The strangeness of the festive period really can jar with what goes on in my head - recognition of PO leaning in from out of the mists and the normally stoical Ban Ki Moon breaking down at the Bali climate talks.
I was down in Bristol city centre last weekend doing some dispirited gift shopping and it really did remind me of science fiction writing - perhaps more William Gibson cyberpunk noir than Phillip K Dick - College Green waterlogged, abandoned umbrellas ripped and inverted in the gutters. Somebody had drawn a long line in chalk along the side of the Council House well above head height, with the words 'FLOOD LEVEL - WELCOME TO CLIMATE CHAOS' inscribed in underneath. Through all this cars stubbornly growled, ferrying presents from shops to homes.
I often wonder how many people are still blissfully unaware of what is going on and how many are just trying not to think about it. I reckon a lot of people really just don't know. I remember talking to a lovely woman at work last year- all sweetness and light - who had never heard that the world was warming, had never seen that in her Sunday Express and hadn't looked any further. I felt ashamed to have mentioned it, as if I had dirtied my own day as well as hers. Trying to do shopping like last Saturday pushes me to the limits of my sanity, as does the office and often just interacting with other people. I drink to excess often, and this seems to be an outlet that is more easily turned to than digging at the allotment or making it to Krav Maga three times a week. learning fully the implications of PO has resulted in me losing my permanent job, moral compass and sense of trajectory, alienating my friends and family and making the business of dating or even relaxing very difficult. The possibility of owning any land or property seem slight, and watching my dad buy a motorhome in order to cruise Europe in his retirement or listening to my friends discuss property prices in inner city London all provide me with constant stress during my waking hours. I am sure that you are all familiar with what I am talking about.
I have thought about teaching overseas myself - the lure of escape to elsewhere is a strong one. I have also been seriously considering the Royal Navy- a way in which I can feel useful in protecting my country and hence loved ones, although I recognise that this idea has elements of delusion about it.
Sorry for the stream of consciousness - just serves as catharsis, I suppose. Having just read all of the idiocy on PetrolPrices.com has wound me up somewhat. I have really enjoyed reading the thoughts posted here over the last year or so. The diversity of political views is evident here, but it doesn't seem to interfere with the spirit of mutual good will that is so apparent, which is heartening to see.
I'm preparing for a total breakdown...
Moderator: Peak Moderation
Leroy, sorry to hear you are having a hard time.
I'm relatively new to this and have gone through the post petroleum stress disorder thing. It will get better. Took me about 6 months and the middle couple I was a right miserable git. It will get better quicker if you lay off the booze. It just delays the process.
As others have said, we don't know how this is going to play out, and the predicted global recession could put the effects of the peak back for years.
You have to play the game within the rules as they are now. Mad, but true. You know that the rules will change and you can plan for it.
Don't worry about the world. Its not your job. Worry about yourself and those you care about.
There are people on here who are 5 years into a plan with no mortgage. I am just starting and that can get me down by comparison. Everyone can find someone to envy. It may not be nice, but find someone (ie half the population) who are going to be worse off and compare yourself to them. You will feel better. "At least I didn't spend ?3K on clothes this year..."
I break my plan down into little steps. Each one is putting us in a better position to survive. Tick box. Feel a bit better.
If you haven't got your own place, concentrate on skills. If you are out of work, get into it. Anything will do for keeping you in good habits. The long term unemployed have it hard enough now. PO they will be way down the pecking order. Find out what you are good at, and enjoy (it needs to be both) that will be useful.
Work out how to get the job, even if it means doing something else for a year or two to get the quals that will get the interview.
Don't worry about the family. I have a wife and young daughter to look out for. I don't allow myself to throw a wobbler as I will be of no use to them if I do. You obviously care deeply about yours. Your job is not to convince them. Your job is to get the skills so when they "get it" you are in a position to help. If TSHTF first, they will need your guidance and help.
Stick with it. It will get better.
A lot of people will run into this full tilt without warning.
You have time.
I'm relatively new to this and have gone through the post petroleum stress disorder thing. It will get better. Took me about 6 months and the middle couple I was a right miserable git. It will get better quicker if you lay off the booze. It just delays the process.
As others have said, we don't know how this is going to play out, and the predicted global recession could put the effects of the peak back for years.
You have to play the game within the rules as they are now. Mad, but true. You know that the rules will change and you can plan for it.
Don't worry about the world. Its not your job. Worry about yourself and those you care about.
There are people on here who are 5 years into a plan with no mortgage. I am just starting and that can get me down by comparison. Everyone can find someone to envy. It may not be nice, but find someone (ie half the population) who are going to be worse off and compare yourself to them. You will feel better. "At least I didn't spend ?3K on clothes this year..."
I break my plan down into little steps. Each one is putting us in a better position to survive. Tick box. Feel a bit better.
If you haven't got your own place, concentrate on skills. If you are out of work, get into it. Anything will do for keeping you in good habits. The long term unemployed have it hard enough now. PO they will be way down the pecking order. Find out what you are good at, and enjoy (it needs to be both) that will be useful.
Work out how to get the job, even if it means doing something else for a year or two to get the quals that will get the interview.
Don't worry about the family. I have a wife and young daughter to look out for. I don't allow myself to throw a wobbler as I will be of no use to them if I do. You obviously care deeply about yours. Your job is not to convince them. Your job is to get the skills so when they "get it" you are in a position to help. If TSHTF first, they will need your guidance and help.
Stick with it. It will get better.
A lot of people will run into this full tilt without warning.
You have time.
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eatyourveg
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kenneal - lagger
- Site Admin
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- Contact:
Leroy, there's an active Transition Town movement in Bristol. Get in touch with them through http://transitiontowns.org/TransitionNetwork/Mulling and you can speak to people, some of the time, who know what you're talking about. They'll give you support and you can support them. A problem shared is a problem halved.
Hey Leroy, being aware of the implications of PO is not easy - that is for sure - but it puts you a few steps ahead of the game of sleep-walking that nearly everybody else is playing!!
There is no doubt that it is scary having the knowledge we have. And I have thought to myself many times, that I wished I didn't know what I do. But at the end of the day I am glad I do know what is coming and I am preparing in my own small ways for what the end of the oil age is going to bring.
You have to play the game! Life is a game - and if you don't see it like that, then start to see it like that from tomorrow onwards!
Play by todays rules today - whatever it takes.......
Tomorrow (when PO starts to hit hard), you can play by the new rules that you already know all about (and most people haven't a clue about).
I like my beer, and I like to have a few tins a few nights a week. But keep the drink in balance - some nights nothing, other nights enjoy it (as I am now).
An old mate of mine used to say, "Life's a bitch and then you die." Well it is pretty much true, but I am am going to live to 100, so I am not even half-way there yet.
I hope this helps you a wee bit......
There is no doubt that it is scary having the knowledge we have. And I have thought to myself many times, that I wished I didn't know what I do. But at the end of the day I am glad I do know what is coming and I am preparing in my own small ways for what the end of the oil age is going to bring.
You have to play the game! Life is a game - and if you don't see it like that, then start to see it like that from tomorrow onwards!
Play by todays rules today - whatever it takes.......
Tomorrow (when PO starts to hit hard), you can play by the new rules that you already know all about (and most people haven't a clue about).
I like my beer, and I like to have a few tins a few nights a week. But keep the drink in balance - some nights nothing, other nights enjoy it (as I am now).
An old mate of mine used to say, "Life's a bitch and then you die." Well it is pretty much true, but I am am going to live to 100, so I am not even half-way there yet.
I hope this helps you a wee bit......
Real money is gold and silver
Here's one for the unforseen circumstances box:-kenneal wrote:I went to the bank in Newbury on Friday evening and the town centre was packed with people. I hadn't realised it was time to turn on the town decorations and Christmas Tree lights on. The place was full of happy people there just to see the ceremony and there was a great sense of community. It was about people wanting to see something pretty and seasonal (if a bit early) but it really lifted my spirits.
Our local town, like many, puts on a big display of christmas lights every December. They really do look lovely and cheer everyone up but like many on here these days I can't help thinking the energy would be better conserved or toned down a little and that someone should put some effort into re-adjusting our expectations and reducing the cost of all these displays - both in monetary and emotional terms. (bar humbug
).Anyway, the other day when I was trying to get into town the whole place was gridlocked. It turned out that one of the many strings of lights that stretch across the road all the way down the highstreet had come away from a building along with a large chunk of masonery, hitting a mother pushing a pram and causing damage to a car which then drove into the rubble.
Chaos all day, teams of people from the council, emergency services, the contractors who put up the lights, insurance adjusters, the general public, news reporters and tv crews etc etc.
Today, no lights festoon the high street in my local town. Wonder what other councils and contractors will make of this as the information filters down?
P.S The pram pusher had a broken something but everyone else was fine.
Energy in - rubbish out
Vortex wrote:Last Xmas at B+Q I saw the following adjacent to each other:
1. Their wind turbine
2. An Xmas light display with the banner: 'You can never have too many Christmas lights!'
Ho, humm ....
says it all really . . . 
Andy Hunt
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
http://greencottage.burysolarclub.net
Eternal Sunshine wrote: I wouldn't want to worry you with the truth.
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RenewableCandy
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