car owners: beware of woodland creatures

an animal ate through the gas tank of my car. apparently, this is possible. another thing that i now know is possible, yet i imagine rarely happens: being stranded at a gas station on the side of a highway for the better part of a day, in 90+ degree weather, under direct sunlight, studying for the bar exam.
in related, but much happier news, i got to trade in my piece o' crap and get a neeeeewww caaaarrr (a la bob barker on price is right)! so now i am crusin' in style an hopefully the new ride is a bit more squirrel proof.