There is no reason that the universe should be designed for our convience. -John Barrow
(Brainy Quotes)
Same goes for the Bakken...a universe of its own.
Being in the middle of nowhere has it challenges to be sure. But when a small area becomes populous your challenges continue - well, that's when things start to get ugly.
The other day our laser printer ran out of ink. I thought the cartridge on the shelf was new...the box said it was. But in all actuality, the cartridge was old and the "new" one had been installed in early October. WHAT?!?! No problem, our guy is in Williston, he can just pick one up. There are none in Williston? Okay then, we can try Minot. Staples is out? Fine, we'll just order some online. Order placed Wednesday morning. Order arrives to the middle of nowhere 5 working days later. What happened to NEXT DAY? It doesn't exist here! Crazy thing is I can send something priority from our little post office and my daughter receives it in TWO DAYS?! Where is the slow down?
It goes much deeper than just a parcel delivery. Our gas station, here in the bakken - the largest oil producing area in the USA - runs out of fuel??? It's true. And it can be a couple days or more before the fuel trucks can make it here to deliver more fuel. The result - having to drive an additional 25 miles to a different gas station.
Life of conveniences does not exist on the Bakken. Functioning more in the mindset of a boy scout would be a good practice here!
I guess when you live in places like these, you just have to be ready for anything. Even if it might not seem useful at the moment, you never know when you need to stock up on those supplies. Perhaps it's better to stock on useful office supplies like printing cartridges and other similar stuff so things like these won't be of inconvenience to you again.
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