My computer
still says there are 1000.00 days left...
could something be wrong??
Sorry to make light of what could certainly be a serious matter. Often wonder if these South American countries are at higher risk (inefficiency) or lower (fewer things to go wrong) risk. Probably the latter - in daily matters but globally, in a worse position to face big disasters...
Our personal situation is much like Art's: For the last fifteen years we've been living in this mountain valley - among rocks, mesquite the odd puma and iguanas. We generate our own power - this computer system is on a 300 watt solar array, but there are two large diesel generators (main and backup) for evenings, pumping water and other 'high demand' applications. Our 'phone is a wireless link to the nearest town - 10 miles as the crow flies, 'line of sight' only from the top of the antenna masts. Satellite TV and a ham radio setup (that I've neglected since the Internet has come). We're not 'survivalists' in the usual sense - the location doesn't
have any public services.
Also for purely practical reasons (to avoid driving too often down the mountain trail) we have about two weeks stock of vittles in hand. The road in is very rough - I have no problems with my Toyota 'four by' pickup - but it discourages casual visitors and the location is relatively unknown nor is it on any map. For the same reason - isolation - we are reasonably prepared to 'repel boarders' should the need arise. The local police chief and staff understand this, and generally the law is on our side ("West of Pecos" style
)
Our nearest neighbor - five miles downriver - is a Catholic Church retreat ansd seminary. I gather they have made thier own arrangemnts with a Higher Authority
But in any case, we have little contact and no conflict.
The guy that owns the land all around us lives in a city - a 'weekend farmer' and a lawyer... I could say something cute about lawyers and being blown away by Y2K but in deference of 'good guys' in the legal profession and also TFL'ers I'll leave it at that.
But at worst, he has about two hundred head of goats and 300 of cattle on the land, a pretty good insurance of protein.
The rest of our family is also living in small towns in these hills - with minimal personal risk.
Medical problems- Minor, we can take care of, a 'fist aid kit on steroids' (such as a
refrigerated stock of braod spectrum antibiotics, antihistamics, suturing kits, etc. in addition to the usual bandages , band-aids, and disinfectants and surgical tape... - Major; I doubt anyone, not even a master surgeon, can do much about if modern hospitals and their facilities should collapse.
Last - abuse from gov'mint has been something of a way of life here. Should anyone set hi/her/it self up as a 'dictator' it wouldn't be new. In the past, they haven't messed with anyone thats not in direct conflict of their (mostly personal) interests. Please don't take that as condoning them in any way... the subject in hand is 'Y2K' contigency, not politcal brutality. I'm assuming any 'shock troops' or black helicopters would leave us alone.
Other than Oerlikons, SAMs, and 4" naval guns - I think I already have superior firepower
Peter Knight
[This message has been edited by Elchimango (edited September 26, 1999).]