I travelled back in time today, reluctantly, to the oil embargo of 33 years ago. Running low on fuel, I stopped by that gas station with the funny name of "Fusion" (you know, the one I said looked like "Tucson" from afar).
Pulling into pump station 2, I went inside and the attendant greeted me, like normal. I asked for gas, and he said "We're out."
Great. The first thing I thought of was Steve's bad luck rubbing off on me. Remember, he's the one who couldn't get a Whopper at Burger King, although they had hamburgers... I then said what I always say in situations like this: "Why don't you put up a sign that says 'No Gas'?"
The attendant ended up giving me that same quizzical look that everyone gives me whenever I suggest a sign be posted -- for customers' convenience.
Why the quizzical look? Since the station had a convenience store attached, I can see why they didn't shut it down. But don't they make most of their money with gasoline transactions? Wouldn't I see the pump nozzles draped with plastic bags, signifying they're out of something? And how about that sign, anyway?
You can bet I had to mince my words when he added to the excuse: "We just ran out of gas half-an-hour ago." How convienent. He saw me park at the pump, and yet had no clue I was about to order gas?
I wonder how many people, just in the hour that has lapsed since I went there, have come in, only to be duped into thinking there is gas on premises, when in fact there's not. Many people I'm sure would have the same reactions, and may not even be as tactful addressing the situation. Whether the attendant likes the (negative) customer attention remains to be seen, but you'd think he'd get tired of answering that same question the rest of the afternoon.
But you never know about those working in the petroleum business. Something tells me they're not on the level of regular humankind on a regular basis.
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Speaking of vehicles, isn't it almost every week that you read about some type of safety recall? It affected Sheila's Jeep yesterday, which cancelled her plans to come here tonight. This, along with a screwy internet connection, really made her stew. So today, she offered me movie tickets to go with her to see Happy Feet, the penguin movie.
Boy, were my feet, and the rest of me, happy! No one can question me now about my appreciation for penguins. I inherited my mother's penguin collection when she passed on, and now they're the focus of some heartwarming movies in the past year. I received two penguin cards and a stuffed penguin this Christmas.
I'm simply carrying on my mother's tradition, and I know she's probably smiling in approval - of both the penguins and Sheila. She is a truly rare gem to me; an outstanding human being. And I am happier and more complete as a result.
