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July 11, 2006
Dump! 
I've had a good run of days lately. I've been bicycle commuting every day, and it's getting better. Really.
All the hills this morning: I never sank beneath 10mph. The Hawthorne Bridge, also never below 10mph. May I just say I rock? So maybe things are getting better.
I got asked this morning if my bike was an electric bike. People ask this because it says Electra on it -- the manufacturer of the bike. This morning, it was early on in the ride and I was not wearing my fat-slow-person chip, and so I was able to chat amiably about no, it's not an electric bike.
But there are times, too many times, where I get that question after I've been riding hard for 40 minutes and I'm running late, I'm trying not to pant because there are other cyclists there, and I get stopped at a light, and someone will ask. The fat-slow chip is big and mean and easily offended, because of course, this is all about me.
If nothing else, if I get another bike that isn't an electra, perhaps I won't be getting that question any longer.
...
I did go and look at the next-in-the-running bicycle over the weekend. I had a bit of sticker shock -- the bike was almost a thousand bucks, which was a quite a bit more than I had been planning to spend. It was a nice bike to be sure, and it rode well, but it seemed oddly compromised between the straight up style of the Townie, and the more aggressive bent-over roadie style.
....
I have been going through lots of stuff at the house. We did two dump runs over the weekend! Talk about invigorating! I love going to the dump, and I especially love hurling things off the truck. It's brilliant!
There is part of me who just wants to get stuff out of the house as soon as possible, and another part of me that thinks: Vj, you could sell those books, you could sell those CDs, you could consign that furniture. I'm caught between my old self, who would be looking to squeeze every penny out of this stuff, and my new self who just needs it gone NOW before I can change my mind.
Posted at July 11, 2006
Comments
I love throwing things away... I hate clutter.
Posted by: Christine at July 11, 2006 5:05 PM
Wow, good for you for the bike commute! I wish I could do that (I also wish I didn't hate my bike but that's angst for another day). My next one WILL totally be electric and you can all point and laugh if you like.
I hear you about the purging of *stuff* - sometimes I just have to get rid. And if I think I'm going to sell it, it usually sits around in a pile for a few months till I give it away anyway.
Posted by: Lara at July 11, 2006 6:47 PM
I let it go. I usually donate to the VVA, which is a good cause. I feel good that I've gotten a double blessing - my house is neater and I've helped someone else.
Posted by: neca at July 12, 2006 8:03 AM
You just need a big sticker that says something witty to cover up the "Electra!" logo.
Microcosm has bike stickers: http://www.microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/stickers/ (scroll down for designs)
Posted by: Becky at July 12, 2006 11:45 AM
I am so with you on just getting rid of the "stuff." I have a friend who sells *everything* on ebay and constantly remarks on how much money I could make if I would just make the effort to sell the stuff. The fact is, selling the stuff is just another job - it takes time and effort that I'm not willing to invest.
Oh, and I always call my chip the "you're an idiot" chip. LOL!
Posted by: Rose at July 13, 2006 6:01 PM
Ohhh I love that too. I haven't done it for a while, but once I rented a dumpster and had it emptied twice.
Hey, I'm Portland bound - should be in town around Wednesday or so.
Posted by: Misty at July 14, 2006 9:32 AM
Oh man, that is so like me. I have all this stuff I put in boxes to dump, and then I find myself picking through it and pulling stuff out. Gotta get it boxed up and out quickly before I can change my mind. I think Flylady says that.
Posted by: Jon in Michigan at July 15, 2006 8:34 PM
Wait, you were going UPhill at 10 mph? You're not slow from my perspective. You'd pass me going uphill for sure.
Posted by: Fran at July 18, 2006 9:00 AM