Okay, you have decided to SIP and after about 3 hours of your own company, you need something to fill the time for the next 3 months or so …
Try this one - I just did!
You have had some renovations done and it is time to set up all the computing power in your house again. You decide to invest in one new computer, upgrade the existing computer (memory and 19″ monitor), get your broadband connection to go wireless by using a system of routers and adapters and do some general software upgrades …
Right, the existing computer has all its cables disconnected and ‘packed’ into a box. Do you remember where you put all those helpful diagrams on how to reconnect everything? And that 6-pin power box appears to have been souvenired by the decorators … by the way, always remember that all the devices that have their own built-in transformer were never made to fit in a power box with other plugs - they demand far more space than that!
You have inserted the memory upgrade card and the wireless adapter card. Everything powers up, the computer detects a new hardware device - so clever. Grab the instruction book for the wireless adapter - first instruction DO NOT INSERT ADAPTER CARD UNTIL THE DRIVER HAS BEEN LOADED FROM THE CD …
Meanwhile, the new computer also underwent a memory upgrade prior to leaving the shop. You unpack the seventeen boxes that the full kit comes in and look for connection instructions - the book says “See the connection poster included with your main computer” - which was obviously removed to get to the computer to do the upgrade …
But wait, you have a kitset computer table to build first so you can have a home for the new computer. After the helpful people at the store load the box into the car for you, you see the big sign that says “HEAVY OBJECT - TEAM LIFT ONLY” - and there is just one of you! Oh well, easy, we will unpack part of the box in the car and carry pieces up to the house until the box is light enough for a single person lift. A word of warning - if you take this approach, be very careful not to brush the little fragile stickers off the ends of the pieces of timber that identify which part number it is!
Now, when you have made at least three more trips to various stores to get a soft rubber hammer (initially used for the table but also felt good against the back of the head as time went on), replace the screwdrivers that your son borrowed for a day about 2 years ago, buy two more 6-pin power plug boards (with inbuilt spike detector), get printer cartridges, return to the shop to exchange the printer cartridges because you got the wrong ones, and finally have all your computers set up, let me know and I will guide you through how to do software upgrades without losing all your files - just as soon as I recover all my files that is …
Oh, AnnieB that is SOOOO funny! The ONLY reason it won’t happen to me is that I’m such a techno-klutz my dh and ds wont let me anywhere near computer parts, or power cords and certainly not a DYI computer table. Dh blew a gasket when I dragged a library table home from a yard sale to put the computer on. “I can make a computer table thats better than that!” five years later we still have the library table. I’m rather hoping that a longish SIP period might yield some home projects like, oh, kitchen cabinets. Not holding my breath though. I’m thinking SIP is more likely to yeild couch potatos.
One reason why I have a laptop that runs off of 12 volts.
LOL
I have over 600 nice, thick paperback books, all along the lines of the Civil War days, pirates, and kings, knights and castles….that I haven;t read; and also almost 150 pounds of wool, ( Merino, Corridale, Romney ) all nicely coiled into roving, ready to spin and then knit.
I figure all that nervous energy will translate into ALOT of peddling on my 2 spinning wheels ! And I can knit and crochet in the dark, with no problems !
Madamspinner: Perhaps you could hook your spinning wheel up to a generator and make yourself some power in the process. :)
Oh…if I only knew HOW to do that ! I’d have alot of free power ! LOL
Maybe you could arrange to send the power to AnnieB. I can’t imagine her frustration if she gets everything set up and then her power goes out!
LOL. We have been so focused on what the potential frustrations are- I bet there are a few frustrations we’ll avoid.
For those who want to pedal themselves silly on a stationary bike, here is something you could use to produce energy (posted by another fluwikian):
http://www.econvergence.net/electro.htm
A bike would be a good SIP item (keep fit for the duration and/or something to use in case of a bug out). Madamspinner, maybe you could convert it… :) :)
Hi AnnieB - funny post.
Just FYI, I think you are confusing the terms SIP and Bugging Out. Bugging out normally refers to leaving your primary residence for a secondary location. Perhaps, What to do once you’ve locked the door and started your SIP (Shelter in place) would be more apropos?
; )
A lot of reading, a lot of writing (I have about ten spiral-bound,hard-covered, acid-free beautiful writing pads at the ready, with paper of a nice yellowish-creamy colour), teaching my two boys maths and improving their literacy, and having lots and lots of fun with my wife. Can anyone beat that ? :)
Many decks of cards and poker chips. Getting a few million dollars in debt (or ahead) can really take your mind off getting stir crazy. Had to pass 13 hours in an Austin America (small car) on a Colorado pass once in a blizzard with 3 other guys,and a week in a cabin another time. Those cards prevented many dark crimes!
Bugging Out - I think you meant: Going Buggy
or, Getting Bored from SIP ! ;-)
I wish there was some way for us to stay connected when we’re SIP, and the power is out. My father had a battery pack(?) for his computer, when the power would go off. What is available for computers, like that?
Acres of 0ak and a sawmill. Doubt I’ll get bored….
You could fashion your bad ass post apocalyptic leather outfit complete with accentuating cutouts and start growing your mohawk. (once again watching too many movies)
I’ll have satellite internet (Wildblue)if enough of the main Network Operations Center and Ground Antennas stay up. Of course, how long will I and other customers have $80 a month even if the power grid holds, if I am not working for a paycheck. Hmmm, how long will the power companies keep the grid going if lots of people don’t pay their bills. Like the for-profit hospitals, the Big Bosses could just close the doors and go home to their gold plated shelters (company paid for) when the profit motivation goes away.
The husband, who is our resident computer guru, has his preps in order: He has an inverter that will run off a 12 volt battery and some small rechargeable powerpacks so we can at least use my laptop should the power go out.
However, if the power goes out, the modem will stop working, so we wouldn’t be able to get online anyway.
LMWatBullRun: Board, maybe…lots and lots of board…
I have been accumulating all those big jigsaw puzzles, including some 3-D ones. Of course, I will probably have to build another kitset table first to make them on …
Also I have 3 cats so I could practise herding them - I used to be quite expert at that with sheep (raised on a farm)
Then there is the cockateil - his speech repertoire has become quite boring so I could teach him several more phrases.
Now, here is another really good challenge - I could replace all the sprigs in my golf shoes - have you ever tried undoing the factory tightened ones???
organizing preps, organizing all the printouts sudoku books (never enuf) jigsaw puzzles resting after chopping wood, carrying water etc
When TSHTF— I will have plenty of yarn & fibery things to do; to keep from going Buggy. I have always wanted to knit an Aran sweater, a Wedding Ring Shawl ( large square shawl of tiny intricate lace that will fit thru a wedding ring.) and a wool blanket made from my handspun yarn.
If spinning the lace yarn for that shawl doesn’t drive me crazy; and the knitting of it doesn’t;….I may just make it thru. ;-)
Any other serious knitters or spinners here; that have stocked yarns and patterns ??
I’m a quilter and I have plenty of fabric and other quilting supplies to keep me occupied for a while.
Hi Madamspinner. yes, I am an avid knitter and seamstress. I have ‘stockpiled’ all the necessities and will sew while we have mains electricity then knit (or learn hand quilting) after that. My granddaughters always enjoy dress-up clothes so that gives me something different to make, and I can have loads of fun with creating them.
I knit lots of baby and children sized clothes - I have grandchildren who just love receiving them and I get too bored to knit more than one adult size garment a year .. of course that could change!
The baby shawls you mention .. I make a new one for the arrival of each of my grandchildren - they take more than 100 hours to make but are so worth it - they become family heirlooms. I got the idea from my great aunt who make a new shawl for each of her 24 grandchildren.