Gas Level Dispute Fuels Breakup

Regina Sask,

It's the classic debate: "Is the tank half empty, or half full?" With the summer season upon us, couples everywhere are set to head out for some fun in the sun. As temperatures soar, tempers correspond as the inevitable arguments emanate from vehicles across the nation, from the more commonplace like where to eat, what sites to see, to perhaps none more pedantic than what the appropriate fuel level is for said travel.

As he pulls into the pump Jason Shaw (28) tops up his pick up truck in preparation for a road trip to southern Ontario with his girlfriend Megan. A pragmatic man, he keeps his skates sharper than a bitter prairie winter and his beer just as cold. He rarely lets the tank dip below 40% because, "You never know". "What if we get stuck in a snow drift and gotta let 'er run, or jammed up in traffic?" he notes, looking down the long, vacant streets. "Better to have 'er and not need it, than need it and not have 'er", this statement evidently not referring to Megan.

Megan on the other hand, much more the free spirit, feels this level of anal retentive behaviour is akin to stacking canned goods in order (another past time of his) and that he'd be better served taking things less seriously. "Spontaneity's part of the adventure, if everything's planned out you already know what to expect, it just sucks the fun out'f it." An expert on 'fun' who is all to prepared to lecture any establishment on the contents of their menu, not that she's vegetarian but "you never know."

After several days of taking in the sites they stopped yet again at the nearest On Route, and the engine wasn't the only thing that ignited afterwards. This latest spat causing more water works than the recently visited Niagara Falls, the truth soon dawned on them. As they returned from their vacation they realised this ill fated relationship had, like a Leafs playoff run, run its course well before they'd imagine it'd end.

"It happens," remarked Jason taking tings in stride. Asked what he could take away from this experience he thought for a moment. "At least I can put my movies back in alphabetical order."