New Isn't Always Better

The Tugboat had a bit of an adventure this morning. The other day I was about to pull into the usual gas station that is close to the Harbour to refuel the truck. Just as the signal light blinked the eyes caught site of a strange sight. The entire concrete outdoor area was destroyed. The pumps were no where to be seen and there was just mounds of broken concrete where I wanted my wheels to go. I know what you're thinking, probably just a run of the mill action sequence during a police chase that ended up with a bandit knocking a pump off its moorings and the whole thing going sky high, but in this rare occurrence that was not the case at all. The roof structure was intact and also there were a number of smaller backhoes and such littered around the area. Probably a sign that this was destroyed in a more stupid if not traditional fashion and on purpose. To what end I cannot say but for me it spelled the end of the convenient fuel era. I was going to have to find a new spot. It shouldn't be hard, there are three other stations just down the street. And two of those three carry diesel fuel, my fuel of choice. And one of those two also is conveniently situated for a larger truck to get at it. So problem solved right? This is the Tugboat we're dealing with, nothing new comes easy. Change is not the enemy but it's not a comfortable sweater to be donned on the weekends to feel like your shirt is hugging away your discomfort and pain while sitting in front of a roaring fireplace watching hockey in a dimly lit chalet in a frozen wasteland. No change is the mildly annoying, occasional bully that you don't enjoy interacting with socially. The ironic part of this is that I gave a speech to my kids about showing up with full tanks of fuel every morning and being ready to work. So the next day I showed up with a less than full tank and tried to maneuver the day to us not taking my truck anywhere. It was not meant for success. But I made it home with fuel to spare. The next morning I planned to show up early and make the twenty minute excursion to the next town for fuel at a familiar station but was waylaid by seemingly nothing at all and didn't have time. But I made it home easily again. Today I awoke with but a quarter tank, not enough to do anything crucial during the day. So I had to make a move. I left an hour in advance of my usual departure time and sought out the ideal alternative station down the street. There were no other vehicles there, good start. I pulled up to the pump and inserted my card. The pump all but turned off. After a minute or six the attendant, a small brown woman, came out to tell me that pump was now offline. Oops. She apologized to me though so socially I'm not a loser yet. I pulled around, as directed, to the next pump. This time I didn't bother with the card, just filled it up. That meant I had to go inside to face her again. She was not smiling this time. I fear I destroyed her whole business. Those are some kids that aren't going to college due to an errant card in a machine. I hope she's okay though for real. But yes, nothing is easy and change is stupid. Eat Arby's and enjoy your day.