Just wondering how much crap the rest of you have had to put up with at work because of your views on Y2K.

I am an engineer at a small company (15 employees). I have been prepping for about a year and a half, but have been very low key in even mentioning Y2K for the last year. I made a big deal about alerting my boss (I am the #2 man in the company) in June of '98, and he totally blew me off. So since then, I decided to keep to myself about it, and pretty much have. Several people at work know I am concerned, and I have been the butt of a few mild jokes, but nothing that got me too riled. At lunch with a client a week ago someone mentioned Y2K and my boss reassured me (in a jokingly sarcastic tone) that "C'mon, quit stressing, nothing's gonna happen". I bit my tongue and just smiled and nodded.

Then yesterday, I got a call from one of my bosses friends, who I am acquainted with. We'll call him "chuck". After chatting about nothing in particular for a minute, chuck says "Hey, I hear you're one of those Y2K kooks". I was shocked! I immediately got my boss alone and asked him why Chuck would say such a thing. He sort of stuttered and looked around and finally said that they had been at dinner and started talking about Y2K, and he mentioned that I was "all worried about it". This is strange because I haven't talked to him about y2k for over a year. I told him I thought it was BULLSHIT (exact words), and I was very dissapointed in him. As I was walking away, he said that he thought that I had "calmed down" about Y2K, and that it was just a joke. I turned and told him not to concern himself with my personal life, that he doesn't need to know what I do in my spare time.

I am still fuming over this, and seriously considered taking a "surprise" vacation this week, just to drive the point home. Anyway, I needed to vent and "just another engineer" brought up work in another thread, so there it is. It just strikes me as very funny that he will trust my judgement with projects costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, but he won't trust me enough to even spend 1 HOUR looking into the possible ramifications Y2K. Sad.

-- cavscout (verypissed@this.weekend), November 13, 1999

Answers

Take a deep breath, Angel,

Read my three posts in the last 24 hours. I'm far smarter than you. You are only number 2. I am number 1, and I have the potential for a much larger pond.

Unless, of course, you think males are superior?

-- Laura (Ladylogic46@aol.com), November 13, 1999.

Am I seeing things again, or was there just a post here by Laura somebody that disappeared????

-- Porky (Porky@in.cellblockD), November 13, 1999.

The 60's were a wild and crazy time for me.

-- Porky (Porky@in.cellblockD), November 13, 1999.

Don't take the vacation. Save it for when you really need it. Your absence would make it obvious to everyone involved that you are upset. They would surely talk then.

cavscout, I believe that Y2K is on everyone's mind, but the government, the media, the utility companies, etc. have given preparation a bad name. Preparing is for kooks, don't you see? I just don't call it that anymore. I call it long-term planning.

Keep a low profile from here on out.

-- (jlinn35323@aol.com), November 13, 1999.

Good grief, what person says to another "I'm much smarter than you," unless they have known one another half a lifetime. (Woah.)

Cavscout, you already made your point to your boss--the real issue is not personal at all. I know so many people like this. They either won't respond regarding Y2K or rag you. It's standard. No, nothing personal at all. A woman I know tells people that I'm buying gold!!! (Good grief, huh?) Anyway....best to you and yours.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), November 13, 1999.

I sympathize with what you're saying cavscout. Got one that's inteeresting myself. Last week I was eating lunch with a black guy I work with and we got to talking about Y2K. He asked a lot of intelligent questions, asked for some reading material, and pretty much indicated he was going to buy some emergency food stuffs immediately. We were getting into what would be most cost effective and easy to procure locally when the State Inspector assigned to our project walked up and started listening in on our conversation. All of a sudden he realized we were discussing Y2K and he became extremely agitated, then jumped in his truck and took off. About two hours later he was back with another State employee of unknown description in tow, and was freshly loaded with Y2K jokes and the State party line. The other employee with him had nothing to say, just watched and listened as the conversation got more and more heated. I am not the type who is going to let some sonofabitch stand there and ridicule me for perfectly logical beliefs. Especially someone as totally clueless as this guy was. Anyway what struck me most about the whole epeisode was that this guy obviously had to leave and consult higheer authority on how to deal with a "doomer" who was spreading panic on a state run jobsite. And the line he was spouting when he returned was a morph of every polly post you have ever read. Can't tell me there aren't government shills working these websites, I just had an up close and personal encounter with one in the flesh.

-- Nikoli Krushev (doomsday@y2000.com), November 13, 1999.

After the 1st in the new year when everything starts to go wild and crazy then those folks will NOT be laughing anymore.

-- Kayla Michael (kaylam@jetcity.com), November 13, 1999.

Mara-

I think I understand what you mean about "It's not personal". My boss is really a very good person and we get along very well. I have worked for him for nine years. That's what makes this all so frustrating; he is in complete and total denial, and REFUSES to do any research into it AT ALL. In all other aspects of life and business he is a very intelligent, rational man. I could understand if he had spent even a weekend studying Y2K and came back telling me I was full of s*&t, but he hasn't, and bases his whole understanding of the problem on what he sees on the nightly news. Also, we only use PC's in our business, but he believes its a waste of money to even investigate whether or not they will have problems at rollover. His attitude is "whatever glitches there are, we can fix once we find them." I hope he's right, but I don't see us in business for at least the first part of 2000, mostly due to vendor supply problems. Very depressing.

-- cavscout (readyfor@my.vacation), November 14, 1999.

I can't wait for Y2K to start screwing things up. I'm going to do a lot of laughing next year. If the pollys are rude enough to laugh and ridicule those who calmly and faithfully follow their instincts, then I am sure as hell rude enough to laugh my ass of when they start tripping out. This is gonna be fun!

-- Hawk (flyin@high.again), November 14, 1999.

That's ok, Porky, the 80's were a really wild and crazy time for me. The post from Laura is back, and boy is it interesting. What the hell is she talking about, anyway?

And no, you are not having a weird flashback.

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), November 14, 1999.

cavscout: were you a cavalry scout? My husband, who was in the 1st Cav was wondering....

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), November 14, 1999.

prepared,

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, Ft. Bliss TX. Been out since '89. Thanks for asking on this just-passed-veterans-day day.

-- cavscout (BraveRifles@Blood&.Steel), November 14, 1999.

I knew a Laura with attitude back in college. She changed her name to A. July Carnival after her umpteenth acid trip. Laura, is that you?

-- Flashback (trippin'@lightspeed.com), November 14, 1999.

Cavscout --

Hey, chill out. Remember the motto: Illegitimati Non Carborundum. (If your Latin isn't quite up to it, "Don't let the bastards grind you down.")

Believe me, I know how it goes. Denial is a strong force. But think about it from other folks point of view. I have a friend and when we got to talking about it, his position was that it wasn't going to be a big deal. When asked why, he pointed out that he is an insulin diabetic. Takes it however many times a day. The stuff must be refrigerated. No refrigeration = he's toast. Thus there is no upside potential for him except for it to be a BITR.

I asked about a generator and his reply was, 'I can store fuel for 3 months, tops. I cannot come up with any scenario where it is more than a 0 1, 2, or 3 where it won't snowball into something that takes years to fix. So it's just not worth it.' He has staked out a position on the issue, using the logic that he has only one 'winning' outcome, so he is betting the farm on it.

Others are just as bad. Some deny all of it. "I am so smart, nothing like this could ever happen to me." "The Powers That Be are too smart to let this happen." "They wouldn't let this happen."

When it is pointed out to them that the 'they' being relied on is, in this case, us, and we all know we make mistakes all the time, it doesn't even faze them. Like the old Pogo cartoon, 'We has met the enemy and he is us.'

Forty-nine days and counting. (And make sure you have a contingency plan, because they won't prepare, but they *will* remember.)

Good luck.

-- just another (another@engineer.com), November 14, 1999.

Cavscout, you had me right up until your last post...What's this about being an engineer and NOT checking to see if your PC was Y2K compliant? I don't know a single engineer who hasn't or whose company hasn't checked this out...polly or not!

Even if an engineer's company didn't check it out, an engineer would have brought in his own little "check" and done it....or logged onto the internet (if access were provided) and done it. Something smells fishy to me. It was the first thing I did with my brand new gateway. The software was already installed and it said it was compliant, but I checked anyway. I don't know a single engineer worth his/her salt who wouldn't do that...sheesh...If you're on the level, remind me NEVER to use you or your company!

Now, assuming you are just incompetent but nevertheless on the level, folks do not forget what you say on the subject of Y2K. It could have been 20 years ago. Why? I think it is because, "methinks they doth protest too much". In other words, I have come to the conclusion that they want to be "HIP" and deny that it is happening, but in their heart of hearts they believe it is a possibility, albeit a remote one. Expect it to get worse. They are up against the wall here...time is running out and they won't prepare. They want to remain with the crowd.....mooooooooooooooo......baaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....

Just smile and say, "Is that what you heard?" Then say something witty and "cute" and "personal" about your boss....He must have said something "interesting" in the last few years....

-- Ynott (Ynott@incorruptible.com), November 14, 1999.

just another,

I think your friend is being a little fatalistic. What if it does only last 2 months, or 2 weeks. If he stored insulin for only 3 months he would survive. Oh well, that's his decision. Funny you should mention it, I have a banner in my office that reads "Illegitimus non carborundun est!"

Ynott (Dipshit)

Now, assuming you are just incompetent but nevertheless on the level

I have checked mine, and it's the only one in the office that has been checked. Don't be so fast to get on the Troll Patrol. Unfortunately my business probably will be down for the count next year, but we won't be the only ones. The only fishy smell is coming from your breath.

-- cavscout (cavscout@fix.net), November 14, 1999.

I agree about the Laura thing - boy did she "arrive" in a big way - do you think she might be "genius - codeslinger" reincarnated. You should check some of her other posts. I believe her pictures have hit the web.

Cavscout -- Ignore it!! You are taking the precautions that you feel are necessary. Just let it roll off. Take a deep breath, and feel comfortable with your planning. Re-read some of the more incriminating evidence to support preparing, you will feel better (and maybe worse) for it.

-- ***** (karlacalif@aol.com), November 14, 1999.

:0)

Cavscout, you condemn yourself right out of your own mouth and then blame me for noticing it. Then you start calling names...even after I gave you the benefit of the doubt. YOU said your company didn't check the compliance, not ME. They ARE incompetent. You didn't mention whether you did or not and left it ambivalent. I gave YOU the benefit of the doubt.

It is no wonder you are being ridiculed. You have a short fuse and are quick to judge. You have only yourself to blame. I don't feel sorry for you at all. I was on your side, now I can see why others attack you. You have problems that go WAAAAAAAaaaaaay beyond Y2K. Seek help for yourself before you do damage to others.

-- Ynott (Ynott@incorruptible.com), November 14, 1999.

To each is own, it's there right to behaive in that manner. It's your right to voice you oppinions, right or wrong! As they state there's. Some people were questioning me as well back about a year ago, when I decided to quite down, I really thought I could convince people to look at the evidence??? The US does not work that way, Corp. America does not work that way. Our nation cannot, I repeat cannot afford to go into panic mode. It's way to late, to step up and say, we have got a serious problem. That will not happen IMO. What I think will happen, is you will have this continued postive spin, to maintain consumer confidence, it's all about cconsumer confidence, I would not be surprised in the least, that next year most Y2K problems are hidden from the public. Our great nation cannot afford to have a run on banks, therefore we will just print more. We have an incredible pr machine, they will attempt to keep the cover on this at any expence. Only if we lose power, Telecomm, or other major infrastructure will we really know the extent of the impact. Oh, as far as recessions/depressions, you can also expect those government #'s to also favor in the direction of maintaining consumer confidence, do not expect any official acknowledgement of poor economic times until we are coming out of it. Just look at past recessions. As far as I am concerned, I will go with and prepare for what I believe, based upon what I have researched, unfortunately, the many who did not prepare will expect us to share, and guess what we should, or perhaps violence takes over. Good luck to all.

-- Rich (Rluck@aol.com), November 14, 1999.

IMO, you are ALL missing the point. We won't have ANY "Y2K" failures. It'll be "cyber-terrorism". That way, there's nobody to blame except those unseen "bad people". Banks will be safe. Our "leaders" will be safe. (Unfortunately, hte "hoarders" will NOT be safe...) Step up and get on the bandwagon!!

(Insert ironic grin here)

-- Dennis (djolson@cherco.net), November 14, 1999.

In the future you might want to make light of y2k and reassure whoever that bill gates fixed y2k and you now know that nothing will happen.Then buy an other box of #4 buckshot($2.50 retail) and dedicate it to the pollyanna schmuck who will starve/freeze to death next year.

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), November 14, 1999.

Cavscout,

I am a member of a team that manages risk on a couple billion dollars worth of crude oil annually. I have been a key analyst on billions of dollars worth of mergers and accquisitions. However, when it comes to Y2K, I have been ridiculed by all. Some to my face, some to my back. I share your frustration.

I have suspected that for some time, people have been whispering at work, as I am not known for being subtle about anything and have occasionally joked at people to get going, there's not much time left for their preparations.

Then the other day an executive, one I get along with pretty well, says to me "so...you all ready for armeggeddon? At least I'll know where to go if I need food ha, ha, ha, hee hee hee...to which the small crowd responded ha, ha, ha, hee hee hee....."

My response to him was "Nah, I'm not worried about people like you... that's why I bought a fine quality assault rifle in the first place...you'll never make it past the driveway.....ha ha ha,,,,hee hee heee..." The funny thing was, they were all obliged to laugh, because if they hadn't, they would have realized I was serious about defending my home, and that would have been far to real.

I say the time is now to start fucking with these underprepared nervous assholes. Let's start playing on their fear. I'm sick of being labled a cook. Preps are now CHIC and IN. Pollys are a fashion faux pas.

Funny thing was, everyone

-- Gordon (g_gecko_69@hotmail.com), November 14, 1999.

PREPARING IS DONNING HER BLACK AND WHITE STRIPED SHIRT AND STEPPING BETWEEN CAVSCOUT AND YNOTT.....

cav: Happy belated Veteran's Day. My husband got out in July of 1996 when he decided he had been all he could be. He loved the 1st Cav. It was the unit he went to Desert Storm with. Oddly enough, he is less on the ball about prepping for Y2K than me (even though he gets it thoroughly) b/c he does not relish at all the thought of going back to living like he did in the Army.

-- preparing (preparing@home.com), November 14, 1999.

Well, here's how I feel. This was posted a while, but still relevant to this thread, IMO. Things haven't changed much since then...

I feel as if I'm in a secret club.
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg.tcl? msg_id=000D6i

-- Tim (pixmo@pixlequest.com), November 14, 1999.

cavscout, I'm sure Noah and his wife were irked at the neighbors, too, but a little while later that was irrelevant.

I only hope we're all wrong!

Best to us all and to all of humanity.

By the way, speaking of interconnected economies: In the early 1700s, the New Spanish Armada sank off the coast of Florida due to a hurricane. A resulting depression in Spain set off a depression across all of Europe which was dependent on Spanish gold. International economy? I think so.

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), November 14, 1999.

Ynott-

Yes, I forgot to say that I had checked my computer. My bad. The point is that the rest of the company hasn't been checked, almost like if they check them they will be admitting that something bad is coming down the road. You are missing Mara Wayne's whole idea behind personalization; Our company is not incompetent, as you put it, but for some otherworldly reason, my boss just refuses to face the fact of Y2K. No namecalling this time, I just wanted to try and get you to see my point.

To prepared, Gordo and all the others, thanks for your posts. Gordo keep your oil reports coming, they're great!

-- cavscout (needcoffee@this.am), November 14, 1999.

zoobie claims:

>>Then buy an other box of #4 buckshot($2.50 retail)

Where are you getting #4 for such a fine price? I just paid $6.97 for a box of 25 last night!

The Outlands

-- The Outlands (firewing@juno.com), November 14, 1999.

Gordon, "Preps are now CHIC and IN. Pollys are a fashion faux pas." LOL. I think of them as Glamour Don'ts.

Nikoli, I like your mining posts. Scary story.

Laura appears to be a mannerless troll.

-- silver ion (howardro@rk.wouldgiggle), November 14, 1999.

cavscout,

It is highly likely that your boss has taken you very seriously about Y2k and is now scared out of his wits.

People do foolish things when they are afraid. I suspect he brought up your concerns as a way of finding out if anyone else at the party felt the same way as you do.

Being a pugnacious sort when I run across people like this I can generally get them to realize that severe problems are a distinct possibility. Start quoting the CIA and Senate stuff at them and usually they will have to admit that there may be some validity for concern.

However when I ask them why, in the face of such simple evidence, they prefer to behave as if NOTHING will happen they say "I would rather pretend nothing is going to change. I can't face it."

So there ya go. Denial at its finest.

My advice (for what its worth) is to try to look at people like this with compassion. They are just too frightened to even read the CIA stats, and really, who can blaim them?

-- River Soma (riversoma@aol.com), November 14, 1999.

Cav,

You're not alone... I work for state gov't, and I come up against the same ridicule that you've come across, even though I"ve SEEN the state's incompetence in Y2K remediation (lack of communication between depts, lack of knowledge about what is FULL Y2K remediation, etc...). There are glitches happening in my dept. now, and I expect bigger disasters to happen in the future, but my boss doesn't want to listen. Fine. My mouth is shut, and when the ball rolls downhill, I'm just gonna sit back and watch it go by...

Got preps? I'm still prepping, hope you are too.

-- Deb M. (vmcclell@columbus.rr.com), November 14, 1999.

Many precious, caring people have been treated unreasonably by those who are drunk with today's excess success. As an engineer you are concerned about facts, relationships and outcomes. The reason you are the number two man is because the number one man needs a guy like you to do the real work while he does the sales work. The entire context of his 'jest with regard to your concerns was in a social setting. This is where he gets his rewards. These people are the ones who reenforce his worth and point of view.

The point is that he can not sell doom. He can not admit it. He can not take it to the bank or get any points for it in his social circles. Ergo, he will not even consider it because his social reenforcement network does not sponsor it. You are seeing up close and personal just what it is that has blinded the eyes of so many executives until it is too, too late to do anything about it.

I would suggest you take that week off. I would suggest that you make sure that they can not do their work without your presence. You know how to do this. Let Mr. Executive know that you are offended in this way. Since it will affect his business interests he will be more obliged to not scoff at you in the future.

He is an SOB. The only reason he let's you get alone with him is because he needs you. The fact that he used you as the butt of jokes behind your back shows that he really thinks you are numbskull. I would suggest that you rethink this relationship in a serious way. He is using you big time.

Another suggestion: anyone who ridicles you is worth not having much to do with in the future. Make a list and check it twice. When these same people try to talk to you in the future tell them you are busy. This is the only way that they will learn that you are not to be triffled with. Unfortunately alot of people behave like barn yard animals and the only way to make sure they treat you right is by inflicting pain when they re 'bad or giving out only small measures of reward when they are 'good' to you.

All IMHO

-- ..- (dit@dot.dash), November 14, 1999.

Cavscout,

Please check out Michael Hyatt's site this week and look at his Y2K prep tip. It seems to have been written exactly for you.

God be with you. I sincerely believe that and want you to take comfort in knowing you are right to be concerned and right to prepare for your family. Let the rest go. It won't really matter soon anyway.

-- Ynott (Ynott@incorruptible.com), November 15, 1999.