Musings from the gas pump

I dread that moment when I look at the gas gauge and the needle is hovering near the 'E'. I've really got to get gas. I can't go any further. I only dread it when it's hot. You have to turn off the car (duh) to fill up and that means letting out all that nice, cool air and welcoming in the thick waves of heat just radiating from the heated pavement and car engines beside you. I try to do it when I don't have kids with me, so they don't have to suffer, but that means I have to go during the day. If I don't time it right, there are forever long lines. There is just one gas station in our vicinity. (meaning within a 20 minute drive)

Today, the lines are 6 deep for every pump and once I get in line, it is very shortly 3-4 deep behind me. Ok, I'm committed. No backing out now. Thank goodness it's not Ramadan anymore. I have an iced beverage and am waiting patiently. (because during ramalama-ding-dong eating & drinking in public is forbidden.)

The radio station I'm listening to can't decide if it's broadcasting AFN or this French language station. It does that a lot, though. Creep the car forward a few feet, it's Taio Cruz, then another inch and it's Francophone News. I have *got* to remember my iPod.

There are, of course, those cars/people that think they are too important to wait in line and simply navigate around the whole tangle of cars and back into the empty front slot. It usually happens once or twice every visit. (fyi, the pumps are one way pull in)

When my turn finally comes, Dudey doesn't even ask me which kind of fuel I want. He lifts the nozzle for 'Mumtaz' (which is the higher grade expensive stuff). I have to lean out the window and tell him, "La'a, Jayyid minfudlak." (no, no the cheap stuff, please) I sip on my icy bevvie gratefully and people watch. There is a ninja lady in the car next to mine. Her 3 or 4 year old is bouncing around on the front seat and trying to crawl onto the dash. On the other side, there is a white robed sheik with aviator glasses, staring at me. Ok, I will not be looking that way anymore.

The pump shuts off and I pay dudey for the gas and tip him a bit for sweating it out by the gas pump. I pull off and Sheik's glasses follow. Hope you enjoyed the view, buddy! Whew, it's all done. And it only took me 30 minutes.