The Automobile's Ownership of the American Soul

Do we really enjoy driving?  Owning a car?  Paying insurance, title, registration, maintenance, fuel?

Living in Charlotte for ten months now I am reminded daily why driving should never be the first choice of transportation.  When I lived in Gastonia from 2000-2004, I was used to driving everywhere.  Growing up in rural Illinois, you simply had no other choice.  I was horrible at figuring out how to adjust my direction of travel if it was shifted from my original A to B route.  Home to work, school, store, theater, whatever it was I could handle.  Call me on the phone and ask me to go to some other location and I had to think about it.  I would even manage to take a longer route simply because I was familiar with it.

Then I moved to Chicago and it all changed.  Cycling, public transportation, and walking all required adaptability in your daily routine.  I quickly figured out how to adjust my route to save time and energy.  It's not that Chicago itself changed my thought of transportation, but the fact that it's history of alternative means were so ingrained.  Cyclists within the city boundaries were typically understood and respected.  Talk to people who live away from the core area of the city and you will probably hear differently. 

The first year back in Illinois, I was living in the suburbs which continued my need for driving.  January 2006, I moved into the city and opportunities to access other means of transportation were at my fingertips.  In June 2007 I began riding my bike as my core transportation.  Riding to work and school combined for a round trip of nine miles.  I drive, ONE WAY, to class and work ten miles in Charlotte.

I had not realized just how much I appreciated public transportation and cycling until I moved.  I had a weird expectation that I could manage getting around Charlotte with my bike alone.  I can't explain how, regretfully, wrong I was in that belief.  Enter driving on a daily basis.  Now fuel cost is added into the mix, more maintenance, exposure to road hazards, and who knows what else may come up.  Why do we enjoy being owned by our vehicles?  We don't drive it, it drives us, we're just the tool it needs to tell it when to go, stop, turn, brake.

Let's take control and apply the brakes on the entire idea of vehicles as the sole form of transportation.  This does not mean vehicles will not be involved in transportation, just less, even more so the second or last desired option.  Riding the train was so much fun, listening to music, talking, people watching, reading, knowing a small bit of focus was needed to ensure I got off at the right stop.  If I didn't?  Just catch the next train heading back.  While driving?  Watch out for that pothole!  What is this idiot in front of me doing?  Do I have enough fuel to get to work?  Where did this traffic come from?

A large part of Charlotte's problem is the planning.  The only area that provides concentrated housing is Uptown.  Away from Uptown, you may have apartment complexes and other similar housing arrangements, many new structures surrounding the light rail line.  This is great, take it to the next step Charlotte, let's be serious about expanding the LYNX system.  A new mayor is now elected, will that solve the delay?  A system like a new and growing rail line requires support vocally and structurally.  The bus and rail system need to be as in sync as possible, this will expand the opportunities for a resident to take advantage of this resource.

A random individual was explaining a trip taken via CATS from their home to Southpark Mall.  It was the first time they had attempted it and were severely disappointed.  It took them over two hours via bus that otherwise would have been a twenty minute drive.  How is someone suppose to sacrifice two hours of their life just to make a trip to the mall?  That is not acceptable.  Her resolution for the ride home, "Hi Mom, can you come pick us up?"

We have discussed the goal once school is finished in the next couple years.  Accept the decision to move was a learning experience and return to Chicago.  I have enjoyed my time in Charlotte thus far, my desired lifestyle will prevail though...

The Nightmare That is 'Being Green'

Main Entry: ¹green

Pronunciation: \ˈgrēn\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English grene, from Old English grēne; akin to Old English grōwan to grow

Date: before 12th century

...//...

10 a often capitalized : relating to or being an environmentalist political movement b : concerned with or supporting environmentalism c : tending to preserve environmental quality (as by being recyclable, biodegradable, or nonpolluting)

Concerned with or supporting environmentalism.  That small part of the definition can drive someone crazy.  If you have the tendency to allow changes or ways of life to ingrain itself deep into your soul, what would you expect?  Paper or plastic or reusable bags?  Locally grown or organic from the grocer?  Buy in bulk or buy what you need right now?  The list goes on.

That's the struggle one who is trying to implement changes that lead to a more green lifestyle.  What should be taken into consideration is a simple question, how green is green?  Any step taken is one more step than before.  The market is continuing to make efforts to cooperate and even educate consumers.  Yes, I said market, not the government.

The major reason behind the market making efforts is the consumer voicing their desire for greener products, packaging, transportation, and locations.  The second reason, and probably will become the top reason, is the cost savings.  Reusable bags are typically purchased, some as cheap as $0.50 and as expensive as $5.00, and in return prevent the business from providing a bag.  On a small scale the savings from reusable bags is minor, on the large scale it can save stores thousands of dollars at all levels of its' structure.  The hope and expectation is these savings will carry forward to the consumer.

Why can this drive you crazy though?  If you delve deep into the issue a small question can turn into a large question mark!

For those who use a local farmers' market to purchase produce.  Charlotte has a great market out on Yorkmont, these booths are stocked from farmers throughout the region and require the produce to be transported on a daily basis to the market.  Then the patrons, typically, drive to the market.  Both situations decrease the level of green due to fuel use yet increase with their local proximity.

Let's go to the grocer, depending on their system, the produce could be transported thousands of miles (a standard estimate in this debate) before arriving at your store, in turn you have to drive to also.  On a large scale, the belief a business holds is their system is efficient, more specifically, energy and cost efficient.

The paper or plastic debate.  Plastic requires oil or natural gas (natural gas is the leading part of plastic bag production).  Paper requires trees.  The better way for one to decipher this puzzle is what matters to you?  Plastic is annoying and difficult to store at home, paper bags typically lay flat and are structured for use.  Paper requires more space in storage and transportation.  How about this though...

To make all the bags we use each year, it takes 14 million trees for paper and 12 million barrels of oil for plastic. The production of paper bags creates 70 percent more air pollution than plastic, but plastic bags create four times the solid waste — enough to fill the Empire State Building two and a half times. And they can last up to a thousand years.

That was back in 2007!  A step deeper in this debate, do you eat cereal?  First you have the plastic bag sealing the product then a useless box surrounding it.  How do you avoid this?  Buy the larger, normally store brand, bags of cereal.  Selection is limited and is typically twice the amount of a normal box.  It is a plastic container though!

The next issue is partly an over-consumption issue but is connected with being green.  Do I buy in bulk or buy as needed to prevent waste?  If you buy in bulk, the belief is you're requiring less packaging materials and potentially fewer trips to the store.  If it's a perishable product, are you going to consumer it before it becomes waste?  If it's waste, the green effort of requiring less packaging has gone to waste.  Now you aren't willing to, or can't, join CostCo or Sam's to truly buy in bulk.  The use of packaging has increased and the required amount of transportation increases due to more trips to the store.

Maybe these concerns have not come up in your thoughts or discussions, but they probably will in the future.  It's even possible these concerns will be considered and resolved for you when the time comes.  In the mean time, be reasonable, be responsible, and consider your options.  As the age old point about driving in general, plan your day so your trips are not back and forth yet in a smooth line to accomplish your needs.  This will save you money in time and gas.

Don't let yourself go crazy over it, we all need to make an effort, just avoid letting confusion and over-the-top effort from preventing you.

What do I think?  Buy from your local farmers' market, in bulk for reasonable items, all while using reusable bags and limit your driving trips.

What to do...

I have reached a crossroad that simply has two options,

1. Stay on course with the Management program and I should finish the degree May 2011.
2. Change majors to Construction Management and it will take me roughly three years, finishing December 2012.

The main reason for it being a struggle is Management has become a redundant topic for me.  I doubt I would learn much from the course material.  Where I would gain would be during discussion and that can happen outside of a classroom.

On the other hand, Construction Management is a more technical based including surveying, materials, cost estimating, physics, codes, permits, etc.  This could build upon my training next fall with the ANG that is carpentry 101.

I define myself as a professional student.  It's unfortunate that I have remained in college for nine years now.  At times I wonder if I have intentionally setting myself up for this situation.  After completing my associate's in Human Resource Management from Gaston College, I moved to Chicago and began class with the sole purpose of being accepted to UIC.  I attended College of DuPage and Harold Washington College.

Finally accepted at UIC, I completed three semesters then an opportunity to return to Charlotte came up.  Last step in the puzzle is beginning at UNCC requiring even more courses to enter the Management program.  After this fall semester, I should have the credits necessary to enter the Belk College.

Walking away with a degree in Construction Management will provide me more tools with what we plan to do in the future.  Management will simply provide me with a degree and relief that it has finally been achieved.  Is it worth graduating and moving on, or should I take the dive and change direction.

An important note to make, if a class is failed or missed because of time conflicts or course load limitations, you will end up waiting another year to attend.  The course planning is very rigid and leaves little room for error.

Other options could be to complete the Management bachelor's and then attend CPCC for their Construction Management or Civil Engineering Technology.  The adviser I spoke with today said their CM program was more trade oriented while the CET program was technical oriented providing the structure needed to transfer to UNCC and complete the Construction Management degree.

Foot Power!

@cryandesign A tool for everything…A touch sensitive faucet is making hands everywhere happy. http://budurl.com/ndyd *Cute Ad--and I want that.

@JustinHaugens @cryandesign Would be easier to just have foot pedals so you could turn off the water while scrubbing your hands. Then you save water too!

@cryandesign @JustinHaugens sounds like a good idea! : )

@JustinHaugens @cryandesign Whenever we get to the point of renovating a home, that's a primary goal for each sink. Now we just have to renovate a home!

@cryandesign @JustinHaugens Hi again! I'm actually in the process of redoing my kitchen....hmmmm, i'm gonna look into this pedal thing : )

@JustinHaugens @cryandesign http://bit.ly/1Ir4Vd That might help sway you...

Something so simple, yet, aren't the simple things what we overlook first?  What we seem to forget or it just doesn't come to mind...

A simple suggestion just might help out in the long run.  The original link @cryandesign posted was about Delta's new hands free on/off setup that allows you to simply tap the faucet and the water turns on.  I believe it is a great idea, but the basis of this design is connected to a different design that has been around for quite some time, just not typically in your home.

The link I provided to sway her was about foot pedals for your sink.  No need to tap the the faucet head, just guide your foot to the pedal to turn on the water.  While lathering up your hands and scrubbing simply release the pedal to start the conservation.  Just how much water?

You can reduce water use by 50% using pedal controllers, and if it’s hot water, you’ll be saving power too.

In a four-person household, the use of pedal controllers in the kitchen alone can save up to 7500 gallons of water annually, as well as conserve the energy needed to heat those gallons.

What I like most about foot pedals would be the increase in efficiency when washing your hands or dishes, filling pots for cooking, the list could go on!


Efficient: Foot Pedal Faucet Controllers
SinkPedal, A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Public Transportation Takes Us There

Poking around for facts related to the savings while using public transportation I found this post by the American Public Transportation Association.  A study is completed to calculate the savings for two individual household using one less car.

Transit riders can save on average $755 per month.  The savings amount is based on the cost of the national averages for parking and driving, as well as, the October 5 national average gas price of $2.461 per gallon for self-serve regular gasoline as reported by AAA, a slight decrease from last month’s price.

The national average for a monthly unreserved parking space in a downtown business district is $154.23, according to the 2009 Colliers International Parking Rate Study.  Over the course of a year, parking costs for a vehicle can amount to an average of $1,850.

This link provides a chart listing the top 20 ridership cities and estimated savings. 
http://www.publictransportation.org/facts/091006_transit_savings.asp

Alternative Energy = National Security

I have said it before and I will say it again.  The future of our national security is partially dependent upon our transition from oil as a main source of fuel for vehicles, transportation, and energy production to renewable energy.

Developing an infrastructure to move us forward will usher in an era of ownership, pride, and appreciation for what we believe this country is about.  One step towards relying on our own ability, ingenuity, and living within our own means.

There may be different routes available to reach the goal of energy independence, as long as there is focus and direction, each route will deliver us to this achievement.  Declaring energy reform as a national security endeavor may be the breaking point to gain bipartisan support needed.

Veterans push for clean energy, safer nation

U.S. Rep. John Boccieri, D-Alliance, a major and pilot in the Air Force Reserves, said climate change no longer is a scientific debate. National security experts — such as the CIA and the Department of Defense — believe climate change has become a national security issue, he said.

He said the country only has a 100 day emergency crude oil supply. That’s why, Boccieri said, U.S. military officials have begun to take steps to reduce their foreign oil dependency and find alternative energy sources to fuel their vehicles and planes.

“We need to take this mission and take it to heart. This will affect everyone in this country,” he said. “This is about our future as a country. Its about time America stands up and fights for America.”

I believe we can do this.

You know you are from Chicago when....

http://dominantreality.blogspot.com/2008/03/chicago-slang.html

YOU KNOW YOU'RE FROM CHICAGO IF..

• The "Living Room" is called the "front room" (pronounced fronchroom)
• You don't pronounce the "s" at the end of Illinois. You become irate at people who do
• You measure distance in minutes (especially "from the city"). And you swear everything is pretty much 15 minutes away
• You have no problem spelling or pronouncing "Des Plaines"
• Your school classes were canceled because of cold
• Your school classes were canceled because of heat
• You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day
• Stores don't have sacks, they have bags
• You end your sentences with an unnecessary preposition. Example:"Where's my coat at?" or "If you go to the mall I wanna go with."
• Your idea of a great tenderloin is when the meat is twice as big as the bun, "everything" is on it and a slice of dill pickle is on the side
• You carry jumper cables in your car
• You drink "pop."
• You understand that I-290, I-90, I-94, and I-294 are all different roads
• You know the names of the interstates: Stevenson, Kennedy, Eisenhower,Dan Ryan, and the Edens
• But you call the interstates "expressways"
• You refer to anything South of I-80 as "Southern Illinois"
• You refer to Lake Michigan as "The Lake"
• You refer to Chicago as "The City"
• "The Super Bowl" refers to one specific game in a series of 35 played in January of 1986
• No matter where you are, when you hear the term "Downtown" you immediately assume they're talking about Downtown Chicago
• You read the "The Trib"
• You think 35 degrees is great weather to wash your car!
• You know what goes on a Chicago Style Hot Dog
• You know what Chicago Style Pizza REALLY is
• You know why they call Chicago "The Windy City"
• You understand what "lake-effect" means
• You know the difference between Amtrak and Metra, and know which station they end up at. You have ridden the "L"
• You can distinguish between the following area codes: 847,630,773,708, 312, & 815
• You have at some time in your life, used your furniture to guard your parking spot in winter. (CHICAGO CLASSIC!!)
• You respond to the question "Where are you from" with a side" example:"WEST SIDE", "SOUTH SIDE" or "NORTH SIDE."
• You know what the phone number is to Empire Carpet!

Reading stuff like this has to make me laugh... and realize how true of a Chicagoan I am.