i decided to "sticky" these 3 topics, not just because i can, but because I talked to a lot of members and posters, and although some can't post all the time, they were interested in visiting these posts often, and so am I, and so I agreed with them and they agreed with me, and I agreed withem and they agreed with me. and so let get going, ok?

When is it time to go? YOU TELL ME! PLEASE! I dont want to wait until my neighbours have the pot o' water on and are looking like, all crazy-like, are sizing the shape 'n size of my meat 'n my bones... so whatever... TELL ME what you think dudettes 'n dudes...

Well, anyone have leading indicators of an impending fast crash? Medium and slow crashes don't normally present the problem of having to decide exactly when to bail out on short notice. Decisions with a long cycle time can be well researched and less gut level. Here are a few of my indicators:

1) I've got a reasonable number of contacts in various military and 3 letter agencies. Many are friends or colleagues of mine from graduate school. In some cases I believe their information may be better than mine due to connections, security clearances, etc. DFO's connections likely go a lot deeper than mine, which only go up to LTC at the highest. With only a few exceptions, most are blissfully unaware of how much information they let slip every day to someone who is observing, particularly in what they DON'T say. If I see a significant change of behavior on the part of a nontrivial number of them, then I can assume that something is afoot. This generally results in a periodic 'reconnection'---usually via phone or chat where my objective is really just to take their emotional temperature. I don't really expect to receive any hard information in most cases from this channel, mostly just an update on what 'Defcon' level to adjust to.
2) Disruptions in supply lines, even fairly small ones, particularly on commodities like gasoline. Any significant supply line disruption means if you're in a non-rural area you need to prepare to either evacuate or hunker down to shelter in place. Cities aren't very many meals from rioting.
3) World levels of tensions---as relates to a possible war involving WMDs. This is mostly a cold war thing, but it could be pretty easily summoned from the deep again.
4) Significant numbers of highly important and connected individuals vanishing from the public eye. Again, we assume they know something we do not.
Anything else?

Thanks to you EWHM! Keep them coming! You! Everyone!

I always believed it would take a tidal wave to get me out of my house. I feel very secure here, and have been slowly, steadily building my preps. However, that sense of security was shaken today when my son (who lives within walking distance of me) announced that he and his wife are planning to leave the state, probably next spring.

He is not a "believer"- they are both young and planning for their future. And who knows, they may be right and I may be wrong. (I remember Y2k, and I got through the recent "recession" relatively unscathed.)
So now I have to decide- is this a reason to "GO" or do I stand pat here?

Relocation:
How will *I* assess when it's time to GO?




When I see this guy and his friends in front of my house.

"When I see this guy and his friends in front of my house."

@Terminal Dogma:

You KILL me!

Oh, I would never do such a thing ( even if you beat and robbed me of my very last can of Chef Boyardee Ravioli ).

But a Lord Humungus and his gang of bloodthirsty Post Apocalyptic bandits certainly would ...

i used to love chef boyardi ravioli. i would have to eat it in a specific way. take the flat part off, and eat that. and then eat the filling. and then the rounded pasta part. that was a really, really long time ago. i miss it

Why bug out? If you're bigging out, so are millions of others, hunker down I say, weather the storm. Plus it would be a great time to catch up on my reading.