About this Column COLLEEN STONE is a producer at MaineToday and guest columnist for our blog in print — a "plog" — that combines comments people make on MaineToday.com with her thoughts about issues. Because many people post to online anonymously, or through the use of monikers, Stone may have to limit her source attributions to first name or screen name. In general, the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram prohibits the use of anonymous sources in its stories. We are making an exception for this unique edited column that links the online world to the print world. If you would like to suggest a story, let us know your idea or question. To top of story

Have you filled up your vehicle's gas tank lately? If so, there's a good chance you might have cried. Or at least cringed as you watched the numbers indicating how many gallons of gas have been pumped versus how much money you've spent. It's like a pull on the arm of a slot machine gone horribly wrong.

These, I'm afraid, are gas pains that no amount of Pepto Bismol can cure. (Pepto Bismol, by the way, is about $123 per gallon – still less affordable than gas, so don't get any ideas just yet.)

As of this writing, the average price for a gallon of plain-old regular is $2.90. No matter what you blame for the rise in prices – civil wars, rogue governments, reduced refining capacity, increased demand, eroding morals – it hurts.

MaineToday.com users made that evident in their posted responses to a Portland Press Herald story on the matter. You shared coping strategies, sob stories and even served up a healthy dose of "serves us right."

Chris said that the higher prices have spurred him to make strategic purchases and forced him to consider walking the walk:

"When I purchased my last vehicle, I made sure it got good gas mileage. I'm also in the process of moving for my next job, and I've been looking for housing within walking distance of my new employer."

I'm one of the lucky people who can walk to work, and I usually do. But, as some of you pointed out, walking isn't an option for a lot of people. While jobs are concentrated in the city, a lot of the most affordable housing is outside it. One house in the suburbs plus a job in the city equals a necessary commute.

Nicole is a walking – scratch that – driving example:

"My husband and I bought a house in Hiram, Maine, two years ago because it was the only decent thing we could afford. In order to make a decent wage to pay for the payments on our cars and mortgage, we have to work in Portland and Biddeford. We drive about an hour each way, and we don't have a choice."

While driving can't always be avoided, some of you pointed out ways to conserve fuel when you have to get behind the wheel. One suggestion: Take the slow road.

D said, "I usually travel 80-85 on the highway, I now set the cruise at 65-70 (depends on what I'm feeling, 65 just seems way too slow). My average before was around 19 mpg, now it's up to 23 mpg."

Driving slower takes some getting used to; for one thing, it means allowing yourself extra time, which seems at more of a premium than gas sometimes. For another, the reaction you'll get from some drivers for daring to drive the speed limit – even in the traveling lane – is enough to make you rethink the whole thing.

However, if prices keep rising, more people might find an extra 10 minutes (try in between the couch cushions) and even the most aggressive lead foot might back off.

As some people posting online pointed out, vehicles aren't reserved for the work commute. You're making trips to the store or wherever life happens to take you in your spare time. Many of you are combining trips to lessen the economic impact of high gas prices:

Jan: "I am very careful about combining shopping and other errands with my commute, and I think twice and ask myself 'Do I really need to go now or can it wait until I need to drive anyway?' "

For many of you, higher gas prices aren't just impacting your wallet; they're also affecting your personal life. No more drives in the country just for a drive's sake. No more aimless drives to spot deals at tag sales. And for a user named Stephanie, no more art:

"My photography hobby has long fallen by the wayside; no more driving around to see signs of spring. "

Among those bemoaning the gas prices were a surprising number of people celebrating them, like Harry, who had this to say:

"Have thought since the 1970s that gas OUGHT to cost $3/gallon, to induce conservation, public transportation, alternative fuels research, etc. Hope they stay high. Huge U.S. consumption is sinful and stupid."

Though the economic impact on individuals is hard to deny, it's hard to argue that some of the actions we've been forced to take due to high gas prices – walk more, carpool, consume less, drive slower – are negative.

That was little consolation to Joan, who reported she's seen a big change in her vocabulary since gas prices have gone up:

"Yes, I find I swear way more than I used to standing there pumping all that Texas Tea into my fuel efficient (because what with the prices of everything and the piddly wages paid in the State of Maine that's all I could afford!) car."

We've heard all the buzz about alternative fuels like ethanol and biodiesel. But I wonder: Can engines be retrofitted to run on tears?

They're clean and, these days, totally renewable.