Another way to use the car....

On the rare occasion that I am chauffeured around, I take the opportunity to utilize the time. A couple of weeks ago, I was driven to the airport in the early morning. I decided to take my make up with me and do in the car. I was amazed at how well I did in a moving car. By the time I got to the airport, I was ready to go.

So I tried it again yesterday, and sure enough, I am happy to report it was a success. The one thing I did differently was that I didn't use eye liner, as that was the more difficult thing to accomplish.

The other night as well, I met a friend in San Francisco and we were going to go out. She was needed more time before she was ready to get picked up, so I parked and applied my evening makeup in the dark car. After I applied the makeup, I decided to go check out my work in a bathroom. Again, to my amazement, I did a pretty good job!

Practice does make perfect.

I found the key to commuting to work. Leave before the traffic starts and leave work late after the traffic has died down. The downside- long working hours. The upside- you impress your boss.

So I left home before the sun rose this morning and found that I saved 15 minutes on my commute and it was much smoother than leaving at my normal time. It’s before kids are dropped off at school. Many are still sleeping. I was very happy with the time this morning.

Then, I left work after the sun went down. Again, smooth traffic. I did experience one guy who decided to tailgate me. But I made it home in good time.

So, the key …work a 12 hour day!

Silance s'il vous plaît

I’m not sure if it was the rain pouring down or that I have a lot going on, but I drove all day today with the radio off. I found it very peaceful and relaxing. It gave me the time to think about a lot of different things that are going on right now between a busy work life, a busy school life and trying to have a social life.

It seems I never have time to reflect anymore and I am always on the go, thinking about the next thing I need to do. So today, I took a deep breath and reflected.

With that reflection, I gained clarity around some personal things going on. I was able to get out of work mode and focus on the here and now (or at least what I was going to).

Reflection is such an important thing and I find myself with less time to do so. So I was glad I took the time today to breath.

When do you have time to reflect?

A skill

As I was running to class tonight up a hill in heels, I realized I must have a skill most of the population doesn’t. The ability to run on my tippy toes!

I was thinking…. men could NEVER do this. Running on their tippy toes, Ha! I would actually like to see it.

Then there are women who don’t wear heels. So they don’t have the practice to pull it off.

Thinking about it more, I am part of a small population that can RUN in HEELs! I became very proud of myself.

** Do not attempt at home, as injuries may occur**

Tool kit for a Commuter

· Water
· Snacks
· Napkins
· Caffeine
· Gum
· Maps
· GPS
· Phone
· Change of clothes
· Flats
· Extra jacket
· Make-up
· And a positive attitude!

Wash me.....please?

So my car is getting pretty dirty! Rain, Rain where are you? I’ve been hoping it rains soon so I don’t have to go to the car wash. Is that bad?

Luckily I am able to clean the junk out of the inside when I fill up on gas. So surprisingly the inside of my car is pretty clean. I could use a good vacuum but who couldn’t? The trunk on the other hand…. I have a broken printer and broken laptop back there. I’m not real sure what to do with those. Do people recycle them? I think I also have some of my drink mixers in there from when I moved. I should really clean the back out…one day. =)

I wish I had some kid to pay to wash my car for me…. Or I wish my company had a car wash service that washes and details are cars as we are working. Wouldn’t that be cool?

The small joys

So I was driving home last night and found a fun spot on the freeway. It’s on 880 as you are about to hit downtown. It’s a spot where there are these waves in the pavement. If you are going 60-75 in the fast lane, it’s kinda like a rollercoaster. GIRLS be warned-you may need a sports bar. The experience only lasts about 30 seconds, but it’s a fun 30 seconds.

I know of one other spot in the bay similar to this one. It’s on 92 coming from 280 heading towards Hayward. It’s again in the fast lane right before you are on the overpass of 101.

I think the reason I enjoy this is because on a trip to Nebraska when I was just learning to drive, my dad showed me “the dip”. It’s a dip in the road on one of the side streets in a small town. I guess when he lived there, it was the FUN thing to do on a Friday night. I remember it was the highlight of the trip for my brother. Around and around we went to ride “the dip”.

It’s all about the small joys in life. Ride the rollercoaster of life!

Entertainment Value

So in order to commute 12-18 hours a week (328.4 miles a week, yes I calculated it), you have to be able to do two things.

First and foremost, you need to have the ability to be alone. Commuting is a solitude experience. You are ONE with your car. I sometimes am envious of carpoolers and daydream about what it would be like, but at the end of the day I think I prefer to commute alone. Mainly because I can come and go as I please and I don’t have to worry about the other person’s schedule. Also, because in the morning, the last thing I want to do is talk! Maybe that is the introverted side of me. I also think I enjoy commuting alone because it allows me time to reflect on the day, make plans for the week, weekend, and month. Hence, some of you might get calls with long voicemails between the hours of 5-6:30 pm. It’s also time I use to work out a problems I have or think through a situation to ensure I don’t over react or plan something nice for someone (although, I’ve been having more ideas then I have time for).

Secondly, in order to be a commuter you have to be able to entertain yourself. Yes, I mean even laugh at yourself. I entertain myself in many ways. The radio is an obvious one. I listen to the radio and depend on the radio a lot! Talk radio shows irritate me, so I am continually looking for stations with music. (CD’s are not an option since my infamous Reno trip in 2004 in which my CD play stopped working). I could use my IPOD, but dealing with the devices to have it work is more trouble than it’s worth. So the radio is my best friend during these hours.

The radio provides me a platform to practice my vocal talent, or lack there of. I defiantly enjoy singing along to all the stations, from rap to light rock less talk, depending on my mood of course. Some days I long to hear Ludicrous “Move Bitch”, others I want to hear “Real Love” by Mary J Bliege. I also start hearing songs over and over again and begin to analyze them and deduce the meaning of them. I do this without as second nature. One song that caused debate was Neo’s, Kayne and Kerri Hilson song about “love knocks you down”. Are they singing about when Love is good and you get knock down by it or when it’s bad and you get knock down? I’m still wondering….

I also like to dance and wiggle to songs. Currently, the song “Throw it in the bag” by someone has me ready to break out my dancing heels and show my stuff. But usually any reggae, Biggie, or club mixes get me wishing I was on a dance floor. I know you have all seen people jamming to their own beat in their car. That’s ME! I use to care about people seeing me, but not any more. I’m having fun and that is all that matters.

I often remember things that happen or stupid things I have done and start laughing to myself. If someone was sitting next to me, they might think I was a little crazy. But life is funny and you have to sit back at laugh at yourself and things that happen.

How do you guys pass the time in your commute?

Pet Peeves

1. I hate slow people
2. People who turn from the middle of the lane
3. People who ride their breaks
4. Prius drivers in the fast lane
5. Motorcycles between lanes
6. People who cut me off
7. People who stop in the middle of the lane to park
8. Tailgaters who tailgate ME
9. Cops hiding under underpasses
10. Rubbernecks who slow for accidents

God Bless

On the corner of Market and Octavia on ramp, I have noticed there is a homeless man who is standing asking for hand outs. The first time I noticed him; I passed him and then thought to myself that I should give him some food the next time I pass him.

I keep snacks in my car due to my long commutes and I could spare a bag of chips or a granola bar to help this guy out. The next time I saw him, I was in my own thoughts and forgot to get ready for him, then the traffic was flowing the following time, and I was unable to stop to give him anything.

I had success tonight. I have a bag of triscuits handy. I rolled down the window and asked he if would like them. He was utterly grateful. He blessed me about five times. He even thanked me for my smile.

It was a good way to end my day!

The streeses of parking

Parking is a big worry for me as I am traveling to school. I never know how fast I am going to get a spot, how far I am going to walk or if I will be late for class. It’s the most stressful part of my drive. I think that it is part of the reason I get less patient with the other cars on the road. If only they would hurry, so that I can get a close parking spot to class.

So, if all else fails, I park about two blocks away and walk to class. It’s not a far walk by any means, but it’s not the safest location. I feel like I should carry mace or a weapon some nights, especially as I walk to my car from class.

I’m usually fine walking in San Francisco, because I definitely have learned to express “the bitch” face so that no one with bothers me. I pretend to look pissed off, or irritated and it seems to work. I don’t get bothered. Oh, I also NEVER make eye contact with anyone. Although this face works most of the time, I still get scared walking to my car after class.

I’ve always been kinda scared just because two blocks in the dark, with no one around in the fog set the scene of a scary movie. I can’t help but let my mind go there. Part of the reason I stress about it on the drive up is because I want to get the closest parking possible so I don’t have to worry about walking to my car later in the night.

I am kind of mad at myself for thinking like this because my parents raised me to be independent and self sufficient. To know that I could get scared pisses me off. So I stand tall and put on my bitchyest face as I walk to my car.

Then I was checking my school email yesterday, there was an email about a girl who got attacked near where I park around the time that I usually get out of class. Needless to say, that stupid email scared me more.

Do you guys get scared ever? If so, what do you do?

Who's got GAS?

So tonight I was on the verge of empty once again as I hurried home from Class. My internal debate is always: Do I get gas tonight or wait until morning? It is THE toughest question of the day, by far. I started debating with myself in Oakland. Sometimes it gets to the point of: should I exit now to get gas because I am TOO low?

One of my scary adventures was a gas deprived night driving thru Oakland. I NEEDED gas ASAP. For whatever reason I had failed to look at the gas tank all day. So I exited somewhere off 880. No lights, no cars, strange people. I was supper scared, but I needed gas or else I wouldn’t make it home. This was one of the few nights I just put enough in to get home and scadadled out of there!

So tonight I was plagued with the same choice all over again. I calculated that I can MOST likely make it to Hayward. My car was chug chugging as I exited. But yet I still debated with myself.
Pro for getting gas at tonight is that it is over and done with and tomorrow is a fresh new day without a worry for the day before.

Con for getting gas at tonight: 1. It’s scary. 2. It takes away from resting, either sleeping that extra 5 minutes or just relaxing from the day. 3. I’ve just been in the car for 1 hour and to delay that more is painful!

Pros for getting gas in the morning: IT’s NOT NOW! =)

Cons for getting gas in the morning, I ALWAYS forget about it and end up running late to work.

So, my big decision tonight was to get gas before I got home so that I would have to worry about it in the morning because tomorrow morning I am going to go to the gym for the first time ever BEFORE work to see if that works with my craz-ah schedule.

Shoe shopping after work

Passing by shopping centers on my commute is just a BIG FAT tease! Every day! You start to convince yourself that you NEED those new pair of shoes or some cosmetic something or other.

So much so, that I ending up going to DSW the only day after work. I wear black heels a lot to work and seem to break them just as easy. About two months ago my basic black ones came apart and the heel no longer was attached to the sole. The peep toe ones I have been wearing since were causing me to walk funny until I realized that the spine of the shoe has snapped. Heels were not meant for walking I guess! SOOOO, That was my excuse for buying new ones.

Yes, I have shoes I could wear in the place of my black ones, BUT they just do not always go with the outfit or they are too flashy for work. Therefore, DSW was calling my name and I finally gave in.

These are the ones I bought….. http://www.dsw.com/dsw_shoes/catalog/product.jsp?index=325&category=cat20006&prodId=138101&brand=

Mindless driving

So as I was driving home the other day and I was thinking I should bring donuts into work one day. I was thinking donuts because my desk is known for having goodies, usually chocolate or snacky food. The chocolate bowl goes quick and it’s almost a part time job to keep it filled. So I was thinking that donuts would spice things up and give people something to look forward to and brighten their day. Plus, I got a request from one of my managers to bring in donuts (jokingly).

As I am driving past Union Landing and thinking about Krispy Kreme and how I should go there in the morning before work to pick up a box of assorted donuts, I find myself exiting to actually GOING to Krispy Kreme. I was so caught up in the plan and execution of getting donuts, I found myself mindlessly driving there.

Needless to say, as soon I exited I was mad at myself because that meant I had to take the back roads home, which made the commute longer.

The funny thing is that I was too tired the next morning to wake up an extra ten minutes to get the donuts, so all that thinking and extra driving went unappreciated… Well, that is until I bring in donuts one day soon. =)

Bleeding $$

So this weekend I was bleeding money. And guess what? Yup, you’ve guessed it. It was on my car.

The story starts with a slow leak about a month ago. I went to my usual spot...Pep Boys (where apparently I am on a first name/car recognition bases with a few of the technicians. How you ask? Who knows? ) and they fixed my front drivers side tire. A week later I had to return to Pep Boys because the leak was not completely fixed. A month later my tire still has a leak.
As I put air in the tire on Friday, I realize that my tires are balding and I decide to get new front tires. My fear is that my tire will blow on the freeway as I am driving on my commute around the bay. Since time is precious and I am commuting in locations that are not near my home, the choice was easy for me.

So first thing on Saturday morning, off to Good Year I went. Again you guessed it. I spent more than just on tires. I list is too long to list, but it was a substantial fix. Luckily, they fixed my car within the day. Deflated, I paid the bill; happy to have my car in sound condition.

This is another price I pay for being on the road at least 15 hours a week. For most this is a part time job, for me…life.

As I was driving today, I started to car shop. I seem to like a lot of cars these days. Most out of my price range, of course.

What should I look for in my next car? Style, gas-mileage, reliability, SPEED =), or comfort?

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Have you noticed in the business world that saying “Happy Friday” is almost like saying Merry Christmas? People get happy, their faces light up, they add a skip and a jump to their step. It’s really the new holiday eve for the weekend.

The celebration starts on Thursday afternoons when you can hear statements like “It’s almost Friday!”, “Doing anything fun this weekend?” and “I can’t wait until Friday”. Are people so happy because they are over worked and need the weekend to recharge? I think so. As companies have reductions and force their staff to take on the extra workload, many workers look forward to the weekend to get a break to recharge.

The 20 something’s even take this new holiday to the next step and go out on Thursday nights for Happy Hour to celebrate the coming weekend.

I personally am big supporter of spreading the “Happy Friday” love to those I see. This is because I love celebrating, whether it is a birthday, a holiday, someone’s promotion or even to celebrate the weekend. Sooo…

HAPPY FRIDAY EVERYONE!!

What is it about Milpitas?

What is it about Milpitas? I swear this place causes the most irritation for me in my commute. When I was commuting from San Jose, Milpitas was the city where I ALWAYS hit stop and go traffic. Now commuting to Sunnyvale, Milpitas is still a major road block. It adds the most about of time to and from work.

I’ve noticed that Tuesdays and Thursdays are the most congested days of the week for Highway 237. Why is that? Is there some party or event that I didn’t get the memo for? If so, can someone forward that to me so I can avoid it in my commute?

And have your SMELLED Milpitas? YUCK. Those that haven’t be grateful! Very Grateful! I know it use to be a landfill, but I think the city council should invest in some air fresheners, like a city wide Fabreeze. I like the smell of Fabreeze. =)

At least I can say I don’t live in Milpitas…sorry to those of you that do. I still love you.

Do you have any horror stories about Milpitas?

Will I always be a commuter?

I started this week wondering if I will always be a commuter. I think the answer is, unfortunately, yes. This is the price I pay for living near friends and family.

Over the four plus years for commuting to and from work, I realized that an hour in the car at a given time is bearable. Anything over an hour is utterly painful. I start getting antsy, irritated and begin signs of road rage. None of which are good. I realized that I use a little more profanity (which I never use in my normal language) very frequently if I've been in the car for at least an hour. I started to count how many times I say or think "JEEZ" when dealing with other commuters. It's A LOT!

I think my biggest pet peeve is those that are SLOW. I CANNOT stand slow people. They just need to get out of the way and let us that have somewhere to be pass. I would be more tolerable of these slow people if I had all the time in the world, but the fact is I am on a time schedule and they are my obstacle.

So if I know or think I will be a commuter for a long while, does that mean I need to be more patient with other drivers?