The headline about 4-buck gas might not be so far off. Example: We passed the 35th/Holden Chevron twice in the past hour. First time by, a worker was taking down the 3.18/gallon price for regular. Second time by, when we had a camera in tow, the new price was up (left). Good site for checking local gas prices is here. UPDATE: Even the state wants to know how come we pay more around here.
This url will get you straight to the “Seattle – SW” listing.
http://seattlegasprices.com/index.aspx?s=Y&fuel=A&area=Seattle+-+SW&tme_limit=48
Higher gas prices are good. Americans drive way too much in cars that are obscenely big. Our country uses energy resources way out of proportion to the size of our population in relation to the world. The prices at the pump, adjusted for inflation, are cheaper than what we paid for gas in the 1980’s. Cars have ruined the landscape of our country with roads and ugly sprawl. If you want the prices to stay low then reduce the demand for gas by biking, walking and using public transport.
And can we take this opportunity to suggest that West Seattle TIP THEIR PIZZA DELIVERY GUY ACCORDINGLY! two bucks? Two bucks won’t even buy a gallon of gas these days. I know I’m opening the floodgates here, but COME ON! show the pizza delivery guy some love!!
Delivery Dude:
2 bucks is all you get from me…. c’mon! You get 8 bucks an hour and then you deliver how many houses in an hour? If everyone gave you 2 bucks, what would you end up with? Pretty good, I imagine for a job that requires no education.
If you don’t like it, find another job. When I worked in pizza, I got $4.35 an hour and we didn’t deliver, so my tips = ZIPPO.
Find a vallet gig – better money, less smell, and you get to drive nice cars.
If this area wasn’t so hilly, I would commute my kids to school and such by bike! I hate driving and paying for gas, it’s such a burden.
Here is my theory. And so far it’s been right. Every time the gas goes up, we moan and complain, because, well, it’s outrageous, but then it goes down, but not as low as when it started, but yet we are all very happy because at least it wasn’t as high as before, but it has never gone back down to the original starting price.
Something to think about!
Our state gas tax is $0.34 per gallon, high but not the highest. Most states are in the $0.20 – $0.30 range. Factor that in with no state income tax, average (for a major urban area) property and sales taxes, and we do not have it as bad as you would think. China is projected to triple its automotive totals in the next decade so unless we go through a global depression, you can forget the idea of prices ever going back down again. 4 stroke scooters are a clean option for those who don’t want to pedal uphill 1/2 the time, pretty fun too.
Hey Delivery Dude,
Last week our Pagiacci delivery driver was driving a brand spanking new dodge charger. Maybe you should contact him. He’s obviously doing something right.
One thing I love about West Seattle is that just about everything I need is in biking or walking distance. Do I bike or walk ALL the time? No. But I’ve been keeping track of my car mileage, and right now I’m averaging between 90 and 110 miles per week by choosing human-powered transportation whenever possible. In the summer, I hope to see that number fall!
Pagiacci delivery driver in the new Dodge Charger probably elected for the 72 month financing plan.
Delivery Dude: LOL! Good luck!
Wes: I think that’s a great idea. Maybe start riding these hills without the kids, then with the empty trailer, then with the kids. You’d be surprised what a fit rider and a low gear can lug up a hill. I just climbed the Othello hill up from Cafe Ladro for the first time this spring….whew!
To Eric: Maybe the Pagliacci driver delivers pizza BECAUSE he has a brand-new Charger. 2nd job??
Aidan–right on, I totally agree. I honestly would be happy if gas goes up to five bucks per gallon or whatever if it gets people to drive less or to drive smaller cars. I think the health of the earth is more important than my pocketbook. Ok, off my soap box now.
As for pizza, I’ve gotten hooked on California Pizza Kitchen frozen pizzas…they’re usually on sale for $5 a piece, and one pizza feeds the two of us for dinner. Cheaper, healthier (read the ingredients), and the complaining pizza delivery dude doesn’t have to drive his big polluting car around to feed me. Whoops, slipped back onto my soap box. Oh well.
I was in Coeur d’Alene Sunday, and it was $2.84/gallon. What does Idaho have that we don’t?
AAA’s latest report says that CA is the only state that has higher prices than WA, gasolinewise. My question is…why the discrepancy from state to state?
So Wes, why did you have kids then if its such a burden to commute them?
Bill, that’s agreat suggestion. Thanks and congrats on the hill!
Jiggers, it wasn’t a burden with gas then, and it’s never a burden with my kids, I stay at home with them, it’s what I do for a living and I thank God for it!
It’s the shelling out the money for gas to take them to school. We use to go to a school that was closer, so we walked or I ran them in the jogging stroller but that schooled closed. That’s all, bu thanks for asking, it was a good check for me to think if that is how I really do think, and thankfully I do not. Do you have kids Jiggers?
Jiggers LOL
I was back home in Ireland and gas was $6 a gallon! But it was worth it for the guinness:)
Everyone wants cheaper housing and more expensive gas…ya think the construction industry can use transit?
I’m all for more expensive gas if it’s from taxes but just for corporate profits….not so much.
Simma Down Folks! I was just fishing for some extra tips, that’s all. Go easy. West Seattle is quite good to me -thanks to everyone on the ‘west side’
Damn, I tip pizza guys well…. I figure if I’m tipping 15 to twenty percent in a restaurant for the waiter to walk a few steps back and forth to the table I can tip a guy well for jumping in his car and bringing the food to my door.
It’s all about convenience folks, that’s the American way of life that George *#@&$^@* Bush is here to defend, and if Exxon needs a few billion more in profit then so be it.
Not sure what my point was in that last paragraph but, I just use this forum to vent nonsensically sometimes.
I tip Pags 25% for the convenience, speed of service, quality food, and because gas is high.
eric, I’m betting that most of the delivery drivers have a day job too. They may actually be more educated (by the way, it’s “valet”) and harder-working than you or I. If you’re asking someone to bring you your food, then I think they deserve a tip that reflects that willingness to serve and work hard.
Sorry, comment time is over.
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