How to Prepare for December, 2012 If You Think the World ISN'T Ending

On December 21, 2012, the Mayan calendar indicates this current age will come to an end. Hogwash, you say? No collisions with asteroids, no pole shift, and no being sucked into a black hole at the center of the galaxy? If you don't believe the world is coming to an end in 2012, don't get complacent. There are still some things to think about.

Thousands around the world are preparing for what they believe will be earthquakes, tsunamis, and other catastrophes on or around the solstice in December, 2012. They will be stockpiling food, both perishable and storable. They will be buying guns, camping supplies, and sources of energy, including gasoline, as we approach the deadly date. 2012'ers may buy up wilderness property to which they can retreat and build fortresses and bunkers.

By the way, someone is going to make a nice pile of cash selling to 2012'ers. Just saying. But I digress.

On another disastrous date, Sept. 11, 2001, a very low, very loud jet screamed over the apartment I was living in. Funny, I thought, planes don't normally fly that pattern. I was used to planes flying only one pattern - south, on approach to Newark International. This plane was flying 90 degrees to that pattern, straight for Manhattan.

Needless to say, chaos broke out that day. Fortunately, I had nearly a full tank of gas. Immediately - and I mean immediately - after the second tower fell, I drove as hard as I could to the bank to get some cash. The bank was closed. No problem, I thought. There's still the ATM. Wrong again. Even the ATM's were locked up as tight as Fort Knox. This was mere minutes after the towers fell.

Again driving as fast as I dared amid the fire engines and police cars, I drove to a local grocery store. The shelves had already been stripped of bread, other perishables, and lots of canned items. The next day nearly everything was gone. All the grocery stores had the same story.

So with no cash, less than a half tank full of gas, and only the food in my house, I started to call a friend on my cell. Heck, I thought (I may have used stronger words) - I remembered that all cell phones were jammed in the entire megalopolis since mere seconds after the first plane hit the towers. No one was getting through on their cells.

So a word to the wise - even if you scoff at the idea that the world is going to hell in a hand basket on December 21, 2012, there are some things you would be wise to do. First, make sure your car is full of gas. And don't start the day before the 21^st. Start keeping it full no later than a week, even a month before. Gas stations could well run out of gas right before the 21^st. Remember the gas lines in the 70's? No one wants to sit in those long lines to get a few rationed gallons of gas again.

Second, keep some cash on hand. 2012'ers believe cash will be useless after the 21^st, but there will still be stores accepting cash. Besides, you'll want to have some cash on hand for the day-after-December-21^st sales on camping equipment and freeze-dried food.

Third, make sure you have plenty of food on hand for at least three days if not longer. Hoarders will be stocking up on food well before the doomsday date arrives. Make sure you're covered. That includes water.

Fourth, have an emergency kit on hand. You should have one anyway in case of earthquakes, floods, and other natural or man-made disasters. Why not take advantage of the sales and specials and buy a 3-day emergency kit? Make sure the kit has an AM/FM radio, weather band, and some way to power it up without using batteries.

Last, go to work on the 21^st. Chances are, lots of people will be taking the day off, and you'll probably have a nice quiet office and a chance to get lots of work done. Then reward yourself and take the next day off. It's a Saturday, anyway.