A New Journey

Dear Readers,

I have done it. I have moved (back) to suburbia. Type of land where my mother and father raised me. If this is a journey into sustainable American living, then it's apt that I live where half of Americans live. But that's not why I moved. I moved because I found a new job directing a non-profit which I deeply believe in.

And so I left many friends behind in beautiful (but foggy) San Francisco, moved in with L, and started a new life in get this, Pleasant Hill. Yes, it conjours up black and white notions of the movie Pleasantville for me as well.

But we didn't leave behind our bikes. We didn't leave behind composting. In short, we didn't leave behind our ideals. And despite the bad rap suburbia gets, I get suburbia. Even if it doesn't get me.

I can't tell you how many people have asked how we live without a car. Even our city friends wonder. But the truth of the matter is, suburbia is a pretty nice place to bike. The bike lanes (when there are ones) are wider and have less potholes. There are regional trails that connect through Walnut Creek, Alamo, San Ramon, all the way down to Dublin. Others that take us to Moraga. In fact, we went bike camping (60+ miles!) for the first time.

And while it is sad that our city doesn't take our compost, our apartment came with a trash can on the balcony and I started my own pile within. It doesn't even take that much work (and thanks to R+J for making it a vermipost!) and only smells when you open the lid and take a big whiff (guests of mine, please don't do that).

Speaking of apartment life, when I lived in the city, I brought all my neighbors cookies. I did the same out here. The difference is, we have our neighbors cell phone numbers. We make each other food. We ask for help (and rides). I couldn't even get a neighbor to come over once in SF (perhaps because they were embarrassed about their loud sex noises, but still). It's like Avenue Q, but with less singing.

So, in summary, this American life is great. Perhaps great enough...to continue blogging?

Irony

Is it ironic that my last post was about bike safety and this post is written with one hand since the other is broken from a bike/car accident? Probably (although ever since Alanis' rendition, I've had trouble keeping the definition of ironic straight).

Last week while biking, a driver opened their door without looking and I crashed into it and veered left. Then, to add injury to injury, I crashed into the car in the traffic lane as well. At this point I came to a stop on the ground. It hurt, a lot. And when I looked at my right hand I knew I was in for it- my middle finger was clearly dislocated (and it turns out broken as well)!

So not that I necessarily needed an excuse, but you will all have to forgive me for not blogging very much this month. Rest assured though that when I get this cast off and the okay from doctors, I will be right back on my bike. Drivers, please be careful when opening your doors, it's the law!

And since the last post ended with a resounding support for a superiority complex, here is another example. A direct quote from Freecycle SF:

"My MIL was baking while visiting and I have 2 sticks of new packaged butter. It's says it's not treated with RBGH, but I only feed my kids organic. Please specify a time you are picking up. I will set it outside for you" (emphasis added).

Not complete without the customary, "Sent from my iPhone." Got to love SF.

Driving Habits

Kiplinger, some sort of financial magaine, had an article today entitled "Generation Y Giving Cars a Pass." This was a surprising article for two reasons. (1) Apparently I am of Generation Y (and so are you if you are between 21-30). I didn't know that, but I am happy to oblige, because Y is a great letter. One that starts my last name, for instance. (2) More importantly, I didn't realize this was a trend. I mean sure, I noticed it amongst my friends, but many of them live in the city and were recently in college (although now, upon further reflection, I realize that was 5 years ago). It has always puzzled me that people would be willing to walk across campus in college (15 minutes), but upon graduating, will drive far shorter distances (e.g. from one end of a parking lot to another).

I'm glad to hear that my generation is taking responsibility for the future into their own hands. Although I suspect we are also known for our shallowness/callowness- always plugged into some machine, I think this is one of our most significant contributions to our community. When public transit can take twice plus as long, it takes some serious commitment (and planning!) to take it. And while I use my train time to slow down, reflect and look out the window, apparently Generation Y "views commuting a few hours by car a huge productivity waste when they can work using PDAs while taking the bus and train." I can't believe a 2010 article used the term PDA.

Personally, I choose to live without a car because I like my lifestyle. I like my super short work commute (2 miles, 15 minutes by bike). I like saving $10,000/year (AAA numbers on average cost of a car/year) so I can choose a job I love and eat good food. I like the increased health benefits (20 to 1), even taking into account the increased risk of death (depending on how you run the numbers, bikes have less deaths per trips but more deaths per mile). And finally, I like the efficiency of combining my wind-down, with exercise, with commute, with catching up to cars at the next light, with advanced brain activity (is that car going to turn, YES?? CRAP!) and with, last but not least, feeling superior to everybody else.

Why I Stay In The City- Community

I constantly think this city is too cool for me. After all, most days all I want to do is stay at home and cook. But yesterday night, Pumpkin and I went for unplanned night on the town.

First we stopped by Freewheel Cyclery (I mean really, in a city with so many bike shops, hipsters get their own, how can I compete?) where Pumpkin had bought her new front chainrings/crank arms because she had somehow managed to crack her old one. We were trying to borrow a crank puller, since mine was incompatible with her bike. However, renting tools is $10/day ($30/6 months) at Freewheel and since I was going to use it for a grand total of 2 minutes, I didn't feel like forking up. If I didn't already have a toolkit, I think the $30 rate would be pretty reasonable (not to mention sustainable) and sure enough, we saw somebody working on his fixie.

With the first part of our night's plan a bust, we moved on to the second- dinner! I've been meaning to try NOPA for a while (not every restaurant gets to name a neighborhood) and knew reservations were totally booked so we decided to give drop in a try. Only a 1 hour and 45 minute wait, crazy. But I put my name down and we decided to walk around. I had seen park(ing) at Fell on my bike ride home so we stopped there to grab some free tea and sit in what normally is normally a parking spot. Most of them were converted thanks to rugs and potted plants. The transformation was impressive. We sat on the side of a 3 lane one way road, a main artery of San Francisco and felt completely safe. The newly green bike lane certainly helped.

Then we decided to check out a "game cafe" as Pumpkin put it which I very excitedly thought might mean a LAN cafe and STARCRAFT 2, but she meant the old school board games. At any rate it was closed, but every Wednesday they have game night courtesy of Gamescape. So you may find me on the corner of Oak and Divis next Wednesday!

Onwards we treked till a few doors down where the store was not only open, but there seemed to be some sort of party inside. As we peered in, somebody demanded we come in and explained it was a Earth Magic Product Opening. And it was truly magic. Desserts and drink, free massages, a tarot card reader and good music!

ZOMG, cupcakes, fudge, brownies, blondies, and blackberry turnovers! They even had non-alcoholic beverages so I happily sipped on some Martinelli's while listening to an amazing violin and guitar duo, The Jaunting Martyrs.

Good voices, solid talent on the instruments AND food? I was in heaven. So much so that while waiting for a free massage, we missed the call from NOPA to come back (my, doesn't time fly).

By the time we got back to NOPA, we had missed our table (and I missed the massage, darn). But when we were seated, we got the best seat in the house:

We watched this guy spin magic with pizza, warm olives, sardines, and vegetables all night. Not pictured is the giant fire grill to the left where rotisserie chicken hung and burgers and pork chops flipped. At first I was peeved to be sitting without back support (we were on bar seats) but the entertainment value quickly made it worth it.

But the best view (and taste) of all were our dishes. Mine a seared duck breast with figs, creamed corn and greens while Pumpkin had a pork chop with greens and beans. I thought both pieces were good, especially my duck breast which was moist and tender. Generally, I think pricey restaurants aren't worth it, but I think general ambiance, cooking entertainment, and quality of food made this night memorable.

So here's to SF, making an unplanned night on the town a total success. And, besides the pricy fancy food, the entire evening was free and surrounded by neighbors!

Passivity

My officemate commutes over 1.5 hours every day. Each way. Apparently, Santa Rosa is far. In fact, even when she utilizes public transit, she still has to drive 10-15 minutes to get to the bus stop. That's my whole commute.

Yesterday, in a spout of laziness and self-perceived genius, I decided to ask her for a ride to the gym. After all, it is right on her way home and we were leaving from the same exact spot. At the time I congratulated myself because I would be able to avoid a hill (and I am forever daunted by hills) and it usually takes around 30 minutes. A seemingly long time a car could certainly beat.

I think what I neglected to remember (or purposefully forgot) is that when I ride to the gym, I see a line of cars a mile deep due to the Doyle Drive construction. So my 30 minutes bike ride became a 45 minutes car ride. Plus another 15 to wait and then walk with my officemate. That’s double the time.

While this happens all the time around the city, what really surprised me was on the last leg, when we hit the traffic and I really should have gotten out and biked but was encumbered by social etiquette to stay and keep my officemate company, I was surprisingly relaxed. When I pass the same line of cars on my bike, I always peer into a couple to see what these foreign beings are feeling. I’m always surprised it isn’t rage, but rather apathy. In fact, I could easily be convinced they are serene.

And in the car last night, surrounded by metal, cooled by AC and shielded from the world, I didn’t mind that not only bikers but JOGGERS were passing by. Because it was stop and go traffic, I wouldn’t have noticed the true [lack of] speed if it weren’t for the conspicious comparison right beside me. But even then I decided to ride it out, what could I do about traffic? What a passive stance! So unlike my problem solver, always demanding for peak efficiency, self.

So I guess although I can’t fathom doing it day upon day upon day, and I certainly won’t be asking for another ride ever again, yesterday I had a moment of community with my fellow car riders. And then, when I was finished rock climbing, I rode home over an even bigger hill.

Holy crap it's been 2 months!

Hello everybody!

In case you were wondering, no I am not dead.  There's no real good excuse for my absence unless you include looking and getting an apartment, moving into said apartment right after looking and getting a full time job.  Pumpkin is very demanding sometimes.  But today is Labor Day and as such I have the day off and time to take pictures, upload said pictures, and write about them!

What a great move and job!  First off, I work for the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, which is pretty much the coolest thing ever.  The job is challenging and I deeply believe in the role of parks.  In fact, this department is easily the reason why I can stay in SF.  Otherwise the concrete jungle would eat me right up.

The place is fantastic, a charming 2 bedroom at 1000 sq ft.  Which, believe it or not, is big for this city.  It's been a long process of moving from the dream of a single family home into an apartment into the city but I'm glad I did it.  Mainly because now my carbon footprint, according to carbon calculators, is pristine.  I would link some but I'm not sure of the veracity.

How is living in a 1000 sq feet apartment with 3 people and no backyard access or compost (illegal for SF, but our landlord rather sue than comply)?  It's pretty sweet.  While 1000 sq feet seems small, it's big enough to have moved our furniture around 4 different times in just over a month.  It feels different all the time!  Our energy costs?  Below the roof- $20 for 3 people.  Perhaps the best part is my commute- 10 minutes on a bike and close/cold enough so I don't have to change clothes.  

Although we don't have backyard access, we do have 2 bayview windows that let in a lovely amount of sun.  Because of that, I am starting an herb garden- and the oregano and basil have sprouted!  I'm so proud!  For compost, we do it anyways and just find other compost bins to dispose in.  It's a little less convenient, but worth it.  Plus, with 3 people, we can split that chore quite easily (and I must admit, my roommates do a far better job than I do).  

Speaking of which, the best part of moving is getting to live with 2 of my favorite people in the WORLD.  One is Pumpkin and the other is my high school friend Jon (of earphones fame).  We agree on the big things (being green, being laid back, and food) which makes the little things so much easier.  Plus, now I get to cook more without having to do dishes- sweet!

And now it's time for a customary food photo:

Blackberry 5 grain pancakes and pan-seared salmon sandwich topped with tomato, egg, and caramelized onions and bell pepper.  Strawberry smoothie.  Perfect mix of Pumpkin and I's food preferences.  And as far as I can tell, J will eat anything.

My Favorite Image From Good Magazine

But my favorite image from Good Magazine is this one:

Basically, it portrays how 50 passengers and how much road space it would require to transport them.  First is 50 people and 50 cars (astounding!), second is 50 people and 1 bus, third is 50 people and 50 bikes (so cute!).  Actually, I guess the image also shows 50 people walking too!  Often times we are so busy counting carbon emissions or mpg, that we forget about the aggregate effect.  Also, next time I almost get run over by a car, I will attempt to explain this graphic to them when I pull up to them at the next red light.  WHICH ALWAYS HAPPENS.

Nowhere was this graphic more apparent than at Pink Party this Saturday, which is basically a giant dance party on Castro and Market to celebrate acceptance and LGBT pride.  As such, people flow in from all over the Bay Area to dance it up!  And as such, the roads are completely stalled.  On our bikes, we passed soooo many completely stopped cars it was almost heartbreaking.  Lines of lights as far as you could see at pretty much every intersection (imagine the first image, at night time).  A + L who were bikeless and stuck on buses, had a hell of a time getting to and from and ended up mostly walking.  So while the bus image is cool, the 50 bikes are more fluid.  Thus, it took Pumpkin and I 30 min to bike, while it took A + L an hour to bus/walk.  Bikes for the win!