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Aug. 31st, 2005 03:33 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
valancystirlingMy brand new car barely passed state inspection. Because of the tires. In one year we have worn out a new set of tires. Like, to the point of scariness. We're getting a lot of rain from this storm, and now I'm afraid to drive, because I have already hydroplaned one too many times in my life. I'm not taking any chances.
As for driving, I feel it is socially irresponsible to pursue any unnecessary trips. My yoga class is an hour away once a week. I feel like as long as I continue with this habit, I can't make any obnoxious criticisms of morons driving SUVS when all they need to carry around is themselves and their miniature chihuahua. Waste is waste. Probably if you add up the sheer amount of miles I drive, versus the sheer inefficiency of a few miles in a huge SUV, it would be shockingly similar. I want the contrast to be sharp, and in my favor. Oil is not going to last forever, people. We should all be doing what we can. Plan where you're going before you leave the house, combine your errands in an efficient way, and don't drive if there are acceptable alternatives available to you. One day we're all going to be using trains and buses. Might as well get used to it now. I'm hoping that the next place we move to has a good public transportation system like Boston, or like anywhere in Europe.
As for doing our bit, as noble as it probably is for all these people in the various knitting communities to try to organize groups to knit things for hurricane victims, I doubt those people down there are extremely concerned with how many wool hats they have right now. Think about it, and put your time/money where it counts. Donate to the Red Cross, volunteer if you're there, do something more tangible. It frustrates me when people are so wrapped up in the things they do that they don't see there are more practical things that can be done.
I was about to start whining about how we have more expenses than income and how we can never seem to get ahead (needing new tires now, and endless necessary baby stuff), but that seems like nothing considering we have a roof over our heads, and aside from job insecurity, our future is not really bleak. Things will sort themselves out.
As for driving, I feel it is socially irresponsible to pursue any unnecessary trips. My yoga class is an hour away once a week. I feel like as long as I continue with this habit, I can't make any obnoxious criticisms of morons driving SUVS when all they need to carry around is themselves and their miniature chihuahua. Waste is waste. Probably if you add up the sheer amount of miles I drive, versus the sheer inefficiency of a few miles in a huge SUV, it would be shockingly similar. I want the contrast to be sharp, and in my favor. Oil is not going to last forever, people. We should all be doing what we can. Plan where you're going before you leave the house, combine your errands in an efficient way, and don't drive if there are acceptable alternatives available to you. One day we're all going to be using trains and buses. Might as well get used to it now. I'm hoping that the next place we move to has a good public transportation system like Boston, or like anywhere in Europe.
As for doing our bit, as noble as it probably is for all these people in the various knitting communities to try to organize groups to knit things for hurricane victims, I doubt those people down there are extremely concerned with how many wool hats they have right now. Think about it, and put your time/money where it counts. Donate to the Red Cross, volunteer if you're there, do something more tangible. It frustrates me when people are so wrapped up in the things they do that they don't see there are more practical things that can be done.
I was about to start whining about how we have more expenses than income and how we can never seem to get ahead (needing new tires now, and endless necessary baby stuff), but that seems like nothing considering we have a roof over our heads, and aside from job insecurity, our future is not really bleak. Things will sort themselves out.
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no subject
Date: 2005-08-31 08:40 pm (UTC)I'm debating between whether to make a disaster relief donation now, or to wait a few weeks... it's not like they won't need money in a month or so when most of the country's moved on to the next thing but half of New Orleans is still uninhabitable. There's a part of me that's saying that it would be better to donate in a month, and there's a part of me that's saying that this is a silly argument.
no subject
Date: 2005-08-31 08:50 pm (UTC)Where did you go for your inspection? Kost does them half price Tues-Thursdays.
I miss taking trains and buses everywhere. I always got so much done sitting there being carted around. I want to get out of this country. Our priorities are all fucked up. Really, how long are we expected to go with the flow?
no subject
Date: 2005-08-31 09:08 pm (UTC)I went to Kost, but I had no idea about the half-price thing... still, it was supposed to have been done in July, so, whatever. Cheaper than a ticket for not having a current inspection.