For those of you who are wondering what to do when the lights go out, why not buy a piano. Piano's are one of the few modern marvels that don't require electricity or a computer chip. Plus, used ones are relatively cheap. "Music hath charms to soothe the savage beast."

-- Twila June (twila@navix.net), July 14, 1998

Answers

I find posts like these incredible in their nievity.

Can you honestly believe for one minute that IF the lights go out, it will be a minor inconvenience, and we can otherwise continue walking down Primrose Lane "where life is beautiful all the time"?

Will you encourage a sing a long when the starving masses find you?

Is it me? Wow!

-- George (gwhite@usa.net), July 15, 1998.

I'd rather have sex when the lights go out, what could be more soothing than to be with the one you love?

-- Barb-Douglas (bardou@yahoo.com), July 15, 1998.

You could serenade the one you love on the piano by candlelight to create uncontrollable lust by unexpected romanticism. The Victorians managed to generate their own entertainment before radio/TV. Go get a few lessons, play some music instead of listening to CDs. Seriously I have junked my TV, its just trash and propaganda. I only used to watch US comedy/ films anyway, then even they became "politically correct". Obviously if certain Americans decide to take advantage of power cuts, playing the piano won't help, but it is civilised.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), July 15, 1998.

Lighten up George!

Obviously you don't play music. For those of us who do, music can be a very relaxing escape from reality. What are you going to do with yourself IF the lights go out George? Sit by the window with a shot gun and worry worry worry until the starving masses show up?

-- Twila (twila@navix.net), July 15, 1998.

I am a musician by profession, and by great life-long love; I find myself appalled at the unkind responses to Twila. I glad for my piano, a guitar or two. I recall from history that mintrrals told history in song. There might be a need for that in some post Y2K future...and I might even consider using the piano to barricade the door, as well as playing it. It's a heavy old upright with massive iron plate inside....Is that utilitarian enough?

Caramba! Some peoples' kids.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), July 15, 1998.

Yes, George plays some guitar, and no, he won't sit in the door with a shotgun, George is a paramedic who will be very busy before, during, and after y2k. I posted partially in jest, yes, a piano wouldn't be a bad idea, but you would probably want to be very quiet until the first wave of humanity passes or dies.

If the lights go out for a few months, things could get pretty ugly.

I have a pessimistic attitude due to the nature of my work, and first hand experience dealing with man's inhumanity to man.

Many people are not nice towards one another.

So get the piano but keep a good shotgun in it.

George :)

-- George (gwhite@usa.net), July 15, 1998.

Has anybody considered a recorder? No, not the thing that you put cassette tapes in, but the predecessor to our modern flute. it is by far more portable than a piano, and comes in ranges from sopranino to bass. Check out any good music instrument store- they should have a selection by the counter, if not on it. We have two, a sopranino and soprano, and spent a grand total of $20.00 on the instruments. Beats the $2000 you might spend on a piano. Oh, before you dis the recorder, All of the great Baroque composers have written pioeces for the instuments. Now all I need is a good lutanist.

-- Damian Solorzano (oggy1@webtv.net), August 23, 1998.

A recorder is a great idea. I repair and tune pianos for a living. That is why I mentioned getting a piano. However any musical instrument will do. Many people here seem to be forgetting how y2k will affect the children. It's possible that the schools will be shut down. Part of preparation for families should include board games, crafts, musical instruments, etc. to keep the children busy. Perhaps parents should look into buying school textbooks for their kids.

-- Twila (twila@navix.net), August 23, 1998.

Twila - I *love* the idea of buying a piano. I thought about this a few nites ago myself. I can easily picture a scene where, the days chores are done, some are reading, but others are just plain bored, and with modern soceity being used to tv, radio, computers, and other forms of electronic stimulation, there might be times when some beautiful music might just be the perfect filler.

Not to mention - if you happen to be a spiritual person, you might want to play, and sing a few songs to the Lord - and boost the faith of those around you, not to mention your own faith?

Anyway - I think a piano is an excellent idea - thanks for sharing.

Carla

-- Carla Rolfe (kncrolfe@msn.com), August 24, 1998.

I'm with you George, we don't have enough room for food let alone a piano in the middle of our living room. I found your post very amusing, it cracked me up big time, such sarcasim.

I can just see us all sitting around the piano, singing girl scout camp songs, something along the line of "Kumbaiya my Lord, kumbaiya"(sp?) as the 12 gauges and AKs keep the time in the background.

Twila, no flame intended, but I do like a sense of humor when times are rotten.

-- Aunty Em (girlswanna@havefun.com), August 24, 1998.

Stick a harmonica in your pocket and head for the hills!

-- Avery (WaveTK@aol.com), September 06, 1998.

Perhaps someone can accompany us on the joanna in a soiree of y2k songs.

-- Richard Dale (rdale@figroup.co.uk), September 07, 1998.

I can imagine a popular song of the future: "Buddy Can You Spare a Kilowatt?"...

-- Max Dixon (Max.Dixon@gte.net), September 07, 1998.

1812 Overture?

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), September 07, 1998.

I bought a guitar. Always wanted to play one. Got some good books on theory etc. and some music. Figure that there will be plenty of time on my hands the first few months of winter before spring planting and the hard work. Get some extra strings.

Recorder only requires some occasional cleaning to keep working.

Harmonicas don't last very long if played frequently get a couple.

Get some tuning forks to keep the piano in tune and the tools necessary, your home environment will probably be very different post Y2K. Hot and humid summer, cold dry winter. Plays havoc with the tuning of a piano.

LM

-- LM (latemarch@usa.net), September 07, 1998.

A telescope will also be fun. If (when?) all the lights go out, we'll have millions of stars, galaxies, etc. to look at.

-- Sandy (prep4y2k@aol.com), September 08, 1998.