Had a nice ice-storm this weekend. Every twig and blade of grass covered in ice. Figured it would be a good time to try and start a fire.

Bottom line: No dry tinder, had to split tiny pine twigs to get kindling. Firestarter required. Very difficult.

My definitions:
If you can stack it, it is kindling
If you pile it, it is tinder
If you brought it, it is firestarter

Well, I haven't gotten to do a lot lately. Had to work a lot around Christmas and do the Christmas shopping thing, then I had to put new brakes and rotors on my wife's car, then were finishing up a couple projects around the house, repainting and carpeting a room and new tub surround in a bathroom.
I did pick up some of the new Sanyo Eneloop batteries this weekend, found out a store called HHGreg had them for $9.99 for a 4 pack which puts the price about the same as regular NiMH's. I've tried going rechargeable in some of my gear before but the self discharge of NiMH always killed that idea as I could never keep them maintained regular enough.

Yesterday I bought a small sewing kit and some toiletries for my weekend suitcase. I also added another oil lamp and another bottle of lamp oil to the stockpile.

Actually had a freezing rain event that caused a 40 minute blackout near dusk. I had been reading the thread on "lessons from Seattle" earlier in the day. My wife is out of town, so I decided to rough it and test some of my preparations. Realized I have some gaps.
My 100 year old Rayo table top oil lanp fired up after 15 years of dormancy! However, despite using smokeless, scent free lamp oil, it still smelled and was putting out too much soot for my use in our newly painted rooms. Any Ideas on what I can do to minimize the soot/smell/ smoke? It put out a good deal of light, so I would love to add it to my official preparedness stuff, but it is too dirty for use in my house unless I figure out my error.
Also found my large mag flashlights that I have had since the early 80's were too heavy and bulky to actually want to carry around and do stuff with. I would use them obvoiusly but they fell suprisingly far down my list of prefered tools.
I also keep putting down my glasses, and wasted a lot of time going back to locate them. I am going to the drug store and pick up a lanyard to keep by my flashlight shelf, and will put it on as soon as I get to my main arsenal of flashlights. I won't care if I look like my mother on Bingo night, I want to have my glasses where I need them during such times.
Power came back on and about all I had accomplished was shutting down my PC desk and my new Home Theater. I was actually shocked at the number of other electrical components that now have computerization that were subjected to the power spike... Refridgerator, washer and dryer, dishwasher, Ipods charging, high efficiency furnace. There is some computerization in nearly every room.
Next time I may opt to switch my main house breaker off, and wait for the neighbors lights to come on, then power up one series at a time.

I suspect that the problem is old oil (kerosene) in the wick. First you can replace the wick, or put it outside and light it and let it burn until the smoke stopped. Also try tuning the wick down lower. I had the same problem and these seemed to work.

Take Care and Stay Safe

A few more Glock parts, another strobe light, meds for mini FAK and Pill Pack. managed to sell something to help pay for it.

Dave

For this week ending January 20th I ordered a new NiMH battery charger, wanted to get a good one to extend the life of the NiMH batteries I'm starting to put in my gear.

Well, I was feeling a bit productive this last couple weeks. I got my new Maha charger and 7 packs of 4 Eneloop NiMH batteries and distributed them through my gear.
I also bought an analog trunking scanner (RS pro-97 on sale for $150) so I can hear a lot of what is going on around us.

I'm now researching bags/backpacks as my old backpack just doesn't quite have enough pockets to really keep all my gear well organized.

I'm fine tuning some kits by posting them here for comment. ( see Hiking kit and backpacking kits elsewhere). Also, working on fitness and education.

tro

Went to the REI "Scratch & Dent" sale. Picked up a pair of Merrells for $29.97, Petzl zipkka headlamp for $8 or 9.00 and a Princeton headlamp for $8 or 9.00. Both headlamps work, the Petzl needed batteries. Pair of REI brand boots for $8.97, was a great find. Picked up fuel and extras for the Jetboil, added a little food to the car BOB and re packed it. Put up better scanner antennas inside.

Dave