“We’re not gonna make it. There’s no way.” The roads were pitch black, the temperature was dropping, and I could feel my heart racing. “This is stupid. Of all the stupid decisions we could have made, this was the worst.” Shivering from my head to my toes, I wondered what would happen to us. Who would we call for help? How would we handle being stranded at night? AT NIGHT! Things happen to people at night.
I gazed over at the fuel gauge and my heart sank even further. “It went down again! There’s only one line left, and the gas light has already been on for 20 minutes. There’s no way we’ll make it another 15 miles. Omg, omg, omg.” I told myself that I would never forgive my boyfriend for convincing me that he could get us to our destination with only an eighth of a tank. Not even a quarter, but an eighth! My breathing slowed, almost as if breathing less would make the gas last longer.
It was freezing that night, but I didn’t dare turn on the heat. I stared at the fuel gauge, willing it to keep hanging on. I glared at the GPS, wondering why the miles felt so long. Between the cold and my nerves, my bladder was about to explode. I expected the car to give out at any second. It didn’t. When we pulled up to the first open gas station, I felt like I was in Heaven. I could finally breathe again. Seeing the fuel gauge completely full was like a little miracle. I wanted to kiss the gas pump. Don’t worry, I contained myself.
Trying to sound dramatic is exhausting, so enough of that. There’s a gas shortage in New Jersey (ever since Hurricane Sandy), so we drove to Pennsylvania to get gas. Lines are super long in NJ, and you can only get a few gallons of gas anyway. PLUS, Governor Christie thought it would be cute to attempt to make shorter gas lines by creating an odd/even gas rule, effective this past Saturday. If the last number in your license plate is odd, you fill up on the odd days, and if that number is even, you fill up on the even days. Seriously, Governor Christie, didn’t you realize that many people don’t even know the difference between odd and even numbers? There was much confusion after that announcement was made.
They are taking this rule very seriously. Cops are at every gas station, sending people away if they disregard the new rule. My boyfriend refused to wait 2 or 3 hours in line during the week, so last night we were very low on gas. And of course, yesterday was an even day and we’re odd so the only way to get gas was to go to leave NJ. Five or ten minutes after we started driving, the gas light came on and I freaked. We drove in silence the whole way. All I did was pray that we wouldn’t be stranded on the highway at night. I’m so glad we made it. At this moment, there is nothing more beautiful than a full tank of gas. If people in this area are willing to wait a few hours in line for 5 gallons of gas, they should be willing to drive 40 minutes to Pennsylvania. It’s so worth it. Just don’t do it on an empty tank of gas. That shit was terrifying.
~Lily~
~Don't Quote Lily~ 
I was holding my breath with you… Thank God, you made it and now have a full tank. I really hope things start to settle and get better soon.
Have a great week Lily 🙂
Thanks Boomie. I was shaking like a leaf at the idea of being stranded at night. So glad that wasn’t the case. It’s full now so I have no worries anymore. Have a good one! 😀
Man you all can’t catch a break up there. What a pain. I am glad that you made it. That would worry me greatly too.
Yup, it’s annoying over here but I’m hoping every day improves. I mean wtf, short on gas? PPFFTT!! I would have had a different story today had we been stranded…scary thought. So glad that wasn’t the case! 😀
How long do you think the gas shortage will last? Sorry to hear about all the nightmares you are having to deal with in the wake of Sandy. Still, even exhausting yourself sounding dramatic (which you did very well, I might add) you managed find the energy to be funny, as always. I’m rather pleased for your boyfriend that you made it. I somehow don’t think the story would have had a happy ending for him if you hadn’t 😀
No idea how long. Now that power has been restored and more roads open, I don’t see why there’s an issue, other than the stupid MEDIA making everyone go crazy! I’m sure there are people lining up with tanks that are almost full…assholes, lol. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to find much humor had we gotten stranded. My bf would be SO SORRY if that happened! Luckily he had more faith in my car than I did. 😀 I’ve never had the gas light on EVER, so driving to another state with that evil light on was not cool! Still, in the end, I was quite happy. 😉
I still remember being on a road trip with my wife and being out in a lonely stretch in eastern Idaho. We traded drivers and I got in, pulled on to the road. “How long has the Empty Light been on?” “It’s on? I didn’t even notice. I have no idea.” Every moment was tense after that…
Oh jeez, I can imagine how tense of a drive that was! Why do women seem never to notice that light? I wasn’t the one driving, but I definitely noticed it go on, and did not react calmly. 😉
What’s life without a little excitement. It’s good to get the adrenaline pumping once in a while but that full bladder could be a major issue. Hope things are improving a little. Take care.
True, after it worked out, it was exciting. Felt like I could conquer the world! After I cleared up the bladder issue, of course. Full tank makes me a happy camper. I won’t be stressing about gas for now. 😀
I was so worried for you! I am so glad you made it safely to Penn to fill up and home again. How stressful!!
Haha, it was scary! I made it a little dramatic in the beginning but that’s how I felt. Just glad it worked out in the end. 😀
Same thing happened to me once so I know the feeling very well. At least your bf was with you because in my case, I was going home at night by myself. After that, I vowed to always go to a gas station first if the tank is less than 1/4 full. So glad you guys made it!
You were alone, oh no! I couldn’t handle that alone. My bf was the one driving…he always drives when we go anywhere far or…on a major highway, lol. I never leave my car with less than 1/4 tank. This case was special due to the gas shortage, and the fact that my bf has been using my car since his is in the shop. All his fault! Just glad it worked out. I would have cried my eyes out if the worst happened. 😉
One time I pushed my gas tank too far and became stranded on the freeway after leaving a friends house at midnight. And I had accidentally left my wallet there. Annnd my cell was blinking low battery about to die. I called my friend and just as I told him where I was my phone died. I hoped and prayed he would find me because I had no other option. He did, thankfully but the wait felt like an eternity. Gas is a cold cold bitch sometimes!! Glad you made it, hope conditions in NJ improve for you guys soon!
Omg, that had to suck! I would have been so scared, and then of course it had to be late! I’m glad at least he came to get you. I never drive anywhere at night…yeah, I’ll stick to that. 😉 Thanks! I think every day it’s getting a little better here with the gas situation. 😀
I think there is something a little wrong with me because after reading this one I thought to myself, “It would have been way more interesting if you did run out of gas.” Glad you made it though… sort of.
Haha, I actually thought the same thing! It would have sucked, but my new (unofficial) motto is, “If shit happens, blog about it!” Silver lining to all things negative.
😦 “Doesn’t she know people don’t even know the difference between even and odd?” Hilarious. I am really glad you made it, but seriously WTF you guys have to drive 40 mins away to get gas? That is a great excuse for work… I can’t make it in today, I have no gas and my car is an uneven. That is really stupid, where is the dislike button?!
Haha, thanks, glad we made it too! That would make a fabulous excuse to miss work! But yeah, his idea is kind of lame. I hope it’s over soon. But like I said, it was worth it to drive 40 minutes away (was an easy drive) because think about it, people were waiting for HOURS to get only a certain amount of gas. 40 minutes is much better than 3 hours waiting in line. 😀
Agreed, you did the smart thing even if you guys had to push!
Wow. That is so dire. Any info on when things are going to be back to normal? From what I heard, it’s not a gas shortage exactly, it’s that power and access was down, so I’m thinking that now that everything is starting to get up and running, you guys should be good, right? Right? Fingers crossed for you. Next step is investing in horse and buggies!
It was SO annoying! A lot of it was because of the power being out, but there really was (is?) a shortage because everyone starts freaking out and getting gas even when they might not need it. Plus you have everyone on generators needing gas, so there was a high demand. Thanks! I think it’s getting better every day…don’t think we’ll need to go back to PA for gas. That stupid odd/even rule is still in place though, ugh! 😉
Wow. I would have taken like a half dozen gas containers with me if I was in that car. I would have made sure I wouldn’t have to fuel up for another month.
Yup, except we don’t own any gas canisters and they were all sold out. It’s okay though. Things are getting better…hopefully I’m not jinxing it. We drove by a few gas stations the other day and didn’t see lines. So even though it was worth it to drive there, I don’t think we’ll have to do that next time. 😉
I know how harrowing seeing that gauge yelling at you “I’M LOW ON GAS, FILL ME”. Especially at night… Especially. I also know that relief when you see a lit up gas station and you want to praise every entity out there for getting you there safely.
What a silly rule. Do all New Jersey license plates end in a number? Not a letter? Still a silly rule!
That’s exactly how it was. I’ve never been in that situation, it was only because of the storm…and it was my bf’s fault. 😉 Just glad it worked out though. And nope, most newer plates end in a letter. The rule is to go by the last number, no matter what place it’s in. Luckily, that stupid rule officially ended today. 😀
Oooh, I see! Yeah, I don’t have the knowledge of license plates I evidently ought to have. That’s still a seriously silly rule. Glad it ended, though! Heheh
Indeed…it’s nice to know I can get gas without getting the death look from some grumpy dude over some silly rule. 😀