Need for speed

16 05 2011

Yesterday, standing in the pouring rain, no ballads or love songs poured forth from my lips. Instead, all I could think of was, ‘I wish I had a car. I wish I still had my car. I wish I had any car. I wish I had a car.’ The rain had soaked my ballet flats, totally inappropriate footwear for the rain. My dress wasn’t soaked, but it was cold in it. I was cold, hungry, in the middle of nowhere, at a bus stop, waiting for a bus that never seemed to come. I was miserable and suddenly, doing good for the environment seemed a tad bit too much. I felt put upon and I wanted luxury. I wanted a big ass car with heated seats, and a glorious heater, which would warm my frozen feet and head. I wanted to loot from Mother Nature hundreds of metals and petroleum, so I could build myself a glorious machine which would take me from point A to point B, without any contact with the dangerous elements of Canada.

Of course, most days when the weather is cold, but acceptable, I am fine with my fate of taking the bus. Only on days when I dress inappropriately for the weather, and then get stuck in the middle of the night with no transport, do I curse the fates.

I guess environmentalism in my world only goes as far as I am comfortable and warm. :(


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Categories : Life

Car accident

15 05 2011

I was in a car accident on Friday night. They are always very horrible, although this one was very subtle. Just a little ping from the universe. I was in the car waiting on a red light to change to turn left. I was just sitting there merrily enough, looking forward to seeing THE guy again. I hadn’t seen him in two weeks, and I guess, the universe really, really didn’t want me to see him again, so BOOM! I am sitting there and a car turning right into the lane next to me, crashes into the front of my car. I am stunned for a second. I mean, absolutely stunned. I didn’t even do anything.

I was fine. I was unhurt. Suddenly, emotions came spiraling out. I was indignant. What the hell! I was looking forward to this rendezvous. I shaved my armpits and other unmentionable places for this damn date. Why did this have to happen? I roll down my window and see this random seventeen-year old with sunglasses on and a button that says, ‘Kiss me, it’s my birthday!’ walk up to me, and ask me if I am fine. I reply, yes and he wants to move the cars.

Absolutely not, I say, we have to wait for the cops to come. It is his fault and I do not want to pay for the damage from what I could see was substantial to my car. Two seconds later, a cop car that was patrolling the area, stops by my car, and asks me what’s going on. I tell him, he tells us to pull into the parking lot nearby and the investigation begins. And ends as soon as it begins. It is obvious the little one had been drinking, on top of which, he only had a learner’s permit, G1 license, on top of which, he wasn’t carrying the license on him, on top of which, he was wearing sunglasses which he said he needed for an eye condition, even at night, even during torrential rains, which were pouring on our heads. Conclusion: he was driving too fast under the influence. It was his fault and he would be charged.

The cops were really cute. So that kind of made my day. It wasn’t my fault. The insurance would pay so that made up a little bit more. I called the date, he was already out shooting pool with his friends, the minute he found out I wasn’t coming, he was off on his own adventure. How rude, and smart.

My parents weren’t very happy. It was my 4th car accident, out of which two weren’t my fault. They said, you attract the losers and the crazies. I didn’t disagree. My luck lately wasn’t really the greatest, I was hoping this was the last of the three, as the unlucky things comes in threes. Lets hope and see.


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Categories : Life, Travel

Leaving my car

8 08 2009

I am leaving my 2004 car in Canada. Before I was thinking that maybe I should sell the car before I leave – maybe make some cash on it, but I am instead just going to leave the car here – so that my sister can use it, and at least I will have a car when I come back from my trip. I still keep on calling it my trip. Its not just a trip – Its a journey – its one of the biggest, most important journeys of my life. I keep on delegating a lower status to it, but it actually deserves more.

Maybe it even deserves more planning, but I really am not even thinking about planning – I knew where I need to land, and that is all. Everything else will take care of itself, I am thinking.

I haven’t done anything of significance this weekend – I have finished reading two books of Dick Francis (amazing author – My favorite!), and I should be preparing for my trip – but I am dilly-dallying. Until I tell my work next week, that I am leaving, I dont think I will start on anything. Actually, I’m pretty sure a lot of my stuff will take place after August 31st and before September 7th, another long weekend.

I really wanted to go out dancing tonight but I dont think thats going to happen. Oh, well, I can save up some money that way, I guess.


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Categories : Travel

Long weekend update

3 08 2009

I thought I would give you an update on what I did on my long weekend. It has been pleasantly busy and I’m happy about it. Unfortunately, I did spend more money than I anticipated I would, so that sucks, but at least I had fun.

On Friday night, I picked up my sis from the airport, and we stayed up all night talking, until 3am, after which I was dead tired, and I had to sleep. I got a cool bomber jacket, and some wristlets, which was really nice.

On Saturday, I went downtown and watched a parade, which was really nice, had loads of food, which means, I had a bad weekend food-wise, which is alright, as I usually do not eat out during the week, and I am really controlled in what I eat. I wanted to go out at night, but the tickets were $50 bucks a pop, so I thought against that. I need enough money to travel in a month, I can’t be wasting it on nonsense.

On Sunday, I went to a mountain resort, and just spent all day hanging out in the sun. It was really nice. I met a few of my acquaintances, and it was great randomness, which is what I love about life.

I spent $25 on Sat, and $60 on Sunday ( had to pay my friend back for some tickets she had bought us a while ago), so all in all expensive weekend.

But I do not regret a thing, it was great. I am looking forward to today. Just going to sit and read and spend time with family.

Also, I learnt a major lesson this weekend. If your friend complains about her finances, that she can’t save any money, do not even think you should give her any advice on how she could save loads of money. Stupid me! I shouldn’t have said anything, but I did, stupidly pointing out how many hundreds a week, she spends on drinking. Eek! I know how touchy finances can be as a subject, so WHY did I even bother saying anything? She turned so prickly in a second, and she was mad. She said, I did not ask you for your help.

Okay then. That was the end of that. Now I know. If anyone asks me, from now on, how do you travel so much and how do you save so much money, I will run to the opposite corner. Why does it always have to be luck? Oh, you are so lucky, to be able to travel so much. I want to slap those people. Do you know what I have to give up, what I have to do, to save that much money? Of course you do not, so Do not assume, my parents pay for everything, and that I’m a rich spoilt daddy’s girl (so far from the truth), and do not assume, that I am just lucky. I have plans, I scrounge and save, I give up lots of things, and I do not shop or drink, which are two major drains on a girl in her twenties in the city.

In addition, I am planning to give up my car when I come back, which is going to save me loads in hassles, and loads in money. I’m going to move closer to the job that I will have, and commute by bike, walk, or bus. That is the plan. And if I need to visit my parents, I will just grab a zipcar, or I will take the bus.

I’m so looking forward to my trip, and I’m looking forward to the changes I am going to make when I come back from the journey. I know that I will be able to afford my condo, without having a car, in a snap, because my car is a major expense, no matter which way you look at it. Hallelujah for great books that open up your eyes!


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Categories : Life, Money

How to live car-less

1 08 2009

I was reading a book by Chris Balish on How to Live Well Without Owning A Car. Amazing Book! Seriously great. There are not many books that I have read, that completely change my point of view, and turn my world upside down. The last book to do that was David Suzuki’s The Sacred Balance.

I realized that I bought my car at the age of 20, without even thinking about it. It seemed almost expected, that I would buy the car. Of course, I would buy the car, I didn’t even think twice about it. How we do certain things without even thinking about it, is amazing to me. Even the most critical thinkers, I’m sure, have habits that die hard, and that they do them without even thinking, there could be another way to live.

He said, that the costs of buying a car is usually really low, compared to actualy true costs of owning a car, which is usually twice the former. I calculated the costs of me owning a car for 5 years, and I discovered that at the rate of $700 per month, which is my costs of owning the car, I have put $42000 into this car, which could totally have gone into savings or investment or trips, whatever else, except a car, which has only made me put on weight, and ruined the environment.

Eek! Just looking at that number, makes me want to slap myself. I paid $8000 for the car, which isn’t a lot, but because it was a cheap car, maintenance was really high on it, and oil changes, and insurance, which results in a really expensive car. I am going to do a true spreadsheet later, to see how much money I actually put in. I’m sure that will be a really painful process.

Just looking at one thing that I did without thinking, owning a car, I wanted to think about other things that I have done without thinking, or would have done without thinking. I came up with the following list:

1. Eat 3 meals a day ( why does it have to be 3, why not 4, or 2?)

2. Work at a 9-5 job

3. Get married and have children ( I still dont think that people really want to do this, I think, they do it because they think they must)

4. Live in one place/country/home  for the rest of your life. (Why not move around living 2 years in each place, so you can see the world and travel and be comfortable doing it?)

Thats all I came up with. If you have others, put it in the comments below. Cheerio to a life without car! When I come back from the long trip, I am definitely not buying a car. This has opened my eyes.


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Categories : Life


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