To my weary, weatherworn readers,
I have a tiny confession, well maybe it's a bit bigger than that . . . I have a pretty massive friend-crush on those of you I saw cross-country skiing to class the other day. It was bold, it was daring, it was amusing and it was sustainable. Please let me know next time you do such green, adventurous things.
Also, unsurprisingly, your skiing got me thinking about transportation. I realize mid-winter isn't the best time to lecture about taking advantage of the beautiful weather and walking whenever and wherever you can. However, winter is the perfect time for carpooling. If you live off-campus, cleaning off your car every morning is time-intensive and just plain miserable. As is finally feeling the heat warming your frozen fingers only to park in stadium lot five seconds later. If you carpool, this happens only once or twice a week! Pretty dece.
Other benefits? If you were thinking of sleeping through that 9:30 a.m., you feel too guilty when you know your friend is waiting outside for you. Also, Studebagel stops seem 10 times more legitimate.
Regardless of whether you're living off- or on-campus, carpooling also eliminates the need for standing in the cold to pump gas. Even if I'm only outside to stick the pump in my tank, it always seems 10 times colder than it actually is. Or at least I imagine it would be . . . I don't drive. Carpooling also curbs your spending habits. For instance, when you go to Target, you realize from the slightly judgmental (but loving) looks on your friends' faces that purchasing a box of 100 fruit snacks is completely unnecessary.
What could be better than these mini memory making, roadtrip-esque carpooling experiences? The only thing I can think of is TRANSPO. No cleaning off your car, minimal shivering and saving some cents for your next thrift shop sweater. Also, wouldn't it just be awesome to be on a first name basis with a TRANSPO bus driver? Charlie's my favorite.
Enough of my rant. All I ask is that you give carpooling another chance.
#carpoolingiscozy,
The GreenMan
Email your predicaments to The GreenMan at askthegreenman@gmail.com and let him answer you with a sustainable twist. The GreenMan will be here every other week to provide you with insights you never knew you were missing out on until now.
The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of The Observer.
