We all know that there's going to be a lot of work to be done during a survival scenario, and we'll generally stay pretty busy. My question is, what do you do with your free time when you do get it? Everyone has to have some measure of entertainment, even if it's just by playing cards or having a beer...it can be a real morale booster. Not only that, but you want to keep your mind working in a capacity outside of sheer instinct/survival, as it will give you an additional advantage over most others in this situation.
The fact that there may not be electricity will eliminate a lot of the possibilities for some people, while others will thrive. Some thoughts that I have include:
Keeping a guitar, harmonica, banjo, or other instrument(s) at the BOL, along with crosswords, sudoku, and logic puzzles. Several long books that will take awhile to read (War and Peace comes to mind). Maybe some board games, as well.
And of course, a pack of playing cards that will stay with me in the BOB. I'll probably also keep a tablet of paper and a pencil in there, both for recording the experience and for writing short stories or some such (stress breeds creativity).
The topic of alcohol is debated a lot, but I'll personally keep some on hand...to calm my nerves with a shot, not get sh**-faced...and it serves the dual purpose of bribing some individuals, or gaining their trust if they seem trustworthy themselves. There's also the fishing and hunting that will keep you entertained, as well.
Some of my other less-than-typical interests include hand-rolling cigarettes, tying flies for fishing, wrestling with my dogs, and dismantling/re-assembling mechanical parts, so I may incorporate things like this as well.
Any thoughts as to what you'll do for entertainment?

Since I have four kids at home Ive given alot of thought to this. We have several packs of playing cards and the kids all know alot of card games. We have several board games and portable vidieo games that run off AA. for the kids. Weve even turned some of the chores into games for splitting firewood we have a 8 pound hammer and a wedge for the kids. They play baseball after you set the wedge you have three swings if you cant split the log in three swings your out and the next players up And they keep score. You would be amazed how well it works. You can have fun doing just about anything with the right attitude.

we have board games, cards and other entertainment sources in our preps. mainly though, we'll probably use the laptop and solar cell to play computer games...

mike, do you hand roll cigarettes now? i'm wondering because i've been hand rolling mine for a decade now.

I roll my own most of the time now. I got into it about two years ago to save money, and I now I actually enjoy doing it.
I can do it with just a piece of paper and some tobacco, but I also bought one of those little rolling machines for $3 that makes it so much easier.

i stopped using rolling machines almost immediately as they break often. i've been doing it by hand for almost ten years and i also prefer it. most folks feel sorry for me and are always offering factory cigarettes and then are surprised when i turn them down. of course, most are also afraid to try one of my handmades.

Yeah, the rolling machines are pretty much pieces of crap, but they do a good job while they last. I'm kinda wondering why the frame isn't made of metal, it seems like it wouldn't cost much more and would be way more durable.
Most people give me a funny look when they see me rolling one, so I just tell them it's a hobby that saves me a lot of money. Even if I have to buy a new rolling machine every month, it still comes out to less than $10 a carton.
What brand of tobacco do you use? I've gotten used to Bugler, since I have a source where I can get it for $6 for a 6oz. can.

i use gambler. the indian stores here sell a 16oz bag for $15. it usually lasts 6 weeks or so.

We have a large cedar chest in the livingroom, which we use as a coffee table, its loaded with table games and puzzles.
Several boxes of paperbacks and handy craft books. We also have a VERY large music collection. Plus many movies and TV series recorded.
During the summer months gardening will take a good part of the day.
Catching and smoking salmon will take up the rest of the day.
Befor Y2K I checked our electric needs if the grid goes down.
Found if I run the generator from 6am-9am and again from 6pm-9pm, we can keep our freezer solid, water pumped from the well, laundry caught up and use electricity for whatever else comes up.
If we loose the internet I will miss that. Cable TV I can take or leave.
...........................Alaskan........................

Yahtzee

We are usually busiest around the homestead in the spring. Some days we could work a full day around here if we didn't have work and school to do.

Other things work related that will fill up most of our days:

*Security issues, 24/7
*General repair work- vehicles, tractors, tillers, small tools, misc.
*Medical/nursing issues- taking care of wounded/sick
*General upkeep- no power for vacuums, can you sweep the whole house?
*Preserving food- takes a lot of time to prepare and can your harvest that will keep you till next year.
*General outside upkeep- keeping the area directly around dwellings mowed down- cuts down fire hazard and possible concealment for folks trying to sneak in.
*Animal husbandry- rabbits, chickens, dairy animals, bees, etc.
*Hunting/fishing/trapping- how many of us have sat out most of the day and never saw a deer?
*Lest I not forgot- doing this possibly without power-








You can see again where being part of a functioning group is really crucial to your survival. Division of labor, ability to maintain a 24/7 security, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about having fun! If you ever get a chance to do a simulation exercise where you live like TS has HTF for a few days, you'll see there isn't really a lot of free time, even with a large group.

When I tried to hand roll my smokes, the wind would blow away the makings. Usually the guys that can hand roll smokes the best are "stoners". And I too would be leery of a rolled joint.