i drive a b-b-bike...bike-cicle....

well, not anymore. (sorry for the somewhat unnecessary 40 year old virgin reference.) i've had my driver's license for about a month now, and have LOVED IT. i don't have to constantly be worrying about rain or ice or wind or cold or dangerous drivers on the highway or the physical strength required to bike on a day when i'm not feeling fantastic. so the stress factor has improved by leaps and BOUNDS. but also, i just enjoy the driving thing so much. it's plain old FUN. sure i'm only driving to and from work, but i'm just taking baby steps at first.

just went for a marvelous bike ride. i haven't been able to for a couple weeks because of the weather being so incredibly sub-zero (highs in single digits). i plan on biking to work when the weather is nice, i just have to work on not letting it intimidate me because it is WORTH the effort. the only things that bother me are the social aspect and the fact that it can sometimes be dangerous when one is at the mercy of drivers on a highway. allow me to elaborate on the former element; i've gotten so much better at not worrying about what other people think of me. but sometimes it's still hard. people just don't bicycle around here. there aren't hardly enough sidewalks, much less bike trails. that's just not gonna happen for ONE single cyclist in the whole town. and while it's a perfectly viable form of transportation, people can't help but associate it with homelessness or something they should feel sorry for instead of admire. i'm no different, except for my personal experience. i can be self-sufficient, or i can be NOT-self-sufficient.
the fact that i can mentally and physically bike to work every day or even just some days makes me stronger than other people. so why isn't that admirable? why should i have to fight off feelings of self-consciousness?

so i rode my bike today for recreation. a little over 3 miles, my trip to and from work (although i don't work til later this evening, after dark so i will drive). believe you me, the endorphins are pumpin'! i miss that. i miss exercise, and the soothing effect it has on my mind and emotions. so now i suppose i can do it for fun! of course i've lost most of my muscles and endurance in the weeks since i've biked regularly, but that's a welcomed challenge.

my friend deidra is starting a blog about frugality, and i think that i've been pondering on that all day in addition to wanting to take advantage of the 45 DEGREE (!!!) temperature at the moment. i encourage people to think about alternative forms of transportation. the human body can take a lot more than most people seem to believe nowadays. in recent years (ever since i've been grateful to have life and be alive), i've kind of thought "i've got legs, so by george i'm gonna use them."

i'm by no means a fanatic that goes and runs 5 miles on my lunch break, haha. those people are just WEIRD, haha.

but on the issue of frugality, my sweetie and i were able to buy a basically brand new car with money he saved and money i saved after just a year and a half of working at mcdonald's. i called it my "cheeseburger money." not too shabby, if i say so myself. i miss having that money to be proud of and think of as i was riding my bike in the cold rain and walking in the ice to mickey d's....but i guess i have the car to show for it now.

enough of my endorphin-release in blogging form. it's a beautiful, sunny day and it's NOT 2 degress outside. a perfect day for a walk, people!