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1
Flora Food & Medicine / Re: Chronic pain
« on: December 30, 2007, 06:53:21 PM »
"Not to take the topic in a different direction.. Ai just feel that careless use of an extremely valuabel plant (datura) has unfairly repulsed some people into not ever having a relationship with it."
I do take minor offense at calling my use careless. I had taken a lot of precautions prior to using datura and had read up every bit of literature there was on it (20 years ago) and followed what little information was available to the letter. I still stand by my statements. Datura stramonium has a tight dose-response curve and at the time, there was little good documentation available for proper preparation of it, let alone dose. My experience with it was unpleasant, despite the precautions taken.
Could be my body didn't respond well. Could be that the dose was wrong. I don't know and I'm too old to play "figure out the dose" with something with that dramatic a dose-response. My apologies to datura, I'm just not that adventurous anymore.
I do take minor offense at calling my use careless. I had taken a lot of precautions prior to using datura and had read up every bit of literature there was on it (20 years ago) and followed what little information was available to the letter. I still stand by my statements. Datura stramonium has a tight dose-response curve and at the time, there was little good documentation available for proper preparation of it, let alone dose. My experience with it was unpleasant, despite the precautions taken.
Could be my body didn't respond well. Could be that the dose was wrong. I don't know and I'm too old to play "figure out the dose" with something with that dramatic a dose-response. My apologies to datura, I'm just not that adventurous anymore.
2
Transition Tech / Re: Repurposing dead cars.
« on: December 27, 2007, 10:47:40 PM »
More on this...
With the spot welder (see above) and the sheet metal, you can make boxes! With nice steel boxes, you've got pretty mouse proof food storage.
With the spot welder (see above) and the sheet metal, you can make boxes! With nice steel boxes, you've got pretty mouse proof food storage.
3
Rewilding Mind & Heart / Re: What is keeping you in civ/Soc?
« on: December 26, 2007, 04:40:03 PM »
A few things:
1. "Industrial collapse is not a retirement strategy." While I'd love to go squat land, until this shit comes down I want a method, even if it is a legal fiction, to protect the landbase I live on. That means, unfortunately, purchasing it. Which means work.
2. I work in muckity muck hi-tech land. You'd be surprised how fragile this all is from this stand point. Staying within civilization allows me the ability to wedge myself into a place where "oh... did I push *that* button. Whoops. *cough*" is a reality. It also gives me access to lots of information and people... placing oneself in the technocratic corps of the machine, learning where all the cogs are, how this all runs, is actually a somewhat novel strategy for me. We'll see how long it lasts.
1. "Industrial collapse is not a retirement strategy." While I'd love to go squat land, until this shit comes down I want a method, even if it is a legal fiction, to protect the landbase I live on. That means, unfortunately, purchasing it. Which means work.
2. I work in muckity muck hi-tech land. You'd be surprised how fragile this all is from this stand point. Staying within civilization allows me the ability to wedge myself into a place where "oh... did I push *that* button. Whoops. *cough*" is a reality. It also gives me access to lots of information and people... placing oneself in the technocratic corps of the machine, learning where all the cogs are, how this all runs, is actually a somewhat novel strategy for me. We'll see how long it lasts.
4
Flora Food & Medicine / Re: canning food?
« on: December 19, 2007, 11:15:11 PM »
I use the ones with zinc lids or glass lids with the balewire and the rubber rings (as well as loads of the other ones). The rubber rings are reusable and in theory, could be made pretty low tech. Even with the other ones, unless the lids are obviously fubar, I'll reuse them. As for jars, unless it's high pressure canning, I'll use any jar as long as it'll take a canning lid.
Side note: Wax sealer jars. Easy to make (they're earthware). Little metal lid and wax to seal it and there you go. Low tech food preservation for things that can't be dried.
Side note: Wax sealer jars. Easy to make (they're earthware). Little metal lid and wax to seal it and there you go. Low tech food preservation for things that can't be dried.
5
Flora Food & Medicine / Re: Chronic pain
« on: December 17, 2007, 10:15:00 PM »
I've done both. Acupuncture didn't help and massage had only moderate temporary relief. Bee stings theoretically are supposed to help but... of course... I'm allergic to bees.
Besides, I talk to bees and wouldn't want them to die just so I can get some pain relief for a disease caused by human stupidity.
Besides, I talk to bees and wouldn't want them to die just so I can get some pain relief for a disease caused by human stupidity.
6
Grief & Praise / Re: How do you deal with your observations of civ?
« on: December 17, 2007, 09:57:52 PM »
"Does anybody else here experience depression or some other psychological stress due to recognizing that civilization traps us in a cage? I wake up every day and see metaphorical prison bars. I want to rewild, but without social support, I am reluctant to begin. I feel trapped between my goals and my immediate needs (i.e. I need to go to work, maintain my friendships, obtain most of my food, all within civilization)."
------------------
After spending 5 years or so living about as feral as I can expect of myself (a two room cabin with a woodstove in the woods, growing/foraging my own food, hunting my own meat) I had to move back to the city to make money to pay off a legal debt (had I not paid it, I would have gotten sent to jail). I'm sticking it out for a few more years to pay off the debt and get enough to buy land free and clear. When I next head back... I was going to write "to the hills" but that rings wrong... home... I ain't coming back except for the big "bring it down" party when this all goes south.
I hate every moment in this goddess forsaken urban scar on the land. The noise, the smog, the pavement, the lack of trees (Forest Park is a glorified tree museum in my book)... no elk, no salmon, no crayfish, no deer, no bears, no coyotes, no cougars, no stars, no forest, no beavers, no places to swim.... this place will kill me if I stay to long. It's a soulless place filled with soulless people and every day here I feel my heart getting harder and harder.
When I first moved here it was hard for me to re-adapt. First night here I saw a plump raccoon waddling down the street. My instinct had me reaching for my rifle... oh... yeah.. right... Portland kind of frowns on that... crap.
My partner tries to make it better for me. She makes the effort to bring me to the woods. The last time I went I couldn't stop crying. I spent an hour walking and crying knowing that I can only visit and that I have to go back.. It's horrible. I feel like I've had my heart ripped out. Even writing about this I'm starting to teer up.
So... I do the only thing I know how to do. I prepare. I get better at gunsmithing. I can food. I jerk meat. I tan hides. I brew mead. I raise my chickens and ducks. I learn new skills. I sharpen my saws and ax. I do everything possible to avoid having to even look at this city. I spend a lot of time pacing my cage and reminding myself one word "Soon."
Damnit. I hate it here.
------------------
After spending 5 years or so living about as feral as I can expect of myself (a two room cabin with a woodstove in the woods, growing/foraging my own food, hunting my own meat) I had to move back to the city to make money to pay off a legal debt (had I not paid it, I would have gotten sent to jail). I'm sticking it out for a few more years to pay off the debt and get enough to buy land free and clear. When I next head back... I was going to write "to the hills" but that rings wrong... home... I ain't coming back except for the big "bring it down" party when this all goes south.
I hate every moment in this goddess forsaken urban scar on the land. The noise, the smog, the pavement, the lack of trees (Forest Park is a glorified tree museum in my book)... no elk, no salmon, no crayfish, no deer, no bears, no coyotes, no cougars, no stars, no forest, no beavers, no places to swim.... this place will kill me if I stay to long. It's a soulless place filled with soulless people and every day here I feel my heart getting harder and harder.
When I first moved here it was hard for me to re-adapt. First night here I saw a plump raccoon waddling down the street. My instinct had me reaching for my rifle... oh... yeah.. right... Portland kind of frowns on that... crap.
My partner tries to make it better for me. She makes the effort to bring me to the woods. The last time I went I couldn't stop crying. I spent an hour walking and crying knowing that I can only visit and that I have to go back.. It's horrible. I feel like I've had my heart ripped out. Even writing about this I'm starting to teer up.
So... I do the only thing I know how to do. I prepare. I get better at gunsmithing. I can food. I jerk meat. I tan hides. I brew mead. I raise my chickens and ducks. I learn new skills. I sharpen my saws and ax. I do everything possible to avoid having to even look at this city. I spend a lot of time pacing my cage and reminding myself one word "Soon."
Damnit. I hate it here.
7
Fauna Food / Re: roadkill?!
« on: December 15, 2007, 11:46:14 PM »
The short answer:
It depends.
Long answer:
What it depends on is what type of kill is it, did it puncture any internal organs, if so, which, how cold is it out, what type of animal it is, and how you you preparingit. Examples of things I've eaten and things I've passed up.
Deer, all four legs broken, found about 2-4 hours after it was hit mid October, 40ish degrees. Eat it, wasted only minor meat where the gall bladder had ruptured.
Raccoon, dead maybe less than a day, 90 degrees out, direct sun. Passed it up. I could have salvaged the pelt, and maybe have eaten the extremities, but didn't feel like chancing it even for raccoon. Really, if I had cooked it and eaten it, I would have been ok.
Badger, found dead on the side of the road in Idaho. Partner finds it, puts it on ice and brings it home for me. It's puffed up and the joints are difficult to move. I skin it, scrape it, salt it, then decide to try some of the meat. AWFUL. And not because it was bad, it's just musky and yeck tasting.
So, generally, it's a smell thing for me. If it smells bad, it will more than likely taste bad as well. If it's all puffed up and the joints are hard to move then it's a smell call, but I make sure I cook it first. Short of there being maggots crawling around it or an awful smell most roadwill have something salvageable.
There's a book out there and damned if I can't remember the name that talks about eating roadkill. Let me see if I can remember it.
It depends.
Long answer:
What it depends on is what type of kill is it, did it puncture any internal organs, if so, which, how cold is it out, what type of animal it is, and how you you preparingit. Examples of things I've eaten and things I've passed up.
Deer, all four legs broken, found about 2-4 hours after it was hit mid October, 40ish degrees. Eat it, wasted only minor meat where the gall bladder had ruptured.
Raccoon, dead maybe less than a day, 90 degrees out, direct sun. Passed it up. I could have salvaged the pelt, and maybe have eaten the extremities, but didn't feel like chancing it even for raccoon. Really, if I had cooked it and eaten it, I would have been ok.
Badger, found dead on the side of the road in Idaho. Partner finds it, puts it on ice and brings it home for me. It's puffed up and the joints are difficult to move. I skin it, scrape it, salt it, then decide to try some of the meat. AWFUL. And not because it was bad, it's just musky and yeck tasting.
So, generally, it's a smell thing for me. If it smells bad, it will more than likely taste bad as well. If it's all puffed up and the joints are hard to move then it's a smell call, but I make sure I cook it first. Short of there being maggots crawling around it or an awful smell most roadwill have something salvageable.
There's a book out there and damned if I can't remember the name that talks about eating roadkill. Let me see if I can remember it.
8
Rewilding Mind & Heart / Re: Scientists Propose "Rewilding"
« on: December 15, 2007, 02:56:26 PM »
The main issue I have about all this is:
Science has a really shitty track record attempting to fix things that civilization broke in the first place.
Science has a really shitty track record attempting to fix things that civilization broke in the first place.
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Visions of the Rewilding Renaissance / Re: 9/11 Conspiracy?
« on: December 14, 2007, 02:04:14 PM »
I don't think it matters either way, however I voted no for a couple of reasons.
First, it's a framing question. By framing 9/11 the way 9/11 truthers tend to do, they ignore hundreds of years of colonialism and the anger that it has caused. The fact is, those who live the brutality that the first world has foisted upon them have a darn good motive for killing those who have caused that brutality. They honestly couldn't have picked a better target. As strategy goes, they picked a perfect target and executed relatively flawlessly killing a huge percentage of rich people and fascist thugs.
If you look at who was killed, the majority were either those who are salary wise in the top 5% in this country or were the brute squad for those 5%. The violence of the state is NEVER pointed to those in that group So, framing the whole issue as a coverup tends to downplay the anger of others towards the first-world. Note: The "oh the poor janitor" argument doesn't hold water with me. If the US military had bombed Hitler's Eagles Nest hideout, I doubt many people would have cried about his janitors and cooks.
Second, the argument that an attack was needed to (pick one: Invade Iraq, justify repression) doesn't hold water. We had been bombing Iraq continiously for years. An invasion would have been fully supported. Passing laws to curtail civil liberties in the name of "freedom" had been occuring for years.
Now, that's not to say they didn't take advantage of the opportunity. I'm certain they did.
Third, 9/11 is why I left the east coast. I was in NYC that morning (luckily I had left it around 7am) and have friends who witnessed both the WTC attacks and the Pentagon. Controlled demolition? Missle? Space Aliens? Nope. Sorry. I believe my friends when they say "BIG FUCKING PLANE!:"
Lastly, a few thoughts. I take Ward Churchill's position on this. This was caused by the US deciding for hundreds of years to kill anyone whose shit we want to steal and the chickens finally came home to roost. Now, I think it's likely that some of the spooks knew these folks were in country/allowed them into the country, so they could either "catch them in the act" or to keep a better eye on them and then crapped their draws when this all came down.
And really.... does any of this matter one bit? No. The crimes of the state are well documented. Personally, I think the whole conspiracy beeswax is a government creation to keep the focus on a few dead rich firstworlders than the millions of dead poor brown people.
First, it's a framing question. By framing 9/11 the way 9/11 truthers tend to do, they ignore hundreds of years of colonialism and the anger that it has caused. The fact is, those who live the brutality that the first world has foisted upon them have a darn good motive for killing those who have caused that brutality. They honestly couldn't have picked a better target. As strategy goes, they picked a perfect target and executed relatively flawlessly killing a huge percentage of rich people and fascist thugs.
If you look at who was killed, the majority were either those who are salary wise in the top 5% in this country or were the brute squad for those 5%. The violence of the state is NEVER pointed to those in that group So, framing the whole issue as a coverup tends to downplay the anger of others towards the first-world. Note: The "oh the poor janitor" argument doesn't hold water with me. If the US military had bombed Hitler's Eagles Nest hideout, I doubt many people would have cried about his janitors and cooks.
Second, the argument that an attack was needed to (pick one: Invade Iraq, justify repression) doesn't hold water. We had been bombing Iraq continiously for years. An invasion would have been fully supported. Passing laws to curtail civil liberties in the name of "freedom" had been occuring for years.
Now, that's not to say they didn't take advantage of the opportunity. I'm certain they did.
Third, 9/11 is why I left the east coast. I was in NYC that morning (luckily I had left it around 7am) and have friends who witnessed both the WTC attacks and the Pentagon. Controlled demolition? Missle? Space Aliens? Nope. Sorry. I believe my friends when they say "BIG FUCKING PLANE!:"
Lastly, a few thoughts. I take Ward Churchill's position on this. This was caused by the US deciding for hundreds of years to kill anyone whose shit we want to steal and the chickens finally came home to roost. Now, I think it's likely that some of the spooks knew these folks were in country/allowed them into the country, so they could either "catch them in the act" or to keep a better eye on them and then crapped their draws when this all came down.
And really.... does any of this matter one bit? No. The crimes of the state are well documented. Personally, I think the whole conspiracy beeswax is a government creation to keep the focus on a few dead rich firstworlders than the millions of dead poor brown people.
10
Fauna Food / Re: Dogs for hunting and travel
« on: December 13, 2007, 09:16:20 PM »
I've owned small livestock before (sheep and poultry). One of my dogs is an excellent herder, so much so he's attempted to herd elk (with some success, with the exception of on very large old bull elk). Dog people are generally excellent friends as long as you realize a few things.
1. You are part of a pack now.
2. Dog people culture is very hierarchical. Some humans can't deal with that.
3. One of you will be Alpha. Most of the time, it's a really good idea that you be the Alpha, both for your friends sake and yours.
4. Most domestic dogs are descendants of Omega wolves. That means that they generally will want you to be Alpha and they need to run and play and socialize, just like their relations.
And yeah, the Dine'h have done small scale livestock (sheep) with dogs since the 1600s (if you believe the anthropologists, if you believe the Dine'h, they claim that the sheep were always in their memory).
1. You are part of a pack now.
2. Dog people culture is very hierarchical. Some humans can't deal with that.
3. One of you will be Alpha. Most of the time, it's a really good idea that you be the Alpha, both for your friends sake and yours.
4. Most domestic dogs are descendants of Omega wolves. That means that they generally will want you to be Alpha and they need to run and play and socialize, just like their relations.
And yeah, the Dine'h have done small scale livestock (sheep) with dogs since the 1600s (if you believe the anthropologists, if you believe the Dine'h, they claim that the sheep were always in their memory).
11
Wood-working / Re: bows
« on: December 13, 2007, 04:50:32 PM »
if anyone is interested I have a spare yew stave that's been drying for a few years, free to a good home.
12
Flora Food & Medicine / Re: Chronic pain
« on: December 13, 2007, 01:30:24 PM »
EEK!!! I've had thorn-apple before (recreationally when I was young and invincible). Not fun Worst drug experience of my life. Almost 20 years after it happened I still remember it being extraordinarily unpleasant.
Perhaps the salve is different and less potent but the dose/response curve for datura isn't something I feel comfortable messing with.
Perhaps the salve is different and less potent but the dose/response curve for datura isn't something I feel comfortable messing with.
13
Grief & Praise / Re: Alcohol as a problem of civilization
« on: December 13, 2007, 12:35:24 PM »
I say it depends on the person, their culture and the length their culture has had experience with alcohol. and how far removed their cultural memory is from a sustainable culture.
For myself, it's both food and medicine (and sacrament). But, for many of my relations, even though we've had at least a 6000 year history with alcohol when the culture that sustained us for thousands of years was destroyed, it became a poison.
For someone whose culture had no experience with alcohol and whose cultural memory is not far removed from a sustainable culture but if forced to live in this nightmare that the civilized have created, I could definitely see it as a poison.
My question is , is it the alcohol that is the poison or is it a symptom of the disease of civilization, where the abuse of alcohol is a way of self-medicating against the disease of civilization. Thoughts?
For myself, it's both food and medicine (and sacrament). But, for many of my relations, even though we've had at least a 6000 year history with alcohol when the culture that sustained us for thousands of years was destroyed, it became a poison.
For someone whose culture had no experience with alcohol and whose cultural memory is not far removed from a sustainable culture but if forced to live in this nightmare that the civilized have created, I could definitely see it as a poison.
My question is , is it the alcohol that is the poison or is it a symptom of the disease of civilization, where the abuse of alcohol is a way of self-medicating against the disease of civilization. Thoughts?
14
Flora Food & Medicine / Chronic pain
« on: December 13, 2007, 12:11:06 PM »
Hi all.
What do you use for chronic pain? I have MS and have found that one of the things that helps is direct application of stinging nettles to sore areas. But, that only helps when they're out in their stinging glory.
Any other suggestions?
What do you use for chronic pain? I have MS and have found that one of the things that helps is direct application of stinging nettles to sore areas. But, that only helps when they're out in their stinging glory.
Any other suggestions?
15
Transition Tech / Re: Repurposing dead cars.
« on: December 13, 2007, 11:58:04 AM »
The jack:
Hydraulic press. Very useful tool.
The water pump:
It pumps water, of course. Lots of things to be done with that.
The oil:
Use it to quench steel during tempering.
Transmission:
Take the bellhousing off, attach props to the input shaft and with some work you have the basics of a grist mill.
The sheet metal:
Anything from mirrors (polish them) to reflectors to firearms receivers. Given an entire car and a torch I could probably make at least a basic blackpowder fowler.
The leafsprings:
Great steel here. Makes knives (like mentioned) but also bows!
Wheel weights:
Lead ball for muzzleloaders. The problem is the antimony in them. You'll need to heat it up, cool it down a few times to get the antimony out or else it'll tear up a muzzleloader barrel.
Electrics:
You can make a functional electrical spotwelder with the battery (whose lead is also useful, see above) and something to recharge it (see gristmill).
The copper wires mixed with vinegar and salt makes copper sulfate. Using the sulfuric acid from the battery and saltpeter makes nitric acid. Copper sulfate and nitric acid mixed with a bit of water and heated when applied to steel is "browning". It basically protects the metal from rusting by applying a chemical rust to the surface.
You can MacGyver a lot of things from a modern automobile.
Hydraulic press. Very useful tool.
The water pump:
It pumps water, of course. Lots of things to be done with that.
The oil:
Use it to quench steel during tempering.
Transmission:
Take the bellhousing off, attach props to the input shaft and with some work you have the basics of a grist mill.
The sheet metal:
Anything from mirrors (polish them) to reflectors to firearms receivers. Given an entire car and a torch I could probably make at least a basic blackpowder fowler.
The leafsprings:
Great steel here. Makes knives (like mentioned) but also bows!
Wheel weights:
Lead ball for muzzleloaders. The problem is the antimony in them. You'll need to heat it up, cool it down a few times to get the antimony out or else it'll tear up a muzzleloader barrel.
Electrics:
You can make a functional electrical spotwelder with the battery (whose lead is also useful, see above) and something to recharge it (see gristmill).
The copper wires mixed with vinegar and salt makes copper sulfate. Using the sulfuric acid from the battery and saltpeter makes nitric acid. Copper sulfate and nitric acid mixed with a bit of water and heated when applied to steel is "browning". It basically protects the metal from rusting by applying a chemical rust to the surface.
You can MacGyver a lot of things from a modern automobile.
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