I canceled a planned trip to Oregon this weekend. I was scheduled to play a private party west of Portland – a really nice tribal reunion that I played last year.
My decision was based in part on the cost of gasoline, but it’s more than that. It just seems like a bad time to be consuming. There are some genuine intrruptions in the gasoline delivery system due to Hurricane Katrina, but if history is any indicator, there will also be plenty of opportunitstic profiteering. It seems to me extremely unlikely that anyone in a position of leadership in this country is going to call on the oil industry to make any sacrifices.
Seems to me the best way to deny windfall profits is to spend as little as possible on gasoline during the crisis.
I’ve heard from many friennds who feel the same way.
I’d rather send some money to the people who need it, stay home and do some creative work. My friends in Oregon understand and accepted my decision. There are other musicians coming to the party from much shorter distances, so I’m not leaving the tribe high and dry.