Filling up my tank today, bus accident, hurricane....

[Janie]

Yikes - anyone see the bus that was incinerated? I seem to hear many sketchy details about it - one channel said only 1 dead and another said 20 were burned to death.

I'm filling up my tank this morning, while our gas is still under $3 p/gallon - the cheapest i've seen it is $2.79 p/gallon here in nj. In hawaii it was $3.60 - 3.99 which is just screwed up. I don't know why the prices vary so much from state to state, but then it could just be supply and demand in certain state and areas (which generally is what drives prices up and down). 25% of the gas in our country comes from texas, so we're screwed, price wise, if those refineries go down.

It's amazing how many storms we are getting pounded with that are just So Severe! Talk about confusing - i get confused when i have 4 shoots per day, but imagine handling all the current situaitons going on at the same time????! And Soooo many displaced people! I'm telling ya, support habitat for humanity - they won't give the money to administration, it goes toward building houses for all these people (unlike red cross - i'll never trust them!).

[Axle]

It's happening up here to! It's price gouging! There's enough in reserves not to warrent this price hike, and they say that it's the Hurricanes fault, that's just sick, it hasn't even hit yet. It's the oil barons grabbing for profit again.

[another view]

Heard not-quite that much info about the bus accident on the radio driving to work this morning. Sad. And another thing about traffic moving about 4mi in 12 hours near Houston - literally.

I filled up yesterday as prices were already going up, but I needed it. I think your gas prices are about the same as here right now, but Diesel was at $2.71 which isn't as high as it's been - but much more than the ~$1.60 range I got used to when I first bought it 2-1/2 years ago... There's a big price difference in the city of Chicago, as well as other areas being higher or lower for whatever reason. I think Hawaii is probably not a fair comparison though because it's an island. I'll bet most things over there are more expensive because of the extra transportation (and maybe less competition).

Anybody hear about Arlo Gutherie? He's known for the song "Alice's Restaurant", as well as one called "City of New Orleans". That's a song everybody knows, but not usually by name ("Good morning America, how are you?...). Anyway, he got together with Amtrack to take a train from Chicago to NOLA (like in the song) and bring the musicians and clubs a bunch of equipment to replace what was lost. They're going in December and taking two weeks to get there, stopping on the way for concerts and donations. I thought that was pretty cool!

It's the oil barons grabbing for profit again.

I don't think there's anything us mere mortals can do but buy stock in oil companies...

[photophorous]

I'm in Austin. A buddy in Houston left to come to Austin at midnight on Wed. and didn't get here until 5 am. Usually takes 2.5hrs. He's lucky. Another friend lives down by the coast and it took him 12 hours. Usually about 4.5. Those are people that left on Wed. The ones still out there are taking much longer. I work in east Austin, on the highway that connects Houston and Austin, and it's been a solid stream of cars going west since Wednesday. I haven't seen any gas stations that were empty but coworkers tell me some are. I haven't seen any price gouging either. I filled up with 93 octane for $2.84/gal yesterday. It was about 3.09 right after Katrina.

I hope nobody stays down on the coast.

Paul

[Janie]

Oh! you're in Austin? My friend scott is at the big music fest there right now and I was wondering if this was affecting austin at all. I think he leaves today or tomorrow - i saw that dallas airport was mobbed - wonder how austin's is?

[photophorous]

Yep. Your friend should be fine. If the storm stays on it's current track, it will almost miss Austin completely. Last I heard, we're predicted to get a little rain and wind, but nothing bad enough to stop the show. It's gonna be so hot, he'll be glad if it rains.

I don't know about the airport. I'm skipping the festival this year, because it was so crazy last year, but I still kinda wish I was going. Last year, with just festival traffic, the airport was fine. I flew into Austin the day before, and the plane was full of festival goers. I could pick them out by the band t-shirts they wore. It was kind of exciting flying into my own town with a plane full of tourists looking to party all weekend. Felt like I was going to Vegas but I was going home.

Paul

[Janie]

My friend is a night club owner and he was going to see my friends band (who i promoted then got signed by curb records, with the help of franke previtt) deSoL who is playing this year. I guess they are starting to get a lot of airplay, but oddly, NJ doesn't play them - but music wise, you can only listen to top 40 24/7 in nj - no variety is allowed. Buddy Guy is also there - met him when my friend matt o'ree and bobby pantella (from monster mag) played with him. Talk about a kick-ass show!

[Mr Yuck]

I don't think there's anything us mere mortals can do but buy stock in oil companies...

<<< Guilty

That situation down there is nuts, makes me grateful for my living on the west side of things, but man, it's gotta be hard down there. My thoughts prayers go out to those affected.

[coachgns]

Anybody hear about Arlo Gutherie? He's known for the song "Alice's Restaurant", as well as one called "City of New Orleans". That's a song everybody knows, but not usually by name ("Good morning America, how are you?...). Anyway, he got together with Amtrack to take a train from Chicago to NOLA (like in the song) and bring the musicians and clubs a bunch of equipment to replace what was lost. They're going in December and taking two weeks to get there, stopping on the way for concerts and donations. I thought that was pretty cool!

I don't think there's anything us mere mortals can do but buy stock in oil companies...

Just saw Arlo a couple of weeks ago. One of the groups playing with him was The Mammals. If they are on this train, then definitely, get out & see it. Arlo was fantastic. But that group - WOW! Pete Seeger's grandchild & I think Arlo's daughter are in it.
Even if they are not on this tour - go see it & contribute. I wish I was nearby their route.

I got an email from my Houston cousins - they made it to Austin in 5 hours, and are staying there a few days. Heard from another friend in Houston's west end just his morning - has power, cable, phone, etc.