I have never had to "persevere" in a way that we may have to very soon. This is a rhetorical question in a sense: Do you think that the optimists who lean on the human spirit and the ability to persevere through hard times have thought about how much such perseverence can really suck while your doing it?

-- Dave (aaa@aaa.com), December 17, 1999

Answers

Dave:

Like dragging your butt out of bed an hour early to milk my goats? Grrr. Gotta be done, it is what I "signed up" for.

Duty isn't always fun. It just "is".

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), December 17, 1999.

Uh, here's a question, Dave. Do you think fear and anxiety are infectious? Do you think those who are depressed with doom feel a bond to others in the same boat? Do you think rumor, and a 'personal feeling' should supercede factual reporting? Does a constant belief that there are conspiracies in every corner of the y2k scene indicate a mental condition?

Sorry, that was more than one question.

-- Bad Company (johnny@shootingstar.com), December 17, 1999.

Does naming yourself after a really lame cock-rock band indicate a total lack of judgement and nous?

-- number six (iam_not_a_number@hotmail.com), December 17, 1999.

Originally, the 'naming' was after an idea from the old west, people being 'bad company'.

Yet, I love the group, too.

Cock-rock, eh?

Probably too far over your head.

-- Bad Company (johnny@shootingstar.com), December 17, 1999.

Some have, yes. Optimist or pessimist, neither really have much to do with whether they'll be able to persevere or know how hard it can be to do so. You can be a "doomer" (silly term) and still be an optimist.

There are those who have endured great hardships and still found joy in their world and a sense that things would get better. Same for those who find the world a stinking place. Many of both get through to the end.

.......Alan.

The Prudent Food Storage FAQ, v3.5

http://www.providenceco-op.com

-- A.T. Hagan (athagan@sprintmail.com), December 17, 1999.

>> ...how much such perseverence can really suck while your doing it? <<

Like old age, it may not be great, but it's better than the alternative.

-- Brian McLaughlin (brianm@ims.com), December 17, 1999.

Hey Bad Company, do you think managers lie to cover their asses, and then blame subordinates when they get found out? Just asking.

-- Amy Leone (leoneamy@aol.com), December 17, 1999.

Perserverence is easier if you can be obstinate & bloodyminded at times and are not accustomed to "instant gratification".

-- Chris (griffen@globalnet.co.uk), December 17, 1999.

Dave... as noted on this thread, "perseverance" can often be a simple lack of alternative. Root, hog, or die.

-- Ken Decker (kcdecker@worldnet.att.net), December 17, 1999.

Anyone here ever read Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt? That is perserverence.

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), December 19, 1999.