So Far, So Good! I'm Still Here!

Today is the day! Yep, the day that something is supposed to happen to the world according to the Mayan calendar. Of course, it seems that there is this propensity for the "doomsayers" to turn these "events" into the End of the World apocalyptic events.

Well, I'm still here and if you're reading this post, you're still here, too.

In reality, the Mayan calendar didn't predict the end of the world, at least as we know it. In fact, today is the end of a 5,000+ year cycle of the Mayan calendar. Actually, the Mayan calendar continues beyond December 21, 2012. So, if the world were going to end today, why would the calendar continue into the future?

There are a lot of people in the world who probably need to GET a life, as opposed to spending way too much time worrying about the future or lack thereof and not enough living in the moment.

There is also another group of people called the "Preppers." Now, personally, I don't have a problem with the Preppers. Yes, some of them might be slipping over the line separating reality and -- well, let's just say unreality. But, many of them simply realize that there are natural events and potential human events that might cause a period of challenge at some time in the future. So, they build an environmentally controlled, off the grid powered shelter, often underground. They stock it with non-perishable food stores, water and other necessary supplies. Some will maintain cache of defensive weapons. And they have various forms of communication and entertainment including books and such, all stashed in this shelter "just in case." Good for them. As long as they aren't hurting anyone else, I say, to each his own.

Maybe they are actually on to something. Supermarkets, for example, only inventory about three days worth of food on the shelves. So, if a particularly catastrophic natural event like the recent superstorm, Sandy, on the east coast or the wild fires that burned large parts of our country earlier in the year or a super blizzard or a 9.0 earthquake with a possible Tsunami like the one that hit Japan a year or so ago were to strike, perhaps these Preppers will appear to be the smart ones. Perhaps 25 or 30 years ago I wouldn't have said that, but climate change does appear to be real to some definitive degree. It could, and probably will, become more challenging. So, having a "bug-out bag" and being prepared to do what you may have to do to survive for a few days, weeks or possibly even months, may not be all that unrealistic.

As a nomad, my "bug-out bag" is always packed and I'm ready to move on a very short notice, actually, an hour or less.

So, here we are, December 21, 2012. The day has come, there's a big weather event covering much of the U.S. and there have been a few weather related injuries and fatalities. This is pretty common. But, I fully expect to be here tomorrow. And, I fully expect my nomadic travel plans for 2013 to roll-out. But, IF some planet or giant asteroid is going to plummet into the Earth's atmosphere and collide with us, I believe I'd like to be at ground zero and end instantly as opposed to survive in a world that may no longer be habitable.

See you tomorrow.