I've been interested in both cataclysmic disaster and preparedness
since I was little. Growing up, my family moved extensively. My fathers
work (petroleum geology) moved us from well-site, to well-site, and I
had never lived in any given country for longer than 3 years untill I
was 16. Being a full time expatriate and part time nomad, and living in
Texas and Colorado in the US, Surrey in the UK, Gabon in west Africa,
Dubai in the UAE, New South Wales and Victoria in Australia and Alberta
in Canada, as well as holidaying through Europe, Africa, South East
Asia, the Pacific and the Middle East I have been exposed to not only a
variety of cultures, but also conditions and experiences.
"Pack what you can carry" and "eat like a local" were two of the early travel and lifestyle choices that were instilled in me.
I
remember living in the UK when both the IRA bombings were a frequent
specter, as well as the Faulklands War, exciting in the UK in the way
only 6 year olds truly appreciate. I picked up my first "survival guide"
in "How to Survive" whilst at school there. I also received my first
large Swiss Army Knife.
Long distance travel,
the tail end of the Cold War, as well as airplane hijackings and
bombings as well as my fathers (whispered) Vietnam War experiences gave
my dual citizenship (US/Aus) more meaning. Is was probably brought into
further focus when whilst living in the pre-Gulf War Dubai, when Iraq
invaded Kuwait whilst I was on holidays, in both the US and UK, and I
couldn't "go home".
Even when
we did, in the build-up of "Desert Shield" I was shown how to drive the
newly acquired 4wd, we stocked up on supplies and had a go-bad, and my
parents told me "if it goes bad, take your sister, and drive to Oman".
Eventually,
we were sent to Calgary, New Year's Eve, and I watched "Desert Shield"
become "Desert Storm" on CNN in -45C. Outdoor-Ed in Junior High was
again an eye opening and awakening moment in preparedness, that never
left me: I'd now lived in jungles, deserts, sub-zero conditions and some
of the biggest cities in the world, as well as some crappy places too.
I
followed my roleplaying through tabletop classics, miniature gaming,
LRP in both fantasy and MilSim as well as my university and workplace
career in microbiology and hospital science, then into hospital IT and
project management.
I took up kendo whilst at
university, and have achieved a respectable grade (3rd Dan) and competed
at club, state and national levels. I've supplemented this with
smatterings of other arts when my friends and I have pooled knowledge.
I've climbed, taken up kayaking, and camp as often as family logistics
will allow. I run to stay fit and build my endurance, and walk, take the
stairs and carry my burdens in a pack to condition myself.
Earthquakes,
forest and grass fires, floods, hurricanes, cyclones, civil unrest,
international travel, blizzards, lions, oh my. I've come to see
preparedness as a lifestyle. Whether it is getting my family out of a
full blown disaster, or helping someone fix their umbrella in the rain, I
have striven to be Equipped, for any encounter.
I live
in Melbourne, Australia, where the infrastructure of government is
sound, and the legislature is relaxed. It's very pleasant and moderate
here. We have a very functional social support system, including
healthcare, and very little violent crime. I've lived in some places
where these were not the case. I don't have any particular fears for the
future, but if something comes, I hope to be ready to face it.
I've never served in the Armed Forces, Law Enforcement or Emergency Services, but have a variety of friends and family who have, and hold all those people who do in high esteem.
