Getting off the bus at my stop, I noticed a young man exiting at the same time. He was walking in the same direction as I, and after he placed his book in the library after-hours drop box, I decided to strike up a conversation (readers are cool, right?) I asked about the book he had just returned, whether it was a good read or not. He admitted he kept the book way past the due date trying to get into it, but the book never caught his interest, despite being written by one of his favorite authors.
As we walked the next block, we both agreed one of the great things about riding the bus was having time to read. We could also agree on how relaxing it is to get to a destination without being stressed over traffic or parking. Then my new bus buddy, Jake, admitted 'I just hate driving, that's all!' He shared that being driven, even if on the bus, was a bit of a treat, stress-free, and dare I say, carefree! And that besides the bus, there are other creative ways to get around Nashville without driving, or by driving less. He is also a bike commuter and avid walker, so getting around the driving thing is not a problem for him. As he walked a block past my destination, I thought about how nice it was to meet a young person with such an open perspective.
As I've said before, being car-less is not for everyone, but if more people considered alternatives to driving everywhere, would there be a little less pollution and traffic and more people becoming physically active? I believe so, and Jake and I are proof being car-less can lead to being a little more carefree. Try it for yourself and see...
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Keep Walking
Today when I left work headed to school, I thought about walking, as I often do, but also thought I would catch a bus headed that way if available. So, I started walking, looking behind me every block or so to see if the bus was coming. As I got further along, I passed several bus stops with people waiting for the same bus I was on the lookout for. Seeing those waiting people reminded me of how frustrated my ex-husband would become when I wanted to walk instead of waiting, knowing the bus would eventually catch up with me. He would rather wait for the bus, and would ask, 'Why do you have to constantly be on the move? Can't you just sit here and wait?'
As I walked and remembered those conversations, I realized that our differing perspectives on waiting for the bus versus moving ahead toward the destination may have an impact on why we are no longer married. There's nothing wrong with patiently waiting for something expected, whether a bus or a desired goal. However, if you can work toward the destination while waiting, isn't that a better option? Today, as I kept walking, I was able to decompress from my workday, mentally change gears from work to school and get in 20 minutes of brisk walking. Along the way, I passed several cars stuck in heavy traffic that would have further delayed the bus had it ever arrived. So, I don't regret not waiting for the bus today, nor do I regret not waiting to work toward other destinations in life. We do have to be patient, but we can be walking toward our goals while waiting.
As I walked and remembered those conversations, I realized that our differing perspectives on waiting for the bus versus moving ahead toward the destination may have an impact on why we are no longer married. There's nothing wrong with patiently waiting for something expected, whether a bus or a desired goal. However, if you can work toward the destination while waiting, isn't that a better option? Today, as I kept walking, I was able to decompress from my workday, mentally change gears from work to school and get in 20 minutes of brisk walking. Along the way, I passed several cars stuck in heavy traffic that would have further delayed the bus had it ever arrived. So, I don't regret not waiting for the bus today, nor do I regret not waiting to work toward other destinations in life. We do have to be patient, but we can be walking toward our goals while waiting.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
My Bike Guy
I took my bike to East Side Cycles for a tune up and the young man who helped me has also chosen to be 'car-less' in Nashville. When I asked him to share his story, he explained his choice stemmed from LA traffic over 8 years ago. While sitting in traffic trying to make the less than 10 mile commute to work that routinely took him over 30 minutes, he saw a bicycle wiz by him. Right then, he made up his mind that cycling to work would take less time and had to be less stressful. Needless to say, he was correct.
Then, he took his trusty bike to be repaired, and decided he could keep the bike repaired himself and save even more time and money. He not only taught himself to be a bike mechanic, but he started working for a bike repair shop, gave up his car and has since moved to Nashville. He commutes all around Nashville using his bike, and now he's my go to guy to keep my bike in good repair. He's also helping me as I shop for a new bike to kick my bike commuting into high gear. Nice to know there are many others who have found alternative ways of getting around Nashville. More to come...
Then, he took his trusty bike to be repaired, and decided he could keep the bike repaired himself and save even more time and money. He not only taught himself to be a bike mechanic, but he started working for a bike repair shop, gave up his car and has since moved to Nashville. He commutes all around Nashville using his bike, and now he's my go to guy to keep my bike in good repair. He's also helping me as I shop for a new bike to kick my bike commuting into high gear. Nice to know there are many others who have found alternative ways of getting around Nashville. More to come...
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Motherly Advice
A little over six months ago, I noticed a woman on the bus who reminded me very much of my dear mother who I lost 3 years ago. Her beautiful smooth skin, bright eyes and cheery smile were strikingly similar. And this woman even had the same hairstyle as my mother and her style of dress also reminded me of her. I must have stared at her for at least 10 minutes, reminiscing on how beautiful my mother was and how much I miss her. Well this woman noticed that I was staring at her and struck up a conversation. I told her how much she reminded me of my mother, which started a discussion about family, raising children and memories of loved ones.
I saw her again on the bus today, and she looked radiant and positive, as always. She asked me about my son and then, seemingly out of the blue, she gave me some motherly advice that I wanted to share. She has raised her grandson, now 28 years old, as if he where her own. She told me that she tells him daily to 'never leave home angry, because you never know if you'll return.' We were talking about how transient life can be, and she spoke from experience when she said that it 'just isn't worth it to be negative or angry at others.' Life's too short. She also stated that at this point in her life, she doesn't entertain people who don't appreciate the value of life, who aren't grateful or who complain. Again, life has more to offer.
So Ms. Maria (pronounced Myra) not only reminded me of my mother's outward beauty, but the loving advice she gave me that guides me to this day. I'm grateful to have run into her on the bus today; I was clearly where I needed to be to receive some needed motherly advice.
I saw her again on the bus today, and she looked radiant and positive, as always. She asked me about my son and then, seemingly out of the blue, she gave me some motherly advice that I wanted to share. She has raised her grandson, now 28 years old, as if he where her own. She told me that she tells him daily to 'never leave home angry, because you never know if you'll return.' We were talking about how transient life can be, and she spoke from experience when she said that it 'just isn't worth it to be negative or angry at others.' Life's too short. She also stated that at this point in her life, she doesn't entertain people who don't appreciate the value of life, who aren't grateful or who complain. Again, life has more to offer.
So Ms. Maria (pronounced Myra) not only reminded me of my mother's outward beauty, but the loving advice she gave me that guides me to this day. I'm grateful to have run into her on the bus today; I was clearly where I needed to be to receive some needed motherly advice.
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Once again, it has been awhile since my last post. Two reasons for my delay: life has gotten in the way, many life changes and events to adjust to, and I've been searching for a direction to take this blog. The latter reason I will elaborate on.
I started this blog to share with those not familiar with public transportation in Nashville more information, how simple it is to be car-less in a car-centered city. Then, somehow I became concerned with being a good spokesperson for MTA, feeling an obligation to present public transit in Nashville in only the most favorable light. I also felt like I needed to highlight any new or pertinent information about what's going on with public transit in Nashville. Needless to say, I've gotten a bit bored with that content, and there are other great sources for up to the minute information about what's happening in Nashville's transit world. My friends at Transit Now Nashville (TNN) do a great job at that, as does MTA via their own media outlets.
So recently I had the chance to refocus on why I started this blog in the first place. My epiphany came when talking to a MTA driver this past week. I was asking her why more people don't take advantage of riding the bus, especially on the particular route she had, there were no passengers on her bus at the time. She has been driving for MTA for quite awhile and remarked that she noticed that people in Nashville have a perception about the kind of people that ride the bus. She stated a fact that I've seen and heard several times myself: Most people in Nashville feel that only poor people or those 'down on their luck' take public transportation. I couldn't agree with her more! I've posted in the past how friends of mine are almost indignant at the fact that I would take the bus, as if somehow I am not in the category of those who would take public transportation. It was at that moment, talking to that driver that I realized the direction of this blog and what my message needs to be.
Hello Nashville: Professional, intelligent, productive citizens of our fair city chose to take public transportation and ride along with those who may have few other choices and we actually find riding the bus efficient, economical and enriching. I have numerous stories and experiences to share that will prove the previous statement to be true. Thanks for being patient while I remembered this blog's purpose. Please check back within this week to find out what folks on the bus are doing and talking about. You might be surprised who is riding the bus in Nashville.
I started this blog to share with those not familiar with public transportation in Nashville more information, how simple it is to be car-less in a car-centered city. Then, somehow I became concerned with being a good spokesperson for MTA, feeling an obligation to present public transit in Nashville in only the most favorable light. I also felt like I needed to highlight any new or pertinent information about what's going on with public transit in Nashville. Needless to say, I've gotten a bit bored with that content, and there are other great sources for up to the minute information about what's happening in Nashville's transit world. My friends at Transit Now Nashville (TNN) do a great job at that, as does MTA via their own media outlets.
So recently I had the chance to refocus on why I started this blog in the first place. My epiphany came when talking to a MTA driver this past week. I was asking her why more people don't take advantage of riding the bus, especially on the particular route she had, there were no passengers on her bus at the time. She has been driving for MTA for quite awhile and remarked that she noticed that people in Nashville have a perception about the kind of people that ride the bus. She stated a fact that I've seen and heard several times myself: Most people in Nashville feel that only poor people or those 'down on their luck' take public transportation. I couldn't agree with her more! I've posted in the past how friends of mine are almost indignant at the fact that I would take the bus, as if somehow I am not in the category of those who would take public transportation. It was at that moment, talking to that driver that I realized the direction of this blog and what my message needs to be.
Hello Nashville: Professional, intelligent, productive citizens of our fair city chose to take public transportation and ride along with those who may have few other choices and we actually find riding the bus efficient, economical and enriching. I have numerous stories and experiences to share that will prove the previous statement to be true. Thanks for being patient while I remembered this blog's purpose. Please check back within this week to find out what folks on the bus are doing and talking about. You might be surprised who is riding the bus in Nashville.
Saturday, May 26, 2012
That's Love
Last night was the first Frist Friday celebration. It was so much fun and enjoyable to run into friends enjoying the warm weather and good music. Of course, I took the bus there and left in time to catch the Hillsboro bus headed home.
As soon as I sat down on the bus to change from my 'party shoes' to my 'walking home' shoes, an older gentleman sitting close by chose to tell me his love story. He started out saying that he had been married to the love of his life for 50 years until her recent death. He also made it a point to let me know that neither of them had been unfaithful the entire time they were together. When he asked the preacher to marry them those many years ago, he asked the preacher to pronounce them not only husband and wife, but also best friends. He said they exchanged more than wedding rings that day, they exchanged best friend rings. Who knew they had BFF rings back in the day?
Awhile after their marriage, he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam war. When he returned home to her, he brought a couple of white flags used to symbolize surrender. Upon walking in the door, he knelt down, kissed her ankles and presented these white flags to her. When she asked for an explanation, he told her the meaning of the white flags and told her instead of surrendering to the enemy, he was surrendering to her, to be faithful and care for her always.
They worked hard together to purchase one home and then a second, renting out the first and saving their hard earned money along the way. After awhile, she suffered a stroke and needed outside care and attention. Being a hard worker and devoted husband, he sold their first home to be able to pay for her to have someone come in their home and care for her during the day while he was at work. He has worked for Vanderbilt for close to 40 years, and he made it a point to tell me he has only missed 15 days during that entire time, even during his wife's illness.
Eventually, he needed to also sell the second home they were living in to continue to pay for his wife's care. He said they gladly moved into an apartment so she could want for nothing while he worked during the day. Friends asked why he would give up property to pay for such care, and he replied then as he did to me yesterday: he made a promise that she would want for nothing as long as he was able to work and provide. She has since passed away, but I could still see the intense satisfaction in his face from fulfilling that promise to his wife and best friend.
He shared this entire story with me over a ten minute ride from Broadway to the MCC bus depot. But his story of true love and sacrifice will stay with me for a long time. Love like that is worth waiting and working for. Beautiful, right?
As soon as I sat down on the bus to change from my 'party shoes' to my 'walking home' shoes, an older gentleman sitting close by chose to tell me his love story. He started out saying that he had been married to the love of his life for 50 years until her recent death. He also made it a point to let me know that neither of them had been unfaithful the entire time they were together. When he asked the preacher to marry them those many years ago, he asked the preacher to pronounce them not only husband and wife, but also best friends. He said they exchanged more than wedding rings that day, they exchanged best friend rings. Who knew they had BFF rings back in the day?
Awhile after their marriage, he was drafted to serve in the Vietnam war. When he returned home to her, he brought a couple of white flags used to symbolize surrender. Upon walking in the door, he knelt down, kissed her ankles and presented these white flags to her. When she asked for an explanation, he told her the meaning of the white flags and told her instead of surrendering to the enemy, he was surrendering to her, to be faithful and care for her always.
They worked hard together to purchase one home and then a second, renting out the first and saving their hard earned money along the way. After awhile, she suffered a stroke and needed outside care and attention. Being a hard worker and devoted husband, he sold their first home to be able to pay for her to have someone come in their home and care for her during the day while he was at work. He has worked for Vanderbilt for close to 40 years, and he made it a point to tell me he has only missed 15 days during that entire time, even during his wife's illness.
Eventually, he needed to also sell the second home they were living in to continue to pay for his wife's care. He said they gladly moved into an apartment so she could want for nothing while he worked during the day. Friends asked why he would give up property to pay for such care, and he replied then as he did to me yesterday: he made a promise that she would want for nothing as long as he was able to work and provide. She has since passed away, but I could still see the intense satisfaction in his face from fulfilling that promise to his wife and best friend.
He shared this entire story with me over a ten minute ride from Broadway to the MCC bus depot. But his story of true love and sacrifice will stay with me for a long time. Love like that is worth waiting and working for. Beautiful, right?
Saturday, May 19, 2012
Nashville Bikes to Work - Friday May 18
It was very exciting to meet a group of other East Nashville and Inglewood residents at Five Points prepared to ride to work together. We headed out as two groups down Woodland to the Public Square where others from all over the city were gathering. The organization Walk/Bike Nashville organized the event in honor of the National Bike to Work Day. Mayor Dean rode his bike to the Square as well, and we were all glad to be a part of an event that was being repeated throughout the country.
I had planned to ride my bike to the Square and then put my bike on a bike rack on the front of the bus and ride the bus the rest of the way to work. But my friend Alycia who also works in the same area convinced me that we could make the ride together. And we did! We took a route that led us through downtown, through the Gulch to Music Row and right down Edgehill to USN and Vanderbilt. We were shouting in triumph at our accomplishment!
I decided to leave my bike there after work and return this morning to make the return trip home my morning workout. I rode the bus there and biked back to East Nashville, all within an hour in the cool morning air. What a great feeling of accomplishment yesterday and this morning.
I had planned to ride my bike to the Square and then put my bike on a bike rack on the front of the bus and ride the bus the rest of the way to work. But my friend Alycia who also works in the same area convinced me that we could make the ride together. And we did! We took a route that led us through downtown, through the Gulch to Music Row and right down Edgehill to USN and Vanderbilt. We were shouting in triumph at our accomplishment!
I decided to leave my bike there after work and return this morning to make the return trip home my morning workout. I rode the bus there and biked back to East Nashville, all within an hour in the cool morning air. What a great feeling of accomplishment yesterday and this morning.
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