Friday, September 26, 2008

NO NEED TO PANIC, EVERYONE!

I grew up in the Northeast. So, we endured regular blizzards and Nor'easters as I was growing up. Of course, since these blizzards and Nor'easters were regular, the Department of Transportation was very efficient at getting the roads cleared within 24-48 hours of the storm hitting. And anyone who lived in the area knew that.

The funny thing is, every time the weatherperson said there was a winter storm coming, these same people would head out to the grocery stores in droves, buying out all of the bread, eggs, milk, and (inexplicably) ice cream in the store. It seemed a little ridiculous to me. I mean, it wasn't like we were living in North Dakota in the 1800's. I'm sure that these people were not going to starve to death in the 24-48 hours it took the Department of Transportation to clear and salt the roads. And, I think I would buy something tastier than bread, eggs, and milk if I were going to be housebound for a significant period of time. Tastykakes, anyone? The ingredients for Pioneer Woman's enchiladas and chocolate cake?

You know what else the populace at large bought in mass quantities? Snow shovels. What happened to all the snow shovels that were bought during the last panic before the storm hit? I mean, Big Daddy and I had the same snow shovel for five years.

Anyway, I'm sure you've heard on the news that Hurricane Ike has made gas a little scarce here in the South. But, really, people are taking it a little to the extreme, if you ask me. It's not like we're never going to have gasoline in the South again. But, just like in the Northeast during the snowstorm, people flocked out to gas stations with their largest vehicles packed full of gas cans, trying to horde as much gasoline as possible. There were two-hour lines, fistfights, and extra security at all the gas stations in the area.

Big Daddy happened to be trying to get into Home Depot when he witnessed the Great Southern Gas Scare of 2008.

So, poor Big Daddy amused himself with his camera phone while he waited a ridiculous amount of time to pull into the driveway of Home Depot to get some plywood.

7 comments:

Oceanchild said...

Oh wow. I mean I know about the hurricane, but had no idea there was a big gas scare. I think I need to worry more. no wait...i need to worry less, but just go fill up my car, cuz even though in the West the lines aren't long yet, I'm dead out of gas! Poor big daddy!

Muthering Heights said...

Wow, that's just crazy!

Kara said...

That is kinda crazy. I'm happy to say that because of your gas shortage, our gas here is lower than it's been in months...I've always marveled at the whole supply and demand thing...you all not using as much gas (because you can't get it) means we have plenty to go around in our neck of the woods, interesting. But I love the pictures of the Great Gas Scare of 2008!!

Kat said...

Good grief. That is kind of shameful if you ask me.

Casa De Galletti said...

Ohhh, you made me think of Butterscotch Krimpets! Although in my days of living through the late winter snowstorms in the North East I would have bought boxes of those Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream things since I loved those more than TastyKakes and Drakes Cakes.

Life in the Crazy Lane said...

Natalie - I tried to make homemade Oatmeal Creamies once. It was a dismal failure. Too bad I wasn't blogging at the time, because that would've made a great post!

Debbie said...

And these lines are still going on! Have you seen the news clips of the poor people getting so upset and crying? We southerners like to stock up on everything - including gas.