[smallpoxgirl]

Anybody else?

I'm so scared I can barely function. For years I've felt like a loon with all my dire predictions for the future. Now it's all starting to happen. I was much happier being the paranoid loon.

[AgentR]

It looks like a steep hill, only because of perspective and proximity.

In reality.. .this is but a mild toe stubbing. More than enough to get everyone's attention; but its not the big show.

Not that some aren't losing huge amounts of money; nor that people who bought houses during the bungle (bubble) aren't in deep trouble; but recessions come and go, and they always look very harsh on the way in.

You can tell the difference because the dollar is buying MORE energy today than it did a month ago; not less. Government bonds are in higher demand and are seen as the safe refuge against chaos; not the source and incarnation of chaos.

Or maybe.. I'm delusional and am not quite ready to be taking a bite of THIS particular sandwich.. I can't quite give up the hope of having just a few more years of peaceful middle class American life, not so much to ask, is it? Why should I bear the consequences of my piers purchasing houses three times the size of the one I picked... How is it my burden to cover the decisions of working class people that thought they knew enough to play real estate investor in their spare time? Why do I get to bail out those that facilitated and encouraged those people to do as they did. They converted trillions of dollars in fake equity into currency; spent it; and now the equity that action was based on has disappeared; gone... destroyed.

Dang... Now I need a hug.

[EarthGamePlayer]

Yeah, I hear you. /hug/

Usually it is a lot more fun being right.

[Bytesmiths]

C'mon up to Canada; I'll give you a hug.

But keep in mind, peak oil is not the enemy, financial ruin is not the enemy, even war is not the enemy; <b>fear is the enemy.</b>

If you can face your fear and back it down, these things that are going on become merely interesting predicaments to craft coping strategies for.

Action is the antidote to fear. Do something -- anything -- positive about your future, and watch the fear dissipate. (That does <b>not</b> include reading and/or posting to this forum!)

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Bytesmiths', 'A')ction is the antidote to fear. Do something -- anything -- positive about your future, and watch the fear dissipate. (That does <b>not</b> include reading and/or posting to this forum!)

[Nano]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Bytesmiths', 'B')ut keep in mind, peak oil is not the enemy, financial ruin is not the enemy, even war is not the enemy; <b>fear is the enemy.</b>

[Madpaddy]

SPG, You need to take a break. If you can't come to Ireland before 2016, I suggest no looking at the (all bad) news for 24 hours, get a nice bottle of wine and watch one or several monty python movies.

NO-ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION.

Works every time.

Oh and big hug from me.

I now realise I'm a complete psycho - I can't get enough of the collapse footage. Nikkei down 10% - I lost €1500 on falling oil stock alone in the last week. Luckily I've a good few irons in the fire and a black sense of humour.

[smallpoxgirl]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Nano', 'I')t won't be all bad though, because sacrifice is the tried and tested way to gain favour with god, so we'll all be getting valuable divine insight in the coming decades! So don't worry, just surrender to god and be happy!

[MD]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Nano', 'I')t won't be all bad though, because sacrifice is the tried and tested way to gain favour with god, so we'll all be getting valuable divine insight in the coming decades! So don't worry, just surrender to god and be happy!

[ReverseEngineer]

<<HUG>>>

SmallPox, you and I have gone at it a bit, but of course we are all in this one together. I perceived the doom a while back, but in my heart I want to believe we can come out of this one OK. As a doomer, I wrote to warn, but you really of course don't want to believe it actually will happen. Now I think it really HAS happenned, and with all the preps, I also am scared.

One of the things I do is teach children how to press down their fears. You have to be in control of your emotions to be able to handle stress. Part of doing that is to understand the nature of your fear and talk it out. That I think is what we do here.

You have made your preps. Take a deep breath. Tomorrow is another day.

Reverse Engineer

[davep]

(((((hug)))))

I'm on the verge of panic attacks about this.

Luckily I did a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy course a couple of years ago (ostensibly for my fear of flying) and it really helps managing the fear.

[killJOY]

I guess I'd better get those brussels sprouts out of the garden and into the cellar.

We have a few months of food here. What are we gonna do?

All that prep, and yet it still feels awful. My brothers have infant children. My mom and dad are getting old and lame.

Yes, hugs indeed.

[TheDude]

Paddy's plan sounds good. Sip some vino, lie back, and watch the International Hide and Seek Championships!

[katkinkate]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Nano', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Bytesmiths', 'B')ut keep in mind, peak oil is not the enemy, financial ruin is not the enemy, even war is not the enemy; <b>fear is the enemy.</b>

[Jack]

Scared...no. Not really.

As has been pointed out, we are not yet facing real trouble. We have the potential to do so, and that possibility is the root cause of fear.

However, the key here is less about "preps" such as canning food or stockpiling ammo than it is about changing your perspective. The oil age generated mass affluence which facilitated independent living. It is time to focus on assembling your team - people with whom you can unite against the opposing forces (however defined).

This is not the end of civilization. Not to worry - that will come over the next few years. I am convinced this is just a dress rehearsal, which will be followed by a bounce up. Then peak will hit in earnest.

So...view this time as an opportunity. Speak to others of their fear. Gather the strong together - and avoid the weak. Then, when the main event develops you will be ready.

The time of the lambs ceases. The age of the wolves approaches. Gather your pack.

[ReverseEngineer]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', 'T')he time of the lambs ceases. The age of the wolves approaches. Gather your pack.

[Concerned]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'A')nybody else?I'm so scared I can barely function. For years I've felt like a loon with all my dire predictions for the future. Now it's all starting to happen. I was much happier being the paranoid loon.

[davep]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Concerned', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', 'A')nybody else? I'm so scared I can barely function. For years I've felt like a loon with all my dire predictions for the future. Now it's all starting to happen. I was much happier being the paranoid loon.

[Concerned]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('smallpoxgirl', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Bytesmiths', 'A')ction is the antidote to fear. Do something -- anything -- positive about your future, and watch the fear dissipate. (That does <b>not</b> include reading and/or posting to this forum!)

[IslandCrow]

{{{{SPG}}}}

We could all do with some hugs and a good massage to get rid of the tension that is building up in our bodies (from the sudden use of muscles as we carry home all the goods we finally get around to buy as well as from the tension of what is happening).