Tank of gas for a house; and King's diddly squat

Egerton Chang GUEST COLUMNIST

Yes! It is true. Some of us are now paying more for gasolene per week than what it cost me to purchase an Edgewater three-bedroom house in 1972.

The capacity for car gas tanks varies based on what type of vehicle it is. Compact cars have a gas tank capacity between 13 and 15 gallons. Sedan cars have a gas tank capacity between 17 and 19 gallons. SUVs have a gas tank capacity between 16 and 35 gallons. This is because some SUVs are much larger than other SUVs.

If we use the average tank size:

For compact cars, the cost to fill = 14 gal or 52.996 litres @ $135.30/litre= $7,170.36

For sedan cars, the cost to fill = 18 gal or 68.138 litres @ $135.30/litre = $9,219.07

For SUVs, the cost to fill = 25 gal or 94.635 litres @ $135.30/litre = $12,804.12

For the largest SUV tank = 35 gal or 132.489 litres @ 135.30/litre = $17,925.76

current cost of '87' gasolene at Total - Liguanea

I bought an Edgewater house in 1972. It was in Phase 2 of this West Indies Home Contractors (WIHCON) scheme and cost (with escalation) a little over $14,000. Phase 1 had sold for a bit over $13,000 up to a year previously.

This scheme was 'ultra-modern' in concept, with three-bedroom 2 bathroom prefabricated houses. All had central air conditioning and all were totally carpeted (even the bathroom, which stank when wet). Some even had access to the canals à la Florida.

So, you see a tank of gas today could buy one of these bigger-than-NHT type homes in 1972.

Even if you do not drive an SUV, it is not inconceivable that some of you, particularly taxi drivers, travelling salesmen and persons with close relatives in the country, use close to $14,000 of gasolene per week. In your case, the heading would be 'One week's gas for a house'.

Heavens forbid, could it be that 40 years from now, a week of gas will cost $9 million? The cost of a low-income three-bedroom house now?

Scavenger hunting

Sometimes, nowadays less, infrequent than in the past, I go scavenger hunting in my fridge. There are normally leftovers, some as long as a week old, which are still edible. Last night, for example, I ate three pieces of jerked knuckles (my big son loves knuckles) which were around three days old, plus four pieces of jerk pork which I had left over four days previously.

The fridge had dried them out somewhat so I damped my hands and juggled the pieces in them and then put them in the microwave for two minutes. It's absolutely amazing what the microwave can do, infusing some moisture in them and making them taste almost fresh again.

I ate the pork with two dried-out slices of end bread. Again, microwaving the bread for 30 seconds made it taste more edible.

Currently, I live with my wife, my 23-year-old son, my 17-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son. My 30-something son 'lives' with us, most of the time. So there are a number of sources for leftover foods. From fares like a patty with a bite taken out of it or a baked potato with most of the stuffing eaten out, or half a fried chicken lunch from school. I enjoy being a scavenger and make it a point to not throw away leftovers until I can replace them (or they spoil). That has 'saved' my stomach a number of times and saved me quite a few dollars. Particularly in these hard times, one has to become a scavenger occasionally.

I have 'resurrected' a 10-day-old round (used to cost $50) bun that was exposed to the air and dried out. I employed the old trick (à la pork) damping my hands and rubbing the bun in them, then microwaving for 60-70 seconds. It was so 'fresh' again that I fooled my young son that it was just bought.

Often, my plate of leftovers looks so attractive, with leftover rice and peas from three nights ago, a piece of last night's fried chicken, two tablespoons of steamed callaloo from two breakfasts past, and a slice of pizza ordered over three nights ago.

Tessanne-mania

Once again, Tessanne Chin did Jamaica proud performing at the White House with the likes of Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle and Melissa Etheridge to an elite audience which included the president and Mrs Obama. The occasion was the special Women of Soul concert to commemorate Women's History Month.

Examiner.com published on March 7, 2014:

When acclaimed Jamaican singer Tessanne Chin makes history, she does so in the biggest way possible, and Thursday night, she continued that trend by giving yet another inspiring performance during the special Women of Soul concert at the White House.

Chin was introduced by US President Barack Obama to a rousing ovation, along with the other performers. Wearing a fiery red dress as she entered the stage, Chin thanked the Obamas for the invitation to perform before going into her set; a rendition of Last Dance, the classic song by the late, great disco singer, Donna Summer, who inspired Chin throughout her career.

Backed by a full band and back-up singers, Chin showed why she was crowned Season Five winner of 'The Voice' with a vocally strong performance which had most in the audience moving, even getting some to their feet.

The Gleaner, on March 6, 2014, published an article headlined 'Diana King, social media congratulate Tessanne Chin; singer's impending appearance at the White House brings attention'.

Diana King is just one of many tweeting support for Tessanne Chin after Tuesday's announcement that the Jamaican songbird would be performing at the White House.

"THAT's AWESOME!! TESS. SENING YU LUV AN GOOD VIBES :)," said King.

Well, at least one King, acting like so many other "hyperactive schoolgirls", decided to tweet her "diddly squat" support for Tessanne. Big up, Diana!

Women of Soul: In Performance at the White House will be broadcast Monday, April 7 on PBS (Flow channel 122) 9 p.m.

Egerton Chang is a businessman. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and e_rider69@hotmail.com.