Wizard Needs Fuel Baddly

I've had no power for 4 days now.  Campus has power, but even still, it's a haul to get up there.. and the hours to get and use a computer are very limited.

I waited yesterday for 45 minutes and didn't even get a seat.

I've  completely had it

I'm scavenged enough money and sold enough of my things to curl up enough money to get enough to get home.

It'll be close to 200 dollars for the trip, and that's assuming where ever my gas station stop I hit isn't killing me.

I talked to my teacher and she understands, she placed me into the online version of the class so it isn't a wasted credit on my half.

I'm hoping nothing goes wrong. It's a long trip, and you hear stories of people jacking out right after you hit the pump.

I'm traveling with my life in this car, and this car's life is gas. It's kinda depressing really. With out this single product, We're as good as doomed.

I broke down today. I bought some protection.

Can't say the details, can't say really anything because colleges and people do read these things. But I feel a little safer with it. Especially after last time.  This town can be insane...

My parents told me to stay here for a summer semester.  I'm making the best of it against my feelings. I'm taking an business class dealing with ethics. The teacher seems cool, and a friend who had her said that she talks alot about current events... Nice! a teach that's not an old foog

The local area city hall has declared a no tolerance policy for gas, threathening to put a police officer at every station if there is another force and effectively have the government run the business. Alot of people went. "Can he do that?"

More went  "Why haven't we always done this?"

I also started the rationing thing. I've always had a few spare sportsdrink bottles just laying about. I filled them with water and put them in the closet. Hey, just in case you know? I got a few canned goods and a small burner incase I need to cook something small (gas powered and cost me way too much...)

I snagged a few candles just in case, and was shocked at the selection.

Only a few crappy ones. You know? the ones that usually retail for 30 cents? now about 5 dollars for 10.

Alot of the local talk is how the amish to the south of me are laughing this up. Not even a hic-up to their way of life. A few 'cityfolks' have even tried to join their communion.  Between God and the hard work and early hours, my source says very few have made it.

Of course, they jokeling talk of raising there prices as well. Supply and demand right? And no power means those candles they sell are gonna suddenly have a value.

I mean, what if power goes out? We've had a few quick brown outs here and there, 5 minutes this morning was the longest. PA is surrounded by coal miner areas, so power isn't a terrible issue for us.

 I hope.

Edit: Oh, and just got a call from my meteo friend. My colllege has tied to it an awesome meteo program, and a certain world leader meteo group has it's HQ here. Can't say who, but they are apparently proud that they have been lampooned on the hit TV 'Family Guy'. He told me to go, and gas up my car today.

Me: it's 6 bucks, your kidding.

Him:  6 now or 10 later, remember how prices spiked after the last major hurricane?

I blew 45 dollars today to fill up my tank.  Money I really don't have. This 'gas game' I'm playing is a risk. And for the sake of millions, I hope I lose.

You never think it would happen like this.

The day the vast number of students got out of there last finals and gas prices hit 6 dollars. (oh! and on side note, 2 b's so far!)

The environmentalists protested. A big, group deal at the campus' old clock tower. It is illegal for any group to meet  after the last day of classes. The cops got involved and tried to break up the protest.

Very, bad, move.

This town hates the cops. Bless the men in blue for all that they are. They put their jobs on the line daily. But this is why we hate the cops in town, they make problems worse when trying to fix them.

Here, breaking up a 200 student march lead to chaos. We don't know exactly what happened. 3 were arrested, 5 were sent off for medical attention. Pepper stunk in the air for hours afterwards in what is a historical, symbolistic structure of our campus.

I missed this rally, but I caught the march. The event of the day brought an even bigger crowd, atleast 300 students, more then likely a lot more marching down in protest.

They walked a solid mile, their final point the local gas station that had put up the fences.

The protesters demand the barricades to be removed. You know, the one I mentioned yesterday They said it was insulting to be treated like criminals when they were paying customers.

Something happened. I was too far away.  A loud bang.

I ran, lost my camera and very nearly was trampled away under the fleeing crowd. I was maced or hit with a control bomb or something… I gagged got to the ground in a huddled corner, desperately clawing at my eyes and nose in a natural reaction to what was happening. Only after the feeling turned to fire did I realize I was making it worse. I dug down into a huddled mass and covered my face.  Focusing on the pain and nothing else. I somehow Not the screams, the bangs and yelling. An act of sheer iron will took me to my feet. I ran forward in what I hoped was the right direction. The air cleared and I was able to get out. If I had picked the wrong direction, I would have met head first with the baton and shield from the crowd control unit

I found later friend of mine wasn't so lucky. She has a broken leg and cracked ribs. We are thankfully she’ll be ok. But others... the local paper is reporting it as a ‘minor incident’. Like hell it is! My eyes are still red from the tear gas.

I came back yesterday. It was like something you see in the movies. Something akin to a disaster show. I had walked these streets hundreds of times. They were clean, shining, and wonderful. Now… smashed windows and stolen items. The whole street smelled like pepper. Little stains of red or yellow marked on the sidewalks. I couldn’t stomach any more.

About 60% of the student population has left town since that event.  I’m sticking around for another day or so. Then might go back home to Boston.

 

My dad is really advising for me not to go home.  People are getting carjacked out on those open roads. It is like something out of madmax. He told me to stay here, take another summer class and don’t worry about coming home. It isn’t worth the risk.

 

I miss my dad, I miss my mom. I miss siblings. I miss my family.

And that 400 mile track home is now like the Atlantic sea for the colonists. A journey filled with risk and worry.

 

What should I do?

It’s been a few days since I’ve lost posted? Why? Finals! Duh. I’m a college student first and an environmentalist second. If I don’t get this work done, then I’m going to be out on the street eating with the rocks and berries of the environment.

 

but while I was in my hibernation, I have just come out to a sea of chaos.



Terrible image, blame my camera phone and but they are putting up a barricade to this gas station. I was yelled off before I could get a image of the final product.

Too many run offs and this local gas has had enough. They are herding cars in like cattle back and forth. You don't pay and you'll stay in this lot til they call the cops and you'll get towed. Or so they threaten. This all just in time for the big college rush tomorrow with gas prices spiking dangerously close to 5 dollars.

I expect a riot today and am brining my real camera to scout out the area.

I was also given the go-head from my folks just to stay here in Central Pa for another week or two. Let gas prices drop and let things settle down. 

My dad, an ex-marine told me to get my self a weapon and stock up on some supplies. Just in case he told me.  I have enough cans and water to keep me going for atleast 3 weeks. (thank you innate ability to eat raw beef noodle products)

But a weapon? I've shot paintball guns and bb-rifles before. I know how to shoot and manage a weapon. I'm a blackbelt and I've trained in advance defense. But what does he think is going to happen? Zombies are going to come and try to pound on the door for my supplies?

Then again, it's finals week, that statement might not be that far removed.