Where is everyone?

[BethDeath]

Don't feel bad, I don't have a BOB either. Out here all of my plans involved bugging in. (2 kids, no car...blah blah.)

We're actually moving back to PA because my husband lost his job and we have to sell all of our crap and move back in with my dad until we get back on our feet.

Once we're OK again and settled in I plan on building one.... one day.

[wasted_youf]

Thanks Beth and sorry to hear about your husband's employment situation.

[liberty45]

There is a lot of unemployment in Eastern Pennsylvania. My wife works for the unemployment building located in Allentown, PA. It is not going to get any better just an FYI.

Sorry to hear about your husbands job loss. I am in a different boat... I own a business and had to cut back on my own income just to keep my employee's (which I think is worth it). But I don't have extra cash to buy the things I like to stimulate the economy.

[wasted_youf]

I'm sorry for you too, mate.

A friend of mine and I were looking at opning up a tactical gear store, but I'm not so sure now is the best time to do it. :/

[Festus Hagen]

Hi there 002,

Been a while since I've checked into this section of ZS, while here I thought I'd take a couple minutes and comment about this thread FWIW.

For those who don't know, I'm one of the officers and forum mods for ZSC-007 (New York). For a while I was one of the ones trying to resuscitate 002 (for example, THIS THREAD which I started, and HERE where you can read about the epic fail which was mine and another member's attempts to get meetings going.

It's my opinion that y'alls are going at this thing from the wrong direction, and I offer up the story of ZSC-007 as an example.

I don't really know why 002 failed, it seemed to be dead when I joined the forum early in 08. I can tell you that the officers quit on it altogether in my view, at least the listed 002 forum mods did. I remember I would look at their profiles and they hadn't signed in or posted on ZS at all for a year or more at a time. Nothing personal against them, I'm just calling it like I see it. Might have been nice if they'd "passed the torch" to more-interested members, but maybe those members didn't exist. I wasn't there and I don't mean to seem like I'm throwing stones.

Here's how ZSC-007 is different.

For me it started with the Northern New York Winter Camping Trip from back in 08. I was a brand new ZS forum member at the time, and NFA graciously allowed me to join the trip as a nearly last-minute entrant. It was, in some ways, a life-altering trip for me, and I think for some others who attended. Some of the people who went I haven't seen again, but it was the beginning of the formation of a core of members who developed common interests. Since then we've had a number of successful outings, some camping, some different. Our NNYWCT is an annual event (planning our third for this coming February), we've had a couple successful and amazing "Paddlefests", and sprinkled events over much of the state (many concentrated in the Adirondack Park, because, well... it's awesome.)

Here is the point I'm trying to get at. I'm happy and proud to be involved with ZSC-007, but in a sense it doesn't mean all that much. The fact is, ZS or not, those of us who are involved WOULD BE DOING THESE THINGS ANYWAYS. Yes, we all drive around some, we spend money on gas. We help each other out with car pooling when we can. Trying to organize events in order to breathe life into ZSC-002 is ack-basswards, the forum should exist to facilitate events you'd be doing anyways! Do you want to do something? Do it! Organize a trip, whether it be camping, out to the range, survival ice-skating, whatever you're into. Post it here, post it in Meeting Place, post it to the neighboring chapters (007 for example!). With luck you'll get a core of people as interested as you are and willing to spend a few bucks for gas, and take the time to perpetuate the thing. At that point, getting this chapter re-activated under new leadership, or starting a new one, will be something worth talking about.

Just my $.02

[feuer]

I agree completely Festus.

However, there is a big difference in geography between upstate NY, and central Jersey, and/or even eastern PA,....and i'm not just talking about the land.
Garden State or not, the social attitude round here is a little different, I won't label it with my own opinions, but its just not the same as our neighbors.

I lived in Maine and PA for several years, and went to school in VT. I've also lived out in CO and overseas for several more years. NJ has a unique personality though, and for whatever reason, I think it inhibits some of the open socialness that is easier to come by in other areas.

Geographically speaking, winter camping in the Pine Barrens is NOT comparible to winter camping in the Adirondacks. It's like comparing Kirsten Dunst and Olivia Munn in a bikini competition.

I do plan on getting some kind of semi-regular if only annual type camping thing going down here but there seems to be a slight lack of interest.

But honestly, if you didn't want me me to Benny up your winter camping trip you could have just told me not to come.

[Festus Hagen]

I agree completely Festus.

However, there is a big difference in geography between upstate NY, and central Jersey, and/or even eastern PA,....and i'm not just talking about the land.
Garden State or not, the social attitude round here is a little different, I won't label it with my own opinions, but its just not the same as our neighbors.

I wouldn't know much about this, I generally only spend enough time in NJ to turn left at a jughandle or two and fill up my own gas tank (that's right!) but I have met some very cool people from NJ. Plus y'all gave us Bon Jovi and Springsteen... can't be all bad.

Geographically speaking, winter camping in the Pine Barrens is NOT comparible to winter camping in the Adirondacks. It's like comparing Kirsten Dunst and Olivia Munn in a bikini competition.

I had to google Olivia. I think I get it. One is definitely preferable but the other would do in a pinch...

I do plan on getting some kind of semi-regular if only annual type camping thing going down here but there seems to be a slight lack of interest.

Git'er done! Make sure to let us know in 007, if I can I'll get myself there and bring a friend or two...

But honestly, if you didn't want me me to Benny up your winter camping trip you could have just told me not to come.

I don't know what "Benny up" means (hopefully a Benny Hill reference!) but hopefully you know my stance is "the more the merrier". Bring a friend... bring warm clothes! Our first time out we had a couple campers make the schlep up from D.C....

[rhi]

I don't know what "Benny up" means

Benny. Basically, an uncomplimentary term for a tourist.

[Festus Hagen]

Ah... regional slang. Thanks for the translation

ZSC-007 will take all the Bennies (Bennys?) we can get! C'mon up! viewtopic.php?f=75&t=54450

I don't know what "Benny up" means

Benny. Basically, an uncomplimentary term for a tourist.

[Wolfe4086]

Damn that reminds me I need to build up my cold weather bug out gear.