NOMAD_OBSCURA: notes from the war room

     There appears to be a mysterious object hurtling towards us from beyond the solar system and it is emitting its own light.     Last month scientist have announced that they are tracking an object that is heading towards us from the center of the universe.  The scientific community have dubbed it 3/ATLAS this is only the third such object we have detected and observed so this is an extremely rare event. and the science community is buzzing with excitement.  the consensus of opinion is that the object in question is actually a comet with a highly odd travel pattern.  BUT a Harvard astronomer Avi Lobe have come out saying the object appears to be under intelligent control and can quite possibly be an alien probe sent to look at our planet. Lobe is no stranger to making controversial predictions he also said the last interstellar objects were quite possibly relics from an extraterrestrial civilization.      I know this falls out of...

      IN a recent statement Ex-IDF GENERAL stated the dismantling of HAMAS, and the destruction of all its last safe havens is a must and a non-negotiable.     Now this will be a difficult task to be performed by the IDF the two strong points are 1 the refugee camps along the southern border and 2 Gaza city itself.  both of these two Hamas strong holds are deep in civilian territory and surrounded by civilian infrastructure, and non-combatants. and with the optics of the war this makes for an uphill battle for the Israelis.  If the IDF goes into these areas it will be broadcast worldwide and will look as though the IDF are committing war crimes.  This will be a tread lightly situation but one that needs to be delt with.       The areas need to be dismantled and the current crop of Hamas fighters need eliminated or arrested.  if the terror organization is left alone, it will regroup and reform and start its terror attacks a...

        Kahr is an American small arms company the company in here in Pennsylvania and with manufacturing done in Massachusetts.  They specialize in small arms handguns .380, 9mm, .40 s&w and .45 ACP.  The weapons come in polymer a well as stainless steel frames both double and single stack magazines, all striker fire and double action.         Kahr come on my radar some 20 years back with a former coworker telling me about his sons he was impressed with is and was sold on him buying one for himself.  at the time I was not really into another handgun.  I was preoccupied with bigger and more tactikool arms.  so, I filed the Kahr away in the back of my mind and figured if I ever come across one in the future, I may grab it.        Well, the future come here we are.  I have in front of me the KAHR CW .380. I wish I can post a glowing review of the gun, but I just can't.  this gun ha...

           I picked up this OPEN SEA LEATHER CO.  top sider mini wallet about 4 years back, when I ordered it I opted for the whiskey color and red stitching.  and I can't be any happier with it the colors when I first received it was subdued in a deep tan very much reminiscent to a fine bourbon coupled with the fire engine red stitching running down the left side it just popped and was the right amount of color to make it special.       Thin minimal wallet slips right in your front pocket, and you don't even know it's there until you need it holds 4-5 cards as well as cash with ease when all folded up it only measures at 3.75" tall and 2.75" wide.  made proudly in the USA in the beautiful state of Hawaii this wallet will be a go to for you for years to come.       In the four or so years I have had mine I watched how it changed colors got deeper and richer with age the leather is soft and still has tha...

       The talks held in Anchorage Alaska did not hammer out a peace deal but have open some doors to make an agreement possible in the near future.  The summit that lasted about three hours long had some ups and down in the talks.  At times it was said to be heated, and a few shouting matches took place, but cooled heads prevailed.       After the talks ended Russian President Putin stated, "an agreement was reached that will pave a path towards peace in the Ukraine ."  however, Trump stated "there is no deal, until there is a deal."      Zelensky was not invited to the talks said all deals mad in his absence "will be meaningless" but he also stated that the peace process is in Trumps hands.  Trump stated he will be calling the Ukranian president as well as the rest of the NATO leadership to inform them on everything spoken about in the meeting.     The peace process is going to take some time an...

       I'll make this short and sweet this is just MY opinion from all the news I digest on a daily basis.  Reading articles, listening and watching the news.  paying attention to X feeds and the like it appears that the gas is running out of the tank in the Ukraine.       There is an ever-growing number of men refusing to fight for their country, they are war weary and feel it is a lost cause.  the numbers of deserters have risen as of late as well and President Zelensky is feeling the pressure to come to an end of the fighting.       Trump and Putin are poised to meet today 8/15/25 in Alaska to arrange an amicable outcome to the war. The momentum was in the Ukraine's favor but with recent strides in the Russian campaign it looks like the tide is turning.  Now the Ukraine still has the full backing of the West and NATO.  as well as Trump making statements that Russia needs to come to an agreement or th...

      SKY news have reported that the YEMENI NATIONAL RESISTANCE a large military faction fighting against the Houthis in the region have intercepted and taken control of a massive weapons shipment sent from Iran and being smuggled to the Houthi rebels. the repost also stared that CHEMICAL WEAPONS were also found in the smuggling operation.       The report stated that both the IRGC Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard and Hezbollah were heavily involved in the smuggling using shipping routes from Africa and Asia that headed to the Houthi controlled areas.     The crew of the ship containing the arms was detained and interrogated, and while under interrogation told the YNR everything.  informing them exactly how the smuggling operation was being operated, all involved and the shipping lanes used to send and arm the rubbles      This was a very complex operation involving air and sea transport over several countries includin...

silver $38.52 oz  gold 3361.60 oz  OIL WIT crude $62.33  BRENT crude $65.37 barrel THE AMERICAS: US deploys two war ships to south China Sesa to stem the rise of Chinese aggression and assure free navigation of the waters, Lake Powell dangerously low can threaten Arizona water supply, Nividia has the blessing of the US government to sell high end AI chips to China the chips are not as advanced as the ones for the western markets,  Trumps NO TAX on overtime now in law,     EUROPE: Russia using N. Koreans for slaves in the war in Ukraine effort and N. Korea is looking the other way,  Germany developed the "skyranger" gun system as a anti drone weapons system. Russia Navy is stretched thin and continues to take kits from Ukraine,   ASIA: hackers have breached and exposed N. Korean spying operations, China cuts ties with Chech president after he meets with the Dalia Lama, the Chinese job market is so bad that job seakers are paying $7 dollar...

      So you want to waste some money you say, NO PROBLEM I got you covered.  take a look at this the DOUBLETAP TACTICAL POCKET PISTOL THE DIABLO! it's chambered in 9mm over under configuration the frame is made of aluminum but you can opt for a titanium version I went for the aluminum to save on cost it was 230 dollars less.  that's a lot of ammo if you ask me.  the copy I have come with a rubber grip and I must say that is a great addition with out it the gun does hurt for a 9mm. it also comes with a nice black type 3 hard coat anodizing.,  the gun comes in at 12 ounces 5/8 inch wide does have a mighty trigger pull coming in at between 12 to 14 pounds and yes you fell very pound of it.  there is a storage spot in the grip that you can put 2 more rounds in case of emergencies.       The gun is a last resort hail miry defense system this is by no way a gun for a first line of self preservation but is a great back up weapon or ...

      President Trump is have a face to face meeting with the Russian President Putin over the war in the Ukraine.  The two leaders have a long history with one and other and do understand each other on a more personal level.  Putin does not look at Trump as a weak willed individual like he did with the former President Biden or even Obama both of who he felt were weak and feckless leaders.       JD Vance the Vice President of the United States told news reporters that both side will not be overly happy with the out come the now three year war needs to come to an end.  Some of the terms of the ending of the bloody fighting.  some of the terms are: the current state of the front lines will be frozen and a territory exchange will be done. the exchange of the land is a sticky point.  neither Russia nore the Ukraine want to give up any land to either side.     Putin is meeting with Trump in Alaska on Friday August 15,2025...

       Today I like to talk about something I have been carrying for years now; I toss them in my car / truck I have them in my bag they are within reach at damn near all times.  That is my Maxpedition mini bags.  Maxpedition make very high quality tough and rugged bags for all scenarios.  I have to of the smaller bags the micro pocket organizers and let me tell you they are fantastic for what I set them for.  the average MSRP on one in 20 to 30 dollars they come in five different sizes and a variety of colors the packs are well constructed with places to organize all your pocket junk.  take for instance one of my bags I have as a full-on EDC kit , small multi tool, fields notes book , pen, lighter knife, flashlight and so on. this little kit has come in handy on so many adventures I have lost count.  the second is a first aid kit, I keep medical scissors, gauze, various size bandages, quick clot , latex gloves a mask and a breathing ...

           I was contacted by BASTION pens to check out their bolt action pens a while back and the quality of them is crazy.  I have used them in so many situations.  In the office while doing paperwork and in meeting my co-workers always comment on how cool and interesting they are.  when I'm in the shop I use them to do my paperwork on my measurements and notes.  in the field they never let me down there as well. rain, snow, hot you name it the pen just works.  the two I have are made from two different materials the chrome looking one is a high polished stainless steel that does have some weight to her when this pen is in your hands you know you are writing with something my only gripe with this pen is it is so highly polished that is does get a little slippery if you have some shop oil or grease on the hands the pen does slip but other than that it is a brilliant writing utensil.  the second is the black pen and this is ...

    Yesterday I did the first in what looks like will be a long line of alternative flea markets in the city of Pittsburgh.  the event was held at the Frankie Pace park in downtown Pittsburgh.  what a neat place to have this event.       The vendors were well curated so no overlap in items and this gave all the vendors a sigh of relief we were not in direct competition with one and other but were all helping one another.  I was the only comic book seller at the event, so I had the market cornered there and I did well.  Well, enough to warrant a return So I am looking at the end of September to do the next event.      My only complaint I had was the HEAT it was very hot in the afternoon sun in the city I do not do many outdoors events like this.  the stuff I sell normally do not like odd weather, so I tend to stick with indoors shows. much safer when it comes to comic books and records. but I rolled the dice on this sh...

silver $38.25 oz      gold $3379.90 oz AMERICA(S): the US is hardening its nuclear strike force for possible first strike or cyber-attack, US soldier arrested with espionage trying to get sensitive take data to Russia, US testing new replacement for the HIMARS called GMARS   EUROPE: Russia oil and gas revenues have fallen by 27% in July kneecapping the war machine, Putin to possibly stop air attacks to appease Trump, Russia plans to add 9k new solders a month to the war, Russia to drop missile deployment to Belarus to ease tensions with the white house     ASIA: S Korea redesigned its KF-21 fighter to make it more stealth with internal weapons systems, China and Russia do combine naval games to practice hunting and destroying subs, Pakistan upset over China made weapons systems failure in India fighting,  MID EAST: Iran executes nuclear scientist for spying for Isriel, Iran to buy new fighter jets and air defense systems from China,  STE...

      Since I'm on light duty at work and can't really do the full scope of my official duties the company has me doing mind numbing boring stuff that takes the mental acuity of a gnat.  So, this gives me the opportunity to live in my head.  All I do is think, think about history, think about politics, think why is there so much sexual tension between BATMAN and SUPERMAN and no one talks about it.  but today I was thinking all about gear.     As a prepper and someone who is well... prepared for special occasions I tend to "collect" a ton of gear plate carriers, plates, bags, tools, camping / outdoors items, guns, knives well you see where I'm going with this.       But do we actually NEED all this stuff?  or are we all just buying the lates and greatest to look cool and well feel good about the newest tacticool item in the kit.  let's all face it the chances of any one being a tear one operator is slim to none.  ...

      With shooting sports on the rise there is a need for a quality, firearms that can handle the rigors of not only the competition but the training as well.  To be competent athlete in the shooting arena you will need to throw thousands of rounds down range under all sorts of weather and stressful conditions.  And we all understand with quality comes price.     A proper race side arm can run you into the thousands of dollars, with custom triggers, grips, porting the list can be almost endless and can really put a speed bump into the entry of the hobby.  Most people looking into getting in the sports see the price tag on the guns and think oh Hmmm can I afford this?  2 - 3k on a rifle platform, 1500 - 2k on a handgun another 900 -1100 on a shotgun then add into the mix ammo optics, and other fees and costs and yeah, the bar to enter just keeps steeping up and up.     But NOW it looks like some companies out there are saying HEY no...

      Ukraine have come out and stated through cyber-attacks on Russia it has obtained sensitive information on the new Russian Nuclear Submarine     This data includes the crew, positions, combat instructions, as well as the boats layout, diagrams and the survivability systems.     The authenticity of the information in unconfirmed but the probability of the information is very high and western intelligence agencies are clamoring for this information to pour over it pick it apart and verify the legitimacy of all of it     Russia is denying the attack occurred as well as stating all the information regarding the new sub is a well-protected state secret the project 955A class (Borie-A) sub is the Russian newest and most advanced nuclear ballistic sub and if this information is true the west now poses the keys to the destruction of this class of subs.  the Russians announced recently they want to construct two more of these to put online i...

      Tops knives have been around for quite some time but for one reason or another they always slipped through my fingers.  I don't know why it took me so long to finally grab one of these blades and WOW I sure as heck glad I did.     Tops have a ton of various styles and makes to choose from.  folders, fixed blades, ax's also t shirts, hats mugs and a sling shot or two.  this brand has you covered.  bushcraft, hunting / survival, self-defense and just the mundane task of opening a box TOPS has your back, Jack.     I was limited on the models I was able to get due to the store I bought it from.  But I was happy that they did have the CAT with the hunters point blade in red and black G-10.  when I first saw this, I knew it was coming home with me.       The scales are very grippy and you can keep a nice hold on the knife even if you have wet hands or in gloves, yet they are not so over baring to make i...

    Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev made some foolish comments stating the Russian nuclear forces are ready to strike if the US and NATO keep increasing pressure on the Ukranian war.  Trump fires back on truth social stating the White House ordered two Nuclear Strike subs to be positioned in strategic areas just in case the Russian saber rattling becomes a larger danger.     Trump and Medvedev have been trading barbs back and forth for a few weeks now.  When Medvedev was the president of Russia back in 2008 - 2012 he was a dove backing away from the nuclear option but now as the Deputy chairman of Russia security council he has made a full 180 on this stance and is now quite the hawk and is often making references to the possibility of a nuclear exchange.     Putin always walks back the talking but he never stops him from using this inflammatory rhetoric.  Putin knows the seeds of nuclear inhalation make for a great deterrent.  ...

 SILVR $36.91 OZ      GOLD $3344.89 OZ AMERICAS: Trump to put out new Tariffs on trade, Canada hit hard, the US and EU come to trade agreement,  EUROPE: Russia places more pressure of Ukraine with death toll rising, Syria courting Russia to be Alie, Russia warns Trump of "doomsday" nuclear strike if war escalates, Russia places hypersonic weapons in Belarus,  large volcanic eruption in Russia after massive earthquake     ASIA: China calls for more engagement with the US to stave off any "confrontations" , China to use Lasers against starlink,    MIDEAST:  Iran stats it is in a water crisis, Lebanese president calls for Hezbollah to lay down and give up weapons, Hamas could be forced into exile by other Arab States,  STEM: the US is bringing semiconductor manufacture to the states again, radioactive wasps found on former nuclear weapons sight, 

   The EU and the United States have come to a trade agreement.  Do you remember when the economist was all screaming that the sky is falling and the end is near?  I remember and so does peprigefarms.  well, the Trump white house just landed an enormous trade deal with the EUROPEAN UNION.     Most economist were screaming that the Trump Trade war will kneecap the US economy shockwaves of uncertainty will tear us under and we'll all be in line at the soup kitchen well none of that ever took place.  YES, the stock market was a roller coaster and I as well as most lost a lot of money, but I made my losses back and now seeing gains.  Trump has deals with ASIA, the MID EAST and now most notably the EU.     This opens up levels of market access to Europe that the US never had in the past, the EU will but 750 billion in American energy in LNG (liquified natural gas) cutting the Russian war machine money supply off also another 600 billion ...

      President Putin stated today that he plans on deploying the newest incarnation of Russia's Hypersonic missiles to his closest Alie in the region Belarus.  In a meeting with Alexander Lukashenko Putin stated that the ORSHNIK INTERMEDIATE RANGE BALLISTIC MISSILE will be deployed to his home country and a deterrent and defense system.     Moscow states the ORSHNIK is capabilities are: multiple warheads, that have speeds greater than mac 10, immune to being intercepted and the force of one of these weapons is equal to a nuclear strike.  all of this is looked at with great skepticism since the Russian have been known to over blow their capabilities, but the west will take them at face value and start to engineer a counter measure for the system     Moscow has put out warning that the weapon can and may be used in the Ukraine as well against any NATO troops if they do any movements against Russia.  they state the system has a range great...