Stupid car.

This afternoon, after my gas tank had fallen below 50%, the warning light came on: "Service Engine Soon." Omaha, being practical, advised me not to freak out but to do what I always did, and feed the thing a bottle full of line cleaner (Techron) and some high-octane gas. Sure enough, with the tank at 20%, I took it in and did as she suggested, also checking the oil and topping it off, and within an hour the light went out.

My car is way too sensitive to cheap gas. Apparently, that's not uncommon with older Ford Escorts (mine's a '97), but I really, really can't afford to have the thing have trouble. Not now.