Cappuccino Soul

Cappuccino Soul

Thursday, September 25, 2008

Running on Empty: Where's the Gas?


It's gettin' kinda hectic out there and I'm just about to lose my head because from day to day I don't know where in Charlotte I can find a gas station that's actually selling gas. From what I understand, the same is happening in other states like Kentucky, Atlanta, and South Carolina.

Can anyone in Charlotte please give me a list of a few gas stations in the city that still have gas for sale? If you could see some of the lines forming at the gas stations in some parts of the city you'd think we're actually in a crisis -- well, actually we are, it's just that some of us don't want to admit it.

The Charlotte Observer today featured this caption under a photo of long lines at a gas station in the city:
Hundreds of cars lined streets this morning as motorists in the Charlotte metro region tried to cope with an ever-worsening gasoline shortage.

OK, after a quick read of the article just now I see that they had the good sense and foresight to ask readers if they've spotted gas for sale. Click HERE to see that list.

I've decided not to wait until I'm just about out of gas to fill up. I'm treating the halfway empty mark like the RED area indicating that I'm almost out of gas. I see some people in Atlanta are doing the same thing. This Atlanta-Journal Constitution article talks about the panic that some of residents of that city are feeling about the gas shortage.
Many drivers were stopping to buy just a few gallons or, in some cases, filling up gas cans, according to the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.

“People don’t want to be left out,” economist James Bradfield of Hamilton College told the paper. “I don’t think it’s irrational; people don’t want to take the risk of not having gas.”

The AJC reports today that more than a week after Hurricane Ike hit the Gulf, seven refineries have were not yet back to full production. This is according to the most recent report from the Minerals Management Service.
"Meanwhile, the Colonial and Plantation pipelines, which fuel Atlanta, were likewise pumping less than normal volumes," according to the AJC.

But why is it that my people in Delaware and Los Angeles say that they are not having any problems finding gas? What's going on folks? Are some of you in other parts of the country having problems too? Anybody in Michigan, Massachusetts, or Maryland having problems? Can you write me a quick note and let me know how you're doing in the other parts of the U.S.?

I asked one of my students from Colombia if this crisis has made her consider going back home. She laughed and said, "Yes!"

It might be time to get those passports that I said I'd get for me and my daughter, if a certain Presidential candidate wins the election. I don't even know if I can wait until then! What's this country coming to?

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Lisa,
Maryland is not having problems getting gas. Actually it has come down a little, not to say that it will not go back up. It has changed so much over the last few months. I was surprised to hear you are having problems in Charlotte. Did you ask N and D about ----?
Auntie T

Cappuccino Soul said...

Hey Auntie T,
I'm glad you all are not experiencing this stress about the gas situation.
No, I haven't asked them about ------, but I will. I was actually thinking of going down there this weekend but my goodness, I don't want to use the gas!
Lisa

Unknown said...

I was watching tv and was watching them interview people in those sections of the country. One man said he had to drive 90 miles, well my question is why waste the gas of driving 90 miles to get a little gas!!
Sheer madness! Here in Texas there is no gas shortage but the prices go up and down about every 2 days, we never know what the price is going to be...Madness

Cappuccino Soul said...

Hey Regina,
Isn't that crazy to drive 90 miles! A friend here in Charlotte told me that in Kentucky people are driving to different states to get gas! It's just an addiction to the stuff. We might need to just stay at home from work a day or two and decline to drive ANYWHERE else for a couple of days. That should alleviate a few problems. I pray that this thing gets better REAL soon.
Peace sister and stay strong down there in Texas.
Alicia

Finding the Happy said...

I'm glad you chose the word "addiction" as that is exactly what it is. While people in the Southeast are panicking they may not be able to find gas, entire communities have been wiped out along the Texas Gulf Coast, where a tank of gas is no consolation for losing your home and loved ones.

Here's a thought, organize your co-workers, neighbors, friends and family into car share groups and help each other get to work, run errands, take kids to school, go to church, etc...

We can do so much more together than we can alone.

Cappuccino Soul said...

Texas2Tennessee,
You're right. We really don't have just cause to panic here in the Southeast. I have been praying and have gained much more calmness, especially when I consider how much worse it could be.
And if I can't find gas, I will simply stay at home until more gas comes. I really don't even think it will come to that.
But yes, those who have lost their homes have so much more to worry about. I pray that things will get better for folks in Texas and EVERYWHERE VERY soon.
I like your idea of carpooling, etc.... we in this country don't think as communally as we always should.
Thanks for commenting!
Alicia