what you said. Gas prices are taking a terrible toll on my budget (accompanied as they are by my new, longer, terrible commute).
I don't expect people to notice if I'm not there. I may sometimes notice if other people aren't there, but I assume they had their reasons. And sometimes I won't notice, depending on how busy I am.
And if I wanted a specific event, that was close to me, and geared to my specific interest, I'd run it myself. But I'm not that picky.