Paying More At The Pump

i set out to do some chores this morning. laundry. gas. car wash.

laundry done. check.

gas. check.

car wash. err...

see i forgot my dollars. so i couldn't do the DIY car wash. it's fun for me. a challenge. i like to see if i can scrub and rinse and dry in under 1:30 without ripping out the hose from the ceiling. but i forgot my dollars. so, no DIY challenge this morning.

instead, i got gas. and while i got gas, i also decided that i would clean my windshield. and so i did. and then i noticed bird crap on my hood. so i cleaned that off, too. then i put the wiper back into its water bin, the paper towel into the trash, and got into my car. and drove away. until i heard something behind me. hmmm...what's that?

i look in my side view mirror to find the nozzle of the gas pump dangling from my gas tank.

get gas. check.

clean windshield. check.

put nozzle back where it belongs before driving away. err...

the nozzle was still attached to my car. but not to the pump. i had ripped the hose from its locked in position at the top of the pump. damn. i look up and the cashier motions at me to come in. for a moment i think, i gotta get outta here!

rationality then set in and i walked into the gas-station-quickie-mart. deflated. filled out an "accident" form. signed said form. accepted the sneers and raised single brows of disappointment from the lookers-on. mild shame set in. and then i walked out.

my head hung low, my car parked in the middle of the lot, hazards flashing. patrons at every pump except the one i just maimed. the lady that had just sneered at me inside was now telling me that everything should be okay. ummm, okay...thanks?

as i drove away i thought about my DIY challenge. i didn't time myself with the windshield washing and the gas pumping, but i did manage to rip the hose from the pump. i'm pretty sure those pumps and hoses are designed to withstand idiots like myself.

ah...good times.