A funny thing happened on the way to the Lifeboat...

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Yep...

...been laughed at, had all sorts of jokes made, even the wife shot me the "Oh gawd, not again!" look when I used to bring up the rollover. But now, with less than a hundred hours to go, its amazing just how many of the 'Hardcore' DGI family members and friends are coming up and asking "Unnhh...say there Billy, you know, if ahhh...something major does break loose this weekend, well... You got any more room for me at your place?"

They then are genuinely puzzled at my reaction of a slight chuckle, and then even, (depending on how big a jerk her or she has been) outright laughter. I've made my position clear in the past, but I now tell them..."Y2K...sheesh...That thing? Whats to worry about? It's nothing!!!" They then look at me and kinda got that "I wonder?" look. Not to be cruel...but hey kids, the boat, she'sa full!

Anyone else seeing the same thing?

-- Billy Boy (Rakkasan101st@Aol.com), December 28, 1999

Answers

I tell them to bring lots of cash, the ability to work, and to make sure their wives are feeling compliant.

-- gary elliott (gelliott@real.on.ca), December 28, 1999.

Told em I got rid of everything! Slack-jaw responce to THAT.

-- John Q (Laughingallthe@waytopantry.com), December 28, 1999.

After listening to my 14 year old daughter tell of the hassles she had at her grandma's house over the subject, over what a disturbed and looney character her dad is, I'm suddenly more worried about neighbors.

And I've told the sister's to come. Oh, well, a bag of soymeal, a bag of wheat (both the feed lot variety), I'm sure they will be fine...........

-- mushroom (mushroom_bs_too_long@yahoo.com), December 28, 1999.


Got the same problem with my one neighbor. He is always traveling and is a DGI. I know he can't have much food in the house. The other week he seen me unloading my preps and asked if he should be doing that. I told him it might be smart. He just laughed and said if anything happens, he'll come and visit. I told him to bring cash or something to trade and also let him know that I wasn't joking.

Hey, if he is in trouble, I'll help but I'll expect paid back. I warned him and he laughed. Live and learn.

-- Familyman (prepare@home.com), December 28, 1999.


We decided who we wanted along and planned together. We planned for 9 children, 8 adults and 6 pets for approximately 6 months. Each family has their home stash and we have a combined stash at one location (with water, garden, and dairy animals) in case things really get bad. We began preparation in January (I know, a little late compared to a lot of folks) with a family meeting. In spite of a few "doubting spouses," we continued meeting, planning, purchasing, and preparing through-out the year---with a few panic-inspired mega-trips to the store the last few weeks. If nothing happens, great, we won't need to buy anything except milk and lettuce for a long time. If something does happen, we're as ready as we can be. At least, we will be after today's shopping trip!

As for room in our lifeboat, we planned a little extra--but I'm with you. If they want to climb on board, they'd better have something to offer.

-- Michelle (family@ready.to.launch), December 28, 1999.



If anyone can come, who knows what the gas situation is really going to be. I noted who was in crises in my family and helped before the event a week or so ago. My brother had prepared with cooking fuel and things like batteries but food was in a bad shape with pets no less, so I split my food with him and his and set up his pets-plus I had experienced some bouts of nervous twitch buying like owning a Baygen and then purchasing a cheaper crank-up so I included the nervous twitch items-plus as time went on over the past year I was able to replace some original stuff with better like in tobacco which was originally a massive pile of Tops and Turkish pouches replaced by cartons so I included that original stash, then my younger sister was a hopeless disaster so I set up her pets for her, and then the second load of oranges ripened on my tree, so I delivered big bags to the elderly woman who tends the feral colony (we network some of the cats between ourselves), the elderly man and his wife next door, my mother, and my gardener who was here as I was stripping the tree. My boat is full too as I had split with my brother. I've got a really big stash still but it is a big stash for one.

-- Paula (chowbabe@pacbell.net), December 28, 1999.

I had the same problem at the family Christmas gatherings. I've been trying to get 'em to prep for over a year now to no avail. When they asked if I had room at my house for them if things get dicey, I just smiled and said "sure, and at $1,500 per nite, it's a bargain"

They didn't know if I was kidding or not. (purely intentional)

-- Delerious (____@____.com), December 28, 1999.


There are those who haven't been able to do much in the way of prepping. There are many many more who could have done some or a lot of prepping. These people do not deserve your pity or supplies no matter what disaster has caused the problem. Look them straight in the eye and say "Bring food or be food". Mousie

-- Mousie (mousie@mymousehole.com), December 28, 1999.

Okay, I'm petty. I bought ALL the food for three adults here. My sister got some Christmas food from someone and today, without asking the other two of us in the house if we wanted it, gave it away. I was so pissed. I spent all MY money trying to have food here and she gives food away. What can I say--if you don't work for it, you don't appreciate it. I'm still mega annoyed. (She didn't spend cent one.)

-- Mara (MaraWayne@aol.com), December 28, 1999.

I tell everyone that all that ridicule crushed me and I sold (or ate) whatever I had. Y2k? Pish Tosh! Ahahaha! Not ME! I ain't afraid of no Y2k. I am a PC thinker-I know the truth and it has set me free! Yah sure you betcha! They all seem disappointed.

-- chairborne commando (what-me-worry@armageddon.com), December 28, 1999.


Hey, Paula - you sound like a real nice person. Good on you for helping out both the helpless and the clueless :)! Let's all try to 'rescue' someone after Y2K where we can, even if necessity limits it to a cup of hot soup or a spare piece of warm clothing...

-- John Whitley (jwhitley@inforamp.net), December 28, 1999.

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