My Granola Life

I'm still learning from the whole bike-commuting experience. For example, I've discovered I hate being out in the rain when I'm not prepared (i.e. dancing, or splashing in puddles, or hiking) even more than I thought I did. I'm also re-discovering the meaning (the real meaning) of the terms "cardio" and "muscle-tone." Unsurprisingly, I'm happier about the second than the first.

In other news, I'm living more like a granola* every day. Although I've always been interested in living cheaply, reducing my carbon footprint, et cetera, I'm not sure I ever imagined I would be biking everywhere (not even taking public transportation as a usual, quotidian thing) and going to the farmer's market (where, for the first time at a farmer's market, I bought yogurt. And eggs. And smoked whitefish^, among other things) and composting and recycling and baking my own bread, making my own spaghetti sauce and pizzas and smoothies and not buying clothes things.** It's kind of fun, really. I feel more self-sufficient than ever. I haven't started planting vegetables and herbs, yet, but that's also on the list of things to do. I'm thinking tomatoes and basil to start... I'll discover whether or not my thumb is green. In the past, I've had very inconsistent success with gardening.




*I use this term with utmost respect, affection and admiration.


^Usually I just go for the veggies. The yogurt is excellent, as is the fish. Next on the list is good chicken. Free range and organic chicken, like the eggs.


**Okay, this last one has nothing to do with personal preferences. If I had my druthers, I'd still be buying pretty clothes things. It's just not in the cards at this point in my life. Sigh.

Two Wheels and a Helmet

I started biking to campus this week. It's been an adventure, a fun one so far. Here's the summary:

About three weeks ago, I went secondhand bike shopping with a friend of mine. We went to two places to find the right bike, in terms of fit, comfort (although I'm having second thoughts about that*) and price. Not only that, but the owner of the shop was really helpful, honest and friendly. Which is important, when buying a used something-or-other. Also, his shop didn't smell like weed.

The fixie I decided on wasn't finished, so I waited a week and a half for the fixing of it. When I came back, Hasan raised the seat again, and the handlebars, advised me on a lock purchase, and his employee even put on the lights. The next day I bought my helmet, which, sadly, is black, grey.... and pink. I've decided I can live it down, but pink would definitely not have been my first choice. Only, my head is too small for a uni-sex helmet, so I had to get a women's helmet.**

Luckily, I did all this bike and bike accessory purchasing before the 1st of May, so I have not yet had to spend money on public transportation this month. Which is why I got the bike in the first place. Today makes the third day I've taken my bike out, and although the seat isn't getting any comfy-er, I'm getting more comfortable on the road (and am I the only biker in Toronto obeying the laws?). I have even - get this - gone a different way home. Still getting used to seeing like a vehicle-conductor on the road (oh, wait! That's a crosswalk!). I take the back roads, the quiet ones, and the few with bike lanes, because I have a low opinion of drivers I've got plenty of sore muscles - some, even, that I'd conveniently forgotten I had. This might be in part because I have a single-speed. Tough going on those hills.

Anyways, that's the story. I plan on having lots more (safe) adventures on my bike this summer. I am now powering my own transportation!! I wonder if houses with solar panels are this proud to be green...





* I'd sort of forgotten how uncomfortable biking can be. I remembered, in that vague "I-remember-this-used-to-be-uncomfortable-in-some-way" way, but not really. Now, after riding my bike six times in the past four days, I remember quite clearly.

**It still puzzles me that things labeled "for women" are quite frequently pink. Haven't we gotten over the pink-is-female thing?