After reading the 60 Minutes transcript, I regret that I missed it. I also regret that I'll miss a lot of you.

Mrs. K and I have decided to put nearly all of our valuable time left in the community and adding some extra projects to ease what is coming. We'll be taking care of my mother, our 3 kids, and helping our elderly neighbors.

This forum is valuable. There are many of you here to help the seekers find the truth. If you have done your preps to your satisfaction and can "lean back" a little plus spend time helping newbies here on the forum, we wish you Godspeed. It has become apparent to us that our time needs to be strictly focused on completing many plans ASAP instead of in 2 or 3 months.

I've spent many hours here that could have been spent accomplishing further preps. No, I don't regret it, but I do see now that our time is better spent finishing the room for mother a little faster, and getting extra things I had not considered getting.

The statements from Ms. Hanley, to me, are more than disturbing. How anyone (and I've read the comments) could turn any of the conversation into a positive statement of the condition of our nation is way, way beyond me.

I'm putting in my resignation in the consulting position I have. I've seen the writing on the wall for a long time. My business that I have with my wife running a toy catalog will do for income, as I do woodworking and we represent other handcrafters in our catalog (she runs that). I am going into building full time. No more consulting. Most people aren't willing to listen anyway. It IS disheartening.

It is almost unbearable to imagine the suffering that will ensue. DC.....the capital of this great nation......can't organize this fiasco. What in the world do they expect underfunded, back woods county governments and city governments to accomplish? I can tell you we are in a world of trouble.

My decision now is to organize my home, my family, and those I can reach personally and in earnest. I truly appreciate all of you, even including those who post erroneously that there will be hardly anything to this at all. Simply because all human life is precious.

We had discussed earlier in April a "lull" in Y2K preps. We wondered what would be the next phase or the next wave of perceptions that would sweep in and motivate us in yet another direction. What will you do now? With the net stocks and banks getting "sell" ratings, how comfortable do you feel about keeping your accounts now? How secure does your job look to you now? How much longer are some of you going to hang on to that spiders thread of hope that you won't have to give up the country club, golf/beer outings, and weekend armchair football? Why are you so willing to take the word of people that have lied to you over and over again? Have we been so brainwashed as to perceive "government" as some father figure, that will do everything to protect us, will always act in everyones best interest, and knows everything?

Some people may think I'm passing the buck or whatever by dropping out of remedial work. The point is, no matter what we have tried to do, we (the IT team) have had to fight every backwood politician around to get NO*WHERE. The county has had me on their backs for about a year now. The policy adopted last month? Do what we can "as the budget allows, since we didn't plan for this and we just don't have the funds"...and FOF.

I'm sorry, but I'm a tired old man that knows too much about the lack of preparation and lack of action in this area. As soon as the ink is dry on the termination papers, with proper review of my contract making sure I'm not bound by post-committment confidentiality, the local county paper editor will be hearing from me. That, I feel is my next step.

So - that's my decision. I'll probably check in from time to time (very sporadically, but not like I have been at all). I feel like I'm moving across country from my parents for the first time, or something like that. I have made great friends with many many of you. But, I'll be building and working to ensure my products will be a useful line after the rollover and well into 2000. I need to stock surplus materials! (extra shed due too)

As I learned in the 60's, "peace to you all".

Mr.K

***having faith in God and prayers for all***

-- Mr.K (Mr.K@a.crossroad), May 24, 1999

Answers

Mr. K,

God bless you and godspeed with your preparations. I will also be taking time off from the forum... soon.

Sincerely, Stan Faryna

-- Stan Faryna (info@giglobal.com), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K, I am sure your thoughts here will spur many others on to serious preparations. God Bless you and yours.

Ray

-- Ray (ray@totacc.com), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K.

Thank you and Mrs. K. for being a courageous example for us all. May the Lord bless you and keep you in His Love and Peace now and always!

Arlin Adams

-- Arlin H. Adams (ahadams@ix.netcom.com), May 24, 1999.

With this arrogant, pompous, asinine posting from Mr.K, it is truly time to evolve from lurker to that of outraged reader. *I* am truly at the crossroads, after reading such self-serving, 'see, I told ya so and this only confirms it' garbage. The crossroad I find myself at has me trying to decipher just which messages are worthwhile and compelling....messages which eminate from people in IT who on one side say this will be but a blip on the radar screen to those at the other end, who state that major problems are on the horizon. If that wasn't enough, we have your ilk, who profess to have some inner wisdom where no such wisdom can exist. Instead, your vitriol allows the open-minded reader to see a pseudo intellectual engage in what amounts to mental masturbation here before our very eyes. How about doing the reader who DOESN'T have his mind up a favor, Mr.K? Get your big ass out of the road and allow some real information to filter on down to those of us who still think the jury is out.

Oh, and say hello to the Missus for me.

-- Doctor K (passthe@scalpel.com), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K -- you will be missed. Please post the material you send to the editor of your newspaper here. I too will be checking in less frequently here -- much to do and too few days left to do it in. The good news is that I managed to get a raise today -- figured I had nothing to lose. Now there will be a bit more money to use to prepare. Don't think the electronic publishing firm I work for will be around for long after the roll over. Peace to you. -- Libby in D.C.

-- Libby Alexander (libbyalex@aol.com), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K,

What can one say - Peace be with you!

-- Bingo1 (howe9@pop.shentel.net), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K,

You will still be here...the archieves brim over with your insights and humor. Best to you and Mrs. K. and family.

-- Lilly (homesteader145@yahoo.com), May 24, 1999.

God speed Mr.K. Hope to hear from you ever so often. I too find less and less time on this reflector to get the things that MUST be done done fast. God Bless

-- Rickjohn (rickjohn1@yahoo.com), May 24, 1999.

Mr.K - Thanks for everything and keep in touch when possible. And don't mind the little peccary up there that is sooooo ugly (you know, there's always a few). It's obviously a newbie that hasn't seen your contributions along with the rest of the folks that contribute regularly. Peccar...uh people like that aren't here for real info or else they'd have checked the archives. Funny he should mention mental self-flagellation. Maybe somebody'll show him how to do it one day, after he gets old enough. (sorry, I, know, I know, I'll TRY to be nice)

Oh, and send me more recipes for cucumbers mrs k!!! (they're growing like weeds and I dont' want a 1000 jars of pickles! ;-D karen - peace

-- jenn (eat@joes.diner), May 24, 1999.

Godspeed to you sir!

...if you enter a house or town and they will not receive the word, leave that house or town and as you go, shake the dust from your heel...

Be on the lookout for a whole lotta shakin' goin' on

Be well Mr. K.

Peace be with you

-- unspun@lright (mikeymac@uswest.net), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K,

Good luck to you and yours. I have enjoyed your posts immensely.

I wish you success with your community work. One good thing about dealing with people face to faceis you seldom encounter the ilk of Dr. K above. Those kind save their vitrolic garbage for anonymous encounters. Kind of like rats in the dark.

-- Dian (bdp@accessunited.com), May 24, 1999.

Dr. K

You delivered a very spiteful, hateful, ugly message. You should either be ashamed or in therapy.

-- Doug (douglasjohnson@prodigy.net), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K

This semms to be one hard choice after another. I respect yours and wish you the best.

-- Mike Lang (webflier@erols.com), May 24, 1999.

I want to echo the above sentiments - Peace be with you and yours.

I'd enjoy a wooden toy catalog if you have one.

I have enjoyed your insight and look forward to more in the future.

Re: Community Preparedness - I believe that is essential and a never ending mission - too much to do in so little time, so much resistance. Be strong, be patient, common sense will prevail. I too am working to establish with the help of the Red Cross a local disaster shelter - a challenge that will be in some stage of completion better than today by December 1999...

Please stop back to this forum from time to time , your insight and common sense is needed.

GOD BLESS.

-- Bill P (porterwn@one.net), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K,

I'll miss your posts but you're a man who knows what his priorities should be! Please check in ever now and then or drop an e-mail.

My best to you and your family.

Mike ==================================================================

-- Michael Taylor (mtdesign3@aol.com), May 24, 1999.

Hi all - your kind words are healing. We are hanging out, like usual, between all the threads, talking, researching, taking notes, planning even more.

Is that how you all do too? We find we are just mesmorized with the intellegent dialog and talk about everyones posts (calling everyone by name)for days at the breakfast and dinner table like we were all neighbors in the 'burbs. lol, we like the community.

Looks like we'll be here for another hour or so. We became interested in another set of discussions concerning the stock market action today. But that is how it always happens, and we tend to spend hours here when we actually should be up doing physical things.

That's what has brouoght on this sudden set of decisions. We were thinking, "what are we doing?" We have a new list a mile long (and I thought, "didn't we just go through this a year ago?) but there are things on here that include more for the kids too, and special preps for them. Including school materials. I don't anticipate sending the kids to school next year, do you? We'll be homeschooling, so those things need to be researched.

We definately will have withdrawal, especially Mr. K. With his intense involvement in the IT team. (soon to be ex-involvement), oh, and Lilly, Mr. K said he would make his letter to the editor a post.

It's possible to get too wound up in the information end of this Y2K situation. Is this what it feels like to quit smoking cigarettes? Lol, thanks again everyone. You are all great.
MrsK

-- Mrs. K (Mrs.K@MrK's.side), May 24, 1999.

Mr. and Mrs. K.

These are not binary decisions. You need the encouragement and monitoring of the situation that goes on here and we need you. Cut back but don't cut out .....

-- BigDog (BigDog@duffer.com), May 24, 1999.

Mr.K-

Like you, I also have "retired" from the forum, coinciding with my relocation from the D.C. area to NW Arkansas last month. I find that although this forum has its great and positive aspects, the reality is that it has become more a soap box for debating whether there is a Y2K problem and to what level, rather than one of preparation for what surely will affect all of us. But I continue to lurk here at the Yourdon forum for the priceless insights and tidbits that still get posted (and, now that I am "in the country", let me tell you those archived threads are invaluable, much that I could not appreciate before!). I hope you will continue to at least "lurk" here, as I still do, though I tend to spend my Internet time on non-hybrid gardening, alternative energy, etc., forums these days.

Good luck, Mr.K -- see you on the other side!


P.S. Oh, yeah, for old time's sake: Y2K CANNOT BE FIXED!

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), May 24, 1999.

Mr. and Mrs. K - We shall all miss your valuable contributions. Would you do me the honor of dropping me a private e-mail via Critt? I'd like to keep in touch with you, if I may--I recall you being quite close to where I live. Another three weeks and if we haven't sold the house, it's coming off the market and we shall be doing serious preps ourselves.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), May 24, 1999.

Mr. K - Good luck to you and your family. I also have drawn on some back vacation due me to have the time to build, modify and repair. Things I could not do in the winter. There are so many tasks. My eldest just came home from college and has been a great help. It is great to be working as a family side-by-side. Many hands make light work and it is nice to be able to cross items off the list. Good to know we can pull together as a team. Godspeed.

-- marsh (armstrng@sisqtel.net), May 24, 1999.

I always enjoyed your comments and observations.

Please feel free to drop in again the next time a headline warrants.

-- GA Russell (garussell@russellga.com), May 25, 1999.

Marsh, it's funny how such an adverse condition can bring out the best in your family, isn't it? Instead of chasing the almighty dollar, the focus is on preserving and loving the family and appreciating life. I think there is an unexpected dividend for all of us out of this (if properly pre-prepared!).

Jack, I had forgotten how eyecatching that was! Good to hear from you again. I hear it's good in Arkansas if you can dodge the funnels. I know we'll be back and gleen the great preparation information. We learned of the gravity fed water filter that can process up to 60,000 gallons of water (only $279.00) and can do 12 gallons a day, on this forum just a few days ago. That's exactly what we needed, but we didn't know it existed until we found it here.

I guess Mrs. K doesn't want to be cutting up veggies for the dehydrator, building shelves, and tending the garden evenings by herself everyday while I come in the home office after dinner and rehash what I have done all day. Well into the night. Can't blame her for that [grin]. She spends time on finding the practical stuff and stock market / financial information, but spends far less time than I do.... We'll sign off for now and probably check in on the weekends. Old Git, pop us a msg anytime - toys@crafttoys.com Like Jack said, the exchange of information in practical gardening, pests, storage, canning, seeds, etc, etc. is invaluable. Refreshing even! Let me know if you see the mushroom recipie from the post, I think it was from Cheryl. That sounded pretty great - Mrs. K has a full loose leaf binder of food preparations we had not experienced in our 12 years together. Its so healthy, I'm losing weight (much to Mrs. K's delight)! ouch [ she punched me] no, I won't erase it.

well, got to go! We'll check in real soon and catch up on things.

Peace - Godspeed everyone.

-- Mr. K (Mr.K@a.crossroad), May 25, 1999.

Mr.K, if you are talking about the "British Berkefeld" water filter system, I can certainly vouch for it -- it takes my "hard" mountain water, which has a mild but annoying iron flavor, and converts it to a "soft", great tasting equivalent. Oh, yeah, plus I had both tap and filtered water tested -- turns out my tap water has a technically unsafe level of Coliform, which my "Big Berkey" nicely purifies down to a safe level. (Note: I placed my order back on 3/10, received the filter system on 4/9, if that is any guide to a wait time.)

-- Jack (jsprat@eld.net), May 25, 1999.

Dr. K. professes to be an "outraged reader." In his righteous indignation, he asks Mr. K, who opened this thread, "How about doing the reader who DOESN'T have his mind up a favor, Mr.K?"

Apparently Dr. K. hasn't noticed that his scurrilous post makes it clear that his own mind actually IS "made up". If this were not so, Dr. K. would not be so sure that he's got the truth in his own hands.

As the wise have told us so often,

"Look in the mirror."

-- Tom Carey (tomcarey@mindspring.com), May 25, 1999.

Thanks Jack. Berkley owes you a commission, you've just closed a sale. When considering products to buy, it creates a mild anxiety. Will it do what the brochure says? Will it last? What about replacement parts? All that. It is reassuring to hear you are pleased with yours. We'll be pleased to use it anyway since you say it reduces mineral type taste. Ours is heavy mineral content well water. We were considering the The 20 mil thick bags that hold 200 gallons and are made of food grade vinyl, with spigot to hold treated water, but we were going to get 5 of them at $79.00 each. Just about the cost of the Big Berkley plus replacement set (4). Drop us a line if you find anything else cool. toys@crafttoys.com

Mr. K

-- Mr. K (MrK@a.crossroad), May 25, 1999.

I believe you can get the Big Berkey without much of a wait at 911 Water. Brent Nelson, the owner, told me the other day that he has a few dozen in stock.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), May 25, 1999.

Oops, here's the correct URL for 911 Water.

-- Steve Heller (stheller@koyote.com), May 25, 1999.

Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy-

What will I do? Just what I've been doing all year, some prep everyday. Today is canning pintos, ham, and meatballs-not all together, of course! Catching up on last night's posts from this forum and the Mrs. Survival forum is also on the list. I suspect that I will continue doing _something_ everyday so that no one day will be overloaded (I learned _that_ moderation from the early, "oh, no, there's not enough time, I'm in a panic" mode!)

My community prep will revolve around y2k prep committee at a local church and keeping up with the local Red Cross. I made friends with the Disaster Relief Co-ordinator during the recent tornado disaster here in OK. I'd like to see them do something constructive for our community instead of waiting to see what will happen.

I'll miss you ('tho I suspect that you'll have a hard time staying away!) Mr. K-You were one of the first posters on this forum to extend a kind word and I've had a soft spot for you ever since. (Mrs. K, I'm happily married, no fear there!)

Keep us posted on your progress. My best to you both, as well as to your kids and mama. In Christ, Linda

-- newbiebutnodummy (Linda@home.com), May 25, 1999.

Best of luck with your alteration in focus. It is very wise.

Remember... Shift Happens!

Diane

-- Diane J. Squire (sacredspaces@yahoo.com), May 25, 1999.

seems like we all can use the info here more than ever. This exchange of info from round the world is priceless. Seems like the worst time to drop out......

-- anita (hillsidefarm@drbs.com), May 25, 1999.

Mr. and Mrs K,

Best of luck- do check in time to time. Please don't let the 'opportunity cost' of any decision be significant enough to cause future problems if things don't go as you think they might. If a significant lifestyle change is a long-term good thing, go for it. I anticipate one myself, for reasons that are 2k-irrelevant.

As to water filters, check the website for Pure Water Products (http://www.pwgazette.com/gravity.htm). You can get Doulton filter cartridges set up as siphon filters for much much less ($42 plus shipping) than the cost of housing them in a gravity-type filter. They are reported to produce about 3 gallons/minute. My first order literally just arrived- haven't experimented with them yet.

Regards,

-- Lee (lplapin@hotmail.com), May 25, 1999.

Aarrgh- that should be three gallons an HOUR. Sorry.

-- Lee (lplapinN@hotmail.com), May 25, 1999.

Ahhh, Mr. K, say it ain't so! We can work something out here, maybe a "weekend update" for a while???

But, you gotta do what you gotta do. You're one of my first friends here Mr. K, and I'm gonna miss ya! Looks to me like you've got your act together, so I don't think I'll have to worry about you too much. Drop us a line.

And Doctor K,

You say you've been a lurker for a while? I doubt it. I don't think you have a clue as to what this forum is about. If you want to discuss programming facts, just say where and when, and I'll show up. We've got at least 875 man-years of programming talent hanging out here. That ain't the point my friend. The topic is Y2K. Oh sure, we have a bunch of BS here, I'll be the first to agree. But this is also the best damned site for Y2K information. Believe me, I did alot of looking. I'm willing to give anybody a break, but you need to learn how to seperate the shit from the shinola if you want to get along around here. <:)=

PS - Make that 855 years, now that Mr. K. is leaving.

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), May 25, 1999.

OK, Sysman, I'll bite. I tip my hat to your 875 years of cumulative experience, ooops, make that 855 years. With that in mind, there is no doubt that any type argument with regards to technical expertise, applications, computer logic and basic remediation would leave me in a cloud of dust. But as is so common on message boards, you beg the question here. In trying to discern whether anyone can make an assessment of the entire landscape that is, in essence, y2k remediation, you and your brethren digress into displaying your impressive resumes and offer your opinion based on your own experiences. Could it be possible that one's perception--based on his or her own successes or failures--is part and parcel equal to his or her own little reality? Could it be that it really doesn't matter 'whose is bigger', Sysman, that in this discussion, opinions are like...well...you get the idea.

And that's the point, Sysman. When it gets down to it, you're really in the same boat as the rest of us laymen. Really, your prognostications and proselytizing add up to nothing. It seems that in reading Mr.K's postings, and myriad others, you see all hope as being lost. Sorry, I think there is a middle ground.

Just for the record, I would submit these same words to any 'all is rosey' programmer with an impressive resume out there, as well. That crowd laughs at your questions, calls you names and chastises you just as well as your group does, Sysman. Take a bow. Both sides have made it so the average Joe can't hope to find the truth, and can't wait until the date rollover so all of you will just disappear, along with your credentials.

As far as this baord goes, I will agree that combing through the muck and mire also known as opinion yields a lot of useful information on both sides of the remediation argument. Calling it the 'best' site out there is beyond juvenile, as if the regulars here constitute membership akin to some exclusive golf club. Just as I am sure you didn't cull your computer expertise from one source in your formative years, one must branch out and explore many sites so as to at least understand the big picture. Perhaps you don't get out enough.

-- Doctor K (passthe@scalpel.com), May 25, 1999.

Doctor K,

I really don't have time now to start another war, but I will address your "points."

Forget about my view of Y2K. Ask the other 50 or so people that make-up that 875 years here. Take your own poll and find out what their opinion is. Ask yourself why 95% think Y2K is going to bring some pretty big problems. You're the one looking for "messages which eminate from people in IT," so ask your damned question already.

It goes well beyond this forum for me. My tunnel vision sees my company at risk of going out of business, a direct result of Y2K. Yea, I'm biased when it's the main topic of conversation at my job, from the president on down. Yea, I'm biased when I see hundreds of people HERE that are concerned, compared to the hand-full of "pollys" that we have here. Yea, I'm biased after I read the Senate report. Yea, I'm biased after seeing the inside of countless computers for 31 years.

As far as this forum, I stand by my statement. What you will see on Sangers', or Gary North, or countless other Y2K sites tomorrow, you will see here today, thanks to the countless regulars that make up this forum, and spend a great deal of their time researching the issue. But being a lurker here, you should know that already.

I just don't like your style, Doc. You come here and attack one of the most respected people here. Bad enough, you do it when he is saying good-bye to his friends. You are a freaking moron in my book. Welcome to the forum. Just stay the hell out of my way. <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), May 25, 1999.

PS - And don't quote me on 95%. Look in the archive under techo/geek for the man-year threads. The starting number came from one of FM's threads, I think it's linked, and other "bio" threads are also linked. See who's who here. Then see what they have to say in other threads. You'll find your "IT" answer. Damn, why am I being so nice... <:)=

-- Sysman (y2kboard@yahoo.com), May 25, 1999.