everything. Deputy asked me what I wanted to do... well, what I wanted to do was put her ass in jail after a long beating with a firehose. But after its all said and done, I will still have to live with her being my neighbor....So I asked the deputy if he could have a very extremely harsh talk with her and her husband to which he did. Well, since then, shes taken her fight to calling the county animal control anonymously making continual complaints about the dogs, which I have to deal with. The Animal Control ended up talking to the deputy and he straightened them out about the issue so they actually know who is making the complaints now.

Yea, its been an interesting past few months.

So how have all of you been?

[Fatty]

Sorry to hear man. Neighbors can really make life hard to enjoy.

[jamesneuen]

Good call on putting them on speakerphone. I don't think I would have been as calm in that situation.

How long did the power outage last?

[helomech]

Neighbors are the reason I moved out in the country. Had a bad neighbor where I used to live, and now no neighbors for miles. Love it.

[Sniper-T]

Awe man.... some people get to have all the fun!

lol. glad you're managing Stormy, miss ya!

[eagle326]

1 - 40 days you can do standing on your country head . ;)

2 - Glad everyone is okay after hitting the deer. Needless to say at 75 m.p.h. any thought of eating said deer is pretty much gone.

3 - Keep an eye on those meds. I know personally how they can mess you up.

4 - Scoping out the sheep during outage is good recon for future use. Especially if you notice people you know and how they're re acting and what they're buying.

5 - You have to post interview on site for us to listen to if you can .

6- Well now you know all you need to know of your neighbor. Couldn't engage in civil conversation as to problem. Came out with attitude blazing which means she lets her alligator mouth try cashing a check her paper tiger ass can't cover.
Then threatens to shoot everyone until she sees your handgun and then turns into a screaming bitch victim.
Then cell phone trick was the Coup De Gras for her ass when lying to sheriff .

In the end though you found your 1st. recruits for cannon fodder when the time comes. Boy did you get lucky on that one Stormy. I'm sure you'll have something cool planned for those pieces of wasted human flesh.

Oh ; Be sure to tell your Bro. Welcome Home from an old airborne boot.

[bacpacker]

Too bad people have to deal with shit like that. Great call on 911.
Glad all your other stuff is working out. Good to hear from you.

[Kesephist]

Eagle pretty much beat me to the punch, there.

WM is very power-dependent. The ones out here should take a page from the casinos by installing their own gensets. They have not. Idiots.

As to laptop repair... used to be, tower builders such as myself were much intimidated with laptops and had concluded that you would need a "clean room" and special tools for em. Was me, I would, if the option were affordable, have one or two spare screens stored away. I have an old Aspire that I am using "docking station" style. External screen, external speakers, ext. mouse and keybd. A largish thumbdrive for external storage.

Was the weather out there, at the time of the power hit, suitable for BBQ and grilling? Or was there a blip of CO poisonings by people trying to use charcoal indoors with no venting?

I'm hoping Mme. Bigmouth's other half is a whole lot more reasonable than she is. It's troubling having to watch your six all the time, owing to dumbass threats. You don't dare ignore, though; if she was dumb enough to not notice your 1911 or an active cell, and continued on her raving regardless, and THEN tried to BS a cop, and is now doing this secret-squirrel Animal Control rubbish...

Grudges are one thing, but I would always be mindful, with any other contact with her, that she did threaten you, your kids, your animals, and has no respect for property.

A dog taking a dump being the cause for all this is WAY WAY WAY outaline.

Such a one as her will be one of the loudest screamers for help WSHTF.

[bacpacker]

After giving this a little more thought, maybe a restraining order against her may be in order. Put her ass on notice.

[ak474u]

After giving this a little more thought, maybe a restraining order against her may be in order. Put her ass on notice.

Yep, AND... Aren't people under restraining orders prohibited from firearm possession? Kill 2 birds with one stone if you ask me.

[Stormfeather]

Sorry to hear man. Neighbors can really make life hard to enjoy.

I live right on the outskirts of town, outside of city limits, so its not like shes right next door. Its easily 140 yards door to door if not more.

[Stormfeather]

Good call on putting them on speakerphone. I don't think I would have been as calm in that situation.

How long did the power outage last?

As soon as she became aggressive and tried to come thru the gate, thats kind of when I knew it was going to end badly, thats why i did that with the cell phone. Never hurts to have a live law enforcement recording of whats happening, you dont even have to say anything, just dial and hold it in your hand, cell phone will ping location and its recording the entire time.

Power outage lasted about 14 hours, enough to scare lots of folks, and not long enough to scare me!

[Stormfeather]

After giving this a little more thought, maybe a restraining order against her may be in order. Put her ass on notice.


Yep, AND... Aren't people under restraining orders prohibited from firearm possession? Kill 2 birds with one stone if you ask me.

Yes, you gentlemen are correct, and I considered it, and being as how I own firearms, I know it would kill me if someone took away those rights. Thats why I chose to de-escalate instead of formal charges. I wasnt afraid of her, and Im not walking around looking over my shoulder, She just was pissed about my dog pooping in her yard, she just chose to address her concerns the wrong way. Now she knows just how bad it could have gone for her, hopefully, lesson learned.

Next time... Scorched Earth Policy

[realist]

I think you are right about the restraining order. I have found in some cases it can escalate things more rather than cool them off. You did the right thing, here is to hoping they move away. With the reaction she had I would have thought she was on drugs. The big thing is she sounds fixated on your dog so I would watch him, she just might try to poison it. Good move having animal control talk to the deputy now you have two on your side. It would be interesting to know what the rest of the neighborhood thought of her.

All that said glad you folks made it through the crash ok. Were you able to salvage some of the deer at least for a dinner…..

Don’t get too mad at your kid for the computer I can see where it could be confused as being a trampoline.

Also good lesson to all that whenever something happens in the community see how they react. What businesses are open and who is not……..cash is always king. In our area with winter coming on we will be in for flooding. We know what floods and what doesn’t but we always have a plan B just in case.

Lastly so what’s up with the radio talk show? I think I have missed your pedigree in the past. So that makes you a celebrity? Just curious, we out here on the Left Coast are kinda isolated…….

[Katrina]

Glad you're ok but watch the dogs and anything flung over the fence. My friend lost her puppy because she got "bad" piece of meat. Neighbor was prosecuted but got essentially a slap on the wrist. So glad Sandi's almost done. You've done a good job holding the fort down. That was a smart idea about the phone, I'll have to remember that.

[Stormfeather]

I think you are right about the restraining order. I have found in some cases it can escalate things more rather than cool them off. You did the right thing, here is to hoping they move away. With the reaction she had I would have thought she was on drugs. The big thing is she sounds fixated on your dog so I would watch him, she just might try to poison it. Good move having animal control talk to the deputy now you have two on your side. It would be interesting to know what the rest of the neighborhood thought of her.

All that said glad you folks made it through the crash ok. Were you able to salvage some of the deer at least for a dinner…..

Don’t get too mad at your kid for the computer I can see where it could be confused as being a trampoline.

Also good lesson to all that whenever something happens in the community see how they react. What businesses are open and who is not……..cash is always king. In our area with winter coming on we will be in for flooding. We know what floods and what doesn’t but we always have a plan B just in case.

Lastly so what’s up with the radio talk show? I think I have missed your pedigree in the past. So that makes you a celebrity? Just curious, we out here on the Left Coast are kinda isolated…….

Not even sure I have a pedigree or not. Ive just been so involved in the prepping scene for so long, Im always fielding questions from people, evaluating gear for companies and stuff like that. Ive gotten 6-7 invitations to appear on "doomsday prepper" style shows to include two new shows coming up next year. Ive always turned them down for fear of how I would be portrayed in it. That coupled with still serving in the military, kind of limits me. Surprisingly Realist, I started prepping when I lived in California. I was in Sacto at the time and saw how things were going, so started looking for possible exit strategys and it basically took off from there. I ended up setting up a MAG of folks from NorCaland we ended up buying a property out near Lovelock Nv as a BOL. When I got orders to Wisconsin, I basically turned the property over to the MAG and they still utilize it as a BOL/Training site.

[eagle326]

Realist as to your question ( I think I have missed your pedigree in the past Stormy )
His pedigree is that he's just a country boy doing what comes natural. At least that's how these old eyes see him. ;)

[realist]

Well that makes sense on how you became a prepper, just living here will do that to you if you have a clue. I would think Wisconsin would be cold this time of year. How did you end up on choosing Lovelock??? It looks interesting, I am not big on desert but looking at it its a green spot in the area. The population looks about right. I have probably driven by it a bunch of times but never have stopped or realized it was even there. That is the thing about Nevada you never get off the freeway because you are always trying to get to where you are going as fast as possible because the landscape is boring.

[Stormfeather]

Yea, wasnt a fan of south side Sacto, thats for sure.

Wisconsin is basically cold, nothing I couldnt handle so far thats for sure.

We chose Lovelocke because surprisingly, although its a lot of desert, its right off of the freeway, but you gotta travel a hell of a ways on that freeway out in the middle of BFE to get to it! Theres plenty of water around, plenty of BLM checkerboard land for sale, and the people out there are pretty much live & let live. It has quite a bit of greenery in the area, rolling hills, scrub land, low lying areas with hidden ponds & lakes that are full year round, that coupled with a huge amount of free range elk, deer, wild horse, coyote & jackrabbit, that means you will usually never run out of a food supply. The only downside pretty much is its isolated for sure, any supplies you have to bring in unless you can catch the supermarket in town open. Theres a prison in the area, but as soon as they let OJ out of it, that will slide back into exclusivity where only the locals know about it. Another unknown plus side to it, theres roads in that area, (granted, roads is a loosely used term, but they are state roads) that travel the whole length and width of the state. The downside to them, they are not maintained for the most part, so 4x4 with a good radio commo set up is recommended just to be on the safe side.

[realist]

Thanks for the information. After a little research I agree with you. I was surprised there was so much water in your area. I see the only down side is the prison, other than that it might not be too bad. The big thing I see is your taxes are low. I would save a bundle if I were to move out of this place. But the thing I keep coming back to is the weather here is incredible. However there is a tipping point we you just say screw it and move.

[Stormfeather]

Just for the record, I am no longer in that area, Im currently residing in Wisconsin at my current duty station in the Armed Services.

[Stg1swret]

I know what you mean. I ve been MIA for over a year. Lost my wife of 43 years, and have been drifting around. Just getting back into the world. Hang in there.

[eagle326]

I know what you mean. I 've been MIA for over a year. Lost my wife of 43 years, and have been drifting around. Just getting back into the world. Hang in there.

Welcome home brother. Can't say as I know your feelings ; pain or journey.
My wife had open heart surgery and while it corrected a lot of problems she still has many others. C.O.P.D. ; emphysema ; blood pressure . While I hope for the best it's hard to imagine 45 years of marriage so far without the Goddess.

It would be a barren landscape without her helping to paint the future. I know I can survive and go on but she is what makes me tolerate humanity even though I loathe most of them. As for your M.I.A. I look at it as your journey through everyday life to figure out how you'll live ; survive without your better half.
You've journeyed this far my brother and many lessons learned. I am glad you're back home and hoping you decide to reside among us. Though we believe we're family to you ; it's unto you to choose us. By your posting I believe that just maybe you have found your way to a safe but honest haven of family and friends.

Nothing I can say or ever write can take away your loss . Yet I wish only the best in your future to live peacefully and content my friend.

Eagle

[Stg1swret]

Thanks, brother. Definitely back home. Now it is time to get back in harness.

[bacpacker]

I second Pop's word. Welcome back. I truly hope all is going as well for you as possible.
I have missed talking with you on here. You had mentioned portions of an upcoming trip. Sounds like you took it. Amazing stories from it to remember I'm sure.

[Stg1swret]

Thanks for the welcome back, bacpacker.

[bacpacker]

Real glad to have you back!

[eagle326]

Thanks, brother. Definitely back home. Now it is time to get back in harness.

OH YEA !! Time to buddy check the chute ; harness & rest of equipment. And my boy Backpacker can't wait for us to bust his cherry jump. :cool:
B.P. ; You gonna like this. Sarge & I are gonna take real good care of you. Oh did I mention that Stormy is coming along just for shit and giggles. Plus River Rat is going to give you your pep talk.

Sarge you're just what we needed to get B.P. out to his cherry jump. THANKS

[bacpacker]

WedOh shit. Here we go!

�� ��

[eagle326]

WedOh shit. Here we go!

�� ��

Ahhhh; No need to thank me son. After all what are us Pops for . :p

[Stormfeather]

Stg1swret, first off, I am so sorry for your loss, I had not heard, and I want to extend my condolences first and foremost. As so eloquently said by others here, I hope you know we consider you family, and your pain and loss is ours as well. If there is anything, please touch base with myself, or any of us. We got your back.

On a side note, 4 days and counting til I pick up HH=6! Cannot wait, and of course, Ive got military obligations that weekend as well!

[Sniper-T]

hope the kids are at the sitters...

[Stormfeather]

hope the kids are at the sitters...

Unfortunately, no they wont be.

[realist]

I know what you mean. I ve been MIA for over a year. Lost my wife of 43 years, and have been drifting around. Just getting back into the world. Hang in there.

I thought I was married a while with 31 years. I'm very sorry for your loss. My life would be a mess without my wifey keeping me in line. I can't imagine the void, but it sounds like you are coming around. Friends and family all help us get through tough times.

[Gunfixr]

Stg1swret, I am sorry for your loss. Not much I can say that hasn't been said. It sounds like you are getting better, though, so just keep going. Each day is a new day.

Man, stormy, some guys get all the fun, eh?
By de-escalating, you showed yourself to be the better person, hopefully further driving home to the neighbors that by escalating, they were not.
No one is harder on us than ourselves, just some people need that awakened occasionally.