I had a pretty moving experience last week that led me to think about life. As I was thinking about these things, I began to realize how similar fuel management, and maybe every profession, is to life.

Most of us take life for granted. If we are grumpy, we are grumpy. If we are happy, we are happy. We really don't realize how lucky we are to have the lives that we have. With fleet fuel purchasing most companies just take for granted that they're getting the price that was quoted to them, the taxes are correct and there are no extra service fees. In fuel management what most people don't realize is how much real effort it takes to run a really good fleet fueling program.

My brother-in-law had what I would consider a type-B personality; if you were comparing it to a commodity, it would be silver. Easy going, happy go lucky, most external influences didn't really change how he performed. Me, on the other hand, I am much like the job that I perform everyday, fuel management - a type-A+, even when I'm at the beach. Everything affects fuel prices, and pretty much everything in my life affects me. The only place I can sit still is on an airplane and it's only because they have me seat belted in and I am worried if I get up they might think I am a terrorist.

As I write this article, crude oil prices are over $76 a barrel. April 6^th they had an 18 month peak at $86.54 and by May 21^st they hit an 8 month low at $68.03. Who would have seen that coming? Even the best out there did not predict that this would happen. Now, crude oil looks ripe to take back off to the mid $80's or maybe $90's. Fuel, with its crazy, type-A personality, lets our economy, China's economy, jobs reports, housing reports, Sheik's bank accounts, weather, you name it, have it whenever it has a chance.

Silver in the last year has moved a little. It went down a few dollars and back up a few dollars. It's just lovable, fun, type-B personality.

Take 45 days in most of our lives, they all seem the same. Can you take a snap shot and think of the best 45 days you ever had? You probably had some good days that you remember, but nothing outstanding. With diesel fuel prices, crazy things can happen in 45 days. My beloved brother-in-law, found out he had cancer and 45 days later he was dead. I can't image how Jeff felt. He was way too young and too good of a person. So when you think your day is lousy, it probably isn't. When you think fuel management is easy with its type-A personality, it's not. Get working on it today and save your company some money.

Jeff, I will miss you and we love you.

If you would like to contribute to the Jeffery Boylan Family Fund, no amount is too small. This is a family that didn't have life insurance and was not ready for this. Anything will help. Contribution can be made to: Jeffery Boylan Family Fund, 5 Windrose Circle, Doylestown, PA 18901. This will help to pay for the children college costs.