Four Wheels Keep on Turning

Amazing news! I'm just days away from getting a car. Sorry Andy, but it won't be a Honda - however the vehicle is a good deal. Just waiting to get it checked out and make sure all is healthy. I've already named it Freddy as my last car was George.

Having my cousin Ben's car has been a reminder of how much time I save with having four wheels. Yesterday I was able to drive into San Francisco in the pouring rain and save an hour of BART commuting and then I drove to a meeting across the city. The cost savings of driving vs BARTing aren't that much different either. Using City Car Share is the most expensive option of all.

I'll be honest, I'm worried about the lifestyle change. Walking and bike riding keep me in super shape. So, the challenge will be making sure I still walk and ride as much as possible and don't become a car potato.

What Goes Around Comes Around

Well, I just got a $75 parking ticket in my neighborhood for "double parking" my cousin Ben's car. I have had it all of one hour and there goes enough money to cover my gas and electric and wireless bills for the month. I've seen cars park in this space before, but nope, it wasn't legal.

At first I was furious and said a few good f-ing words. Then I decided that the money I was going to use for an Oakland business license has just been realocated to their parking fund. That may still hold true. But now I'm seeing it differently and believe that this money is going to come back to me in some way because I'm a good person doing good work on behalf of Oakland. I'll even put out there that I see this $75 investment coming back to me in the form of a very affordable car for purchase. Not a $75 car but one that is within my budget.

I know, back and forth I go on buying a car. But it hit me over the holidays when I was sitting here in Oakland and only able to go as far as BART could take me. I need further access! I live in one of the most beautiful, if most debt-ridden states. The bike works great. City Car Share is fine for short runs. Now I'm ready for wheels - four of them.

Okay parking Karma gods - I know this is going to come back to me in good ways. Let's just say, I set this as your challenge for an opportunity.

Moving Day!

Nearly everything is packed, took me an hour. Now I'm starting to bring my stuff downstairs from my attic oasis. Next to load everything into my City Car Share truck. Then over to the new place to do a condition inspection, unload the truck and then wait for the Door to Door container delivery.

When the container arrives I'm then heading back to Alameda High Street to hire two day laborers. Stacey, my current housemate, is going with me to help with the hiring. Then back to the house to pick up a few final large items. Finally, off to the new place to unload the container. All this and then I take the truck back to Fruitvale BART, pick up Ike the Bike from Alameda Bicycle's valet parking (bike day care) and then take BART to MacArthur, my new station.

Off we go!

Test Driving

There is a hot little Mazda Miata at a used car dealership down the street from my house. Today, after renting a City Car Share vehicle, I decided to take the sexy little Miata for a spin. It was, well, OK. I felt quite contained and close to the ground. The dealer kept saying, "cute, very cute" as I asked about the high mileage and every suspiciuos sound.

I then proceeded to test drive a Saab, Saturn and Chevrolet. The grand conclusion is that I just need some cheap and cheerful. Perhaps a not-so-sexy pickup. Although, frankly, I think a woman in a pickup can be quite cute.

Four Wheeling... soon?

Now that I'm committed to staying in the Bay Area I'm starting to crave four wheels. I think that because work was my focus, two wheeling was fine because I would go into San Francisco for meetings and then back home. Now that I'm invested in staying here my life is expanding out past this back and forth commute.

Earlier this week I used City Car Share twice and unfortunately the second time my special key wouldn't work when I was leaving the Marin Headlands. This meant I was stranded for a few hours and ended up getting home at 10:30pm. The lock didn't work because of the keys getting run-over last week when I dropped them. This experience in combination with the bike fall on Monday are pointing me towards getting a car. Also, showing up at meetings all sweaty and bike-greasy.

I'm thinking a used Miata - cute an sporty! Probably some good deals out there.

Morning Bike Ride in Alameda

This morning I was up at the crack of dawn because last night I lost my keys and I had to find them. They were in my hands when I locked up my City Car Share vehicle. Then I went to Alameda Bicycle to get my tires filled. From there I cycled home from Fruitvale BART. Arriving back at the house I went to open the storage room door to park Ike the Bike for the evening...no keys! I didn't fret. What's the point. They're only keys.

As soon as I opened my eyes this morning I called Alameda Bicycle to see if they found my keys. Nope. Okay, I pulled myself out of bed, put on my sporty biking clothes (what a nice change from biking in fancy business outfits) and started retracing my route back to Fruitvale BART. I figured the keys could be anywhere along the route or even on the fender of the City Car Share vehicle - hopefully.

Just a few blocks into my ride I stopped to adjust my seat and when I looked down at the ground - there were my keys! What were they doing on this side of the road? If I hadn't stopped I certainly would not have seen them. They were run over by a car and a bit mangled but most of them still work and just one was lost in the accident. Ah yes, another lesson in not fretting and just getting on with the search.

Took advantage of the beautiful morning and did some bike riding along the beach. Alameda is so beautiful. This image got a bit weird because I moved the iPhone mid-shot. But I'm liking the effect.

Two Wheels or Four?

Perhaps I should promote myself as the "consultant on wheels" since I now show up to nearly every client meeting with bike helmet in hand and Ike the Bike at my side. This works in San Francisco. People are totally fine with me parking my bike in their offices. Sure, I sometimes show up a bit less beautiful in the hair department but always have a lovely glow in my cheeks.

I keep flirting with the idea of buying or leasing a car. As an independent consultant I believe I can write off at least a portion of my rental lease. Each time I mention going four-wheels to family and friends they say "don't do it". Interesting, they all have cars. But then they remind me that there are so many hidden costs: payments, insurance, repairs, and gas.

My concern is that I am using City Car Share more often each month and the money I'm putting into that company be paying for a lease and providing me with four wheels 24/7. Then again, I nearly always use City Car Share for business and that in itself is write-off.

Cost-benefit-analysis in process.

Rediscovering Oakland

I find it hard to believe but come July 2 I'll have been living back here in California for a year. This whole time I've been quite San Francisco focused with my social life and work. There are areas of Oakland that I haven't seen, that is until yesterday. I tootled around Piedmont Avenue and Uptown. Reminds me of what I loved most about Oakland when I lived there.

This City Car Share is good and also a bit bad. Good because it gives me wheels, bad because at this point I could probably buy a car for what I'm putting into these rentals. Should I get a car? Ike the Bike is keeping me in superb shape. I don't even get winded doing some extraordinary hills. But, as I feel more settled I am missing the freedom to travel far and wide in the Oakland flatlands and hills.

My possessions arrive from Houston next week and I'm starting to make more significant "purchases" if yard sales count as major shopping venues. Two weeks ago I bought a ceramic painted sink for some future bathroom I hope to have. Today I purchased downhill skis, boots and poles. Clearly, I'm committed to being here.

Rusty Love

Hanging out at Alameda Bicycle in Fruitvale BART waiting for my City Car Share car to show up I took a little rest in the sun and was awakened by Rusty. Nearly every day I give rusty a little hello as I either drop off my bike for valet parking or ride by on my way to the train. Pretty much he just looks at me and that's about all. This time he nudged me as I daydreamed and then snuggled up to me for a cuddle.

Mac Me

My laptop is now on its final legs. Up until about an hour ago I was 100% ready to replace it with another PC. But, after posting a question on my Facebook status - PC or Mac? I'm 90% certain I'm going to go Mac. One step further, I'm going to get a CPU and monitor instead of a Powerbook. That does sound old school but I don't take my laptop out and about with me. In fact, I'm hunched over looking at this monitor all day and typing on a mini keyboard when I could be sitting in an ergonomically correct position looking at a full size monitor.

I feel particularly green because I've reserved my City Car Share to toodle over to the Mac store and will be utilizing my student discount. How San Francisco Bay Area of me.

Did I say I'm cautious?

Rocking out on Wheels

This is a random observation I've had each time I've rented a City Car Share vehicle - I miss rock radio. Yes, I can listen at home but it just isn't the same as when you can blast your favorite tunes and sing along while driving. Actually, perhaps bringing a radio into the shower could substitute. Maybe singing while I ride my bike in the rain. Nah, blaring Peter Gabriel and bringing yourself close to tears while singing Red Rain is so much more real.

Do You Know the Way To San Jose?

Yesterday I ventured down to San Jose to meet up with Rachel-Anne Palacios and then Julie to check out the arts scene. I loved it down there and it only took 45 minutes in the snappy City Car Share Prius. These are photos from my day. Images taken with my "real" camera now that crackberry-and-blog aren't talking.

Read about my visit to the the San Jose Museum of Art Frida Kahlo exhibition with Rachel and see some photos of Rachel's work on my other blog Frida in SF.