August 31, 2005

Another Gassy Thought.

I just had a wildly innovative brain storm about the recent surge in gas prices.

Go metric.

That’s the answer. After all, if the U S Government can adjust the clocks with the idiotic Daylight Saving Time extension so that we save energy and make people happier by giving them “more sunlight”, why doesn’t the U S switch to metric measurements so gas is only $0.82 a liter?

Seeing $0.829 up on a gas pump would make everyone feel so much sunnier.

Rape, Only $3.29 A Gallon.

Driving home to work today, I noticed a traffic jam building ahead at a busy intersection. Thinking there was an accident, I rolled my eyes slightly at the thought of all the clueless drivers who had to slow down to see if there was a disembodied head or something. But I was wrong. They were all trying to get into the gas station that still offered gas at the staggering low price of $2.99 a gallon.

This busy intersection has three gas stations strategically placed. One of the gas stations is a full service deal, complete with car wash. They’re gas was $2.99 a gallon. The second is a recent addition to the existing dairy/convenience store that has stood there for years. They’re gas was $2.99 a gallon.

The third gas station is another matter.

When I first moved here it was your standard Mobil Convenience Mart type setup. They had the cheapest gas in town and I loved them. But then Mobil decided to move out of the area for the most part and sold all the area stations to this blasted convenience store called, well, it’s really close to rhyming with “Asshat”. If you thought FAST, you would be on the right TRAC. Said gas station franchise has sprung up like a red and black zit throughout Upstate N.Y., complete with a cheap swill for gasoline.

They have the nerve to be charging, get this, $3.29 a gallon. That would be Three Dollars and twenty-nine cents a gallon for the low grade, make your engine knock cocktail.

The bastards.

I was quite pleased to see that the local residents have come to their senses and are ignoring that station (for the most part) and forming gas lines for the other two that offering a better product for a lower price. “Asshat” has gone out of its way to keep prices high in this area. Since they have the most locations around here, they think they set a trend. But even if the others buck the trend for only 12 or 18 hours, I’m still pleased. It’s putting them in their place.

When I left for work this morning gas was $2.63 a gallon. The same gas station jacks the price to $3.29 a gallon within 10 hours? Ludicrous.

I realize that there are issues affecting gasoline supply and whatnot. But this really borders on price gouging.

I’m riding my bike to work on Friday to protest.

How Can I Complain?

As I browse through the articles, blogs and photos of the destruction left by Hurricane Katrina I ask myself, how can I complain about a pool that’s gone green or a grandmother obsessed with her change purse at the dollar store?

Our thoughts are with you all affected by Katrina.