I drove today. It was raining and very windy. I haven't driven a car to work in a very very long time. I either ride my Vespa or my bike.

People always say they prefer to drive than to take public transporation or ride a bike because they like the independence and freedom to go wherever they like whenever they like. That hardly seems true in a car when you really think about it since you end up in so much stop-and-go traffic. I couldn't help but wonder what aliens would think if they were watching this mad march toward clogged freeways of people who take up about 3 square feet of space, wrapped in 2000lbs of pollution belching steel that takes up about 100 square feet of space. What would they think of this? How would anthropologists describe this? Some kind of Western rugged individualism run amok?

It seems that it's done better in the 3rd world, where the traffic is a total nightmare of knots and clogs of rickshaws, bikes, tuk-tuks, motorcycles, and taxis. When I was in a 3rd world country, if you wanted to go somewhere all you had to do was walk outside and there was a taxi all ready to go. Even the locals hitch a ride on a tuk-tuk or a motorcycle.

It was better being warm and dry than cold and wet, but did it ever seem stupid all these people cramming into the freeways, blocking traffic in the intersections and coming to a screetching halt! How do they put up with that day after day after day?

Yeah yeah, preaching to the choir, but don't you get a rush of self-righteousness from stuff like this?

You are so right. Sometimes I feel I'm a little bit better than all those people who just think I'm crazy!

You could have added that most Americans work at jobs they don't particularly like for one day of the week just to pay for the cars they "need" to get to those jobs! (Carpayments = 1/5 of the avg. income)

Wow, I thought I was the only one who made observations like that. Standing back and examining your own daily conduct, as well as the others around you, from an objective perspective is rather enlightening. I think aliens, if they had any hostile intentions, would know exactly how and when to strike western society. In their cars at Rush hour(s)!

At the very least, they wouldn't have much respect for our species when considering the inefficienct and unproductive means of transportation (except for bicycles, that is) we employ.

I have similar thoughts. I think that those who believe that they have so much more freedom and independence in their motor vehicles would do well to consider how free they feel each month as they mail off their $220 car and $230 insurance payments. No car seems to be at least $3,000 freer every year to me, and more when you factor in gas prices.

Unfortunately, most of us still need a car. I can't ride my bike up to the slopes to ski. I can't ride to my relative's homes for a quick dinner.

Even when I lived in NYC (Manhattan) for 10 years, the last 6 I owned a car. I needed it to get up to Vermont to ski or to a river to flyfish. It was my ticket to sanity there. My car was paid for and the insurance was $100 and the parking was $130ish and 6 miles away from my apt. No big deal, I only used the car on the weekends and used the subway to get there from work.

But I do ride to work or in really bad weather generally take the bus. And in doing either one, I do feel a sense of self-righteousness. I pity the folks who drive to work every day. I know some people say they have no choice (geography), but even that isn't true. Where you live/work is a choice. I am lucky enough to live near a bike path that goes 9 miles to downtown where I work. I often think about starting to look for a new job, but will only consider downtown jobs because I am unwilling to give up riding to work. Same for a different house. It would be nice, but it will have to be near a bike path that leads to downtown.

The main reason people "need" a car is because our cities are so poorly designed. Often though, what is perceived to be a lack of choice is really a lack of imagination--an inability to think outside the cage. I applaud all those who use their imaginations to free themselves from the auto--whether full-time or part-time. Self-reliance does feel great, even in a snowstorm!

"even"? How about especially!

I love riding in the snow.

I love riding in the snow too. Sometimes riding in the snowstorm is almost too fun. It doesn't feel so great until you finally make it home and you're sipping cocoa by the space heater.