If you've missed the start of this blog, check out day one .
** Disclaimer – I’m probably a lot crazier than most people as I tend to walk/bike all over the place and distances don’t really phase me. As such, many things I find common and easy to do could very likely be tough and inconvenient for others. This is clearly not a “how to” for going car-less but rather “how I” manage to do it .**
Well for starters walking to work was already a part of my regular schedule so it wasn’t really a change to throw on the warm clothes and head off to work. Although it will still take a bit to get my “winter” legs back as I almost did the splits twice in as many days. I also didn’t have to compromise with my evening sports activities as I already jog back and forth to the university as warm-up and cool-down. *Free daily exercise – check!*
Joining my team for drinks after our game also proved to be rather easy. Many of my teammates live close to me so dropping me off after drinks was offered from multiple people. Sweet, who needs a car! *Taking advantage of friends – check!*
The one chore that feels a bit odd now is shovelling the driveway. Without a doubt, it’s quite a bit easier to do when there isn’t a vehicle in the driveway but for some reason it still seems foolish. You’re likely wondering why I even bother and believe me I’ve asked myself that too. My main reason is eventually my girl friend will be back in town and her car will need a place to stay and what better spot then the driveway. I also figure keeping up with the snow now will save back breaking work of clearing snow built up over a month and a half. As well I do have friends over and it seems a shame to make them park in the road when I have a driveway that’s particularly good at accommodating vehicles. *Joining my neighbours for the suburban clone shot as we all shovel our driveways together – check!*
Work challenge! Ok now here’s the tricky one. I have two home visits to do, one first thing in the morning and the second at the end of the day (intentionally planned this way). The morning one is only 3.3 km away as google directions puts it. At a fast pace I should be able to walk that in under 30 minutes. Having also checked into the bus schedule I found that for a location so close to our own the bus is about the same speed as walking (due to routes). The end of day visit is quite a bit farther away but on a direct bus route from my work. The plan is to bus it to the visit then walk home from there. I’ll pass the grocery store where I’ll get to grab a few groceries. Hmmm that pretty much sounds like trip planning in your car for errands except I’m combining work and private needs together with bus schedule. Believe me I know this is all confusing, I have enough trouble explaining it to myself never mind the general public. *Spending 20 minutes calculating bus routes, walking distance, timing and still ending up confused – check!*
Of course, like a sports coach, personal financier or politician, I think my plan is air tight and that in the end I’ll come out on top. That’s usually when the seams come apart and you find out your plan has more holes then swiss cheese and that a holey boat still sinks no matter how well built. *Spouting some convoluted sage advice – check!*
** Disclaimer 2 – I don’t actually plan on writing one of these every day. It just seems like early on I’ll have more problems and difficulties that make this transition more interesting. Later on I plan on getting lazy and spacing out the commentary across a longer time period .**
Until next time!
Deke
Page last updated on Wednesday, March 02, 2011
