please mark me down for my efforts to be eco-friendly
Monday, March 1 
I get this weird 7th-grade flashback thing whenever I stop at crosswalks: I'm pretty sure that everyone in cars is staring at me, and they know that I'm odd and neither of us is sure what to do about it.Bozeman is one of those little mountain towns where it’s common to see people getting around my bike or foot. I always admire them, then scold myself for not walking or biking to work more. Problem is, I’m pretty good at telling myself to piss off. Lazy wins again.
It took gas reaching $4/gallon a few years ago before I started thinking “carpool” when figuring out how to afford the boys’ soccer tournaments in places like Butte, Billings, Helena and Missoula — all three to six hours away, roundtrip. (First comes lazy, then comes cheap.)
I know carpooling is the environmental thing to do, especially in a big state like Montana where covering long distances for kids’ sports is a given, but there’s always a BUT. But, but, what if I want coffee and the other person driving doesn’t want to stop? What if I’m forced to make small talk for hours on end with a stranger? It’s not like we’re in airplane seats where I can put on headphones to let them know that I’M JUST NOT INTO VISITING TODAY, THANKS. What if I’m gassy from road food and feel like I can’t stink up their cushions and have to clench my buns for 300 miles?
Are we not talking about loss of freedom here?
Or what if we’re seemingly hitting it off and I’m trying too hard to be funny like I sometimes do and then before I know it I say ball sack or nards and things get all quiet?
Then I start filling the silence by talking too loud: “Count yourself lucky having a daughter. Hanging out with teenage boys all the time really messes with a person…”
*Awkward*
Anyway, all this eco-whining is to say I’m actually changing things up here. Soccer season is approaching, and I’m going to carpool some. (But maybe only with my mom-friend Becky because I totally know I can say ball sack, demand a coffee stop or fart in her cushions in front of our boys and she’ll still think I’m awesome.)
Also, I’d like to announce that for the third week in a row, I’ve been walking to work once a week. A friend who blogs over at bike-bliss has inspired me to start where I am and do what I’m willing to do. It’s about a 40-minute walk from my home to work each way. Despite the fact that I often use my lunch breaks to drive to workouts, my first one-hour-twenty-minute walk left me stiff and sore the next day. I’m now humbled to admit that walking isn’t just for retired women in velour jumpsuits with killer arm swings. Also, I’m excited to figure out how my 20-miles-a-month gas savings adds up both in dollars and emissions. (I know…Making a big deal about hoofing it five miles a week is a little eco-lame. I’m sorry.)
As long as I’m making a big deal over not much, here’s how my walk looks:
Death ice, right outside my subdivision. Do I get extra credit for this?
Cutting through the Montana State University campus. I like to jump in the crowds of students walking between classes like I'm supposed to be there, then look at the guys to see if they're buying it.
Snow-path through student housing...
The suckiest part of my walk is the last stretch. No sidewalk, just mud or ice and oncoming traffic. I think this pretty much makes me an eco-warrior.
I've read that saying sassy things about your place of employment can get you fired. So I don't.
I figure the benefits of walking to work could be measured several ways: In caloric burn and increased fitness; money savings, or lessened global emissions. But honestly, the reason I think this habit will stick is something else entirely. When I get to work, I’ve noticed that no one secretly annoys me. When I arrive home at the end of the day after walking from work, I’m not crabby. If that’s not making the world a better place, then I give up.
Reader Comments (6)
You are making the world a better place, farts and all! Here's to reducing emissions!
It is not reducing emmissions if you fart anyway, Now you make me feel bad not walking to work. I have 3 blocks to walk. or 4 . I think I will again when I get over being sick. Nice pics and you go girl.
I'm very impressed that you walk to work. Especially in the dead of winter. Nice pics too.
I actually miss being able to walk to work. There are a lot of benefits so enjoy it!
Oooh, we're having a spell of nearly 50 degree weather this week! I could dust off the bike instead of walking...
Excellent. I used to walk to work every day in Prague--about 20 minutes each way. It really was the best possible way to start and end a day. I have used Livingston's utter lack of walk-friendly sidewalks as my excuse, but that last stretch you walk should make me reconsider it.
That last stretch of your walk surely competes with the death ice for your eco-kudos. You are very brave to attempt that section what with all the sucky drivers here.