Tuesday, April 29, 2008

{Lost in the 50s at the gas station ...}


It was Sunday night and the gas light had been on all day. Before I went to sleep, I made my Monday to-do list and the very first item read: Fill up the gas tank – get there on fumes if possible! Sometimes I write funny notes to myself on the to-do list to add a little humor to them. Then when I’m feeling a little overwhelmed with all that needs to get done, I can look down and laugh (at myself).

Anyhow, I made it to the gas station on Monday morning (on the fumes). And for some reason, it was taking forever to fill up the tank. Usually, the numbers just fly at the pump and before you know it – the tank is full. Not this time! After 10 minutes of waiting for the tank to fill, I start looking around to see if other people have been there as long as me. Yes, the same 3 people are still at the pump.

So, I stand there and go into la la thinking land of random thoughts …
I wonder what it was like to put gas in a car in the 50s ...
I wonder if gas prices would go down if women wore aprons and hats.

I wonder what is wrong with this pump.
I wonder if this would be a good scene in my sitcom script ...

My thoughts were abruptly interrupted when the man across from me informed me a filter was out and was causing the slow speed.

“Oh, thanks” I reply.
Then he shouts – “The country is a mess because there are Republicans running it.”
“Oh, dear” I said.

After standing there for 15 minutes, I looked up at the price of $67.95 and decided that the tank had to almost be full! I can hear more complaints about the speed of the pump and the price of gas …I believe a frenzy about politics and gas prices is about to occur at the gas station.
Luckily, I was done and didn't feel the need to join the pumping madness.
(I flipped the switch to off and drove away).
I can tell you why the pumps don’t run on slow speed. People start getting crazy at the pump.

I know because I found myself wanting to don an apron and go back in time to the 50s and the man across from me wanted to ban Republicans from the Universe.

Note to gas stations everywhere – make sure the average pumping time is 4 minutes or less. It’s for our own good!

Cheers to gas stations and pumps that work on ultra fast speed!

6 comments:

Alyson | New England Living said...

Haha, that's funny! Are you really thinking of writing a sitcom script? Very cool!

I think it's funny when total strangers start talking politics or religion with you as if they assume you agree with them. My husband was interviewing someone who wanted a job at his company, and this guy started randomly talking about how repressed and oppressed mormons are. Uh, hello? He was talking to mormon. Then he started in on Mitt Romney. Not the smarted thing to get into on a job interview! Hasn't he ever heard not to talk religion and politics with stranges?! Needless to say, my husband didn't hire him.

The 4 Martells said...

Hi Wendy- Hey just wanted to let you know that you can get the butterfly treehouse at Walmart or Fun 2 Learn. Trenton is bringing his to class on Thursday so let Lauren know.

idahomayos said...

Wendy,
Great post! Loved the humor mixed in with the scary truth we face today. I'll don an apron and hat if that would make prices come down at the pump :)

And the 1st post is hilarious... funny story!

Wendy Christensen said...

Holli - Thanks for the 'heads up' on the butterfly treehouses. Lauren can't wait to see Trenton's butterfly collection on Thursday! Good times!! :)

Wendy Christensen said...

Alyson - I already wrote a sitcom called "Riding with JoAnn" It's funny!;) ... I wrote it a few years ago and entered it into a national sitcom writing contest put on by Bravo TV. No, I didn't win! I did register it with The American Writer's Guild of the WEST. I actually met the Producer of "Friends" - and we talked about my sitcom! (That's another story - I'll have to blog it sometime). Crazy about the guy wanting a job and unleashing his views without getting your husband's reality on things first!

Wendy Christensen said...

Stacy - You crack me up! I think we should start wearing sassy 50s aprons and hats out and about and see what happens!! :) I'm laughing out loud at the very thought of it ... Scary times just got worse!