Getting Gas

I stopped in Brookings, Oregon, today to buy gas... we were nearby.

Gasoline was only $4.37/gallon, a full $0.40 cheaper than back over the border in Crescent City, California (where we are staying on vacation)

AND

in Oregon (the pump jockey told me as he filled 'er up) the public can't operate the pumps -- so that the price for FULL SERVICE

AND

he washed the windows

AND

he recommended some a good place to eat dinner.

On The Mark -- Recession Indicator?

Recently on a Saturday I went to my local barber, Tony, with my son to get our hair cut. I've been going to this same barber for at least 11 years. It's just a hole in the wall, old-fashioned barbershop with the twirling red and white stripe outside and the whole 1960s works. He charges $23 for a cut.

Usually the place is busy. All three chairs filled and a walk-in or two reading a paper while waiting. This time the place was empty. Empty when I walked in. Empty when I walked out. I usually like to sit there silently while I get my hair cut, but this time I was curious so I asked him how business was going.

"Terrible because of the economy," he said. "And all my colleagues at other shops are experiencing the same thing." I was surprised and told him that I would have thought an economic slowdown wouldn't affect his business because it's like health care or food...you always need it.

He said, "You don't need it if you don't have a job and you don't need it if you can't get an interview."