MRE Alternatives

Anybody who is familiar with MRE's is aware of some of the issues with them; They're heavy, the flavor is sometimes questionable, vegetarian options are rare and they can be expensive and hard to get. A while back, I found a delicious alternative to MRE entrees - heat & eat Indian food. Pictured below are three different brands.
These things are awesome. All three of these brands are available at Target for $2.50 - $3.50 a package. The serving size of all three brands is comparable to an MRE. Like an MRE, it comes in a single-serving foil pouch that can be heated in a pan of boiling water (5minutes), or with a "flameless ration heater". If you are really hungry, one serving won't be quite enough, so have some flatbread or something with it. The "Tasty Bite" pictured in the middle comes with rice, which makes it a bit more filling.

The flavor is great. The Tasty Bite varieties I have tried are a little milder than the other two brands. They're all really good. If weight is not much of a concern, these are good camping or backpacking foods. A bowl is necessary, though, because they are all pretty sloppy. Advertised shelf life is about a year, but I've never had any that long. I addition to camping/bugout food, these are great when I get home late and don't want to jack with cooking. The problem, of course, is keeping them on hand...

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New Toy

I had been thinking about it for quite a while and I finally traded in my Taurus and upgraded to a better pistol. Pictured above is my new FN Herstal FNP-9.

It's a big improvement over the Taurus. It's a little bit smaller, a little bit lighter and fits my hand a lot better. The action is smooth and it's pretty accurate. (It would probably be more accurate if I was a better shot.)

A few specs: it's chambered in 9mm and comes with three 16 round magazines. The total capacity is 16+1 in the chamber. It's double action/single action with a 4 inch barrel. It weighs just under 2 pounds loaded.

So far, I have put only about 75 rounds through it. It shoots real nice. I decided to ignore all the noise about stopping power, penetration, blah, blah, blah...and go with something that is still somewhat affordable to shoot. I can get 9mm for about $20 per hundred rounds. Besides, it beats the hell out of not being armed at all...

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A New Anthem

While I was mowing the yard yesterday, I was thinking that we need a new anthem for our difficult times. Then it occurred to me that there is no more perfect song than the one you are listening to now; "We Won't Get Fooled Again" by the Who. Even though it was written 37 years ago, it is more relevant now than ever. Here are the lyrics:

We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgement of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again

The change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they are flown in the next war

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
No, no!

I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
Though I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do ya?

There's nothing in the streets
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are replaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight

I'll tip my hat to the new constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no!

Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss

I am not a huge fan of "classic rock", but this song kicks ass all over the place.Does anyone know if it's been covered? If it has, I would love to hear it.

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Time's running out

It's been so long since my last post. It's not that I haven't had time, I have been thinking and reading and observing a lot. I gotta tell you, the state of the world today scares the shit out of me. Gasoline has gone up about a dollar a gallon since my last post. Today I spent $45 on groceries for THREE BAGS. My landlord announced to me that the rent is going up (while being a real jerk about the length of the grass). We are being squeezed to death and feel powerless to do anything about it.

A lot of what I have been reading deals with the shadow government, the New World Order and the plans to turn America into a police state - which are well under way. When I look around at what is going on, I can't help but think that it was all planned. For the right people, financial catastrophe would be relatively easy to set up. Everything is rigged, and has been for a long time. For those who think I might be over the edge, remember; just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

I am going to start by making small changes. I will move closer to my job so I can ride my bike to work. I will get rid of my vehicle or trade down so I am no longer burdened with that debt. I will make every effort to pay off my credit cards before it's too late. I will stop shopping at Wal-Mart. I will stop buying products made in Communist China. I will start supporting local farmers. That's just the beginning. We don't have much time left - let's get busy.

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OK, I admit it...

I have something of a uniform fetish. I have been fascinated with military uniforms and equipment since I was about six years old and I have been buying and wearing field uniforms and BDU's for several years now. But, it wasn't until recently that it has turned into full-blown obsession. It started innocently enough: I mentioned in an earlier post that I was looking for another hearse. In the process of searching, I came across a website - www.funkerhearse.com The owner of the site, Zachary Helm, also has a thing for uniforms. After looking at one of his photo pages, it was all downhill from there. I suppose it was time to upgrade my image anyway.

One of the uniform types that I have always admired was WWII era German. National Socialist ideologies not withstanding, they were one of the best-dressed armies in history. Reproduction uniforms are available, but can be rather expensive, so it will take a little while to build that collection. In the meantime, I have found that East German surplus is cheap and plentiful. The outfit below I put together for about $100. For another 40 I also got a wool overcoat (unissued).
I still need to get some tall boots, but the uniform is more or less complete as you see it.

Not long ago, a friend at work approached me and asked if I wanted to help with a project. He needed the image of a (current) soldier. I needed only a few items to complete the look:

Here is the back:
The three-color desert camo is circa early 90's, and the combination of woodland and desert camo would be correct for that period. The boots and the gasmask bag are not correct, but I am willing to live with it for now. My sidearm is also not correct - one of these days I will buy a Beretta (92fs). The best thing about all of this is that it is functional. Uniform jackets look great when combined with other non-uniform components. Halloween costumes are a no-brainer. I have some other ideas I am working on, I'll keep you posted.

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Update

It has been a while since I posted anything. I have just been lazy and busy with other stuff. I did post some new songs; links on the lower right. I have been up to something - I will post pics soon.

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Monday Chick Pix 21

At the risk of repeating myself, this week's pic is Michelle Rodriguez. I loved her as "Rain" in the first Resident Evil.
She looks so good in a black uniform...


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