It's OFFICIAL

So, I have been pouncing around San Diego these last few months in various forms, be in by bike, on foot, the bus, or accompanied by those near and dear. All this time, I have had a small nagging in the back of my brain.

I had decided that I need to get RID of my car a long time ago, but I knew that there would be humps and bumps along the way. I parked "Petunia" in what I thought was a safe spot, and she hung out there for the better part of two months. I thought it wouldn't be long, all I needed to do was 1.) Pay off my car, 2.) Receive my title, for proof of ownership, 3.) Donate the beast for nice tax write off. Easy as pie, right?

Well, it would have been that simple if there wasn't laws in place that prevented me from doing such things. Apparently leaving your car on a public street for longer than 72 hours is prohibited, and you can get your car towed at your expense (of course), which, of course happened on the exact same date that I paid my car off.

after several grueling, ulcer-inducing days of back and forth calls between the County of San Diego, My mother, The City of San Diego, The tow yard where my car was being held, and a very concerned and helpful trio of Best friend, Boyfriend, and Brother, we sprung my car from the clink with most of the damage centralized on my wallet.

That day it became clearer that my car was on its last leg. It sputtered to a parking place and for the next few weeks I would move it to a new location knowing that this may be the last time that it started, everyday checking my mail box for that title, that was sure to be coming.

well, yesterday morning, my title finally came in the mail. I immediately contacted a donation facility and as of this morning, its gone.

It's bittersweet I guess. I'm actually more glad that I didn't have it ripped away from me. I was able to grow to dislike my car, and see it as a nuisance so ultimately the only thing that feels good is having it taken away. I guess if it was easier I might have just opted to get another car. But then I would have less knowledge of my fair city.

Rainy Days, and Mondays

Sometimes, it really does suck not having a car.

Having made the decision during a gorgeous summer in San Diego, CA to voluntarily be with out a vehicle didn't seem like that big of a deal. As I have said before, the bike rides and walks have been numerous and wonderful. The exercise is welcomed and the changes to my body have been noticed. Though as November is falling in Southern California, I am reminded that it still gets cold. I am also reminded that my body is not super human.

In mid-October I had my first encounter with riding my bike home from work in the rain. ctually wasn't that bad. My hands were numb and every article of clothing I was wearing was soa

ked completely through to the skin, and honestly I found it more exhilarating than taxing. It was still humid and rather warm with the rain falling. There were no harsh winds, and it actually came as a surprise that a lot of cars were being extra cautious due to the weather, I had an easier time negotiating some of the streets.

Though as the weeks have gone on, it has become somewhat bitter cold in the mornings. I never noticed it being this bad when I had a vehicle, because I wouldn't spent much time in the elements to notice that it was at all bad. The rides into work in the mornings, though, were very rough as I started out around 730 am, but by the time my body warmed up, the ride was actually quite pleasant. Then I starte

d noticing that my muscles would get more and more cramped and sore during the day. I think the ride in the cold, with out properly warming them up was becoming an issue. My rides home in the evening were also getting rather skeptical because the sun had been setting earlier and earlier throwing a hazy twilight as I got home. I knew that daylight savings time was approaching quickly as well, which would make this even more dangerous.

At the same time, my muscles and body were getting more and more worn with the musical that I was performing in. Having rehearsals night after night, and then moving into a 4 show a week schedule, I knew that my body wouldn't be able to handle so much strain. I finally decided it was time to look into the San Diego Metro Transit system

Taking the bus has not been as bad as expected. I had so many bad experiences in Sacramento on the light rail and on the bus system, that the thought of taking the bus to work every day literally made me shudder. Vagabonds and Angry Blue Collars workers had accosted me in the past and these incidents were on my mind the day that I decided that it was now or never. I had in the few weeks leading up to it, been keeping a close eye on the bus system. I knew the line that I would need to take runs almost the exact route that I use when I ride into work on my bike. I knew how much it cost for a one way ticket, and I knew where to get on the bus, and which stop to exit.

And it was all so easy. I got on without a problem, I had exact change. then with the experiences fresh in my mind I talked with my co-workers about my morning transit commute, and then was reminded that my work would pay for a monthly bus pass. That day I made the arrangements and I got my pass. So far riding the bus almost every morning has actually been quite pleasant. I have realized that in the mornings most of the people on the bus are just like me, riding into work. I almost just recently realized that more often then not I am on the bus longer than most others, which in my own way, validates that this bus pass is perfect for my needs because of the distance that I travel.

On a related note, I started having drama regarding my vehicle which i am waiting to get rid of. apparently leaving your car unattended on the street for more than a few days (or a few months, in my case) is actually illegal, which I recently found out when I went to check on my car, and it was gone. Having sufficiently freaked out then exhausting my resources, I found that my car had in fact been towed. And after 5 days and 450$ I finagled the piece of junk back to its current resting place.

I sincerely feel that when the weather improves, I will go back to riding my bike into work most days, and i'm glad to know that i can now easily throw riding the bus into the rotation, and that riding my bike can become more of a pleasure than a necessity.