[Wallygator]

I discovered this web site about a week or so ago. I've seen myself go from writing somewhat meaningful posts to not caring anymore about anything at the present. I like to think about things and I also like to read about PO. I reflect on this problem sometimes when I'm at work or just going for a walk. I've been interested in PO for the last month and in the past week I've learned alot more since joining this site. Along with this new knowledge came alot of distressing thoughts and feelings especially pertaining to the future of my chosen career. The stress mainly is from not knowing when PO will happen. [I]"What if I plan for this coming crisis but it delays for another decade or two, will I see my buddies reach the top of their career while I'll be waiting for this phantom crisis?"[/I] is one thought that haunts me. I think what I'll do is not come this site or think about PO for two or three days. I really need to clear my mind right now.
I liked the responses from MonteQuest, OilyMon, JulianJ, Ayoob_Reloaded and others that I can't remember at the moment. Talk to you all in a bit.

[Ayoob_Reloaded]

Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank, and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, `and what is the use of a book,' thought Alice `without pictures or conversation?'

So she was considering in her own mind (as well as she could, for the hot day made her feel very sleepy and stupid), whether the pleasure of making a daisy-chain would be worth the trouble of getting up and picking the daisies, when suddenly a White Rabbit with pink eyes ran close by her.

There was nothing so VERY remarkable in that; nor did Alice think it so VERY much out of the way to hear the Rabbit say to itself, `Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be late!' (when she thought it over afterwards, it occurred to her that she ought to have wondered at this, but at the time it all seemed quite natural); but when the Rabbit actually TOOK A WATCH OUT OF ITS WAISTCOAT- POCKET, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before see a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it, and burning with curiosity, she ran across the field after it, and fortunately was just in time to see it pop down a large rabbit-hole under the hedge.

[AnnaLivia]

For Wallygator…and anybody else who feels weary, stressed, and in need of a break from it all…

There are indeed times when the most important thing you could possibly be doing is “taking your mind off the boilâ€

[MattSavinar]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Wallygator', 'I') discovered this web site about a week or so ago. I've seen myself go from writing somewhat meaningful posts to not caring anymore about anything at the present. ...
I liked the responses from MonteQuest, OilyMon, JulianJ, Ayoob_Reloaded and others that I can't remember at the moment. Talk to you all in a bit.

[Permanently_Baffled]

Matt makes a very good point.

There are also actions you can take that will do no harm even if the timings are wrong.

For example, get out of personal debt, and clear the mortgage if you can.

Even if the peak is 15 years away(yeah right), in mortgage terms this isn't a long time. But if you act now and start overpaying it is surprising how much interest and repayment time you save.

This is what I am doing, mind you if we get the anarchy scenario even this isn't gonna do me much good!

This is the dilemna for me, its not if or when , its how bad and how quick. If its really bad and quick then I haven't the resources in the short term to get through it.

PB

[MattSavinar]

Now might be a good time for JayHMorrison to chime in with some advice about how he has used his peak oil knowledge to make investments in the market.

This could assuage your fears about not having an "income" as big as your buddies while allowing you to begin preparing for this both financially and otherwise, as Jay appears to be doing. (IE, making money off the market while trying to get off the grid, buying land, etc. . .)

If the size of your "income" is your biggest concern, there are probably ways to make sure your "income" stays bigger relative to your buddies even if the average "income" is experiencing "shrinkage" due to peak oil.
This could range from investing like Jay if your into the market to opening up a solar power business if you have business acumen, going into bankruptcy law if your an attorney, goietc. . .

For instance, my background is in law. I have considered dusting off the bankruptcy law books as that will be a "growth" industry. I also took a class on alternative energy legal issues figuring that if I go back and practice, that would be an area better than others.

In fact, when I first put up my site, one of my goals was to use it to help me get a job as a lobbyist for the alternative energy industry. I figured that even though a.e. ain't gonna save our buts, it's certainly better than nothing. My "theory" was I could make a living from being a lobbyist by day while making my prepartions from being a permaculturist at night.

Matt

[Permanently_Baffled]

Hi Matt

Last Autumn I listened in on a show in which you were one of the "ask the experts" guests. On this show you said you were aiming to get into a eco village within 6-9 months, did you get any joy?

Or are you planning to join the rest of us in the mass graves ?

PB

[MattSavinar]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Permanently_Baffled', 'H')i Matt

Last Autumn I listened in on a show in which you were one of the "ask the experts" guests. On this show you said you were aiming to get into a eco village within 6-9 months, did you get any joy?

Or are you planning to join the rest of us in the mass graves ?

PB

[maverickdoc]

Matt, I am currently reading your book. Just curious when and where did you first hear about peak oil?

[Ludi]

My prep for PO is the same as my prep for retirement, otherwise I'm carrying on with my life as usual, working a couple hours a day for money, goofing off a lot...I don't see the need to choose between PO prep and my normal life. Or my abnormal life, I suppose....

[Ayoob_Reloaded]

I don't know what you guys are so worked up about. So gas gets a little more expensive. Big deal.

[BorneoRagnarok]

Oh .... Matt , you are so unlucky. If that happen in my hometown , we (Chinese) will ask for our friends help to slaughter the dog and eat it if it is clean or dump in front of the owner's house. It is legal becuase the dog is roaming instead of been tied up properly.

Those fat land whales in SUV don't even help you ?? Luckily I did not apply for H1B to US the land where reality meet the dream (or whatever appear in local TV in late 1990's ),

I am also curious when you heard about peak oil . I heard about peak oil in 2001 through dieoff.org but was not convinced until early 2004 through peakoil.net

[MattSavinar]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BorneoRagnarok', 'O')h .... Matt , you are so unlucky. If that happen in my hometown , we (Chinese) will ask for our friends help to slaughter the dog and eat it if it is clean or dump in front of the owner's house. It is legal becuase the dog is roaming instead of been tied up properly.
Those fat land whales in SUV don't even help you ?? Luckily I did not apply for H1B to US the land where reality meet the dream (or whatever appear in local TV in late 1990's ),
I am also curious when you heard about peak oil . I heard about peak oil in 2001 through dieoff.org but was not convinced until early 2004 through peakoil.net

[pea-jay]

I have also worried about the timing element:

Reorient life soon -- get into a safer position, but potentially not as safe or viable in the longterm as any relocation/preparations would be limited to what the finances allow at this point. (missing some income earning potential in the near term)

Reorient life later -- have a chance to make better preparations and enjoy the last few years of the party while earning funds. Risk of getting caught in a fast crash or find your intended options no longer available.

Its tough. I constantly waver back and forth on this. Right now I have zero disposable funds so I am not going anywhere.

[Pops]

Matt said, “Unfortunately, peak oil preparation does not happen in a bubble. "Real life" gets in the way sometimes.â€

[MattSavinar]

[quote="Pops"]Matt said, “Unfortunately, peak oil preparation does not happen in a bubble. "Real life" gets in the way sometimes.â€

[PenultimateManStanding]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('AnnaLivia', '
')

I believe the world is sick with exhaustion and dying of restlessness. While it is true that periods of weariness help the spirit to grow, the we will not survive. When you are tired you must HAVE that feeling and you must act upon it sensibly – you must rest like the trees and animals do.

Yet tiredness has become a matter of shame! This is a dangerous development. Tiredness has become the most suppressed feeling in the world. Everywhere we see people overcoming their exhaustion and pushing on with intensity – cultivating the great mass mania which all around is making life so hard and ugly – so cruel and meaningless – so utterly graceless – and being congratulated for overcoming it and pushing it deep down inside themselves as if it were a virtue to do this. And of course Vasco, you know what happens when such strong and natural feelings are denied – they turn into the most powerful and bitter poisons with dreadful consequences. We live in a world of these consequences and then wonder why we are so unhappy.

So I gently urge you Vasco, do as we do in Curly Flat – learn to curl up and rest – feel your noble tiredness – learn about it and make a generous place for it in your life and enjoyment will surely follow. I repeat: it’s worth doing nothing and having a rest.

[marko]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pea-jay', 'I') have also worried about the timing element:

Reorient life soon -- get into a safer position, but potentially not as safe or viable in the longterm as any relocation/preparations would be limited to what the finances allow at this point. (missing some income earning potential in the near term)

Reorient life later -- have a chance to make better preparations and enjoy the last few years of the party while earning funds. Risk of getting caught in a fast crash or find your intended options no longer available.

[spear]

If you want to back off now,what you going to do when the going gets tough??
Follow your friends there too??
I tell my ten year old boy all the time when he follows his friends and they are up to childish mischief."If they (friends)jump off a cliff are you going to follow them?"
I think myself very fortunate that my eyes were opened by many things here,and believe that through this website there will be better assesments of the times to come,since its obvious that things is happening.
I may disagree with some of the things said on these forums,but hey,I disagree with some of my buddies too.
The desicion is yours how to set up your future.

Like in ancient Greek mythology when Hercules was facing a fork in the road,and didnt know which way to go.
On the one road was a woman dressed in rags,her name was Virtue.
She said to Hercules,"if you take this road,it is filled will dificulties and obstacles.It is a very rough road.
On the other road was a babe dressed in fine clothing,her name was Evil.
She said to Hercules,"come with me and I will give you riches and everything your heart desires bla bla bla.your life will be easy and carefree."
Needless to say Hercules took the road of Virtue and bacame a hero.

[RealityCheckBounced]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Ayoob_Reloaded', 'I') don't know what you guys are so worked up about. So gas gets a little more expensive. Big deal.