Dear readers, Yesterday, after the "umpmillionth" time of having to deal with belligerent, pushy drivers on the freeway (and even surface streets), I began to think seriously about what I would and would not miss if this y2k situation is the worst-case scenario. After much thought, I jotted down the following things that I will miss, will not miss, and will still be able to enjoy. THINGS I WILL MISS: 1. Occassional dinners out at a favorite restaurant with my wife. 2. My favorite ice cream. 3. Taking my two sons deep-sea fishing. 4. Hot showers. 5. Taking my family down to see a major league baseball game. THINGS I WILL NOT MISS: 1. The continuous race by everyone around me to gain some advantage over me. 2. Dealing with competitive drivers. 3. 99.9% of television channels and programs. 4. The world of video games and hype. 5. Pollution. 6. Telemarketers. 7. Telephone calls in general. THINGS I WILL STILL ENJOY: 1. My personal relationship witih God. 2. My relationship with my wife and two sons. 3. Reading good books. 4. Playing my guitar. 5. Gardening. I don't know the extent of how serious y2k will be, but after writing down of few of the things that will never be taken away because of the lack of a computer, I am able to take a contented sigh and say, "I can deal with the things that I will miss most, and I can certainly live without those things I won't miss." Thank you, LWT

-- Larry Trapp (lawada@tminet.com), April 27, 1999

Answers

Larry I'm puzzeled by some things, " 1. The continuous race by everyone around me to gain some advantage over me.", in my view if there is a shortage of food or any other kind of panic you can multiply the stress you feel now by about 100 times. The publics focus will switch from gathering wealth to survival. It won't be Eutopia. Also, 5. Pollution, I hope you don't live near a refinery or chemical plant or even upwind from one cause when they meltdown in a post y2k world your pollution problems of today will be the good old days you tell your g-kids about. Sorry if I seem gloomy I'm just at a downer point in my preparations.

-- Johnny (jljtm@bellsouth.net), April 27, 1999.

Johnny, I guess the race that I was referring to was the one I deal with in the automobile. I get so tired of abiding by the posted speed limit only to look in my rear-view mirror to see the grill of a semi truck. It seems that the slow lane (right hand lane) is no place to abide by the law. The issue I wanted to make is that in this current culture, we have created a situation where it even becomes a competitive race to see who gets to the next traffic light first. And no, I do not live by a refinery. I guess the pollution that bothers me the most is the noise pollution from the freeway in front of my house. I will not miss that noise at all. Before anyone out there tells me that it was my choice where I bought my home, let me say that I agree. I'm only saying that I won't miss the hurry scurry. Like I said, it's a personal inventory. Larry

-- Larry Trapp (lawada@tminet.com), April 27, 1999.

I live in Kentucky and we don't really have much of the traffic problem that you have in California. I hadn't really thought of the noise being so bad you'd rejoice when it's gone. I guess my problem with the rabbits eating my lettuce last night is easier to deal with in the general scheme of things! Hope everything turns out alright.

-- Johnny (jljtm@bellsouth.net), April 27, 1999.

Larry, 4. Hot showers. Get a solar shower at Walmart...or three or four if you want more gallons per shower. They cost about $5.

-- Shelia (Shelia@a.com), April 27, 1999.