My Commute

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before... however, the wonderful city of Chicago's Transit Authority (CTA) is having financial problems. The CTA is choosing to eliminate several bus routes as a way of saving money. I am not sure how cutting off half of its riders' routes to work is going to help them, but I also cannot even begin to understand the mindset of the CTA administration. The first of the cuts is set for Nov. 4th. I read the list of bus routes being cut and noticed a few routes that I use will be effected, but in general it wont change my life much. However, if the state does not step in and assist with the budget gap before Jan. there will be more cuts. (Also, each of the cuts is said to be accompanied with a fair increase.) These Jan. cuts are the ones that will dramatically alter my life. Just about every bus route that I use regularly, including my bus route to work, is being cut. These means I need to get my behind in gear to figure out how I am going to respond. My first response to figure out what I need to do to be able to bike throughout the winter. My second response is to write to the state to urge them to step in. The elimination of about 80 bus routes and almost 2,000 jobs is going to have a hugely negative affect on the city. With a city that is top five in the United States for its traffic congestion problems, you would think that they would want to improve and help with public transportation, but it appears that is not the case.

As I mentioned before, I am looking into what I will need for winter biking. I stopped by my bike shop to have tire liners put in (my final defense against flat tires) and quizzed the boys on what I will need for winter biking. My tires are now ready to go, I had fenders put on (they were half off!) and learned how to keep my chain lubed up - to prevent freezing. I was also given a list of water proof clothing that is highly recommended. I hope to acquire these items throughout the next few months as the temperature decreases. My future roommate has said she is willing to work out scheduling issues and share use of her car, but I cannot rely on this as my only means to get to work. I also would still be able to take the train, however, this requires me to add an hour (maybe more) to my commuting time. My 20 minute bike ride is much more appealing. I know this will not be good news for some of you, I am sorry for the increased worry. I am not sure though, if the CTA fairs increase to possibly $3+ a ride, if I will be able to afford to use public transportation as often as I do currently.

Not my favorite day...

My delightful little man is teething. He also has a slight runny nose. This combination makes the little man a little less delightful to be around. I don't personally blame him for the frustration that arises from all of this, however (today especially) I am finding it difficult to find the inner peace that would make me more patient with him. I think I could handle the clingy behavior more if he took his usual two hours naps and I could have time to myself. I just want to eat lunch... in peace.

The concept of glass...

It appears to me that at the ripe age of eight months my little H man still does not quite grasp the concept of glass. He understands that he cannot go through it, but today when we were watching his father pressure wash the back deck through the sliding glass doors he was not as confident of the glass's ability to keep objects (or water) on the other side. The normally pleasant little one was still groggy from his nap when his father splashed the window with the hose. H completely flipped out. When his dad stopped laughing long enough to open the door to try and apologize, H would not even look at him. Sadly I was not much of a comfort because I too was laughing. Normally H loves being startled. He is at the age where peek-a-boo is the best game ever and being tossed in the air is cause for a riot of giggles. However, having water sprayed at you with only this magical see-through substance to protect you, that is not funny.

Where did Autumn go?

So, this past weekend I had to use my AC. It was in the 90s and I felt as though I was reliving July and August at their worst. Wednesday changed all of that. Now it is in the 50s! Yesterday I biked to work so I didn't think about wearing a coat during the day. (I have warm biking clothing!) But today I took the bus and nearly froze waiting at the bus stop. I tore apart my closet looking for the box that had my winter stuff. However, I still forgot to grab mittens. Weather is not suppose to behave like this. People like me need gradual descents into the despairing coldness of winter. We need moments where we are toasty in our warm sweaters as the sunlight glints through the golden fall leaves. These horrid, cold gushing winds occasionally peppered with icy cold rain are much more readily accepted later in the actual winter season. I know, I know. I live in Chicago. I am prepared for the awful coldness that is our winters - when it is actually winter!

On a side note: I was riding home in those horrid cold rain splattered winds last night when I got ANOTHER flat. I was too far from home to walk, so I took the bus. I am horribly disappointed in my new bike wheels. My bike shop boys will be getting another visit from me today after work. I am not really happy with the whole situation, but I will try to make the best of it. At least my bike shop boys are really nice and really, really helpful.

Highlight of my day...

Today, my lovely charge H and I had about a ten minute conversation consisting of raspberry sounds. Once and a while he would have to lick me, because everything has to be licked.

It's been busy.

My employers have moved into a new house. I love the area and the house.

Also, I got three flat tires in the past two weeks and decided to invest in the flat resistant tires. So far so good. The boys at the bike shop near me were starting to know me by name, so I had to take care of that problem. I also found out that my future roommate has all the stuff for changing tires, so I don't need to run out and by any of that stuff. I am looking forward to her moving in, so that we can go on biking adventures together.