NEVER GIVE UP

After a momentary lapse of judgment sent him overboard in the Atlantic at night, John Aldridge did everything right - most importantly he adopted a survival mindset . . . S.L.



By PAUL TOUGH The New York Times

And then the handle snapped.

Suddenly Aldridge was flying backward, tumbling across the deck toward the back of the boat, which was wide open, just a flat, slick ramp leading straight into the black ocean a few inches below. Aldridge grabbed for the side of the boat as it went past, his fingertips missing it by inches. The water hit him like a slap. He went under, took in a mouthful of Atlantic Ocean and then surfaced, sputtering. He yelled as loud as he could, hoping to wake Sosinski, who was asleep on a bunk below the front deck. But the diesel engine was too loud, and the Anna Mary, on autopilot, moving due south at six and a half knots, was already out of reach, its navigation lights receding into the night. Aldridge shouted once more, panic rising in his throat, and then silence descended. He was alone in the darkness. A single thought gripped his mind: This is how I’m going to die. . .

. . . alone in the water, he tried to use (that) strength to push down the fear that was threatening to overtake him. No negative thoughts, he told himself. Stay positive. Stay strong . . .

. . . The first thing you’re supposed to do, if you’re a fisherman and you fall in the ocean, is to kick off your boots. They’re dead weight that will pull you down. But as Aldridge treaded water, he realized that his boots were not pulling him down; in fact, they were lifting him up, weirdly elevating his feet and tipping him backward. Aldridge’s boots were an oddity among the members of Montauk’s commercial fishing fleet: thick green rubber monstrosities that were guaranteed to keep your feet warm down to minus 58 degrees Fahrenheit, a temperature Montauk had not experienced since the ice age. Sosinski made fun of the boots, but Aldridge liked them: they were comfortable and sturdy and easy to slip on and off. And now, as he bobbed in the Atlantic, he had an idea of how they might save his life.

Treading water awkwardly, Aldridge reached down and pulled off his left boot. Straining, he turned it upside down, raised it up until it cleared the waves, then plunged it back into the water, trapping a boot-size bubble of air inside. He tucked the inverted boot under his left armpit. Then he did the same thing with the right boot. It worked; they were like twin pontoons, and treading water with his feet alone was now enough to keep him stable and afloat.

The boots gave Aldridge a chance to think. He wasn’t going to sink — not right away, anyway. But he was still in a very bad situation. He tried to take stock: It was about 3:30 a.m. on July 24, a clear, starry night lit by a full moon. The wind was calm, but there was a five-foot swell, a remnant of a storm that blew through a couple of days earlier. The North Atlantic water was chilly — 72 degrees — but bearable, for now. Dawn was still two hours away. Aldridge set a goal, the first of many he would assign himself that day: Just stay afloat till sunrise . . .


What follows is the incredible saga of how John Aldridge survived against all odds, due in no small part to a positive attitude, a clear mindset, and no shortage of pure courage in the face of certain death. He lost everything, then he did everything possible to increase his odds of survival. How many of us would do the same?

Read the rest of John Aldridge's amazing story HERE


Keyword "SURVIVAL"

Keyword SURVIVAL is the opening chapter of U.S. Army Field Manual 21-76, Survival.
Whenever faced with a survival situation, remember the keyword "SURVIVAL." You may some day have to make it work for you.

* S - Size Up the Situation
* U - Use All Your Senses, Undue Haste Makes Waste
* R - Remember Where You Are
* V - Vanquish Fear and Panic
* I - Improvise
* V - Value Living
* A - Act Like the Natives
* L - Live by Your Wits, But for Now, Learn Basic Skills

Click on the above links to learn the meaning of each letter of the word "SURVIVAL."




This true story adds a whole new meaning to the saying "Attitude is everything."

STORMBRINGER SENDS

BOOTS

I take good care of my boots; saddle soap, boot polish and Neatsfoot oil after hard use and especially after exposure to salt . . . S.L.



I bought this pair of Danner "Fort Lewis" boots back in 1985. They are Airborne Qualified (more than 5 jumps - a LOT more - mostly at night with combat equipment) and have soldiered on 2 continents in all conditions; cold wet winters and thick snow. Full leather uppers, insulated, Vibram soles. Some moisture problem when you sweat into the insulated interior, and a bit heavy (full leather boot) but okay for medium level work.



I was issued this pair of Reichle's in Stuttgart in 2004. Also Airborne Qualified, also soldiered on 2 continents all conditions and above 10,000 feet in the winter. This was actually my second pair - the first pair wore out after 2 years hard military service in urban environments (in all fairness this will take it out of any boot). I babied this second pair and got ten years out of them. Leather upper, vibram soles, very comfortable, very warm & dry.

As you can see the Reichle's blew out - shoe repair place says it is the base of the boot itself that separated, not just the sole; they cannot be repaired.


Bottom Line

The Danner's win for overall durability, but again, big moisture problem with the insulation when you sweat into them. Because of this, they are not the preferred boot for long, hard marches or dismounted operations over several days but are okay for modern operations (which usually involve vehicles). These boots require thick, wool socks - we used to rotate the sweaty ones under our shirts to dry them out. They are comfortable boots and I like them.

The Reichle's are a light weight boot with good insulation - never noticed a moisture problem. In fact, the insulation is so good I only ever had to wear thin nylon socks - the black socks we normally wear in dress uniform with our low-quarters. I've actually seen US soldiers wearing them in the tropics. They are extremely comfortable.


HAIX® Mission Boot

Developed in cooperation with the KSK Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command, KSK - German Special Forces), these boots have soldiered from Afghanistan to Papua New Guinea to northern Sasketchewan - they are the epitome of the Four Season Boot.

I don't have the operational time in these boots, of course, but from the moment the Haix people introduced this boot to me I recognized it as the best military footgear I've ever seen. Lightweight comfort and support matched with superior support and tough, robust exterior designed for the brutal conditions in Central Asia. You could walk on the moon in these boots.

My next pair of boots.

STORMBRINGER SENDS

The BIRDS of STORMBRINGER

Poll results are IN . . . The BIRDS STAY ! ! ! - S.L.

SHOULD THE BIRDS OF STORMBRINGER STAY?


289 (90%) Yes, Yes YES ! ! ! - the BIRDS provide vital & necessary "eye relief"!

27 (8%) Perhaps - the BIRDS represent a retro glance back at the bygone era of wall locker pinups and harmless girlie magazines.

11 (3%) Undecided - I'm mature enough to handle a bit of skin it doesn't detract from the articles which is why I read STORMBRINGER
This is like the old Playboy thing "I really read it for the articles."

0 (0%) Not Sure - I like the beauty of the female form but I'm uncomfortable looking . . .

1 (0%) Absolutely Not - Scantily clad bathing suit cheesecake photos exploit women!


Reminder - Why The BIRDS?

The Birds are here for a reason - they harken back to the era of wall locker pinups and war plane nose art . . .

. . . plus they are not politically correct so there's the added benefit of pissing off liberals!


For What Its Worth Department:

"Birds" is Anglo-Australian for girls, women, femmes, broads, dames, skirts and members of the opposite sex. In Aussie we also call them Sheilas but that's possibly subject for another day's post.


Meanwhile in Australia:




Meanwhile, 1630 EST has rolled around and IT IS TIME for me to rip my shirt off go outside & roll in the snow & ice:

Go Green Bay Packers! Go CheeseHeads!

STORMBRINGER SENDS

FALL OF SAIGON . . . CONTRAST AND COMPARE . . .

Regard the altruitic, ambivalent attitudes of the American idealists who stayed behind . . .



. . . and compare their outlook on the so-called "liberation" of Saigon with the fate of these former South Vietnamese officers, these are the lucky ones who escaped the bloodbath, but remained in re-education camps for ten years after the fall:



Watch to the end; the interview with the prisoner that starts at 5:25 is riveting. As you watch it, consider - this is the re-education camp the Communists allow Americans to visit, make video and interview the inmates. This is their 'Potemkin Village.'

Everyone in the world should see this video, and videos like it. Too many take freedom for granted, and think that peace grows on trees. Never take freedom for granted. When you hear the words "Freedom is not free" - this is the kind of price that is paid . . .

STORMBRINGER SENDS

PAINT IT BLACK

The Information Age is great - I can have running conversations with people on the other side of the planet. This came out of a meeting with Special Agent SUPERFREAK over in the UK, planning the next phase of Project STORMBRINGER . . . this vid clip is the FREAK's favorite Stones tune . . . S.L.



I was stationed in Okinawa when this show was on, we used to watch it on the Armed Forces Far East Network. The intro was the best part of the whole show, the stories were lame. Back in those days there was one channel on the F.E.N. so you watched what they wanted you to watch. All the G.I.s called "F.E.N." the Forced Entertainment Network.

Conversation:

STORMBRINGER: I just spent the last hour and a half clearing walkways and half the driveway so we can get in & out in case of emergency . . . too much wind blowing snow to do all at once. Blowing snow & ice all over my face.

SUPERFREAK: I'll trade if you like, I'd rather be clearing snow than watching the rain piss down.

STORMBRINGER: I was thinking about that while I was handling that snow blower like a team of mules.

SUPERFREAK: Thinking about what?

STORMBRINGER: About how we get these great winters while y'all get mostly rain . . . but YOU'RE in JOLLY OLDE ENGLAND . . . while I'm stuck in boring old North America.

SUPERFREAK: Anyone who would swop "Jolly Olde England" for America must be considered clinically insane and immediately locked up for their own safety! For all the problems at the moment, the U.S. is still the land of opportunity. Britain is the land of missed chances and lost opportunity. We are still being made to pay by the rest of the world for the sins of our forefathers,we are overrun by immigrants who we daren't say no to, despite the fact they are draining our resources. A large portion of our own citizens seem to think they are owed a living without them having to lift a finger whilst deserving people get screwed over yet again . . . who would choose that?!!

STORMBRINGER: You guys need a Tea Party.

SUPERFREAK:We've already got a Tea Party going on over here, our kind of Tea Party . . .

. . . what we need is a bloody miracle!

True, that . . . although they've just about ballsed things up permanently over here with the Obamacare, and the lovers & admirers of Northern European Socialism are in for a rude shock when they see how much inefficient, low budget Government healthcare is going to cost in taxes, fees and penalties . . .

STORMBRINGER SENDS

ST. JAME's CHURCH APARTHEID WALL

From Jack Engelhard at the Washington Times: "London's St. James's Church in Piccadilly Builds 'Apartheid Wall' to Demonize Israel"

In a climate in which every Jewish communal or religious event, every Jewish school and institution in Britain has to be guarded against attack, and in which there is a direct correlation between the emotive lies told about Israel and attacks on Jews and Jewish institutions, for one of your churches to lend itself to such incitement is simply obscene.

The ‘wall’ is of course a stunt. But the damage it has done to the Church of England is immense. Because what it does is put the Church on the side of lies and hatred against truth and justice. It has put the Church of England on the side of evil.



The only purpose of Israel’s security barrier is to save life and prevent mass murder. The only purpose of the St James’s Church ‘Bethlehem Unwrapped’ stunt is to stir up hatred.

Read more HERE

This is one more good reason why I am no longer an Anglican, no longer a member of the Church of England . . .

STORMBRINGER SENDS

RESOLUTIONS

This is something I have never done before - New Year's Resolutions, that is. Well there's some things piling up around here need to get done, and I need to re-insert some self-discipline back into my life. These are my worthy goals - S.L.

Planking:

Day 1 - 20 seconds
Day 2 - 20 seconds
Day 3 - 30 seconds
Day 4 - 30 seconds
Day 5 - 40 seconds
Day 6 - REST
Day 7 - 45 seconds
Day 8 - 45 seconds
Day 9 - 60 seconds
Day 10 - 60 seconds
Day 11 - 60 seconds
Day 12 - 90 seconds
Day 13 - REST
Day 14 - 90 seconds
Day 15 - 90 seconds
Day 16 - 120 seconds
Day 17 - 120 seconds
Day 18 - 150 seconds
Day 19 - REST
Day 20 - 150 seconds
Day 21 - 150 seconds
Day 22 - 180 seconds
Day 23 - 180 seconds
Day 24 - 210 seconds
Day 25 - 210 seconds
Day 26 - REST
Day 27 - 240 seconds
Day 28 - 240 seconds
Day 29 - 270 seconds
Day 30 - PLANK AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!!

Benefits of Plank Exercise:

Strengthens lower back
Develops core muscles – including abs, back, hips and butt
Helps avoid injuries and encourages good posture
Can be done anywhere
Develops abdominals by targeting the rectus abdominis

WRITING: Henry Miller's Commandments

• Work on one thing at a time until finished.
• Start no more new books, add no more new material to ‘Black Spring.’
• Don’t be nervous. Work calmly, joyously, recklessly on whatever is in hand.
• Work according to Program and not according to mood. Stop at the appointed time!
• When you can’t create you can work.
• Cement a little every day, rather than add new fertilizers.
• Keep human! See people, go places, drink if you feel like it.
• Don’t be a draught-horse! Work with pleasure only.
• Discard the Program when you feel like it—but go back to it next day. Concentrate. Narrow down. Exclude.
• Forget the books you want to write. Think only of the book you are writing.
• Write first and always. Painting, music, friends, cinema, all these come afterwards.

Seven Minute Scientific Workout

Based on the article published in the American College of Sports Medicine the Seven Minute Scientific Workout features 12 exercises deploying only body weight, a wall and a chair.



I've been doing this for about three months now . . . FANTASTIC RESULTS . . . fell off the wagon a month ago, climbing back on now . . .

Here are a few more:

• Plant the two live Christmas trees we got this year.
• Fix the outdoor gas heater.
• Change the light bulbs way up high on the side of the house.
• Put in a security system in the house.
• Fix the door on the shed.
• Clean the fish tank once a month.
• Build a stone monument around the mailbox.
• Hit the weights, golf, split firewood or walk the Back Forty with the dogs 1x a day.
• Get that CPP.
• Cut down on the grog.

And the hardest, most important one of all:

REACH OUT TO ALL THE SPECIAL FRIENDS & MENTORS WHO HAVE HELPED ME ALONG THE WAY.

That's it for now, gotta go ... those planks ain't gonna plank themselves ...

STORMBRINGER SENDS