dedicated to the promotion of urban environmentalism

What part do we all play in the BP oil disaster? A commentator last night (Chris Matthews) said something along the lines of "we even drive on the weekends, not just for work" keeping the demand for gas up. I flip it the other way, commuting to work is something we all have to do & I refuse to put myself in a position where I must drive there every day.

I just returned from Vermont... and while we did walk to dinner one night and though I saw more people on foot than in a comparable setting, it's still a car-is-king kind of place. Gorgeous. But spending so much time car-bound reminded me of my love-hate relationship with the car.

Taking it back a step, I guess I question some of the "givens" of American adulthood. High-paying job, marriage, children, home-ownership, car-ownership, endless cycles of keeping up with the latest consumer goods or fashion, etc. ... My beautiful group of academics, scientists, artists and poets have helped me take a step back and pick and choose which parts of the status quo work for me. (not to bash anyone who has made other choices.... but please, make choices, don't just go along because that's what is expected....)

And having a car is one of those givens. Currently my life would be fine without a car, or with occasional car-shares, except for the obligations or duties I have in life. Some of the volunteer work I do and my role as a daughter of an ageing parent require a car. And yes, the ability to see a few more out-of-town friends and places certainly is drawing me. But then I think of the statement made, the giving in, the not forging a better way... augh, too much responsibility for me. And in this case, the questioning of it may be the best I can personally do. Unless someone can give me the Tesla Roadster I lust after... (electric and expensive) Yet, it still feels hypocritical, like driving a Hummer with a "protect your mother earth" sticker on the back. Guess it's just facing up the reality of America in 2010. Let's keep chipping away at that though, okay? Shift that reality to a better, sustainable one.