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Softjock Rick, myself, and a few others kept a fairly long thread going in the old DJ forum on this subject. I wanted to get thoughts and suggestions from the folks here.

A little about my lifestyle:

Please note that I am not a "survivalist" or doomsday worrier. I am not a Mafia chief. I am- maybe due to my age or eastern training- strongly in favor of two things. Privacy and independence from "the grid" and otherwise.

My name is not on anything it doesn't legally have to be. It's been that way since pre- internet days.This means it's pretty much limited to IRS related stuff ( Apparently they have no problem finding me- I've been audited twice). My name is on my karaoke company, but that company is under a corporate umbrella with two others.

Not my home, not my car, not my utilities, not an internet or cable provider, and certainly not on any credit cards. This requires a certain amount of trust in others to pull off.

Even back in those days of Easylink, many folks saw what was coming. We all read George Orwell in School.

My properties are paid for. My main residence is capable of staying off the grid now, if I so desire. I have multiple power sources. I am also lucky onother way. The town condemned private wells when it put in sewer systems, but my access is in the cellar, and I test it regularly- good to go.

Question for you: If there is a large network failure, what percentage of your money do you keep as cash on hand? How long can you go without an ATM, credit cards, or computer access?

I can go quite awhile, and also have alternatives to paper money available.

Other than living in the woods or a cave, I'm about as independent and private as possible. No privately addressed junk mail, sales pitches, etc...

Of course, friends, relatives, and local townies all know me, but no trouble from "Nite Lites" ( strange bar folks) or other whackos.

All of this takes some work, but for me it's worth it.
This also keeps what's left of privacy intact.

So, am I overdoing it? If so, why do you feel that way?

If not, please feel free to dd your own experiences and suggestions.

...Oh, this should be good.....

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Joe:

First of all I'm not a stalker by any means but have found lots of things about you on the web!

Just did a Google search and just a few things popped up real quick I did not do an deep search there could be lots more.

You have a My Space and a Facebook page(s).
A blurp on 1800 DJ's
and if I had an account your phone numbers along with other stuff.

You may think your off the grid but you have a unique name and it is easy to find out stuff.

As long as you "OWN" anything that can be titled or you have "Utilities" that you have to pay for you can be found...

Just saying

Tis why I keep my real name and all my screen names separate. Not many know and those that do I trust to keep it a secret.

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I like everyone when I first meet them. If you don't like me that's not my problem it's YOURS!
A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet

Google spit out 1,830,000 links in .32 seconds..

https://www.google.com/#hl=en&sclient=p ... 24&bih=484

That's why I don't give out my last name... had a stalker once... good thing he could NOT find my real name! Was a real nut case. He saw me at the VA once when I went there with my daughter.. somehow he found out her first name. Then I worked my birthday one night and someone announced it (my clueless sister), so the guy remembered it. Next thing I know I'm receiving gifts at my bosses address.. which were returned. Then he went off his meds and ended up in the hospital (funny bin), so he put me on his list of contacts, had his dad take his coat to my work to give to me (EW??). He called my boss over and over trying to reach me. Then sent a huge package full of crap he stole from the hospital.. gifts for me.. and there was also a page in there that had his 'statistics' on it.. name, age, etc.. BUT he had me listed at his wife, my daughter as his kid... OMG CREEPY!! I called the hospital and told them that I was not his wife and that he needed to have his phone privileges revoked. The calls did stop.
He's out of the hospital and 3 or 4 years have passed, he's 86'd from the bar where I work.... BUT he's sent countless letters to 'Corporate', trying to regain access. He even called my boss begging to be let back in... saying "I don't even like her anymore." Great... his 'liking' me was bad... hate to see what his 'not liking' is like...
Last I heard.. just a couple months ago, he sent yet another letter to 'corporate' of the hotel where I work.
So... a 'stage' name is the way to go!!

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

....See, I told you I would find you!!!

.....JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
..SERIOUSLY, I just had to mess with you! You've been very nice to me and I hope you can take me poking at ya!

I can take it.. especially since you didn't find me!!

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

Of Course, you could find where I work.. But that doesn't give you my last name.. no phone number, no address... just Lisah

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

...Cool! I just had to mess with ya. I wouldn't want anyone stalking me! Well, it has been a long time since I've had a lady in my life...Maybe I should think twice, might be good....at least for me? !!!

OK, let's do a premature kill of " the stupid" right off, so we might continue this thread in the manner in which it is intended:

You will find on the internet what I want you to find. I am running a business dependent on public accessibility. This means you will find my business phone number ( though not under my name), and if you do an IP search from my posts, you will find my business office address ( though also not under my personal name). That's it. I WANT those found because I am running a business. What idiot would hide them?

Non-interaction home internet work ( downloads of pics, etc.)is done on my daughter/grandson's DSL hook-up. I also use a tablet in free wi-fi hot spots.

As far as Facebook is concerned- it's an ad to me. I am not one of those complete morons that posts my real address, real birth date, and then can't understand why their identity has been stolen.

So, dispensing of the detective work, any reply to the OP, or am I wasting my time?

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

Typical man thinking... "who ya gonna please with that?" "ME!"

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

Um, did this thread not go where intended? Joe, as hard as we may try.. we can all be found. As in, finding you by going to one of your shows... and me by going to one of mine.

I should look up "Luddite"
Luddite:
1. One who fears technology (or new technology, as they seem pleased with how things currently are...why can't everything just be the same?)

2. A group led by Mr. Luddite durring the industrial revolution who beleived machines would cause workers wages to be decreased and ended up burning a number of factories in protest
A luddite generally claims things were "just fine" back in the day, and refuses to replace/update failing equipment/software/computers on the basis that they were just fine 10 years ago.

How does this apply...? Shoot, now I have to re-read your post. This is getting too intellectual for the blonde in me.

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

Ok, re-read...
I use credit cards and pay them off every month. I have a 401K. I am on the 'grid', electric, phone, internet.
However, I save water in jugs!! And I have a pantry full of food.
How long could I live without an ATM... don't have one. But do have money in the bank that I suppose could disappear.. I don't care that much. IF money were gone.. I have food. water and shelter. (own my home). And I can work... doing just about anything that was needed to be done.
Um, in a disaster.. were I be unable to get my meds.. I'd be dead in a few months anyway so... the jugs of water will last just long enough!

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

Lisah, thank you for being the very first post on the intended subject.

Believe it or not, I have forgotten about the med problem. I am disgustingly healthy thanks to great genetics. despite years as a pro fighter that has been over repaired, I have no aches, pains, morning stiffness, or any other problems. I also have a ridiculous immune system. ( My dad played 2 sets of tennis a day and was ...um... active... until he was 90, and never went gray or bald. My 88 year old mother has a personal trainer, is a long distance swimmer, skateboards, and thanks to a PITA cat, climbs trees ). I'm ugly but healthy.

Anyone out there with suggestions on keeping a long term supply of meds on hand?

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"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

I've noticed that I am bad about 'hijacking' threads... blonde ya know!? I see something and get side tracked..forgot what I was there for in the first place!! I have pretty good genes also... my parents are still alive (81 & 79), grandparents all lived into their mid 90s) However, somehow I got type 2 diabetes and my thyroid quit. I do have aches and pains... some jacka$$ kicked me in the knee back when I was a bartender, it's never been the same after surgery. Then my shoulder locked up for no reason. They say it's 'cause I'm over 50.. .. if that's so, why isn't the other one locked up.. and some other stuff not locked up too?? Whatever, I'm working on it and it's getting a little better... I'll be lifting those speakers again in no time!! (If I have to ) I'm not fat yet... and look 15 years younger than I am... life is pretty good. As for stocking up on meds... I've thought about that. I could just stash a few every month in the freezer and hope that doesn't hurt them. But those would run out too. I think I'll just keep a handy supply of some xanax or somethin'.... then when it gets too bad... poof!
My main concern will always be.. to have my family close. I've already thought out where everyone will sleep should the need arise.

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

And you don't look all that ugly to me!!

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!

for what it's worth....

"Not my home, not my car, not my utilities, not an internet or cable provider, and certainly not on any credit cards. This requires a certain amount of trust in others to pull off."

i don't think personally i could live having nothing be mine.
someone else owns your house
someone else owns your car
someone else owns your phone

trust or not, i don't think i could just not exist nor own what i worked for.

just my two cents on it.

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Paradigm Karaoke, The New Standard.......Shift Happens

That sounds like a challenge!!!!

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

I found that raising children pretty much requires one to remain on the grid or risk being even more conspicuous. I don't worry about being on the grid though. I figure if they are going to come after me me, they will be coming after me on the grid or not and the best thing I can do is be prepared.

If the day of "Mad Max" or "The Postman" should come, I have been stockpiling useful knowledge and experience for many years and figure I can barter that for my needs (especially since the movie that I think best predicts the coming future is "Idiocracy").

I do try to keep a supply of my medicine, but it's difficult because the refill times are too short (monthly). I also keep a small supply of aquarium anti-biotics just in case of a dire emergency.

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KNOW THYSELF

Yup. Certain meds, yes. Tell your doctor you're trying to save money, so ask if they will prescribe pills at a double dose so you can cut them in half to save money. You have twice the pills for the cost. I know several people who do this with cholestrol medication. Obviously, they won't do that with pain prescriptions, but who wants to OD on cholestrol meds?

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Birdofsong

Wouldn't be much of a challenge... not with you about .. what? 10 hours away??
I been to Seattle.. won't be seeing me up your way anytime soon... can't stand the weather!! Sorry
And if you were to come down here, you'd melt in the heat!

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SoundChoice Certification coming soon!