(This does relate to preps!)

There was, for a brief moment, a post that was posted here that in and of itself did not _directly_ relate to preps, and so I imagine it was deleted. However, I did reply to it, with the idea of relating to to preps. And then, I was trying to add some additional comments to it, when evidently it was removed. A chance to re-phrase some things.

The person wrote about personal confusion when you hear a politician espouse a certain view about Y2K and then apparently give a different view. I liken it to a discussion I had with another person on the forum about getting contradictory information about preps (varies from the # of drops of chlorine to treat water to the 'best' way to preserve food to just about any method of doing things prep-wise.)

There is also the emotional level of contradiction happening that can affect how we prepare. It's a big emotional hit to think about some of the societal changes that some predict. In fact at extremes on the spectrum, one could end up with a fatalistic 'why bother' attitude (a bump- who needs to prep? End of the world- who needs to prep?) Emotions can play a big part in preps-- from a little kickstart to the intellect to _start_, all the way to burn-out.

While we of course need _some_ outside information relating to prediction to help serve as a basis for our preparations, the bottomline is that _no one knows for sure_. There is not another living breathing human out there that can predict the outcome.

And what is I think incredibly important: what one believes or does not believe does not change _what is_. I can sit in my windowless office and believe that it is raining outside. But what I believe does not change whether it the sun is shining or it is raining. I can believe that my car will be where I parked it earlier, but that doesn't change whether it really is or whether it was stolen 5 minutes ago. In the case of y2k, we will not know _what is_ until the best opportunity to prepare has passed by.

Preps. Y2K. Confusing? Oh yeah. But don't let that confusion keep you from preparing and working toward preparation.

Can't believe I didn't get it sooner...

-- winter wondering (winterwondering@yahoo.com), July 22, 1999

Answers

WW,

The y2k situation has probably had a very beneficial effect on a good many people who have fallen into the habit of living almost unconsciously from hand to mouth. WE have had it so good that having to get along on less is almost unthinkable.

The y2k thing has forced us to reconsider what we would do if our normal means of sustenance were interrupted and make some prudent provisions for that event, even if it is not a sure thing.

The other day, my job dried up. I didn't really plan on it just yet, although the company has been having to take drastic steps to reduce costs, but the changes we have made in lifestyle (modest though they were) have enabled us to make this transition rather easily.

So these preparations can easily apply to any personal or societal upheaval as well as y2k.

Yes, it is a big project, but it doesn't need to become overwhelming. My philosophy has become that each of us needs to do whatever he can and trust God for the rest. A little extra done each week will amount to significant preps by the time it is needed.

And if it really is a BITR as many seem to believe, I intend to continue to be prepared as best I can for whatever other problems may arise, and to continue in the move toward a simpler and more independent lifestyle.

Persevering, God willing,

gene

-- gene (ekbaker@essex1.com), July 22, 1999.

WW,

Keep the faith in what you believe in. When I first GI'd, about nine months ago, it was very confusing to say the least. The more you researched the more confusing it all became. Especially with all of the media spin that's been going on since Jan. But when we look at the stakes and risks involved, it only makes prudent sense to do something about our own lives as well as those that we love and care about.

For myself, I'm single raising a 16 year old son, who loves and respects his mother and father more than anything in this ole world. I will not take the chance of seeing either of them suffer because I chose to lead the so-called care-free normal life. True, you have to make sacrifices along the way in order to get ready. Some of us here on the forum are truly blessed when it comes to their financial status, but most of us are'nt. We're just ordinary folks eeking out a living from week to week. It's getting very late in the game for everyone, regardless of the amount of preps obtained.

When I first started, I set certain goals to meet by a certain deadline. In order to meet these goals I had to make some changes in what I normally did throughout the year. That meant not taking some vacations, not playing as much golf, not going on some fishing trips, not dating or socializing as much, working more overtime when I got a chance to, not spending money friviously,etc... Basically, all it boils down to is a mindset. It's very hard at times I know, but we must look at the overall picture.

Believe me, I'm glad that I chose to do this,it has made me more aware of all the wasted spending that I've done in the past. In my situation I know that all of my preps will be used in the long run and that I feel alot more secure that myself,my son and mom and dad will fair the storm easier than most. But, to tell you the truth, it saddens my heart to think of all the people out there that are simply blowing this off. Especially those with small children. We as adults can fend for ourselves, but children are our responsiblity. We are supposed to love, cherish and provide for them. Sorry, I had to vent a little there.

In closing I would like to add that, you're not alone in this, we're all in it together regardless of what unfolds. To me one of the best things to come out of all this, is the fact that so many of us come from all walks of life and yet we have come together to share whatever knowledge each has in order to achieve the same goal, survival. That's what life is all about folks. Thanks to all that made this forum.

Take care!

-- Ex-Marine (Diggin In@Home.com), July 22, 1999.

WW

You've helped clarify something that is many times hard to explain to those who are still "undecided".

For myself, I first became concerned when, already almost 2 years ago, my first real "exposure" to the issue was received at a seminar at work, where the main theme was not how to fix the problem, but on how to make sure we could demonstrate "due diligence". "If you haven't already started, you don't have enough time to find and fix everything..." they told us. Make sure you can prove you did everything you could to avoid problems they said. Working for a utility company, this came to me as a real wake-up call. What I found most distressing was that the emphasis seemed to be more on "covering your rear" than making sure the lights dont go out. When the first system we tackled was our billing system, I had to wonder if we weren't missing the point  you cant bill customers for product you dont deliver.

Since that time I have done much soul searching. As you have pointed out, no one, NO ONE, knows for *sure* what will happen. For myself, I came to the conclusion that the best thing I could do was to take as much control of *my* Y2K situation as possible. I began to compare it to auto insurance. I don't plan to crash tomorrow, or the day after, or even next week, yet I pay my premiums faithfully because I realize where I could end up should my assumptions be wrong. To me, Y2K is the same thing. Some days it seems difficult to believe the "doomers". Other days, the "pollys" seem blind to what is most obvious. Yet through it all, I tell myself if I'm wrong and we do experience just a bump, most of what I've done as prep will not be wasted. The major casualty will be confidence my ability to properly asses a situation  but Im sure Ill get over it. On the other hand, if my conclusions are right, or even more right than wrong, then where would I be if Ive done nothing. When its all said and done, Id much rather be wrong on the first outcome than the second, because to err on the prep side will always, for most people, be better than the alternative. As I have tried to explain to my spouse, who thinks for the most part Ive gone round the bend, I would much rather find out next year that she was right and I was wrong. But were better off all around if I prepare for her to be wrong.

EM

"If I'm wrong about Y2K, then Ive just done next year's shopping early and really won't be out much. But if the pollys are wrong it'll be too late to shop, and they'll be out in the cold... Which kind of wrong would you rather be?"

-- Eyell Makedo (make_do@hotmail.com), July 23, 1999.

winter

i never felt confused. i went straight from unaware to overwhelmed. i was in systems and coding years ago, then got out of it (for entirely unrelated reasons). cory woke me up about day 500 and counting. some days i do great, and some days i float around in denial. these days i'm more prepared than not, but still a lot to do.

i find what works best is to make a list of things still to do, break those down into manageable tasks, and try to do at least one or two a day. some days i can accomplish lots, some days i struggle to get one task checked off.

hang in there.

-- Cowardly Lion (cl0001@hotmail.com), July 23, 1999.

This all is such a gamble isn't it? I started a year ago and have spent a great deal of time and energy preparing---plotting against my ignorance and handling isolation in my fears and prep. This week I faced the real possibility that I have to plan a bug out place. In the city , neighborhood that refuses to prepare, with gangs/drugs in the area. I have hit burn out---burn out of energy (garden and drying and canning). Burn out on trying to outsmart this situation. Exhaustion of financial resources and emotional resources--I'm working a job full time, 62, female and alone. That blasted flour grinder that I purchased in the glow of the "challange" is by now a giant pain and time consumer. My daughter tells me I need to join y2k anonimous(isn't that funny!?) I think I am ready for a tantrum!!! whew---that feels better now.

-- catherine plamondon (souldancer@pop.spkn.uswest), July 23, 1999.