Gack, I thought *I* was the only person who did that! I keep an entire set of cutlery (knife, fork, spoon) in my desk, and use it almost every day. I hate those plastic things (though they are useful for kids, I can't imagine how many sets of silverware I would have gone through if I'd sent "real" forks to school with my kid every time his lunch required it).

But back on topic, I have to admit that I am SO happy about one particular effect of Katrina (and now Rita) - the New York legislature is seriously working on some energy bills, to cut the absurd taxes WE pay on gasoline (I'm sure many other states are similar, but our 8% sales tax is one of the highest in the nation, and the others follow suit), and (drum roll please...) extend the TAX CREDIT for hybrid vehicles, which expired about 3 months before I purchased mine... no, I didn't realize this at the time... AND, they are considering other aspects of a "state-wide energy policy", which might have some good aspects.

I'll keep you all posted as I follow this development.

No doubt gas is going up again around here - they will take any opportunity...