“Strategies” for “Survival” eh?
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That’s a “break before make” arrangement. To switch back after the power is back requires the same thing. Grid voltage is AC, cycling from positive to negative voltage 50 or 60 times a second depending where you live. If the generator and the grid are both connected at the same time, and, say, the generator is positive when the grid is negative, stuff will happen and none of it will be good. Neither the generator nor any electrical devices in your house will like it very much. The grid will barely notice; it’s the electrical equivalent of a lot of freight trains. This is why we stop power from one source before picking up from another.
Same for inverters; in a power cut, they have to be isolated from the grid. The default way of doing that is to stop them outright.
Yep, it’s just a question of $$$. It’s not difficult, but the basic setup won’t do it. I brought it up because a few of my neighbours were disappointed after they had solar installed and their power still went off in a power cut.
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The ACLU, of course, has ideas to help. I assume these sessions are virtual rather than in-person. Apparently there are different times of day available as well:
We have four upcoming Know Your Rights Trainings on February 10, Feb 20, March 3, and March 20th. Times vary. Please alert anyone in your network who could benefit from these trainings. RSVP Here: https:/act.aclu.org/a/2025-kyr-training-2
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What happened to her (and other crew members) was fuel for my childhood nightmares. 
As an adult, my brother laughs when I eat salty snacks with this line, “I’m not saying that creature should’ve done that to Nancy, [crunch, crunch] but I understand.” 
ETA: I also wish I had the creature’s ability to change my appearance. I used (and repeat) a few recommended techniques for my official photos, but there’s nothing I can do about appearing in other people’s social media posts.
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I saw a woman on the subway wearing a peace symbol button. That’s seemed like a good way of showing you aren’t on the Nazi bus.
What do you think of wearing something like this?
https://shop.hrc.org/accessories/jewelry-watches/lapel-pins/progress-rainbow-lapel-pin.html
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We have solar, which is nice. Really cuts the bills down during the summer and helps in spring and fall.
But 9+/10 times where I live in New England, when we lose power is almost always likely to be winter when the solar panels are buried under snow and aren’t likely to do much anyway. So it’s not really worth much to add all the stuff that would be needed to switch over and maybe trickle a few watts in in off-grid mode.
Small panels that can be stuck in a window or laid outside to power up a battery pack enough to recharge cell phones and such are nice, and not too expensive. But you can’t run much of a house on that for very long.
Our house is pretty well-insulated, but no fireplace or anything like that. So heat is a concern. And we could maybe go to a hotel, but can’t leave our cats in subzero temps. Not really sure what we’ll do about that yet, but we have lots of blankets and clothes, and body warmth can create a sweaty nest.
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Would people recognize it as intended?
Looks to me like it might appear on the uniform of a highly decorated general.
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There are other more flag-like options.
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It is really hard not to catatrophize each piece of breaking news. The attack on civil service, which really means an attack on the systems that underpin our safety, economy, food and water supply, and the like, is closer to an act of war than a change of governing philosophy.
If it isn’t war, then it is so mind bogglingly stupid as to defy belief. It is equivalent to blowing up the supports of a bridge because you don’t believe in gravity. I think sabotage is a much more believable explanation.
But once the feelings about this or the attack on DEI or the takeover of OPM systems or the gutting of the FAA etc etc pass, I feel a responsibility to return to a state of readiness.
What can I do? I can call my reps. I can check in with my people. I can help other people regain their calm. I can help checked out people check back in. I can help people focus on what matters.
It is very easy to be pessimistic, especially because of the stranglehold MAGA has over media. But I remember that each one of the millions of people that have been or are about to be hurt have their own networks of people.
Each time they tell their own story, there is a potential of reaching someone within the MAGA information bubble. Personal stories and individual networks will break through the propaganda as things get worse.
Each time a republican congressmember gets inundated with consistuent phone calls there is a chance they will resist the next terrible law that is introduced.
Staying politically disciplined means you are committing to be part of a network that can accelerate and broadcast acts of resistance so they become power.
Staying politically disciplined means recognising when your emotional well-being is at risk, and then getting what you need to feel better.
Each person will have their own way of doing this. Some are capable of staying very plugged in; some need to stay away from most news and social media. There is no formula. There is only a commitment to be ready to contribute in some way, shape or form to salvaging what we can and rebuilding when the time comes.
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see also:
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I wish I could make one myself - where’s Heathkit when I need 'em?
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This has been percolating for a few days now; if you have, or know people who have school age children, maybe think about collecting up textbooks and other books on things like history, science social studies, etc, because the school systems in many areas are already purging and rewriting those things. People with children might have to begin some level of homeschooling or extracuricular studies to counteract what the schools may not be teaching, or giving false information.
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That’s UHT milk. Super common in (some of) Europe.
I wish I could get it here in Norway
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I think I remember wearing safety pins, but have never seen it. Perhaps it needs to be brought back.
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Also, look to your local little free libraries.
Online and on the app, the libraries are frequently tagged with things like “Banned Books,” “Read in Color,” and such, which means the libraries try to stock the kind of things the children likely need to read.
Also, the banned book club linked below provides some excellent resources. This is like a real library, so each book can only be checked out by one person at a time, but even if items aren’t available, there’s always the open seas.
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The comments section there is good too.
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