OK this^^^ exactly but the first thing I see is someone on a bike and that is when I think "wow I guess I could have." I actually feel better in the mornings when I ride. More awake for the job.
V

Really? I missed where I am/was incorrect. Not that I think you're doing anything wrong. I think maybe we are just interpreting words differently.

It where you said/wrote this-
" It would seem judging by your post... you've already decided NOT to have a career." is where I wanted to say I am in no way intending to do anything but retire from this job and I have spent 2/3 of my life there. Its down the road with in ten miles so commuting is great. They have showers so I can go as fast on my bike as I would like to. and every year they are apart of the Commute Challenge put on by the BTA. I just wish they'd pay me more
V

Got rid of my car a few years ago. Believe it or not I literally never fret over whether to drive or not.

It is in fact a liberating feeling. I used to sometimes feel sort of down and weak etc. and think "I guess I'll just drive". but it's not that I've lost that option to take it easy and now it's occasional drudgery. Somehow not having that easy option makes me not need it either. I have days when I'm not 100%. But I've learned that I can cut way back on my usual effort and the impact on my commute time is negligible. And the ride is not at all taxing.

Just my personal perspective. I'm not saying everybody can be car free. But there's no car in my household. My elderly mother lives with me and I do all of what we need as far as shopping, etc. with a cargo trailer.

Yes. I would have defined a career as a progressive path that would normally mean changing employers, positions, and locations numerous times. Eventually with profits and/or continuity being dependent on ones productivity. I never thought of having a job.... albeit at the same place for very long time... as a career. And.... I certainly didn't mean to imply that everyone needs to follow such a path.

My ideas about such things are likely very outdated and singular.

Not a problem. I have changed jobs with in the company a few times in my tenor. From the entry level position to a tool

Just curious, how does Mom handle doctor appointments; does she ever leave the house? Is a reliable taxi service available to handle her transportation requirements, if any, away from home?

Sounds like you feel guilty about riding your bike when you are called upon to drive rather than feeling guilty for driving as you originally assert. Regarding the former - for my two cents I say if you are the only one depending on your paycheck do as you please and let the chips fall where they may. If others are also depending on that check - do an honest self appraisal about your priorities and go from there.....

I frequently push her in the wheelchair around about a 5 mile area. Usually just to get her out of the house and go eat a dinner out. My sister lives in town and helps mom with some appointments. And mom is setup on MARTA Mobility and can use that too.

I bike to work unless I'm too sick to bike to work so I have little sympathy for this kind of guilt. And on the rare occasions that I do drive, I drive in a hyper-legal manner (e.g. as slowly as possible while following the law to the letter in a hyper-exaggerated way). The way I drive is even more of a protest than the way I bike.

It seems unhealthy and irresponsible to practice ones ideologies to the point of self flagellation.

Thanks for the reply; is it correct to assume your sister uses a car to help mom with some of those appointments, especially those beyond the 5 mile area?

Yes

What you call "self-flagellation" I call concern for the greater good. I try not to be smug about it...but we all have our personal failings.

Assuming one is a responsible, productive member of society with obligations to themselves, family, and job, its ridiculous to feel guilt when one must use a form of transportation best suited to the task or circumstances.

Your health and well being is part of the "greater good", you make a conscious effort to do your part, there's no reason to make penitence through metaphorical "protest" driving just because you have to drive once in a while.

I think of my commute in terms of satisfaction:
Cycling >>>>>Train>>>>>>>>>>>>>Driving,

But another dimension is time:
Driving>>>>>>>>>Train (scheduling)>>>>Cycling.

Then there’s Focus (concentration):
Cycling>>>>>>>>>Driving>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Train

Sometimes to do my job carefully and well, it becomes convenient to stay overnight, and expend less time and concentration getting home. I have the facilities to do so comfortably and I can then actually do more fun and relaxing activities at the office, including posting on Bikeforums. Despite the implication of being a "tool" as suggested above, I consider the capability and flexibility to to time-shift as a perk of the job.

Because my children are grown, and my wife works late, I don’t lose family time, but it’s unsatisfying not to ride.

I agree with you but there's also the dimension of getting work done in which train is better than bike and car, where one cannot work.

True, but I can't bring my tools (computer, etc) with me. And it's about a one-half hour train ride so i may be in the middle of something, and have to close up. It's the time pressure of having to finish up a complicated and important task that compels me to forgo catching a train or driving/cycling home. But it is satisfying to leisurely read the newspaper on the train.

Another dimension to my job is that within a great latitude i can coordinate my personal energy level with my tasks. For example I am an early riser (a "lark"), and if I stay over, I can be at my desk at 4:30 AM fresh, energetic, and uninterrupted.

Do you mean due to privacy issues with medical records. We similar issues (intellectual property and sometimes patient data) with internet connections end encrypted solid state discs.