While we have been talking and arguing, on and off this blog, I have been acting the first thing I did was gather all my documents (birth certificate, degrees, licenses…). Once I had these all in one place I copied them all and a couple of days later I sent those copies to my brother for safe keeping.

The purpose of this step is to make it easier to reestablish my identity if I lose my primary documents. I don’t expect this to ever be an issue, I’m pretty careful with things, but by doing this I increase the likelihood that it’s not an issue.

Now I’m in the process of setting up a go bag. I am not entirely certain what I need to include so the list below is tentative. If you think I’ve missed anything please pass your ideas along.

-all primary documents (excluding those used regularly)
-a change of clothes
-a Leatherman tool/knife
-one prepaid international phone card
-Taiwanese and American currency (amount to be determined)
-a pen, small notebook and box of matches
-a second watch or second cell phone (to be purchased eventually)
-my pocket copy of the Tao Te Ching and the Omar Khayyam collection I inherited from Grandma Shirley
-a USB with copies of my writings
-a couple of granola bars/Clif bars

If I felt that the chances of a break in were higher I would hide my go bag as it is I’m going to keep it in an easy to reach place. My plan at this point is to use my briefcase as my go bag.

It offers the advantages of being durable and business like (non threatening to authorities) but it isn’t ideal. I will eventually replace it with a bag that can be carried on my back or over my shoulder and that can hold my laptop computer.

Just like the steps I described earlier I don’t expect to ever need to use this go bag and I’ll also feel better knowing that I can if I need to. This is the sort of simple, practical survival work I’ve been talking about and as such I suggest it to everyone.

I hope to get into the actual details of assembling the bag and packing it carefully/efficiently in the near future, until then peace.