User 1234

Hey Yucky.

So I've footed my way down to the Columbus area. I thought things were bad in Cleveland...that whole deal with Green and Red Zones that dessum was talking about was painfully clear. You could walk ten minutes down a street and find yourself going from one extreme to the other -- from people working together to move a couch into a community living center, to muggers holding victims at gunpoint for things like bottles of water or their jackets.

I happened to be the victim in that case. The guy with the guy looked to be in his late thirties, had a few day's growth of chin stubble. Put a cell phone in his hand, give him a shave and a suit, and he could easily have passed as a stockbroker. In fact, I think that's what he used to be. Must have been investing in the shipping industry before the 30th.

Like I said before, I'm a pretty stubborn guy. I've never been in a real fight before -- never had a gun pointed at my nose either -- but while he was yelling in my face, telling me to take off my jacket and hand over my water, I just eyed him quietly.

"No."

His eyes were shot. I'm pretty sure he hadn't slept well, or at all, the past couple of days. But when I turned him down, he looked at me like I was the crazy one. My hands were shaking, but I kept the tremors out of my voice, keeping my words simple and direct.

"No," I repeated. "I don't care how bad things have gotten. My job's gone, and I don't have a home. But I still have this country, and I refuse to believe things have gotten so bad you need to kill a guy for things that aren't going to last you more than a day."

He stared at me for a couple of seconds, then grabbed my bottle and ran off down the street. I watched him run, then stumbled the other way. I didn't stop walking till I reached what I hoped was a safe area. Then I let me knees give out and dropped onto a bench for awhile.

Pretty stupid of me, huh? Well, I never claimed to be a genius when it came to common sense. And maybe...just maybe...what I said got through to the guy. Yeah, it's tough right now. I'm not saying that it isn't. But we've seen tough times before -- not personally, maybe, but definitely as a nation. And we pulled through. We didn't dive into anarchy -- at least not right away. I can't make everyone see that, of course. Really, I only took the gamble because that guy looked like he was mugging for the first time.

So...yeah. A little bit of self-control goes a long way, I think. Too bad the stress is getting to the local police. I guess I can't blame them too much, what with all the riots they need to put down and such, but now I can see why some areas don't even bother calling for the cops.

I'm sending this one to you from the Metro Library...there was a pretty long line of people waiting to get online, but I wasn't going anywhere, anyway. I happened to notice this article while I browsed. Better late than never, I guess. The idea of saving 500 million barrels of oil a year is a heartening thought, though. Maybe technology like this will help the world make a smoother transition to life without oil.

I'm thinking about heading further south. If anyone's reading this and has a cot they can spare, let me know. I'd be more than happy to do any odd jobs for a bed and a meal.

Sorry about the wife, Yucky. I won't claim to be a better companion, but I'll try and head your way...never thought Rome would burn this fast.

Peace.