OK, I'll byte on this new forum. How many of you have picked up the nickname "Ted" as in "Unabomber" from your neighbors and friends since this started?

-- DAVID (tdavidc@arn.net), January 04, 2000

Answers

O.K., David.

You have to be less cryptic than that.

Explanation, please?

:)

-- MM (scipublic@aol.com), January 04, 2000.

O.K., rb,

I'm gonna "dismiss" the "Dahmer" part of your reply because, as a reporter, I had to interview the Chicago coroner who "smelled" the children's bodies in John Wayne Gacy's (sp) basement.

That's how coroners usually assist in police investigations of mass murderers, or "garden variety" killers who think--for some dumb reason--they can cover up their tracks. I will tell you that I spent most of my professional life as a "street reporter" hanging out with police officers, firemen, emergency medical professionals, etc. I have a tremendous respect for these people, because I know what they do, and I completely understand the stresses they experience in the course of protecting all of us.

Regardless, I have a wonderful sense of humor. Surprise! So do THEY!

Gallows humor? You betcha. One CANNOT survive in any one of the above mentioned professions without some ability to cope.

How do we cope?

The same way everyone in the history of the world has coped when under stress:

Find something funny about it.

Now, on to what else you wrote:

You wrote:

"I met many people (in person) over the 18 months that I focused on Y2k with which I only shared one thing in common.....concern regarding potiental problems caused by computers and chips. Many had fears that went much much further than just Y2k."

My reply:

Yepper, yepper. Without question, there is a certain "segment of the population" (Admit it: Don't I sound intelligent using that phrase? Har!) that is prone to anxiety. Heck, I'm one of them! My best friend holds a PHD in psychology, and is a practicing therapist. Even SHE is prone to anxiety, but she has "cleaned her clock," so to speak. In short, she has learned coping strategies

You wrote:

"I even met Lady logic at a Y2k gathering. We both were interested in oil problems."

My reply:

Well, I never followed "Lady Logic's" post at the TB2000 forum, because, although I heard much about her "alleged" disruptions, she showed up so late in the "game" to be considered pretty much worthless in my opinion--at least with regard to the historical nature of my book.

You Wrote:

"At the first small Y2k meeting I attended in early 1998 the participants scared me more than Y2k. We all had met by way of the net."

My reply:

Although I'm beginning to feel like "Ann Landers," or "Dear Abby," by responding to this question (two sisters who had lots of "cat-fights," but generally gave good advice, especially during the "stellar" phases of their careers), I think it is obvious that there will ALWAYS be people with an "agenda" at each and EVERY public meeting.

Further, we all know by now, (at least I HOPE we do) that it is not ever a good idea to arrange a meeting with people one has ONLY met over the Internet. Better to meet at a meeting arranged an established organization, such as a church or a government entity.

You wrote:

"I was always motivated by my concern for the welfare of family....and being retired (more or less) I had plenty of time to both prep and read the forums.

I enjoyed and appreciated all of the free exchange of information. I have no regrets regarding the experience and I hear the fat lady singing but she is not quite finished with the song. "

My reply:

Indeed, she is not.

I am tempted to quote a line from Shakespeare that "Old Git" may know, because she hails from the country of his birth.

I cannot quote it, however, because it is not at my fingertips. I will leave it for her to complete, should she show up here at this forum.

The beginning of the phrase, however, goes something like this:

"There are more things. . ."

Old Git?

:)

-- FM/MM (scipublic@aol.com), January 04, 2000.

Apologies to all who are reading this thread:

Somehow, (being new as an administrator of this forum and not yet understanding how to tweak it) I responded to rb's thread before it was posted.

It's late. I'll try to fix this tomorrow.

:)

-- FM/MM (scipublic@aol.com), January 05, 2000.

I must confess I would on occasion use "Jeffrey Dahmer" type humor with my friends. (i.e. "Will you lend me a hand"?) This helped to stop some teasing.

I met many people (in person) over the 18 months that I focused on Y2k with which I only shared one thing in common.....concern regarding potiental problems caused by computers and chips. Many had fears that went much much further than just Y2k.

I even met Lady logic at a Y2k gathering. We both were interested in oil problems.

At the first small Y2k meeting I attended in early 1998 the participants scared me more than Y2k. We all had met by way of the net.

I was always motivated by my concern for the welfare of family....and being retired (more or less) I had plenty of time to both prep and read the forums.

I enjoyed and appreciated all of the free exchange of information. I have no regrets regarding the experience and I hear the fat lady singing but she is not quite finished with the song.

-- rb aka trashcan-man (ronbanks_2000@yahoo.com), January 04, 2000.