It's not just Y2K

greenspun.com : LUSENET : TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) : One Thread

For a great many months, the major purpose of this forum has been concern about Y2K glitches and the possible--POSSIBLE--problems they might cause. A good case can be made that had there not been such concern from some people, there might be a somewhat different story to tell today, especially with the 25 million small businesses in this country. The "iron triangle" and other crucial underpinnings of our relatively comfortable lives have stayed intact and (most of us) awoke once again to easily-produced hot, freshly ground coffee and breakfast foods ranging from simple toast and marmalade to eggs Benedict and crab omelettes (not to mention aspirin and copious quantities of water). A satisfying breakfast is accompanied by the morning paper(s), television and radio reports of the fabulous Millennium celebrations in every nook and cranny of the world--and by our own PCs and dear old TB2K. I know I'm in a stunningly large crowd of TB2K people who think it's bloody marvellous (and a bit of a relief) to have such super convenience, as I sip my gloriously aromatic Millstone butter rum coffee.

There are many questions on DOTB2K this morning centering around, "where do we go from here?" From my vantage point ("It's not just Y2K"), and having been a bit involved in soliciting forum help for the Oklahoma tornado victims and Floyd's human and animal victims (and let's not forget Chicken Little performed sterling work with animals after Floyd), I see no reason why we should not continue helping each other out, anticipating problems, offering various sorts of advice for best buys on, say, solar equipment (the price of electricity ain't goin' down folks!), and who has a better mousetrap (although my cat-hair-in-the-attic remedy worked, it may not always!).

There are also other issues of concern to the average TB2Ker--the safety of various industrial plants likely to cause us problems, pollution, and so on.

We've learned a great deal from this forum, far too much for me to list here. I hope we can go on educating each other in between offering helping hands. I've often compared this forum to a neighborhood bar--and if you've lived in a place like New Orleans, you know what I mean. Neighborhood bars are wonderful places and, if you're a stranger in town, are the best places to meet and get to know the friendly and helpful locals.

There will always be those who like to see the sight of their own words (lofty or profane), rather than assist with practicalities but that's part of a neighborhood bar scene. Much of that wordiness has been lately contained within the chat rooms and I believe those venues have helped TB2K immensely--ideas are tried out before a severe public and some die before they can clog up the forum. Bok, especially, has done yeoman service by starting the first chatroom and guiding it to a successful entity in its own right. Even chronic disruptors have been dealt with by the simple expedient of moving to another room, thereby avoiding the flying bottles and chairs.

For me, the most memorable piece of information I learned during this current hiatus is that a complete stranger will offer life-saving help with a shrug of the shoulders. I want to thank Sharon for obtaining extra quantities of prescription medicine on my behalf. And a note--until I participated in this forum I had no idea that pharmcies operated on such a tighly-controlled JIT system or that it was impossible to refill a prescription more than seven days before it ran out. So let us simply go on, as we have for so many months, posting news to this forum which we believe will help the majority--because it's not just Y2K.

(Bulldog, if you're reading this, please get in touch with Diane and connect with me--there are lots of people on this forum who are worried about you and Chelsea and wish to help.)

"We'll tak a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne."

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), January 01, 2000

Answers

Well said Old Git- I for one have really enjoyed the whole bunch(well most) of the folks on this forum- and the discussions about ideas that have taken place here. It has been a great experience for me to share thoughts with people all over the globe. I would love to see the forum continue in some fashion after this date.

I for one am thrilled that the power has stayed up for the most part and all is calm. I had no desire to see pain and suffering. I enjoy my life and have lots I want to do this coming year, and will hopefully be able to do them. I also hope to be able to snatch up "stuff" at good prices from folks that bought in a panic and want to disgard them such as additional solar panels, a propane or low wattage freezer, a woodburning cookstove, etc- will be looking for these to be dumped on the market. also- a laptop computer to do Word Processing on- a 486 will do me fine.

I don't understand why anyone should feel badly about preparing for their family or the grid staying up- I am happy to hear good news today!

Happy New Year folks!!

-- farmer (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), January 01, 2000.


Old Git, you've been an enormous help on this forum.

We were going to try to go solar some time ago, we just hurried up the timetable. And goofed big time. At least now we've had some practice. The handpump is something my grandfather wished for thirty years ago, but back then the spring was running so he didn't bother with a pump. We're delighted with it.

The world's resources are being used up by a few countries while other countries live on the edge of starvation. I thought the people who were truly terrified of living a third world lifestyle should go take a look at the real thing and try to make it better.

Maybe we can make things better all over the place.

-- helen (sstaten@fullnet.net), January 01, 2000.


Well said, Old wise one, I have a cup of Millstone myself, but have never come across the butter rum, or at least I haven't tried it yet. I will settle for my vanilla nut, and will be glad that a dislocated Brit has adopted the noble American vice of gulping copious amounts of coffee.

No, we shouldn't simply disperse and go our separate ways. And yes, we are very concerned about Chelsea and her family. Bulldog, call home, please.

best wishes,

gene

-- gene (ekbaker@essex1.com), January 01, 2000.


Gene, send me your address and I'll send you a package of butter rum--nobody should go without it on a chilly morning! (Of course, you can always put a quarter to a half teaspoon of butter and a teaspoon of rum in regular coffee. . .) And I hate tea, by the way, always have since I was a small child, always drank coffee at home. (An outcast!)

If anyone's in touch with Bulldog, please pass on the message.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), January 01, 2000.


Well said, Old Git! I like your attitude.

I don't regret for a moment the time I've spent on this forum or prepping.

I'm feeling lighter and happy today. Hoped for the best and prepared for the worst. Even though I did get some ribbing from my friends after midnight last night....and I'm sure more is on the way, but I'm okay with that. I'd much rather see that than mushroom clouds in the distance.

It's been a long and wild ride ... and it's not over yet. But I'm feeling pretty good about everything.

-- Lara (nprbuff@hotmail.com), January 01, 2000.



i am a real slow typer. most chat rooms move too fast for me to participate. but, this forum format has proven time and time again that if i wait a while someone takes the words right out of my mouth..... thanks

-- "tso" drb hays (bestrong@cmc.net), January 01, 2000.

Ol' Git...you have an enviable way with words. Besides, I love you!

Taz

-- Taz (Tassi123@aol.com), January 01, 2000.


Well said as always, Old Git. To use an old cliche, "We're not in Kansas anymore." I think that fallout from Y2K will continue for awhile and go up and down along with our anxieties. Cyberterrorism and geopolitical issues will come closer to home as well.

I learned a ton from this forum and the prep forum and have respect for so many of you regulars.

I would love to see this keep going in some fashion.

-- Nancy (wellsnl@hotmail.com), January 01, 2000.


Well said , Old Git! A unique lot here at TB200 - Be a shame to disband and lose the powerful synergy. In the past eleven months I have been reeducated and refocused on what is important and what is not. And I feel I have only just begun to tap into the whole picture. Can't stop now!

-- April (Alwzapril@home.com), January 01, 2000.

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