On Fumes

Driving home on the highway today, the gas light came on with about 15 miles to go. Instinctively, I sped up. It always raises my blood pressure to see that light. I start doing computations about how much farther I can go, then I doubt and rethink my computations, all the while pushing the pedal to the floor to make sure I get there before the gas runs out. Ha! It made me wish our car had a nifty indicator that would display the actual amount gas and how far I could go with current speed maintained, etc. Gas seems not only to be more expensive now but seems to run out faster!

I've been annoyed recently that some gas stations try to fool those of us who always reach for the "regular," by disguising the premium pump in the typical regular black and white, or put the pumps out of the expected order, regular in the middle and premium on the end where I'm likely to grab by habit. Very tricky. But I'm wise to them now and doublecheck the price display.

One of the best perks I've ever had at a job was about 5 years ago, when I worked for an internet company that was trying to launch a "name your own price" for gas site. The idea was that buyers would have a special card to pay with at the pump; these cards needed to be tested at as many pumps as possible and one was issued to me. I was able to get free gas for a few months. Unfortunately the launch never quite got off the ground, and I had to give back the card, but it was a nice ride while it lasted!