Story Market Day
- Thread starter ComCamGuy
- Start date
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
If you were taking pre-orders, I'd be sending money. People who know me well would be amazed at that.
Thanks for all this to date, INCLUDING our collective neck strain from trying to see around the next kink in the trail you're laying down.
A side benefit of this thread is there's been a lot of side discussion about moral & ethical postures & reactions; personally. I think such considerations & reassessments need to occur on a fairly regular basis. Our world has & is changing at a rapid rate since the days most of us were introduced to the dilemmas faced by Jean Val Jean.
I'm sure we'll ALL be here next Monday.
G.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
As a consumer I stay as far away from the Wal-Marts & Amazons of the world as I can. Neither the Walton crew or Bezos need any more money & certainly don't need to nickle & dime authors (or anyone else) to make that last possible penny.
I researched Patreon & a few others for my sister but her life took a different turn so she never followed through. While there are costs, they're transactional. I can dig some of that up if you like.
G.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
I will take any info I can get, I need to see what will work .
Patreon is an ONLINE PUBLICATION OUTLET based in the age-old concept of "patrons of the arts". In centuries past, musicians, writers, artists, etc. enjoyed sublime talent but were often dirt poor. COMMONERS COULD NOT AFFORD TO SUPPORT A MASTER MUSICIAN/ARTIST/WRITER SO, wealthy "Robber Barrons" and the aristocracy with more money than grace or gifts of God, (other than inherited wealth or luck with commerce) would support the "starving artists" so the latter could provide their genius creations to the public with the first shot of exposure going to those who supported the artists--their patrons--who got a lot of public adoration and much ego stroking in the entire process. [Competition among Patrons arose--a wonderful thing for the starving artists.]
Today, the Patreon (tm) online scheme is extraordinarily popular with comic creators, artists, photographers, pornographers [you can just imagine], print writers of all kinds, etc. etc. Highlights of the system include:
1. MONTHLY "DUES"--modest, periodic, cancellable at any time, often structured by amount--those giving more getting more. TIERED SYSTEM, OFTEN USING CUTESY NAMES FOR DIFFERENT FEE LEVELS/ACCESS RIGHTS.
2. OFTEN, the artist/writer/creator releases his/her work/art first on Patreon "channel" and later on a popular public "BOARD" AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO HAD JOINED THAT BOARD. [Here's a common pitch: Newbie Board members and potential customers get a GOOD TASTE OF WHAT'S OFFERED BY MEANS OF FREE VIEWS ON PUBLIC BOARDS, THAT'S THE HOOK! "SET THE HOOK": "Like what you see? Get two week ADVANCED ACCESS TO _______ ARTIST'S WORK BY BECOMING A PATREON SUBSCRIBER--get access to ["value added features"] by paying more each month"]
4. RELATIVELY CONSISTENT PRODUCT/CREATIONS must be provided to "make it worth the while" for the "buyers"
5. FEES ARE MINIMAL--"Patreon" does not follow the Amazon model; claims NO interest or ownership rights in the art/product/output of the arts; guarantees nothing to the "subscriber--IT'S PURELY A BROKERAGE, AND TAKES A "FRACTION (small) OF THE ACTION"
6. ANONYMITY OF BOTH SUBSCRIBER AND ARTIST IS SUPPORTED, if desired!
7. Artists/writers must, effectively, have a "history of talent" to entice the patrons to "sign up and keep the monthly fees coming".
8. "PATREON" provides publication tools for the "creators" AND an online PAYMENT SYSTEM for buyer/subscriber.
9. To encourage subscribers to sign up for HIGHER PRICED LEVELS, value added features are possible--IT'S A GENIUS IDEA BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF "YOU TRULY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
See where this is going? LOW FEES, the chance for STEADY INCOME for the writer/artist, and RELIABLE "FIRST TO SEE FINISHED PRODUCT" FOR PATRON; eventual sharing with PUBLIC AT NO CHARGE--unless writer decides he's only going to sell "COMPLETED WORK" via more traditional publishing outlets. [WRITER "SELLS YOU HIS WORK TWICE!!!" ONCE, PIECEMEAL TO PATRONS AND SECOND TIME, THROUGH COMPLETE FINISHED, POLISHED PRODUCT!!!] THE BASIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES, PERHAPS EVEN MILLENIA--IT'S GOT A HISTORY OF SUCCESS.
I'M THROWING DOWN MY [cheapskate] GAUNTLET. I would pay AT LEAST $5/month to get 2 week advance access to book 3. WE'VE BEEN "FREE RIDERS" FOR AN ENTIRE FLIPPIN' YEAR, and all I've paid for the "blood sweat and tears" of THE GENIUSES HERE IS A CRUMMY "yearly contribution" [seriously, I should be ashamed!]
A-N-Y-O-N-E E-L-S-E, or do you limit your payback to snarky comments and a few kind words!
Today, the Patreon (tm) online scheme is extraordinarily popular with comic creators, artists, photographers, pornographers [you can just imagine], print writers of all kinds, etc. etc. Highlights of the system include:
1. MONTHLY "DUES"--modest, periodic, cancellable at any time, often structured by amount--those giving more getting more. TIERED SYSTEM, OFTEN USING CUTESY NAMES FOR DIFFERENT FEE LEVELS/ACCESS RIGHTS.
2. OFTEN, the artist/writer/creator releases his/her work/art first on Patreon "channel" and later on a popular public "BOARD" AVAILABLE TO ANYONE WHO HAD JOINED THAT BOARD. [Here's a common pitch: Newbie Board members and potential customers get a GOOD TASTE OF WHAT'S OFFERED BY MEANS OF FREE VIEWS ON PUBLIC BOARDS, THAT'S THE HOOK! "SET THE HOOK": "Like what you see? Get two week ADVANCED ACCESS TO _______ ARTIST'S WORK BY BECOMING A PATREON SUBSCRIBER--get access to ["value added features"] by paying more each month"]
4. RELATIVELY CONSISTENT PRODUCT/CREATIONS must be provided to "make it worth the while" for the "buyers"
5. FEES ARE MINIMAL--"Patreon" does not follow the Amazon model; claims NO interest or ownership rights in the art/product/output of the arts; guarantees nothing to the "subscriber--IT'S PURELY A BROKERAGE, AND TAKES A "FRACTION (small) OF THE ACTION"
6. ANONYMITY OF BOTH SUBSCRIBER AND ARTIST IS SUPPORTED, if desired!
7. Artists/writers must, effectively, have a "history of talent" to entice the patrons to "sign up and keep the monthly fees coming".
8. "PATREON" provides publication tools for the "creators" AND an online PAYMENT SYSTEM for buyer/subscriber.
9. To encourage subscribers to sign up for HIGHER PRICED LEVELS, value added features are possible--IT'S A GENIUS IDEA BASED ON THE CONCEPT OF "YOU TRULY GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
See where this is going? LOW FEES, the chance for STEADY INCOME for the writer/artist, and RELIABLE "FIRST TO SEE FINISHED PRODUCT" FOR PATRON; eventual sharing with PUBLIC AT NO CHARGE--unless writer decides he's only going to sell "COMPLETED WORK" via more traditional publishing outlets. [WRITER "SELLS YOU HIS WORK TWICE!!!" ONCE, PIECEMEAL TO PATRONS AND SECOND TIME, THROUGH COMPLETE FINISHED, POLISHED PRODUCT!!!] THE BASIC SYSTEM HAS BEEN AROUND FOR CENTURIES, PERHAPS EVEN MILLENIA--IT'S GOT A HISTORY OF SUCCESS.
I'M THROWING DOWN MY [cheapskate] GAUNTLET. I would pay AT LEAST $5/month to get 2 week advance access to book 3. WE'VE BEEN "FREE RIDERS" FOR AN ENTIRE FLIPPIN' YEAR, and all I've paid for the "blood sweat and tears" of THE GENIUSES HERE IS A CRUMMY "yearly contribution" [seriously, I should be ashamed!]
A-N-Y-O-N-E E-L-S-E, or do you limit your payback to snarky comments and a few kind words!
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Sportsman
Veteran Member
Like she said, "We want to hear more! " You have a gift, and I'm glad you chose to share it with us. While I hate the Patreon "pay per chapter" method since it's an unpredictable cost, I'd gladly jump on the "pay per month for whatever is written" method.
Or, like others, I'll buy the completed books, either self published with LULU or some other house. Kindle is OK, but I don't think you'd get your due using them.
Thanks again.
Or, like others, I'll buy the completed books, either self published with LULU or some other house. Kindle is OK, but I don't think you'd get your due using them.
Thanks again.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
see #2326 from lawpoet which pretty much covers it. there are maybe 7-8 others but Patreon seemed to have the fewest gripes and the most positive comments, by far.
www.patreon.com
blog.appsumo.com › patreon-alternatives
6 Patreon Alternatives for Your Startup in 2019
Looking for the best way to make money from your content? If Patreon isn't an option, here are six similar websites where you can show off your creative side, and make money doing it!
At the end of the day he's willing to sign on, I'm sure I'm not the only reader to offer to send $$ your way & yes, if you go the Amazon route I'll still buy the hard copy. I expect it will be 'better' after the whole work gets some chapters and is polished up.
So -- do up a PDF/USB stick, go Amazon, self publish, Patreon -- YOUR call; decide how you want to monetise your work and away we all go.
I would seek legal advice on maintaining ownership w/ a view to movie, tv, rpg -- whatever media/entertaiment format you can think of.
Sage advice.
---
"Let's take a deep breath, find a quiet place, and confer with wife and others":
* At considerable sacrifice and effort you have concluded a work to which many aspire but few achive--you wrote a book.
* And not just any book. You wrote something: timely; highly relevant; sophisticated; and very well received within a "niche" audience.
* So far, it's been a "labor of love". Other than personal satisfaction, you have received little tangible to show for the, dare I guess, hundreds of hours spent on the project.
* Interest in "hard copy" or digital product(s) has been expressed; again by a niche audience in a virgorous but limited forum.
SO, with a [rough] draft of literally, HUNDREDS OF PAGES, in front of you, and a [niche/limited] audience demanding more plus the possibility that the PAW/TEOTWAWKI market might find your story appealing, you have to "ask hard questions".
* Do I have the sheer energy; time; emotional stamina to "proceed to market"?
* What do other family members think, believe, desire--"you're all in this together".
* Would an "escalation" of the project have negative impacts on the "day job" which not merely pays the bills but provides a potent source of satisfaction.
* Are there "outsourcing" opportunities available, where others would edit and publish and deal with all the minutea? If so, who would pay for those labors?
* "ZEITGEIST"--"mood of the times"--is America in such deep potential distress that now is just not the time to embark on a potentially costly, time consuming and emotionally draining expansion of the work? THIS IS A SINCERE, HONEST QUESTION. Where will our nation be over the next 30, 60, 90 days? [Most here believe "hell's a comin' by election day".]
YOU DECIDE WITH YOUR FAMILY WHAT YOU, AS A FAMILY, WANT TO DO--WHAT YOUR PRIORITIES ARE. It may be that this project needs to "rest", "marinate", "simmer on a back burner" for a while. WE WILL RESPECT YOUR DECISION (and even if we were not so inclined, the heck with us anyways--you're the author, you get to do what's best for you.
You have honored us with your art. We have both rejoiced and wept at your characters' challenges, triumphs and losses. We are better people, and more able preppers, as a consequence of your art. God bless you and yours.
Griz3752
Retired, practising Curmudgeon
Hey! CCG!!
Monday draws nigh and the hordes are salivating for 'fresh meat' BUT you need a break to consider your best path going forward; this could be something big for you & yours.
So, if you need to devote more time to research & contemplation, I think we'll understand if you miss the mark, time wise. Your story is so 'on the mark' if we have to wait a bit longer, the extra anticipation will just add to the experience.
G.
Monday draws nigh and the hordes are salivating for 'fresh meat' BUT you need a break to consider your best path going forward; this could be something big for you & yours.
So, if you need to devote more time to research & contemplation, I think we'll understand if you miss the mark, time wise. Your story is so 'on the mark' if we have to wait a bit longer, the extra anticipation will just add to the experience.
G.
Grouchy Granny
Deceased
Darn tootin' we'll be waiting on Monday.
You done good Grasshopper - keep up the good words, work, insights, and for making us all think about what could be coming at us.
You done good Grasshopper - keep up the good words, work, insights, and for making us all think about what could be coming at us.
I truly hope you are not able to see into the future. I don't think this old lady could navigate the walks that our heroes and heroine's are. But it does give me much to think about. Thank you for your imagination, taking the time to write this story out, and for your wife's part in your achievement as well. It is really excellent.
Vulture45-70
Veteran Member
Yes indeed, a well placed round from a .408 or .500 grain bullet will more than like ruin something or someones day. Kills on both ends depending on the charge. Love my Shiloh Sharps 45-70 Shooter #1.
Vulture45-70
Veteran Member
Just finished Market Day---Enjoyable reading, during this stressful time spent reading, packing RV for trip to pan for gold has kept me from yard work, house work and cleaning. Now looking for MOAR. Thanks for the story
Kiwibutterfly
Contributing Member
ummm it's Monday in NZ.....and I got up early to read the new installment..... lol... waiting in anticipation.....
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
The earthquake surprised everyone in the country. The effects of it and the tidal wave shocked the world. The scope and scale weren’t quite apparent right away. It took time for the shear totality of the devastation and the cascade failures resulting from them to surface. People not within the initial impact zone mostly went on with their lives as best as they could, until the ripples started reaching them.
Paige was at work when the news of the quake and the tsunami came in. Her boss came into her workshop and told her about it. She was listening to music while she worked. It was an advantage she had. Other than people bringing stuff in to get repaired or picking up stuff that had been fixed or serviced, she had her own small workshop all to herself.
Her job was a special little niche in the Marines. She was a Marine Corps Small Arms Repairer/Technician – MOS 2111. She was the one to repair, modify and if needed, build weapons for the Marines. She might not be the first choice to help clear an enemy building, but she would make sure your stuff worked. She was very good at her job. She even went to night school to add a degree in Firearms Technology to her credit.
Her skill and dedication had rewarded her with the position she was now in. She was sitting in her shop, HER shop, at the Marine Mountain Warfare Center. She wasn’t in the main support area. She was actually attached to the Special Operations School support section. The Marine Recon guys, as well as all the other ‘special’ units coming to the schoolhouse brought many different weapons than the normal Marines. She was the one responsible for fixing and maintaining them for the students.
Paige was working on a couple rifles for the class starting next week when her boss told her to turn on the news. For a while, the clock vanished. As more data came in, she wondered if her friend Josh at Camp Pendleton was ok. Her focus was broken by her phone.
“Did you see what happened?” It was her boyfriend, Henrik. He was one of the Mountain Warfare Instructors.
“Yeah, it looks like its trashed the whole coast. Damn. I wonder if they are going to send you guys over to help with search and rescue?”
“I don’t know, but with everything all screwed up for a couple weeks or months, I figure to get stuff that will be hard to get while it’s still on the shelf. You know, like the freeze-dried food I take to the field. We have four more courses coming, so if you will swing by the commissary and grab all they have, plus more coffee, sugar and stuff, I’ll hit the grocery store downtown and the camping store.”
“Ok, I need to clean up and get out of here for the day anyway. I’ll call Andrea and Sabine and get them to do some hurricane style stock up on their ways home as well.”
“We think alike. You think of anything else, shoot me a text.” Henrik hung up.
Paige’s next call was to Andrea and then Sabine. The four of them shared a rental house in town. Andrea was Paige’s first roommate when she got here. She was a field radio operator working support for the main schoolhouse. Later the two of them met Sabine when she got assigned to the Special Operations Schoolhouse. Unlike the other three, Sabine wasn’t a Marine.
The Marines don’t have Medics. They have Navy medics assigned to work with the Marines. Sabine was a special type of Navy Corpsman, an Independent Duty Corpsman, with a couple different advanced schools on top of that. Trained in a whole host of different advanced skills, she supported and interfaced with the Special Operations students and the medics.
Andrea and Sabine each said they would get a bunch of ‘don’t run short of’ supplies on their way home. It wasn’t like they were expecting massive shortages, just a potential reduction of types and brands of things. If they shopped ahead, they could stay ahead of the curve and not worry.
Paige was at work when the news of the quake and the tsunami came in. Her boss came into her workshop and told her about it. She was listening to music while she worked. It was an advantage she had. Other than people bringing stuff in to get repaired or picking up stuff that had been fixed or serviced, she had her own small workshop all to herself.
Her job was a special little niche in the Marines. She was a Marine Corps Small Arms Repairer/Technician – MOS 2111. She was the one to repair, modify and if needed, build weapons for the Marines. She might not be the first choice to help clear an enemy building, but she would make sure your stuff worked. She was very good at her job. She even went to night school to add a degree in Firearms Technology to her credit.
Her skill and dedication had rewarded her with the position she was now in. She was sitting in her shop, HER shop, at the Marine Mountain Warfare Center. She wasn’t in the main support area. She was actually attached to the Special Operations School support section. The Marine Recon guys, as well as all the other ‘special’ units coming to the schoolhouse brought many different weapons than the normal Marines. She was the one responsible for fixing and maintaining them for the students.
Paige was working on a couple rifles for the class starting next week when her boss told her to turn on the news. For a while, the clock vanished. As more data came in, she wondered if her friend Josh at Camp Pendleton was ok. Her focus was broken by her phone.
“Did you see what happened?” It was her boyfriend, Henrik. He was one of the Mountain Warfare Instructors.
“Yeah, it looks like its trashed the whole coast. Damn. I wonder if they are going to send you guys over to help with search and rescue?”
“I don’t know, but with everything all screwed up for a couple weeks or months, I figure to get stuff that will be hard to get while it’s still on the shelf. You know, like the freeze-dried food I take to the field. We have four more courses coming, so if you will swing by the commissary and grab all they have, plus more coffee, sugar and stuff, I’ll hit the grocery store downtown and the camping store.”
“Ok, I need to clean up and get out of here for the day anyway. I’ll call Andrea and Sabine and get them to do some hurricane style stock up on their ways home as well.”
“We think alike. You think of anything else, shoot me a text.” Henrik hung up.
Paige’s next call was to Andrea and then Sabine. The four of them shared a rental house in town. Andrea was Paige’s first roommate when she got here. She was a field radio operator working support for the main schoolhouse. Later the two of them met Sabine when she got assigned to the Special Operations Schoolhouse. Unlike the other three, Sabine wasn’t a Marine.
The Marines don’t have Medics. They have Navy medics assigned to work with the Marines. Sabine was a special type of Navy Corpsman, an Independent Duty Corpsman, with a couple different advanced schools on top of that. Trained in a whole host of different advanced skills, she supported and interfaced with the Special Operations students and the medics.
Andrea and Sabine each said they would get a bunch of ‘don’t run short of’ supplies on their way home. It wasn’t like they were expecting massive shortages, just a potential reduction of types and brands of things. If they shopped ahead, they could stay ahead of the curve and not worry.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Kiwi was raking me over the coals for being late, so I thought I would split the distance
Texican
Live Free & Die Free.... God Freedom Country....
CCG,
Thanks for starting Market Day Part 3.
Tying in what is happening in the rest of the country, but still in kaliland....
Is this what you are referencing????
Mountain Warfare Training Center
29palms.marines.mil/mcmwtc/UnitHome.aspx
The Mountain Warfare Training Center is a United States Marine Corps installation located in Pickel Meadows on California State Route 108 at 6,800 feet above sea level in the Toiyabe National Forest, 21 miles northwest of Bridgeport, California. The training center exists to train units in complex compartmented terrain.Wikipedia
Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center
The Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC) is one of the Corps most remote and isolated post. The center was established in 1951 as a Cold Weather Battalion with a mission of providing cold weather training for replacement personnel bound for Korea. After the Korea conflict the name was changed to the Marine Corps Cold Weather Training Center. As a result of it’s expanded role it was renamed the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in 1963. MCMWTC operated on a full time basis until 1967 when it was placed in a caretaker status as a result of the Vietnam War. The training center was reactivated to a full-time command on May 19th 1976.
The center occupies 46,000 acres of Toiyabe National Forrest under management of the U.S. Forrest Service. A letter of agreement between the Forrest Service an the Marine Corps permits the use of the area to train Marines in mountain and cold weather operations.
The center is cited at 6,762 feet, with elevations in the training areas ranging to just under 12,000 feet. During the winter season (October - April) snow accumulation can rear 6 to 8 feet. Further, sever storms can deposit as much as four feet in a 12 hour period. Annual temperatures range from -20 degrees to +90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The MCMWTC conducts formal schools for individuals and battalion training in summer and winter mountain operations. The training emphasis on enhancing overall combat capability.
Marines at the center are also involved in testing cold weather equipment and clothing, and developing doctrine and concepts to enhance our Corp’s ability to fight and win in mountain and cold weather environments.
Texican....
Thanks for starting Market Day Part 3.
Tying in what is happening in the rest of the country, but still in kaliland....
Is this what you are referencing????
Mountain Warfare Training Center
29palms.marines.mil/mcmwtc/UnitHome.aspx
The Mountain Warfare Training Center is a United States Marine Corps installation located in Pickel Meadows on California State Route 108 at 6,800 feet above sea level in the Toiyabe National Forest, 21 miles northwest of Bridgeport, California. The training center exists to train units in complex compartmented terrain.Wikipedia
Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center
The Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center (MCMWTC) is one of the Corps most remote and isolated post. The center was established in 1951 as a Cold Weather Battalion with a mission of providing cold weather training for replacement personnel bound for Korea. After the Korea conflict the name was changed to the Marine Corps Cold Weather Training Center. As a result of it’s expanded role it was renamed the Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center in 1963. MCMWTC operated on a full time basis until 1967 when it was placed in a caretaker status as a result of the Vietnam War. The training center was reactivated to a full-time command on May 19th 1976.
The center occupies 46,000 acres of Toiyabe National Forrest under management of the U.S. Forrest Service. A letter of agreement between the Forrest Service an the Marine Corps permits the use of the area to train Marines in mountain and cold weather operations.
The center is cited at 6,762 feet, with elevations in the training areas ranging to just under 12,000 feet. During the winter season (October - April) snow accumulation can rear 6 to 8 feet. Further, sever storms can deposit as much as four feet in a 12 hour period. Annual temperatures range from -20 degrees to +90 degrees Fahrenheit.
The MCMWTC conducts formal schools for individuals and battalion training in summer and winter mountain operations. The training emphasis on enhancing overall combat capability.
Marines at the center are also involved in testing cold weather equipment and clothing, and developing doctrine and concepts to enhance our Corp’s ability to fight and win in mountain and cold weather environments.
Texican....
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
That’s the place. Bunch of schools there.
Mountain Communications Course
Mountain / Cold Weather Pre-Environmental Training
Mountain Operations Staff Planning Course
Summer and Winter Mountain Leader Courses
Mountain / Cold Weather Scout Sniper Course
Assault Climber Course
Scout Skier Course
Mountain / Cold Weather Survival Course
Mountain / Cold Weather Medicine Course
OSV (Over the Snow Vehicle) / rough terrain driver training
Animal Packing Course
Special Operation Forces (SOF) Horsemanship Course
Pre-Deployment training
Mountain Exercise (MTX) (revamped summer/winter package customized per METL) (2010–present)
Training for all USMC MAGTF elements/units for OEF
Mountain Warrior
Training for USMC battalions headed to Afghanistan to participate in combat operations in support of OEF. Exercise Mountain Warrior was directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps as an alternate training venue to Exercise Mojave Viper (EMV) (Mojave Viper) due to insufficient throughput capacity of EMV at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms. (2009–2010)
Mountain Warfare Instructor Training
Basic MWI
MLC or IQC (Instructor Qualification Course) Graduate, Seasonal
BIC (Basic Instructor Course)
SAT (Systems Approach to Training) and ORM (Operational Risk Management) Online Courses
ORM (Operational Risk Management)
RSO (Range Safety Officer)
225 score on the United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT) unadjusted for age or altitude
Recommendation from Course Chief
Senior MWI
Summer and Winter Mountain Leader Course (or IQC)
Completed AIARE Level 1 Avalanche Course[6]
Qualify as a BSI (Basic Ski Instructor)
Complete Snow II Clinic
Complete Rock II Clinic
Complete Alpine II Clinic
Certified as a Wilderness First Responder or higher
Completed 20 hours of platform Instruction
Recommendation from OIC.
Master MWI
Completed AIARE Avalanche Level 2 or Level 1 Instructor Course
Qualify as a MSI (Military Ski Instructor).
Complete Snow III Clinic
Complete Rock III Clinic
Complete Alpine III Clinic
Completed 40 hours of platform Instruction
That’s where Paige and her housemates are stationed, All but Henrik are Support Troops for various Schoolhouses. Henrik is a Senior MWI
This is the first in California part. The others were all up Washington/Canadian boarder region for 1 & 2
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Kiwibutterfly
Contributing Member
AND here I was thinking I was going to get the 2nd chapter before I went to bed lol. Well..I will sleep on it now. Heads up too, great story!!!
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik hung up the phone and focused on his shopping. He was at the outdoor/camping store. It was one of the big co-ops that was nationwide. He knew what he was asking of his three companions wasn’t easy. Working where they did, anything more than a small convenience store level of shopping involved at least one to two hours’ drive each way. He wouldn’t have asked if it wasn’t important, but he wasn’t sure why he felt it would be that important for all of them to give up three or more hours after work to all go shopping separately. He was in town with Paige’s big battlewagon. He could pick everything up for their monthly grocery shopping, and normally would. Maybe it was his upbringing.
Henrik grew up poor. His parents and grandparents equated wealth to a full pantry and new shoes. In later years, things were not as grim, but the upbringing had set its mark on his parents and them on him. Most of his early military career, he scrimped and saved, living in the dormitory’s and eating on base at the chow halls as much as he could. After his second deployment, he finally saved up enough of a nest egg he felt a bit more comfortable spending a little money on himself time to time.
When he applied and was accepted to the MWI position, he splurged and bough himself his first real toy, a jeep. He started four-wheeling some, but never too aggressive, he didn’t want to break his new toy. He started hanging out with the 4x4 club on base. It was out four-wheeling he met Paige.
She was horsing this huge monster of an old mid-seventies Jeep Cherokee through trails he was scared to even attempt. He had a hard time matching up the vehicle with the person when the group stopped for the day. If he hadn’t seen her climb out of it, he never would have guessed. Not that he was that sexist, but she looked so unassuming, like off a dairy ad from the mid-west.
Paige was about a foot shorter than his own six foot six. She had similar looks in some ways to his own, her hair was strawberry blond to his reddish-brown, and both had a liberal dusting of freckles on their pale skins. There they diverged. She had a fit, mildly athletic appearance, one that could be a Pilates coach or an aerobics class denizen, whereas, he looked as if he ate barbells for lunch with his big and bulky frame.
There was something that intrigued him about her from the start. He kept pursuing her, asking her to lunch, dinner, and finally after many, many dates, he finally convinced her to move in with him, or rather after she pointed out she already had the better rental house, him in with her. Here it was, a year later. He was driving her battleship of a Cherokee around Carson City, stopping at outdoor stores and grocery stores, loading up like it was the apocalypse. He had to reel himself back and refocus. He needed to focus on the food and stuff for being snowed in through the winter. Where they lived and worked was deep in the mountains, high enough they would be working snow until May. This was loading up for the winter, just a month early he kept telling himself. That way they didn’t have to drive as far on crappy roads.
If he did this, and Paige, Andrea and Sabine also did this, they can hibernate over the winter, just having to deal with work and weather.
Henrik grew up poor. His parents and grandparents equated wealth to a full pantry and new shoes. In later years, things were not as grim, but the upbringing had set its mark on his parents and them on him. Most of his early military career, he scrimped and saved, living in the dormitory’s and eating on base at the chow halls as much as he could. After his second deployment, he finally saved up enough of a nest egg he felt a bit more comfortable spending a little money on himself time to time.
When he applied and was accepted to the MWI position, he splurged and bough himself his first real toy, a jeep. He started four-wheeling some, but never too aggressive, he didn’t want to break his new toy. He started hanging out with the 4x4 club on base. It was out four-wheeling he met Paige.
She was horsing this huge monster of an old mid-seventies Jeep Cherokee through trails he was scared to even attempt. He had a hard time matching up the vehicle with the person when the group stopped for the day. If he hadn’t seen her climb out of it, he never would have guessed. Not that he was that sexist, but she looked so unassuming, like off a dairy ad from the mid-west.
Paige was about a foot shorter than his own six foot six. She had similar looks in some ways to his own, her hair was strawberry blond to his reddish-brown, and both had a liberal dusting of freckles on their pale skins. There they diverged. She had a fit, mildly athletic appearance, one that could be a Pilates coach or an aerobics class denizen, whereas, he looked as if he ate barbells for lunch with his big and bulky frame.
There was something that intrigued him about her from the start. He kept pursuing her, asking her to lunch, dinner, and finally after many, many dates, he finally convinced her to move in with him, or rather after she pointed out she already had the better rental house, him in with her. Here it was, a year later. He was driving her battleship of a Cherokee around Carson City, stopping at outdoor stores and grocery stores, loading up like it was the apocalypse. He had to reel himself back and refocus. He needed to focus on the food and stuff for being snowed in through the winter. Where they lived and worked was deep in the mountains, high enough they would be working snow until May. This was loading up for the winter, just a month early he kept telling himself. That way they didn’t have to drive as far on crappy roads.
If he did this, and Paige, Andrea and Sabine also did this, they can hibernate over the winter, just having to deal with work and weather.
sssarawolf
Has No Life - Lives on TB
Very good start with 2 chapters, thank you.
Swift response to DIVINE PROMPTINGS is a critical "survival trait". Jesus himself warned his disciples that when they saw signs of trouble coming they should flee immediately: "Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take any thing out of his house. Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes." Matt:17-18 (KJV)
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Paige was tossing her stuff in Henrik’s jeep when Sabine walked up.
“Hey, Doc. How’s it going today?” Paige liked Sabine, but for some reason, she also felt a little nervous around her. Something about her vibe sometimes made Paige ‘unsettled’?
“I was doing fine until the quake. Shit! I have friends down at San Diego! There’s no telling how bad this is! And then you call and say Henrik wants to play squirrel and stock up for the winter.” Sabine sounded more frustrated than pissed.
“Yeah, I know, but he has a point. The shopping isn’t going to get any better and if we go now, we won’t have to fight the crowd this weekend. This is your first winter here. The hour and a half each way we drive tonight will be five hours with chains in the dead of winter. He can’t help it. This is what he teaches and besides, it makes sense.”
“I know, but…….” Her voice tailed off as she seemed to look off and away from Paige, sweeping the mountains around them, seeming to gather something from them. “I’m just……I don’t know. Something feels wrong. I don’t know what.” She stood for another moment or two. “How reliable is mail order to here?”
Paige was caught off guard by the question. “Winter, hit and miss, next day is a five day process and still weather dependent. What are you thinking?” Now Paige was curious.
“Winter clothes, underwear, socks, and such. I didn’t have much and haven’t bought much. I should probably pick some more up while I’m in town unless I want to be stuck with Navy issue bloomers and such.” She stared off again as if counting or calculating.
Paige finally caught some of one of the things sometimes unsettling about Sabine. She could get this fierce look to her more appropriate for a member of a barbarian horde than someone in the twenty-first century. All of her features were just a touch off. The nose was a little bigger than someone would choose, her smile and grin shows a mouth a little too large for her head, her hazel eyes a piercing glare from under jet black brows and , when not in uniform, hair the color of coal dust.
She remembered the first time Henrik met her. He said she reminded him of the famous tennis player from Argentina in the 80s and 90s. When he said it, she saw it. The ‘flaws’ came together to paint a very flattering picture. Paige knew when the two of them were in a room, most guys would be watching Sabine, not her. Paige knew she was the ‘girl next door’ type and had come to accept it.
“Sabine, maybe you should pick up Andrea and the pair of you go together. She can help show you the better places to get stuff.” Paige said to snap both of them out of their inactivity.
“No, she has already left. Besides, her taste for underthings is less practical and more frilly.” She said with a chuckle.
“Shoot, if its practical you want for the winter, tell me what you want and what sizes and I’ll have Henrik pick it up. He’s already in town at one of the outdoor places.”
Her offer caused Sabine to snap her head around and stare at Paige.
“Let me get this straight. You are offering to have your boyfriend buy me lingerie. Most women I know would never even broach such a thing.” The look of incredulity on her face seemed genuine.
“I trust him. I know it’s just shopping of convenience, not something kinky. You and Andrea are together. I don’t think you are in the market to steal my boyfriend.” Paige’s frank and honest reply set Sabine back on her heels.
“I’m sorry, “she apologized. “I’ve been at some units with some real backstabbing ‘Peyton Place’ level shit. I’m still working on this trusting people thing. I’m sorry. “
“It’s OK. No problem. Now tell me what you want and the sizes so I can call Henrik.”
After a short planning session, Sabine headed out while Paige called Henrik with the additions to the shopping list.
“Hey, Doc. How’s it going today?” Paige liked Sabine, but for some reason, she also felt a little nervous around her. Something about her vibe sometimes made Paige ‘unsettled’?
“I was doing fine until the quake. Shit! I have friends down at San Diego! There’s no telling how bad this is! And then you call and say Henrik wants to play squirrel and stock up for the winter.” Sabine sounded more frustrated than pissed.
“Yeah, I know, but he has a point. The shopping isn’t going to get any better and if we go now, we won’t have to fight the crowd this weekend. This is your first winter here. The hour and a half each way we drive tonight will be five hours with chains in the dead of winter. He can’t help it. This is what he teaches and besides, it makes sense.”
“I know, but…….” Her voice tailed off as she seemed to look off and away from Paige, sweeping the mountains around them, seeming to gather something from them. “I’m just……I don’t know. Something feels wrong. I don’t know what.” She stood for another moment or two. “How reliable is mail order to here?”
Paige was caught off guard by the question. “Winter, hit and miss, next day is a five day process and still weather dependent. What are you thinking?” Now Paige was curious.
“Winter clothes, underwear, socks, and such. I didn’t have much and haven’t bought much. I should probably pick some more up while I’m in town unless I want to be stuck with Navy issue bloomers and such.” She stared off again as if counting or calculating.
Paige finally caught some of one of the things sometimes unsettling about Sabine. She could get this fierce look to her more appropriate for a member of a barbarian horde than someone in the twenty-first century. All of her features were just a touch off. The nose was a little bigger than someone would choose, her smile and grin shows a mouth a little too large for her head, her hazel eyes a piercing glare from under jet black brows and , when not in uniform, hair the color of coal dust.
She remembered the first time Henrik met her. He said she reminded him of the famous tennis player from Argentina in the 80s and 90s. When he said it, she saw it. The ‘flaws’ came together to paint a very flattering picture. Paige knew when the two of them were in a room, most guys would be watching Sabine, not her. Paige knew she was the ‘girl next door’ type and had come to accept it.
“Sabine, maybe you should pick up Andrea and the pair of you go together. She can help show you the better places to get stuff.” Paige said to snap both of them out of their inactivity.
“No, she has already left. Besides, her taste for underthings is less practical and more frilly.” She said with a chuckle.
“Shoot, if its practical you want for the winter, tell me what you want and what sizes and I’ll have Henrik pick it up. He’s already in town at one of the outdoor places.”
Her offer caused Sabine to snap her head around and stare at Paige.
“Let me get this straight. You are offering to have your boyfriend buy me lingerie. Most women I know would never even broach such a thing.” The look of incredulity on her face seemed genuine.
“I trust him. I know it’s just shopping of convenience, not something kinky. You and Andrea are together. I don’t think you are in the market to steal my boyfriend.” Paige’s frank and honest reply set Sabine back on her heels.
“I’m sorry, “she apologized. “I’ve been at some units with some real backstabbing ‘Peyton Place’ level shit. I’m still working on this trusting people thing. I’m sorry. “
“It’s OK. No problem. Now tell me what you want and the sizes so I can call Henrik.”
After a short planning session, Sabine headed out while Paige called Henrik with the additions to the shopping list.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Henrik was a little surprised at the addition to his list. Fortunately Paige had called before he left the store he was at. He got to thinking while he was at it, he should pick more up for Paige and himself as well.
Buying underwear for Sabine. That he didn’t see coming. He liked her a lot, but she didn’t hold a candle to Paige. Paige was warm, and caring, and beautiful, both inside and out, even if she couldn’t see it herself. Sabine on the other hand was more like a porcelain statue. All the angles were good, but cold. There didn’t seem to be any warmth there. Loads of passion, yes, but warmth? He hadn’t seen it.
Paige made him feel warm and loved inside. She had that quality. When people had problems, she was the one they talked to. When they needed help, she was the one they turned to. He didn’t know how he was so lucky to win her over.
Sabine was like one of those hyper-exotic sports cars in his mind. She might be intriguing to look at, maybe even fun to take a spin around a track once, but not something you want to own, the price is too high for something you couldn’t live with. He didn’t need any of that sort of emotional drama. He avoided such things as much as he could.
He had friends on their second or third divorce who kept telling him they wanted someone like Paige. He flat out told them, if that’s what they wanted, why didn’t they look for them instead of the drama queens they married. Time and time again he said 'find someone you want to spend time with, not someone to put a notch in your bedpost.’
Because there was no tension of attraction between them, he could be friends with Sabine. She was a neat person to know and the perfect addition the group needed. Andrea was completely enamored with her, and truth be told, Andrea seemed to make Sabine seem more human, less two dimensional.
A couple more stops and he would be out of room. Then it was back to the house for him. Since he was already in town, he should get back first. He would start dinner so it would be ready when they got back.
Buying underwear for Sabine. That he didn’t see coming. He liked her a lot, but she didn’t hold a candle to Paige. Paige was warm, and caring, and beautiful, both inside and out, even if she couldn’t see it herself. Sabine on the other hand was more like a porcelain statue. All the angles were good, but cold. There didn’t seem to be any warmth there. Loads of passion, yes, but warmth? He hadn’t seen it.
Paige made him feel warm and loved inside. She had that quality. When people had problems, she was the one they talked to. When they needed help, she was the one they turned to. He didn’t know how he was so lucky to win her over.
Sabine was like one of those hyper-exotic sports cars in his mind. She might be intriguing to look at, maybe even fun to take a spin around a track once, but not something you want to own, the price is too high for something you couldn’t live with. He didn’t need any of that sort of emotional drama. He avoided such things as much as he could.
He had friends on their second or third divorce who kept telling him they wanted someone like Paige. He flat out told them, if that’s what they wanted, why didn’t they look for them instead of the drama queens they married. Time and time again he said 'find someone you want to spend time with, not someone to put a notch in your bedpost.’
Because there was no tension of attraction between them, he could be friends with Sabine. She was a neat person to know and the perfect addition the group needed. Andrea was completely enamored with her, and truth be told, Andrea seemed to make Sabine seem more human, less two dimensional.
A couple more stops and he would be out of room. Then it was back to the house for him. Since he was already in town, he should get back first. He would start dinner so it would be ready when they got back.
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steamroller
Contributing Member
Great start, really loving it.
ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
Andrea was scooting down the twisty road in her little VW. The little metallic blue R32 was beat to snot on the outside. That’s why she got it cheap. Its engine and drive-train ran like a Swiss watch, thanks to Paige. It was strong, nimble and fast! The all-wheel drive kept her on the road in the winter. She was blasting down the road to get to town. Paige told her Henrik was suggesting stocking heavily for the winter, because the earthquake might screw things up for weeks or months, and who knew when stuff would run out or be restocked since they were at the far end of oblivion.
She loved her little car. At 5’3’, it fit her smaller size. The few time she had driven Paige’s big ass thing, she felt she needed spotters and a tug to park. As she drove, she sang to the top of her voice with the tunes on the stereo. She made some notes in her head on things to make sure she had enough of, like her preferred shampoo, enough feminine hygiene products of the right brand that actually fit her right, and a hundred other things. This wasn’t her first winter here. She knew how scarce things could get. She also knew if Henrik the newshound was saying it could be worse this winter, she believed him.
She liked Henrik. He was good for Paige. This was in spite of him forever dashing Andrea’s hopes of ‘converting’ Paige to her point of view. She had to settle for her as a friend, and a great friend she was. Besides, if she was with Paige, she wouldn’t have gotten with Sabine. Sabine was such an intense person! There was also such depth. She felt she could keep exploring Sabine emotions and love forever and not find it all. This was the first person she had ever felt that with. It seemed to be like the connection Paige found with Henrik.
She loved her little car. At 5’3’, it fit her smaller size. The few time she had driven Paige’s big ass thing, she felt she needed spotters and a tug to park. As she drove, she sang to the top of her voice with the tunes on the stereo. She made some notes in her head on things to make sure she had enough of, like her preferred shampoo, enough feminine hygiene products of the right brand that actually fit her right, and a hundred other things. This wasn’t her first winter here. She knew how scarce things could get. She also knew if Henrik the newshound was saying it could be worse this winter, she believed him.
She liked Henrik. He was good for Paige. This was in spite of him forever dashing Andrea’s hopes of ‘converting’ Paige to her point of view. She had to settle for her as a friend, and a great friend she was. Besides, if she was with Paige, she wouldn’t have gotten with Sabine. Sabine was such an intense person! There was also such depth. She felt she could keep exploring Sabine emotions and love forever and not find it all. This was the first person she had ever felt that with. It seemed to be like the connection Paige found with Henrik.
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ComCamGuy
Remote Paramedical pain in the ass
They are stocking up for the winter and driving what they have. Four vehicles, all loading what they might need for a tough winter. Not expecting the end, just some reduced selection and bad travel conditions. Besides, unlike some sort of prepper story where the heroes have two 5 ton trucks at their fingertips, I'm trying for what some people have and or would do. One was grocery shopping anyway, and recommended the rest of the people at the house do the same. Am I off base?
Input is always welcome. I write these for you guys as well as myself. Keep me on my toes and my game if I am off base.