Two more people "get it". I must be doing something right!

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

Just a brief note about my family, for what it's worth. My wife now eagerly shows me Y2K articles, and is urging we purchase a generator, stock up on essentials, and is even talking about the need for a gun. She was previously adamant about not having a gun in the house; now, she understands the need. Quite a turnaround for her, with only minimal discussion or input from me (Y2K been a taboo subject for the past 2 months).

My stepson, who will be 16 in 2 weeks, has a school presentation assigned to him, and was at a loss for a subject matter. He had viewed my Y2K presentation, but hadn't said much about it, other than to make lots of jokes. I suggested Y2K as a subject for his assignment. He became very excited, and within 30 minutes, he had 20 note cards filled with ideas. Apparently, it's been churning in his head for a while also. He relishes the thought of using his 8 minutes allowed to present his topic to "scare people to death". Not the best approach to use on 16-year olds, I imagine, but his enthusiasm is refreshing. He plans on interviewing me tomorrow, and plans to use some of my slides as part of his talk.

Craig Smith, founder of Y2KNET, has written "Y2K will either unify or polarize families and communities with each passing day--the difference will be whether or not we take prudent action now, or procrastinate further".

Having been polarized, it is truly a blessing to feel unified. It is amazing to me that what was once a source of fear and tension has become a rallying point within my family, and the preparations can now begin in earnest.

-- Steve Hartsman (hartsman@ticon.net), October 13, 1998

Answers

Good for you, Steve! My partner vacillates between participating in preparedness and saying we have too much food.... Perhaps as more things start happening that will change. In the meantime, I keep on preparing and squirreling stuff away...

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), October 13, 1998.

Steve, my 14 year old son surprised the heck out of me when he did a Y2K report for his business class. You just never know what is going on in people's minds.

-- Dave (dave22@concentric.net), October 13, 1998.

All right Steve! I hope my husband comes around too.

-- Amy Leone (aleone@amp.com), October 13, 1998.

Very happy (and relieved) for you, Steve, good work! Much luck and very best wishes to you and your family. And the same to all readers, especially those who wrote so eloquently with their support for you.

-- Aitch (jimp7@mindspring.com), October 13, 1998.

Steve, my best to you and your family. I can identify completely with your last paragraph, and my wife IS on her way to coming to grips with the *possible* impact of y2k disruptions AND the decline in the economy. She's a CPA so the second part was a lot easier!

I'm really happy to hear about younger people coming to grips with a changing world. In a way, I think it will be easier for them to roll with the changes. They haven't lived the majority of their lives taking the current system for granted!

My best to you and yours Steve ______________________________________________________________

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), October 13, 1998.



My mother, (75) got it..."LOOKS LIKE WE'LL NEED 15 CORDS INSTEAD OF 8"... My gramma, (95) sez, "OH NO...HERE WE GO AGAIN!!!" Girlfriend got it, and now she's in kahootz with the other two, and they're constantly making a list of things for me to do. As for my big brother, the "omniscient one", I'm not sure, though....he needs more evidence. He's building a swimming pool...with oneofthose robo-cleaner thingamajigs, so he doesn't have to sink to doing "manual labor." I said, "kewl...WATER STORAGE!"

His wife ("Mrs. Wannabe"...or is it "Mrs. Wannaget?...I keep forgetting) dissed the idea..."EWWWW...that's like, SOOOO unsanitary, like, y'know? Besides, I read that they have everything under control, and that's it's just a ploy for programmers and consultants to make a quick buck and retire. I'm surprized you're not doing it too!"

The eldest neph: "If I don't have TV, I'm going to sue the government."

Some times it's tough being a contract programmer/consultant trying to convince people about Y2K to ANYONE, for they think that you're trying to drum up business. It's tempting to do Y2K work, but the stipulations involved just aren't worth it.

Sorry to vent...just my .02 worth.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), October 13, 1998.


Tim, Tell us about the "stipulations" related to Y2K consulting. My suggestion is that you give the a "stipulation". Say $125/hr, no weekends!!

-- R. D..Herring (drherr@erols.com), October 13, 1998.

Steve, I'm happy for you. I'm going through similar things. My wife believes me, but friends and coworkers are another story.

As for R.D. about Tim, I understand what Tim means. I am very tempted to "hang my shingle" as a Y2K consultant for small businesses. This would be moonlighting for me, but could be very lucrative. The trouble with that is you could get sued, or worse, if you miss something.

-- Buddy Y. (DC) (buddy@bellatlantic.net), October 13, 1998.


Good for you, Steve! It's amazing to me that you have accomplished so much in informing us and others without a "vent" before now. I can empathize. For years my husband thought my instincts for increased self-sufficiency were nuts. As I have started to show him more about Y2K, one day he came all the way over and is outpacing me. Of course, first on his list is guns, but he has made storage shelves downstairs, built raised beds and started cutting wood. Amazing! And such a joy when you finally start pulling in tandem.

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

My attorney has advised me to avoid Y2K projects as an independant contractor due to liability concerns...that's what I meant when I used the word "stipulations".

I did Y2K work back in 1996 (expanded the digits to 4, changed the codes for the data entry screens and reports) on an HP 3000...found it to be mundane playing with other people's spaghetti code.

I figure that if I'm going to code for a living, I may as well be involved in projects that interest me. In terms of making a quick buck, don't get me wrong...it IS tempting...in terms of emotional fulfillment and career satisfaction...BLEAH.

-- Tim (pixmo@pixelquest.com), October 13, 1998.



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