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Ecuador Is Great
Ecuador Is Great… But Now What?
Did I ever mention to you that next year I plan on doing some world travel. This was my original plan when I moved to Cuenca, but I needed to get that first 2 years of residency in before I could be out of Ecuador for more than 90 days.
But what do I mean when I say world travel?
And will I still be Ecuador George, or will I be España George, or maybe Italia George?
Nothing will change. I will still be George and my blog site will still be Ecuador George, but my reports will be coming to you from all over the world.
Of course I will touch down in Ecuador on a regular basis, but for the next 2 years, 2017 and 2018, I am hoping to have extended stays in Spain, France, and Italy, and I might do a little traveling into Malaysia and Mexico. I might even do a tour of the United States for a few months, maybe the east coast.
Who knows, it is all just in the planning stages right now, but I thought I should let you know.
As for this year, nothing will change. I will continue to travel around Ecuador and next week I will be in the United States and will tour the coast of California from Laguna Beach up to San Francisco. Later this year I will be going into the Amazon. Maybe some of you would like to go along.
So looks like my travel goal is going to be realized soon. But what about those other goals I set? How are those coming along?
From Fat George To Not So Fat George
When I moved here in 2014 I was 248 pounds, but today I am dancing in at about 215. Ecuador has that affect on a lot of people. Of course I feel a lot better now, but 195 is my ultimate goal.
And I need to firm up. I have resorted to leaving the lights out when I shower. I make the dog leave the room when I'm getting dressed. And I only date people with failing eyesight or ones who are legally blind. It has really gotten pretty bad.
So I finally joined a gym… and it is the best thing I've done for myself in a long time. And I bought a bicycle. And I'm riding it.
Maybe you want to work out with me???
If getting into shape is one of your goals, and you live near Remigio Crespo between Solano and Loja, we could do it together. This gym I found is new, it's clean, the owners are great, and it is actually fun. (and no, I don't get free months if you join).
Losing weight is hard. I thought learning Spanish was going to be the difficult task, but this last 20 pounds might be my biggest challenge to date.
Progress, not perfection. And I am making progress in both areas. My Spanish is coming along ever so slowly, but I am seeing improvement every day.
But lets not get off the subject of that Gym Membership…
Spartan Gym
I joined this place for a couple reasons. Convenience, as it is only a 15 minute walk from where I live, I have friends already at this gym, the price is really good ($72 for 3 months), and everything is almost brand new and the place is really clean. Spartan Gym is also very close to one of Cuenca's colleges so the clientele are very young and healthy, and very friendly and helpful too. I find this very motivating… And not in a dirty old man way either.
The first day I joined I had a talk with one of the owners, Cesar, and told him what I was trying to accomplish. He then took 2 hours of his day to show me around, teaching me a good routine for increasing stamina and losing weight. I offered to pay him when he was done, but he would not take my money. And the other owners and employees are just as attentive. If you want help, they are right there. If you want to be left alone, no problem. I really like this place.
So who wants to come work out with me?
Spartan Gym is located just off of Remigio Crespo. If you know where the Subway is, and JEP, well, it is within a block or two of those landmarks, a couple of blocks west of Solano. The address is Remigio Tamariz 337 and Agustin Cueva in Cuenca.
If you have any questions, call them at 098 3092511 or 099 17336511. I'll even meet you there if you need a little moral support.
La Yunta
I play poker every week with a group of friends. These are very special guys who asked me to join their group about 9 months ago. I had no idea that most of them were small business owners here in Cuenca. And I had no idea how quickly we would become close friends.
These are all well known business people, and I have been to each of their shops. Jim Gould is the owner of La Yunta Tienda and Cocina, along with his partner and wife, Soledad. If you want rustic furniture, this is the best place in Cuenca to go. And if you like authentic Ecuadorian food, their kitchen will cook it up in the same store. That's right, furniture and food, what a great combination. Located 10 miles outside of Cuenca on the Panamericana Highway. Call them for directions 0989456551 or just Google "La Yunta".
You will not be disappointed.
But this place is more than just that. These are community minded people, and I have been to more than a few events at La Yunta. This is a place you will want to take your time visiting, meet Jim and Soledad, and enjoy an hour looking around their very beautiful store.
Then sit down and order up some great food. Let them know I sent you. I get free refills if you do. Hahaha.
California Here I Come
Tomorrow I leave for California. I will spend about a week in my mountain cabin and then we are going to tour the coast from Laguna Beach all the way up to San Francisco. We will have many stops along the way including a nights stay on the Queen Mary in Long Beach.
Now don't tell anyone, because this is a surprise, but a good friend is going to get us into the Facebook facility up near the bay area. There is a rumor that this place is spectacular. If they let me take pictures, I will have them on the next blog post.
Of course we will stay two days in San Francisco, so expect to see pictures of all the iconic landmarks in that beautiful city. My brother and sister will be joining me on this little coastal tour, and there will also be a surprise guest. Can you guess who it might be. This person had to jump through some hoops in order to make this trip, but with a little help from some friends and sponsors, we got it worked out. No, I am not telling. But my Facebook pictures might give it away over the next week or so. But I will have the whole story for you next time.
Don't you love surprises?
Another One Of My Lists
You must know by now I love to make lists. I write down little comments and story ideas all the time. Then I put them in a list and pick one of the items to write about. So, here is the list and I hope I have time to write a story. It is midnight and I still have to pack. So, the list tonight and then a story tomorrow morning before I leave… Maybe I will have time to write two stories.
- I wish I could write some better words that no one has ever heard.
- Am I insecure because I care what people think?
- That smell reminds me of my grandmother's basement.
- If you have an experience, then you have a subject to wrote about.
- Lover or hater, which one are you?
- The accidental ugly American.
- The anatomy of a story.
- The elephant in the room might be you.
- The Boy Scout badges story.
- My dog died tonight.
- My next step in the right direction doesn't have to be a big one.
- Making mistakes is always better than faking perfections. (stole this from somewhere)
- Embarrassing those negative thoughts could destroy them.
- Do you post misinformation? Are you a hate spreader?
- Yesterday my friend question my ability to maintain a relationship.
- When did your smile start looking like your grandpas?
- I have doubts.
- Camping and holding it for 3 days.
Bless you my child. (But I Have Doubts)
Today we are going to be looking for my soul, and maybe we will go looking for yours too. Soul searching is todays topic. Filling up that black hole with good stuff so there is no more room for the bad.
Lets explore all those questions that you may have silently asked yourself but have never been able to come up with a definite answer. Maybe the answer is gratitude, love, and an open mind. And maybe we over think things a bit… This will not be for everyone. And I am not taking sides with this. I am just thinking out loud. And my thoughts and ideas change almost every day. Please don't assume you know my religious beliefs because of these words…
I think this might be my first poem….
I Have Doubts
I believe in good. I believe in God.
I don't believe in God. I have doubts.
The embrace is very telling.
What part of the good book do you embrace?
The love part or the hate part?
Is life a test? Is this heaven right now? Is this hell?
Is life what we make of it?
Eternity seems like such a long long time.
But why would we be here if this is all there is?
Does believing make your life better or worse?
I might say a prayer for others. That is a good thing.
And I might whisper for a little help, but then I do the work.
Hello God, are you there? I think I feel you sometimes.
But then I have those doubts.
What kind of person are you?
How do you start your day? Are you grateful or are you fearful. Are you sad because you're old or are you happy for a full and long life? What kind of self talk do you have? Are you finished or are you just getting started? Do you think about everything you don't have or are you grateful for all that you do have?
Have you noticed a little bit of poison getting stirred up lately while listening to all this political rhetoric? A lot of my friends are experiencing discomfort. It really is ugly to watch what is happening. Lots of fear and anger. It is like a bad car accident. It's hard to turn away from it. It makes me upset if I watch it for too long.
It's funny, because I have a daily ritual for staying mentally healthy. But as hard as I work at this, I still have some of that awful stuff creep into my head now and again. But I kick it out the minute I see it happening. Staying in gratitude is my only hope for a fantastic life. If I let myself be influenced by all the crazy that is going on in the world, it will drag me down into that dark place.
Don't go there. Nothing good has ever come from that place. For me, I turn off the television and turn on some music. In a matter of minutes I am usually dancing around the kitchen.
"I cannot control everything that happens to me; I can only control the way I respond to what happens. In my response is my power."
Ok, that is it for this time. Got pretty deep there for a minute. Hope I didn't harm anyones sensibilities. And I hope you didn't misinterpret these stories to be about religion and politics, because they were not meant to be.
They were about acceptance, about keeping an open mind, they were about saying it is ok to question things, to change your mind, and then to change it back again if you want. They were about doing your best to stay above the fray and out of that dark place.
Next time I will have a thousand pictures to show you. And come to the gym with me. We can get fit together.
Friend me on Facebook and take that coastal tour in real time…
And if you have any questions or comments, leave them below.
Until next time….
Category: Living in Ecuador, Retiring in Ecuador, Visiting Ecuador
Comments (45)
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if you are planning to go to venice while in italy, be sure to do that first. in 1987, a greek architect told me how venice was built- it's built on (similar to) telephone poles banded together and now, they are sinking! if you look at some old pictures, and then at some new, you will see some front doors are actually touching the water line! just the same, it's a great place to visit! have a blast! xo
My plan is to stay for 90 days in each country. Hoping I will be able to travel from that home base to nearby towns to get a feel for the country I am visiting. I hope 90 days will be a long enough time. Of course Venice is at the top of my list. Just starting to look at all the choices. So many beautiful places to see.
Hello. And don't miss "Bella Firenze" (Florence) and the Amalfi coast (Sorrento is fab). The Italians are wonderful people but like you I think the world is a mirror a lot of the time and what you put out gets reflected back. Enjoy your travels!
Best Regards,
Ed S.
P.S. really liked and related to your last post.
Good on you George for hitting the gym. Looks like a younger crowd that will give you incentive to keep up! I am part of a work out group here in Bahia composed mostly of locals. I go with my 25 yo son who is closer to the mean age of the group (I'd say 30ish). I'm usually the last guy running along the beach, down the street, or up the hills but so far I haven't had a heart attack or broke my hip ;-P
Have fun on your trip to the States! Looks like a good time.
The younger crowd is a great motivator. And they are so helpful and curious about the old gringo. So far, I am really enjoying it. Wish my back liked it as much as I do. Have fun in Bahia.
I once upon a time received your posts but haven't heard in a long while. If I promise to be good, could I be reinstated as a regular? Thanks, Dorothy
This was a very nice blog. I enjoyed it and look forward to the next one. Have a safe and wonderful trip! I think I MIGHT know who the surprise guest is? See you soon.
Don't give it away. We are having a great time and I am really enjoying how my special guest is soaking it all in.
We go to Universal Studios tomorrow with brother Bill and his wife Jodean and my nephews Justin and Joseph. That should be an incredible experience.
Thanks for the nice comment. See you soon.
You look pretty good, George, in the gym picture. My partner, Mark, and I are coming to Ecuador in late summer. Sorry we'll miss you.
George, I love your blog and always enjoy reading it. I just wondered what will happen to your lovely dog while you do all this travelling? Perhaps that is the surprise??? I am happy that you are planning such great trips and also enjoying your gym regime.
Wynne Wilson
British Columbia, Canada
I really hope you have an opportunity to visit Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia. Every time I see a picture of the Petronas Towers at night, it simply takes my breath away. I did some research on it for a story I was writing and fell in love.
Kuala Lumpur is on my short list. I have heard it is outrageous. Thank you Karen for the great comment. George
I look forward to all of your posts, and love your writing style. Glad you're off and enjoying more adventures. I have to ask though, after reading your lists, Missy is ok, right?
Have a great trip, George! And many more to come. I'm heading back after 3 years here in Ecuador,to continue having fantastic life between birth and death. I'll keep reading your blog, love it and wish you well!
Will we see each other before you go? I hope so. If not, have a great trip back. Hope everything happens just the way you want it or on this adventure you are taking. Love you. George
Dear Eva,
I see that you are leaving Ecuador. And I have been dreaming and preparing myself to moving to Cuenca for the rest of my life. I love Cuenca, and so did you, I guess. Why did you give up on staying? Was it your intention to have just some time spent in Ec.? I want permanency, and what I have experienced and saw in Cuenca made me sure I want to live there. I have a condo in Moscow, Russia, where I lived until I was 40. Then I moved to the US, but I do not want to grow old here. 26 years has been enough, for many reasons.
so, what made you change your mind? Are you retirement age? do you have family in the States that you miss being close to? I need to know why people change their mind, for me to think over. I hate renting, and I decided to buy my condo in Cuenca first, so I could have a real home. Might be a big mistake, if I don't forsee possible complications. (Language will be the last of my worries, I can communicate pretty well).
Please, find time to respond, it will be greatly appreciated.
Eva, if I might be so bold as to pry into your business, could you tell me why you are leaving Ecuador? Thanks for any info. Dorothy
George: so glad you will continue your posts during your world travels. If you feel a little daring there is a wonderful zip-line in the redwood canopy of the Sanra Cruz mountains. I was there in October and the zip lining was terrific, I am close to your age and will go back and do it again. The smell and sight of the huge redwoods was so liberating. Safe travels!
We will be looking for this ziplines. That is about as daring as I get, other than walking around Guayaquil after dark. Sounds wonderful. I will post pictures if we find the place. Thanks for the tip. George.
For a quick blog post "out the door in 3 minutes" this one was great! You have a real talent for this and I really do enjoy reading your blog. Have a great time in the US and I, along with many others, look forward to hearing of your future adventures… maybe even a visit to some of the wonderful places to see you.
Be safe out there and soak up some Costco and Trader Joes while in Cali.
Later dude
Do I know you? You sound like a very good find of mine. I have already visited Costco and Trader Joes is also on my list. Thanks for the nice comment. Glad you like the blog.
I enjoy your posts, but must say that I really enjoyed your introspective on self doubt and trying to keep a good outlook. Thanks so much for sharing, you have a great way with words. Enjoy your journeys.
Hi George: I typed a chapter in reply to your wonderful blog and then I lost it. If you somehow got it let me know. Loved your blog glad you're in the gym. Exercise is Medicine. Remember that.
You know that I was raised a very , very strict Catholic and then of course somehow I ended up having 3 divorces. talked to a priest who was wonderful and who said that as far as he was concerned none of those marriages were valid as my 3 husbands didn't live up to any of their vows. I struggled with the guilt for years but now I am of the opinion that we have our heaven and hell here on earth. I feel that when we die we just pass through the veil and into a place of Love and peace. Love & Blessings. Kathy
Hey, George!
Your travel plans to Europe and wherever sound so exciting! I, too, was starting to plan some extended travel to Europe, but came across the 90 day limits for EEC and Schengen countries. The way I understood it was that you could spend 90 days in the EEC or the Schengen countries, then had to be out any EEC or Schengen country for 90 days before you were eligible for a second 90 day Visa to any EEC or Schengen country. Does that make sense? What restrictions have you come across?
Thanks, and Keep on Writing!
Glad to see you are traveling. BTW before I forget, my wife and I were married on the Queen Mary in Long Beach.
Europe is such a great place and I am sure you will love it. I haven't really found any country that wasn't superb. Don't rule out the eastern Europe countries if you were planning on only western countries like you mentioned.
We loved Budapest, Vienna and Prague and I hear Romania is fantastic and inexpensive currently. Best of luck amigo and glad to see you are losing weight. That is my biggest challenge this year. #safetravels.
"My dog died last night". Please tell me this is not about Missy!
No Donna,
It Is actually about Mister and Rusty, my last two dogs. Missy is very healthy and fine. George
You sound happy. Like you are on a mission and it's great fun for you. So much better than last time. Makes me feel good to read about your plans to travel. You're absolutely right about gratitude. And I really believe in that law of attraction concept. I bring to me what I think about. So, for me, to focus on the fun parts, planning, moving forward, giving back allows me to experience joy. I know, it sounds so airy fairy.. but it works! Keep going there George. Love, Lollie in Vilcabamba. ps. God I want to go to Italy! And Ireland!
I really look forward to reading each and every one of your blogs. You write well and think deep. Looking forward to reading more about your adventures around the world. I've always wanted to go to Venice and take a tour of the back canals and boathouses. Keep up the good works and enjoy every moment!
Love how you think and doubt and try to stay in light-filled space.
I hope to join you for something in the fall. Thanks for all the tips. Best wishes on your voyage.
Fun to find you on the web, George. I'm doing just the opposite of you — am currently wrapping up 2 months in Italy and am planning on Cuenca next. Thought it would be a fun place to spend a few months or so.
I based in Florence and have really enjoyed the city. Best keep at the gym action tho — the morning pastries with cappuccino and the afternoon gelatos can add up!
Ao glad to hear that Missy will be taken care of. When I first read your post I was concerned you don't seem like a disposable pet person. Glad she will be with her other half.
Have a great time and keep posting
Thank you for another thought provoking, inspiring tour of the human experience and the English language. As mama woild say your blog is "…like a box of chocolates. You never know what you're gonna get."
Almost everything I have read about Cuenca makes it soind like a near perfect place to retire. I am planning an exploratory trip to Cuenca, probably in late May or June. Will you be in town at that point? It would be great to meet you and some of the other expats.
Enjoy your travels in the US. Be safe.
George – I am not sure how to reach you other than this, since I am just a follower of your blog. I hope you are okay and that your friends and loved ones in Ecuador are okay. Sending love and prayers to Ecuador after the earthquake.
Same worries as Suzanne. Are you ok? What is needed, how can we help? Sending love your way and to the wonderful people of Ecuador.
Everything OK? (It has been 4 months since your last post.)
I started reading from the beginning and just became current today. We have very little in common other than a love of Ecuador. I certainly do not have enough money to live the way you have been.
Having said that I am sorry to see that you have quite blogging. I'll come back again in a few months and see if you have resolved your 'issues'.
What's going on? Why no more blog entries? I'm thinking the downside to moving to Equador may be coming into play now. Wish we could get an update.
Hola George. It has been a year since your last post. You indicated that you planned to resume writing so I have been checking regularly. If that is no longer the case, please let me know, and I will take you off the list of blogs that I follow. Hope you are doing well! I have very much enjoyed your contributions and have shared a lot of your information with others over the last few years! Have a great day! Rob


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Tennis star Caroline Wozniacki took things a little too far as she scolded the chair umpire during the second set of her third round match in the French Open tournament against Kaia Kanepi for making a bad call.
The umpire called a ball 'in' that should have been 'out' near the baseline on Wozniacki's end of the court. The chair umpire came out to point out the spot on the baseline where he saw the ball land, which was a bit off from where Wozniacki saw the ball land. Replays showed that the ball did appear to land 'out'.
The umpire went back to the chair to get back to calling the match, but instead of letting it go, Wozniacki went over to the chair and continued to argue.
That's when Wozniacki took things too far by insulting the umpire's intelligence with comments like "Have you been to school?", and even asked to speak to the umpire's supervisor to complain about the call. Granted that the replay showed that the ball appeared to land 'out' and Wozniacki was justified in being unhappy with the call, but at a certain point, she needs to let it go. If she made her point by being a little nicer about it, maybe she would get the benefit of the doubt on a call later in the match.
In the end, Wozniacki lost the match to Kanepi in three sets, and she continued to complain about the officiating during the post-match press conference. Maybe if Wozniacki wasted a little less time arguing about the umpire's call and more time focused on her opponent, things could have turned out a little better for her.
H/T Busted Racquet.


text: I Love Deviled Ham Me Too Devilishly good! 6 People Report Group Sort popular recent Mmm I usually don't eat that canned stuff but I like deviled ham. I make my own and enjoy it on crackers or wheat bread. fungirlmmm 46-50, F 2 Responses 0 Aug 18, 2011 More Stories


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3DOcean Cherry Tree with Berries 8793092
3DOcean Cherry Tree with Berries 8793092
3D Model \ Nature \ Trees
Object \ Nature \ Model \ Plant \ Stem \ Wood \ Vray \ Tree \ Leaf \ Branch \ Berries
3D Model - Cherry Tree with Berries 8793092 by Filipok @ 3DOcean
3D Model \ Nature \ Trees
3D File Formats Included: .fbx (multi format), .max (3ds Max), .obj (multi format); Animated: No; Created In: 3ds max 2012; Geometry: Polygons; Low-poly: No; Materials: Yes; Poly Count: 6338428; Rigged: No; Textured: Yes; UV Layout: Yes.
Height 5.3 metre. Real scale model. High quality 3D model. Prepared for high resolution renders. Previews were rendered in 3ds Max 2012, V-Ray renderer. 3D model prepared for render in gamma 2.2. All objects are properly grouped. Scene in mm. Formats included: *.fbx, *.obj, *.max V-Ray – 3ds max 2012.
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Cherry Blossom" width="80"/>Delta Light Jeti SW,SC" width="80"/>Delta Light Jeti S" width="80"/>Delta Light Jeti Plano" width="80"/>Delta Light Jeti Luster" width="80"/>Delta Light Jeti L 124" width="80"/>Artemide Cadmo parete" width="80"/>.
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Monviel Tourism
Visit Monviel - Best of Monviel
Monviel is a commune in the Lot-et-Garonne department in south-western France. The inhabitants number of de Monviel in the 1999 population census was 78. The town's area is 6.3 km².Wikipedia
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Orlando in Orange County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
The Soldiers, The Sailors, The Statesmen
To the honored memory of The Soldiers, The Sailors, The Statesmen of the Confederate states of America. "Time cannot teach forgetfulness when grief's full heart is fed by fame."
(Side two):
"Tis wreathed around with glory and 'twill live in song and story, though it's folds are in the dust."
(Side three):
"The cause for which he suffered was lost; the people for whom he fought were crushed; the hopes in which he trusted were shattered; but his fame, consigned to the keeping of time, which happily is not so much the tomb of virtue as its shrine, shall in the years to come, fire modest worth to noble ends."
(Side four):
This monument shall stand through the years to come as our loving tribute to the Confederate Soldiers and as a memorial of his heroic courage, his unparalleled devotion and his unselfish patriotism.
Erected 1911 by Annie Coleman Chapter No. 226 United Daughters of the Confederacy of Orlando, Florida.
Marker series. This marker is included in the United Daughters of the Confederacy marker series.
Location. 28° 32.665′ N, 81° 22.216′ W. Marker is in Orlando, Florida, in Orange County. Marker is on Eola Street Touch for map. Marker is on the eastern edge of Lake Eola in downtown Orlando, just north of the western terminus of East Washington Street. It is accessible by footpath. Marker is in this post office area: Orlando FL 32801, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. J. P. Musselwhite & Family (within shouting distance of this marker); "Lest We Forget" (within shouting distance of this marker); Orlando Reeves (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge (about 300 feet away); John R. Mott House Site (about 400 feet away); Mathew Robinson Marks (approx. 0.2 miles away); Linton E. Allen Memorial Fountain (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Cathedral Church of Saint Luke (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Orlando.
More about this marker. Tall white marble structure with soldier on top facing west, across Lake Eola.
Categories. • War, US Civil •
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on April 28, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,805 times since then and 3 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 28, 2008, by Julie Szabo of Oldsmar, Florida. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.


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Tag Archives: knives
5 Best Hog Hunting Knives
A good hog hunting knife can be the difference between a safe clean kill and a field injury ruining a trip. The important aspects of the best hog hunting knives are that they are made of a thick, strong steel, … Continue reading
Best Hog Dog Supplies
Hunting hogs with dogs is a very effective way for a successful hog hunt. While the success rate is higher hunting with dogs, you need to have the right equipment for hunting hogs. Cut Collar – The "cut collar" … Continue reading


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I am an Assistant Research Scientist in The Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Texas A&M Health Science Center, College Station. I received my Bachelor's degree in Pharmaceutical Science from India. Thereafter, I obtained my Master's degree in Cheminformatics from the Department of Chemistry at the University of Manchester, U.K. My inclination towards computational drug design encouraged me to apply for Ph.D. training, and I joined the Kellogg Research Group at Institute for Structural Biology and Drug Discovery, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Throughout my academic experiences, I have developed a strong interest and firm commitment to scientific research.
My research focuses on design, development and application of new computational tools for Molecular Modeling and Drug Discovery. The opportunity for research in developing software tools complementing and supporting the experimental approach is a component of my training that particularly excites me. Development and application of ligand-based (QSAR) and structure-based techniques specific to the needs of a project, in just a matter of days, is a unique capability of my research group. Most of my research involves collaborative projects with different research groups that include pharmacologists, synthetic chemists and clinicians. As a result of these collaborations with multidisciplinary research groups, I have accumulated invaluable experience in interdisciplinary research and team dynamics. Currently, I am exploring 'Infosphere' and seeking for good collaborative projects.
- Published paper 'PITPs as targets for Selectively Interfering with Phosphoinositide Signaling In Cells' made it to the cover page of Nature Chemical Biology (January 2014 issue).
- Recognized as Fellow of the Graduate Teaching Academy, Center of Teaching Excellence & Office of Graduate and Professional Studies, 2014.
- Recognized as one of the ten best reviewers in 2013 for journal Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry.
- VCU Invention Disclosure, (Patent Pending) "New Pyrrole Compounds with Colchicine Site Anti-tubulin Activity", 2013.
- Awarded Research Mentoring Certificate, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 2012
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Graduate Student Symposium Award from the Drug Design and Discovery section sponsored by Bristol-Myers and Squibb, 2008. The program is designed to recognize excellence in graduate education in the field.
- J. Doyle Smith Award for achieving the greatest distinction in the areas of research, teaching, scholarship and service in the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at Virginia Commonwealth University, 2008
- Nominated for Rector/Rorrer Dean's Award for excellence in scholarship, research, teaching, and service, 2008
- Recipient of 2005-06 Graduate and First Professional Student Technology Research Grant. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2005
- Sigma Xi
- American Chemical Society: Division of Medicinal Chemistry.
- American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS).
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- International Society for Cancer Biology
Journal Reviewer –
- Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry
- European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry
- Current Medicinal Chemistry
- PloS ONE
- European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Journal Editorial Board –
- BMC research Notes
Guest Editor –
- Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry


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Join me in the Blender users chat room hosted at irc.freenode.net #blender
From time to time I like to stream my current WIP live. I like to do all kinds of computery type things like Graphic Design with Photoshop, or 3D Modeling with Blender, Maya, ZBrush, and Revit. Sometimes I'll even play with HTML5 and CSS3. If you're nosey and you're into that kind of thing I invite you to take a peek to see what I'm working on!


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Beautiful views await you on this 5.42 acre mountain top estate in Forest Park Subdivision. Build your dream home amongst the mountain trees and seclusion from city living while still taking advantage of downtown Hot Springs' shopping and fine dining just minutes away. Several lots available.


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The level of encroachment of government into our lives correlates very closely to the amount of freedom a person enjoys. It should come as no surprise that the more the government dictates every aspect of a person's life, the less freedom that person has. Dating as far back as early English Common Law, it has been recognized and well established that without respect for property rights there can be no freedom. Alarmingly, over the last year, state and federal governments have massively expanded the scope of intrusion into our lives and all but abolished the last vestiges of property "rights." As a result, the number of examples of egregious violations of rights has been piling up. Three cases in particular highlight the utter destruction of property rights. Read more
Archive for Self-Sufficiency
Unity of Effort in Patriot Movement
If there is something to be learned from this last election it is you seek or swim politically as a team. The groups that are able to put differences aside for a common cause repeatedly achieve far greater goals than splinter factions alone. This has been a problem that has plagued the Patriot Movement where issues like ego, societal rejection, and hard headed "rugged individualism" have become chronic self-defeating diseases. This isn't to say that we sacrifice our morals and ethics for the sake of unity, but it is important to understand what is critical and what isn't when it comes to winning the long war of ideology. Collectively, if we can move closer to achieving our objectives we are better off rallying together. This isn't without consequences and pitfalls though. As we have seen, our major political parties have been hijacked by elitist interests to the point that rallying to a false idol for "party unity" will do far more damage than good. We must once again remember what it means to be American and define our core values and principles. These moral underpinnings must be our guides and what we rally to instead of a hijacked political party or fallible individual. This is a far more enduring strategy. Without this solid foundation based in moral and ethical truth we will be continuously misled, divided, and ultimately fail. Read more
Prepper Relocation Part V: The True Best Places to Relocate
Over the past two weeks, I have released a series on prepper relocation that completely changes the old conventional theories that drove prepper relocation strategies (See: http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/?s=prepper+relocation). The key takeaway you learned from the research is that you do not need to relocate to a remote region to survive. In fact, it is actually counterproductive to be too isolated. Now that you know relocation to a place like Idaho is no longer necessary and even counterproductive, where are the best places to relocate? The good news is that you have far greater options depending on what you are prepping for in light of the results of my research. In today's conclusion to the five part series, I will introduce you to both domestic and international options that are readily available to anyone looking for a thorough, full spectrum relocation strategy that will work even under the most extreme situations. Read more
Prepper Relocation Part IV: The Fatal Error of Relocating to an Isolated Region
One of the single biggest mistakes preppers make is that they buy into the myth that relocating to a small region in the North West corner of the United States is their "best" chance of survival. As you now know from my previous three articles in this series, this theory is inaccurate and is not based on any sound research. Further, it causes people to unnecessarily incur significant additional costs and difficulties when developing their preparedness plans. However, what you still may not know is that there is a large body of empirical evidence that repeatedly demonstrates people living in isolated, remote areas are often at the greatest risk during wide spread social chaos and collapse. Not coincidentally, these people also suffer some of the most hardships. Therefore, with respect to our contemporary situation in the United States, preppers relocating to Idaho with the explicit intent to escape an oppressive government and or are planning to escape widespread instability during a systemic collapse of the system might very well be signing their death warrants. Instead, contrary to contemporary prepping strategies, it would be better to be closer if not in the midst of a more densely populated area.
I understand what I just wrote probably sent many readers into anger and shock. Nonetheless, it is far better to get the right information now then to continue along a misguided path to destruction. No doubt, some readers will immediately discount what I am about to say because they are blinded by their own preconceived biases. I cannot help those people. Thankfully, the majority of my readers are intelligent thinking people that will quickly grasp the conclusions to be drawn from the evidence and modify their preparedness strategies accordingly. In fact, don't take my word alone, I invite everyone to conduct their own independent research into our prepping assumptions and disseminate their findings.
My theories seem counterintuitive to the premise that the farther from people you are, the farther from harm you are. This is because the basic assumptions of this safety distance premise are flawed. As the theory goes, in the event of a collapse or major catastrophe, being located away from people in a remote, self-sufficient redoubt is your best chance. I have already discussed why the 300 mile rule is a useless metric and that the notion of a "Golden Horde" of refugees fleeing a city and destroying all in their wake is equally unfounded and completely untrue. The last pillar of this theory is that being isolated conveys additional survival benefits. To test it accurately, one must evaluate case studies from around the world and then correctly apply them to a realistic scenario domestically. Read more
Prepper Relocation Part III: A Letter to the Prepper Community
Before I post Part IV, I want to pause and recap the huge amount of ground already covered in parts one and two of this series (See links below to read and catch up). Previously, I showed that the most common assumptions preppers base their relocation decisions on are completely false and actually counterproductive to outright dangerous. The research I presented is groundbreaking within our community because it completely overturned the very foundation of what many have spent a lifetime basing their preps around. Understandably, some people within the prepper community have received the new information as radical heresy and immediately took to the defense. When new information is presented to any community, this visceral reaction is to be expected. After all, it challenged their entire basis for their preps and in this case, proved that much of their foundational assumptions were based on bad information. Read more
Prepper Relocation Part II: The Myth of a 300 Mile Radius and the Golden Horde
In part one of our series on "Prepper Relocation," I directly addressed a common false logic amongst preppers that led to bad conclusions regarding why one should relocate to Idaho. Specifically, I challenged the idea that a bunker was a viable long term survival strategy for a major catastrophe many prep for such as nuclear war. Simply establishing a second residence in a modern first world location like Santiago, Singapore, or New Zealand offer far better options for survival, both physically and economically, than hiding in a hole while a nuclear war is carried out above you. Today, I continue the slaughter of the sacred cows and challenge the merits of relocating to a site far from other people. As I previously discussed, relocation isn't a subject to take lightly. It may be the single most important decision a prepper makes and therefore any plan should be heavily vetted before time and money is invested in executing it. Therefore, one must consider counter arguments to contemporary "expert" recommendations. By leveraging the information in this series, you will be far better prepared to develop a personalized answer to what truly is you "best prepper place to relocate."
Contemporary prepper logic states that the farther your relocation site is from dense centers of population, the better. In fact, the magic number often touted is that you must be at least 300 miles from any major population center. However, is this really the case? This is very important because if 300 miles is accurate, it severely constrains your relocation options. If it is not a valid constraint, then suddenly you have many good options for relocation depending on the specific scenario you are prepping for. As such, let's examine what that conclusion is premised upon. Breaking the theory down, you have two main hypotheses to vet. The first is that 300 miles provides a necessary and adequate buffer from an urban center. The second is that from said urban area a horde of starving refugees will emerge and overrun your redoubt.
Let me be the first to tell you neither hypothesis constituting this prepper theory, which to date has been held up as prepper law, is valid. Read more
Prepper Relocation Part I: Questioning the Common Logic
I routinely read articles online where individuals pontificate about where the best places for preppers to live or relocate too are. What I don't usually see is any real cognitive effort to do a realistic analysis and assessment. This should be a red flag. Selecting your relocation site is one of the most important decisions a prepper must make. It is too important to be made on hearsay and opinions. Therefore, I am going to question that contemporary prepper relocation logic. I am going to debunk common myths and offer better alternatives that will help you develop a personalized answer to what truly is you "best prepper place to relocate." When this series is complete, you will be armed with critical information necessary for identifying your ideal relocation spot. Don't be surprised if after this eye opening series your philosophy on how you previously evaluated and envisioned your relocation site looks completely different.
Most preparedness "experts" would define the common prepper relocation logic is to find a place as far as possible from other people in an area still suitable for an off-grid, self-sustaining lifestyle. This implies the location has ample water, good soil, and a good growing season. Add a couple wild card factors like being outside the blast radius and fallout pattern of a nuclear detonation and avoiding known earthquake prone areas and most preppers conclude that Idaho is the choice destination. James Wesley Rawles, a man well known and respected throughout the prepper community and a recognized expert on the field is a big advocate of this relocation option. In Rawles' defense, Idaho may indeed be a good location for some preppers for some reasons. However, Rawles and many others are basing many of their primary assumptions on outdated information, obsolete tactics and techniques, and generally old school logic that when tested in real world scenarios, fails. I don't take this indictment lightly. If we get this wrong, we die and that is why it is so important we first question some of the fundamental assumptions the conventional prepper relocation plan is based upon. Read more
Are you prepared for the "Day of Rage?"
Tomorrow, Friday July 15th has been announced as a "day of rage" to protest perceived social injustices across the nation. Most major metropolitan areas have been identified as areas targeted by possible protests. Now, just because a day of rage is called for online, it doesn't mean anyone will turn out. However, based on past Black Lives Matter (BLM) events that turned violent, it would be wise to take precautions out of an abundance of caution. So what should you do if you happen to live, work, or pass through these named areas?
I have written many pieces over the years explaining how to prepare for the mobs rioting and burning our cities during times of social unrest. Per my piece in June, I detailed how to defend against fire, which may be your most pressing threat during a riot. (See: http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/2016/06/06/how-to-protect-your-home-from-rioting-mobs-using-fire-as-a-weapon/ ) I also have discussed in detail how to organize your community into a common defense since private citizens, NOT law enforcement have proven time and again to be your best defense for life and property against the mob. (See stories listed at: http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/?s=ferguson) For extremely bad situations, we have also put together the Civilian Response Force composed of volunteer citizens from across to the nation willing to help those located in high threat or disaster areas. (See: http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/2015/01/21/lms-civilian-response-team-ferguson-conundrum-solved-by-community-security/) All of these articles present a coherent comprehensive strategy for the defense of you and your community and should be reviewed in detail.
Specific to those needing to make "last minute" preparations for tomorrow's planned "day of rage" touted as a "peaceful" event, I would recommend the following.
Family: Get any non-essential family members out of the danger area. If you can, have them stay with family or friends until you know it is safe to return. Before parting ways, make sure everyone knows your plan in the event you need to bug out and ensure that includes a "no-comms" plan.
Fire: Go to Costco or similar store and make a bulk purchase of fire extinguishers. Chemical extinguishers that work on gasoline/petroleum and electrical fires are optimum. Place these extinguishers in easy to access locations close to any windows and doors of your home and on all levels of your home. If you have any combustible material around your house, remove it. Be especially vigilant to get rid of gas cans and such in easily accessible locations like sheds and outbuildings that a rioting mob could easily access.
Preparations for Defense: Prep your kit for either bugging out or the defense. Weapons, ammunition, and any other associated items like body armor should be staged and ready if the situation deteriorates and dictates the need to defend your home and family. If the situation becomes hopeless (block is engulfed in fire, overrun, etc.) be prepared to bug out. Have a go bag staged and multiple evacuation routes and options ready for execution. Make sure you let at least one other trusted person know your whereabouts and plans should you need to execute a bug out.
Medical: Inventory, update, prep, and stage any medical equipment you have or intend to use in a casualty collection point. This should be somewhere safe in your home and could be a safe room, basement, or internal room with no windows and doors. The most critical items such as tourniquets should be staged and at the ready.
Vehicles: Any vehicles that you cannot store inside a locked garage should be driven and stored outside of the area of disorder. Vehicles left along streets are likely to be vandalized, stolen, or torched during riots. If you chose to keep a vehicle at your residence, make sure it is prepared to be used to bug out on short order. That means any tools, extraction equipment, and hardening should be complete. Any maintenance should be done. Make sure the vehicle is fully gassed. Also make sure your spare tire(s) are easily accessible and your tire change equipment is staged if you don't use run flat tires.
Community: Now is a good time to coordinate your plans with likeminded individuals in your neighborhood. Optimally, there are at least a few other people on your block that will be prepared and ready to react if your area is targeted by the mob. Have a plan to communicate, react, and provide mutual support. If you are short on manpower, access your prepper network for friends from out of town willing to come into town and establish security at and around your home. Respective of the rest of the neighborhood, assume they are sympathetic to other causes and even possibly hostile to anyone bearing arms in defense of their homes and family so keep a low profile unless the situation dictates.
Travel/Business: If you do not live in said high threat area, but must travel through it or work in the immediate area, you must also take precautions. Make sure you have your bug out bag with you and your primary, alternative, and emergency evacuation plans are made and ready to execute. Monitor the radio for signs of trouble and have your cell phone with a backup battery ready. Make sure you dress appropriately and assume you may have to move miles on foot.
Be safe by being prepared.
By Guiles Hendrik
July 14, 2016
More reading: http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/2013/12/02/overcoming-the-greatest-prepper-weakness-the-individual-versus-the-community-and-a-plan-for-the-future/
Preppers are waking up to the survival myth of the "solo prepper"
This week I read a piece by "Mac" MacWelch of Advanced Survival Training (http://www.advancedsurvivaltraining.com/). In it he argues that the lone wolf survivor is a myth. Unless preppers set aside small differences and organize your chances of surviving a true chaos event is small. I am glad to see his article and completely agree. I have been working for years to educate people on this exact subject and I am very happy to see attitudes and minds within the greater prepper community have finally begun to embrace this very basic, but very critical aspect of survival. I don't want to understate the importance of this survival attitude gaining traction. Once "preppers" start to see themselves as a part of a greater community instead of independent and fearful of the community, we will make significant progress toward free, safe, and independent lives.
I want to reference my article from 2013 on the "Greatest Prepper Weakness." (See: http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/2013/12/02/overcoming-the-greatest-prepper-weakness-the-individual-versus-the-community-and-a-plan-for-the-future/) The article garnered quite a bit of response from individuals across the US, but it was clear that it woke people up. I ask all of you to read it and ponder what is being proposed. Like Mac, I argue that preppers must erase the walk away and hide till it's over mentality because it isn't a viable survival strategy. This isn't just my opinion. It is based on learned real life experience and what I practice. (See: http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/2015/01/27/when-the-shtf-you-can-come-to-my-placeseriously/) I have witnessed nations in all stages of chaos and in every single place the people that were doing the best were the ones that stuck together in big groups. Those of you that still feel that you can run to the mountains and lock yourself in your bunker I applaud your preparations, but ask you to reconsider your actual survival odds versus uniting with other like-minded people with diverse and useful skillsets. If you really feel your preps are sufficient, please write me and we can discuss hundreds of real world examples that prove beyond any doubt the strategy does not work beyond a very short term. The articles provide a plan of action and not just arguments about how best to prep. Only by uniting, putting aside petty differences, and working toward the greater good will we come out of this in good order. Feel free to contact me with questions, but for now, I wish you all the best of luck and hope to see you in my community someday.
By Guiles Hendrik
July 12, 2016
Fire starters for survival: The lighter versus the fire steel
I get asked a lot about what my preferred techniques and tools are for starting a fire. Many items are on the market from old school flint and steel to lighters, matches, and magnesium fire steels that shower your tinder with hot sparks. So for "last minute survival," what would be my best choice if I could only choose one? Further, why are there so many fire steel "sparker" devices? Are they really that good and should I have one? The good news is I have a definitive answer for you so read on.
My answer is that in a survival situation, your best fire starter is whatever gets the fire reliably started in the quickest and most energy efficient manner. What works is what I carry and that is a simple lighter. In fact, it is one of the three items I never go anywhere without and always have on my person. What I have witnessed in the real world over and over is that for the average person, a simple lighter is by far your best choice. Even when instructing experienced outdoorsman, the lighter is still the choice fire starter and the one that most people see the quickest and most consistent success when starting a fire. This isn't an accident. The lighter is very convenient, works well, and most people are comfortable operating one even in complete darkness. Lighters are also very forgiving and can allow one to maintain the flame to light larger tinder items that spark type ignition methods are not capable of igniting. Lighters are small and light enough that a person can carry a small backup lighter in a waterproof container in their pack and still always have a primary on their person. Further, you can operate a lighter even when your dexterity is diminished such as during the mid to late stages of hypothermia when getting a fire started immediately is critical to survival. Lighters also can still operate after being wet if allowed to dry out and they can also provide some temporary light. They don't get soggy and absorb moisture like matches. Finally, lighters are available all over the world and are one of the cheapest fire starting tools available. Read more
Food Confiscation: How to protect your food stores and production from government confiscation
Did you know that if you have even a small subsistence farm to grow and or raise food for your family it all could be confiscated. Did you know the government is currently trying to identify and register all food producers to support this goal? Whether you are aware or not, at any time the president deems necessary, the US can now confiscate key resources in the name of national security. In particular, the food you worked hard to grow or raise could be seized. Naturally, it makes no sense to spend your time and money developing a farming capability to insulate your family from hard times only to have it seized. By following a few basic rules, you can help to protect your food supply and ensure those that helped cause the collapse and refused to prepare aren't fed on your watch.
President Obama also nationalized our nation's food supply through executive order. (See: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/03/16/executive-order-national-defense-resources-preparedness) This executive order effectively orders the heads of various agencies to include the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to identify critical resources under their purview and develop policies on how to ensure their production and procurement during national emergencies. As with most government regulation, this order on the surface doesn't sound too draconian. However, the devil is in the details regarding its implementation. In order for the USDA to "secure" the US food supply, it becomes necessary to identify everyone involved in food production. Once identified, then upon order, the USDA can send nationalized goon squads to confiscate any and all "critical resources" deemed necessary for national security. National security may very soon include declaring "preppers" "extremists and depriving them of their stores of food. In this particular case, it could involve your entire crop. Read more
Florida Outlaws Off-Grid Living Update
You know what they say about imitation. If rewriting the work of others is included, I should be happy because The Daily Sheeple (http://www.thedailysheeple.com/) featured a great article today, contributed by a Joshua Krause, on "Florida Court Rules Off-Grid Living Illegal," which was picked up and run also by http://www.infowars.com/. However, I wrote nearly the same, albeit more detailed, article almost a year and a half ago (http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/2015/01/04/florida-outlaws-off-the-grid-living/). I appreciate the word getting out, which is the goal. However, common courtesy is that you at least put in a footnote about your sources. In fairness, when news breaks, we see a lot of articles essentially citing the same information to get the news out, but a year and a half later when you are writing, it is called research not news. Don't get me wrong, I love checking out the articles on both The Daily Sheeple and InfoWars so please frequent these sites. However, if their contributors are going to rewrite stories I broke a year and a half ago, please, either just repost/link to the entire original article or ask me to contribute directly. We are all on the same team and there is plenty of news to still report.
Compare for yourself:
Now, getting back to the bigger picture, Robin is still being screwed by the system in Florida. Please visit her sites and support her however you can.
Guiles Hendrik
June 2, 2015
5 Things Preppers Forget to Stock
Recently, there has been so much going on politically it has been easy to overlook writing on core survival/prepper subjects. To make sure our prepper followers don't think I have forgotten about them, I wanted to note five preps that I see overlooked quite often. These preps aren't vital like water and food or something like antibiotics that have been discussed repeatedly. These are preps that are important, but easy to forget when preparing for a long term post-SHTF world. By no means is this list all inclusive, but it does touch on some key items we take for granted. The following items should be a part of your stocked supplies and are listed in no particular order. Read more
Survival Gardening: Don't fight your soil
Don't fight your soil trying to grow "ideal" crops. Those of us who have undertaken growing our own food understand intimately how much work it can be. Soil quality is one issue that consumes a disproportionate amount of time and work to overcome. Often, we are in possession of land that has less than optimum soil for growing crops. The generic solution is to build up and work that soil until it is of the consistency and PH desirable. Achieving this "optimum" gardening soil can be daunting and take years. Today I want to suggest a different approach that requires far less work and time, but will still yield suitable crop yields. Read more
When the SHTF, You Can Come to My Place…Seriously
How often have you been talking with friends and they joke that if the SHTF, they are coming to your place? Most of us quietly are saying in our heads, "you are out of your damn mind if you think you are coming to my place." In fact, for those that spend zero time preparing, training, or putting even the smallest amount of effort into their own survival insurance, I would agree, I have no sympathy. However, the mere fact you are reading this right now tells me you have taken a step in the right direction and are in fact interested in insuring the continued existence of yourself and your family. You are actively trying to take positive steps. For those of you out there, I would suggest established preppers consider opening their door and taking you in under the right conditions. Unlike the billionaires creating much of the havoc in our world, very few of us will ever have the funds to buy our own private island or renovated missile silo protected by a first rate mercenary army so it is best we start working together. In today's article, I will deviate from what I consider dated prepper logic and argue why inviting others to your bug out location is in all of our interests. Read more
LMS Civilian Response Team: Ferguson Conundrum Solved by Community Security
I wanted to take a moment to follow up on Last Minute Survival's Civilian Response Team initiative. Our initiative proved that not just in Ferguson, but that in communities around the country a well-organized community response is far better protection and security than anything the state can provide. Not only did our teams respond to crisis areas completely ignored by government agencies, but provided real protection to businesses and residents unable to provide for their own defense. Further, our teams were able to accomplish this without heavy handed police state tactics. Read more
All Over America, Government Officials Are Cracking Down On Preppers
Submitted by Michael Snyder via The Economic Collapse blog,
Why would the government want to punish people that are just trying to work hard, become more self-sufficient and take care of their families? There are approximately 3 million preppers in the United States today, and often they appear to be singled out for punishment by bureaucratic control freaks that are horrified at the thought that there are families out there that actually want to try to become less dependent on the system. So if you use alternative methods to heat your home, or if you are not connected to the utility grid, or if you collect rainwater on your property, or if you believe that parents should have the ultimate say when it comes to health decisions for their children, you could become a target for overzealous government enforcers.
Once upon a time, America was the land of the free and the home of the brave, but now we are being transformed into a socialist police state where control freak bureaucrats use millions of laws, rules and regulations to crack down on anyone that dares to think for themselves. Read more
Florida Outlaws Off-the-Grid Living
Think you are still free to make choices in your life? Do you think the government will allow you to live independent of their utility monopolies? If you think so, try opting for renewable non-grid tied power and utilize environmentally friendly composting toilets and your own self-sufficient water supply. Today, those life choices could land you in jail if you live in South Florida. Take the case of Robin Speronis. Read more
Bug Out Part 2 – Los Angeles/Southern California
Continuing with our series of area specific bug out planning, we focus on Southern California (SoCal) where a host of unique challenges will face anyone attempting to bug out. First of all, Los Angeles (LA) and the surrounding region of SoCal contains over 22 million people densely packed at a density of over 5,000 people per square mile in many areas. This makes it one of the most populous regions of the United States. If you have to bug out of LA and its surrounding areas, you better be one step ahead of everyone else. Second, the most densely populated areas of SoCal are locked between the Pacific Ocean to the west and the towering Sierra Nevada mountains to the east creating a serious geographical bottleneck. To the north are more mountains, the Great Valley, and more densely populated areas. To the south is Mexico. If you choose to go east and got across the mountains, then you are faced with surviving in one of the hottest and driest locations in the US, Death Valley and the surrounding desert. If you go west, you need a boat fully sea worthy and supplied with everything you will need for a long duration voyage. Going north or south just runs you into more people fleeing disaster and won't help your situation. Third, SoCal plays host to regular earthquakes and at any given time the "Big One" could hit. Further, being coastal, much of the SoCal coastline is vulnerable to the effects of a major tsunami. Finally, but by no means all inclusive, SoCal also has some very precarious infrastructure such as the leaking San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station that may be permanently shut down and Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, which straddles two active faults. Without doubt, the challenges of 'getting out of town' are mile high in this part of California, but with simple planning, you and your loved can safely and effectively bug and stay alive.
Optimally, you are using all of your resources to remain situational aware and bug out before the mob. However, events like major earthquakes, tsunamis, and grid collapses happen with little or no warning. As a typical SoCal citizen you drive 20+ miles per workday and use multiple high volume interstates and or state highways. As such, there is a high likelihood of being put into a position where your bug out begins during a commute. Do to this likely event; we begin our bug out discussion in rush hour traffic and discuss one of the more likely bug out scenarios, a major quake.
Your day begins as most in SoCal. It is sunny and warm and you are looking forward to getting home from work. You begin your commute as any other day and are quickly weaving through traffic when disaster strikes. A major earthquake strikes SoCal damaging nuclear reactors, severing communications, destroying infrastructure, and sparking massive fires as gas pipe lines are ruptured. You pull over and get out of your car until the major shaking has ceased. At this point, you know there has been a major quake, but you don't know the extent. You get back into your car and try to continue to your home as the radio begins to broadcast a steady stream of damage reports. As you continue, traffic grinds to a halt on the major highways, which have sustained massive damage. You attempt to call your wife on your cell phone, but the few operable towers are overwhelmed and you have no service. Nonetheless, you immediately type out a text message with critical information and hit send hoping to slip the message out across some free bandwidth.
Now, having previously memorized alternative routes through various neighborhoods, you opt for the side streets as your only available option. These roads maze you through inner city neighborhoods, downtown areas, and residential zones. These locations can pose a threat just as dangerous as getting stuck on the 101. Specifically, you may come across many individuals on foot. The random man or woman crossing a street ahead of you may not be an issue, but that mob of 15+ men at an ad hoc roadblock with bats can certainly be a serious threat if you are forced from your vehicle. Keep the LA riots of the past in mind.
As you slowly make your way toward your home, it is clear the damage is getting more serious. Buildings have been turned to rubble, the road is impassible, fires are burning out of control, and people are in the streets. As you try to progress, your drivable routes are closed off. Now with no chance to back out of the gridlock and no way to go forward, you notice tempers flaring and panic setting into the public. Someone passes your vehicle and starts demanding a ride, you hear glass break to your rear, then suddenly you hear unnerving pops some distance ahead of you. You have no choice but to abandon your vehicle and continue on foot. Thankfully, even though your car's GPS is no longer useful and can't go with you, it isn't a problem because you kept a good map in your vehicle bug out kit.
Grabbing your vehicle bug out kit, you make your way to your rendezvous point with your family, resupply, and assess your situation. The area is utterly destroyed, looting is already rampant, fires are raging unchecked, thousands are dead or injured, there is word one of the nuclear reactors may be leaking radiation, phones are not working, and all utilities are down. Seeing no good options for bugging in, you make the decision to bug out. Now let's look at the challenges you will face and the preps you will need to make in order to be a Last Minute Survivor.
To begin, any plan to bug out of SoCal has to take into account your ever present enemy… CARRMAGEDON! Imagine the vehicle madness of the I-405 and US-101 intersection at a standstill. Then apply the same sea of gridlocked cars and trucks to all the major roadways between Santa Monica and Redlands. The end result is a highway system that is overloaded and frozen. In the panic following the event that initiated your bug out, there will be countless auto accidents, gridlock, and cars abandoned after running out of gas while idling in stalled traffic. These events will combine to turn SoCal into one giant multilane roadblock. If your plan includes the need to drive anywhere, be it home from work or to the marina, you must plan to be stuck in this sea of angry, afraid, and possibly violent drivers. So what's the solution? It's actually basic. You need to know of another way home and drive it enough to commit the route and neighborhoods to memory because you may need to hike it by foot. Keep in mind that your daytime commute will look drastically different if you travel it at night or vice versa. Further, make sure you have a good map of the area in the event GPS is not working. You may also opt for adding a mountain bike to your vehicle bug out bag, which would allow you to continue quickly along jammed highways. It is nice to have a small, fuel efficient car to zip around the city, but the ability of your vehicle to get over typical obstacles will be critical during a disaster. In the event of an earthquake, obstacles can range from fallen telephone poles and debris like bricks to buckled streets to curbs, medians, and other vehicles. Would your car be able to drive down the side slope of an intestate or highway or jump the median to do a U-turn? You might have to. A basic Jeep Wrangler can do this and get over the said obstacles, but your sedan with its low clearance and two wheel drive will get stuck. Getting stuck brings us to the next problem…If you have to abandon your vehicle, pull it well off the road and try to park it in a secure location that is less visible from the main road. Make sure nothing is visible that would draw the attention of a thief. Further, disable your car by disconnecting your battery cables at minimum. Critical to your vehicle bug out kit will be appropriate seasonal attire to include good shoes, water, a water purifier, and something to carry a minimum of two quarts of water per person in your car. For SoCal, in addition to our standard items we recommend in your bug out kit (See: http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/2014/10/13/location-specific-bug-out-bags-part-i/), you should also include the following items:
- Potassium Iodide tablets (http://www.bt.cdc.gov/radiation/ki.asp)
- Additional means of carrying water on the go such as a backpack with an integral hydration bladder
- Fire extinguisher (capable of extinguishing chemical fires)
- Climbing rope, harness/seat, carabiners, leather gloves, Figure 8 or other descender device
- Low profile body armor capable of stopping handgun rounds
- Fishing tackle
- Addition of anti-nausea medication to your first aid kit if you plan to escape via the Pacific Ocean
As you progress with your bug out, you will likely have to ditch your car and make your way by foot or other means, you may well be confronted by and angry mob. So, what to do about a violent mob ahead of you? Go the opposite way quickly and avoid them if at all possible. It is better to add time and distance to your route than to be beaten and robbed by a mob or gang. I caution against a gun fight unless it is a last resort. Mobs carry guns, maybe even many guns, so even with your superior shooting skills, you could be outgunned in a close gunfight. If you have to shoot it out, get as much distance as you can from your threat to maximize your marksmanship, get behind cover that will stop a bullet, and return well aimed fire at the most pressing threats first. Further, if you face multiple threats, try to maneuver them so they are "stacked" in a line, which allows you to take them on one at a time versus all at once. If you can't carry or are unwilling to arm yourself then your best bet is a heavy duty can of pepper spray for bears, a good pair of running shoes, and a walking stick that doubles as a club.
If you can effectively avoid the mob, your next big challenge will not be what is missing from your bug out bag, but your physical condition. The military wouldn't waste time to conduct daily physical training if it wasn't essential, yet all too many preppers forego this most basic and essential of preps. Are you in decent enough shape to walk home with a moderate load on your back? Most Americans are not. That 20 mile/40 minute commute that you have to walk might as well be Mount Everest if you get tired after one block of walking. Stack the odds in your favor. Go for more walks, try short hikes with friends or family, and consider a lighter "Get Home Bag" for this situation. One thing I've taken from my hiking experience is an admiration for 'ultra-light' hikers. They buy lighter gear, carry less gear, and therefore have the option of covering more terrain with greater ease. You don't have to be an ultra-marathon champion, but you should be able to cover at least 20 miles on foot with your gear and not die of a heart attack. Mentally and physically preparing yourself for this will put you one step ahead, no pun intended.
What is likely to go wrong after setting off on your long walk home? Although we have discussed this issue previously, it is worth repeating because it is so important. Don't be in a position where you look down at your penny loafers or two inch heels and saying 'oh crap.' The solution is again simple. At minimum, put some running shoes or lightweight hiking boots in your car and leave them there. Beware of buying expensive combat boots or stiff hiking boots for this purpose. If you haven't broken them in before that long walk it will cause painful blisters that could get infected and slow or stop your movement. Further, you will need boots that can handle steep mountains, keep out sand, protect your feet from thorns, and still let your feet breath. There are a variety of shoes and boots that can meet these requirements so find a pair that works for you and make sure you are wearing them or have them with you.
If things really go sour you will have less than a day to get home before we all start turning into metaphorical zombies and chasing you down the street. You don't want to be the person caught on the street that starts attracting unwanted attention. Get to where you are going before people start to realize you have gear they need. The scenarios are endless and point to one main point. Get up, get moving, and don't stop. Here's why, American grocery stores operate on a system long ago borrowed from Japan called "Just in time." This eliminates a grocer's need to store large amounts of perishables that will expire and cause a financial loss if not sold. As such, stores don't stock more than three days' worth of food at any time. The semi-trucks we see are critical to that logistics supply chain. In the event of a crisis, we have witnessed over and over that once the trucks stop rolling, the three days of supplies disappear within about one to two hours. If the crisis persists and is wide spread, unprepared people we will grow hungry. That's when mom says to dad, "little Joe is hungry and so am I." Mom and pop will hold back from theft and other crimes for a while, but will eventually do what they must to stay alive. Situations like this happened when Katrina hit New Orleans, and it can happen anywhere. Your job is to get out before this happens.
As discussed, getting out of the SoCal area won't be a walk in the park but can be done. From the beginning though, you need to have identified and prepped for where you will go. If you don't have a destination then you are wandering and likely to become another statistic. Having a PRE-planned destination is vital, see the bug out of DC article for more details (http://www.lastminutesurvival.com/2014/10/17/bug-out-bags-part-ii-washington-dc/). The most difficult area to bug out of is the concrete and asphalt triangle covering all of the area within Santa Monica to Pasadena to Anaheim. Options out to the North are US-101 aka the "101" and I-5. Everyone and their brother will likely be on those roads so expect pain and misery. These two roads are literally the main entrances to the LA area and will be no easy task to navigate. Another option out towards the North is Highway-1 along the Malibu coast where your ocean views will be great, but the narrow road could easily become jammed, cutoff, or destroyed by rock/mudslides in the event of a quake. It would also be vulnerable to a tsunami and radiation from a damaged coastal reactor. Remember that bugging out doesn't require a paved road. If you can make it to Burbank you can drive along the rail road at Burbank Town Center and follow it to Chatsworth, but don't be stupid and get smacked by a train. From there you have easier access to Highway 118 and can easily reach Simi Valley, Moorpark, Santa Paula, and Ventura via back roads (if you have a map). Note, the railroad that gets you to Burbank also connects to Union Station in LA.
Getting out of town to the Northeast is similarly challenging. They are Highway-14 towards Palmdale, I-15 towards Barstow, and the "2" through Angeles National Forest if you are alright with ultra-winding roads and contending with Bigfoot and his keepers. Keep in mind that the 'High Desert' between the "14" and I-15 is not a friendly environment. It's a desert…therefore, it is hot, it is dry, it gets cold at night, the plants stick you and the animals bite you. It is unforgiving and if you are not prepared for it, it is best to be avoided if you are on foot or could end up on foot. It's also home to a relatively conservative population, an armed population. Criminals beware. Those of us amongst the liberal crowd would likely be better suited taking the 101 towards lovely Santa Barbara and San Francisco.
Other options to the Northeast and East can be considered but have many cons. The "18" towards Big Bear takes you into gorgeous countryside, but rumors indicate local residents plan on blockading inbound roads to keep the rest of us out. I don't blame them. The same can be assumed of isolated communities throughout the region. The "38"east of Redlands is a good option into the San Bernardino National Forest if you need to go that way. I've personally hiked this area and know it contains various creeks to keep your water topped off. Interstate-10 is the main way out eastbound. Its extra lanes East of Banning would facilitate your exit, but take you into miserable terrain as does the I-15 into the Mojave Desert. Again, if you aren't familiar with the desert, stay far away from the Mojave. If you must go into the desert, have plenty of water and make sure you have marked all the natural springs on your map and checked them out ahead of time. Some of them are hot springs, some are seasonal, and some have water not safe to drink due to mining contaminants like mercury. Further, if you are on foot, travel between the hours just before sunset to just after sun rise when temperatures are the coolest. During the day you should seek shade and shelter from the sun. Rock outcroppings are good for this, but also play host to a lot of venomous snakes so be cautious. Keep as cool as you can and never waste water or energy during the heat of the day. Getting above or below the ground will be where it stays the coolest. Wear loose fitting, light colored clothes, a wide brim hat, and sunglasses. Sunscreen is good for your face, neck, and ears, but covering up with clothing is far better. Remember, distances in the desert are very deceiving. What looks like only a short walk could be 20 or more miles.
If you plan to head east and tackle the mountains, you will also need to know what you are doing to survive. Any attempt to cross the Sierra's will dictate a bug out plan by foot that has been well rehearsed. Just like the desert, the mountains are brutal and unforgiving. You must be prepared for extremely cold, wet, and windy weather if you plan on successfully crossing or holding out in the Sierras. Blizzard conditions even in the summer at altitude are not uncommon. Further, you have avalanches, rock slides, raging streams, cliffs, high altitude, lightening, ice fields and crevasses, cougars, and well-armed locals to contend with. If you are not in peak physical condition, properly trained, or in possession of the right equipment for the alpine environment, the mountains will prove insurmountable; especially, at high altitude. During the winter, crossing the mountains simply may not be an option due to the deep snow and brutal storms, even for experienced mountaineers. Winter storms above the treeline can drop temperatures below zero, pack hurricane force winds, and diminish visibility to zero. However, in the summer, the extremely rugged terrain gives the experienced climber and mountaineer the advantage of being able to go where the masses can't or won't. If you do select the mountains as your bug out location, you will have ample water, will not have to contend with as many people, and can find many hide spots suitable to overnight and longer term bugging out. Nonetheless, your kit will be heavier and must have the right equipment to include crampons, ice axe, climbing rope and gear, extreme cold weather gear, mountain rated sleeping bag and pad, mountaineering/4-season tent, tough hiking boots, backpacking stove (for areas of no vegetation above the treeline), maps and compass, and possibly snowshoes. If you read the specialized gear list and said, "What's that?" and or haven't been trained to use that gear, going into the alpine region could be lethal for you and should be avoided. In the interim, use your time to get familiar with the gear, take some classes, and become comfortable operating in the alpine region because you may just get forced into it.
I don't recommend a southbound bug out because of the likely mass migration from Mexico during a grid-down all out national catastrophe. The current and common place violence just across the border is likely to spill over when the "troubles" begin. I wouldn't expect our border guards to work for free and forsake their families at home; therefore, the border may end up "open" and precipitate a population surge along the border. Further, an area with a large population density isn't in concert with my bug out philosophy. The saving grace for those of us in the San Diego and Oceanside is just East. The area between Palomar Mountain State Park and the Cleveland National Forest would make a great initial bug out retreat, which is in close proximity. Its various lakes, available game, and lower population density make it very bug out attractive. However, like the Poconos for New Yorkers, many people will also plan to head to this area so it is less attractive as a long term bug out site unless you have land and a developed, defendable retreat in that area.
Finally, there is the westerly option known as a boat. Certainly, this option isn't available to many of us, but if your connections or finances allow for it, an escape by sea is one of your better options for SoCal. The Pacific Ocean can certainly become a refuge if you have a stocked boat that is accessible, sea worthy, and you are a capable captain. Even if you do not have a large ocean worthy boat, using a smaller boat and hugging the coastline will allow you to travel a significant distance from the immediate danger, insulate yourself from the chaos on land, and even bug out to another country if necessary. If the seas get to rough, you can bring your ship into a sheltered inlet or even dock it and continue by land from a preplanned rendezvous location. Make sure that you add anti-nausea medication to your kit if you plan to head out to sea. Even if you have never been motion sick before, presented with the right conditions, you could become incapacitated with nausea and vomiting during rough seas. The sea also provides you with ample food in the form of fish if you are prepared to catch them. Make sure you have fishing tackle to include nets if you head to sea and practice with it. A decent fisherman will be able to provide long term sustenance in a bug out by boat scenario. Also, with the right equipment, you can desalinate water to provide long term critical hydration. If your boat is capable of running under sail, you also have an indefinite range.
All considered SoCal doesn't have a host of good options for bugging out. Your best bet is to be prepared and ready to act. This puts you ahead of the zombie masses and makes your chances of a successful bug out far higher. However, even if you are the first out of the immediate metropolitan areas, you still will be faced with some very technical survival environments that include rugged mountains, scorching hot deserts, or the vast ocean. As such, it is critical to plan, prepare, and rehearse your bug out ahead of time. For example, if you plan to head to the hills, spend your weekends hiking the trails, familiarizing yourself to the terrain, acquiring any necessary specialized gear, and learning the skills necessary to thrive in that environment. Success in SoCal demands you put in the time so start now and be a Last Minute Survivor.
By Guiles Hendrik and Sgt G.
December 1, 2014


text:
(Reuters) - Denbury Resources Inc (DNR.N) said it will sell certain non-operated oil and gas assets in Utah for about $75 million, which will hurt its full-year production outlook by about 650 barrels of oil equivalent per day.
Proved reserves related to the assets in the Paradox Basin, which were sold to Resolute Energy Corp (REN.N) and Navajo Nation Oil and Gas Co, were about 6.4 million barrels of oil equivalent as of December 31.
The sale, along with the divestment of assets in Gulf Coast in February, will reduce Denbury's full-year production outlook by about 1,625 boe/d, it said in a statement on Wednesday.
Texas-based Denbury had said it expected to produce 70,250 - 75,250 boe/d in 2012.
Denbury has raised about $314 million in divestiture proceeds in 2012, higher than its forecast of $150 million to $300 million.
Shares of Denbury were up 1 percent at $17.99 in early trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
Reporting by Durba Ghosh in Bangalore; Editing by Maju Samuel


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