[pjd2]

Happy Birthday to me. I guess.

Well this is my second week to the concept of peak oil. My birthday just recently came and went, and I havent bothered to cash the checks that my relatives sent.

A lot of my friends have called to wish me a happy birthday, and I just feel like whats the use...
I feel so hopeless and helpless. I can't turn my mind off. This human brain has been running scenarios nonstop for the past week. Each one ends up the in a similar horrible scenario...

I am trying my best to stay positve, but I can't.

My mother thinks I need antidepressives all of the sudden, and keeps telling me that PO is not going to be that bad, and that even if it is it is out of my control.
I hate being like this.
...
thanks for letting me vent
...
pjd

[rogerhb]

Back in the British Army the SNCOs had wonderful stock phrases like

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')hat are you worried about, you've still got your birthday?

[pjd2]

thanks roger. (i assume thats your name)...

ill take the words of wisdom to heart.
i know its kindof pitiful, but right now, as while i'm coming to grips with this, this forum has been an anchor. sometimes when i get down, just posting helps.

[rogerhb]

No problem, been there, done that.

Took about six months to get my head and my family reorientated. We made our big move at the start of this year so now we're down to sorting the smaller issues.

Basically we:

1. reorientated our expectations of the future
2. worked out what was important (we have two children)
3. downsized to a cheaper house in the country
4. drew a line in the sand

So we are now enjoying what life still has to offer.

Roger

[CarlinsDarlin]

pjd,
roger is right. There are many times it seems very overwhelming. Hell, it should be. We're talking about the possibility of very trying times. But, that being said, it always helps when I'm getting that feeling, to work toward preparing some more.

Think about possible scenarios, and then try to plan for them. Do you foresee hard economic times? Then it might be a good idea to try to build your savings, stock your pantry, learn to grow some of your own food, or find local sources of wild food, and local producers you can trade with.

Worried about security? Take a firearms class. Learn to use a gun smartly. If you're so inclined, buy a gun.

Worried about the power going off? Study alternative energy. If you're able, acquire solar panels, wind power, hydro power - what ever fits your situation, etc.

Water worries? Store some - then set up a rain catchment system, if you're able. Check out your area for water sources that could be used in a pinch with purification - streams, rivers, etc.

Even if you're unable to acquire a lot of "material" preps - you can learn a lot of things that will be useful in the future. Spend your time learning as much as you can - and putting into practice as much as you are able.

Every little step will make you feel a little less out of control. We cannot control how things will go in the bigger picture, but we do have some control over our own response and level of readiness.

And posting does indeed help. Why do you think I spend as much time as I do on these forums?

Kathy

[pjd2]

too true about posting kathy.
oh and rodger... what do you mean about drawing a line in the sand?


i guess i can prepare for the small things. but its the big things i worry about... i keep running doomer 4/5 scenarios... and theres nothing to do to stop thinking about them yet.

stupid peak oil.
bah!

[seldom_seen]

Don't let anyone get you hooked on those anti-depressents. You can't just stop taking them cold turkey. If SHTF you may not be able to get your meds so it will just make a bad situation worse. A lot of those people going bonkers in NO were just junkies who couldn't get a fix.

The future is certainly uncertain, but changing times can also bring new ideas and new opportunities, and who can argue that the current shitstem doesn't need changing? Sure it's going to suck dong when the economy falls apart, but what a screwed up economy it was anyway, it wasn't built to last.

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pjd2', 'w')hat do you mean about drawing a line in the sand?

[pjd2]

yeah.
the hurricane was an eye opener.
you are right.
things could be worse.

[MicroHydro]

There are lots of worse places than Illinois

[pjd2]

As far as states go its not too bad, in terms of farmland and climate. However, I really need to get out of the suburbs, before I end up going down with the ship.

[rogerhb]

You could join "The Carnivale"

[pjd2]

Hrmm... My friends already think I'm crazy with this PO talk... I might as well confuse them more.

"See ya guys! I'm off to join the circus!!!"

That'd be awesome.

[Barbara]

Welcome in the wonderful world of family nuts!

[ravensburg]

Don’t look at this just as the end of your way of life but as an opportunity. When the SHTF weather from oil, overpopulation, or just plain stupidity, it will be up to the survivors to rebuild this world. This time however maybe we can do it right. Wither the end is us going back to the stone age or just an economic collapse we are going to need some very strong individuals to stand up against the ignorant masses and convince them that this madness can’t continue. You have one thing that must people don’t knowledge. Take this and get ready, learn how to repair things by yourself, learn how to be self sufficient as possible (this does not mean you have to run out and buy a farm). And as the other people have said don’t let them get put you on antidepressant if you can help it. Don’t worry about the big picture focus on you and what you can do to get ready because even if nothing happens learning is a neat little thing it can help you no matter the circumstances.

[pjd2]

I can't help but appreciate everyones advice and help.

Its been another bad day though. I just feel like moping, but I think Im gonna get on the bike and ride out to the church and talk to a priest this afternoon.

[rostov]

You could seriously put a depression dent to your priest if you take that path.

JUST JOKING!

Why not consider talking to some of us online? Team speak?

[pjd2]

Haha. Acctually my priest was very receptive. I didnt bring up the PO thing until the end of the conversation. He was very receptive to the idea, and even talked about some of the ideas going on within the Catholic church such as Green Ministry.

At the very least it was interesting, and it made me feel better.

How do you get the Teamspeak?

[rostov]

Um, there's this column to the left of the pages, with a link to download TeamSpeak.

Install.

Then within the left, of this same web page, you see a box which you can enter a NickName to enter, click on "Join Now", and it'll launch the TEamspeak which you installed and join the channel!

Sometimes, you can use the same left column to see if anyone's there, before you join. Katrina disaster times, for example, would yield back then, a list of about 10 or so members talking online with TeamSpeak. Other regular times are in the evenings 10+ (I think, US time).

You'd need a mic, and speakers, to talk and listen. Or you could try to make do with the typing offered within TeamSpeak to type.

[Guest]

Got it. Thanks.