I really appreciate all of the info we get on this forum about Y2K, but I also enjoy the "human interest" threads we have from time to time. It was interesting to hear how people found out about Y2K, and also to find out what part of the country they are from. I wonder sometimes when I read people's posts how old they are and what they do for a living. This also affects how they perceive things. I certainly don't want to "pry" into people's personal lives, but just for fun, if you want to, share something about yourself. I am 41 years old, married for 20 years, and I'm a teacher.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), September 22, 1998

Answers

I tried to get this going a few weeks ago so I will post, adding perhaps our rating of the upcoming event on a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being TEOTWAWKI)

I am a 60 yr old retired police officer from LA living in beautiful South Carolina. I give it an (8) Riots, loss of power for extended periods, loss of life due to cold and hunger. Many older and sick folks. Very slow recovery.

Bill in S. Carolina

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), September 22, 1998.

Gayla, I'm 31, married, one 11 year old daughter. For a living (?) I'm a Community Corrections Officer. It's a form of probation, here in Kansas.

-- Gina (gngdecker@ckt.net), September 22, 1998.

Hmmmmm......well, let's see. Retired after 38 years of engineering (electronic, radar system design), 65, married 40 years, worked in NJ, now live in WV.

I consider the event to be 7.5 on the 1-10 scale: power outages, (especially in rural areas (like mine)that depend strictly on power transmission and distribution companies), civil unrest in the usual cities, disruption of emergency response facilities, and a bunch of local government officials standing around with their jaws down to their shins.

I expect shortages, beginning early to mid-1999 as people begin to wake up, and am reacting by increasing my own self sufficiency and by working within my community (church, local civic organizations) to promote preparedness.

-- rocky knolls (rknolls@hotmail.com), September 22, 1998.

I'm an artist, thrift store and garage sale junkie, late forties, have two grown successful children, and married for 30 years. I was an executive secretary for two large engineering firms. We live in the country with acreage. Husband works for a major electric/gas company in California. On a scale of 1-10, I believe it will be around 7-8.

-- Bardou (bardou@baloney.com), September 22, 1998.

I am a 38 year old computer programmer, working for a manufacturer. My husband is 38 also. I have two children, one in grade school and one in middle school. I have no clue what the effects of Year 2k will be but am watching the news closely.

-- Amy Leone (aleone@amp.com), September 22, 1998.

I'm 36, married for 14 years and have 2 children ages 1 and 3. I'm a software developer/development manager. I grew up in the Panhandle of Texas and now live about 30 miles outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

-- Paul Neuhardt (neuhardt@ultranet.com), September 22, 1998.

Im 33, been married for 11 years have 3 girls 1, 6, and 8. I drive bus for the city of Portland.

Vic

-- Vic (Light_Servant@yahoo.com), September 22, 1998.

Sorry for the anonymous name. The info provided is truthful. I first found out about y2k through Gary North letter forwarded to me by the minister of my church in 97. I ignored it but checked out his web page periodically and decided there was too much smoke not to be a fire and studied the details. (I'm not computer savy--so I kept reading the articles until I finally connected that just about everything today is hookied into a computer and they will "expire" 2000 if not compliant. The embedded systems articles (particularly involving the electrical and oil rigs) were the convincing factors to becoming a "believer". I'm 49 and homemaker. Previously a professional musician. Married 32 years, 4 children, three grown and successful. My pessimist belief but honestly based on researching the data is the power grid will go down. (Needless to say I'm posting anonymously.)

-- Mary Doe (M.Doe@usa.net), September 22, 1998.

I have been married for 22 years. My wife and I own a small software firm. Our software rarely does anything with dates, but we have had a few projects get 1 or 2 years late. I am very pessimistic about software projects happening on time. I am getting more and more people I know to look seriously at this issue. On a scale of 1-10, I think it will be 9+.

-- David Holladay (davidh@rdcbraille.com), September 22, 1998.

38. Computer consultant. College professor. Married. One child.

Computer work experience: banking; brokerage; insurance-life, auto, property; health care; litigation; defense; corporate financials- a/p, a/r, g/l, inv, h/r, f/a, tax; telecommunications equipment manufacturing; natural gas pipeline; government agencies; pharmaceuticals; grocery wholesale.

-- Ed Condron (ecscokc@worldnet.att.net), September 22, 1998.

I'm 38, in two weeks will have been married 12 years, have a 6 yr. old son and a 6 month old daughter. I was born and raised in Washington, DC, where my wife and I now live in her childhood home. I have rubbed elbows with politicians, lobbyists, diplomats, etc. but consider myself an outsider like most Americans. I have been a programmer, taught computer science in a DC inner-city public high school, and am now a systems analyst for a 180 year old scientific association in Rockville, Maryland.

-- Buddy Y. (buddy@bellatlantic.net), September 22, 1998.

Hi, 36, married for 16 years, no children. My husband and I own a furniture/cabinet making shop. We live about 10 miles out of Boston. Figure y2k will be about a 5 (still hoping...) No software or embedded chips in the shop that we know of. Sometimes I write how-to freelance pieces (running an office, marketing,etc.), but since I found out about all this, I can't seem to concentrate.

PS: Bill the "crazy uncle" I *love* crazy uncles and all you have to do to say "I told you so" is lift one eyebrow and sigh under your breath

-- Okum (ws000@aol.com), September 22, 1998.

Okum:

Really weird. I am "Crazy Uncle Bill" to about 12 nieces and nephews. Nice to know there is another one. Bill in S. Carolina

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), September 22, 1998.

Hello! Age 55, Married for 29. We both were Peace Corps Volunteers 70-72. Since that time we have always kept a lot of extra food onhand. Also Viet-Nam 67-68, officer status. For the last 20 years we have lived in a very secluded, wooded area, east-central Texas, raising goats (nubians for milk, boers for meat). Worked on computer projects for several companies - lots of travel but not any more. Since taking Y2K seriously this year, we are trying to get ready for a 10. Why a 10 ?? Because there are so many two-legged animals in our world, looking for an excuse to take what they don't have.

-- George (newsrc@txcyber.com), September 22, 1998.

47y.o male, married to a stockbroker, began computer career 1971 in USAF, multilingual in computer languages DB/DC, consulting work for 12 years, changed career paths and became a doctor, now Boarded anesthesiologist and computer geek, work in Philadelphia, guesstimate 8 out of 10 and preparing for same, hope I'm wrong!

-- R. D..Herring (drherr@erols.com), September 22, 1998.

I'm 54, married 31 years. Independent consultant in org devlp and labor relations for past 15 years. Three children, empty nesters. Moved out to acreage last year - enjoy several acres of organic gardening. Put in lots of fruits and berries etc. Have always enjoyed self sufficiency but think it is better than an even chance that this hobby/interest will pay off by y2k.

-- rod beary (rbeary2327@aol.com), September 22, 1998.

I'm a secretary that helps her boss build planes, 49, 4 daughters, 8 grandchildren. Thinking this will be an 8. I'm also thinking shortages will take place the middle of next year, plus panic. Have a feeling alot more people will wake up starting January 1999, making it harder to get prepared, maybe then they will stop calling up alarmists, radicals, militants, christian extremists. I think thats what I dislike about this the most the label they are placing on everyone who is preparing. Felt sorry for the 16 year old boy who was taken from his parents because his grandmother thought they were crazy for moving to a rural area because of Y2K. I know they went to court Monday. I hope he is back with his family. I think some of them will probably believe Clinton as he promises to fix everything.

-- Jolann (Jolann.Leifer@PSS.Boeing.com), September 22, 1998.

Age 62, living in soutwest Washington state, married 39 years, 2 kids, 3 grandchildren. Expecting about a 4-5, but admit I'm an optimist. Actually, I expect the results to be highly variable depending where you live, even within the U.S., and what industry you are employed in. Have been a programmer, consultant, project manager, airplane designer, finance manager, entrepreneur. Currently part of the management team of a small company (100 employees) in the educational software field. My wife and kids have been receptive to my warnings about likely problems to come. <<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>..

-- Dan Hunt (dhunt@hostscorp.com), September 22, 1998.

Hi Gayla, I'm 50ish, four daughters, two with masters one with DPhil. Married 27 yrs but now separated. Spent nearly 20 years in a small rural community running a 'hobby Farm of 10 acres' driving a school bus and teaching high school. Rural life is tough and demanding more like holding down two city jobs. Current partner account consultant daily involved with Y2K. I have a BSoc Sci major in Human Geography,a Masters (Social Science) in Hazards Studies and Psychology. Doctoral studies were in the extensions required to turn Multimedia into a learning environment. More recently I have worked in information systems, computer science and computing education in a University, hence the .ac in the email address. My interests in the Year 2000 problem stem from a concern with the impact of technology on people. I currently serve on the Y2K Policy Advisory Group at my university. I have a column related to Y2K in the local newspaper. Probability of Y2K problems? 10/10. Impact? depends what we do over the next 400 odd days in addressing wider global economic issues as well as fixing the miriad of Y2K problems at every level in society. Concerned? yes... Panicking.. no too busy trying to deal with today. Bugging out? no.. If believe if I am not part of the solution then I am part of the problem. Planning? yes.. following the smart money... simpler life style.. some metal.. some property.. minimum debts... older but sound car.. spare food... First Aid Kit.. extra cash in hand... supporting family through awareness, denial, anger, towards action personally and in the community. Currently planning for two elderly parents one in 24 hour care rest home the other may be soon... In the last analysis I feel very well informed but no wiser as to what to do.. so like most of you I'm just giving it my best shot.

-- Bob Barbour (r.barbour@waikato.ac.nz), September 22, 1998.

Hi all: I'm 51,married to my childhood sweetheart for 32yrs.Worked the last 20 yrs as a machinist. Before that a Marine.Father of one son(Who thinks a 10+) Grandfather of a 6yr. old boy&twin 2yr. old girls(My bigest concern y2k wise)I think maybe a 7.

Gayla: Thank you for being a teacher!!Best people in the world,teachers and I thank every teacher that I meet

Sean in Indy T?T 0

-- (papaw@my-dejanews.com), September 22, 1998.

I'm 43, married to the same woman for 25 years (Sandy), have three incredible daughters, two are married and the youngest (Dana,18) is a professional singer [www.lifetel.com/bf].

My wife and I pastor a church in Gig Harbor, Washington.

I found out about Y2K in January 1998. Don't remember how. It took 4 months to get through denial and then I started telling anyone who would listen about Y2K.

Our church is preparing as best we can. We're small and don't have a ton of extra cash, but the Lord has been good.

I have a very busy web page at http://www.lifetel.com/y2k2000.htm and a verrrry busy Y2K Update & Discussion List you can sign up for at the same address.

Thanks for asking!

-Pastor Chris

-- Pastor Chris (pastorchris@lifetel.com), September 22, 1998.

Great thread, Gayla. I'm an almost 40 yr old, been married half my life and have two daughters; 13 and 9. On my optimistic days, I rate y2k a 7; on pesimistic ones, a 10; and I always hope I'm whong!

-- Tricia the Canuck (jayles@telusplanet.net), September 22, 1998.

Gayla Dunbar is right for asking this question. And thanks to everyone for being so forthright. It gives all of us a change to gage others' responses in light of their credentials (including personal situations). Besides, I like to know who I'm listening to.

I'm 52, an artist/scientist for 47 of those years. The Art of Chaos/Chaos (Complexity) Theory is my specialty. I saw my first computer in 1953 and knew they were the future. I've been working extensively with them since 1980.

No kids, but with a very large network family that makes life worth living. I live in Pair-a-dice.

I'm pretty sure it will be an 11. Most posters don't take into account the effect on the rest of the world, and then in a feedback loop, the effect of the rest of the world back on the West. That is: once it gets to even 3 or 4, it will go all the way. This is not a linear graph but an exponential curve and a very, very slippery one at that.

Still, I am the optimist. Those here that think about it (especially if they are also acting) will not only be better prepared for whatever, but they won't have to go through the worst part later on. The worst part is psychological disruption that will tip many into panic.

Keep networking, it's the best thing non-programing individuals can do.

Carl Chaplin Artist in Residence, Miyazaki House British Columbia, Canada Where you can find Rick and friends at =Rick's Internet Cafe'= "Everyone comes to Rick's..."

-- Carl Chaplin (chaplin@lillonet.org), September 22, 1998.

I'm 46 years old, was married 16 years, divorced 9 now, in soul mate relationship for the last 7. Two grown and beautiful smart kids, Jason, a writer, 26, Becca, retail store manager , 21.

I'm a pianist, both accompanist and teacher, guitarist and vocalist. I've been a bicycle salesperson, a church musician, a supervisor for a shelter for battered women,...for 6 years.

Now I am a writer, a poet, a dreamer, an apprentice piano technician with my sweetie and partner while growing veggies and trying to remember how to can vegetables.

On the 1 to 10, I'm guessing 6-8 and hoping for 5. Like some of the previous posters I think effects will be different depending on where you are.

Hey Bill...my folks are in S. Carolina, inland of Beaufort about 30 miles. I may bug out to their 8 acres if the smoke signals get dark fast....

Thanks Gayla for starting this thread. And to Bill too for the original go at it.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), September 22, 1998.

Faith Weaver, 52, in Western Pennsylvania. Accomplished generalist. Outcomes facilitator. Wife and mom to engineers. Have held 45 different jobs; expecting 46 to emerge from the field of potentiality any moment now. Think Y2K is the Big Test of our collective and individual metal. Hoping we scrape by with a 7.5. Love making the journey with everyone here--good hearts, fine minds.

-- Faith Weaver (faith-weaver@usa.net), September 22, 1998.

My name is Kitty--married w one grown daughter and a son-in-law. Am an RN. Have known about seriousness of y2k for about a year now. Making preparations; think it will be at least a 6-- power outages, riots, people burning down buildings, food and fuel shortages-- lived thru the riots in Baltimore in 1968 and I bet that was nothing compared to what we'll see. Am 50 yo and have spent last 30+ yrs here in Chesapeake/Va Beach, VA area

-- Kitty Felton (kittyfelton@webtv.net), September 22, 1998.

Faith, I have to agree. As I read through all of the posts, I'm struck by the fact that we are all just trying to make the best of a bad situation. I don't see any evidence of the "crazy, right-wing militaristic survivalists" that we've been labeled. I see a lot of caring, family oriented people who just want to protect those they love.

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), September 22, 1998.

Thanks, Gayla ...I feel this is really an important question. Some say that the y2k information that we are getting is coming from wierdo-s on the net. Reading about all of you now, I can defend you, myself and my warnings. Appreciate all of you sharing. :-) My name is Angie but I prefer to go by Blondie. I am 45 years old, been married for 27 years in Nov. to a great guy 47 years old. We have a daughter 23 years old. I have worked in a couple different places but for Bank of America for 15 years. I have lived in Calif. most of my life, 6 months in the Phillipines, 2 years in Wyoming, back to Calif. and now in Iowa for 7 years. Love the small towns, hate the cold! Now work part-time in a fabric shop and love being a homemaker. My concern for y2k is a 7 or 8. I am a Christian and am comforted that Pastor Chris in on board with us. :) Learned a little about y2k while my husband worked at a nuclear plant during their shutdown and then LOTS from my brother who is really up on and preparing for y2k. I feel like we are all part of the same family. Blondie

-- Blondie Marie (Blondie@future.net), September 22, 1998.

Age 47, married for 23 years to a person I knew for only three months before we wed. Two boys, ages 22 and 15. Since no one mentioned their pets... :) A Golden Retriever. By the way, don't forget pet food in your pantry. I live in the upper mid-west and work for a newspaper. Sometimes I think Y2K will be a 10, other times I don't think it's real. I sure wish all of you the best of luck if it all goes down the tubes. I also apologize to anyone I might have offended in these forums.

-- Dave (dave22@concentric.net), September 22, 1998.

I'm 39, PC Technician in NE Wisconsin. Worked in retail, metal fabrication, computers for last several years. Have learned many lessons the hard way - by making mistakes. Domestic partner with an RN who has two children. Y2K reminds me that her, those kids, and the rest of my family and friends are what's really important. Hobbies: PCs, reading, PCs, online gaming, PCs. Expecting a 3 to 10 on Y2K. The range is so broad because I see anything 5 or worse moving to 9 or 10 in a big hurry. To me 6 thru 8 are just transitional. Only occasional Y2K panic, getting more rare as I prepare. If this goes to a 10 we might be screwed, since self-sufficiency is not in our plan. You people are great support and source of information.

-- Mike (gartner@execpc.com), September 22, 1998.

Thanks, Gayla. This is good. I am 38, married to a terrific guy (45) with 5 kids (four boys and one girl) ages 9, 12, 14, 18, and 19. Awesome kids. Was an RN, my emphasis shifted to herbs and nutrition and alternative healing practices till I left nursing as a job. Write now, and do marketing, and work and learn in the private financial sector. Live in a town of 2,000 people in Iowa, trying to re-learn all the self sufficiency skills my grandparents knew on the farms. (Born and raised in Chicago, though.) I agree with the scenario of the whole thing starting out fairly slowly and then escalating exponentially into a heck of a transitional time and am preparing with wood stoves, solar panels, cnadles, flashlights, sleeping bags, water, food, cash, etc. Thanks to all of you for sharing yourselves here.

-- Melissa (financed@forbin.com), September 22, 1998.

Hi! I'm one of the most senior posters on this forum (75) and I live in North Florida. I'm a Christian writer and market nutritional products by mail. Although I love serving Christ here on earth, I'm looking forward to the day when He calls me to my eternal reward.

By todays social standards I'm considered a 'religious fanitic' simply because I stand solidly upon the Bible as the sole Word of God, and take literally Jesus' words: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me" (John 14:6).

I'm not a member of any church organization, I have no denominational affiliation, no religious agenda, and take no name but that which is common to every true Christian believer. My joy in life and my prime reason for living is to advance the kingdom of God and bring glory to His name. I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who can change their lives and give them the assurance of eternal salvation.

So, if my posts give the impression that I'm promoting religion, or that I have something for you to join, rest assured that this is not the case. My concern is primarily the eternal destiny of souls, and secondarily the preservation of physical life.

Even though my posts are largely spiritual in nature, I very much appreciate the many helpful practical posts by all you folks.

-- Roy (roy@techcomm.net), September 22, 1998.

This thread is going to meander up to the top of the list and then be archived...can we make a pact with one another to keep it going? As far as I am concerned this is one of the best things about the midwifing of the new times to come...we are showing ourselves to each other. Years ago, during my rabid and vocal disarmament days in the Reagan administration I wrote to the president and suggested a letter writing campaign with our so-called "enemies" in the Soviet Union. Those letters included snapshots...real photos of our families...we are more than dots on a demographer's map...we are individual people...it changes things when you can see ME....US.....

Please...when this thread gets to the top, let's all remember to start it again....

Donna, flapping her sheet-wear, loving all of your loving portraits, full of hope beyond the disorder of Y2K.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), September 22, 1998.

I'm a 47 year old accountant, married to a 45 year old telecom tech for 26 years. We have four children: 24f, 22m, 14f, 12m. The older two are ostriches (she says, why worry if I can't do anything about it anyway? She's a student). The younger two went through the panic with me very well, but are now less enthusiastic (more garden work??). I lived in Zambia after nationalization and have seen a society disintegrate on a minor scale. I believe that it will be a 10+, but since I can only cope with a 7, I'm preparing at that level. God have mercy on us all.

-- Lois Knorr (knorr@attcanada.net), September 23, 1998.

Gayla, fellow Texan, what a great thread!!! I am 43 married to childhood sweetheart (who was raised on a farm, thank goodness!) for 24 years. Have one son 13, who is more knowledgeable about y2k thanhis whole school!! We live in the country outside of a town of about 5100 on the upper Texas gulf coast. (and boy are we watching Georges!!) I am a homemaker, "retired" from direct sales. I too think that on the scale y2k is going to be about a 7 or 8. Trying hard not to panic but sometimes its hard (I'm a worrier by nature), so keep myself busy thinking of all the ways I can prepare myself and my family.(Just got my "Encyclopedia of Country Living" & my Lehmans catalog so am reading up!

Good luck to all!! Donna in Texas

-- Donna B (Dd0143@aol.com), September 23, 1998.

1) Asside/marginal note to the Great Deity SYSOP Please try not to archive this one if it's still getting a poat a day???

2) 47 Y O M, married for 24 - 24.8 years (It's a long story but we celebrate 2 anniversaries so I have twice the chances to f*** up and forget!) to a wonderful lady who is in all senses of the term. We are so much extensions of each othjer that I gotta include her info too. She's 43 and could have starred in Heinlein's "Cliff and the Callories" (If that means nothing, look it up in Expanded Worlds of RAH" , and while you're at it read the book! 3) I grew up in a small town south of Utica and Rome in NY, went to Clarkson College in Potsdam, NY. Dropped out, spent a year living among traveling Friends (Quakers) in a commune in central NY (New Swarthmoor), went back to Clarkson and graduated, on the well known 6 yr plan. (BS Polit Sci) Met my bride there then. We then spent 2 years in Va Bch, Va and surroundings working in various jobs from The Cavalier to the Sand Castle to a pool company, to a solar company. I went back to Clarkson for an MBA in Info Systems and she worked for a company putting the 765 KV line in and then for company that makes glass beads for reflective paint and for hospital air beds. We moved to Cleveland when Mom (hers) offered a place to stay while we job hunted. She worked in retail, and I worked for the Gov't (local) and then in Insurance until the project incident I mentioned in another thread here. I then went into retail, and we both became Paramedics, a skill we have used professionally and now use at Mid- Ohio Race track as volunteers. Oh, yeah, we've been F&C workers, Ham Operators, and sold everything from outdoor gear to copiers and cameras. 4) Currently I drive (duh..with a signature like Night Driver) a Roadmaster (Buick) for a sedan company (kind of like a limo without the tux or the drunken batchelors), which job takes me ALL over the area (Chicago, Buffalo, Columbus, Pittsburg, Detroit, and the airport here). My love works for a consumer commodities company here. 5) I think she sandbagged me, too. I asked her about 3 months a go if we could do a specific thing in terms of Y2K and she said she thought we wouldn't be able to. and rthe subject dropped. labor day weekend we talked and she seemed to be on the same page I was!! I think she was waiting to see if I was going to move!! Well, we measured the basement for shelves, and discussed the budget for our preps tonight!!

On the 1 - 10 scale I will have to say 10+. HOWEVER, I think it will take MONTHS to get to the end. I do not expect instant melt- down. I think that there will be a time range, starting whenever Willie, and Al decide to let the cat out and running from there through 2001 or 2, having heterodyned with the rest of the world situation.

we are preparing for 6-9 months and hoping that either the two senior dummies let the cat slip after July 1 '99 or don't let it out at all!

CR

PS Has anybody noticed the common thread in our backgrounds?? Computer backgrounds (~85%) Medical (~20%) Right Wing Christian Extremist Wacko (~0%) (I'm allowed to use those terms as we are committed Christians and gun hobbyists............HI HI)

cr

-- Chuck a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), September 23, 1998.

Thanks, Gayla for this opportunity to become a person. I'm a 54 year-old retired electronics engineer with a pretty good idea of how power is generated. Just my aging parents to worry about. I know just enough about systems theory to understand and agree with what Carl, Mike and Melissa are talking about. If it goes above 6 or so (severe economic disruption, minor social disorder, minor infrastructure breakdown)it's likely to "flip" to a new more dangerous equilibrium, IOW 10+.

I've known about Y2k for almost 3 years now, but the environmental crisis has dominated my interest until this year. In all that time I have not shed a tear --- until tonight when I read this:

"I believe that it will be a 10+, but since I can only cope with a 7, I'm preparing at that level. God have mercy on us all. Answered by Lois Knorr"

Hallyx

"...any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee."---John Donne (Meditation XVII)

-- Hallyx (Hallyx @aol.com), September 23, 1998.

Hallx... you can provide a tear or two yourself, thank you for the quote. Tonight is my first night here. Thank you Gayla for starting this thread. I am 35, and married to my high school sweetheart for almost 13 years. We have a son who is 2 years a four months who is the joy of our lives and a cat named Boo Boo who thinks are son is a menace. I'm a self-employed Art Director and Designer who works on a Macintosh. I had heard about y2k but I never thought it would affect me until two months ago when I was doing research for a logo design on the web. I stumbled onto the Cassandra Project and from that moment on my life changed. In my work I am highly dependant on technology. My largest client does work in technology, worldwide. I have a grasp of how complex our global interconnectness is. I must say, y2k has given my serious bouts with depression. I believe it is the end of the world as we know it. But, I had a revelation. It is not the end of the world. In that moment of understanding I realized that what is truly important in my life and in my business is the interconnectedness of my relationships with people. Regarding my rating... I think the global economic crisis and the millennium change itself would have provided for panic around the world including a recession and loss of confidence here at home. Banks will begin to fail in October in Asia and then Europe and then finally here in 1999. With the impact bank failures and early y2k failures and a lack of government leadership, I see panic beginning early in 1999 and progressing throughout the year. I think the grid will fail and rolling blackouts are a certainty, maybe even before 2000. Serious riots will begin sometime around the middle of next year as disruptions and shortages become more of a problem. There will be real enviromental disasters. People will begin leaving the large cities. The stock market will take an extended holiday by October 1999. Oh, about 2 years ago I had a dream. I saw an endless line of car headlights driving through the gate of an Indian reservation. The Hopi call this time the Purification. The Sioux call it the Red and Blue Days. I don't know if it is fair to judge y2k on a scale of 1-10. If you lose your life in a the release of toxic chemicals from an industrial plant then y2k is an absolute 10+. If you lose your loved one because the hospital had run out of insulin then y2k is a 10+. Even if the lights stay on and the majority of the public is unaffected, if one person dies as a result of y2k, I think it's a 10+

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), September 23, 1998.

Is anyone concerned with the info coming out about the gov. instituting marshal law? I'm asking on this thread because I want to know if I'm being paranoid to worry about this forum being used against us-tell me, am I totally being mental? I have been debating sharing with you all some interesting information that I have had the priveledge of acquiring at my prestigious job as a ...HAIRDRESSER! Yes! I am proud that even though I have no post-high-school education,that I can rub noses(or scalps) with people from all walks of life; and I have been hearing the some "hair-raising" things! OUCH!

-- madeline (runner@bcpl.net), September 23, 1998.

Madeline! I consider my hairdresser my best friend and I only see and talk to her once a month! What is it about you guys? You gotta love em!! Keep those hair-raising thoughts coming! I also worry about big brother watching these threads. I'd never post my real name and e-mail here. (sorry I got off track, but most of these threads do that) :0

-- Friend (A-friend@weloveya.com), September 23, 1998.

Madeline!! It was my hairdresser who first shared with me some y2k information that put me on the path to do more research. I in turn share with her information that I find on the internet because she doesn't have a computer. I will always be grateful to her for sharing what she knew. Donna

-- Donna B (Dd0143@aol.com), September 23, 1998.

I'm a mom to four children(12, 10, 6 and3) and I homeschool the 3 oldest. My husband is a computer programmer for an electric company. We are Christians but don't own any guns yet.LOL We live in South Texas but are considering relocation to central Texas. I think y2k will be a 6...main problems being loss of electricity and resulting shortages and rioting in inner cities. My husband and I are both 4l.

-- Susan (jclont@mastnet.net), September 23, 1998.

I found out about Y2K a year ago when I started on a Y2K project for the Department of Defense. Took me about two days to decide that I'd better make some preparations and encourage my family to do the same (they're just now starting to listen). I live in northern Virginia, work as a programmer/analyst for a contractor, 29 years old, never married, no kids.

-- Melinda Gierisch (gieriscm@hotmail.com), September 23, 1998.

Gayla:

This is the most interesting thread. Without the benefit of mathematics it would appear that the posters represent a valid cross section of America and we are all pretty scared. I wonder if any of the posters who are real night owls on the west coast, or early birds on the east coast, would tally up the average age, sex and score of severity. In a strange way, this post confirms my beliefs. Because of the diversity of the posters I no longer feel that only weird whackos are worried. I for one would be pleased to have any of you to my home for dinner. As guests, not the main dish. Bill in S. Carolina

-- Bill Solorzano (notaclue@webtv.net), September 23, 1998.

And again...

-- Amy Leone (aleone@amp.com), September 23, 1998.

I did a view source on this frame. It seems that somehow the HTML tag STRIKE (don't want to put the lt & gt tags, might happen again) is wrapping messages here. Don't know how, but if anyone is using an html-capable editor and then pasting into the message box, that might explain it.

-- Buddy Y. (buddy@bellatlantic.net), September 23, 1998.

Thanks Amy! And Buddy, too for the explanation! And to everyone who has posted here!

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), September 23, 1998.

I am a philosopher of science. 11+. :(

-- solong,andthanksforallthefish (gandalf@lothlorien.net.au), September 23, 1998.

Late as usual and with a huge post, here I come....

I'm pushing 40 (although I steadfastly & proudly refuse to grow up). Been married 13 years, two kids (10 and 8). Mikel (the oldest) got Y2K-aware without my help. My wife is at least tolerant, if not completely supportive, of my efforts to get ready. Oh yeah, we live in north Georgia at the end of a dirt road.

I do technical writing, currently for a telecom-related company. Our products are at least Y2K-compliant -- we put a warranty to that effect in the front of each of our manuals with the approval of the legal dude. My wife has been self-employed for about 5 years now; she does video editing work. A friend who lives nearby works for one of GM's suppliers; they're also complaint.

As for impact, I'm with Dan Hunt: I think it will vary wildly depending on location. I suspect there are places in the Great Plains where people will hear about lots of stuff but won't be affected personally... but the days of megalopolis are numbered. I like the Eastabrook/Edwards scales from comp.software.year-2000 to assess impact & preparation. They both range from 1 to 5, with 5 being worst-case. Eastabrook is "how bad do you think it will be" -- I've been holding at 3.8 for months but I'm seeing some rays of sun among the clouds & may drop back to 3.5 before long. The Edwards scale measures your preparations. There, a few odds & ends will get me to 3.8, and I could get to 4.0 with little effort or expense. In the 14 years I've lived here, I've seen a mild earthquake, a blizzard one year, a hurricane the next, droughts, flaky power (constantly -- amazing how well Macs hold up to that), heat, cold, tornadoes missing the place by 1/2 mile or so, on & on. I checked the Nat. Hurricane Center site this morning & it looks like Georges could end up paying us a visit; we've already had two near-misses this year. Thus, preparing for Y2K involves little more than filling in a few corners in our preparations for non-scheduled disasters.

We're active in our church; I believe that the best way to show Christ to others is to let them see Him in your life. It's kind of tough sometimes, I'll admit. :-) I'm prodding our church to prepare for Y2K ministry, and we've taken some positive steps already (we've been designated the tornado shelter for this end of the county for example).

Things I like to do in my scarce off-time include baking, bicycling, camping, ham radio, computer hacking, writing, and reading.

-- Larry Kollar (lekollar@nyx.net), September 23, 1998.

I'm 30 years old and I have no real occupation other than trying to be a writer. I pay my rent doing any kind of job that doesn't offend my sensibilities - working street cultural festivals, dog-walking, bookstore, etc. Luckily, I am already very happy in my simple and low-maintenance life. I've got an MFA degree (completely worthless in the world but worth every minute to me).

My partner and I, also 30 and works in Theatre, live in the DC area and have made plans to return to our beloved Midwest permanently. We have very few things. Our UHAUL will be filled mostly with our Y2K supplies.

Will spend December-January.... in either Kansas or Illinois, depending on which family needs us. Good situations both places - close to lakes and rivers, small, pleasant communities, lots of food in the immediate farming vicinity. Can't really go wrong either way. Both sets of families preparing although not as devoted Y2Kers as we are. We don't have lots of money but are doing what we can. Food and water, non-electric light and cooking methods, BayGen radio, lots of batteries, camping bedding . We also have 2 great dogs and a cat who thinks he's a dog.

If electricity goes down for too long: 9. If we keep electricity - 4/5. On good days - 3, on bad days 10. When people blow off Y2K with "oh, they'll fix it", or when I hear people say things like I did yesterday - "that small farms are going under because they aren't very good businessmen" I hope for 12!! Too many Americans think it's our fundamental human right to live like we are living now. I don't understand how people can ignore the potential for disaster in our delicately balanced house of cards world.

I worry for my grandparents whose health is an issue, and for my mother who's been a government dental technician her whole life and is nearing retirement. Will she lose everything? Should she get out right before?

As for myself, I can't wait to see what happens. As much as I can't stand the people who drive too fast and think they're so important, I don't want people to suffer, especially for something they had very little hand in creating. Nature, sure, but computers????!!!!

I found out about Y2K surfing the net one day - under Salon Magazines 10 most interesting stories of 1997 - and there was an interview with Ed Yourdon. I called my partner immediately, read the entire thing to her, bought the book the next day and have been dealing with it since.

Great thread! Good luck to everyone.

Bill C.

-- Bill C. (Pookahrini@aol.com), September 23, 1998.

I am a 59 year old retiree (disability) who has the good fortune to have been married to the same sweet lady for 38 years. I spent the years 1956-1976 as a hired gun for Uncle Sam (56-63 primarily as a classified courier, 63-76 as a B-52 tail gunner). I then worked as an industrial instrument technician for a major multi-national corporation from 76-98 when I was finally disability retired. Some people just don't kill as easy as others. I had prepared for a magnitude 5-6 (about 6 months of big bumps beginning in mid 99 - and becoming a source of concern by Sep and slowly accelerating to a torrent by Mar-Apr 00, then a slow return to some semblence of order) however I must now change my guesstimate to an order of an 8-9 lasting 2-3 years minimum followed by a VERY slow return to somewhat of a less tech nation. This change is required because of factoring in several diverse economic reports (Japan,Russia, Brazil etc.) an a growing sense of unease that is hard to explain and harder to ignore. I live close to a survivalist dream place (food, water, shelter) and I still remember most of what Uncle taught us in various schools so I will be better prepared than some. I also have my daughter who is an EMT basic (5yrs, working on paramedic now) which is a tremendous help. I hope that all of my puny preparations are totally unnecessary and we will all have a big giggle come next century, but the same deep feeling of unease that kept my fanny out of the dire dor so long now tells me that I haven't done enough yet. One big point for me hit home when I had to download a file from microsoft to make windows 95 y2k compliant!. Here we have the epitome of american sucess whose forte is software and his stuff isn't compliant? I felt like I had been "gut stuck with an icicle" when I saw that. So much for any hope of anyone saving the bacon for us.

As an aside, I worked in environmental compliance and as such I diddled some with a pc making spreadsheets and reports and such. I was using a using the latest and greatest pc in my work. I crashed it in November 97 by setting the date to 01/01/2000. My box went to 1980 as a date but my carefully conived programs went off to computer heaven as far as work went. Our IT tech said "don't do that again". I didn't but it didn't register at the time. Fast forward to Feb 98 and se the above bio. Plan well folks - it feels like something very ugly is just outside of the campfire's circle of light and it seems to have teeth.

S.O.B. (LA)

-- sweetolebob (buffgun@hotmail.com), September 23, 1998.

Well, Im way too close to 40 for comfort, married to the same woman twice (long story, I also have 2 anniversaries to forget) for a total of 11 years, 5 kids (2 Goldens, 1 Dalmatian, 1 Spaniel mix, 1 Maine Coon). Born in Utah, lived there till Dad passed away when I was 7. Moved back east and lived in the Philly suburbs for most of my growing formative years. Was a very rowdy, hell-raising truant in my teens, I saw school as a sort of prison that was to be avoided at any price, and avoid it I did. Ive had my share of scrapes with the man (never anything truly evil) and eventually reformed into a calmer more peaceful sort.

I am a voracious reader of books on any subject, and what little I do know is mostly learned that way, have a degree from the school of hard knocks. I enjoy boating and jetskiing, snorkeling, camping, building model aircraft, drawing, painting and other artsy fartsy stuff, Big Band and Blues, re-hydrating and beer hunting, having fun with friends, and now this PC thing.

Ive been in more businesses than I can recall, from various sales jobs (remember Ive fallen and I cant get up? Yep, I was on their team) but found it hard to take direction from bosses I didnt respect (that damned independent streak) and so have mostly been self employed in various contracting businesses. I have always liked creating and building things with my own two hands, and I have learned many skills that will come in handy in any type of economy. I get a lot of satisfaction from turning a hovel into a castle. Got tired of freezing my ass off on the job, and headed south.

On a scale of 1-10 Ill hazard a WAG of 6.5, sliding down that slippery slope leading to who knows where. Gut says bad coming. I have always been a live for today, have fun party animal, but this has changed my tune, Im glad I lived it up while things were good.

Next stop-uncertainty. All aboard!

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), September 23, 1998.

Sorry for the alias, but not yet ready to be logged in the master e-mail file...

Living in SoCal. Almost 44, married 16 years, daughter 14, son 12. Been in computer industry since 1982, have worked in field and management positions for software and hardware vendors, systems integrators, and a defense contractor. Currently working as a project manager, which I've done off and on for about 8 years. I tell my colleagues that a project which has a rock-hard deadline, poorly defined scope, limited resources/skill sets, and a late start is a deathmarch waiting to happen. "Y2K" is just such a project. Expecting serious (1 month minimum) disruption to infrastructure (water, food, social) and have been working with my neighbors to prepare. Am also outlining "bug-out" plan if it looks like disruptions will be worse.

-- Mac (sneak@lurk.com), September 23, 1998.

I am a 73 year old, just retired Psychiatric Nurse Clinical Specialis t/Teacher . My husband is unable to help with y2k preparation because of Alzheimer's. I have gone the full route, moved, water well, solar. Food is ordered but has not arrived. My children have unofficially voted 6-2 that I am off my rocker. I think it will be an 8-10. Our new view here in the hills is spectacular which is a plus. Reading about each of you lifts my moral as you, we, sound intelligent, experienced and rational. Cheers!

-- maggie. maggie (maggie@letushope.com), September 23, 1998.

Well Well. I KNEW I forgot something! I forgot my 55 pounds of cat on 12 feet!!

cr

Confid. to Maggie: My prayers and heart to you. Have experience in your mocassins and they don't feel real good. PROPS to you as a national syndicated radio sports host would say!!

G'Bless. CR

-- Chuck a Night Driver (rienzoo@en.com), September 24, 1998.

Well, since Uncle chimed in I guess I better too.

Hate to admitt it but am 51 outside (about 17 inside), married to the same unfortunate soul for 28 years. 2 offspring (all the bad habits come from the maternal line). Early 20 years hanging around construction sites. Last 16 or so as what is lovingly called a bit- head/techonerd/geek (yes, I do use a pocket protector).

Oh yea, and was a cop for about three years in there somewhere. This leaves one with DEFINITE attitudes about the under belly of our society. (And a SERIOUS afinity for large calibers and HiCap mags)

Y'all with just have to guess which (largest in the union) state I'm from. (I know the numbers *well*. We're just waiting for all the ice to melt.)

Uncle, I knew we had a something in common. I too got my degree from the Colligium Obdura Vida. (Graduted Magna Cum Laudy Mercy). And also like Uncle have read a book or two, here or there.

Got a *really* wild hair and moved to the (supposed) largest state - Alaska. Lived there about 15 years. I only mention this cause, folks, lemme tell you, this "living self sufficient" AIN'T what it's cracked up to be (appologies to all you romantics out there). I know, have friends who do still, and have personally experienced (not long) life without ANY "modern" conveniences like electricity and running water.

It is a fine thing when you don't HAVE to do it. It's HELL when you got no choice. Don't mean to upset anyone, just hate to see folks with illusions about rice and beans on the Coleman 7x24x365. Sure, I can and will do it and will be happy to have it. It will be a LOT more than most. But, NOT pretty. Gotta stop this preaching, OK.

Neph the Orphan (Uncle won't claim me)

BTW - Uncle, what the hellsa Main Coon? Does that mean you have secondary or tertiary coons as backups?

-- Nephew Deeduh (twicebit@onceshy.com), September 24, 1998.

Deeduh, Maine Coon is a big, bushy-haired, friendly breed of house cat. It's the largest domestic cat in the USA.

-- notthistime (lurker@nowhere.com), September 24, 1998.

Unc,

How do they taste? Plese don't tell me - like chicken? I may have to get me a few.

Neph the Curious

ps-Question is a (I hope)obvious joke. Unfortunately, it may not be all that much of a joke in the future. Don't want to upset anyone and (Lord have mercy) I hope you're not a fanatical cat lover, but: I *have* eaten cat on several ocassions when I was with folks on a construction job (and a little dog now and then but it's tougher). Funny the stuff you find in burittos. I seem to have survived without being twisted all that much.

-- Nephew Deeduh (twicebit@onceshy.com), September 24, 1998.

Before I forget, about the strikeout line problem....in chat rooms there are a lot of different ways to express a smiley, such as :) and :-) and w) and (8> yada yada. Lotsa people do it like this (without the spaces) -- < s > , right? Well that also happens to be the element for 'strikeout' in HTML 3.2, and is what's causing the strikeout lines to appear, until someone inserts a 'close strikeout' element -- so if you want to shoot someone a smiley, do it in one of the other ways... (^_^) is the Japanese variety, for example (for real - once got a whole list of Japanese emoticons in e-mail, they do it different)

m--@?@--m

Anyway, I'm here in the flatlands of eastern NC, 41 years old, native, never married, no children (far as I know). Have certainly considered getting involved in that marital ensnarlment-type stuff with several gals, but it just never 'took', as they say. Got two nearly-8-yr-old cats that I took in as stray orphans at 2 wks of age, and raised on baby bottles; they think I'm Dad (Mom?). They may as well be right. And got a 20-month-old nephew, spend a lot of time 'uncling'. He's a pure-T mess. And getting more that way every day.

Presently do work on PC's for home users around here; tutoring, troubleshooting, software/hardware installations/upgrades, a bit of Y2K hardware testing (with the disclaimers blaring in stereo!). And have been known to have an interest in the commodities and Treasury bond options markets. Two college degrees in business, got to use 'em somewhere, huh. Went to UNC in Chapel Hill and East Carolina U. right here in town. Love camping, boating on the Pamlico River, playing with these infernal computing machines, music.

I think this 'bug' will rate about a 6=; yeah there are a lot of bad indicators, but I still have a right good amount of faith in the human spirit, ingenuity, and the ability of the human race to rise above the odds. History is full of stories of those who won out over seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I think this will be one more example of that.

As Senator Bennett said at the National Press Club on July 15th, "I believe we're going to win; that is I think that civilization as we know it is not going to come to an end. It's a possibility. Possibility, if Y2K were this weekend instead of 76 weekends from now, it would. But we have 76 weeks in which to try to get this under control. But we are, in a sense, at war against this problem." I'd say that by now he knows as much about this problem as anybody, and I don't think he's much into sugar-coating, unlike many government leaders. If Sen. Bennett thinks we'll beat this thing, well then so do I. But I'm still preparing for big problems, don't get me wrong. Thank goodness my Mom and sister also 'get it'. Am keeping them posted.

Good luck to all you people down in Florida with this storm possibly coming your way. We just had Bonnie come through here the other week, but basically dodged the bullet. Hope you have the same good fortune!

-- John Howard (Greenville, NC) (pcdir@prodigy.net), September 24, 1998.

Gayla, you started something really fine here! I just hope we can all have a "Y2K Reunion" someday! At 73, I have three darling daughters, 2 fine granddaughters, 4 (ditto) grandsons, and 1 great granddaughter (an almost 3-year-old doll). Live in Tacoma, WA, originally from Chicago, then Golden, Colorado, then Lewistown, PA, then La Mirada CA. Two marriages ended tragically (first husband and father of my daughters, is still a fugitive from the law; second decided to trade me in for a younger model--after nearly 25 years--to "look after him in his old age.") Becoming a committed Christian has brought me through it all, and my experiences help me to understand the pains of others more. God will bring His good out of everything, if we'll trust Him! I've had careers as a professional singer, from church to grand opera, as a teacher of voice, piano, organ, as an art teacher in So. Calif Adult Ed system (after going back to school when my girls were half grown and earning degrees in Psych and later Art), worked as a childcare/housemother, off and on for 10 years, in 2 group homes in So. Calif, 2 in Seattle area, with a total of a 48 youth ages 8 - 18. An interest in nutrition led to my turning the group homes into "labs" and discovering, first-hand, how better nutrition made for improved behavior of those emotionally disturbed boys. That led to an MS in nutrition and being a consultant, after retiring from the childcare work. My second retirement, and second divorce (resulting in a below poverty income) led to going back to office work and the fun of learning computer procedures. (I love these gadgets!) The first time I heard about the Y2K debacle, I tested my PC. It has all four digits in the year, and passed the test fine, both after a few minutes, and overnight. Maybe it'll survive??? I've been preparing personally, with storing, doing all I can to inform others (will be speaking at Tacoma AARP next month re Y2K), urging my church leaders to get serious about this, also the manager of my HUD-subsidized senior complex. I am especially concerned about the really poor, who live from day-to-day. There's a huge area only 5 miles from where I live of such folk. I lived 20 miles away when the Watts riots occurred; we've all seen other riots that happened for "social" causes. Our churches, social clubs, community organizations, etc., urgently need to set up food banks! I hope and pray everyone reading this will try to do something toward accomplishing that. If you're a Rotarian, an Elk, or some such, a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, don't just sit there; do something! If this old gal can, you can, too!

-- Holly Allen (Holly3325@juno.com), September 24, 1998.

This has been a very special thread. I plan to print it out so I can keep it. what a fascinating gathering of people! Me? I"m 68, married 47 years, (got real lucky...!) HB is 73, 3 kids, 6 grandkids. Our youngest son is getting married saturday! We have had a family business for 40 years involving the production of art objects of our own design. We live west of puget sound in washington state. (HI Holly, your posts about our power situation have been of special interest...) How do I rate the situation? I have been reading info on various websites for some months now. Think it could be a 6 or 7... but what do I know??? Guess we'll all know when we get there. Have generator, small garden, stocking up at costco...trying to learn what I can. We "Great depression" era folks gained some useful skills that may come in handy, but I can always learn more! Again, what a great thread! The diversity represented here is intriguing! Thanks Gayla

Suzanne

-- Suzanne (Suzannel@webtv.net), September 24, 1998.

Great thread Gayla. I'm 36 and living in Wisconsin. I'm married with a stepson who'll be 16 soon (and is driving my car!!), and a son who is 1 year old today (Sep 25)!!

I have a varied professional background. My undergraduate degree is in Psychology. After burning out from counseling teenagers for 10+ years, I went back to school and got an Associate's Degree as a Programmer/Analyst. I have worked as a consultant, programmer, and Y2K project coordinator since then.

I feel the likelihood of a global Y2K crisis is 100%. I believe the magnitude of the crisis depends entirely on what last-minute contingencies and work-arounds can be put into place. If Y2K were tomorrow, it'd definitely be 10+. Given what I've been reading, at the current pace and sense of urgency, I would predict 8 or 9. I expect the infrastructure problems to be addressed within months; everything else is unclear in my crystal ball.

-- Steve Hartsman (hartsman@ticon.net), September 25, 1998.

Hi folks...we're retired professionals who have been watching and preparing seriously for six months now. Have moved to a 40 acre retreat in the Ozarks. Have live water and timber for fuel. Gathering equipment, food storage, livestock, etc. We have four grown children who are in various stages of disbelief. Oldest son is a chemist for an energy products company, second is a graduate student in law, third is a teacher, and the fourth boy works in textiles. Abby feels that this thing will be about an eight and that it probably will be solved in a year or so following 2000. Jim thinks it will take much longer to be resolved. The scary thing is that nobody really knows for sure! We do know there are Federal Reserve Bank families storing food and that says something to us. Our best wishes to all to all the good minds out there! Jim and Abby

-- James and Abby Greenleaf (jgreenleaf@townsqr.com), September 25, 1998.

I am a 63 year old man and men don't usually cry. I didn't, but the tears were there waiting to show when I was reading this post 3 days ago. My wife is 44 and on tuesday she gave birth to a very lovely baby girl. We also have a son 4-1/2. She is a primary school teacher, I am soon to retire as a senior plumbing/piping designer. It seems so long ago, but once I was an ordained Presbyterian pastor. The total bio is too long to tell here. How I heard of Y2K is interesting. In June I heard a brief statement about it on a radio program I just happened to tune in. Two days later I could not sleep, and I went to the computer, and I never or very rarely visit chat programs. I went to one early in wee hour of the morning, and got talking to someone in Hiwaii, and when I asked whether this Y2k issue is for real, he onlt said yes, and then urged me to visit Gary North's Y2K web site. It didn't take long to see that Y2K is more than a real threat, it looms large as pending castrophe and hope. I see it today as at least an 8, but like so many others here who really knows until we get there. Back to my beginning: Why did I almost cry when I was reading the list of responses to Gayla's question? Each of you became my friend, sharing some very intimate concerns for our future. I am deeply indebted to all of you that have been contributing your insights and helpful suggestions and hints. As of this date we have accomplished little in terms of preparation. Only recently did we decide that Tucson, AZ might not be the best place to be 01/01/00. Now that our baby is born, we might soon begin to prepare. Perhaps I also cried inside because our family may be one of the ones who found out too late, and did not have enough time to prepare well for such an overwhelming, far reaching problem. Perhaps I was also crying for the thousands who will be caught in the dark, literally, and not even have a clue what is happening to them, their neighborhood and their city. Thank you all for writing.

-- Joseph Babinsky (jbabinsky@theriver.com), September 26, 1998.

Josheph:

Congrats on the new baby. You must be very proud.

NOTE: It is not to late to make preparations. It seems that way, but much may be accomplished in a very short time. Like Nike says: Just do it! Good luck.

-- Mike (gartner@execpc.com), September 26, 1998.

I agree with everyone else: This cross-section of America who have answered this question lends support that Y2K is not a subject for the "nut cases" of society. You all seem pretty sane and like "average Americans" to me. Perhaps, Gayla, you have created the most compelling evidence on the net for preparing thus far with your questions. My husband and I are 36 and 37, no kids -- now I see that as a blessing. I am a registered Radiologic Technician (X-ray tech), and he is a pattern maker in a tool and die shop. We live on 10 acres, with garden, fruit trees, and assorted livestock. We are preparing as best we can. We are hoping for minor "inconveniences" (aren't we all), but our gut tells us it's going to be more like an 8. Good luck to all, and this thread has become my new ammunition for skeptics. Thank you all for making it apparent we are not crazy in our viewpoint, and are in good company. Wished you all were neighbors! -- Renee M

-- Renee M. (icehorse@altelco.net), September 27, 1998.

I am married with two daughters. One graduated and one scheduled to graduate May 2000. I hope she makes it. I am a hairdresser in Nashville. I read your messages everyday. I just wanted to let you all know I was here. Thanks to Gayla.

-- Patti Mead (MINKMEAD@Compuserve.com), September 27, 1998.

I'm 47, married, 4 kids, the oldest of whom is in college. I'm lobbying very hard to have my oldest daughter spend the Christmas holidays here in 1999 - unfortunately she thinks that's a little loony. We'll see. My wife came around very quickly, thank goodness, so we've been able to make some preparations. I'm a computer programmer (medical applications) - for the last seven years - before that I was an emergency physician for 12 years, about the longest one can count on standing that kind of intensity. I don't think most people realize how helpless the medical profession is without technology. My great grandfather could do an appendectomy with ether on a kitchen table. I wouldn't have a clue. We use disposable everything - gloves, syringes, scalpels, needles, etc. Hospitals would run out of these in a couple of weeks. In many ways you'd be better off in great-granddad's hands than mine, if TSHTF. My advice: don't get sick.

-- Dr. D (politely@decline.com), September 27, 1998.

Welcome Patti! There are probably a lot of people who read and never respond. Thank-you for posting!

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), September 28, 1998.

I'm sure proud of all of us right now...

Let's not forget Uncle Deedah's party, okay...my people will call your people?

My heart is bursting, Friends.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), September 28, 1998.

I was not going to post on this thread when I first started reading it. I'm not sure why now. Anyway here goes.

I am a programmer analyst with 19 yrs experience on mainframes, mid-ranges and p.c.'s. am 38 yrs. old, never married.

I see a total collapse of govt/society for x amount of years. However, I believe that we will work thru this. Americans have always found a way around every problem todate and will find a way on this one too. It will take time, good people will be hurt. I expect to be farming shortly, I don't know anything about farming, will have to learn the hard way. good luck to all and hope to see you on the other side.

-- areseejay (areseejay@aol.com), September 28, 1998.

It occurred to me that I hadn't put in my 1-10 prediction. I've known about this problem for years, so naturally I figured most IT pros and engineers knew and it would certainly get solved. So given those assumptions I figured Y2K would be about a 1-3.

Now that I know that most people, companies, and governments didn't take this seriously until recently, and most people still don't although companies and governments are finding out fast, I think we're looking at a 5-7. The ignorance of this problem is worse than I thought.

Anybody want to take a stab at equating some scenarios to those numbers?

BTW, Gayla thanks for the anniversary wishes in the second "What about you" thread!

-- Buddy Y. (buddy@bellatlantic.net), September 30, 1998.

Let's check out this reanimating archived threads...If successful new readers should be able to read what many of us have already posted about our lives, plans, predictions, hopes and fears.

-- Donna Barthuley (moment@pacbell.net), September 30, 1998.

I hope this posting brings back this thread back to life.

I live in Los Angeles. I'm the office manager for a 4-employee company and therefore "in charge" of our Y2K project. I'm not a computer expert, just know how to use mine, but I understood the implications of widespread failures about 2 yrs. ago. We only use 3 computers, all of them Macs, which we mainly use for worprocessing. We have the resources to replace software and equipment if necessary (fax, copier, etc.), so I'm much more concerned about our vendors and clients Y2K readiness. If one of our major clients fails then we're in deep trouble. I sent Y2K status inquiry letters to all of our vendors last July and as of today, only 90% have replied. Of those, about 80% were "don't worry, we're working on it" replies, and the others said they will just buy new equipment. I called some of the companies that did not reply, and some of them told me that it was not "their policy" to reply to such inquiries. Others said they "didn't believe" they'd have any problems. Needless to say, I'm not very optimistic.

Living in the L.A. metro area (anyone else out there?), I know what I'm in for, but I truly have no choice but to stay put (unless I win the lottery). So, I'm preparing the best I can.

Thank you all for the info posted here, and also the much needed humor.

-- Sandy (prep4y2k@aol.com), November 13, 1998.

I still believe we have an 8 coming. I had posted to the 2nd "What About You" thread (not this one) a few weeks back. I'm 64, retired, 5 times a grandfather, sometimes serious and sometimes a smartass (redneck, trashcan, doodah, etc). I split my time between y2k on the net and making my personal preparations. It is a shame but I have become possessed by y2k. I have been able to help a few with their preparations here in Phoenix. Found a neat, new y2k bookmark site tonight while surfing: http://www.uuy2k.org/uuy2k/sermons.htm (this is a lady unitarian minister that is very sharp on y2k) So like we always say...hope for the worst and prepare for the best!..oh..you know what I mean...its 2:45 am.

-- ronbanks (phxbanks@webtv.net), November 13, 1998.

Living in Canada with cold winters makes me appreciate the impact of the power going off and freezing in the dark. As a 52 mother of 3 (2 of whom are now graduated and employed) and an empty nest (yahoo!) shared with my 59 yr old oifield consultant husband, with my natural nosiness and research skills (genealogy, genetics) I find that I waver between 5-8 on the scale. In the cities it could be awful and in the country where we have an acreage to move to in spring, it could be just as bad. People will do unpredictable things and other than being as well prepared with food, water and heat and extra for others, we will have to wait it out and see what 2000 holds for us. I do not think that everything will crash Jan 1/2000, in fact it could have started a while before that, or just deteriorate into June/00. Problem is nobody knows - but sane, independent, thinking people will prepare as best they can, if only to alleviate the strain on the system for everyone else. My husband of 30 years says what convinced him it could be bad, was the fact that governments will always take advantage of a situation to increase their control, and this with it built-in deadline is perfect for that situation. Storing at least for one year and hoping all the chickens don't die (husband is only now remembering how they farmed when he was a kid).

-- Laurane Nash (familyties@rttinc.com), November 13, 1998.

Gayla: Thanks for starting this up again. I'm 46, married with children, have been a programmer/analyst for 20 years, living in the northeast. I've known about the 2-digit year problem my entire programming life but found out about the Y2K affect of computers on electricty, water, food, etc. this spring. I became convinced thanks to Ed since I 'grew up' with some of his books like structured analysis, structured design, so he had instant credibility with me. BTW, THANKS ED. FWIW, i started at 5 and am now at 8. I just started posting this week although I've been lurking for months. Great to chat with some of you. I've picked up some good information here and hope to give some back now.

-- Robert Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), November 13, 1998.

I'm a Ph.D Nuclear Engineer (43) and my wife is a Registered Nurse (44). We have two daughters, 2 and 5. I work at one of the big 3 National laboratories. I believe in a severity of 5-6, but am planning for 9-10. We are getting ready to purchase a 10 KW Kohler propane generator. Will stock up on food, supplies, etc. Will bring my 80 year old Mother out here (New Mexico) from Chicago. Trying to get the neighborhood involved, but lot's of apathy.

-- Bob and Jane Watson (Janebob99@aol.com), November 13, 1998.

Hi, Arnie here. I'm in my early 40s. Mrs. Rimmer and I have been together for 18+ years. Two 'kids' (both of the feline persuasion).

My background is in software development and networking systems. 18 years experience. I'm currently working as a network administrator. I spent 4 years developing GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) system software for use in military aircraft (navigational receivers), 3 years developing software for diagnostic X-ray machines (angiography). The last 5 years have been spent doing Internet-related projects - learning to support Internet infrastructure (servers for the web, web content development, email, DNS, firewalls, etc) and general networking/teledata infrastructure (servers, routers, switches, ethernet, fiber, hubs, T1s, T3s, OC3s, a lots of other obfuscated acronyms most folks don't realize their information depends on).

I generally don't like 'labels' such as democrat, republican, left, right, pollyanna, doomsayer, hawk, dove, Catholic, Lutheran, etc. because I tend to be much more independent in my thinking and refuse to accept 'the party line' if I don't think it's right. I'm a strong believer in self-determination and that we are each responsible for our own well being. I refuse to be a sheep.

I have recently been voted "mostly likely to need permanent institutionalization" by 3/4 of the people I've spoken to about Y2K.

While I've been aware of the Y2K problem since 1980, it took Ed & Jennifer Yourdon's book to wake me from my slumber and prompt me to go do the research I needed to convince myself the problem was both real and likely do have a direct impact on my life. To Ed & Jennifer, I am eternally grateful.

I'm here because I need to communicate with people who, like myself, recognize the potential for problems and are willing to share ideas and concerns.

This group also serves as my 'sanity check' -- when I'm being either overly-pessimistic or overly-optimistic. There's a lot a great information and people here. We sure don't all agree on everything but we seem to be pretty good at 'agreeing to disagree'. It is the best 'community' I have at the present time. If the Internet goes down, I shall miss it terribly.

I'm not taking an 'official number' on where I stand on this because, by and large, I feel there is still some time to have an real impact on most levels (individual, community, and above). There are 3 major factors at play here: (1) the actual problems which do occur, (2) our level of preparedness for those problems, and (3) our reaction to those problems -- as well as to perceived problems.

FWIW, Mrs. Rimmer and I have been dedicating ALL (and I do mean ALL) of our spare time and resources to preparing for Y2K the last 3 months. We got such a late start on this and I feel that we'll need another 2-3 months to be ready for a 'just' a 6-12 month event. There's an incredible amount of pure thinking to be done - but actions speak louder than thoughts and there have been a tremendous number of actions as well. Recent news has left me with an uneasiness that I may not have 2-3 more months but that may well NOT be the case and, in any event, I know that persistance and cool-headed thinking is the only realistic way to proceed.

Mrs. Rimmer is scared to death. Often, I am too.

-Arnie

-- Arnie Rimmer (arnie_rimmer@usa.net), November 13, 1998.

Reactivate thread for newbies.

-- Rob Michaels (sonofdust@net.com), December 03, 1998.

I am 43, married for 18 yrs. to best friend, 6 kids ranging from 4 to 17 yrs. old. We are homeschooling all of them. Our eldest son first brought our ttention to y2k when assigned to write a paper depicting two points of view on a controversial topic of his choice last spring. The potential impact took several months to sink in as the examples he chose mostly involved banking directly and I couldn't imagine banks or insurance companies not protecting 'their' money, no matter what else got neglected. So we're only now seriously starting to prepare. We are using y2k as a jumping-off point for the kids' education (importance of character and attitude choices, economics, history, reliability of sources, hands-on skills, first aid, how things work). We lived in Germany when the wall came down, bicycled through Yugoslavia two years before the war broke out. Even those involved in both those historical events couldn't believe it, so I'm not about to try and second guess the future. We'll prepare as well as we realistically can, pray for wisdom and let go of what we can't do. I browse for information, reminders that I am not the only one seeing reason for concern and links to news stories when I get a chance; Since I don't have much time for the internet, I'm a lurker. The eldest son posts occasionally (usually concrete questions/comments). Oh yes, we live in Southern California. Thanks for what you share- of information, fears, hopes, deas.

-- pricklypear (encelia@mailexcite.com), December 04, 1998.

I'm 40, 6 years married, expecting my first in Dec/Jan. I live in western Mass (far from Boston). I have 10 years experience as a cop for the Govt, 3+/- years as a local cop and 15+ years in Computer hardware and software (Mainframes to PC's & Macs). Currently I have my own Computer business in Boston area doing hardware and software support and Y2k remediation(not my favorite area). From my experience doing Y2k fixes and seeing the way that the companies I have worked with are approaching Y2k I believe we will see a 8/9 event.

Ex-cop

-- excop (excop@police.com), December 04, 1998.

In my mid twenties. On the six year program for an English degree - though I often cast it aside when posting. Moved to the Cleveland area from the Pacific NW. First "got it" about 6 weeks ago. After an overdose of internet materials and news reports I believe we will reach a 10. However, I don't think it will occurr immediately. I believe we'll move slowly to a 5-6, then just drop from there. Have "christian" beliefs - but try to stay away from the mainstream.

Thanks for bringing this post back to life.

-- Christine A. Newbie (vaganti01@aol.com), December 04, 1998.

The CountDown in the EndGame has started in earnest ... reading this with nostalgia ... Michael Taylor Happy One Year Anniversary @}->--

-- Ashton & Leska in Cascadia (allaha@earthlink.net), September 24, 1999.