Despite the fierce winds and the snow this morning, I got to school using my most frequently utilised means of transportation: my size 13EEs. One and a half miles from my apartment to the first bus stop on campus that I come across, which is in front of the law school building. Two generations ago, that would have been an easy, leisurely stroll. It has become that for me, as well, by now, though sometimes the stiff fingers and cold wind across the face becomes somewhat irritating. Still, it's good for exercise, self-discipline, and saving money on gas and a semester parking pass.
However, now, with cars so readily available for purchase to practically anyone who wants one, and communities built in such segmentation that, literally, "nothing is close by" one's house, the thought of walking more than a couple hundred yards seems utmost preposterous, if not for reasons of how utterly strenous walking (or riding a bicycle) can be, then simply for reasons of the amount of time it takes. I agree, I also feel the direst need to sit around my house doing nothing until a few minutes before I need to be somewhere and then hopping in my car and disregarding the authority of the government and its regulations on how fast I should be driving in order to be there on time.
Thus I noticed this morning that sidewalks have become little more than decor, another relic of the past to be kept looking good for no particular reason.
And I love how we keep griping about how high oil prices are, as if there's an infinite amount of it underground and if production can't keep up with the demand, then it's the fault of the people producing it. It's also the ozone layers' fault for not being able to absorb the CFC's we put into the air. That, or cranking up my car this one time won't hurt that much, you know?
Many of my peers ridicule "tree-huggers." While I sometimes think their methods are humourous and...interesting, I still have more respect for them, because they are at least devoting themselves to needs other than their own. That is more than can be said to a number of people I share this school, this city, this country with, sadly.
More to come.
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I often with I had a good means of transport to get to work with other than my car. There is no decent public transportation to speak of here, and I can't very easily walk 20 miles to work. :( I'm glad you have been able to see the benefits of traveling with a means other than your car.
ReplyDeleteOh, I understand this. I know there are circumstances which require it. I just think that more of us could bear to walk a little further. :)
ReplyDeleteHey, you're getting close to your date, no?