For 6 months now, I don't think I've missed a day for a y2k fix. It's like a drug or something. I "got it" last February and now I'm hooked. I try to stay away from the GAO website, but there just might be a newly released publication, you never know. I foam at the mouth every time I check Cory's Weather reports and see a new one. Westerguard's site is always good for a quick fix. Gary North never fails to give me a buzz and de Jager's daily news is an addict's heaven. I even read this stuff when I'm supposed to be working. I wish I could just read some once a week, BUT I CAN'T. I've tried skipping a single day, but I find my mind logging on anyway. I seem to keep waiting for that "well, it's finally here" report that sends me running to the bank, store, etc. to beat the crowds. I'm the only one in my suburban neighborhood with a handpump well (drilled it myselft). The neighbors sure were curious, especially when they saw the hand pump (big green cast-iron thing). The real problem I have now is when someone wants me to explain to them about y2k. When you've been reading hundred's of articles on the issue, how do you (in 10 words or less - their usual attention span) pull out just the facts they need. I sure wish Rick Cowles transcript from Yardeni's Action 500 day would be released! That really ticks me off. Well, I gotta go and see if it's there.

-- James Chancellor (publicworks1@bluebonnet.net), October 13, 1998

Answers

If only ignoring Y2K would make it go away...

Frankly though, in any dangerous situation, a heightened sense of awareness is your best defense. This does take its own toll so I force myself to take a day off every week or so. Sometimes we now have Y2K 'blackouts' (pun intended) at the house for an hour or two in the evening just to get away from thinking about it. Rest is an important component of preparedness too. Play a game, watch a movie, etc.

I think all of us who take this seriously long to have our lives back again. With personal and community preparation and solid contingency planning, that just may be possible though I doubt we will ever be quite the same.

Arnie

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

I listened to the audio of Rick Cowles contribution to Yardeni's Action 500 day on a saturday. That it is the only day they make it available. I don't know why they don't post the written transcript. I took notes but unfortunately I don't have them with me right now.

-- Donna Mittelstedt (dmittels@csuhayward.edu), October 13, 1998.

I think Arnie's line about a heightened sense of awareness may the key for us "y2k junkies." I remember my uncle, who was a fighter pilot in WWII and Korea describing that he never felt more alive in his whole life than when he was flying in battle. I remember times of hardship and potential danger in my life, camping trips, canoeing over major rapids in Canada, other things where I felt ALIVE in a different sense than "normal." Maybe we're like adrenaline junkies. This particular issue is such that we understand that it means nothing less than the potential end of civilization as we know it, and our current lifestyles. It's "exciting" in its own way, and there are those of us who feel like we have the jump on the rest. Most adrenaline rushes are physical in nature, this one is intellectual in nature...

-- pshannon (pshannon@inch.com), October 13, 1998.

Yes, to only close one's eyes, believe that Y2K has gone away, and open them, and find that it was all a dream. But it is not, and every day is one day closer to the nightmare. Take your breaks, but stay ever vigilant, and prepare-prepare-prepare. When TSHTF, you will be glad that you did.

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), October 13, 1998.

I live near the Gulf coast, and Y2K in many ways is like a big hurricane coming. You are scared and there is a very heightened awareness. There is no way you are going to quit watching!

-- Gayla Dunbar (privacy@please.com), October 13, 1998.

I too am a Northaholic. You'll love this link.

http://www.garynorth.com/y2k/Detail.CFM?Links__ID=1512

-- Elbow Grease (Elbow_Grease@Autoshop.com), October 13, 1998.

Thanks for the Northaholic link, I'm still rolling on the floor...man o man did I ever need a good laugh.

-- Arnie Rimmer (Arnie_Rimmer@usa.net), October 13, 1998.

This brings to a mind a question I have been a little afraid to bring up but...the remarks about the crisis bringing us all to a heightened sense of awareness. (Deep breath, here goes...) Is some part of us enjoying this because of that? When was the last time people felt PART of something much bigger than themselves, and were forced to confront their lives and their values, and make really hard decisions based on those values? I am not in any way discounting the fact that I come here, as I'm sure the rest of us do, to see what new information is offerred, to educate and support each other. But I also get a deep soul sense of satisfaction in knowing that I am part of something really momentous, and that, because of info offered here and elsewhere, lives are being and will be changed.

-- Melissa (financed@forbin.com), October 13, 1998.

I think as far as explaining it in ten words or less, you can say "So, are you preparing for the Year 2000? I read that there might not be electricity if companies don't get their fixes done on time". That's all you need to say to get people curious. If they want more info, they can ask specific questions. Melissa, I don't know if we are part of something big, other than a big screwup that will remind us that the only thing that separates us from third world countries is our technology. Certainly a big change.

-- Amy Leone (aleone@amp.com), October 14, 1998.

I'm glad to learn that I'm not the only one that feels that I'm "wasting" time if I'm doing anything that doesn't relate to y2k survival. That I can't NOT go to the net every night to learn of any new developments, etc. And yes, I agree that in a strange, macabre fashion, I am enjoying dealing with the biggest event in my life.

Claudia

-- Claudia Doggett (lbishop@PineBelt.net), October 15, 1998.

Glad to see that I am not the only one who has grabbed this by the nuts and cant let go. Mrs. Deedah is losing her patience with me and my puter. I have a somewhat addictive personality anyway, which doesnt help. And yeah, it does tend to make one feel hideously alive, albeit somewhat depressed and grumpy at times. I have not been able to get the full in depth multi-site fix lately, as the snowturds OOOPS, I mean the snowbirds have begun the annual migration south, and I am going at the nose grinder seven days a week now (Dont cry for me Argentina, I get a good amount of screw-off time in the summer to compensate) and so my plans for world conquest have been put on hold, temporarily.

I love it here, it is always a good quick fix for relevant info and shared misery.

PS, pshannon, (hey PSPS) being the true nerdy airplane goof that I am, I would like to know what pop flew in the last big one. Men like him can tell me war stories for hours, and I just suck it up. HEROS one and all, not appreciated enough by our generation.

PPS, to S.O.B., took me a while, but I finally caught on to the buffgun handle. Its not really that ugly though.

-- Uncle Deedah (oncebitten@twiceshy.com), October 16, 1998.

For me it is very similiar to when we are expecting a hurricane - have to watch every weathercast, get stuff ready, watch more news, make reservation in motel away from the coast, watch, watch, watch. BIG disappointment (almost ) if hurricane passes us by [like when younger and I had to go to school instead of stay home due to the hurricane!] Don't get me wrong - this time I WANT to be passed by, but don't think we can count on that.

-- Jen White (jenwhite@compuserve.com), October 18, 1998.

-- Ned (entaylor@cloudnet.com), October 18, 1998.

This thing has given us something to focus on that is bigger than anything most of us have ever encountered. We are like the pioneers. Not everyone in the east sold their belongings, bought suppplies, put them into a wagon and began a walk of hundreds or thousands of miles. But some did. They saw the possibilities. And so do we. Not everyone survived then and not everyone will survive now. But those who do will make the future better. Don't you think those people were obsessed by the plans for their journy? I'm sure their every waking thought was occupied by their plans. We are not used to great (but not necessarly happpy) events occuring in our lives. We almost never get advanced notice. At times we are embarrassed about it all. And if we get really caught up in it there is even some shame that creeps in. How can we be enerjetic and enthusiastic about events that will probably cause great hardship & even death to so many? But there it is. The challenge to overcome all the odds and even prosper cannot be ignored by those who can't resist a dare. Does that make us better than everyone else? Of course not, that's why we sound the alarm and continue to spread the word even when we are called crackpots. One woman laughed in my face last week. I have to say I didn't take it too well, but next time I won't be caught by surprise. Our prayer is that they will listen in time. Well that's my theory. Wordy huh?

-- Lani Stillwell (silverfox@netutah.com), October 19, 1998.