Gas Stories

Atlanta is in the middle of a gas shortage. It was created by panic and over consumption from the panic. It is scheduled to go on for another couple weeks.

Earlier conservation today in my office's kitchen as I filled up my water bottle.

Co-worker that lives in my same neighborhood is getting coffee. He is in his early twenties and addicted to driving. We live four blocks apart and he can never remember this.

He says, 'is there any gas around here?'

I reply, 'Citgo and Shell on Peachtree. They both had lines this morning.'

"How much?" he asks after I explain in detail where the two stations are. *Apparently he lives off Peachtree, our office is on Peachtree. He never drives on Peachtree, instead he takes the highway.*

"I don't think they are even posting prices anymore." I tell him. "How close are you to the MARTA station?"

"Like right there, its hardly a walk" he replies with a smirk as he pours his coffee.

"Why don't you take MARTA? It's only $1.75 each way. The Buckhead station is just a block from the office. Round trip it is cheaper than a gallon of gas." I feel like the alternative transportation committee.

"Is that what you do?" I tell him I ride my bike to work, again. He asks me where I live, again.

"Oh yeah, we've had this conversation a hundred times huh" he seems amused.

"Yes we have, I live right by you. You should try MARTA, it'll save you money and gas for more important things like going out on the weekends." It's my last ditch effort to show him benefits that apply to him.

There were a few more details like his excuses for not knowing his schedule at work well enough and his exclamation that riding a bike THAT far is crazy. I tell him that MARTA runs all day and night. It's only 8 miles each way for me and it takes just 25 minutes I told him. I also explained how I 'do it' you know, using the building's gym and all and my exact time schedules which he was fascinated by for some reason. He couldn't believe it takes me less time on my bike than for him to drive on the highway in traffic.

"Hmmm. That's pretty cool. That is a good solution." He rubbed his chin like he was deep in thought about my bike commuting solution to the gas shortage. I didn't bother to tell him that the gas shortage has not caused my bike commuting. But whatever, it seemed to light a little spark in him. Maybe he'll at least try public transportation during this crisis.

**on a side note: I'm not riding for a couple more days, and I missed a ride planed this weekend. I strained a chest muscle (hurts like hell to breathe deeply) last Thursday and am nursing it back to normal. Don't want to push it riding right now. Luckily I drive so little my half tank of gas is sure to last through the 'shortage'.