[pedalling_faster]

this is an approach i try to take to surfing and skin-diving. when i started, i would worry about sharks, partially because i was seeing them and coming, in some cases, face to face with them.

so i tried to educate myself about the known history of shark attacks on humans. found out that in most cases, it's a "test bite", the shark usually realizes that the person's leg/surfboard is not food, and skedaddles. of course, it's a doozy of a test bite, it doesn't do you any good if you're bleeding to death that the shark has realized you're not a seal.

one year in particular stood out. 4 shark attacks in Hawaii, usually by tiger sharks, and 4 deaths. 4 shark attacks in California, usually by Great White, and 4 survivors.

The norm in California is to wear a wetsuit; the norm in Hawaii is to not wear a wetsuit. The wetsuit functions like a built in life preserver.

It's a one-way elevator ride back to the surface (usually).

Now, really, this doesn't have anything to do with Peak Oil.

* i have found that being in the ocean is a GREAT way to forget about all these, in most cases very realistic, worries (that we have about Peak Oil).

* this forum is one of our Life Preservers, for those of us who are engaged in planning for Peak Oil/Energy Transition (how' THAT for a euphemism ?!)

As far as worrying accurately about Peak Oil, i think this website is one of our best tools.

[hotsacks]

I like the metaphor.
It makes me feel...buoyant.

[Aimrehtopyh]

I like this analogy, but I think it's more about flavor than bouyancy. Imagine if you ravenously (and blindfolded) bit into a chicken drumstick while thinking it was beef. It'd take a few chomps before you realized your error. Now wrap that drumstick in a condom and repeat the experiment. How far do you think your teeth would sink in before you realized it wasn't the beef you were expecting?

[ubercynicmeister]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pedalling_faster', 't')his is an approach i try to take to surfing and skin-diving. when i started, i would worry about sharks, partially because i was seeing them and coming, in some cases, face to face with them.

so i tried to educate myself about the known history of shark attacks on humans. found out that in most cases, it's a "test bite", the shark usually realizes that the person's leg/surfboard is not food, and skedaddles. of course, it's a doozy of a test bite, it doesn't do you any good if you're bleeding to death that the shark has realized you're not a seal.

one year in particular stood out. 4 shark attacks in Hawaii, usually by tiger sharks, and 4 deaths. 4 shark attacks in California, usually by Great White, and 4 survivors.

The norm in California is to wear a wetsuit; the norm in Hawaii is to not wear a wetsuit. The wetsuit functions like a built in life preserver.

It's a one-way elevator ride back to the surface (usually).

Now, really, this doesn't have anything to do with Peak Oil.

* i have found that being in the ocean is a GREAT way to forget about all these, in most cases very realistic, worries (that we have about Peak Oil).

* this forum is one of our Life Preservers, for those of us who are engaged in planning for Peak Oil/Energy Transition (how' THAT for a euphemism ?!)

As far as worrying accurately about Peak Oil, i think this website is one of our best tools.

[rogerhb]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Monty Python', '[')b]I'm So Worried

I'm so worried about what's hapenin' today, in the middle east, you know
And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow
I'm so worried about the fashions today, I don't think they're good for your feet
And I'm so worried about the shows on TV that sometimes they want to repeat

I'm so worried about what's happenin' today, you know
And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow
I'm so worried about my hair falling out and the state of the world today
And I'm so worried about bein' so full of doubt about everything, anyway

I'm so worried about modern technology
I'm so worried about all the things that they dump in the sea
I'm so worried about it, worried about it, worried, worried, worried

I'm so worried about everything that can go wrong
I'm so worried about whether people like this song
I'm so worried about this very next verse, it isn't the best that I've got
And I'm so worried about whether I should go on, or whether I should just stop

I'm worried about whether I ought to have stopped
And I'm worried about, it's the sort of thing I ought to know
And I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow

I'm so worried about whether I should have stopped then
I'm so worried that I'm driving everyone 'round the bend
I'm worried about the baggage retrieval system they've got at Heathrow

[Pops]

This I agree with:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pedalling_faster', '
')* i have found that being in the ocean is a GREAT way to forget about all these, in most cases very realistic, worries

[dinopello]

Short, but good interview with Kunstler that was posted today

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '[')b]KT: In The Long Emergency, published in 2005, you predicted with astounding accuracy how the subprime mortgage meltdown would unfold. Your latest novel, World Made By Hand, takes place in the near future after a massive flu outbreak that originated in Mexico. Um, what should we start worrying about next?

JHK: Worry about the "recovery" that never comes and the insidious collapse of our institutions and arrangements that will proceed from this. Worry about lost incomes and vocations that will never come back (e.g. marketing exec for Target, Inc.) and the need to find new ways to be useful to your fellow human beings (and incidentally perhaps earn a living). Worry about finding a community to live in that is cohesive enough to stave off anarchy at the local level. Worry about building the best garden you can and making good compost. Worry about how difficult it is to learn how to play a musical instrument at age 47.

[Sixstrings]

I've been snorkeling over some reefs in the keys once, and it was a great experience. I can only imagine how much fun scuba must be. Unfortunately, I have a morbid fear of sharks. It's one of those cases where I rationally recognize the statistical risk, but can't get over little stories like the old man in my town who went swimming off his dock every morning for ten years, only to get eaten whole out of the blue one day.

But of course, you can apply that to activities like motorcycling as well, statistically quite a bit more dangerous than ocean swimming. I can think of five motorcyclists I've known in my life -- all had wrecks, 2 are deceased from wrecks.

And yet I do, of course, drive a car.. I've lost two family members and a good friend to crashes.

I'm getting more and more off topic here, but I did once encounter dolphins in the wild, very close to shore. It was a wonderful experience.. even after seeing them many times at Sea World and such, I was amazed at how fast they can swim past you, and how powerful they are.

Only later did I read somewhere that evidently messing around dolphins in the wild can be potentially dangerous? Well, it was a spur of the moment thing. I don't guess I'd repeat it, but it worked out. I didn't bother them and they didn't bother me.

So to sum up, this is an issue I wrestle with. My two sides.. my craving for adventure, and my more controlling drive of prudent caution.

[patience]

Never had any craving for adventure. Life has given me more than my share without looking for it. As to worries, I try to choose my battles. No point in worrying over what I cannot change. However, I try to pay attention to what's going on and position myself appropriately. If the weatherman says rain today, I don't plan a picnic. Since I see some problems coming, I'm doing my best to be ready for them. Worrying is like a rocking chair--it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('patience', 'N')ever had any craving for adventure. Life has given me more than my share without looking for it. As to worries, I try to choose my battles. No point in worrying over what I cannot change. However, I try to pay attention to what's going on and position myself appropriately. If the weatherman says rain today, I don't plan a picnic. Since I see some problems coming, I'm doing my best to be ready for them. Worrying is like a rocking chair--it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you very far.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', 'I')'ve been snorkeling over some reefs in the keys once, and it was a great experience. I can only imagine how much fun scuba must be. Unfortunately, I have a morbid fear of sharks. It's one of those cases where I rationally recognize the statistical risk, but can't get over little stories like the old man in my town who went swimming off his dock every morning for ten years, only to get eaten whole out of the blue one day.

[Ibon]

Sentient beings confronting their mortality who have temporarily conquered their predators tend to worry a lot.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', 'I')'ve been snorkeling over some reefs in the keys once, and it was a great experience. I can only imagine how much fun scuba must be. Unfortunately, I have a morbid fear of sharks. It's one of those cases where I rationally recognize the statistical risk, but can't get over little stories like the old man in my town who went swimming off his dock every morning for ten years, only to get eaten whole out of the blue one day.

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', '
')So those are my fear hang-ups.. shark attack

[Ludi]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Shannymara', '
')I don't worry much anymore. I still feel anxiety frequently, but that's just my nervous system doing its thing..

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '
')Poor guy. I have a morbid fear of sharks ever since Jaws the movie. But I overcame them and went to Florida and the reefs for my scuba diving certificate. (I learned in a PA quarry and swimming pool). Today I would never scuba dive up here on the cold North Coast. Too dark, to scary down there where the Great Whites Roam. But i have seen sharks in the tropics and they are not scary under the water, just another large fish that really isn't interested in you. It is also literally a leap of faith You are scared of entering the water but finally you jump off the boat in spite of the cold, nerves, hard surface, and scary things under there just so you can experience the wonder.

I convinced my wife to go on Space Mountain and other fast rides at Disneyland. I told her the Uncle Walt would never let anything happen to her

I think the trick is individualizing your fears. Break them down and categorize them and you will be fine. So I will scuba dive in fresh water or very clear tropical water. Maybe say to yourself: para-sailing over water is safe, I won't get near the beach, they will drop me appropriately

I'd go para sailing except it is freezing on the Pacific.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', 'N')ow, I could SCUBA in springs.. that would actually be gorgeous too, the water is crystal clear.

[Sixstrings]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Sixstrings', 'N')ow, I could SCUBA in springs.. that would actually be gorgeous too, the water is crystal clear.

[Ludi]

Might want to stay out of hospitals.

My stepmom died of hospital infections.