1. forgot to put it back on and I think it's been like 2 months. haha
and
2. built up a new fix gear bicycle and have no odometer on it (working on that)
The last time I looked at it there were 146 miles on it. I did some calculating today and educated guessing and I think I've put another hundred miles or so on it since I took it off so lets put it at 245 just to be even. I'm going to pay closer attention as of today.
All of this mileage talk brought me to a pretty gnarly realization: I haven't put many miles on my bike considering I haven't had a car since late November and it's now March. That's just under 4 months and only 245 miles? I'd suspect at LEAST 100 miles a month- at LEAST. In my own defense, though, it HAS been a snowy and chilly winter only starting to warm up these past two weeks or so. lol it's 50 degrees right now and I'm sitting inside at home typing an update because I have to be here waiting for some guy to come and fix our washing machine. ugh.
So, I'm not going to lie, I've been having some no-car difficulties!
This past February and up to yesterday, I have had a considerable problem with not having a car. The thing is, I needed a new job and the job that most caught my heart was located an HOUR AWAY! Note: This type of thing is something I USUALLY try to avoid. Normally, I search places of employment online before I even reply to a "help wanted" ad or whatever and make sure that they are within reasonable riding distance. My last job was near 2700 South and 3rd West so, although it was a few miles away, it was easily accessible by trax and bicycle. This is just the lifestyle I choose to live, right?
SOOO In deciding to apply for this job I knew what I was getting myself into but I wouldn't have done it if, over the first telephone interview, the guy in charge didn't tell me that it wouldn't be a problem to find a car-pool once I was actually hired. After hearing this I knew it would be possible for me and so I took a shot. The interview process took FOREVER- almost a month and a half. There was a hand full of times where I had to actually go to the school (an hours drive away remember) for parts of the long interview process and so this was my main problem. I knew that, once I got the job, I would be able to carpool with other staff at the school but, as for the time being, I would have to solicit rides from friends or family to take me an HOUR out there and and HOUR back. ugh... and possibly wait for me for HOURS in between. NOT cool.
For the first time, not having a car was starting to look kinda lame. I was constantly worried that I wouldn't be able to find a ride or borrow someone's car in time to make the appointments. I was mostly afraid of looking like I was at a disadvantage because of my decision to live car-less. I don't want people to think that I'm making some sort of HUGE sacrifice or something by not having a car because I"M NOT. I really haven't needed one, even in the winter!
Anywhichway, thanks to a few favors from friends and one particular girl friend of mine who trusts me a ton, I was able to get through the long-distance interview process and... get the job! I'm so excited about working at this school, and, most of the staff lives in Salt Lake City so getting to and from work won't be a problem anymore! It was just that initial trial during the long-drawn out interview process that was difficult.
Still happy to be car-free!
-Chelsea
hope to see you tonight, and car free at Critical Mass. :)
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