I have ten year old "temporary" duct tape repairs.
While duct tape can cure almost anything (haven't figured out the tape solution to the common cold yet), it isn't pretty.
Or at least that's what I've been told. I've come to see it as beautiful.
I recently bought some clear duct tape. That has the (dis?)advantage of making the "temporary" repairs less visible. It looks better, but then there's no visual reminder that a more permanent solution should be in the works.
Haha, I got a good TRUE one, even though its way past the date.
i pulled into a parking lot at 85 MPH in a 25, and ran a stop sign, I did a very fast 180 in the parking lot, I pulled out of the parking lot at 70 MPH and ran a stop sign. I ran a red light, and took at right turn at a no turn red light. They finally pulled me over, turns out the corner of the parking lot I came into the cheif of police was sittin there.
My excuse was simply "He may not have saw me stop at those stop signs, and there was no one visible at the 2 red lights so I dont see how you could say that. The 180 in the parking lot was me being careless, I hit some ice while backing up a lil too fast. (It hadnt rained for days)And as for the speeding, I admit I was, but Im in a hurry I have to get home before my girl kills me!"
All in all it took that officer 4 trips between my car and the chief of police's car to finish that convo, 40 minutes, 3 squad cars, 2 unmarked cars, and the chief himself. Not even a warning ticket.
Oh yeh, fake tears too, throw in a "oh sh** Im late, I was supposed to be home an hour ago" and some details to a situation (like the possibility of them not seeing me run those lights and signs) and your good to go
Your original post was about the seasonal rise we've seen (and will likely continue to see, as you point out) in recent months. It was this short-term flucuation that I attempted to responded to.
You have an excellent point about longer term price increases coincident with record profits. I honestly don't know why the seasonal adjustment would be higher this year than in the past, or why profits are growing proportionally faster than sales. Let me point out though that higher profits are also a function of decreased upcoming investments, probably due to regulatory burdens. (That is something that could hurt consumers 5-10 years from now, but has no relation to higher retail prices now.)
In that regard, you're right to pin California's c.2001 energy problems on the corruption of Enron, but that's only one of two causes. Enron forced PG&E to buy power at a higher rate, but state regulation prohibited PG&E from increasing retail prices. Both were necessary to precipitate the collapse we saw. I'm as likely to be suspicious of well meaning but ineffective or counterproductive regulation as of some secret industrial cartel.
Finally, I don't think there's any more reason to believe there's a price fixing conspiracy among five competitive oil companies than I am to believe there's a conspiracy among unversities or movie distributors, two groups whose prices have also outstripped inflation and increased at even higher rates than have gasoline.
I'm not trying to say anyone shouldn't be suspicious: suspicion keeps people honest and that's good for everyone. I'd just like to see our scepticism spread around among the possible causes instead of being directed solely at corporations.
Prices are not JUST increasing in a predictable manner - they are going up higher and higher every years. Oil company profits are up, and the price of gasoline is up. Sure, the price will go down next fall, but not to the same levels (even considering inflation) as they were last fall. The rising price is not commesurate with the rising demand, and the decreased capacity this year is a bigger reduction than we've ever seen outside of a natural disaster. Not remotely suspicious?
The idea that refineries are happy enough to see low supply only makes sense if there is a single organization controlling all American refining. "The refineries" are not a monolithic structure, neither are they a cartel. Since multiple companies are competing to produce refined gasoline, the motivation is too high not to increase your supply and cut prices. Even if there was some mysteriously undiscovered cartel amongst refineries, there is no enforcing authority, so the motivation to jump ship and up your supply remains. So why hasn't a new refinery been built in so long? I honestly don't know. Perhaps they don't apply because the cost is high and their chances of being approved are slim. But I have a feeling that the executives of Misc Oil Company #7, as Gordon Gecko-ish as they may seem to us, probably know more about the relative costs and benefits of such an investment far better than any of us do.
As to whether there is a "valid reason" for prices to increase, I would say that there are only ever two "valid" reasons for any price increase. Either the supply goes down or demand goes up. The same commenter that decried the lack of a valid reason for price increases also noted that demand is increasing, so there we have an answer to her problem.
But there's another answer: supply decreases every Spring because refineries are required by law to make a heavyside switch from winter to summer blends and most do so at the end of April. As a result supply is disrupted this time of year and prices increase like clockwork, only to fall again later in the year. This is honestly not a mystery, and I don't see any reason to posit a conspiracy when there are well-known and understandable causes evident.
Bill - thanks for reading. I did mention the reasons that are frequently given for no new refineries being built, but to be honest with you, I have a feeling that the reasons being given are bunk.
Remember a couple of years back, when Bush was pushing nuclear power? Fox News and other media outlets kept repeating, "There hasn't been a new nuclear power station built in the US in 30 years!" implying that somehow, the nuclear industry was being thwarted by pesky anti-nuke types. And it turned out that no one had even applied for a permit to build a new facility? I feel it's likely the same story with these refineries.
Why go through the hassle? Well, maybe because the demand for gasoline is increasing. The better question to ask is, why NOT go through the hassle? Businesses go through all kinds of hassles to get to new oil sources. Are refineries struggling to build new facilities, only to face strong opposition from tree-huggers and their ilk? Or are they perfectly happy to see capacity go down and prices go up?
Steve - thanks for the recipe link! I sincerely HOPE that I end up making the pie rather than being correct on my prediction.
how do you uninstall this? You don't have that option on your site and I can't find your program searching my computer - why does it have another name?
If you can focus on your goals or dreams instead of daily tasks, you can move ahead with much more drive and passion! This is how the Law of Attraction works... whatever you focus on, you attract...
Grind up some fennel, sarsaparilla, and aloe vera, and add them to some olive oil. Allow this to macerate for a week or so. Add the oil to an equal amount of beeswax, and melt them together in a 300 degree oven.
Apply this mixture to dry or cracked heels to soothe, soften, and heal them.
The "Barefoot Sisters," who hiked the 2000+ mile Appalachian Trail barefoot (twice!) used a similar concoction, and it kept their feet healthy and crack-free through thousands of miles of difficult terrain.
The price keeps going up, there is never a valid reason for it, and as long as we continue to put up with it - it will go to $4/gallon. Unfortunately, I do not have public transportation that runs from my community into the city. So, I have to drive 20 miles each way to work. Everyone is moaning about the high price of gas, yet I still see gas guzzling cars on the road, and even heard a news blip this morning that there has no been a reduction in sales of these larger vehicles! And, at the end of each quarter , I keep reading about how many freaking billions that the oil companies made! It's only going to get worse here in Florida, the first sign of a Hurricane forming and they will use it as an excuse to bump the price up 20 cents a gallon!
Though I wouldn't be surprised if your prediction is right (any feelings on what tonight's lottery numbers will be, by the way?), but just in case, here you go: A quick Yahoo! search turned up a recipe from recipezaar.com for what looks like a vegetarian-safe Humble pie. As I really don't want to pay $4 a gallon, here's hoping you end up needing it!
Yes, Marcos, you sound exactly like me and believe me, your work place is identical to mine! I have tried to resign 5 in the past 3 years times and each time they beg me to stay, sometimes even giving me a payrise! The only think I have on my computer (besides work) is the amount of money I am making from turning up to this useless, pointless job every day. I refuse to wear the uniform and instead wear my own trendy clothes. I hate my boss and yeah, the office chicks are getting fatter from the chocolate I refuse to eat! I'll trade you jobs any day.
Looks like these guys have the same model for FREE.
http://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2013
And if you happen to be a new Google Checkout user, You get another $10 off! Takes Care of shipping and most of the remainder!!!
...on the Duct Tape indictment.
I have ten year old "temporary" duct tape repairs.
While duct tape can cure almost anything (haven't figured out the tape solution to the common cold yet), it isn't pretty.
Or at least that's what I've been told. I've come to see it as beautiful.
I recently bought some clear duct tape. That has the (dis?)advantage of making the "temporary" repairs less visible. It looks better, but then there's no visual reminder that a more permanent solution should be in the works.
(This is a wonderful blog, by the way...)
Haha, I got a good TRUE one, even though its way past the date.
i pulled into a parking lot at 85 MPH in a 25, and ran a stop sign, I did a very fast 180 in the parking lot, I pulled out of the parking lot at 70 MPH and ran a stop sign. I ran a red light, and took at right turn at a no turn red light. They finally pulled me over, turns out the corner of the parking lot I came into the cheif of police was sittin there.
My excuse was simply "He may not have saw me stop at those stop signs, and there was no one visible at the 2 red lights so I dont see how you could say that. The 180 in the parking lot was me being careless, I hit some ice while backing up a lil too fast. (It hadnt rained for days)And as for the speeding, I admit I was, but Im in a hurry I have to get home before my girl kills me!"
All in all it took that officer 4 trips between my car and the chief of police's car to finish that convo, 40 minutes, 3 squad cars, 2 unmarked cars, and the chief himself. Not even a warning ticket.
Oh yeh, fake tears too, throw in a "oh sh** Im late, I was supposed to be home an hour ago" and some details to a situation (like the possibility of them not seeing me run those lights and signs) and your good to go
Woot! You ARE the bargain master!
Your original post was about the seasonal rise we've seen (and will likely continue to see, as you point out) in recent months. It was this short-term flucuation that I attempted to responded to.
You have an excellent point about longer term price increases coincident with record profits. I honestly don't know why the seasonal adjustment would be higher this year than in the past, or why profits are growing proportionally faster than sales. Let me point out though that higher profits are also a function of decreased upcoming investments, probably due to regulatory burdens. (That is something that could hurt consumers 5-10 years from now, but has no relation to higher retail prices now.)
In that regard, you're right to pin California's c.2001 energy problems on the corruption of Enron, but that's only one of two causes. Enron forced PG&E to buy power at a higher rate, but state regulation prohibited PG&E from increasing retail prices. Both were necessary to precipitate the collapse we saw. I'm as likely to be suspicious of well meaning but ineffective or counterproductive regulation as of some secret industrial cartel.
Finally, I don't think there's any more reason to believe there's a price fixing conspiracy among five competitive oil companies than I am to believe there's a conspiracy among unversities or movie distributors, two groups whose prices have also outstripped inflation and increased at even higher rates than have gasoline.
I'm not trying to say anyone shouldn't be suspicious: suspicion keeps people honest and that's good for everyone. I'd just like to see our scepticism spread around among the possible causes instead of being directed solely at corporations.
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Prices are not JUST increasing in a predictable manner - they are going up higher and higher every years. Oil company profits are up, and the price of gasoline is up. Sure, the price will go down next fall, but not to the same levels (even considering inflation) as they were last fall. The rising price is not commesurate with the rising demand, and the decreased capacity this year is a bigger reduction than we've ever seen outside of a natural disaster. Not remotely suspicious?
The idea that refineries are happy enough to see low supply only makes sense if there is a single organization controlling all American refining. "The refineries" are not a monolithic structure, neither are they a cartel. Since multiple companies are competing to produce refined gasoline, the motivation is too high not to increase your supply and cut prices. Even if there was some mysteriously undiscovered cartel amongst refineries, there is no enforcing authority, so the motivation to jump ship and up your supply remains. So why hasn't a new refinery been built in so long? I honestly don't know. Perhaps they don't apply because the cost is high and their chances of being approved are slim. But I have a feeling that the executives of Misc Oil Company #7, as Gordon Gecko-ish as they may seem to us, probably know more about the relative costs and benefits of such an investment far better than any of us do.
As to whether there is a "valid reason" for prices to increase, I would say that there are only ever two "valid" reasons for any price increase. Either the supply goes down or demand goes up. The same commenter that decried the lack of a valid reason for price increases also noted that demand is increasing, so there we have an answer to her problem.
But there's another answer: supply decreases every Spring because refineries are required by law to make a heavyside switch from winter to summer blends and most do so at the end of April. As a result supply is disrupted this time of year and prices increase like clockwork, only to fall again later in the year. This is honestly not a mystery, and I don't see any reason to posit a conspiracy when there are well-known and understandable causes evident.
Me, I'm going to make the vibrating mittens. That's right, I said mittens. What?
Paul that post not only made my day, also made me consider getting a pet hamster.
Bill - thanks for reading. I did mention the reasons that are frequently given for no new refineries being built, but to be honest with you, I have a feeling that the reasons being given are bunk.
Remember a couple of years back, when Bush was pushing nuclear power? Fox News and other media outlets kept repeating, "There hasn't been a new nuclear power station built in the US in 30 years!" implying that somehow, the nuclear industry was being thwarted by pesky anti-nuke types. And it turned out that no one had even applied for a permit to build a new facility? I feel it's likely the same story with these refineries.
Why go through the hassle? Well, maybe because the demand for gasoline is increasing. The better question to ask is, why NOT go through the hassle? Businesses go through all kinds of hassles to get to new oil sources. Are refineries struggling to build new facilities, only to face strong opposition from tree-huggers and their ilk? Or are they perfectly happy to see capacity go down and prices go up?
Steve - thanks for the recipe link! I sincerely HOPE that I end up making the pie rather than being correct on my prediction.
I don't use this program, but like any other app on your computer, I believe it can be uninstalled by:
Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
how do you uninstall this? You don't have that option on your site and I can't find your program searching my computer - why does it have another name?
Wet teabags. Dry won't do much for you.
... in motoring as well as in life!
If you can focus on your goals or dreams instead of daily tasks, you can move ahead with much more drive and passion! This is how the Law of Attraction works... whatever you focus on, you attract...
Love,
Alison
Attracting Wealth, Health And Love
Grind up some fennel, sarsaparilla, and aloe vera, and add them to some olive oil. Allow this to macerate for a week or so. Add the oil to an equal amount of beeswax, and melt them together in a 300 degree oven.
Apply this mixture to dry or cracked heels to soothe, soften, and heal them.
The "Barefoot Sisters," who hiked the 2000+ mile Appalachian Trail barefoot (twice!) used a similar concoction, and it kept their feet healthy and crack-free through thousands of miles of difficult terrain.
Andrea,
How about looking into the reason no one has built a refinery in this country for the past 20 plus years? Why go through the hassle?
Bill
The price keeps going up, there is never a valid reason for it, and as long as we continue to put up with it - it will go to $4/gallon. Unfortunately, I do not have public transportation that runs from my community into the city. So, I have to drive 20 miles each way to work. Everyone is moaning about the high price of gas, yet I still see gas guzzling cars on the road, and even heard a news blip this morning that there has no been a reduction in sales of these larger vehicles! And, at the end of each quarter , I keep reading about how many freaking billions that the oil companies made! It's only going to get worse here in Florida, the first sign of a Hurricane forming and they will use it as an excuse to bump the price up 20 cents a gallon!
It is all I can do not to cry when I pump gas, I'm not exaggerating. It TRULY has hurt me in the wallet & I feel like no one gives a sh**.
Though I wouldn't be surprised if your prediction is right (any feelings on what tonight's lottery numbers will be, by the way?), but just in case, here you go: A quick Yahoo! search turned up a recipe from recipezaar.com for what looks like a vegetarian-safe Humble pie. As I really don't want to pay $4 a gallon, here's hoping you end up needing it!
wanna see my vasectomy scar?
good example
Yes, Marcos, you sound exactly like me and believe me, your work place is identical to mine! I have tried to resign 5 in the past 3 years times and each time they beg me to stay, sometimes even giving me a payrise! The only think I have on my computer (besides work) is the amount of money I am making from turning up to this useless, pointless job every day. I refuse to wear the uniform and instead wear my own trendy clothes. I hate my boss and yeah, the office chicks are getting fatter from the chocolate I refuse to eat! I'll trade you jobs any day.
i love this .. ... im so doing this when i move out
Wet tea bags or dry ones?