Kevin's Watch

Usivius wrote:
When are they going to invent cars that run on water, or teleportation pods....

Jet packs!
I want my own gad-dern jet pack!!!!!!

It has been a while since I last posted here but I thought I should jump in on this one seeing as how I work for a retail petroleum company (we sell gas). But being a Norwegian I do not see a price of $1 per litre as particularly high. I can tell you that today we are operating at a list price of NOK 11.49 per litre here in Norway (my company, that is) which works out to about $1,78 per litre or $6,75 per gallon, if my conversion tables are correct.

That said I am lucky enough not to have to drive to work. I usually walk, or ride my bicycle.

The worst effect of the rising prices of gas for me is that it is causing my company to lose a lot of money, which probably means cutbacks.

I'm surprised and curious, Ryzel.
Surprised because I thought Norway produced a lot of oil.
Curious because I wonder what causes the high price if your country does.
Is it all tax?
Or is it the grade of the oil that makes it cost a lot to turn into gas.
Just wondering.

...it's all about market...
big-biz, etc.

This is another heady topic I try to refrain from 'cause it makes me so darn upset..

I cheer when gas prices go up. We (the US in particular) need to reduce our fuel usage, and I don't know a better way to get people to use less. My motorcycle gets about 45 mpg, and our car gets about 32, and we don't drive much anyway. Back when I was young and fit instead of middle-aged and lazy, I got excellent fuel economy by using a bicycle.

I'm torn between making my next vehicle purchase a fun 30mpg motorcycle, or a cheap, functional 70mpg scooter.

Usivius wrote:...it's all about market...
big-biz, etc.

Not always.
I know Europe has an extrememly high fuel tax.
I was wondering how much it was in Norway.
Fuel tax has nothing to do with the market price.

And if Norway had such a large domestic oil supply your market idea (supply and demand) would make prices VERY low.

(But most of what I learned about Norway was from talking to the exchange students at EPCOT so I really have no idea, sorry. )

It makes me smile whenever I drive my Prius!!!

I drove past the petrol station today and saw that it was up to 93p a litre. I spluttered, but that was about it.

You Americans know nothing about high fuel prices

Although admittedly 11.49 NOK comes to a bit more than 93p... But Norway's ridiculously expensive for everything. I just spent a few days there. It was mad.

Just picked up a second job to get more gas money. Admittedly, it's an excuse to mess with horses, too, but the funds will primarily go to taking care of my horse's stuff and paying for the gas to go see him.

Well, yesterday (30 Aug) gas was $2.70 US/gal. Today, gas was $3.20/gal.
$.50 in one day!!!!

Talk about taking advantage of a situation.
I wish I had filled up yesterday! I am going to have to find a job closer to home. 100 miles a day costs too much now.

Don't they give you notice? All petrol increases are announced a week in advance here, and always go into effect at midnight on Tuesdays. That way every gets a last chance to fill up at the old price at least.

--A

That'd be nice. When I left work yesterday it was $2.56 at the local station. This morning it's $2.79.

Ouch.

See, now you had only a $.23 increase.

But still.....the gas you and I paid extra for was refined and delivered before Katrina. That pisses me off. Economics.

Oh I agree, especially since the station by my house didn't go up at all.

Man, that would be so cool if gas prices only changed once a week! Not sure if it would make things better, but it sure would make things simpler. As it is, I fill up both cars on payday (the 1st and 15th), and once (with luck) in between.

I don't know how many of you guys have driven in Hampton Roads, but even though the speed limit is 55, the average speed is 70 (must have something to do with the fact that radar detectors are illegal in VA *shrug*). Usually, I go with the speed of traffic. But those few days before payday... well, I exercise my right to go 55 in the slow lane. Lately, I'm exercising that right every day, and I'm not the only one. I have a 45 min average commute every day to base and back (25 miles). I'm glad I'm driving my little 4-cylinder manual Ford Escort (never thought I'd say that.

I'll tell you what, I'm looking like an absolute genius for getting rid of the 4Runner and getting an Accord.

Cail wrote:I'll tell you what, I'm looking like an absolute genius for getting rid of the 4Runner and getting an Accord.

My 17yr old daughter (will be 18 in Sept) just bought a new Accord 2-door. (Dad did help a little, but mostly her money and she'll service the debt!)

I had steered her to a Civic - but she said they were'nt "pretty"!

I believe Civics are still the number one stolen car in the US.

With this mess in the South, we're going to start seeing a radical change in the American lifestyle. Expect fuel surcharges on everything within the next couple of weeks. Depending on what they decide to do with NO, this could very easily plunge the country into another recession.

There has been some discussion about simply writing off NO...Clear the shipping channel and abandoning the city. The more news I see coming out of there, the better that idea sounds.

I think that Saints fans wouldn't like that.

Not to mention then where would we have Mardi Gras?

Why build a city below sea level in the first place?
Just like why build your house in the Mississippi flood plain? It's a flood plain--you're going to get flooded eventually. Geez.