Today's travels where varied and many, but through it all I was able to accomplish a lot and spend very little in comparison. The day started out costing only $2.10 for a bus pass for my son. After dropping him off with friends, I walked to work, a beautiful and brisk walk through the scenic Vanderbilt University campus. At lunch, I couldn't resist hitting the sidewalk again to splurge a little at Starbucks (a whopping $2.50) for a good cup of Joe and an excuse to get outside again. After work, I needed to go to Belmont University to get books for the upcoming semester, the most expensive excursion of the day. At least I could walk from the Vanderbilt area to Belmont at no cost; walking is still free, for now.
From there, I walked through the Belcourt/Acklin Park area back to the other side of Vandy's campus to pick up my son. Then we walked to West End to catch the bus toward downtown, another $1.05 for my son to ride. We got off the bus at West End and 25th Ave. so my son could meet his Dad and I could walk toward Church St. to catch the bus heading to WalMart in West Nashville. I reached WalMart in time to use my BOGO Subway coupon for a sub (half of which I'll have for lunch tomorrow) for dinner, purchase the few things on my list for less than expected and in time to catch the next bus headed downtown. I boarded the bus tired but satisfied that I had accomplished so much and spent so little while getting some exercise at the same time.
Planning my activities, my walking/bus routes and my spending is my recession survival plan. Works for me; why not give it a try? When combined, the cost of a bus pass and good walking shoes and even possibly a bike is a lot less than the cost of a car payment, insurance, auto repairs and gas. Consider it, and even if you don't decide to become car-free, think of ways that you can drive less, walk or bike more and save money. Your wallet and waistline will thank you later.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Lessons Learned
Each day on the bus when I encounter different people, it gives me the opportunity to learn lessons of life that I may not have gleaned otherwise. This morning while my son and I were riding, I thought he was being a bit disrespectful and I was contemplating how to continue to teach him these life lessons in a way that doesn't turn him away. To my surprise, a woman riding the bus with us later told me that she was very impressed with his behavior and thought he was quite mannerly. Lesson learned: I was being a little hard on him, he really was trying.
Later, I was riding and met a woman on the way to see her father at a health care facility. The route she was taking was new to her, and in addition to the driver, other passengers were offering her assistance to get to her destination. I shared with her my observances that bus passengers are very eager to help one another. She then shared with me the trails she has been enduring while trying to care for her father on her own. She finally had to relent to having him cared for by others, but was making the effort to visit him daily although it was not convenient for her. Despite not having the support or assistance from other family members, she was determined to care for her father to the best of her ability regardless of the sacrifices. Lesson learned: Doing what you know to be right may not always be convenient or popular, but worth it in the long run.
Last, but not least, I tried a new way of getting to and from the bus stop. I'm usually within a block or two of the bus stop, but lately I've been farther than normal from a stop. My solution is to bike to the stop, leave my bike with a lock at a nearby bike rack, and catch the bus. Then, when I return I hop on my bike to travel the few blocks instead of walking, especially since it's darker earlier. And if I chose to take my bike with me, all of the buses have at least two bike racks on the front; so I have the choice of leaving my bike at the stop or taking it with me. Lesson learned: There are several ways of getting around without a car, you just have to put your mind to it. I'm grateful for all the lessons learned today; I'm excited to see what tomorrow's lessons will be.
Later, I was riding and met a woman on the way to see her father at a health care facility. The route she was taking was new to her, and in addition to the driver, other passengers were offering her assistance to get to her destination. I shared with her my observances that bus passengers are very eager to help one another. She then shared with me the trails she has been enduring while trying to care for her father on her own. She finally had to relent to having him cared for by others, but was making the effort to visit him daily although it was not convenient for her. Despite not having the support or assistance from other family members, she was determined to care for her father to the best of her ability regardless of the sacrifices. Lesson learned: Doing what you know to be right may not always be convenient or popular, but worth it in the long run.
Last, but not least, I tried a new way of getting to and from the bus stop. I'm usually within a block or two of the bus stop, but lately I've been farther than normal from a stop. My solution is to bike to the stop, leave my bike with a lock at a nearby bike rack, and catch the bus. Then, when I return I hop on my bike to travel the few blocks instead of walking, especially since it's darker earlier. And if I chose to take my bike with me, all of the buses have at least two bike racks on the front; so I have the choice of leaving my bike at the stop or taking it with me. Lesson learned: There are several ways of getting around without a car, you just have to put your mind to it. I'm grateful for all the lessons learned today; I'm excited to see what tomorrow's lessons will be.
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Bus Drama
If you think you know drama, you've not seen drama until you've witnessed bus drama. It isn't often, but something about the holidays brings out the best in everyone. I had the audacity to go to Rivergate Mall on Christmas Eve (I know, I was asking for it) and on the crowded bus back to town, the drama broke out. When the bus reached the Madison area, a man in a wheelchair with only one leg was on the opposite side of the street yelling for the bus to stop and wait until he crossed the street to board the bus. At first, the driver was reluctant to wait since there was another bus coming right behind him, and this bus was just barely on schedule on such a busy day. But when the passengers chided the driver for contemplating leaving a handicapped man, that the driver relented. Later, we all wished that he would have gone with his first thought to leave him for the next bus!
Well, the man entered the bus and from the moment he hopped from his wheelchair to a seat, his mouth never stopped. At first, he was giving the driver a hard time for considering leaving him. Imagine that! No gratitude for not leaving him, but threats to call the MTA office to report the driver for even contemplating leaving him, although he was on the other side of the street! Then because the other passengers were also tired of his constant negative and foul speech, one woman on her way to the Titans game told him to be quiet. Oh no! This started a verbal tirade between them that culminated in the driver stopping the bus and threatening to throw him off or call the police to take him off the bus. All of the passengers then agreed that his either being quiet or getting off would be best for everyone! We weren't even close to downtown, so he piped down because he didn't want to wheel it the rest of the way. Whew!
What was the most interesting to me is how everyone came together to defend this man when they thought that he was being treated unfairly, and then again agreed unanimously when he was being so offensive. There are lots of different people that ride the bus for various reasons, but one thing most people have in common is a sense of fairness, compassion and common decency. That was nice to see and what I appreciated from my bus ride that included a little holiday bus drama.
Well, the man entered the bus and from the moment he hopped from his wheelchair to a seat, his mouth never stopped. At first, he was giving the driver a hard time for considering leaving him. Imagine that! No gratitude for not leaving him, but threats to call the MTA office to report the driver for even contemplating leaving him, although he was on the other side of the street! Then because the other passengers were also tired of his constant negative and foul speech, one woman on her way to the Titans game told him to be quiet. Oh no! This started a verbal tirade between them that culminated in the driver stopping the bus and threatening to throw him off or call the police to take him off the bus. All of the passengers then agreed that his either being quiet or getting off would be best for everyone! We weren't even close to downtown, so he piped down because he didn't want to wheel it the rest of the way. Whew!
What was the most interesting to me is how everyone came together to defend this man when they thought that he was being treated unfairly, and then again agreed unanimously when he was being so offensive. There are lots of different people that ride the bus for various reasons, but one thing most people have in common is a sense of fairness, compassion and common decency. That was nice to see and what I appreciated from my bus ride that included a little holiday bus drama.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Walking as Therapy
I've confirmed something I've known and needed for many years: walking is therapy for my mind, body and spirit. I've been riding the bus with a new approach; I walk along the bus route until the bus 'catches up' with me. It has become kind of a game to make sure the bus doesn't pass me as I enjoy my walk. No matter the weather, rain or shine, cold or hot, walking is dual purpose, getting to a destination and clearing my head and lungs. This fact is lost on drivers who don't get the chance to get from behind the wheel and get some real fresh air and exercise. Driving to the gym to work out on a machine isn't quite the same as a walk around the block or in the park. During this crazy busy holiday season, if you want to refresh yourself, try walking as therapy.
Monday, December 19, 2011
City Paper MTA Ad Ran Today!
It was nice to be walking down West End after going to Vanderbilt this morning and pick up today's City Paper, turn to page 13 and see my quote and a link to this blog. Thanks again to MTA and all of you that follow my travels and adventures walking, biking or busing around Nashville. For those of you reading my blog for the first time, please come back often and hopefully be inspired to try alternative forms of transportation yourself. If you're already busing, biking or walking around Nashville or wherever you are, please feel free to comment and share your car-less stories as well. The journey continues.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
An Eventful Day
What an eventful day! First of all I had the opportunity to do a photo shoot for a new ad campaign for MTA. They are doing rider profiles that will be featured in various ads in City Paper and Nashville Scene among other locations. I am excited to be a part of the campaign to expand bus ridership in Nashville.
Well, I should have known it would be an adventure when I left my exam study session at Belmont to head to the Metro Courthouse for the photo shoot. I thought I was leaving in plenty of time at 11:50 to arrive downtown by about 12:20. Well, the bus needed to stop for several passengers and traffic was terrible. So, when I reached security at the Courthouse, I was already a little late for my 12:30 appointment. I had been told to bring as few things with me as possible so as not to be delayed by security, so I left my huge backpack at Belmont and only brought my lunch bag and a few essentials. What I had forgotten is that in my lunch bag is my pretty pink Pampered Chef knife that I carry to cut my food. Well, the Courthouse security personnel were all over it! When I tried to explain that it was just for food and asked if they could just hold it until I return shortly, they just informed me that my only option was to take it back out to my car! Well, that wasn't an option for me since I had ridden the bus there to do a photo shoot about riding the bus! So I had my $15 dollar knife confiscated. Oh well, the photo shoot was fun, but you know I asked again on my way out could I have my knife back! No success.
Then, later tonight on my way home from Belmont, I stopped to pick up a few things from Trader Joe's. As I walked from there to the bus stop at Hillsboro High School, I noticed a woman I've seen on the bus also walking to the stop, but she was struggling with several (eight, to be exact) bags of groceries. She is very small, about 5 feet tall and usually has several bags each time I see her. But tonight, she clearly needed help. So, together we carried the bags to the bus, for which she was very grateful and shared with me the sales and specials she had taken advantage of along the way. Then a little further on our way downtown, my 'spirit friend' boarded the bus. She and I share scriptures and encouragement each time we see each other. I hadn't seen her in awhile and it was good to catch up and know that she's doing well. After we had reached the depot and I was boarding the bus headed home, I saw my neighbor that I've been mentoring and tutoring as she reaches her goal of completing her high school diploma. She is closer than ever to realizing her dream of being able to enroll in college courses. We had the chance to talk over a couple of options she has as she approaches her testing requirements. It was nice to hear her express her determination and to be able to encourage her to keep at it.
I came home wondering what I would do without the opportunity to reach out to people that I meet on the bus. I don't think that life would not be near as eventful or rich.
Well, I should have known it would be an adventure when I left my exam study session at Belmont to head to the Metro Courthouse for the photo shoot. I thought I was leaving in plenty of time at 11:50 to arrive downtown by about 12:20. Well, the bus needed to stop for several passengers and traffic was terrible. So, when I reached security at the Courthouse, I was already a little late for my 12:30 appointment. I had been told to bring as few things with me as possible so as not to be delayed by security, so I left my huge backpack at Belmont and only brought my lunch bag and a few essentials. What I had forgotten is that in my lunch bag is my pretty pink Pampered Chef knife that I carry to cut my food. Well, the Courthouse security personnel were all over it! When I tried to explain that it was just for food and asked if they could just hold it until I return shortly, they just informed me that my only option was to take it back out to my car! Well, that wasn't an option for me since I had ridden the bus there to do a photo shoot about riding the bus! So I had my $15 dollar knife confiscated. Oh well, the photo shoot was fun, but you know I asked again on my way out could I have my knife back! No success.
Then, later tonight on my way home from Belmont, I stopped to pick up a few things from Trader Joe's. As I walked from there to the bus stop at Hillsboro High School, I noticed a woman I've seen on the bus also walking to the stop, but she was struggling with several (eight, to be exact) bags of groceries. She is very small, about 5 feet tall and usually has several bags each time I see her. But tonight, she clearly needed help. So, together we carried the bags to the bus, for which she was very grateful and shared with me the sales and specials she had taken advantage of along the way. Then a little further on our way downtown, my 'spirit friend' boarded the bus. She and I share scriptures and encouragement each time we see each other. I hadn't seen her in awhile and it was good to catch up and know that she's doing well. After we had reached the depot and I was boarding the bus headed home, I saw my neighbor that I've been mentoring and tutoring as she reaches her goal of completing her high school diploma. She is closer than ever to realizing her dream of being able to enroll in college courses. We had the chance to talk over a couple of options she has as she approaches her testing requirements. It was nice to hear her express her determination and to be able to encourage her to keep at it.
I came home wondering what I would do without the opportunity to reach out to people that I meet on the bus. I don't think that life would not be near as eventful or rich.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Like a Family
Tonight I decided to ride my bike to the local pizza joint for a couple of slices and enjoyed the cool breeze along the way (ok, it was a little cold, but I kept moving). Anyway, on the way back with my pizza in tow, I decided not to ride my bike up the hill, so I walked it on the sidewalk instead. Behind me a heard a car horn toot, and as I looked around I spotted an MTA Access Ride Van. The van slowed down and pulled over at the top of the hill and put on the hazard lights to signal other vehicles to go around.
I was close to my house, but knew the van had stopped for me. So I approached the van and the driver asked, 'Does your bike have a flat, or did you just not want to take that hill?' to which I answered the latter. Then he asked about my missing helmet, which I usually wear but didn't since I was going a short distance and stayed on the sidewalk. But I was touched by his concern for my safety. He went on to ask how far I had to go and reminded me that people are 'drinking out here' since it's the weekend. I told him I was now right in front of my house, but thanked him for looking out for me. I told him that having the drivers and passengers look out for me and for one another makes me feel safer in this often dangerous world. He replied,'Be safe out here; God loves you!' And right then I thought, 'Yes, He does!'
I have stated before that the people we see practically every day on the bus become like a family. Sometimes, we interact with them more than we do our actual families! So, we look out for each other; even the drivers keep an eye out for passengers to make sure they are safe, even those not riding on their particular bus as my experience tonight demonstrates. We take care of each other, just like a family.
I was close to my house, but knew the van had stopped for me. So I approached the van and the driver asked, 'Does your bike have a flat, or did you just not want to take that hill?' to which I answered the latter. Then he asked about my missing helmet, which I usually wear but didn't since I was going a short distance and stayed on the sidewalk. But I was touched by his concern for my safety. He went on to ask how far I had to go and reminded me that people are 'drinking out here' since it's the weekend. I told him I was now right in front of my house, but thanked him for looking out for me. I told him that having the drivers and passengers look out for me and for one another makes me feel safer in this often dangerous world. He replied,'Be safe out here; God loves you!' And right then I thought, 'Yes, He does!'
I have stated before that the people we see practically every day on the bus become like a family. Sometimes, we interact with them more than we do our actual families! So, we look out for each other; even the drivers keep an eye out for passengers to make sure they are safe, even those not riding on their particular bus as my experience tonight demonstrates. We take care of each other, just like a family.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Helping Hands
This morning I enjoyed the warmth of my bed a little too long and we were running behind schedule. Add to that a grumpy pre-teen that insisted on lingering over a bowl of cereal, and we were literally running to catch the bus. A couple of blocks from the stop, I realized we might not make it, and I asked God why something so simple (getting to work/school) had to be so hard. Another block closer to the stop and I heard the bus coming and realized that even if I broke into a full sprint (with the sluggish, grumpy pre-teen a block behind) I wouldn't make it.
To my pleasant surprise, the bus stopped at the corner we were quickly approaching to let off another passenger; as long as I've been catching the bus there, I've never seen anyone else get on or off at that stop. The bus stopped long enough for us to get closer and for me to start yelling and waving my arms (what a sight) for the driver to wait for us. He started to pull away from the stop, but I could see the passengers gesturing to us and telling him we were coming. Thankfully, he stopped and waited for us; even my son, Mr. Pre-Teen himself grabbed his sagging pants and went into a full sprint to the bus. I thanked the driver profusely, and he pointed to the other passengers giving them the credit for noticing us. I waved a breathless thank you to them all.
The sweet part was when I found my seat I spotted a young man that is my son's age and who we know from past summer camps. He is now a thriving student at Hume-Fogg High School and is always a pleasure to speak with. He was the one who saw us running and asked the driver to wait. He said that he's seen times when passengers notice others running to catch the bus and don't alert the driver, but he didn't think that was the right thing to do. As I called my son over to also catch some of this young man's light, I couldn't help but be encouraged to know that there are still young people out there who care about more than themselves. I had asked God earlier why things had to be so hard sometimes; I feel like He answered by showing me that things aren't always easy, but with the help of others, it usually all works out.
To my pleasant surprise, the bus stopped at the corner we were quickly approaching to let off another passenger; as long as I've been catching the bus there, I've never seen anyone else get on or off at that stop. The bus stopped long enough for us to get closer and for me to start yelling and waving my arms (what a sight) for the driver to wait for us. He started to pull away from the stop, but I could see the passengers gesturing to us and telling him we were coming. Thankfully, he stopped and waited for us; even my son, Mr. Pre-Teen himself grabbed his sagging pants and went into a full sprint to the bus. I thanked the driver profusely, and he pointed to the other passengers giving them the credit for noticing us. I waved a breathless thank you to them all.
The sweet part was when I found my seat I spotted a young man that is my son's age and who we know from past summer camps. He is now a thriving student at Hume-Fogg High School and is always a pleasure to speak with. He was the one who saw us running and asked the driver to wait. He said that he's seen times when passengers notice others running to catch the bus and don't alert the driver, but he didn't think that was the right thing to do. As I called my son over to also catch some of this young man's light, I couldn't help but be encouraged to know that there are still young people out there who care about more than themselves. I had asked God earlier why things had to be so hard sometimes; I feel like He answered by showing me that things aren't always easy, but with the help of others, it usually all works out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)