Surreal

This week, Nashville has had a gas shortage.  Apparently, $4.00 gas prices haven't been enough to make us all consider our polluting ways- we've actually been forced into imagining the scenario of having no petrol AT ALL!  One statistic being put out this weekend stated that 85% of Nashville is out of gas.

Hurricane Ike interrupted work at the refineries in and around Galveston, TX.  These are the  same refineries that supply Nashville with gasoline.  There are specifics about a three-pronged distribution (Memphis and Knoxville being the other prongs), and something about 3-5 mile per hour pipeline flow.  But, all I know is that this could continue through the week.

It is completely strange to pass stations that are empty, with all of the nozzles covered.  Thanks to the fast traveling of information via cell phones and internet, it is pretty easy to find out which stations are expecting their next shipment.  The only downside is that these stations get slammed with cars hoping to fill up.  There is the potential to wait in line for an hour and have the station run out.  I've heard of people running out of gas waiting to put fuel in their car.

Friday night, Eric's sister was going to watch our kids so we could run out for a short date.  In arranging a drop-off time, she mentioned that they were having a mini-crisis because both of their cars were very low.  They just hadn't expected the shortage to be so far spreading.  We brought them our lawnmower can, which had about a gallon in it, and also dropped off our kids.  

On the way to their house with the kids, we passed the local Swifty mart and there were about 150 cars lined up because they had gas.  Eric and I went out to a local Japanese restaurant with hibachi grill.  I'd never done that before and it was fun (although, I still ordered sushi- that was what *I* was there for!).   Leaving the restaurant, we drove past Costco and noticed that people were filling up at the Costco fuel station and there was a very small line.  It was 9:30 at this point, so maybe that had something to do with it.  Anyway, I had about a half tank, but it was certainly worth topping it off then and there.  We also called Tim and told him to leave all the kids with Angie and to GET OVER THERE and get gas.  He did, and only two cars after him got through the line before they closed the station down.

I'm pretty much not going anywhere this week unless I have to and it has had me considering whether or not I could accomplish a quick run to the store by bike if I ever had to.  (yes, I decided I could).

This is completely strange.