Charlotte, NC

Waitin’ in line for a few drops of gas … GEEZ!

Actually, it does have a familiar ring to it. While I’m jottin’ down these notes (having already read a nice book while waitin’. Somethin’ called War and Peace …), I hark back (awww, c’mon … somebody out there’s still gotta “hark” a bit!) to the dayz followin’ Hurricane Hugo.

Lemme see a show of hands of how many remember that mess!  Okay … now, how many of you were stuck in line down in Pineville, waitin’ to pull up to the Handy Pantry pumps and fill up?  Y’see, we’d already planned to put up some new transformers (in fact, more than meets the eye …) on Saturday the 23rd (of September.  1989.  Ya still  with me??).
Well, when Hugo finally hit (and, believe me, it was sudden!  Just ask the folks at WSOC, where, at around 5 AM, the vicious wind actually threw reporter BJ Harrison into the wall as she was comin’ in for work!  A moment before, stillness.  A second later, eatin’ brick!), we knew those rascals hadta go up immediately!  Thus, we became the only spot on the local map with power — thus, workable gas pumps.

If it weren’t for our newspaper, The Charlotte Observer, and the reporters at WSOC-TV and FM/AM, I can guarantee ya that things would’ve been a lot harder to deal with! These folks came through with more than news: they were there to field calls, direct citizens to the right resources, and drew public attention to the areas that had the most damage, along with ways we could help.  SOC, in fact, was giving continuous radio coverage from the minute the storm hit … and walked many of us (though by battery-operated sets) through the preps and patience needed to “ride it out.” 

THIS IS BARELY DIFFERENT, in that it’s still a hardship caused by a lotta stiff and strong wind (mostly outta Washington!).  We’re lined up here at the pumps, waitin’ for gas, wondering if it’ll be the same soon with supermarkets!  Frustration turns to rage as we’re trapped between (hold on.  Lemme check.  Okay, here it’s an) SUV and burgundy Saturn (and, in just a few minutes, I’ll be wonderin’ how much that driver wants his car … lol), the gas needle almost on “E” and needing to go to the bathroom …

But, at the helm of sanity you’ll still find the Observer, helping us through this nonsense (they’ve even asked readers to send or call in spots where the gas is easier to obtain!  Convenience stores, gas stations, Taco Bells … anywhere!)  I’m tellin’ ya (and this Relic’s been all around this USofA and more …), we’ve got the very best newspaper in America right here in Crown Town!!

WHY NOT GO CRUISIN’?

No, I’m not talkin’ about lookin’ for gas … I’m talkin’ about the real deal; taking a bonafide,  enjoyable, affordable cruise! 
What??  Y’say it costs too much?? Hmph … not if ya click on the link I’m about to give ya!  Y’see, these folks provide the best cruises to some fab destinations … and for MUCH less than you’d expect to pay at your local git-and-go (ie, “travel tour”) stores!
For example, could ya handle four days and three nights at Walt Disney World … for as low as $199?  Or how about three days, two nights in Las Vegas for as low as $179? 
AHA!!! Caught your eye on those!  Now, what about the Caribbean, and pesky passport waits, and travel insurance and stuff?  Think you’re gonna have to look on your own?  WRONG!!  They’ll even help ya figure all that out, too!
Believe me, it’s an amazing site … one that’ll put you on a cruise liner and on your way to a memorable vacation cruise and still have money in your pocket!
So why not check it out now?? You’ll be really pleased to find the best cruises to fit your budget! So click on that link now, and get ready to enjoy a bit of paradise!