MAY 16, 2007

       The car is packed, the kids are ready and the bank loan has just been finalized so you can fill up the gas tank and get away May long weekend.

       That’s supposed to be a joke.  But really, how many of us are laughing?  I mean besides the big companies getting all that extra cash “pumped” into the coffers.

       Every May long weekend (and actually a few days before) it’s a mad rush to get to the gas station before the prices go up.  This year it was happening as early as the Monday prior.  Midweek the pain was worse with people blindsided when leaving the office for the day only to learn some prices had gone up by 10 cents a litre.

       Rather than enjoying the time off and feeling free to go here and there, most people are planning the long weekend with as little vehicular commuting as possible.  Gone are the days of going on a road trip with three days of driving around.

       And each time we head into a holiday weekend the question, much like gas prices, is always raised: Is this legal?  Apparently it is since it’s been happening for so many years.

       I’ve often wondered why price fixing and similar activities is illegal in the retail sector but when it comes to gas the same rules don’t apply.  Perhaps the argument is made that the resources are running low and that people stock up when a long weekend comes around, thus lessening the available fuel.  Is that a believable argument?  Yes it is, but is it an acceptable one?  That’s where most people say no.

       Do you know what I did in the days leading up to the long weekend?  I sat and planned how I’m staying put in my house and catching up on sleep.  I also planned on laying in the backyard and enjoying the sun.  And perhaps I’d even venture out for a walk to the park.  Guess how much the long weekend is costing me.  Not a penny!

       Sure, you can feel sheltered and confined when it’s too expensive to go from Point A to Point B.  But as much as we complain these days that we don’t get enough rest, Point A (the fridge) to Point B (the bed) doesn’t seem like it’ll be much of a problem for me.