ride the bus more

I’ve never had a license, so it’s all I depend on. Unless someone gives me a ride (someone I know, that is) then I don’t depend on too many people to get from A-B. I don’t think I’ll ever learn to drive.

Everything went just fine this morning. The bus came a little later than it was supposed to, but I got to the stop early. When I put my money in, a transfer ticket popped out of the machine.

When I got downtown all the buses were there. I think they line up in number order. I got on the right one (!) and put my transfer ticket in and took a seat. Then I noticed other people putting their transfers in and then waiting for them to pop back out, and then they put them in a little bag on the side of the machine—I guess that’s how they reuse them.

The bus from downtown to my drop-off was pretty crowded, both with kids going to school and people going to work. But I got to work 15 minutes early, and it all went real well. Nobody was rude or weird, but I kept my earphones in the whole time!

Being around a bunch of people that early in the morning, with everyone talking, and then walking the rest of the way, really woke me up!

There was an adorable little girl that got on with her mom. She smiled at this man that she sat next to. It was really cute!!!

The price of gas, and the presidential primary, threw me over the edge this week. The night before the primary in our state, I kept seeing candidate’s ads about how they were going to fix the gas price situation. I got sick of it and gave up on them. I really feel like we are totally screwed and it’s not going to get any better.

That night, I downloaded bus maps and schedules for the city bus in my city. I was surprised to learn that I can pick up a bus just a few blocks from my house, and it will drop me off less than a quarter mile from my workplace. And price of a bus ride, including a free transfer, is A DOLLAR. If I did this every workday, it would cost me $40 a month. That is the price of a tank of gas for my little car—at this point, probably less. I will go broke if I continue to drive to work.

Nobody uses mass transit in my medium-sized city. Everybody drives cars, and nobody walks anywhere. We were recently named the fattest city in America.

I realized that I can no longer depend upon my government to help my situation. I have to do it myself. I’ve been lazy, and I need to get off my ass and make a better choice.

I’m starting this on Friday, May 9.

last night i went to a little get together down at the seattle center. it takes two buses to get there from my neighborhood. i grabbed a library book (see goal: read 52 books in 2008) and got half way done with it by the time I got there. For some reason, though, every time I take the 74 there is always some man who talks to himself in a very loud voice. Having a book made it easier to avoid making eye contact

I had to go to the library and the bank today. I took the bus down to the library, then walked back, stopping at the bank on the way home. Part of me really wanted to just drive and get it over with. It took about 45 minutes to make this trip, whereas in my car it would have taken about 15. Oh well, it’s Sunday, what else do I have to do?

I ride the bus 4-5 days out of the week and love it. It really takes the stress out of commuting. You can just relax and read the paper or play video games. In Houston, it’s $1 a fare for local service, which is cheaper than gas and maintainance on your vehicle. You also don’t have to worry about parking.

The only real downside is time; it takes longer to ride a bus. But if you’re doing something on the bus while you ride it, it doesn’t feel like lost time.

I’ve moved since I started towards this goal. It’s now quite advantageous for both my wife and I if I drive. I can save her 45 minutes off her commute and we get home together. It’s nice. :)