Running Out of Gas When It Comes to Fuel Prices

The other day on my way to work, I had to stop to get gas. I went to my neighborhood Hess station, and I was shocked at what I saw: All the pumps were full and there were cars waiting.

I've been using this Hess station for the last year, ever since I moved to Waltham. I pass it every day on my way to work, and it's always been one of the cheapest gas stations around. I've never had a problem -- well, except for the time the pump didn't automatically stop and I got gas all down the side of my car -- and certainly never had to wait in line.

This time, not only did I have to wait, but a third of the pumps were out of order, so some of the cars that I thought were getting gas were waiting in line as well. Then when I was on my way to a free pump, a car came out of nowhere and the driver told me it was his. At the same time, he almost backed his car into a pickup truck that was backing up to get to the same pump. Feeling it was too early for any sort of altercation, I just drove around to where another car was leaving.

It must be that all the people who normally go to the nicer gas stations are now slumming it with me because of the rising gas prices. In a poll running April 5-11, 2004, we asked Monster users if the rising gas prices were affecting their commuting habits. Sixty-six percent of those who responded said yes. According to CNN.com, at that time, the national average price was $1.79 for a gallon of gas. On April 7, 2005, CNN/Money reported the average cost of a gallon of gas at $2.25, according to the weekly AAA survey.

Last night, I dreamt that a coworker moved into one of the newer townhouses down the street from me. I think I subconsciously fear it will get to the point where I'll need to carpool. Granted, the dream also involved squirrels and pigeons being in that coworker's kitchen -- I'm not quite sure what that meant.

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