If ever a sign there was

I'm broke. You're broke. Everyone is broke. Guess who's not broke? (wait for it)....the oil companies. Consumer confidence is SUPER low. My wife and I now longer go shopping once a week. We no longer eat out 2-3 times a week. We're fortunate (or perhaps the restaurants we eat at are) if we're able to eat out 2-3 times a month. We spend money only on gas, food, and the occasional night out. I used to make and/or get phone calls from friends every weekend asking me what was going on. That has significantly dwindled. it's every few weeks now. Some friends that live in this city i haven't seen in months.

That said, do i think we're in a recession? YES! Of course!! I'm tired of the people who are on the fence about this. We are in a goddamn recession and everyone is feeling it. When the deciding factor between going out with friends or staying in, is whether or not i've got enough gas, we're in a recession. When houses are Sofa King cheap, and yet no one is buying them, we're in a recession!

If you EVER needed proof, read this. It was posted on the LBN-Elert:

LBN-COMMENTARY By PETER BART: Economists are citing some dire portents of a recession these days, but they've missed one indicator I find especially disturbing: The porn business has suddenly gone flaccid. The drop in porn rentals and sales is worrisome on several fronts: Till now, porn has been a recession-proof business. Further, with the country already in a dispirited mood, the fact that porn has gone limp may indicate a true plunge in consumer confidence. DVD porn is down between 10% and 30%, depending on which nook and cranny of the business you scrutinize. Joy King, executive vice president of Wicked Pictures, and a smart analyst of the business, says the smallest drop-off is in "couples-friendly porn" -- films that embrace something of a storyline. Women account for roughly half of this audience, making their purchases in lingerie boutiques and toy stores (no, not kiddie toys).