I get a kick out of being a vibes-woman, meaning I like figuring out the vibes of a place. How does a place feel and what makes it feel that way? So I could not help but enjoy my recent experience up at the Shell station tucked by the Black Bear Diner on the westside on Black Lake Blvd.

Usually pumping gas seems to be a pretty straight forward routine. Pays yer money and gets yer gas. Wincing and groaning and cursing at the high prices included. So what is going on at this particular Shell station?

First there is the music. R&B for this particular visit, laying out territory encompassing all who venture within. Eventually I noticed that this wasn't some cosmic visitation - there be speakers at every pump. The loud pulsing music wakes people up, some even sway in time to the beat.

Then there is the station building itself. It appears to be absolutely stuffed with brightly colored impulse buy items. This time a tall pale youth lounged outside talking loudly with someone, he was noteworthy because even though it was freezing outside he had a sleeveless top on, no jacket, all the better to show off his tats.

A carload of undisciplined young 'uns was scolded by the attendant for placing trash beside, but not precisely in the garbage container inches away. This didn't disrupt the groove of the place at all. In fact it seemed to bring us all that much more together in our understanding of the rightness of this moment.

A coffee business with outdoor tables is crammed in to one side, during the summer it also adds to the scene with outside loiterers sucking down espresso along with the gas station fumes.

The gas there tends to be a bit less than stations right off I-5. But all this is much more than saving some cash. This is about being alive and enjoying a happening scene.