I guess I prepare myself that EVERY flight I take is going to be my last, and not usually because of oil supplies running out.  I've got a job flying me to Costa Rica next month, though I'm not putting my own cash in for the ticket, but I do consider that I'd better appreciate the thrilling rush of takeoff in this Dinosaur-guzzling Dinosaur each time, in case it is the last time, for whatever reason.  But I'm not turning the trip down, as if such an action would support some kind of ideal or save us a couple gallons of fuel.  I'd love to see Costa Rica, and lots of other places.

I am still truly annoyed at the 'Party Full Tilt' attitude that I see in this country (and thread) .. a Brazilian friend was telling me about the knuckleheads he worked with when he first got to the US, but said don't forget that there are idiots everywhere.  I asked him 'what's the difference between Brazilian Idiots and American Idiots?'.. He said that 'the Brazilians just aren't as proud of it'.  I don't think you're an idiot because you want to see your family or the world, but when I hear that pushy Me-First, I want my MTV! attitude that thinks that what you do with your last dollar is buy Candy, not try to leverage another chance with it, not try to make things work out.. then I'm more than happy to Moralise against it.  It's the American fantasy of PseudoLibertarianism that says there's nothing but the individual, and this individual wants more toys! Got Kids?  Nephews, Nieces, Grandkids?  Try to think out a few steps.  There are some pretty simple things we could be designing, collecting, saving for or learning that could make all the difference if/when the basics that we take for granted are suddenly not so easy to lay a hand on.  Energy, Food, Social Systems, Water Supply, Alternate Communications..

I don't think Vacation travel is where you'd make your greatest impact in fuel usage anyhow.  It's the constant, daily uses that really add up.  Every day your house helps burn up more calories than your car, or likely your flying fuel will have ever added up to..  Mine is burning around 7 gallons a day this winter, up to 12 when it gets really cold and windy for a long spell..(Coastal Maine)  A bunch of glazed boxes on the roof or south face could cut way into that.  Got Glass? Couple Fans, Some Insulated Hoses?