sometimes i wonder if people realize we're all in this together, one way or another.

'Amen' sister... I have always hated the 'it could be worse' train of thought!

Amen, sistuh!

You hit the nail on the head, Laurie, especially with the "Sure, some people pay more for gas in Europe but many folks in Europe also have free health care, free college education, six weeks of paid vacation mandated by the government, and up to one-year paid family leave depending on where in Europe you're talking about. Crime rates in many of those nations are a fraction of what they are at my local grocery store. And even considering all that, many of those nations are the size of the Beverly Center and they still have clean, efficient mass transit."

Yes!
.

I agree with all. Yes, someone is sticking it to us..and the are the corporations... particularly the oil corporations... oh and let's not forget such scoundrels as Halliburton...and the rest of the industrialized military machinery in the country ...and of course the Republicans who help all of them stick it to us "Little people."

Agreed that "it could be worse" isn't a constructive way to look at anything. And that Europe is NOT comparable. That comparison has long been a pet peeve of mine.

But, EVEN IF demand for oil hasn't increased as much as prices have, the supply is constantly shrinking and we as a society are beginning to realize that the consumption of gasoline has costs (emissions) that we weren't previously thinking about.

You are so right! Too bad most people are too short sighted (or stupid?) to look beyond the surface of anything.

I think we should be allowed to feel something without being made to feel guilty about it. It's a feeling, damnit and being allowed to acknowledge a feeling to live with it to let it hang out awhile and mature, that can lead to other things, such as an impetus for change. Whenever someone tells me that things could be worse, I feel bad and try to sweep my problem, my feelings away while I remember that yes, there are people out there who have things far worse. But the thing is, I know this. I am grateful for what I have. I count my blessings every day. I am not going to let others make me feel bad about feeling bad about things. I'm tired of others discounting my feelings or attempting to trivialize the situation. I think recognizing the reality of the situation without minimizing it is the only way to really start the process of changing.

LOVE your comments on who's got it the worst and Europe's gas prices vs. so many other benefits we don't have.

One of my favorite little sayings goes something like this:

One day when I was lonely and sad a voice came from the gloom and said: Cheer up! Things could be worse! So, I cheered up. And, sure enough, things got worse.

Just sayin'.

Yes, let's make it better. I like your way of thinking, Laurie!

With a family to house and feed and a sick daughter and a son about to go to college in a year I am terrified. I know it seems sudden that everything has gone wrong here in the US but it's been at least 7 years coming. It hit the most vulnerable first (the poor, the sick) and has been inching closer to the middle class until BOOM! HERE WE ARE!

I won't start bitching about Bush but if you want to know what's been going on here try googling FACISM. It's scary.

Bravo!

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunately I don't know that people as whole will do anything to fix it until it's either too late or they absolutely have to. Procrastination is expensive :/

Pardon me: it's actually FASCISM. I had a brain fart.

I'll stop now, I promise:

http://oldamericancentury.org/14pts.htm

Liz -- it's that stress, I think for so many of us in the middle class it's been a slow build-up and now we're just squeezed!

I didn't have anything to say I guess I was just so anxious all weekend, thinking about it, and wanted to get it out.

I want things to be better and I'm trying to look at my own life and make changes everywhere I can, but I already drive less than anyone I know (my car is a 1995 Jeep, over 13 years old, and it has 102,000 miles on it. It had 60,000 miles when I bought it. Seriously.) I'm all about making changes where I can, I'm just not sure what to do to alleviate the anxiety. So you know, I wrote about it LOL.

On the plus side, my decree of "no shopping 'til '09" is going great and I'm more motivated than ever to stick with it. Over the weekend I went to Target for toilet paper and a few essentials and didn't buy a single thing off the list. Success! It's the small victories ;)

"Could be worse. Could be raining." **rain rain rain**

Young Frankenstein is all I can think of when people use that phrase. Makes me laugh. And you're right, it's a nonsensical thing to say in answer to a serious concern.

Laurie for President! You are wonderful and you have the best way of putting down what I, and many, people are thinking. We really do need to fix our nation, it is broken and needs fixing. Let's feed our hungry and get strong, then we can help others in need.

Go Laurie! Your point about public transit in Europe is spot right on! Everywhere just about. I live in a tiny little village in the Indian Himalayas and I can get just about anywhere on public transit for pennies. Yes, petrol costs a fortune, but most vehicles mysteriously get a lot more mileage than they do here and, when we have buses and trains everywhere, nobody drives all that much! So why is the U.S. feeling more like a Third World country than the one I live in?

We're feeling the crunch up here in Canada as well. The price of oil and gas is getting to be too much. With the farmers replacing regular crops with crops that is used in biofuel it is driving the cost of food up even higher because there is less food being grown. We are in a really terrifying cycle right now.
I also don't like the "it could be worse" theory. It enables ignorance. We need to address the problem and find a real solution. Sweeping unpleasant things under the rug is not going to improve the lives of Americans, Canadians or anyone else for that matter.

sorry that should read "crops that are used in biofuel.." Really our education system isn't that bad :)

You are so right! It's like when you are having a hard time and people respond by proclaiming how much worse they have it. Who really wants to win the "I'm suffering more than you!" game?

Oh, so much anxiety here over the state of affairs in this country and the world. I've never understood the "it could be worse" logic either. But I fall victim to it, though. Time and again when I pay 99cents a pound for bananas or almost $4 for a gallon of milk or $4.25 for a gallon of gas, I almost always say "I guess it could be worse if I lived elsewhere." But "elsewhere" is a real place for someone who is also struggling. For me, the frustration lies in not knowing where to begin to make the changes that make it better for all. Instead I try to do small, greener things and hope maybe my neighbor is doing the same thing and that all these things are adding up somewhere.

It might be a bit naive but it's better than "it could be worse."

Great post, Laurie! You know things are tight when my 18 yr old son told us to go ahead and sell the very cool pick-up truck (that has been the inherited car each kid in our family drives), because he can no longer afford the gas. He can share his Dad's Toyota. So anyone want a cool truck that takes an arm and a leg to fill up?

I guess all we can do at this point is walk, share rides, and vote!

I know it's bad here because I've quit shopping at Whole Foods as my default grocery store. I've also quit going window shopping in the evenings because I'd rather save the gas, and I'm afraid I'll need a new car soon and don't know how I'd pay for that. And I know I'm lucky because I have a car, a good job and can still afford to drive daily.

This is an excellent post. Much of what you've said are similar to what I've thought. I can't shake the feeling they're getting rich off us because they can. And while that democratic ideal might be fine in some areas, in something the country and its people NEED, well, it's just criminal.

Here's something to consider: In the last few weeks, as the cost of a barrel of oil has gone up, so has our gas at the pump. At the closing of the market, we all see a 5 to 10 cent jump before nightfall. But when the cost of a barrel of oil drops, as it's been doing lately, where's our 5 to 10 cent drop at the pump?

I'm sick of our gas prices being at whim of Morgan Stanley predictions (who thought it was a good idea to take this kind of advice from an investment firm???) or political possibilities - how about the REAL PRICE OF GAS for a change?

Totally with you on the 'well it sucks worse other places' arguement too. Much of Europe pays more for gas because a bigger chunk of that price-per-gallon is their government's tax on it. Free healthcare runs the UK citizen somewhere around 18% sales tax, as an example. I don't think the answers the oil industry has given us are adequate, and frankly I don't think our leaders have been asking the right questions either.

Vote Laurie for President!!!! I would!!!

While obviously I warmly welcome you and the 25 people who commented before me, would it be alright if America didn't move here to Europe? It's just that there are so many of you and so many of us that things might be a bit of a tight squeeze and all. Plus all sorts of comic confusion would ensue with language issues and what not.

Sincerely, European-based Antipodean

Apples and Giraffes! Classic.

Let's face it, there are a lot of things in our lives that are out of our control. But I am choosing to focus on the things I can change. I can drive less, I can buy less stuff. I can buy my fruits and vegetables at my local farmer's market and have the satisfaction of knowing that they didn't travel on a truck across the entire US to get to me, plus they taste a whole lot better. I'm even knitting myself a cool new shopping bag (from stash yarn) so I can cut down on plastic bags. Do these little things make a huge difference to the world? Probably not. But at least they make me feel like I'm doing *something*. Let's all make it better together! :-)

I agree on all counts. This ISN'T Europe--if it were we would all eat better food and date men named Marcello who worship us. And it is pretty freakin' bad already for many people--could we stand worse?

Thanks for saying so, and saying so with such eloquence.

Laurie, I noticed that you, a transplanted Southerner, used the phrase 'bless their hearts'. I read somewhere that that's kind of code for 'what a bunch of yabbos' or something like that. For example, 'She's donating both her kidneys to dialysis patients, bless her heart' = 'Can you believe what that crazy broad wants to do?'

Any thoughts on that? I'm a Northeasterner, so I don't come across this phrase much, but I am interested in language usages.

Thanks!

Gas and food prices are stressing me out too, but I also think that the world needs to feel the stress a little to realize that we can't take these things for granted. We are depleting our resources so quickly and the current crisis is at least forcing people to think about their consumption. It's very unfortunate that this is what it has taken, but hopefully if we all start to make greener choices we CAN make a difference and things will get better. I know I needed a little prodding to start to make changes, but at least now I'm doing what I can.

Hear, hear!

I, personally, am scared to death....and so far I'm lucky that I'm doing ok. But I have already canceled plans for a vacation later this year, cut back on unnecessary groceries, and drive as little as possible. And I'm still afraid of what could happen in the next few months.

The price comparisons around the world, around the country and even around the block have always seemed silly to me. You have to take into account not only things that other folks may not have to pay for (health insurance), but also what their salary is! If you were to plop me in the middle of L.A. with my current salary, my way of living would change drastically. I doubt my current HOUSE payment would get me a one-bedroom apartment in L.A. But I would be willing to bet that someone doing my job there makes more a year than I do. We had a big migration of Californians moving to Nashville because Nissan moved here....these people felt like they won the lottery because they sold their modest houses out there for $700,000 and that buys a whole lot more out here!

As long as our country is run like a giant conglomerate, with out-sourcing increasing at an alarming rate (I called DSL for assistance and I got a fellow in Mexico!), and Washington turning a blind eye and deaf ear to its citizens who pay the bills, we will continue be ignored, used and lied to. The "decider" knows best.

Laurie, you're absolutely right!

I am really not in love with the, "Well, it could be worse..." argument, either. It's like throwing a negative at a negative and expecting a positive. Even my kids know that in algebra when you add a negative and a negative you get an even bigger negative. This is sort of the same thing.

I'm really not in love with the gas prices either. I'd love to thing there was something, anything I could do about it the gas prices and the food prices, but the reality is that the only thing I can do is curtail my own usage of fossil fuels and become more conscious of my spending. And you know what, neither of those two things are bad, actually.

Here's a positive for you, Laurie: The dramatic increase in oil (and corresponding price increases on consumer goods across the board) will cause the population as a whole to seek out more responsible, Earth-friendly energy sources or to seek out ways to use less oil. That's a win-win. We'll also stop spending money on stupid crap from the big-box stores because we'll want to, in the short term, be sure to have money in the bank for a rainy day and for further price increases on necessities.

So, when all of this is over (and it will end someday) we'll all have lots of money in the bank and we will be able to go on a nice, long vacation and drink lots of wine!!! Or buy a house with a sizable downpayment!! Or retire comfortably and not rely on the social security that won't be there!!! Or put solar panels on our houses!!!

Alright...I know this last part seems far-fetched, but as a glass-half-full kind of person, I elect to believe it will happen.

"Crime rates in many of those nations are a fraction of what they are at my local grocery store."

Awesome.

I keep wishing everyone around me would break out singing "Let the Sunshine In." Sort of like the Free Hugs phenomenon. Someone starts -- and the whole crowd joins in (cops, cholos, Botox Bitches). Yeah, this is what I was thinking about while in the shower this morning. Now I have to go find my HAIR soundtrack LP.

P.S. I also wished in 2nd grade that I were a Pink Lady, and all the students would sing and dance around the school.

P.S.S. In fact, I wish my whole life could be a musical.

People look at me crazy when I say this, but I'm glad gas is this expensive because it is driving change. We could have, and should have had, hydrogen or electric cars *years* ago. The technology was there, but the oil companies and auto businesses kept it from becoming a reality. Now consumers are demanding it, by buying import cars and hybrids. It just sad American businesses are so behind as a result of their own greed, resulting in loss of working-class jobs.

My town still has little mass transit, no bike lanes, and not even sidewalks! It's drive or pray you get there in one piece.

I was just watching the (Pittsburgh) news this morning, where they told us that gas prices went up about a nickel a gallon over the weekend, and will probably rise again that much before this weekend, and I wondered to myself "how the heck is this happening??" As always, you put it better!

And, although when you went on the "spending diet" I was not one who chimed in, I've found myself over the past several days asking myself if I really *need* something before I buy it. So thanks for that!

I think we should just say "we're all hurting". However, I think in terms of fuel, the US has had it too good, too long and it's now time to pay the price ... I know that America couldn't have been settled so extensively without cheap fuel. Good thing or bad thing? Depends I guess if you were an Eastern European escaping poverty or a displaced Native American, but that's not an argument I can contribute to.

But as a European, specifically a Briton, can I just correct some misconceptions?

"Sure, some people pay more for gas in Europe"

*everybody* in Europe pays more for gas (or petrol, as we English call it) - however, per capita it's probably about the same as we also use less... our price is currently £1.09 per litre - sorry, can't do the calculation to American gallons ... and we're an oil producing nation.

"but many folks in Europe also have free health care, "

yes, the UK is blessed with free health care at point of delivery (but not free dentistry - explains our bad teeth :o) - or free eye care) but we pay for this in National Insurance and taxes. Basic rate tax is 20%, plus NI is about 11%.

I'm not aware of any other European nation whose healthcare provision is as extensive.

"free college education,"

Nope, not any more. That said, the fees in the UK made my uncle (putting his 2 US based kids through college) smile and grit his teeth... it's about £2000 per year, excluding accommodation for a degree course.

"six weeks of paid vacation mandated by the government"

The UK legal minimum is 20 days - this includes the 8 statutory bank holidays, but it is common practice to have 20 + 8.

"and up to one-year paid family leave depending on where in Europe you're talking about"

In the UK, a woman on maternity leave gets 6 weeks at 90% of salary, 6 months at £100 a week and then 6 months at - nothing. She just has the option to return to employment. Paternity leave is two weeks, unpaid.

"Crime rates in many of those nations are a fraction of what they are at my local grocery store."

True. And gun crime and knife crime are still uncommon enough to be big news when they happen. And our police force are not routinely armed. The introduction of Tasers caused a storm...

"And even considering all that, many of those nations are the size of the Beverly Center and they still have clean, efficient mass transit."

Clean - hmmm. Efficient - hmmm. But plentiful - yes, in cities. And it's cheaper than running a car.

"It's one of those "oh it could be worse" conversations that have never made sense to me."

True. Comparisons with Europe are probably not necessarily going to give an accurate comparision. Then again neither is picturing yourself as a working class Indian person reliant on dried cow dung to heat your dinner...

It could be worse...
you could have permanently broken your innernets connection and not been able to post this today!
I agree with so much of your thinking it's scary!

knittinandnoodlin -- I am also a glass half full kinf of gal. I want to believe fervently that all this will lead to huge leaps in technology and innovative crazyass solutions that make the world better.

Annie -- yes, "bless their hearts" is a euphemism LOL.

WOW! Thanks for saying that so well! "It could be worse" grates up my last nerve for all your same reasons. It's nice to know I'm not alone with you and a lot of your other readers. Seriously, you don't know how nice that is!

Oh - and Annie, above - I used to work with a woman who used to work in the south, and claimed that Southerners (women, anyhow) can get away with saying ANYTHING as long as they follow it up with "Bless her/his/their heart!"

e.g. - "She'd kick her own mother out of the way to make her Saturday manicure appointment. Bless her heart!"

I was about to comment but was running the risk of blog hijacking, so I posted to my own blog. I have some thoughts about the "could be worse" line of thinking and its relationship to the Law of Attraction that you might find interesting. If so, here's the link:

http://knittybanter.blogspot.com/2008/06/problems-vs-solutions.html

Laurie for President?? I'm sorry but she's entirely too sweet and ethical to be President. Oh, and well-spoken, too.

I could never run for political office... in the college years, I totally inhaled!!!

Maybe you could just start responding with "Yes, it COULD be worse. And it WILL be unless everyone takes a stand against the praetorian shenanigans being perpetrated by our government."

The first serious, in-your-face indicator I had about just how much EVERYTHING was going up was a couple months ago at the grocery store. I bought three things - milk, toilet paper and laundry detergent - and the grand total was $26. TWENTY SIX DOLLARS! It made me afraid to go back and buy food. That was the day I decided to plant my garden.

Inhaled?? Honey, that's so not a big deal anymore! At this point in America you'd have to have had at least five abortions, done a ton of coke, drink and/or drank like a fish and have had at least one DUI. You'd have to adore Adolf Hitler, march with Rev. Al Sharpton, subscribe to the 700 Club and become a serial killer JUST TO APPLY. Oh and abusing animals while doing "research" is one of the electives. And of course be gay or bisexual while preaching the evils of homosexuality, and don't forget about the wide stance in public bathrooms.

I forget that I promised to shut up already. OK, starting..........NOW.

AMEN.

I go back and forth on the gas prices.

Good - because maybe it will force people to make changes that are good for the environment like bike/walk more, think before they drive, car pool, push for more public trans, etc.

Bad - because it is/will force families to make changes that are difficult like eating less (or eating cheap crap food) because groceries cost more or they need to budget more for gas to get to work; it's already starting to cause hardships for people in our area and forcing me to make some tough decisions about my kids' schooling, for example.

And I'm afraid that if the "oil bubble" bursts and gas prices come back down, as I heard it predicted the other day, then all the car pools, walking/biking and demand for more fuel-efficient (or electric!) cars will go away too. And that would be bad.

I want to buy my petrol where Nic does (11:09am) because I didn't pay £1.09 a litre this morning, I paid £1.169. My tank of fuel set me back £51 ($100). I am still recovering and working out how I can use the car even less than I do now.

What gets my goat is that when it was priced in gallons it used to go up by 1p or 2p, now it's in litres it STILL goes up by 1p or 2p. I do feel that I am being fleeced.

Oh, keep going Liz R. you're cracking me up.

Amen.. Re: moving to Europe- I think once I get my PhD, I'm going to try to get a job in the UK. Ta-ta, North American continent.

Then again, though, with many nations now emulating the US, the world is a bit screwed, imho. The undergraduate education system overseas is becoming more Americanized- e.g., required course distributions == more credits required for you to graduate in subject areas you aren't going to necessarily use == longer time spent in school == more tuition dollars for a given learning institution == capitalism! w00t, exploit the system! The beauty of the European higher education system was how little time it took- other nations were catching up to us technologically because they got their PhD's to work faster than Americans do.
Not to mention, the 20-somethings of the world are infatuated with American culture. There's a subtle shift occurring such that world youth are being raised to be American-like, and things will decline in other countries as they grow up and come into positions of influence. If you want to see something really scary, check out this Time article, "China's 'Me' Generation":

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1647228,00.html

It's effectively- "We're ok with not having civil liberties, as long as we can get our Nikes and Wiis."

Saying "It could be worse," only indicates to me that many people just aren't paying close enough attention. It IS worse, you just have to look to a bigger scale than yourself :)

I agree that most folks are well and truly pissed off and stressed. I heard today about someone pulling a gun on someone road rage at its best. Not sure what exactly happened or why but this kind of thing will increase along with aggressive driving which is very unfortunate.
It would be nice if things changed somehow someway that will make everyone happy.

You Go Girl! Or what my brother always says, "What she said".

Some one needs to stand up to OPEC!
Bravo on the post!

It was Eisenhower in his farewell address that said to beware of the military/industrial complex. What can we do? Get out of debit...go Laurie et al...plant a garden or pots or whatever you can, and VOTE! It's not that the price of gas has gone up now, it's that the price of gas has been held artifically low, credit made artifically easy and we were encouraged to buy hummmers and huge houses. Now that the housing market is melting down, the oil folks are scrambling for their piece...greedy folks everywhere. My disgust overflowth.

i would swear you were riding in the car with me this morning after reading this post. i actually turned off the radio because i just couldn't stand to hear it any more.

i would swear you were riding in the car with me this morning after reading this post. i actually turned off the radio because i just couldn't stand to hear it any more. i've been scouring the carpool web sites and trying to decipher the bus systems here in Nashville to no avail.

Let's see - - we have a President in the office who is an OIL MAN - - and who will be "retiring" from THAT job come next January - - and the oil prices are skyrocketing and taking the gas prices right along with it - -

In my TRULY HUMBLE OPINION . . . someone is feathering their "retirement" nest . . .

But then, I'm a total cynic, especially where Government and politics are concerned.

But I DO agree with you that the "Things could be worse" response is bad - - it just shows the country's apathy with the way things are going.

I don't know what to do to try to make things better . . . but I'm more than willing to try. Just need a little guidance, that's all.

Nyeah, well, while I partially agree with you on the "it could be worse part," as a German, I also feel compelled to point out that health care in many parts of Europe isn't free, contrary to whatever myth seems to live on here in the U.S. and A. Also, anything other than vocational education ain't free anymore, either--you go to college, ya gotta pay.

That said, I'm decidedly pro mass transit. When I still lived in Germany and gas was so much I couldn't afford to fill up my tiny VW Polo, I was always able to buy a bus pass and get wherever I needed to go at all times of the day or night (and yes, I even did my supermarket shopping by bus--takes a little more planning, but it works). If that were the case out here in California, I'd sell my car immediately.

Still, the "it could be worse" strikes me as a copout justifying political apathy. As long as someone has it worse, you don't have to take responsibility or steps to improve your own situation.

Laurie - if you ever decide to turn gay, I will marry you just so you can make me laugh. Not that *I'm* gay or anything. I'm just sayin. Your post made me think of a couple of weeks ago when I got laid off and i was whining to my mom and she was like - but you have so many blessings! Let's name them! Oh boy howdy - can I not complain for one second???? I finally told her to stop talking because she was REALLY irritating me! BLESS HER HEART!

That was a most poingnant post and I don't think it could have been said any better! We do need to do something to make it better rather than think it's ok to invalidate ourselves with the "it could be worst" arguement! Thank you for saying so well.

I am one of those people that mention European gas prices, because there are many people don't know that we're not the only ones paying such high prices.

Also, I agree that we need to come together to make a solution, but a lot of people are complaining about gas prices just to complain and not to discuss/take action toward a solution.

Get out and vote, and vote Democrat!

That's a good first step.

Also!!... Europeans have better public transportation that most American cities... to add to your list of plusses for Europe... many people in Europe only use cars for weekends and vacations... also agree that "someone" is sticking it to us!... possibly in Washington??

I would have siad "remember me"!... however I have no clue what my URL is... I don't think I have one...

I totally agree! Nothing will change if we just "Stepford Wives" our way through living. Singing about how life is a just a bowl of cherries! No it ain't! It ain't a bowl of cherries! This is real stuff and it demands real thinking by real people. I've got a Jeep comparable in years/mileage to yours...when people hear that it's the only vehicle my husband and I own..they look at me like I've got five heads! I have neighbors that have more cars than family members...what the hell is that?..is one for the cat? I mean honestly, their roof's caving in..but as long as they have their (excessive amount of) cars!..life's ok. Sorry to rant..I'm in a mood:(

Where did it go? Did someone slip 'shrooms into my lunch again?

As a Briton I'm with Nic on this one, and she managed a rather more measured response than I would.

Also, guys, it COULD actually be so very much worse. We live in countries where we have a fantastic lifestyle let alone basics like clean water. We are phenomenaly lucky. We could all take 5 minutes to get over ourselves, eh?

Okay, so if you don't want to be President, how about Queen? !

I agree with your take on the "could be worse" mentality. I also totally get the association with "Young Frankenstein" - I probably say "could be raining" out loud 90% of the time someone says "Could be worse" - and they rarely get it. I know - I'm a loser.

I am so fed up with the price of gas because it is so arbitrary and unfair. This is a commodity that everyone needs - and I mean everyone, whether you drive or not. These increases are having a profound effect on the cost of everything. Back in Feb., a reporter asked Bush if he had heard that gas was supposed to go up to $4 this summer and immediately the price of gas shot up. Bush seems typically unconcerned - no surprise there. But frankly, I don't see my fellow Dems doing anything about it either - now or in the future.
Now, as a small business owner, I am paying anywhere from 10% to 21% fuel surcharges on all of the services for my business, from trash pick-up, routine maintenance services, and especially shipping and handling charges (like UPS & FEDEX). So in order to stay in business and turn any profit, I have to hike my prices to my customers.
I live in a suburb outside of Philly and there is no public transportation. I live only 6 miles from my office but there is no way I can walk or ride my bike to work - its far too hilly and there are no shoulders on the roads. In addition, I have 2 teenagers who want to continue to participate in afterschool activies and sports, so we have to drive sometimes. I hear AAA report that people aren't changing their driving habits, but I think that's bull. I am frustrated because I feel like any attempt I make at trying to save for my family's financial future is thwarted by the people/countries/corporations/speculators/*the system* that allows this kind of inflation to occur. I guess we should all invest in oil futures instead of complaining about the price of gas. Too bad I just spent all of my savings on a tank of regular to pick my son up from college.

I love how you ended this post. Let's get up and do something about this. Take action instead of just shrug and mumble that at least we have a rock to sit on.

My philosophy is that the whole "it could be worse" mindset can be good when used to lift yourself out of despair, but it can turn bad real fast bad when used to invalidate someone else's (or even your own) unhappiness.

I think my friend Meki put it best when she said, "You know, at least we're not fighting over rice and beans in Haiti. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't want more out of life than just drudgery."

Well, thanks for saying so out loud! I have this vague feeling of uneasy-ness every time I buy something or think about using the car. And like an above commenter, my grocery store bills have gotten shocking. It's crazy, but to me, not surprising given who's got the power right now. As someone else said above- feathering the retirement nest. This has to be the worst abuse of that notion ever by an out-going administration. And they're feathering that nest with OUR feathers dammit!
I do try to focus on this being a much-needed wake-up call, and the possibility that great new technologies will grow out of it. But it's hard to stay positive when the US has blown or buried so many possibilities for saner living in the past (electric cars, wind-power- have you seen the acres of unused wind turbines scattered all across Califorina? When are they gonna get those things running? They're just sitting there, a huge pile of potential untapped. It's insanity I tell ya.).
Hubby and I are taking an unexpected, fabulous trip this summer, but the excitement of that is so tempered by guilt for spending ANYthing in this current, scary climate. I just keep telling myself it's my consolation prize for not having children. A very mixed blessing...

I seriously hate the "it could be worse" comment, but I honestly think that people say it because they don't know what else to do. Is there a sense of defeat amont the general public? Do they feel defeated and think that there is nothing more that can be done to change the way things are?
There used to be this idea that Americans could band togther and make a change - that as a whole we could make things better. Does that work anymore? Can we vote for change? Maybe not - we elected a majority of Democrats to Congress yet nothing has changed for the better. Can we cut back spending and save? Not really, prices keep going up in spite of our cutbacks. Can we take public transportation instead of using our car? If you are lucky and have a good network, yes. But if not, it's not like it is going to be built in the next 6 months. So maybe it is better to convince yourself that you actually don't have it so bad because there really is no alternative.

Well, now I'm completely bummed! But I'm not going to give up. It bouys me to see so many people responding positively to what you say. You are so eloquent and so on point - don't ever stop!

You rock! I like the "let's make it better" mentality much better than the "oh well" mentality!

My husband and I actually traded in our two gas guzzlers for one fuel-efficient vehicle. I have to take him to work and pick him up, but we're using less gas and saving money.

Great post. Yes, I get the feeling this time will be in the history books, with revelations, and my great nieces/newphews will study it some day. I so wish we had public transportation from my house to my work - it just doesn't exist. There is no way that gas/car/road interests didn't keep public transit, buses, trains, trollies, etc., from being cheap and plentiful. There are resources to do what needs to be done to alleviate oil/gas dependency - just not the corporate will.

Of **course** the oil companies are sticking it to us. They are large corporations, and they have been told that the Free Market is the very bestest thing ever invented, and that therefore every American has the right, nay, the sacred duty, to sell whatever product they have at the highest price they can. When you have fewer zucchinis than people want (an unlikely scenario, I know, but work with me here), you keep raising the price as long as people keep buying zucchinis.

In theory, at some point this should make people change their behavior: 1) try to cut back on their zucchini consumption; 2) decide to grow their own zucchinis; 3) eat broccoli instead. If growing zucchinis is very expensive and very difficult, and people really like zucchinis a lot more than they do broccoli, this will take a while, and in the meantime a lot of people will suffer.

All of which is to say that solar and wind power are starting to look a lot more sensible, and wind turbines are maybe not quite as hideous as we thought, if they can take some of the oil demand away.

I hope no one will murder me for saying that up to a point I actually think of higher oil prices as a good thing, because we *will* run out of oil sooner or later, so we'd best start working on a plan B pronto, several plan Bs, preferably, because not all of them will work (viz. corn ethanol). We should have started at least 30 years ago, actually, but human nature doesn't like to plan ahead. I do agree that neither "it could be worse" nor "the sky is falling" gets us any closer to plan B.

You go girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!So much truth stated so simply.

Wanting the world to be better does not mean there is no suffering. Wanting the economy to be better doesn't mean there aren't worse-off people on planet earth.

Wanting to express anxiety doesn't negate that others have anxiety about their own, different situations.

And to address Sarah directly -- if we all just sat around thanking God for clean water and never wanting anything more out of life, we'd all starve. I think God expects more of us. I believe God wants us to be good stewards of the earth and each other.

Being hopeful that good change will come does not discount one's blessings. Believe it or not, you can be grateful for what you have and still be dismayed by a distressing situation. They are not mutually exclusive concepts.

You went to Target and only bought what was on your list??? WOW! Now that is impressive. Also, visions of chocolate covered male strippers are now dancing through my head :)

If you want to know the truth, I was a little shocked to see that prices had gone up here in France at the gas pump, too, but it may make you feel a little better that it hasn't gone up by leaps and bounds like in the US. So, we're in the same boat that someone is sticking it to us all (and why weren't we invited to the stripper party if we're footing the bill), but I think you may be right that they're sticking it to you more than they are here, but then, the price of gas here is usually higher merely because the government taxes it more, and I think when the price goes up, they even it out by reducing the taxes (don't quote me on that), so maybe someone is really sticking it to us just as much as they are to you. Where was I going with that?

Oh, yeah. Not very far with gas prices what they are. I just can't afford to wander too far, you know? Anyway, I once had a deep thought or two about that "but, it could have been worse" thing. It's a bunch of bull. Every person is different. Every person's physical threshold for pain is different. I think it's the same for mental anguish and emotional pain. Yes, someone else undoubtedly has it worse than you do, but that doesn't mean that your pain/suffering isn't real or valid. Maybe you would handle a tsunami really well, while a divorce knocks you down for the count, whereas a tsunami victim might feel lost the rest of their life but wouldn't be phased by their husband spending half the year away from home on a job. Everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses, and we all handle each challenge differently. Having said that, though, I think it's human nature to want to look elsewhere for worse cases of suffering to ease our own. Why else would Jerry Springer's show exist?

Laurie, I so want to run up and give you a high-five and a hug. I could not agree more, and I hereby validate you. The price of everything sucks and it must stop! Here's to carpooling and hybrids and brilliant people who are right now working on energy solutions so that we can stick out our collective tongues and go "Nyah!" to all those oil folks (foreign and domestic).

I see I am not the first to want to respond with a strong "Amen!". Thank you for putting together what has been rattling around in my head. I so relate to the "it could be worse" situation. A recent divorce has left me navigating life in a way I never planned, and while I'm glad it's not worse, it can be pretty bad, and if I'm already feeling bad, I certainly don't need the added guilt of feeling bad for the "it could be worse" people or situations.

As for the cost of gas, I agree that we are being stuck. If there was a true shortage, wouldn't there be gas stations with signs saying "Sorry, we're out of gas"? I haven't seen one of those yet.

i know what you mean about the "could be worse thing" but i do say it to myself...and many do. it helps me put my "terrible happening" into a lesser significant bad happening. maybe its a way of saying to myself'"hey, buck-up, the world isn;t going to end because this terrible thing has happened. get over yourself, stop making it worse than it seems, and put it into the true perspective of life's priorities."

however, international tragedies such as wars, genocide, starvation, global pollution, ect, ect...does warrent dwelling thought and action.

someone sent me an email filled with pictures of some arab prince's diamond encrusted car. it was disgusting! that is if it was legit. watching the building of Dubai, a fantasy world for the elite rich oil people is just one example of why gas is going higher. or how about we just ask the oil barron Bush family?

as for europe....do you know how much $ of their paychecks they actually bring home? most goes to all those things that are "free"... the good part of that though, is that the entire working country is paying for everybody's services. the bad part is that those services are not usually up to the American standards. It depends on the country though.

Krista, it was such a relief to see at least one post from a European reader who wasn't telling me off one way or another, so THANK YOU!

I'm a little surprised by the European venom today, weird. The point today wasn't to make an Us Vs. Them mentality -- I'm a big fan of Europe and have already picked out the street I want to live on in Paris someday. So what's with the anger? I didn't blame our economic stress on Europeans. I didn't blame anyone at all, although I suspect some dude in a big car at an oil company is not worried about his rent next month.

And God knows I don't want to take away the European bragging rights for having it worse off at the gas pump. As a Los Angeles driver I understand bragging rights -- how irritating it can be when people in Bismark complain about their traffic! Bragging rights are bragging rights so ya'll get to keep them.

So this whole "we have it worse" or "people use cow patties to cook dinner so you should thank your lucky stars" response is just so strange.

The point I was trying to talk about today is that using the "well it could be worse" mentality to justify something is just plain old unproductive. I want to see things get better, and do what I can to make it better -- not just sit around and eat worms out of a can.

I am with you one hundred percent and I'm sorry that it turned into a them vs. us battle. The economy of the US affects the entire global economy as well.

What happened to the post about bankruptcy and medical issues? That is a situation that I have been living through during the last 7 years and I'm so glad that you recognized it. Either that or the 4 hours of sleep I got and the little baby I'm sitting for who didn't sleep all day today and just went home and OMG I'm so tired is really getting to me!

Liz, I didn't want this to turn into an argument so I deleted it, because it was a response to a single poster.

For anyone who wants to read it, the fact sheet is here:
http://www.nchc.org/facts/cost.shtml

"Every 30 seconds in the United States someone files for bankruptcy in the aftermath of a serious health problem."

yeah, the american people are bending over and the oil companies are shoving their high prices way up our hoo-haas! WHY? BECAUSE THEY CAN! BECAUSE WE LET THEM!

gas on my corner hit $4.17 this morning. I am thankful I have a car that I can drive for 2 weeks before I have to fill it up again.

I spent no money this weekend. I am thankful I cut up all my credit cards last year, paid them all off, and told them all to go to hell.

but I am so angry and bitter (but NOT clinging to religion and guns; after all I DO live in PA) about the direction this country is going. makes me wanna scream! and yes, I WILL vote in november.

silence = compliance, people!

I just wanted to add my "Amen & Hallelujah" to the chorus. I ride-share with my hubby to work, he has to wait about 30 min's before he goes in by the time he gets there, and I have to wait an hour and a half before he picks me up. But we're saving a lot on gas, and I get to read your wonderful blog, and get lots of knitting done, while I wait!

We also came up with a plan to keep from spending more at the gro. store - he shops, while I wait in the car, then calls me and I meet him at the check out. My gro. bills have been cut back by almost 40%!

I also have been cutting back, to almost nil, on the "things I don't need" shopping. Loved your post on that! I know my bank must think I've hit my head, since I've managed to stay out of the yarn stores almost all year! I've been "shopping" in my stash!

I also have been throwing away catalogs just as soon as they come in. Enough of the I, I, I...now for the We:

How to make it better? We, the common folk (who really are the elite), need to band together, just like our Forefather's did and tell "those who think they are the elite" that we're not going to take it anymore. We're not buying their Crap, and we cut back and cut back untill it Hurts them in their Pocketbook, Will we get the message across.

And things Will get better. I truely believe this. And I have hope, just from the small sample of humanity that posts on this blog.

Kudos to Laurie (even if you did inhale - 'cause dude! who didn't?) and some well deserved hugs!!!

Here in the Pacific Northwest we are super lucky to have hydropower.
A super neeto link to electric vehicles:
http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.com/

Also, I am a tad tardy with sending you your wood floor cleaning kit. Apparently the IRS has determined that I don't need my paycheck as much as they do. Should be caught up by July.

I haven't time to read all the comments (which I normally do and will do later because they are snorting funny) but know that I am standing on my chair (yes, at work) and cheering!

Yea you! You said it!

Oh! I've also got another idea! The return of the Bike Messenger! Perfect for small local deliveries! No fuel (other than say, Red Bull) charges! Economical! No emissions!
(the Management apologises for the thread jack)

I was listening to Bernanke address the oil crisis the other day and his answer was to remind us that it's "not as bad as the price hike in the 70s that was a 6% jump when this is only a 1.8% jump" or some similar bullcrap.

As though THAT is supposed to make me feel better.

My thought was, well, then it's a 7.8% jump overall which TOTALLY SUCKS AND CAN WE FIX IT BECAUSE I AM NOT OK WITH THIS.

I agree about the "could be worse" thing on so many levels.

While we work to improve the situation, I will look to see the things I can do today. I am going to drive more slowly to decrease the amount of gasoline I consume for the number of miles I must travel. I am also looking closer at just how much driving I need to do.

If we would start drilling in Anwar and off the coast of our country we could not be dependant on any of those Mid East and other wacko countries. I am soooo tired of all this poor little animals crap. I grew up in Texas and had an oil well pumping in my school yard and it didn't hurt anyone. The animals can just adapt. I have deer in my yard and groundhogs under my porch and I live in a big city. They can adapt and we need to drill now.
Now I will come off my soap box!

Errrrr, C.A.P., Miss? I promise I wasn't being venomous, just saying that we would really all have to squish up a lot if everyone moved into my place. That's all. Nothing ulterior or anything, honest gov!

Well, here I go.... (all "I, We, or ME" mean just that... all "you" "they" are general)

Yeah, high prices, but we live in the best country in the world. Do a quick review of other places you might like to live and get back to me about which freedoms you would be willing to give up to pack up and move. All of the "ain't it awfuls" complaints simply fall into the hands of a minority (a lot of very unhappy politicians) who are really thrilled about how upset you are with your life and manipulate you to do exactly what serves them! Let's all fund another hearing or better yet a STUDY an investigation or probe, maybe they will need another tax increase to fund that... but it is okay... it keeps you thinking they care!

At least we don't have to live within a socialized govt. that controls our entire life (although there are some who are so bad at doing it themselves they might welcome this option). Which is fine as I would really prefer to live in a county with responsible adults, taking the kudos or blame but most importantly taking responsiblity!

Trashlou, I didn't mean you LOL. I knew it was a risk to post my thoughts on this, I didn't mean to alienate my European brethren, I was just stressed out by all of it and wanted to get it out.

I'm looking for every way I can change my behavior to make better choices. I truly do hope we can turn it all around, it's a pendulum, right? It swings low then it swings back to high... yes?

Laurie, don't you find it interesting that people comment so freely on what is, in effect, someone else's diary?

And before the world jumps on me, yes I know by putting one's thoughts out on the innernets there is an argument that says 'we ask for it' but still..... I know I wipe my muddy feet before (emphasised) I go into someone's house.

All you people commenting? I'm just saying is all.

You go, girl!

=)

Trashlou, it never ceases to amaze me :) I was fairly naive when I started this diary and no one read it anyway to begin with so I said whatever was on my mind. I've definitely learned to filter and self-edit as time has gone by.

By and large my commenters here are some of the nicest people I know and are helpful, and kind, and hee-larious. But sometimes there are those one or two or five who throw out the poison darts. It has taught me a lot, that is for sure! I have learned not to take everything so dreadfully personally. I used to be torn up over the smallest slight. I learned people will argue with you about ANYTHING. I once had a woman tell me I was horrible and prejudiced against the elderly because I said a dude looking at porn in the library was a "dirty old man." People bring their own lives and experience and personalities to a thing, I guess what I learned most was that it's not always about me. It's often about them and what's on their minds at the time.

I also learned people often look for ways to disagree rather than just letting a person be, but for the most part people here are pretty amazing and make me feel like I'm not so alone. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one struggling with something and it's nice not to feel alone! I'm getting better at taking the icky parts with the good.

Sort of, but not really off-topic: When people learn I'm getting divorced, I often get the "Oh just be thankful you don't have kids!" comment. It doesn't bother me so much now, but when the pain was fresh it was pretty much a stab in the heart. Sure, I get reasoning behind the sentiment, but at the time it was like "Yeah, whew! What a relief that I'm suddenly without the partner I wanted to raise a family with!"

Angela: Does it help any if I say I totally 100% from my heart understand? If I heard that once I heard it 5000 times. I really really do understand. How I managed not to hit someone upside the head with my pocketbook during those precarious times is a miracle.

By the way, my other favorite was, "You're better off without him!" It puts you in a position of having to argue for your unhappiness which always sucks ass. Hard.

Also: I'm sorry. Hang in there. Hugs.

Laurie, you are just a plethera of common sense! I wish more people would use it - particularly those in charge.

I am not a proponent of big government, but there are occasions when they can step in and stop the insanity. I firmly believe that our gas prices are a prime example of this. I think that before we go and ruin the beauty of the Alaskan wilderness, we need to police up the fat corporate offices of the Oil Execs.

Granted, part of being in business is to make money, but when the economy is suffering, and your pockets keep on growing, enough is enough!

Yea it could be worse, you could be living in Chicago were it will go to 5 bucks by July 4.

One of my favorite quotes by Winston Churchill: “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing - after they've tried everything else.”

Oh, thank you so much for saying that! I am a mom of a 2yo and a 6mo and they are delightful healthy children, but it's still really hard. My mom, bless her, keeps reminding me that HER mother had a 2yo, baby twins and NO indoor plumbing...like that's supposed to make me feel better!

Meanwhile in Australia, we are paying $1.53 per litre, and there are 4.5 litres in a gallon, sigh!

I did bankruptcy law for ten years and I can absolutely say that you are right about medical costs and bankruptcy.

Have you read Sarah Vowell? She does a very funny bit about "it could be worse" in one of her books.

I'm convinced.

Your blog always has a way of hitting the nail on the head. Thanks for the "smile".
By the way, when I lived in England, I was told by British friends that their gas "petro" price is mostly government tax. So moving to England might not save you anything.

(this has turned into a rant. Sorry!)
People are hurting outside the US! We are paying 9.27% interest on a house that we can't live in in a market that is melting down cos people can't afford to pay that much interest whilst they are paying $1.60 a litre for petrol ($6.00 a gallon, 3.8l/American gallon) and paying for food that has risen about 20% due to drought.... Our medicare safety net has been slashed again and again and whilst it is "only" $30K upwards of debt, going to university costs plenty. We voted for change and got a Prime Minister who thinks that we should cosy up to Japan (even though they are killing our whales) and campaign for an end to nuclear weapons. Like that is so 70s! We need change now! Sustainable economies and ways of living.
Yes, places need to get their collective acts together. Europe is seen as some sort of mecca but Europe's public transport was paid for by the US's Marshall Act whilst the US was building the interstates. Different priorities! Most European countries have higher per capita car-ownership than the USA.
This year, your people have the opportunity to say what they want and how they want to get to be in that position, and your politicians should listen. Hopefully a new govt will bring change, radical change (and I know who I would vote for if I could but I am an Oz citizen). This country is almost bankrupt after this disaster in Iraq and its people are more divided than they have been in years. What happened to the American Way and the American Dream?

My only consolation when I think about the fuel prices is that those getting rich off us - their days are numbered. Soon we will run out of oil and the people (and countries) who have based their existence on this resource are going to find themselves with nothing to sell and nothing to support them in the lifestyle to which they've become accustomed.

I'm an American living in Melbourne Australia and have spent a *lot* of time in various parts of Europe. I love Europe - it's my favorite place in the world. But I am always amused by the habit of non-American's telling me ALL about EVERYTHING we do wrong as Americans. And I have one response to all of them: YES, we could do things better (who couldn't??) but YOU try governing, maintaining and taking care of a country as large as ours with a population as large as ours (India, China TOTALLY excluded from this argument). YES, it's apples and giraffes because you're comparing land masses/populations the size of my pinkie finger to a land mass/population the size of my, well, my ass. Seriously. Two of my best friends in the world are from Norway and are always telling me things are better in Norway - well, let's see, Norway is the size of Texas (roughly - Texas is about 50,000 sq. miles larger) and it's population is 4,627,926 compared to 23,507,783 in Texas. So really, is this a fair comparison in ANY sense of the word?

There are so many things we need to fix - the environment above all, but so many things. I do NOT disagree with this. But please, if you want to scold me about my American self and my society, come to me with facts that make sense and I'll welcome the discussion. Compare percentages of populations, not populations as a whole. Because if you come to me and tell me crime in the US is SO MUCH HIGHER than it is in Denmark, I'm just going to look at you, smile and say "Bless your heart!"

Tonight I was fortunate enough to go to a book reading by Kevin Kling. If you don't know him yet (he does commentary on NPR sometimes), I recommend you seek him out via his new book "The Dog Says How". So funny.

Anyway, this storyteller extraordinaire shares with us how when he was in an elevator at the hospital after a horrible motorcycle accident in which he nearly died, an 8-year-old boy looks up at him and tells him how he got 6 stitches in his head. Kevin responds by pointing out how his own stitches went across his head, around his shoulder, and down his abdomen. The kid replies, "Yeah, but mine really hurt."

Here is the kicker - instead of saying what a jerk the kid is, Kevin tells the audience "never underestimate another man's pain". And yes, we laughed pretty hard, but there is a wisdom there for all of us.

I am of the opinion we can effect change. But that too, will cost us. We need effective mass transit-- but light rail and buses cost money to get set up and started....increased taxes. Are we willing to pay for this now, so we have to pay less in the future? Seems like so much is put off, because it will cost us now. How do we fix this? VOTE. GET POlITICALLY INVOLVED> NOW.

Too tired to make a coherent response. But just felt moved to say YOU ROCK.

(Pretty well written argument, actually.)

Robin at Bumblebee

You are right Laurie! First of all, I've responded to my friends in Europe with, "get over it, we went from one price to this in like 12 months. We haven't had time to set up an infrastructure to support it. So it IS a crises."

And you are right. We should be asking questions. A lot of it. I know something shifty is going on. Some countries in the Middle East pay about .50 a gallon so don't give me any cost stories.

The only good thing coming from it is that it is shocking a lot of us into finding alternatives. Looking at how to depend on ourselves. It just fires me up so much I feel like I'm doing a lot of things smarter today than I did last year. I see that change I thought would be hard is not.

That doesn't mean the robbers should get away with this. People's lives have been ruined by this crises. They have lost homes and jobs. And richies, if you think this won't impact you, you are short sighted.

oof, you got me started. ;-)

laurie said in the comments, "I also learned people often look for ways to disagree rather than just letting a person be, but for the most part people here are pretty amazing and make me feel like I'm not so alone. Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one struggling with something and it's nice not to feel alone! I'm getting better at taking the icky parts with the good."

i say:

this is why i read your blog lots and lots, yet rarely comment these days. i feel a connection with so much of what you write. i keep coming back for edification and hilarity.

mck.

Hear hear!

Thanks for that post. It was so refreshing. I so agree with your thoughts on 'it could be worse'. Sure it could, but saying that doesn't stop the pain. We all have our burdens that we can barely bear. One persons burden is another persons light load. Tolerance would be nice.

And I really think year after year of record breaking prophets by the oil companies has got to stop!

Wow, I agree with this post 100%...
except I think maybe I really will move to Europe.

I'm sorry, you shouldn't have said "chocolate-covered strippers." Threw my powers of concentration and critical thinking right out the window.

What kind of chocolate?

hmmm... sticking it to the US. Are you guys really that self centred? I mean, it's not like the rest of the world is suffering at all is it. There isn't really that much difference at all in price between you guys and Australia, so I hardly think it's personal!

I live in Norway, with free health care, almost a year paid maternity leave, kindergarden for almost every child, jobs for everyone,okay schools, possibilities for everyone to study, low crime statistics, high gasprizes, free dentalcare for kids, clean air, lots of space...and we still complain...

The problem isn't that we are depleting our resources; it’s that we are buying oil from foreign countries when we should be drilling here. We are sitting on tons of oil, enough to power every car in America for over 200 years. Our lovely federal government is to blame. They won’t allow drilling or new refineries. We can solve the oil price problem by writing our congressmen and senators and tell them to get busy.
The problem is big government, not big oil. We are the greatest country in the world and we are the cleanest industrialized nation in the world. I’m sad that so many people are ripping our country.

OMG, Thank You!! I am an American living in England, and I am SO TIRED of hearing people respond to the problems with US gas prices by saying, "Oh, yes, I forgot that you Americans get such *cheap* gas. We pay $8 a gallon, you know." Apparently, these same people do not realize the proportion of American budgets that go health care and everything else you mentioned--as well as the MASSIVE DIFFERENCE IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND GEOGRAPHY. Seriously, Europeans, get out a map. See Belgium over there? That whole country? That's like driving across town. Oh, and you know your charming little pedestrian zones in the city centers? And your housing density? And your efficient rail system? WE DON'T HAVE THEM. So please, Europeans, quit being so smug. Grrrr! Thank you, Crazy Aunt Purl!

Wait, wait--let me say, that was not directed at anyone in particular, certainly not to other commenters on this blog! I don't think anybody's being smug. That was a bad joke about an attitude that I have encountered from far less civilized persons than Laurie's readers. Sorry!

Hi there,

This has nothing to do with the price of petrol but has anyone ever told you that the cat on your book is a kitler.
If you go to www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com
you'll understand what I mean...It's identical!!
ha ha It could be worse...it could've of looked like....actually maybe it couldn't of been worse.

anyways... Congrats on the book

Jess
http://vitrospective.com/blog

Whenever I say that, my MIL says, "It could always be better, too."

With gas prices so high, some tips...
1. Fill up your tank in the coolest temps of the day---early morning is best in summer. Gas expands in heat, so with just 1 degree of higher temps, you are getting less than a "true gallon" when you pump. For every degree the temp rises, those oil companies make more and more money.
2. Fill SLOWLY---don't use the auto shut off at the fastest setting---once again, gas expands when churned up---filling quickly will give you less gas for the same price.
3. Don't let your tank run below 1/2 full---you churn the gas more during filling when the tank is empty when you start---this will save you real dollars when you pump---and besides, your fuel injected car runs better when you don't let the tank go below 1/2 full.
4. Check your 401K if you have one---if your portfolio is not invested in oil companies, make some changes---try to gain some $$$ back with the oil company windfalls.
Happy travels!

Exactly, Laurie. I haven't read all the comments so I might be re-stating. BUT...this reminds me of when I was a little kid and also, the world's pickiest eater. I didn't like anything other than cereal, prettymuch. ANYWAY, time and time again, officious adults would cluck over my picked-over dinner plate and remind me that there are STARVING CHILDREN in (country X) and I should be GRATEFUL that I HAVE GOOD FOOD TO EAT. Now, while I was aware of and very concerned for anyone who didn't have food, still, that didn't make the *stuff* on MY plate look any more appetizing!

Thank you for expressing why "it could be worse" is incredibly annoying. You are so right -- it invalidates one's own problems.
Now I don't feel so bad, after weathering the midwestern thunderstorms just fine except for losing electricity, water, and internet (hope to get power -- and therefore water -- back late this week, internet nobody knows), and I can say loud and clear, "I want a hot shower! Or a cold one! Any shower would be heaven right now! :-)

I was thinking that you should put your hat in the ring for politics, but perhaps start with Congress. Your quirky and funny but you can get to the point of an issue. I like that bit about solve the problem don't just it could be worse. We need more problem solvers in the world.

Well said Laurie. I could not agree more!!!

Could be worse is so very annoying.

"...and then I met a man who had no feet" blah blah blah. I always hated hearing that one, even if not directed at me for whatever trivial-in-the-face-of thing I was mourning or concerned about at the time. Always want to go, "Oh yeah? And if the man who has no feet mentions the no feet, do you point out the man with no legs? and so on (man with no arms and no legs) and so on (man with only a head) till you're talking to a lone eyeball that at least HAS lashes???

Ungrateful eyeball, complainer, doesn't know how good he has it.

Um...don't so much have a comment on the state of the economy as I have a question about my *&$% cheap acrylic yarn that I bought (stupid, I know). I have made a scarf from it and tried to bind off and completely screwed it up. I am a very beginner knitter and don't know how to fix it. Can I just scrap the whole thing and buy nicer yarn and try again? Or is that so insanely irresponsible in these difficult, uncertain economic times??!

Thanks everyone for you contribution. Comments are closed now.