Nerve Endings Firing Away

I topped off my gas (petrol for Indians) tank on Friday, paying $2.09 per gallon; the highest I have ever paid in the last five years (sigh! the days of 97 cents per gallon not so long ago makes me feel nostalgic). Still, I am not the hardest hit. My friends on the West coast and the Northeast are paying upward of an unimaginable $3. When a Goldman Sachs report didn’t offer any hope by predicting that oil prices might stay over $50 for several years; the market responded promptly by jumping to $58 — the highest ever (although prices had hit $75 in today’s dollars during the energy crisis of the 70s). This, after the Economist had predicted that oil would stay at a lowly $10 [subscription needed] for several year just six years back. Whats worse, the same report recommends that consistency in this high price might actually help the consumer by cutbacks in consumption. I hate it when economists are right in predicting my behavior.  Anyway, the oil-rich countries are significantly altering the manmade (person-made?) things we can see from the moon by indulging in expensive but pretty fancies [official site here, in case you want to buy a piece; Rod Stewart has].

Something I don’t understand is what is stopping us from blatantly encouraging cars with alternative fuels. Heck, with a little geeky knowledge, you can hack your hybrid Toyota Prius to give you 100 miles to a gallon.  If I could afford a new car now, I would definitely go in for a Prius. The reviews are great, especially for those who don’t expect to be in the NASCAR any time soon.

How much are you paying for gas today? Think about it.