Hey everyone, just wanted to drop a line and reintroduce myself, as I've actually been on CPN for just over a year already. I'm Max, living, working, and prepping in Niagara, Ontario.

Some of the few here that know me already, know that I have an observant personality....and that is reflected in my activity on the board, and other interactions. I like to learn what I can without having to ask questions, and for me, it works very well. And honestly, I haven't spent much of any time observing the board in recent months, between work and other projects. But after a couple of excellent weekends, with the expo and the Ottawa meet, I've decided It's time to take my next step. So in the spirit of learning more, and adjusting my direction from simply gaining knowledge, I think It's about time I exercised more of a presence on the board. I'd like to give back some of what I've taken, and move forward with networking, and hopefully connect with more Niagara and South Eastern Ontario based preppers, who have similar interests to my own.

So a bit about me and my next step. I've been drawn to, and interested in the off grid-lifestyle for almost 10 years. I've been taking initial steps in 'bugout' prepping (research, building a knowledge basis, developing a plan, and being pre-emptive) for about 18 months. And I've spent time, volunteering at a permaculture homestead, doing daily chores and projects, and experiencing the lifestyle. All the while, learning as much as I can, about as much as possible. My next step, Is to take what I've learned (and accumulated), and apply it. Rather than getting caught with my pants half way down in a real SHTF situation, I'd like to start putting myself to the test, preferably with one or more people in the same boat as me, and maybe do some one-night or weekend bugout's. Basically, I've decided that prepping (by loose definition, and in my case, pre-emptive prepping), Isn't going to save my ass....so I'm looking to become more experienced, than just prepared. Ultimately, I want to have a hands on confidence, that I don't currently have. And throughout this next step process, maybe even organize a small, local group of people to meet with on a regular basis.

Before I get back to catching up on the board, I'd like to thank the mod's for keeping the nonsense out of our forums.....CPN is a great place to learn, find information, and meet great people. There's nothing worse as a new prepper, than ending up on a forum full of extremist preppers that are more concerned with sticking it to the man, than exploring survival options and simply preparing.

Cheers,
Max