Farewell to my lunch breaks...Thanks to Gas Prices...
By cortjo73
@cortjo73 (6498)
United States
June 9, 2008 11:55am CST
So, forgive me...I am about to vent!
First off, let me just point out that I live in Georgia. It is hot as Hades in Georgia right now and, it is only June. Our worst of the heat season in usually in August. It usually climbs into the lower 100 degree mark in August. Well, it is already closing in on 100! It was 96 if not hotter over the weekend and, I think it is probably that hot or hotter out right now.
Now, I could tolerate that if I could just go home for my lunch hour and give myself a reprieve from work that way. But, nope! Thanks to the government and our freaking high gas prices, I can't just ride home for lunch and relax for a while there to get away from work during my lunch hour. To compensate for that, I have been allowing myself the less than a mile drive from my office to the park to go sit on the bleachers and read during my lunch hour. Sure, it costs me an extra $4 or more bucks a week to do that but, it was worth it. After all, I am entitled to an hour lunch break and to get away from the office. Well, with the heat as bad as it is already, and likely only going to continue to get worse this summer, I will no longer have anywhere to go to get away from the office for an hour each day. And, lest you think that I could just go to the break room or somewhere else in my office to escape, no! I work for a small company. Literally me and my 2 bosses. I am the administrative assistant which means I answer the phones. And, as long as I am in the office, unless I am in the bathroom, I have to answer the phone. Period! No ifs, ands or buts about it! So, I am trapped. Trapped by the heat and trapped by gas prices! Freaking fedge!
So, anyone else so completely screwed by the gas? Anyone else so completely screwed by the weather in their area?
Sorry to have vented but, seriously...can you blame me?
6 people like this
20 responses
@gitfiddleplayer (10362)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I don't want to agree with you because even though its hot and gas is high because of Congress, which is full of dems who won't let us drill for domestic oil because we might disrupt the mating of the three toed owl, you should still find time to get away from the office. If you don't your job will suffer. Its hot in a lot of places, the gas is high everywhere, get out of the office. Go somewhere that has air conditioning, the library, a local cafe, anywhere. Don't let the gas prices deter you from your allotted time for yourself.
2 people like this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
11 Jun 08
LOL! You and I will have to refrain from talking politics! LOL! Deal? LOL!
But, I can tell you that I did find a place to go. Scarywhitegirl (1st page of this discussion) suggested a library and, I did a search for one and found one a mile and a half from my office! So, I have a place to go now for all intolerable weather, even during the winter!
Thank you for your suggestions!
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I am up for ANY solution to this crisis, ANYTHING that will lower the gas prices (and in turn the prices of food, household products, and services) within reasonable reach of the average person. I don't care if it is drilling for domestic oil or convincing alternate energy sources to install solar panels on everybody's home for free. As long as it doesn't cost consumers more and is just as easy to use and available as traditional sources, I guarantee people would use it and the crisis would be over. BUT! The folks who have any say have got to stop trying to make a buck. This isn't about making a buck any more, there should be no profit in this, just relief for everybody.
People really need to weigh the consequences here. Do we want constantly rising gas prices? I don't think I'll ever meet somebody who says 'yes I want to pay $6 a gallon for gas, it's a good thing'. Is that worth 'saving the environment'? I don't know. I have always thought that part of being such a great country is being able to be independent and not have to rely so heavily on foreign imported anything! Let's think about this, if we have resources here, why are we not using them? Is it due to greed? People not wanting to use what we have? I just really want to know, and I don't want some bs type of answer either.
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
10 Jun 08
You have every right to vent and i'm right there with you and this 100 degree weather today in Texas..yuck..not looking for August and my BD.
Now since i own my own store i'm there allday long and never get away from it..so if i don't bring lunch i order it to be delivered and wouldn't you know it everytime i get it and ready to eat, someone walks in the store and needs help..where the store could be slow at the moments before..so i can relate about getting away for time for yourself
2 people like this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Thank you RK! And, Texas is a dry heat! Yikes! Although, some people say they would rather have a dry heat than humid heat. I have only ever experienced humid heat so, I don't know the difference! LOL! To me, too much heat is too much heat. LOL! And, seriously, August is going to be ugly! Happy early BDay! My bro's and my niece's bday is in August. And, my 6 year anniversary here at my job is in August! LOL!
I am both glad, and bummed for you that you can relate about not being able to be in the "office" and actually enjoy your break at the same time! LOL!
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
11 Jun 08
LOL...Nope no dry heat here..just hot,humid and sticky icky..someone told you wrong..wish it was dry heat then i wouldn't melt so much..LOL
Wow alot of things going on in August for you..just my Bd on the 25th and everyone else's Bd's in my family are in Sept,Oct and Nov, March and Jan. I'm the only hot one..LOL
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Jun 08
You're right, Texas is humid. California is dry, at least here in the desert. The difference to me is like being in a dry sauna to being in a steam room. Humidity makes you feel much worse, ie it seems 'hotter' and your body is less able to keep its temp stable. In a humid climate, approaching 80 feels icky to me. Where it's dry, like here, I only start whining when it hits mid 90s. I have to say though that I'd rather a string of endless 90 degree sunny days than a string of clouds, drizzle, gray and overcast. The heat can limit the amount of time I can spend outside depending on activity, but nasty weather pretty much preempts me being outside at ALL, much less my kids who are majorly bored when forced to be shut inside. If they choose to, no biggie. Rain on the roof of the house and car used to scare my daughter, and weather like that depresses me, makes me tired and sluggish plus I tend to get chilled when it's wet out.
@kareng (80243)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I hear ya! Same here in southern Louisiana...hot as hadees already. We have started to carpool for lunch here. I do bring my lunch most of the time, but some days I just need to get out of here. I know what you mean about that.
I'm thinking that I may start carpooling to work at least 2 days a week. Gas prices are getting out of hand and I don't know how they expect the average person to survive!
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I know! Ugh! You know, carpooling used to be more of an environmental thing. A way to alleviate traffic and emissions and air pollution. And, of course, for some it was a nice way to protect the money in their wallets a little. But, now it is less about the environment and more about keeping money in our wallets! That sucks!
And, this freaking heat! Sheesh! I thought it was bad last year when we had over 100 degree temps late summer for 2 or more weeks but, nearly 100 in June. I fear what August will bring.
Stay cool and, I am glad you found a semi-decent alternative for your wallet! I wish I could carpool but, my bosses don't work the same hours as I do...because they are bosses! LOL! And, I literally don't work with anyone else in my office! Just me, myself and I! LOL!
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Do you know anybody who might work out that direction, who could maybe drop you off and pick you up? Years ago at my last job before I resigned and moved, I had a friend who drove literally right by my house so she convinced me to let her just pick me up. I didn't really care, I was only a 5 minute drive from work anyway but it worked out well since she drove past my house every day. She didn't even charge me gas money even though I offered to pay her.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Our weather isn't much cooler than where you are...today it was 96...and supposed to be even hotter tomorrow, and yup it's ONLY June..nuts..I don't do hot weather very well. I can't really vent about gas prices since I don't have a car....which does mean though if I want to go anywhere have to walk it..and yikes feel like I'm walking in the Sahara desert--I always bring a bottle of chilled water with me as I can get thirsty in no time flat..but with this weather, that nicely chilled water I started out with warms up real quick...blagh
2 people like this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Ugh! I hear ya Pye! Nothing stays cool for long at all in this heat! And, I can't imagine having to get everywhere on foot in this heat so, I feel for you! Can you get an insulated water bottle? Would that even help? LOL! I am not a fan of warm water either! I like mine nice and chilly!
Please take care though when you are out walking in this heat. It really isn't good for you at all!
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I have a solution to the water! I like ice cold water too, so you can either get the ice trays that do the long ice tubes that will fit easily into the top of a bottle, or if it is a wider mouth water bottle, regular ice cubes will fit. Another idea is to put about 2 inches of water in the bottom of the bottle, freeze it, then fill it the rest of the way with cold water from the fridge. The ice in the bottom will keep the water cold and it will also melt and add to your bottle.
@scarywhitegirl (2766)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Ugh, that's miserable. I used to work in a very small office like that, and same thing--unless I was physically not near a phone, I was answering it, no matter what.
Is there anywhere near your office like a coffee shop or library where you could go hide out for your lunch break? Maybe just a short walk outside in the heat wouldn't be so bad if there was somewhere nearby and cool. (Of course, that plan didn't work at my old job--we were out in the middle of nowhere, so there was no where to wander to.)
@scarywhitegirl (2766)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Awesome, I'm glad to hear it! :) I just have memories of my mom taking us kids to the library in the summers when it was really awful out--always cool there, even if the AC wasn't on at home. :)
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I wish there were a library within either or short driving distance. As far a I know, there isn't. But, that would be a great idea. I would do that! I feel at peace and love reading during my lunch break and, a library would be the perfect place to do that during the colder winter months and the hotter summer months. I really don't think there is one close to my job but, I will double check. Thank you for the suggestion. But, to answer another question, as many Starbucks as there are out by my house, and I mean there are probably 10 to 15 inside of a 7 mile radius, there are actually none within walkin or very short driving distance from my job. But, maybe some day they'll build one!
I am glad someone else can relate to the "in the office, answer the phones" thing I have going on with my company! Don't get me wrong, I like my job. But, there is no way for me to take my lunch break in the office. I'm glad you understand!
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I just did a yellowpages search for libraries in my area using my zip code and it looks like there is one about a mile and a half away from my job. I might check it out tomorrow! Thank you for your help! It really was a great idea! And, I don't know why I didn't think of it! LOL! I don't need big things to do, just a cool place to go to make myself content for my hour! Thank you so much!
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Well, I am in CA and it's already pretty hot here. That said,the gas prices are also at a record high! I get pretty decent gas mileage since I drive a toyota. I would get BETTER mileage if A. I did mostly highway driving B. did not use the a/c C. carried less weight in the car. Here is the problem! I only drive in town because I'm a mom with kids and I do daycare for one additional child. I cannot NOT use the AC with the kids in the car, they would melt or suffocate - I don't have rear vents. I have things like strollers, diaper bags, and carseats that have to stay in the car all the time. I am basically biting the bullet and still doing the things I need to do or feel like doing because I will not sit at home while the gas prices continue to rise out of the stratosphere anyway. None of that is directly related to anything I do or don't do, and I won't screw myself because of it. In fact today I kept track of the mileage from one point to another just to let a friend know she was only having to drive 5 or 6 miles to get somewhere and it wasn't like she was spending $8 in gas.
By the way, is there anything near you where you could go - a restaurant, a store, anything? If I'm too miserable and my a/c at home isn't keeping the house cool enough sometimes I will take the kids someplace airconditioned, even if we just go in there for awhile to cool off LOL!
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
11 Jun 08
I like your spirit! I want to have that kind of spunk to just say, Gas Schmas! LOL! But, I am still smarting a little from Christmas bills! LOL! Yup...nearly 7 months later! LOL!
As far as somewhere to go, with the help of Scarywhitegirl (1st page of this discussion) I did find a place to go. She suggested a Library and I found one a mile and a half away from my office. So, when the weather is less than tolerable (both winter and summer) I can still get away from the office now. Yay! And, it will only be a little bit a bigger dent to my gas tank than it would have been to get to a restaurant or store. Most of the buildings around my job are office buildings. But, a library is perfect! Free, mostly quiet, and close!
And, as far as not running your AC in your car, whew...you have too! It is too hot and your risk making yourself sick if you don't run it! I have to run mine too because it is over 100 degrees when I get into my car and, it doesn't even cool down by the time I get home from work and I live 8 miles away and am driving for close to a half an hour (yes, traffic is really bad in my area during rush hour)so, I would suffocate or get heat exhaustion if I didn't run my AC for that half an hour! And, my car is only a year and a half old! So, for it to be that hard to cool my car down with the AC, that speaks volumes about how hot it is in my car when I get in! LOL! I actually scald my hands and any other bare skin that touches anything in my car.
Anyway, Thank you for your encouragement and, I hope you stay cool!
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Jun 08
When I read the library suggestion, I applauded her! The reason I didn't think about that is because the library is very far from me, and the *nice* one is two towns over. I practically lived in one when I was a kid, but it was on a bus line, so when my mom wouldn't take me, I could get on a bus near my house for 50 cents and then it would let me off right in front, and I'd just use the transfer within 2 hours to get back home. Of course now I think it's near $2 to ride a bus and you only get 30 min or an hour to transfer LOL!
Ahh how we whined when gas was only $2 because I remember it being UNDER a dollar! Anyway, I do try to combine trips, like say I have certain errands to run. I will do them in the order I can drive to them, leaving one that's on the way home to get to on the way home, so it's sort of a circle so to speak. I also try to make just one trip a day, like while I'm out, I will do the things on my list or things that occur to me that need to get done in the same general area while I'm there - rather than go home and go out again. This is only common sense plus after a certain length of time, the kids get antsy, hungry, the little one needs a diaper, etc etc.
I am fully aware that there are people in government that have some clout and can actually do something about this miserable situation, but they are sitting on their hands or twiddling their thumbs and wearing ear plugs and pretending this isn't having a ripple effect everywhere. THEY are untouched by it yet everybody around them is practically drowning, I think it's time to pull them all into the drink and see what it's like deciding to put $60 in your gas tank - or paying the cc bill from christmas. Hehe! They'd start having some empathy soon if they were wearing our shoes.
@lingli_78 (12821)
• Australia
10 Jun 08
i can really relate to what you are saying as i also experience the same problem... and i really sympathise with you... fortunately, i work in a big company and i don't have to go out from the office on my break times... i just bring my own lunch from home and i eat it in the staff restaurants during my lunch break... but i have to sacrifice a lot on my leisure, entertainment and traveling journey because of the high increase of fuel price... just can't afford it... i hope you can work out something to fix your situations... take care and have a nice day...
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Thank you! And, I did find an alternative. Scarywhitegirl (1st page of this discussion) gave me a really good idea. She suggested a local library. I found one about a mile and a half away from my job so, I will be checking that out today! So, I can get away and still enjoy the AC without wasting to much gas to get there!
But, this gas crisis is really putting a damper on everything from the little things like lunch breaks, to slightly bigger things like entertainment on the weekends, to big things like vacations. It costs a lot to drive to a vacation destination and, even more to fly! It is far past ridiculous!
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Cortjo, I am working for the most part out of my home right at the moment, so I can enjoy my air con and do not even have to drive to work unless it is for parts I have to fetch from the shop. But I do have empathy for what you are going through. The heat has been horrendous. Is there maybe a coffee shop near by where you can at least get something to drink sit in the cool and read? Heck a fast food place would work.
This gas crises (and it is a crises I don't care what the government Bush is wanting to call it) is beginning to affect every aspect of our lives.
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Thank you Angelwhispers!
As far as the coffee shop, there isn't one close to my office ...I know, shocking! LOL! And, there aren't even a lot of restaurants within and decent drivable distance so as not to waste too much gas. But, Scarywhitegirl (above) gave me a good idea yesterday. She suggested a local library. I didn't think there was one within a close drivable distance from my job but, there is! It is about a mile and a half up the road and around the corner so, I will be checking that out today...assuming it is too hot to go to the park today. The hubby said it was supposed to be in the 90's again today so, I am guessing I will be checking out that library.
And, trust me...I pretty much don't agree with the way that Bush likes to massage a lot of things by calling them things less than what they really are! It is a gas crisis! I agree! And, it really is affecting every aspect of our lives.
My hubby and I don't do a lot! But, on the weekends, one thing we really liked to do was drive around and just explore the world around us. Now, we don't want to afford the gas. So, we sit at home the majority of the weekend. We go get our groceries, maybe a bite to eat, and our morning lattes and the rest of our weekends are spent stuck at home. But, we aren't in a gas crisis! My butt! LOL!
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Jun 08
It's totally a crisis because when the gas rises, the costs of everything get passed down. What in the heck are they thinking, if we are charged more for gas and in turn more for food, more for utilities, more for services, everything is bound to collapse. There's nobody for US to pass on the extra expense to except to either cut back or go into debt. I don't know about you but I cannot do either one, both make me equally sick to think about. I simply don't think anybody should be allowed to pass on the costs. Gas should cost us at the pump exactly what it costs to produce. This whole thing with ANYBODY being allowed to profit for things such as gas, electricity, telephone service, etc should be outlawed. I have no issue with private corporations being allowed to set their own prices and profit off things that people do not NEED, but face it, most of us NEED gas in order to drive to WORK or to keep our households in good shape by running errands,getting groceries and other necessities. This is bordering on barbaric, like charging for air.
I believe that natural gas and electric and car insurance is partially capped so that it cannot go too far past unreasonable and unaffordable for the general public, but the same thing needs to be applied to gasoline for cars, basic food staples such as eggs, milk, bread etc or pretty soon the 'comfortable middle class' will be standing in line trying to qualify for aid just to feed their families for a week because payday isn't until Friday and it's only Tuesday.
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Don't blame you at all cortjo. Vent away.
I am lucky that I'm a stay at home mom and only work the occasiona weekend, so I can have lunch and eat when I want. My son is at school during the day so that is my time to myself, or running errands, cleaning and doing what I feel like doing.
1 person likes this
@maddysmommy (16230)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Oh I hear you. I don't know if I am looking forward to the summer break because it's going to be very busy for me, trying to keep him entertained. However I posted a discussion on summer activities and boy, I got lots of ideas now. I think I'm going to have fun too haha!
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Thank you M'sM! And, I think you can vent sometimes too! With school likely out or soon to be out, you will probably have a little less time for yourself to get all those things done so, I am betting you might want to vent in the near future! So, please feel free to come back and do so!
Thank you for listening and letting me vent!
@twallace (2675)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Can't blame you at all; I know that has to be a pain in the side that your lunch routine has changed from the high gas prices. This morning they were talking about on the news that gas will keep going up and just might reach $6.00 a gallon. Then on the other hand it spoke about how high other things will start to cost all due to the high gas prices. Letting the public know that it will not ease off anytime soon. But don't let it get you down; you will find something to do for lunch that will make your days better. Have a nice one.
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
I heard on the radio this AM, reports of some stations having raised their rates overnight to as much as $4.80 for premium. So, in one or 2 weeks, we will see $5 per gallon of Premium gas and, it won't be much longer after that that regular costs $5. And, they have been saying that it will reach $6 by mid to late summer now for a couple of months. But, I am guessing, it will be at $6 sooner than that!
As far as my lunch break...I did find something! Thanks to an awesome and simple, also free, suggestion from Scarywhitegirl (1st page of this discussion), I have found a library about a mile and a half away from my job. So, it is a bit further away than the park just down and around the corner, it is still something I can handle. Yay! I found my place to go get peace of mind during my lunch break!
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
9 Jun 08
No, I do not blame you at all, there is nothing worse than not being able to get away from somewhere and be trapped there all day long. Espcecially when the weather is as hot as it is for you.
We have had lovely sunny weather here in UK, but I do not think that it has been that hot here. I do not think that I could stand it if it was in the 100s. I love the heat but not that hot.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
9 Jun 08
Welcome to vent anytime you wish, I always have an ear spare for you!
I found out that it has been 76 degrees here today. Cold in comparison to you!
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Thank you GR! And, I like your new avatar!
Trust me, you would hate the 100's. You would likely hate it in the mid 90's too! LOL! It is even too hot for my dog. He loves to go hang out outside in the backyard. But, if I let him out and walk away from the door, he'll go and do his business and maybe sniff one thing before it is too hot for him and he will get right back to the door and cry for me to let him in! LOL!
Thank you for your kind words and for letting me vent!
@baleleng2008 (917)
• United States
12 Jun 08
lol!You are funny cortjo!Anyway here in kansas it's very hot also but since I grow up in a tropical country it's like normal to me.Our weather back home is hot,hotter and more hot...nyahhahahahah!
Im glad im here in the state and have 4 seasons..
.I just don't like the winter bcoz my beauty is freezen inside the house..lolWell cortjo at least you save gas now bcoz you take your break inside your office.Just don't forget eat your lunch coz I might eat it!lol!
Im glad im here in the state and have 4 seasons...I just don't like the winter bcoz my beauty is freezen inside the house..lolWell cortjo at least you save gas now bcoz you take your break inside your office.Just don't forget eat your lunch coz I might eat it!lol!1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
12 Jun 08
LOL! I don't like the winter cold either! LOL! And, it is actually a littler cooler, at least for now, today. It was 77 on my way to work. A far cry from the 98 that my temperature gauge in my car said that it was yesterday on my way home from work. But, we had some good stormy weather last night and, I think that really cooled things down. I haven't seen how much warmer it is yet to get today. I didn't have a chance to catch the news but, I think I caught a quick weather report on the radio and, I think I heard that the high for today was supposed to be 88. Not too bad but, not great either! LOL!
And, as far as my lunch break...thanks so Scarywhitegirl (1st page of this discussion) I was able to find a way to get out of the office and into somewhere that is close by. She suggested I find a library near by. I did! Yay! I found one that is only a mile and a half away from my office! So, yes...that is an extra 3 miles of gas burning a day but, that is tolerable.
So, what country were you born in? What are normal temperatures there?
@kitchen1616 (72)
• United States
10 Jun 08
I am completely with you on that one. I'm seriously considering buying a bike and selling my car in order to save money. It is so ridiculous, it shows how much we are controlled by those prices though, i don't think people will ever stop buying which means higher and higher prices.
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
My hubby has a Harley that he takes to work now. It is still ridiculous. Where $8 would nearly fill it up before, he gets a little less than 2 gallons of gas for that amount now! But, it is better than $50 for not even a full tank!
So, don't just consider getting a bike...do it! It will help you in the long run!
1 person likes this
@mommyboo (13174)
• United States
11 Jun 08
Yes, my hubby bought a street bike (FJR) last year before this gas crunch really hit, but he gets super good gas mileage with it. Of course right after that, he met the guy he carpools with, and since they cannot both take the bike, they just trade off driving cars. It still saves quite a bit on gas for both of them, but the bike is still more economical - 110 miles on the bike is still just a bit over 2 gallons, 110 miles in the car is approx 5 gallons. The bike is fun for us as well, instead of taking expensive vacations, we can just ride it up in the mountains together, walk around up there, grab a bite, relax, and come home after a couple hours.
To comment on the original post from kitchen1616, I feel differently than you. I do buy gas and will continue to buy gas, but I am not 'controlled' by the prices. As a consumer, I cannot lower the prices. I won't let the prices control my life either - if alternate ways are not tolerable or convenient to me, I will use what is tolerable and convenient. I see people going without and people depriving themselves and what a shame to have this happening in America, know what I mean? There will come a breaking point, things cannot just go up and up and up without a blowout, think of the housing market crash back in the early 90s. Gas will go down again when it hits a point like that. I am fairly sure that most of us will still be here to reap those rewards.
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
I hear ya! And, if they continue to go up, even the rich won't be able to drive anymore. So, the only people who will be able to drive will be the ones who own the dang oil! LOL! Good luck paying your bills then when no one else can afford to drive so, no one else is buying gas! No gas being bought, no more money coming in!
I know...a bit far fetched but, a girl can dream! LOL!
@sylvia13 (1850)
• Nelson Bay, Australia
10 Jun 08
It is sad, but stories like yours is what we have these days now! You are in the U.S., but I hear similar stories from Australia, Venezuela and Spain, it is the same all over! Where are we going to? And you are not talking about going sailing, or anything fancy like that, just taking a lunch break at home or in the park!
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
I know! Amazing isn't it? It is the simplest of things to take a lunch break and, yet...it has become a huge issue!
And, as far as travel goes...the hubby and I will be going to visit the family up North in July. We always drive. And, this year, it will cost us in gas for the entire trip what a one way ticket would cost us to fly! Or, what a round trip ticket used to cost us! There are no words to express how wrong that is to imagine, let alone, actually see!
@Savvynlady (3684)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Cortjo,
To answer you question, NO I can't blame you. I live in Alabama, and it's hot down here and because my car let me down, I have a reprieve from it, but can you believe that I put $20 of gas in the tank just before it keeled over? If only I knew...the temp down here is rising as we speak, and these gas prices, well, I've been preaching hard on this on how to earn more money and these rebate checks that I really feel didn't do jack for jill already, so yes, I'm another American somewhat screwed by it and I can't honestly blame you for venting. However, and I believe this in my heart, if we ALL got together and said "ENOUGH", trust me, something would go down soon. This is an election year, and at present, we need to vote for whom is going to deal with the situation at hand and not run from it. Someone had a similar discussion with a petition attached. Make your voice heard.
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Thank you and, I agree that the time for change is here...well, almost here! LOL! I only hope that enough people have had enough and are willing to set aside the way they think they should vote based on how they are registered, and do what they should do to make that change happen!
Please provide a link to the petition you were talking about!
Thank you again!
@SheliaLee (2736)
• United States
10 Jun 08
I don't know how you feel because I am blessed to have a job where I work at home. I am a medical transcriptionist for a hospital in our area but I have a box with a keypad where I dial up the jobs. When I get ready to take my lunch break I just turn the box off and when I'm ready I turn it back on. My heart goes out to you because it has to be rough not being able to get out for a while. I sure hope things get better for you soon.
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Thank you! And, thanks to ScaryWhiteGirl (1st page of this discussion) I have a new idea. She suggested finding a library near me. Turns out, there is one about a mile and a half from my job so, I am going to check it out today. It will be a nice cool place to go get some peace of mind during my work day when temperatures are either too hot or too cold outside!
Thank you for your kind words!
@foundmyangel (607)
• United States
10 Jun 08
well hold on to your lug nuts, its only going to get worse within the next few days. It is supposed to go up again another 20 cents before the weekend. I work outside so I don't have much sympathy for you sitting in a air-conditioned office, but I do however with the no break time at work. Talk about hot I was on a metal roof all day and someone should have turned me over because one side is done. LOL I am working across from a bank, you know the kind, the one that has the time and temperature on the big sign.... Well as if I didn't know it was already hot, I had this sign letting me know just how hot it was. Today it got up to 102 scorching degrees and of course add another 25 degrees to that being on a hot metal roof in the middle of no shaded sun and no wind. But all I can say is go down the road or find a tree in the area to park under for your lunch break. Because I know how you feel for I had a job like that once where as long as you were there you got no breaks. Good luck in your situation.
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Yikes! I do not envy you your job. And, as for the gas, they were saying on the radio that there are some stations that are chargine $4.80 for premium now which means that it may only be 1 or 2 weeks before premium is at $5! Fantastic. I don't use premium but, still...if premium is soon to be $5, regular isn't that far from it either!
As for me finding a place to go for my lunch break, scarywhitegirl (first page of this discussion) suggested that I find a local library and, I did! About a mile and a half away from my job. So, now I have a place to go no matter what kind of weather we are having! Because, as I am sure you know, even in the shade, it is too hot outside!
I truly feel for you! And, Thank you for helping me get some perspective! Sometimes, I need to be reminded that things could be much worse for me! I did realize it! But, I needed to vent and so, I did! LOL! But, trust me...I feel for anyone who has to work outside in this crap! And, I don't think that you should have to work in 102 degree temps because that can be more dangerous than it is worth. So, I am sure I don't have to tell you to keep yourself hydrated! Not only during work hours but, before and after! That is about the only thing you can do to make sure you protect yourself from the heat! And, wear that sunscreen like it is a second skin!
@msjennyk (70)
• United States
10 Jun 08
The gas prices are affecting everyone who drives. I for one think how badly they are affecting
the truck drivers that deliver everything we use. Some of those drivers practically live in their trucks, and most can't afford the fuel to let them idle and keep cool while they sleep anymore. So
they are just getting a double whammy. I know there are units to buy and put on the trucks but a lot of independent drivers can't afford the $10,000.00 price tag so maybe we don't have it quite as bad as they do. And A lot of them are down in Georgia right now in the same heat and I imagine
they are on their CB radios venting as well. Hope it cools off for you soon.
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
10 Jun 08
Yikes! You know, this gas issue, in combination with the heat, sure does make you think of a lot of stuff that never really occurred to you before. I hope certain government officials are proud of themselves for the discomfort that they are causing us! Well done! Bravo! They should be really freaking proud of themselves!
Thank you for pointing this out to me because, it really didn't occur to me! I do feel for them and how hot it is and the fact that they can't get away from the heat either in their trucks or outside.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
9 Jun 08
No, I don't blame you a bit for venting I would too. Seems strange to have 2 bosses over one employee, or is it just that office? Hopefully the heat will break for you soon and you can find somewhere to get away from the office. If it makes you feel any better I'm a stay at home mom and I don't get an hour break LOL I'm lucky when I get to use the bathroom without someone knocking on the door! Best of luck hope the heat breaks soon!
1 person likes this
@cortjo73 (6498)
• United States
9 Jun 08
LOL! Thank you ZephyrSun. And, the reason it is the way it is in my company is that my bosses own the company. So, it is a small office and they like it that way.
As for you...I do not envy you the role of Motherhood! And, I realize that I shouldn't complain! LOL! Motherhood is far more than a full time job! Thank you for sort of getting me out of my own head and reminding me that there are others that have it a little harder than I do! Sometimes I need to be given a gentle reminder! LOL!
And, I hope that the heat breaks for a while too! My boss said it is supposed to be a little cooler tomorrow! I haven't checked the weather report yet so, I am hoping he is right! It is stifling out right now!
Thank you again!
