Gas Crisis

In case you haven't heard, or are not from the metro Atlanta area, we have been suffering a gas crisis. I am not certain exactly when the crisis started but I noticed Monday that the stations were starting to run out of gas and there were really long lines just waiting to get gas.

I only had a 1/4 tank Monday so I went and found a station and got gas. There was no line at the particular station I went to but there was also only regular. While pumping I saw lots of Mercedes, Lexus and BMW's pull in and then pull right out in search of their premium gas. Lucky I am poor and just drive a Ford. I also got to pay $3.99 gal. A verified bargain after yesterday I noted those stations around me that had gas regular was going for $4.29 a gal.

So with my full tank I headed back home and that got me thinking. It really is ridiculous that I have to get in my car and drive just a few miles I have to do errands like go to the bank, grocery store, take kids on play dates etc. Especially since I am fully capable of running over 20 miles and/or can ride my bike even further.

The problem is, of course, what to do with the kids. I mean a 6 mile round trip run to the grocery store or bank isn't a big deal for me but for the kids it would be tough. Sure they could ride their bikes but it is pretty hilly and not very safe--even on the sidewalk.

Then it hit me.

What I need is a rickshaw!

Think about it.

I could get in marathon training and save money! Oh, and you know, help the environment. The buzz slogan is "Go Green!" right?

So, how's that for multi-tasking?

The kids could do their homework while I was getting my workout in and running errands. Heck, I could even pack a meal for them and they could eat their snacks or dinner while ran around town getting my workout in and running errands. I could even figure out a way to hook Lola to it and she could help me with the load and get her exercise in.

Of course, I would have to get a rickshaw that had a trunk so I could cart the groceries home. I'd probably have to put a cooler in there too so that stuff wouldn't spoil.

Details. Details. . .

Yesterday though, as I drove both kids to their gymnastics class in Roswell, it occurred to me that time might be the limiting factor in my rickshaw plan.

It is 10-11 miles to the gymnastic facility. The fastest I have run 12 miles in recent time is just under an hour and thirty minutes. And that was on a flat trail. I think pulling a rickshaw up hill--not to mention the load that will easily be over a hundred pounds with both kids-- might slow me down a little.

So I figure it will take at least 2 hours to get the kids to their gymnastic class. Doable, but I would have to check them out of school early since gymnastics starts at 4 pm. This will also be a problem since we will barely make it home by their bedtime. I guess I could pack their pj's and we could stop by Lala's on the way home from gymnastics and get them a bath. Could work.

Again, details.

So I was telling Ryan about my rickshaw idea and I thought he would totally appreciate my innovative solution. But he was very unhappy to hear about it.

He said: No. Absolutely not. No rickshaw. I do not want to be married to a woman that looks like a dude.