I am just back from Germany where most of the people think the y2K

problem is something you can eat. There where a few articles about it

in the tabloids though...... mostly about crazy americans who think

the world will stand still. They show the average american as

absessive compulsive preparer who - to say it in the newspapers words-

all belong into the loonie bin.

I'm glad I don't live there anymore 80% of the people are apartment

dwellers that live from day to day and shop every day for food in the

super market or mom and pop stores.

The company that I visited is a US led companie one of the big ones

and I was told in no uncertain terms that they will not be ready and

that management has adopted the fix on failure philosophie.

That is a scary thought and I guess I will buy some additional

shaving blades and stuff -- it could get rare next year.

-- Rickjohn (rickjohn1@yahoo.com), June 26, 1999

Answers

Shaving blades??? You know, I've been a hairdresser for 21 years now. It never ceases to amaze me how vanity marches on. My Grandmother was thrilled to hear about my chosen line of work. Her response was that I'll never be unable to find a job, even during WWII she always made sure she found the money for her weekly appointment! I've considered posting hairbender tips for those concerned. Phooie....forget those razors my friend and buy food, water, medicine, alternative forms of heat or what ever you can think of that falls into the category of 'essential'. Listen ladies...a bad hair day will be the least of your problems (until the dust settles anyway)! (perhaps you were only joking, but it still needed to be pointed out...LOL) In addition...consider RX lice treatments if living in an area which may require it! Poor England, they may never find out the license plate of the 'lory' that hit 'em.

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 26, 1999.

Will continue: You're right, of course, food & water are the important things. However, having said that.... Morale is also important, & one's appearance contributes tremendously to one's morale.

Doctors say they can tell a depressed patient in on the road to recovery when she starts to show an interest in her appearance again. Death camp survivors say that when a woman didn't bother fussing with her appearance anymore it was a strong indication she had given up on life, & that person would usually die within a few days.

With all this in mind I've started stockpiling the few cosmetics I regularly use. Once your basic requirements are taken care of, you might think about razors & whatever else you need to look like yourself & not some refuge or death camp inmate. Just a thought.

-- pass (the@hair.spray), June 26, 1999.

I couldn't agree more with you! Let's pick up the big stuff first. Hair color and perms should not be a priority (even though I have a hefty stock and intend to barter my 'trade') Just washing your hair can make you feel like a million bucks. We may all find ourselves missing the luxuries. Toilet paper comes to mind. Those who are new to this problem need to budget carefully!

-- Will continue (farming@home.com), June 26, 1999.

Well....I like my chubby hubby furless, so I have stocked up on a new razor, shaving cream and blades. I don't wear make up and don't intend on buying any. Allergies! Saves a lot of money too. One can make shaving soap from soap scraps. I put all of them into a qt jar of water with some marbles. Let it melt and shake it every now and then to mix it up. Chubby Hubby tried it and it worked fine. Can also put it into a soap pump for washing hands or use in the shower.

Taz....who's chubby hubby's cheeks are as soft as a baby's a..!! LOL

-- Taz (Tassie @aol.com), June 27, 1999.

To shave or not to shave... that is the question.

I am a firm believer that in order to stay healthy a minimum of hygien is a must. Having a beard in a situation where there are no or only minimal sanitary facilities is a health risk.(advicable though if you live in Alaska :-))

If it is a ** 10 ** a plage of rodents is a given.

The bulbonic plage and many others are transmitted by fleas and what better nest for them then dirty hear or beards. When I was in the military there was a big emphasis on shaving and cleaning up especialy during long training exercises. A sick person/soldier is of no use to anyone.

So.... I will have racor blades, soap and other hygienic stuff on hand and leave the fleas and bugs to others.

There will be always plenty of water to shave it does not need to be trinking water quality and I already have a setup for enugh utility water that can be replenished to last a long time.

-- Rickjohn (rickjohn1@yahoo.com), June 27, 1999.