Hi all,

This was the "epistle" [grin] I attempted to post--on schedule, on July 15th. For some reason, Phil's server wouldn't let me do so. Accordingly, I sent it out via email to various (as I understand it) interested parties, and I'm giving this another try. Since it isn't the weekend, perhaps the server won't be suffering a "brain cramp" this evening. At any rate, here goes:

Dear Friends of "The TP Chronicles,"

I hope all is well with all of you and that you are continuing to rebuild your lives (emotionally, at least) now that we know that those Y2k computer slackers [grin] apparently got their rears in gear and saved us from global disaster.

Well, that's one theory, at least. One way or another, we are now 7 and 1/2 months out from the "Century Date Change," (as Alan Greenspan loved to refer to it) and aside from the gasoline price hikes--which certainly haven't been pleasant, especially for those of us who live in the Great Lakes region of the United States, i.e., Chicago, Detroit, etc., --it appears that the globe continues to rotate, in much the same fashion as always. This is a good thing. (Of course, I always reserve the right to be wrong, and if so, I am counting on you to tell me so [grin], either by emailing me directly, or posting to our forum. (A reminder: the forum password is 2kbeans)

Work on the book continues to progress. For those of you who didn't receive my last message (there was apparently a problem with some weird fonts, etc.) it is scheduled to be released under a different title, later this year. My publisher won't let me say much more than that right now. Suffice it to say that Y2k was an incredible event, worthy of revisiting, as there are still many prominent, well-educated people who (in addition to searching the Internet for more bean recipes [grin]) continue to scratch their heads and wonder (in private moments) "How could I have been so wrong?"

Of course, the simplest answer to that question is that they WEREN'T wrong. Many highly intelligent, well-informed people were concerned about Y2k, forming those opinions only after accessing what they deemed to be the most credible information available prior to the rollover. In short, if you're feeling at all dumb these days, you have plenty of high-level company. No one wants to discuss this, of course. It's like the elephant in the living room that everyone wants to ignore. Such a significant "non-event," however (in terms of the number of lives changed as a result of the concern that went before it) will not be easily dismissed by historians. Nope. Not a chance.

On to other things:

I need a favor.

I would very much appreciate it if those of you who read this bi-monthly missive would please do the following:

1) Email me if you want to be removed from the mailing list.

2) Email me or post to the forum, if you think I should remove password protection from this forum.

and

3) Email me or post here if you consider yourself to be a spiritual person.

The reasons behind request #3, are simple.

I am beginning to understand that Y2k was a spiritually enriching experience for many people, perhaps for the same reason there are no "atheists in foxholes." (Any of you who had parents or grandparents who fought in World War I or World War II, know precisely what that phrase means.)

In short, the act of reading Congressional and other U.S. government "Pre-Y2k" reports brought with it the risk of turning one's hair white overnight. After reading those reports, many people may have been inclined to resurrect old "Grand Old Oprey" recordings of "That Old Time Religion," etc.

As a journalist, I read all of those reports. There were times, after I read some of them, that I actually felt my heart beating more rapidly in my chest. What to do, What to do?

Well--for me at least, the fear I felt brought me closer to God. In drawing closer, I found peace. Post Y2k--I am drawing closer every day.

Why? Because I now understand that fear does not come from God.

This could be an extremely important "Post-Y2k Lesson" for all of us.

Your thoughts?

I look forward to hearing from you.

God Bless.

:)

P.S. Remember to look for posts from me on the 1st and 15th of the month. (Unless, however, 'ya just want me to go away... [grin] However, if you DO want me to go away, I'd certainly appreciate it if you would find it in your heart to be polite enough to tell me so(politely of course!). Thanks!)

-- FM (vidprof@aol.com), July 18, 2000