Tis the Season for Situations X - Don't be a "Victim"

     Each and every day, around the noon hour, I take my dog for a long walk. This walk is up and down hills, through neighborhood alleys and long residential streets. Along the way we encounter a few people who are walking dogs, mowing lawns or other randoms chores. One thing I always see in abundance while on our walk are cars that are parked curbside. In L.A. and its surrounding cities this is obviously nothing new. What I really find interesting is when I walk past many of these cars, people have left a lot of valuables either on the center console or passenger/rear seats.
     It's not that I am looking for valuables to steal, but if you had known me in my teenage years, those valuables would have been gone in a flash. As I said, I'm not actively looking for valuables, but I can't help but to see inside these cars as my dog casually sniffs the local scents left by other dogs. On today's walk I noticed a truck with the passenger window halfway down. No driver was in sight and there was what looked like a cell phone and an iPod sitting on the center console just waiting for the right minded thief to come along. In another car was a purse on the passenger seat. Whether it any money within is not a question. It's whether the owner of the car wanted to replace the window at a minimum of $100.
     If you must know, if one wanted to snatch the purse, it takes all of three seconds. As for breaking into the truck, depending on the availability of escape, it takes less than five seconds to reach in to the door latch, open the door and snag the iPod/cell phone.
     I bring this up because it's a Situations X. Too many times I see people have left themselves vulnerable for costs they just don't need to incur. Recently, a friend posted on FB that she had been ripped off, a new bicycle had been stolen, as well as, a few other items. It's unfortunate but, often times, we don't secure our property until it's after the fact and the stuff we really cherished is now gone; a Situations X wake-up call that sucks.
     Here is just a small list of things to check to prevent a Situations X

• Does your garage have a padlock on it? Garages rarely have alarms and are easily and silently opened in the middle of the night or even during the day when no one suspects a thief in the alley.
• Do you leave a window slightly opened or the window lock in the released position? An expert thief knows how to slip a window lock in about 3-5 seconds. Put a stick in the window sliding slot. The thief will usually check the other windows for an easier way in.
• Do you leave a laptop computer or any other valuables in your car, trunk included? Never leave anything in your car, day or night, that you do not want to lose. Schlep it in the house rather than being lazy. 
• Do you leave ladders on the side of your house? Most people believe that a thief won't enter from a second floor but they will if one leaves them a way into the house, such as, a ladder.
• Have you replaced the items a thief has stolen? Often times a thief will come back in the next month if they believe you have replaced the big screen TV that they stole. They know that people can't live without a TV.  
  

Who Has Your Back?

Just yesterday evening I was watching Brad Meltzer's TV show, Decoded. In this segment they were doing background on the coming Mayan calendar prophecy of 2012. Now, after really thinking about everything that was "decoded," I got to thinking about this blog which I haven't really paid much attention to lately. So, I'm back.

One of the past blogs I wrote at this site is in regards to a BOB (Bug Out Bag). In my bag, which is a tall, black rucksack, I have a collection of essentials. It is all set to go and though I'm really not paranoid about 2012, I am all about prevention. If I were caught in a catastrophe the likes of Hurricane Katrina, I am already prepared; just slip on my backpack and I'm on the road...bugging out.

If I can't bug out and I have to stay where I am, then I am also covered for that. Every other week, or once a month, I purchase more dry food, canned goods and food bars to store. Just this morning I picked up two cases of water to add to my stack that is occasionally rotated and used. In case of a damaging earthquake scenario, I have water downstairs in my storage unit and I have cases kept in the condo. The same goes for the food, some in storage, some in the home.

So, I know I have food and water for two adults, and one dog that with proper rationing, will last roughly 5-6 months. The next thing to understand about a catastrophic Situations X is that at some point you will grow weary and need to sleep. It was noted in the show that in as little as four days, people who have not made any plans will begin to panic. They realize that they have no electricity, the water doesn't work, the toilets don't empty and food is spoiling in the fridge. When the food runs out, man's best friend becomes an appetizing option, as well as, the dog's best friend starts looking like an option also. If you're going to prepare for the worst case scenario, then include your pet's needs. If you have an aquarium, you might as well eat the fish and filter the water.

So, as the title poses, who has your back? Your spouse and kids may be there for you, but if you haven't planned accordingly, those young minds that truly depend on you for answers, as well as food, will be quickly disenchanted with your ability to handle any and all situations they are being forced to face. There comes a point that staying in the house is no longer safe. There will be certain groups, let's be nice and call them...opportunists,  that will be going from house to house in search of any food and water they can get their hands on. Money won't be able to buy these people off. At this point, water is money.

It is suggested that people have a backup plan and that they should not forgo a Situations X like this alone. You need to prepare and know who is on your team. You should have a team of no less than four adult males that know how to handle a weapon. As a matter of fact, women and children should also know how to handle any and all weapons.

It would be nice to believe that in the event of a catastrophe that everyone would act as the Japanese during their tsunami; civil and proud, but that's not likely the case for the American culture. I'm not talking about a catastrophe the likes of one city or small town, but one that devours the country. A catastrophe that shuts off the power grid, backs up filtration systems, pollutes all open sources of water and stops transportation from delivering any kind of hope.

Damn you Brad Meltzer, and your "Decoded" show! I truly hope that this type of event never occurs, but in the chance that it does, will you be ready for a Situations X?            

Prevention is Always Key

"Intelligent people solve problems, geniuses prevent them." - Albert Einstein.

     A few days ago I was walking my dog, Harley. It was early, around 6:30 A.M.. Usually when we walk, I let my dog get his sniff on by letting the leash extend a good 6-10 feet ahead of me. If I see another dog in the distance that is coming toward us, I will usually pull Harley in and give him just a couple of feet, this way I'm assured to control any SituationsX...an attack by the other dog or whatever...(prevention).
     In a recent book, Breaking You in the World of I, I wrote about the intelligence of the human race, I mention that we are actually 30-60 seconds ahead of what we believe to be present time. Because of this, we are picking up on vibrations and making adjustments though we often don't realize that we're doing so. For this reason, while I was walking with Harley, we came upon a corner and I began pulling him in, ie..cut his lead short. Though some may call it luck, and I will use that word here also, though I'm not a fan of "being lucky," I was lucky to have pulled him short because just as I was rounding the corner, a woman drove a few feet away from me...on the sidewalk.
     This woman was going fast enough that if Harley had been allowed to round the corner in his usual lead, he would have been struck by this woman driver. A covered fence prevented me from seeing around the corner at what was happening. As Harley and I rounded the corner, we were narrowly missed by roughly, a foot and a half. The woman smiled at me as if driving on the sidewalk was funny or acceptable.
     Whew! I cleared another SituationsX. This happens to me often enough to be recognizable...no, not women drivers almost causing chaos, but the prevention of catastrophe. I'm sure it happens to you, too. Are you aware of it? Are you on the lookout for possibilities that may seem beyond your control? How many close-calls have you experienced and you were thankful that you seemed to have reacted early enough to remove all threats to your livelihood? We have all had those moments at some time in our lives, and just so you know, you weren't saved by "luck," but more so, by the genius that you are.
     The more you add those possible SituationsX up, that you somehow avoided, the more you will be able to understand that you have an intelligence going on that is deeper than anything you've ever known or have been taught. Accidents only happen when people are out of "present time." The only problem is, that everyone is pre-present time (30-60 seconds ahead of what appears to be the, right now).
    Coming soon to my website, www.booksbyjeffscott.com, is my latest book, Breaking You in the World of I. It explains many things that we take for granted and have never explored concerning the realm we live in and our experiences here on Earth.
     Take a moment and comment about your last SituationsX.

Are you Ready for the Worst case Scenario?

Though I haven't posted for a while, this doesn't mean that I have been resting. I have continued to work; writing for my clients, while at the same time, preparing for a Situations X, as the world goes haywire.

In case you haven't noticed, there are quite a few major cities across the country that have either filed for bankruptcy, or are on the verge. Where does this leave you when it has already been announced that the police departments will not answer calls regarding a slew of crimes? It leaves you vulnerable is what it does. Now, It would be nice if the world were a friendlier place and we could all count on each other during rough times, the way the Japanese did after their devastating tsunami. The truth is, one cannot afford the chance that his fellow American will act civil when there are no police to beckon during a crisis.

It is during in the pre-chaos that one needs to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Chicken little I am not, but a realist, I am. At this point, I am totally self sustainable. I have my BOB (Bug Out Bag), I have gear for fishing: scuba, spear/free diving and also rod & reel. I have a kayak that only takes an oar to reach my destination (as one should not count on fuel in chaotic times). Next, I have a weapon, and if I could find a barn somewhere, I'm sure I could, at the least, hit the side of it.

There are major marches happening right now and as the mental temperatures change, marches often turn into riots. Monkey see, monkey do, will happen across the nation; who will make a monkey out of you?

What are you seriously doing to prepare for a SituationsX? 

Emergency Dog Food/Water

I know, I know, it's a strange title, eh? I've been away from my blogs for a few weeks as I work on some books. But, I'm back and ready to continue my blogs here and at, Just Thinking.

So, what is my title all about? One might think that it has something to do with having food and water in stock that is specifically for your pet, just in case there is ever an emergency. Well, one would be right. If you followed the last blog about creating a Bug-Out bag, then you should also be thinking of a bag for your pet, or at the least, reserves of canned or dried food/water that is stored for the sole purpose of your pet during an emergency.

When we stock food or water for an emergency, the one thing we should not do is expect it to sit there for 20 years. Just like in any grocery store, the stock needs to be rotated back to front or bottom to top. Though I usually re-fill my gallon jugs with water from a purifying machine at the store, I do buy cases of bottled water, too. I take these cases of water and stack them in two different places. The first place is downstairs in a storage unit in my building (We live in a condo). The second place is inside of the condo.

So why store emergency gear or food in two different places? Because it's not likely that both places will be so damaged that you can't get to your supplies. Of course, this may not hold true if you live in tornado alley. I live in Southern California and we are notorious for experiencing earthquakes. If our condo should pancake on top of the storage units below, well, at least I have a good supply of food and water that is somewhat easily attainable. Luckily I live on the top floor, so if we do pancakes, then my water is still good. (Don't mean to be callous about the people below but shituations happens....prepare for it)

It's amazing to me that as we watch the economic collapse of our country, that a lot of people are frantically buying up gold and they won't spend five minutes to think about the "superficial" need of personal human consumption. lol  Really, do these people ever stop to think that water is worth much more than gold in the long run? I can live without gold for a lifetime, but I can't live without water for more than a few days. I don't know, maybe I have my priorities mixed up. Again -- lol. (yes, I know that buying gold is about making money in the moment)

I'm going to say something in this next paragraph that some may not want to hear, so beware. If or when there is a catastrophe, and if you have a pet, then they should be put on the same routine and rations as you; food and water sparingly. If you are considered obese or you know you are carrying more weight than you should, I'm going to bet, though I could be wrong, but I'm going to bet that you have attached eating to your emotions/issues. Obesity is not just a lack of exercise. If you know that you have an appetite and become emotional in tough times, well, store up for it, but also learn about your position and begin to do something about it. Like this blog is asking of you; it's all about being prepared in life, think things through to a worse case scenario so if it comes along, it won't seem that bad.

If this blog has spoken to you and made you think about your future in a world that is rapidly falling apart, then feel free to comment. If your comment is anything about me being a naysayer or chicken little, perhaps suggesting that I look at the sunny side of life, well, then I would suggest that you pull your head out of the clouds, learn to prepare for the worst and then love the fact that you're ready if and when you find yourself outside of the proverbial rose garden and facing a Shituation X. 

Building your BOB - (Bug Out Bag)

Okay folks, are you ready to get serious regarding your safety, should a catastrophe jeopardize your daily existence? Not sure if you saw the news recently about a group called Flash Mobs. Apparently, someone created this group and occasionally posts what could be considered an Executive Order.  After the post, people who are followers of this group carry out the order. Sometimes its just an order for everyone to go to a certain location. Instantly, hundreds, if not a thousand people will show up, hence...flash mob.

A few days ago there was a post for followers to wreak havoc in their main local. Followers began beating on anyone; passer-byes. They attacked a young man on his scooter, hit other people in the face and took their belongings. So, what the hell? Is this Flash Mob group going to dictate or do anything that could mean something, perhaps swarm the local IRS offices and lick their office windows in a freakish manner. lol

So what does this have to do with your BOB? Well, nothing! I just wanted to get your attention and talk about Flash Mob. Actually, that's not true. I bring them up because in your BOB, you should have some sort of protection. Though your BOB is really for survival while on the road, one must keep in mind the different levels of survival.

Many states across the country are going belly up. Cities are laying off their police officers at an alarming rate. This is a bonus for the criminal opportunist. They will begin taking advantage of people who have little recourse because they know people are unprepared and unaware; the regular Joe Citizen has never had to really fend for himself and is rarely has the opportunist frame of mind.

If a catastrophe should happen, the criminal element will come out of its hiding within a few days. Homes and businesses will be looted for food and weapons. By having a BOB ready, you can leave within an hour of any major catastrophe, or at the most, a day or so after. What I'm wearing when I head out, which is depending on good weather; cargo shorts, T-shirt (shrt slv), tennis shoes, Buff wrapped on wrist. (Buff is modern day bandanna), Boonie hat.

What I will be carrying when I head out:

• 1 black camping backpack that can be adjusted to my back and hips for long hauls. It also has a few side pockets for small and quick need items

Inside Pack:

• Clothing: Rolled tightly; Pants long (2), T-shirt Long sleeve (2), Under (3), Socks(4) Women: sports bras (3) (Prefer dark clothing for night travel), Thin weatherproof jacket, mechanic work gloves (1), Military boots (1)
  
• Very small 1-2 man tent
  
• Sleeping bag (tightly rolled)
• Dried food (previously purchased)
• Small bottled water
  
• Water purifier bottle - the kind that purifies water from any source and drink through the filtration system. (Don't use LED system. It may zap germs dead, but they still go into your system)
  
• Small cook set with utensils and tin cup
• Small wire grill I took from my propane stove set (Do not carry propane stove. waste of time)
• Hammer - a good hammer can also act like an axe, and can be used as a weapon
  

Inside Pack Exterior Pockets:

• Rope - nylon 50-100 yards (otherwise known as parachute cord)
• Fire source; lighter, steal wool, (never keep batteries near steal wool)
  
• Batteries - determine size by how they will be used
• Headlamp - wear on your head so you can work with your hands in dark
• Binoculars 
• First aid kit
• Grooming - travel size soap, deodorant, comb, razor (essential to stay clean for health and good frame of mind)
• Fishing string, hooks
• Rain Poncho - tightly folded
• Leatherman - multi-utility tool kept on belt loop or in pack
• Walkie-talkies
• Hand held flashlight - emergency light with 4 modes; flicker, SOS, light, flash
• Maps - know where you're going
• Snack food - beef jerky, gum, energy bars
• Extra knife - small knife for incidentals
• Spool of brown or black thread - strong, for traps   

On the exterior of the pack I have: 

• 10 bungee cords of various lengths 
• Fishing pole (broken down and in its case)
• Hammer (same as previous, but hanging through a loop on pack)

Some may think that preventing for catastrophe is lame, and carrying a weapon is being paranoid. Then perhaps one should read the past blog about my friend who carries and why; BLOG-- AKA Weapons.

Your pack may differ, but these are the essentials in my BOB. Also, I left this out and it's what you'll have to determine. In my pack is plenty of ammunition for my gun which I will carry concealed. I also have a hunting knife that will be within my grasp; attached to my shoulder pad by my chest or at my hip. Remember, expect the worst case scenario so you're not caught off guard.
   Depending on my mode of transportation, bike or hike, I will be able to carry other things. If I bike, I also have the ability to tow a small cargo trailer. If you are a family, this would be a good way to go. Cars run out of gas, and in an emergency, there may not be fuel available. If you are hiking, then you can have packs that divide everything up. One person may carry clothes while another carries food and water (used very sparingly). It is actually better that each individual carries his/her own gear because if you're somehow separated, you still have the ability to survive in a SituationsX.

Do you know where to sleep/hide while out on the road? Come back soon to learn more.

Join SituationsX blog by commenting or adding yourself as a friend.

489 Emails

My God! I got 489 emails in one month. Now I'm sure for some people that's minuscule compared to their daily intake of the inbox, but actually every single one of the aforementioned, was junk. I have a couple of different emails addresses; one is for real business and the other is a yahoo account that I give out when I am forced to subscribe to something I have a small interest in reading about. I find it interesting that many of these companies say they don't give out or sell your email address, but I have to wonder if that's true.

Protect yourself from the world of spam and create an email for the things you're just not sure you want. I belong to a few groups on Linkedin and I need to go back into my settings because every time someone posts in one of the groups, I am instantly informed. I should keep track of how much time I spend deleting these notifications (Though it is my fault).

Because I have a couple of websites, a few different interests, and because when I ghostwrite I must research, I am often times a marked man. Google and FB have it down when it comes to direct market advertising. If I go to a website about rock climbing, within a day or so, I'll begin seeing advertising alongside of my inbox regarding rock climbing. If I mention ghostwriting in one of my out emails, I also get advertising about ghostwriting. Hmmm!

I am inundated with offers to be a better marketer, to have whiter teeth, lose 25 lbs (do they know something), to make my schlong long enough to trip over, and to avail myself of younger women with no integrity and just want to meet me, an older man (because the younger one's just aren't sexy enough?)

Then there are the offers to teach me how to be a consultant (have they not read my works?). There have been many consultants that want me to follow their free newsletter so they can offer me a package deal later. I can even sign up and pay for their courses on how to be a consultant (groups I've never even heard of).  Hmm! If you can't do, then teach.

As I often do here in SituationsX, and occasionally at my other blog, www.booksbyjeffscott.blogspot.com  I offer information for free that will help people in some positive way. I am about to listen to a webinar on how to expand my business of selling my books and the books of the people for whom I ghostwrite. After the seminar/webinar I will be hit up to join a class for a mere $5000. They have some good information I'm sure, and yes, some of the classes will pay off for those that really accurately utilize the information, but the numbers will be small. Instead, I listen to the free information; taping it on my recorder and then do a reverse analysis. I can usually figure out everything they're going to sell in their program. Is it fair that I do this?...take info and not pay them for figuring out their program? 

I say give it away. Give give give until you can't give anymore. I've donated books to youth groups. I've donated my time. I'm about to donate my newly acquired speaking abilities to a few junior colleges. I give of myself and if it comes back to me, then that's great. I make a good living through my ghostwriting and my books (because one does need to make a living). Give of yourself and the universe will find a way to match your vibration.

I'm about to rearrange my website www.booksbyjeffscott.com and offer an affiliate program. I'm not offering a class so I can make money, and then if you do what I say, perhaps you'll make some money also. I'm making an offer that if you have a website and want to be an affiliate, we both make some dollars. I also have a download for those that are Networkers (know how to use small talk for sales) and want to add to their income. Is this your type of gig?

It's a tough economy and you never know what life will present to you (unless Google catches wind of your searches). Learn how to expand with a side income before you're even close to being stuck in a SituationsX.  
 

America, what happened?

Are there too many rules these days for what seems to be anything and everything? I recently received an email from my mother that actually made a lot of sense, but it had one drawback, which I will share at the end of this post.

The email presented an idea of real freedom that people born between 1925 and 1975 got to experience, and that people of the present day, mostly kids, have never known. There were things such as: not coming home until the street lights went on (we didn't worry about being nabbed), we could ride our bikes and sometimes fall off (maybe we got hurt maybe we didn't) we experienced a life of play while using our imagination (do kids even know what hide & seek is?) In sports, you either made the starting line-up, or you sat on the bench during the whole game (we couldn't cry to our parents because their anti-dote was to say, "step up your game," they didn't complain to the coach for us and make excuses).

A friend of mine, Vince Mancino, who I assisted in writing his book, Down the Drain, has basically said it best, merely by the title, Down the Drain. America has gotten so caught up with "protection" and "prevention" that they have lost sight of the fact that loss or lack, teaches us extremely valuable lessons; how to step up our game. There are a lot of ideas in Vince's book that we need desperately to revert to; we need to not be helicopter parents, stay-at-home moms need to not bitch about how hard their day was when the kids have been in class for most of it, and the husband is sweatin' his brow just so she can have bon-bons. Politicians need to get a clue that wealthy pay more than their fair share of the taxes, willingly make large charitable contributions, and that eventually the well will run dry, or at the least, the donation for a political run will be limited, if presented at all.

The world really is a much different place than when I was growing up. I truly wish every kid of the day could experience it in the same way as my generation. I didn't stay home to play video games during a great summer day. I was either playing a great game of Over the Line baseball, or jumping off the local pier at the beach. Were there risks being taken? Would our parents have objected? I'm sure they would have, but at least we got the experiences before we got the beating. That's another thing; we didn't have a government agency called Child Protective Services to dictate what our parents knew was right or wrong, we learned by a swat, or sometimes a bar of soap. Our parents were the law and we knew it.

As Vince puts it in his book, it seems that the kids of the day, whether in the working field or in school, just don't have the gumption or the spirit of play; as the way of our generation. Maybe that's okay, but maybe it's not. Because they have had so many rules and regulations put on their proverbial plate, they aren't allowed to make mistakes which really, in turn, enable them to learn. It's a proven fact that the more regulations society has pressed upon them, the more dangerous it becomes.

I'm hitting my 50th this year and I've done so many things in my past, some to be proud of and some not, but all in all, I'm so glad I grew up in the era that I have. I was allowed to speak my voice (without a permit), whether anyone wanted to hear it or not. I was allowed to live, experience and many times get things wrong, which as it turns out, has always been at my expense.

The kids of today will never know the freedoms of my generation, and so be it. Though I find the things in their generation, such as technology and quantum theory exciting, I wouldn't trade my era for all the tea in China. If the kids of today took the time and could understand my generation, and then add to it, their information; they'd be unstoppable.

Though each generation has something to offer, I believe it will be interesting to see what the youth of today will show the world...besides a back-flip off of the latest skateboard ramp...which my gen invented.
It's a different world than the one I grew up in and there will always be, no generations excluded from a SituationsX.

Dog Gone

Just when you think you've experienced everything that life could throw at you, yet again, another Situations X shows up at your door. How much do you love your family pet? Really take a moment to consider this idea of love for one's pet. Do we love pets equally or does it depend on their ability to show us love in return? Are they really showing what we as humans consider "love?"

It's obviously easier to show affection toward a dog than a turtle...I think! (Never owned a turtle) They make movies about dogs and only stories about turtles...well, of course there is the exception of the Ninja Turtles. If I had a turtle that could do what they did, I may be willing to show them some love.

Back to reality...

Does your pet have a GPS or chip in their ear? How about a tattoo scan or collar with its dog/cat tag?  Do you know where to go to find your pet should it suddenly disappear? Do you have pictures on your cell phone that you could instantly go to a local print shop like Kinkos and have 50 fliers printed up while you continue to look for Fido? Can you post some of those pictures at each pet clinic or place for grooming?

Realize that sometimes your pet can become confused and believe freedom beyond the fence or jumping out of your car, is the best life can offer. Unfortunately for Fido, he may go a few days without food or shelter and really be traumatized by not having the love you offer with each meal, place to sleep and a good petting.

If your pet doesn't have a way for other people to recognize that it is loved and wanted, you may lose it forever. It's so simple to go to a Petco or other pet supply business to instantly print up a tag with the pet's name and a phone number to call should someone find them. Most people will do the right thing and call to reunite the two of you. Never give up in your search when the pet first goes missing. The more adamant one is to finding the pet, the better the odds it will happen.

So, if you've been procrastinating about having a chip put in your pet's ear, don't hesitate. It's not expensive and will give you another avenue of hope should the tragedy of getting lost happens. Also, a tag that cost $10. from the pet supplier, and attaches easily to a collar, is worth the months of anguish one will definitely feel each time they look at the empty food bowl sitting on the back yard where you may have spent hours playing together.

Trust me, you'll sleep better at night knowing that the unconditional love you share between the two of you is protected. Prevention is more than half the battle of all Situations X.


 






 

AKA Weapons

   Okay before we begin, let me just talk about the title. Trust me, it's not what you think. AKA Weapons is really...Also Known As Weapons. We clear? Good!
   Have you looked around your immediate area lately and thought about what you would do or use if you were caught off guard by a perp or, as others know them, criminals? Really, what is the nearest weapon to you right this moment that you could either use to defend yourself or, use to semi-distract your formidable foe?
   In some states, like Idaho, it's perfectly legal to carry a weapon (gun) on you, and although the laws are being tested here in California, most criminals here are not in fear of people carrying a weapon that could literally blow their brains out. Maybe that's why there is less crime in Idaho and some of these other legal weapon carrying states; criminals know the laws.
   I find it interesting that there are people who are afraid of the law abiding citizens that carry a loaded weapon. If the clueless people only knew how many upstanding citizens are concealing a weapon day in and day out; people that walk past them everyday, and they haven't once subjected anyone to danger.
   Just to put some things into perspective, everyone should know that most of the people with weapons are extremely responsible and wouldn't even brandish the weapon during a typical argument...but, if needed, they know they have it. Most people who carry a gun under the seat of their car or elsewhere, actually hope they will never have to use it.
   I would like to have seen real statistics of people who chose to quietly carry a gun after the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles, California. I'm quite positive that Situation X was one of the most powerful lessons learned in protecting one's life. Would Reginal Denny have gotten his brains bashed in if he'd had a gun? No one can really know the answer, but it would have definitely bought him some time. Yes, he may have then been shot at, but an interesting thing happens when someone is aiming a weapon back at you, you must also worry about being shot.
   So, back to the question. What is in your immediate area that you could use as a weapon if someone quietly entered your house while you were reading this? What if you were at the mall and just getting out of your car? How about while you were sitting at a local fast food joint?
   Situation X can happen anywhere and at any time. If you happen to dislike guns, then may I suggest other instruments AKA weapons?
   If you were grabbed from behind by someone, and if you by chance had a pen, comb, brush, or other hard and sometimes pointy objects in your pocket, you can use it to scratch their face and eyes. You have a set of teeth don't you? I've never heard a criminal say, "that's no fair!" when being bitten.
   When someone approaches you as you're getting out of your car, do you have anything nearby that you can inflict pain with? I personally have a very big hammer that allows me to go on the offense rather quickly. If you have a freshly bought cup of coffee, and it's piping hot...aim for the face.
   Many law enforcement people might tell you to do whatever the criminal says and you probably won't get hurt. I agree, but at the same time, be prepared for Situation X with something that can also be known as a weapon.
   As I said, in my car is a very good hammer, but I also have a sling shot, a hunting knife, a long metal flashlight and a thick cord of wire three feet long. What's the cord for? If you were reared in the 60s you probably remember what a belt felt like on your backside, well, a cord does the same thing, but hurts quite a bit more. If I were to be pulled over by law enforcement, on a good day (for them) they may find another weapon. On a bad day for a criminal, they will definitely be confronted by something more.
   Being prepared for Situation X means that you are ready for the unthinkable and obviously, unexpected. Have you asked what might make you an actual target? What do you drive? How do you dress? Where do you shop? If I drive a brand new Mercedes and dress high fashion while wearing my diamond ring at the most expensive retail store in town, then I should be watching my back while heading to the car and my rear view mirror when going home. Why do you think home invasions happen more often than in the past? Because it's easier to rob a person compared to robbing a bank.
   Each room of your home should be prepared for a Situation X. Weapons don't have to be lying out in the open, and most definitely should not be. In a study or living room, you might place a few small and very sharp knives or razor knives in between the cushions or taped under a single seating chair. You might role play and ask that while your going to be seated, if it's okay for you to hold onto your throw pillow (which has a well placed weapon). Then again, you might just naturally pick it up and keep it in your lap for the opportune moment.
   I'm sure, to many who read this, that it will seem a bit paranoid of me to suggest you should be keeping weapons stashed here and there. Well, you're right, it does seem a bit paranoid. I agree. Let me share with you two actual scenarios, and then this post is done.
   I have a buddy that carries his gun everywhere he goes. One time while driving, my friend accidentally cut another driver off, and though he apologized by waving his hand and mouthing "I'm sorry", the other driver wasn't okay with the apology. At a light, the driver got out and approached my friend's car; banging on his driver side window. My buddy slowly reached to the side of his seat and pointed his gun in the guy's face. He didn't shoot the guy, but it put an instant end to the other driver's idea that he could harass my friend.
   Another time, same friend...his girlfriend doesn't like that he carries his gun with him. One night they are out late and they're walking in a not so good part of town. First off, he doesn't like being in places that are bad, but there was something special going on in that town. His girlfriend was always telling him to leave the gun in the car or at home, "I don't want it around me." Well, he lied to her and agreed he'd leave it in the car, but carried it anyway. Luckily, that night as they were walking to their car, they were approached by two thugs. Needless to say, the girlfriend was wishing, desperately that he had his gun. He asked her, "Are you sure?" Then, within seconds, he pulled it out and was no longer a willing victim (not that he was ever willing). Never again did she doubt or tell him to not carry his gun.
   My buddy, he's always prepare for Situation X. How about you?

Prevention is Key

   As with anything that has ever gone wrong, prevention would obviously been the key. If you know your car tires are wearing thin, then buy new tires, not re-treads (They're a waste of money in the long run). There are so many times in life that we wish we had hind sight, you know, I wish I had done this or that, then that or this wouldn't have happened.
   Well, though prevention is always a great thing, sometimes we actually need things to happen to us so we can understand the need for prevention. If you've never experienced anything bad, then life would seem to just mosey along in your favor you'd never become aware of the dangers lurking around the corner. Back in '97, I was driving a little Honda Civic. I came home late one evening and parked in my stall. The next day, I went to leave for work and when I got to my space, the car was gone. Though I wasn't worried about the car because I had insurance, I knew that the valuables I left in the glove box would be history. I lost two nice watches, a lot of CDs, some cash and the faceplate to my stereo. The stereo box that was in the dash would have been worthless to the thief if I had just taken the faceplate in the house.
   Since that time, I no longer leave anything I consider valuable in my car. I carry a small backpack that contains my GPS unit, my stereo faceplate, my iPod, spare cash, my tire lug-nut lock (so they can't easily steal my custom wheels) and anything else that is not easily replaced. Yes, prevention is the key!
   What is in your car? Do you have a weapon? What about an expensive flashlight or a stereo faceplate? Do you keep your checkbook in the car? What's in the trunk?
   I'm not suggesting that you have to remove everything from your vehicle each time you get out of the car, but you should be very aware that thieves will break in if they even see small change in the center console.
   Just because you live in what might be considered a "secure" apartment, just know that there is really nothing 100% secure. I have a friend that has left their laptop computer in their car overnight. To me, that's crazy! If you were a thief that was intentionally wandering through a "secure" garage, wouldn't it make sense to break into the car with the laptop sitting in the back seat.
   Prevention is about removing the possibility. If you have things in the back seat of your car that are valuable, then throwing a blanket over them is not prevention. Covering things with a blanket is a well written note to any would be thief that you have something valuable worthy of being hidden, and worthy of being stolen.
   The subject of prevention can go on and on. Today's topic was really about preventing theft from one's car, but I will be discussing in future blogs about how to raise one's awareness level and how it works in conjunction with preventing all types of loss in Situations X.  

Survival of Situation X

   This first post is going to be short and is basically an explanation of the site. Situation X is not about or affiliated with any extremist groups or backwoods mercenary type soldiers. It is a site that will help people understand how to survive better in a unexpected situation for which they are ill prepared. People are free to comment on any of the posts and if they know of a better way to handle a situation X, then by all means, make a brief and well written comment. Keep it clean, keep it professional and if there are any topics you'd like to contribute, then leave a comment and we will be in touch.
   There is a lot of news in the world today about the coming catastrophic 2012. I would suggest that you don't buy into it, but by the same token, just be prepared as you normally should. Do you have a BOB (Bug Out Bag)? In the case you don't know what a BOB is, it is a quick pack that you keep somewhere safe and available in case of emergency. As an example; if you've been watching the news lately, you'll see that the Mississippi has flooded many towns and left many people homeless. A BOB is something you grab and get out of Dodge.
   Though many people have an incredible BOB ready to go, if you're new to the idea of being ready for anything, then take some time right now and put together a quick back-pack. This pack might contain a pair of pants, t-shirt, underwear, socks, change of shoes and some toiletries. Many people who are well ahead of the game for preparedness might have a BOB that contains dried foods, water and hunting gear; knives, ropes, guns & ammo.
   One of the main things you want to know in a situation X that calls for a bug-out is that you need to be concerned first and foremost about yourself and your immediate family. Your friends will have to make due for themselves when it comes to food and water. Will you get caught in a food line or will you be prepared with dried goods and water for a few weeks or months?
   Stay tuned to this Situation X blog and don't be caught in a situation X that you can't consider surviving.