It’s Apocalypse Time – Yay!
In 2012, the Mayan prophecy about doomsday dominated headlines and conversations. The impending end—or reset—of the Mayan Calendar on December 21, 2012, left many feeling uneasy about the possibility of an apocalypse. Some believed it signaled the literal end of the world, fueling a surge in apocalyptic movies and documentaries, including the blockbuster film ‘2012’. Though I was skeptical, a part of me couldn’t shake the urge to be prepared, to protect myself and my family in case the unthinkable actually happened.
I plunged myself in the world of doomsday survival, devouring books and documentaries that turned my skepticism into a full-fledged mission. I began collecting an arsenal of gadgets, from high-tech devices to their primitive alternatives for backup, in case modern technology failed. The collection included a GPS watch, magnesium firestarters, pepper sprays, an assortment of knives and saws, water filters, flotation devices, solar panels, laptop chargers, a weather station, gas masks, snare wires, signal mirrors, a magnetic compass, dense calorie chocolate bars, and what not!
I even convinced my dad to stockpile long-lasting food supplies in India and urged him to apply for a gun license, which he eventually did. I purchased an Arcteryx backpack and rigorously trained every evening, marching with 50 pounds in my pack and combat boots on. Boy, was I serious about doomsday preparation!
My obsession didn’t go unnoticed. Amazon boxes started piling up in my office daily, leading my colleagues to think I was loaded with greenbacks. Little did they know, it was all part of my grand plan for survival.
Once fully equipped for doomsday, I strategically aligned my vacation to India with the fateful date. “If it turns out to be true and I’m destined to die, I’d rather be surrounded by my family,” I reasoned.
To document my journey, I invested in a semi-professional camcorder, a Canon XF105, along with all the necessary gear and lenses. With a mix of apprehension and resolve, I booked a flight to India at the end of November 2012, prepared to face whatever the future held.
Call it sheer coincidence or premonition, but little did I know that I would need these gadgets sooner than expected—not for doomsday, but for the onslaught of Superstorm Sandy.
