As we head relentlessly into the year 2000, you may have detected a wee bit less volume from the Y2K doom profiteers. This might have something to do with many governments having already entered fiscal 2000.

Canada and New York state, for example, survived their April foray into Y2K with only minor accounting glitches. Many other states start their Y2K in July, and if New York's experience is any indication, the crepe hangers will be a least partially discredited, along with their hallelujah chorus.

Internationally, things look relatively good, as well, according to AP coverage of a UN conference that occurred on June 22nd.

Hopefully, the positive experience of fiscal Y2K will put a stake in the heart of these apocalyptic movements of utter hopelessness, that seem to be so popular. Indeed, so much of what happens to us is a self-fulfilling prophecy that we might as well burden ourselves with optimistic prophecies, don't you think? Remember the power of positive thinking?

Even the trial lawyers' lobby couldn't prevent Congress and the White House from putting together a compromise bill to limit Y2K related litigation. Heck, that's an real accomplishment!! And you thought the government was completely worthless...

On the entertainment front, Wild Wild West has opened to nearly unanimous negative reviews:

"Wild Wild Worst" (New York Post headline)

"...Wild, wild waste of time." (New York Post body copy)

"...Wild wild mess." (USA Today)

"How the Wild Wild West Was Dumb" (Washington Post)

The pic opened at number one, but many predict that word of mouth will kill it, and it won't begin to cover its production cost, estimated at $160 million. Maybe the movie-going public has finally tired of all special effects and no story. All-time champ George Lucas didn't exactly blow the doors off the box-office with his latest, either.

Although director Barry Sonnenfeld complained that negative comments on the Internet created the bad buzz for his would-be blockbuster, he should now try looking in the mirror.

Meanwhile, the nanny state is alive and well. Cartons of eggs will soon be carrying warning labels, to educate those among us who have been eating them raw:

The proposed label reads: "Eggs may contain harmful bacteria known to cause serious illness, especially in children, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems. For your protection keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly."

And in the world of high finance, the winner of a $150 million multi-state Powerball jackpot, the fourth-largest lottery ever won globally, purchased the ticket in Minnesota, a lottery official said Thursday.

"They haven't called yet, whomever they are, so all we can do is wait. We're all pretty excited here, just waiting for that person to call," said Jenny Kurz, public relations officer of the Minnesota ticket office.

Haven't won the lottery? Not to worry. It's exciting just living in this incredibly fast-paced environment, where millionaires are created overnight, and our options appear unlimited.

Y2K, here we come!