Recovery and Luck of the Draw

The party was a roaring success ! Lots of food [and some left over for football today] lots of good friends and a good time was had by all . 
 The birthday folks got a lot of good natured ribbing and some cards that weren't quite X-rated , we watched the TV as the reports rolled in about the storm damage and various folks thought of friends and acquaintenences in the path of that big bastard and quite a few phone calls were made to check on their condition . Fortunately returning reports were all positive , the damage is/was extensive to property , I'm sure everyone has seen the news by now and I can assure you the worst is yet to come as areas open up and folks can get back to homes and businesses . . Last we heard it may take quite some time to get into all the areas , the guys who were working at the refinery at Texas City have talked to their bosses and the refinery is going to be up and running before too long if they can get the workers back in . Problem is all the surrounding housing is pretty much destroyed and the area is inaccessable and no power to the town . The refinery itself has emregency generators but you still need people to operate everything and not likely anyone is going back in there very soon . A portable housing situation is in the works but right now the guys here are sittting tight . 
I read about all the gas prices going thriugh the roof and WHAT A CROCK ! There is no shortage , there is no big problem other than a bunch of greedy bastards with unpronouncable last names who see a way to make a fast buck . After talking to a lot of these oil field workers the problem seems to lay between the top of the heap and mister middle man who sells the end product , that leaves a lot of room for that old demon, greed to work it's way in.
Enough of the rant , by the luck of the draw we have escaped injury and/or damage from the storm or the party  , but the trip is still young and I'm sure there will be many opportunities to get stupid down the highway .