Hi folks!
I just wanted to drop in and say hello. I've made a number of postings here, after watching the forum quietly for a while, thinking perhaps you guys would be a good place to find some fellowship. I've had a mixed reception here after introducing some of my ideas (more on that later) but figure I'll stick around for a little while as most people have been warm and accepting, and interested in what I'm doing, even if it is very different from their own plans.
My story goes something like this:
Born in Belize City in 1976. My dad owned a125 foot sailboat, and we made a living taking rich people on private cruises and showing them stuff. I was homeschooled on the boat by my mom and grew up as part of its crew.
Went to college in 1995, hated every minute of it, did the ROTC thing and became an Army officer. 5 combat tours (Kosovo, Iraq twice, Afghanistan twice) in the Infantry, 82nd Airborne division and 75th Ranger Regiment.
Got out and bought my own boat. I'm a 6th generation sailor and am now teaching my own kids how to sail.
My plans for life and for survival are different from those of most preppers. Most of my preps revolve around living on the boat, and I've posted a thread on life at sea in which I detail the reasons for that decision.
What I do have to offer is a lifetime of experience with sailing, fishing everywhere from the Carribbean to Antarctica, collecting shellfish, harvesting kelp, getting by in developing countries, and a lot of tactical experience I got in the Army that I'm hoping never to need again.
I don't hate people who don't prep, and contrary to what I observed someone say in chat about me tonight, I don't hate homesteaders. That's where I'd like to correct the record. The person making the comment correctly observed that I am a dick, and I don't have a problem with that part - but I don't feel that I've said anything hateful at all here. If you can point out what I said that' hateful I'd be happy to issue a public apology.
I was under the impression that this forum was for survival in general, and not just homesteading, so I thought it would be OK to talk about my plans and perhaps open the up for discussion to others who might be interested in life at sea.
Everyone obviously advocates their own plan and feels that it is the best. I try not to fall into that trap but am as human as the next guy. Advocating an escape plan does not mean that I hate homesteaders, or that I don't think it can solve an awful lot of problems. Nor am I under the illusion that my plan can solve all problems, or that it would be the best fit for everyone. I just present it, along with my reasons for it, and you can take it or leave it. You can even call me a dick about it if you want to. It is a plan that makes sense for me, and I like telling other people about it. I'm not going to apologize for that or make excuses about it.
Let's just be clear about the hate thing. I don't hate homesteaders. I don't hate the socialists that are destroying America or the "sheeple" who elect them. I don't hate much of anybody. I don't even hate the Taliban, and they blew my left arm off. I sure as heck don't hate some guy in Texas that I never met, just because he doesn't roll the same way I do. Hating people clouds your judgement, just like being angry does. I'm not angry about things, either. Things are what they are. I see no point in it.
I have enjoyed some spirited discussions here on a variety of subjects and hope I can have more of them in the future. Just, please, understand that if I suggest an alternative to homesteading, it isn't out of hate. Ever.
Good luck to all of you, whatever your plans are.
