Luck Ran Out
I was running a bunch of errands the other day, picked up a block and heads and trans parts, coming back to Nampa and as I moved into the left lane on the freeway to pass someone my engine sputtered. I looked at the gas gauge and thought "oh crap" all this running around and I forgot to fuel up. I was almost a mile to the next off ramp but most of it was a slight downhill grade. I moved into the right lane and shut off the engine just as it died completely. I had a decision to make; turn right to the next pump (Maverick about a half mile down the road, first 200 yards downgrade) or left to a pump about 200 yards away but with an uphill first 50 yards. The light at the off ramp stayed green so I went to the right and coasted right up to the Maverick the tarffic was clear so I turned left and then a right and another left right up to an open pump. Pulled to a stop and thought "whew, made it, Lucks going good" then I looked at the pump and the sign on it said "out of order".
I looked around and all the other customers were women and old guys in fancy motorhomes. I finaly saw a guy in a beat up old pickup and I asked him for help. We pushed it to another pump and I filled up. Now I shouldn't run out for at least another 300 miles.
About 3 years ago I ran out of gas on the way to work. A state trooper stopped by and pumped an unknown amout of gas into my tank from one of those fuel line attachments with a clear hose from under the hood of his crown vic. I thought I had enough fuel to make the last five mile to work and then fill up. I called the boss and told him I was running late and called the crew to tell them to start without me and that I would be there in about ten or fifteen. With less than two miles to go the engine died again and I coasted to a stop on an off ramp. Out again. Crap. Called the boss again. This time he brought me a couple of gallons. Two gallons for two miles. Not taking any chances this time.
When I was eighteen my sister bought me a gas can for christmas. I had run out three times in three months that year.
This is only about the twentieth time I have run out of gas in my 35 years of driving so 20 out of 35 isn't too bad. Is it?
