I walked under a bus, I got hit by a train

As a citizen of this country, even as a non-licensed member of this country, I find the petrol prices to be heading well out of crazy, and into ludicrous. The latest price rise from Caltex has made me think.

I can see the many implications that the latest petrol rise could have on me, a non-licensed member of society. I can see public transport costs rising, airfares increasing, and a huge guilt at having friends come to see me on holidays, parents picking me up, my mother’s free taxi service and most importantly, the bribes of “petrol money” will have to be bigger then $5 for someone to take me somewhere.

Our country, although I hate to say it, is living in a very consumer-run society. So I propose a plan. A plan that all my readers, fellow columnists and their friends can take part in. It would very much rely on a huge sector of the country taking part, but word of mouth, and the power of the pen (or in my case, the power of the 14.4kbs modem), could bring the plan into reality.

But first, what are the causes of the price rises? Our petrol prices are crashing through the roof, while our country’s dollar, in relation to the rest of the world, is sinking like the Titanic. The petrol company’s are blaming the price rises on both the dollar and the increased cost of petrol per barrel. Is the world’s crude
oil supply running out? Supply and demand often means that rare commodities, such as petrol will become, can be very harsh on the wallet.

So why does no-one create a solar powered vehicle, or even better, a car that runs on water, that can be implemented into society and become an “every household has one” thing? We already know that vehicles that run on these sources, and even electricity exist. Most of Wellington’s central public transport system runs on electricity taken from wires suspended above the roads, and, every now and again a show like Beyond 2000 will run a segment on a solar powered car. But why do they all seem to disappear never to be seen or heard of again? Many people claim that petrol companies are paying the inventors to keep such machines a secret. Maybe there are plans for these new cars to come out into our mainstream markets in the near future and petrol companies are simply trying to milk every last dollar out of their customers while they still can.

Imagine the rush on these cars! They will sell like wildfire, people will spend their life savings and retirement stashes on them. They will be cheaper to run, and be better on the environment.

But back to the plan. Although we can dream of these cars, their implication into every day life would not come for another 5 years at least. Today, we have to concentrate on the vehicles we do have, the ones that run on petrol, that cost the earth to run, keep running, register, park and manage (are you starting to see why I don’t have a licence yet?). I figure, if a major part of society boycotts the next petrol company (or companies) to rise their prices, eventually, they will have to give. As their petrol prices fall, go back to them, and make the others follow suit. Yes, there is a problem that they may all go out of business, but it has become ludicrous, and it is time for serious action.

How RUDE!!

I know it's cheesy to put a early-90s-sitcom quote as my topic, but it sum's it up quite nicely.

While out today on my "I don't have classes *jump for joy* but I need groceries and the third part of my book series cos I just finished the second although I had to stay up all night to do so" shopping trip I went to Bellamy's Bookshop in Cuba Mall, I wanted the third part, and have found this shop to have a copy or two on previous excursions, in fact, this is where I found the first part, but I digress. Having entered with a pack on my back (as I needed to take in books to exchange to get the one I wanted cheaply and also wanted something to carry my groceries home in), so I followed the signs posted around the place which read "Please leave bags at front counter" and asked the lady behind the counter if I could leave it there, she turned around and said, what I figured out to be (as she had a heavy accent of some European origin) "Put it out the back" now I thought this was odd, so I replied "I'm just going over there" (while pointing about 2 metres away at the Fantasy section) and she said, very angrily and rudely "put it on your back! Can you do that? Put it on your back!" To this I felt like saying "fuck you!" and leaving, but I said, amazingly calmly "OK" looked at the book, decided I wasn't going to spend my money there, even if it was the last copy in Wellington and left.

Facing a dilemma of knowing other second hand bookshops in Cuba Street didn't stock this series, and I really wanted it, I had to use my brain. I knew the only other place that had it was on the other end of Courtenay Place, to which I happily trotted, to find the book $5 cheaper, and with the books I traded I ended up getting it free and $2 cash, the people there treated me nicely, and even though it's out of my way, I will be going there again.

how DARE they?!?

Burger King - admittedly, my very favourite fast food restaurant, but lately [read: last night], well, they've done some stuff to piss me off.

Well, I have a whole list, written in my tired haze last night so I'll start from the beginning.

1. They took 7 minutes, 34 seconds and 16 100's of a second (as timed on my trusty cell phone stop watch) to take my order, which would be OK, if there were heaps of people in front of me, but, alas, there was only one, and she was still waiting for her fries when they took my order.
2. When placing my order, I asked for a "number seven" and the person (who was a manager) had to look up to see a "seven" was the exact meal the woman next to me (who was still waiting for her fries) had.
3. They then gave me medium fries for my up size.
4. They've increased the price of a Whopper and Double Whopper meal by 30 cents. Which is rude, because it upsets my entire budget.
5. When getting home I looked at the bag, and discovered "Bag may contain on average 30% Post Consumer Material" written on the side - does this mean that inside the bag I can sometimes expect to find a turd lurking? Maybe this is the phenomenon also revered as the "Whopper". Possibly it means, that the bag is simply recycled, but why is only 30% of it recycled? Why not recycle the whole lot, I mean McDonald's trays are made from recycled material (note: this could possibly be their burgers, I have heard from an ex-McDonalds employee that if their cheese was manufactured anymore it actually would be plastic - which somehow doesn't surprise me)
6. Did you know there is a Voluntary Pokemon Ball Safety Recall? This is because "Ball may pose suffocation hazard to children under 3 years old". If you take back this ball you get a small order of fries.... personally I'd rather sue 'em ;P the number for more information about this recall is "1800 7550625" But we're in New Zealand, and don't have "1800" numbers..... hmmmmm

Believe me, if I was a "Secret-Shopper" I wouldn't give 'em my time.

So, I have a feeling I won't be eating at McDonalds (because I just don't), or BK for awhile.... back to crappy halls food mefinks.

My cousin didn't come back last night... darnit