Getting Gassed At The Pumps
Wednesday - September 28, 2005
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Del.icio.usThis is my first public announcement that I may have to end a longtime relationship with a family member. I have depended on her for years to be by my side but, frankly, she’s getting too expensive. No not my wife. I’m talking about my ‘95 Dodge Ram truck.
Believe me, “she’s” just like family having been a part of our lives for 10 years. Unfortunately, she has a V-8 engine and a 21-gallon capacity gas tank. Now that we’re paying for a gallon of gas what we would pay for a premium drink at a night club, I have to rethink our relationship.
Having filled the tank now for at least three times at $70 a pop, what I’ll end up paying per month for gas could get me into a pretty sweet ride with an equivalent car payment. Still, I’m a loyal sort of guy and couldn’t leave her even for a younger model.
In fact, I’ve even defended her at the gas station when confronted with the gas hoarders and low-gas-price vultures I’ve been running into. Road “ragers” seemed to have been replaced with gas pump predators.
The other day, I desperately needed to put gas in my tank. I was running on vapors as I waited in the car line for the pump with regular gas. When I got to the pump, I saw it was nozzle No. 3. I ran in to pay the cashier, but had to hit the ATM. I would’ve used a credit card but I’m “maxed” out.
By the time I paid the cashier, this young guy in a SUV had apparently used a credit card and was loading nozzle No. 3 into the tank of his car. I yelled at him, “Hey man, that’s my gas.” He looked at me and said, “I don’t see your name on it. The super premium gas on No. 4 is open.”
There was no “freakin’” way I was going to use premium; I would’ve only got a cupful for what I paid. I was about to go stand my ground when a woman, who was filling up a hybrid car, interrupted and said, “I’m done, boys, go ahead and use my pump.”
Wow, she really put things in perspective. I guess before you know it, I’ll be a vegetarian.
Ron’s WEBSITE OF THE WEEK
Photographer Mike Bambi, who saw last week’s site on bellydancing, sent in his site which also features local bellydancers among his photography collection. If you hurry you might catch his feature on dancer and entertainer Willow Chang.
If a picture is worth 1,000 words, what’s a Website worth? Send yours in to me at: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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