Larry,

Best wishes and hang in there. Though it doesn't always seem like it; given enough time, things will get better.

Scott

__________________
Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

Hi Larry,
I actually found this thread after thinking "What ever happened to Larry Bible?" Back when I convinced my wife to let me buy a then- ailing euro 1987 190d (which we still have by the way) I read ALOT of your posts (printed a bunch out, and keep a number of them in a binder). Many of the posts dealt with AC stuff because at the time, well mine was.... (as we used to say in Texas...) "Broke." The information and insight you and the rest of the "old guard" provided, helped me get the car in good running condition, and with a working defroster and ac, etc.

In a world now full of awful throw-away cars sold to the mindless masses by way of deceptive advertising campaigns and targeted financing programs, those of us who value the engineering and design of these "real" automobiles NEED the expertise you and others are willing to share. I have no place else to go for advice, case and point- I am now the ONLY male I know personally who changes his own oil....

When I have a problem, I come here first. I use this board to help me understand what might be causing a problem BEFORE I take my car to a shop. When its at the shop, I come HERE to research what they suggest might or might not be "the problem." More often than not, the info and advice from people on this board has helped me, and the techs working on my odd car to resolve the problem. And you have been one of the people on this board that has helped me over these 5+ years. I thank you for that, and hope to be able to turn to you for guidance again in the future.

So, because I can't do it, I would ask that you put "Senior Member" back in your sig for those of us who look to you for guidance.

As for how things have played out over the last few years for you, I can only offer my condolences and encouragement. I would also point out that when we are in a low place in our lives, it is hard to see doors that are ajar among all of the doors which appear to be closed. Many of us have been in a similar situation, whether we're willing to admit it or not. Keep trying those doors Larry, even the ones you might not have even considered before. With your unique background and training you have knowledge and skills that set you apart from others. When you find a door that looks like it might be slightly open and is interesting to you, kick it open and go.

Take care of yourself, and thanks for all of your help,
-John

I have always felt that when things are going well we automatically take it for granted. Inversly when things are not we seem to be much more directly aware of it. Even focusing on it like we do with being unhappy. One could call it depressing in nature . That to me is just the universal human condition.

It is mentally much harder to pull yourself upward when things are less than the norm that we have come to expect. Unfortunatly we are experienced with it and have grown to expect it like a right of passage.

You seem to lose drive for a time in fact if it ceases. If you cycle through it several times as we have in your life you aquire some immunity simply by conditioning and exposure I suppose.

Does not make it better but you are then aware things will usually rotate once again. I used to even concern myself with what it was going to be like when we retired. That too seems to have taken care of itself as well.

I have considered even at the lowest points of my life how much better off we are than many people. All I have really learnt except for occassional periods is well stated in the old expression. If it is not one thing it is another that concerns the individual from time to time.

Actually without changes life might get pretty boring. We also could get out of touch if no changes occured. Once again starting to just take things for granted. All this proves really is it is usually cyclitic in nature and the person experiencing it is never alone really.

This current feeling could change over a very short period as easily as sustain. As individuals we are somewhat powerless to alter things of this nature.

If any of us had to add serious health issues to the equation at a low point it could be devastating. Some people can bounce better. Some people never unfortunatly obtained a situation to bounce back to or remember. That might be more tragic in reality if they were aware. We are semi protected by what we do not know as well thankfully. If one is just breathing it is better than some alternatives I suppose. This type of experience may further develop a persons character .

Most members on this site are born survivors in my opinion. This could become a really important characteristic in my opinion a little further down the road.

Just a few days ago Fidel Castro stated that his type of government has failed. We in north america may have a simular senario if we cannot figure out a way to exist without massive unbelievable continious deficit financing. Our once massive wealth enabled unsustainable and impractable sytems to become endemic.

For some reason at this point reality is difficult to deal with by elected bodies. There is going to be a high casualty rate both now and rising with time because of it in my opinion. It will be far from a smooth transaction to something else.

Right now is the alice in wonderland period in my opinion. I watched the loss of real personal wealth experienced when the real estate situation tumbled. I also watched the lack of understanding of what really was underway with that event. The end result by government was just buying some time I think. Hope I am wrong though. Time will tell. There are many in Larry's situation currently but few discuss it.

Being retired now we are semi out of the picture. I know Larry should over the long haul average out better than the so called average person whatever happens.

From this point in time forward the government will become ever more intrusive in the economy. There is absolutly no other course of action in our system possible at this time.

This senario has been well understood for a long time with our type of systems. I cannot advocate any other as none seem to work properly anymore. Massive reform of what we have is an outside but really remote possibility. Many things are now constantly occuring that are well outside the normalacy range. Needless to say this affects many people in other than positive fashions.