As I have alluded to in previous posts, I no longer own a car.  Not only do I not suffer for the lack thereof, I rejoice that I am no longer burdened by the cost and stress of car ownership, insurance payments, parking costs, parking tickets, red-light tickets, oil changes etc... I never have to sit in traffic for hours or worry about getting in car accidents on the Deerfoot.  Now I'm not suggesting that everyone get rid of their cars - particularly my friends whose cars I occasionally borrow.  I am going to go out on a limb and step on my soapbox and say that CALGARIANS DRIVE WAY TO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!

I do kind of miss turning up the music and singing at the top of my lungs.  Other than that, I have really enjoyed embracing new forms of transportation.  Mostly, I walk.  Of course that is a lot easier as a resident of Sunnyside.  Standards are different for those of you in the 'burbs.  I walk to work, to the grocery store, to the library, and that's about it.  I just got my bicycle back which will give me a bit more mobility.  Occasionally though, I need to go places that are not within walking distance, like to the dentist or to visit friends who live more than 1km away from me.  On these occasions, I use a for of transporation called the bus.  Or sometimes the C-train.  Many people are surprised that I can actually get where I need in Calgary, and more surprised when I tell them that it's relatively easy and not nearly as time-consuming as they might have thought.  On several occasions recently I have visited friends in the suburbs, arrived exactly on time and SHOCKED my hosts by announcing that I came by bus.  They tend to apologize profusely that I had to endure this hardship, wonder why I didn't call them for a ride, and offer to drive me home afterward. 

But guess what... riding the bus is fine!  I haven't contracted any diseases!  I have read many interesting books (and by read many interesting books I mean completed many sudoku puzzles) and enjoyed the company of many interesting strangers, either downtowners fixated on their BlackBerries or teenagers trying to be really cool. 

My point is, don't feel sorry for me because I don't have a car!  Let me revel in the joy of riding the bus!  Also, consider trying it sometime!