The time in between...

[Javaman]

I pretty much believe we have either hit plateau or are at the start of the decline of easy oil.

I also think about the many many changes that I will have to make in my life to adjust to a future that either won't have oil or will have very little of it.

What gets me though, is the time in between. When gas starts creeping up to a level where food, clothing, etc start getting pricey.

Various services in society slow down, become a once in a while option, close, become limited, or completely out of reach for the average person.

I live pretty lean right now, but I know I will have to adjust to a simpler kind of life.

It will be tough. Many of you out there will say, "oh for crying out loud, just suck it up". That's okay, because, right now it's very easy to say that. We haven't had to suddenly limit, cut back or do without without it being a personal choice.

But there will come a time when it will no longer be a personal choice but one of necessity.

Can I do without my once in a while chai tea? sure. Can I do without buying food from all over the world? you bet. Can I do without email? no doubt. Can I do without full time electricity? it will be interesting but sure. can I do without the ability to wash my clothes in a washing machine? That will be tough but I'm sure I can figure out a way.

Can I feed myself from my garden. it will be tough at first, but over time I will figure out a way.

But the time in between before these requirements stated above happen, there will be a squeezing of society. Little bits here and there will pick at us. Tearing away in some areas, merely flaking away in others.

Switching to more local doctors and dentists is something I'm doing right now.

I basically no longer drive my car, except for errands on the weekends. I take the bus to work.

At some point down the road those errands will have to be replaced by my bike.

I wonder if the industry I currently work in, will still exist.

I'm one of the lucky few that have a home that is paid off. but there is still the issue of property taxes.

My wife and I actually have save enough to keep us going for many years as far as paying out property taxes, but that is of course based on the idea that the dollar will still be more or less worth what it is today several years from now. Which it probably won't be.

Will there be some sort of subtle need for people to come together? Don't know. I hope so. I'm getting to know my neighbors better.

The time in between will be interesting to say the least. A part from living through it, it will be fascinating to see how society adjusts to the change.

Some people won't, others will. How people adjust will also be just as interesting. Like all societies, there will be the producers and the users. The users tend to be the leaders. I will be interested to see if that changes.

I look out the window of my office upon the quiet city of Austin. It's a pretty town. A small town feel in a medium sized city. We were voted in the top 5 for greenest cities in the U.S. We are lucky, we are preparing, but many cities aren't. And it's those cities that aren't are the ones that concern me.

I see the mad max survivor mentality bubbling to the surface in those cities. And it's those cities that threaten the ones who have prepared.

How will that evolve? Will we show them the way? or will we erect barriers to defend ourselves thus devolving into a tribal mentality?

We are heading for some truly interesting times.

The time in between.

[NMDemDist2]

1. indeed. the 'time inbetween' is gonna be bloody

I tend to hope for the best but plan for the worst.

which is why I sold out of my interests in an unsustainable Metro area and have moved to a very rural area with water and salt readily available

I hope I don't need it, but I own my little acre with neighbors on both sides who are expert gardeners and animal raisers

we shall see. I'm glad I'm in my 50s and not my 20s :shrug:

[phantom power]

2. The witching hour.

[Nihil]

3. Nice post Javaman.

I've looked at this myself on the occasional evening and realised that
we're not in a terribly bad situation - just not in a good one either.
The energy availability, non-local foods, transport options and so on
are ok though I haven't yet paid off the house (getting closer!) but ...

> Can I feed myself from my garden.

That's the one that will catch us out because the answer is "no".
We grow some bits (soft fruit, some vegetables) but, even if I converted
every square foot of the area within the fences, the garden simply isn't
big enough to live off (assuming I haven't eaten my wife & children first!).

There are some possible ways out (e.g., one of our friends is a farmer who
will be forced to move to more manual methods when his fuel runs out ...
I (and my sons) can cycle to his farm and work for him in return for food
if he needs it ... but one of his options is to sell up before that point
so we're back to square one).

At the end of the day, there will be a time of living on our wits until
we have established a new way of life. That is the time that I want to
be with my family, able to use the experience I've built up rather than
just trying to pass it on in dribs & drabs in the hope that it will help
them to survive.

As you say "We are heading for some truly interesting times".