Road Rage

Ok. So, I've been wanting to write about this for a little while now. Especially since I got a new job a few months ago that has forced me to drive. Every day. Monday through Friday. Rinse and repeat. And if you can't tell by the tone of my writing (or the title of this post), I am going to spell out the subject of this post for you: I - H-A-T-E - D-R-I-V-I-N-G. Yep, that's right. Finding myself (still) stuck in the 21st century and with such an unknown and unfound (until recently) passion, I despise driving.

Why, might you ask? Why do I hate driving? It's a part of life, everybody does it, everybody loves it (or pretends to love it, I think personally). Well, I will tell you my tale of woe (not really a tale, more like rant).

For the longest time, up until mid-June, I was a pedestrian. A happy pedestrian. One who could get from Point A to Point B with my legs, feet, and iPod with no trouble. I only got my license less than three years ago (and I will say that I wanted to get it sooner but that was out of my control) and have had a car for less than two years (which I am forever grateful for and would rather have it than not have it). But I hate that I am absolutely reliant on it.

Before (and still actually), to get to work, all I had to do was leave my apartment and walk a few blocks (5-15 minutes, depending on which job I was going to) and that would be it. I like doing that because it's both exercise and free. It doesn't cost money to walk from one place to another. I don't have to remember to get gas so that I can go to work. In fact the whole idea of having to buy gas to go to work seems silly to me. Not the "it costs money" aspect of it, but the "why is it necessary" aspect of it.

A century ago, this was a non-issue. That will always be my frame of reference. Like cell phones, a century ago, they were a non-issue. So if I don't answer it immediately why is it such a problem?

I should also clarify by saying that I don't think the idea of cars are stupid. However, I do find it unbelievably annoying that they have become almost a "necessity" in order to survive. That is what bothers me most of all. That and the fact that I have realized that people really struggle behind the wheel and my ability to accept their level of incompetence does not exist. I didn't think I could find people any more idiotic, until I had to start driving to my new job every day.

On the flip side, it is convenient to have a car when you are doing things like grocery shopping. That I will not deny is definitely a plus. Which is why I am thankful that I finally have my tiny car.

This is the main reason why I hope that wherever I end up moving to next (to work on my doctoral degree *fingers crossed*) is a walkable city (safely walkable, I should add) with an excellent public transportation system. Where I can also safely leave my car behind. And use occasionally. And not everyday.

Also, now that I'm having to drive everyday, I feel less and less like an environmentalist and that too really bugs me. I feel like every time I turn the key to bring my car to life, I'm contributing to an already heavily polluted environment. Not cool, not cool.

A bike will be on the good ol' Xmas list this year. I think that's a mode of transportation I can definitely roll with.