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If you're steamed about the price of gasoline, burning up about spending your entire paycheck at the pump, it may be time to change your driving habits. But first you need to change your attitude about the people in the oil industry. You need to stop thinking of them as greedy scoundrels and start thinking of them as honest people just trying to make a living, just trying to feed their families, clothe their children and make the monthly payments on their yachts. They're no different from you, really, aside from a couple of extra zeros in their paychecks. They would gladly lower the price of fuel, if not for a number of uncontrollable factors. To get a better understanding, I asked an oil company spokesman how the price is determined and he said, "Well, it's really complicated. We start with the supply of petroleum, how many millions of barrels are available and at what price, then we look at the potential demand on a particular day, then we account for all the federal and state taxes, and finally we factor in numerous variables, including the strength of the economy, the consumer price index, the prime interest rate, the amount of rainfall in Malawi and Oprah's dress size." Instead of blaming the oil people, you need to gradually reduce your dependence on gas. Here are a few suggestions: Walk If you've never done it before, now is the time to give it a shot. It requires a certain degree of balance and coordination, so if you're feeling overwhelmed, you may want to consider enrolling in a walking class. They will teach you how to walk in three simple steps. Step 1: Take a step. Step 2: Take another step. Step 3: Repeat Steps 1 and 2. Of course, before you do any actual walking, you may want to consult a doctor. The doctor will tell you if your body can handle it or if you need to start with something less challenging, such as standing on an escalator. Once you've learned how to walk, you will enjoy a lot more freedom. For example, you will no longer need to wait in your car at the "drive-thru," tapping the steering wheel impatiently and running your engine needlessly. You can actually get out of your car, walk to the front door and pick up your date. Walking often provides an extra benefit: weight loss. Yes, like Hugh Grant at a casino, the pounds will start dropping off you. And you will find yourself using even less fuel when you drive your car, because you won't be hauling around such a huge load. Use public transportation Buses, trains and streetcars are great ways to travel, especially if you don't mind minor inconveniences, such as having to sit next to people who are different from you, people who don't have tickets to the opera, but may just have tickets to Oprah. The best thing about public transportation is that you can do a lot of reading, not just books and newspapers, but also tattoos. You need to be somewhat discreet, of course. Otherwise the woman sitting next to you, noticing your gaze, will turn her book the other way. Carpool Try to share a ride with a co-worker or someone who works in the vicinity. Perhaps you can find someone who shares your taste in music, who has a good car stereo and doesn't mind blasting Yanni. Many cities have carpool lanes, allowing you to travel to and from work faster. You'll be less stressed out when you get home. And you'll be able to smile at the gas station, knowing that you won't have to come back soon, that you won't have to worry about the rainfall in Malawi.
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Put your foot on the road, not on the gas