I told you about my bum ride. I don’t know why I said it like that, but as soon as the sentence came to my mind, I had to write it. Sorry. What I mean is that I’ve been having trouble with my car. I was still driving it for a while, but then it started making weird noises, so I stopped. I’ve been walking instead.
I’m pretty lucky to live in a place that allows me to walk everywhere I need to be. School is right there, and work is a short fifteen minutes by foot. Normally, I drive when I could walk, because I’ve convinced myself that I’m too busy to take the time to get places by putting one foot in front of the other. Also, it’s hot outside, my feet hurt, I get off work late at night, and and and . . . I don’t want to hurt my Civic’s feelings!
Without all of my excuses, last week, I started to walk to work. It’s actually a walk I’ve taken many times, though not recently. In my head, the distance was longer, the sun blinding, and the weight of my back pack just too much. Not to be dramatic or anything.
The reality? It’s a short and pleasant walk. I do own sunglasses. And, thanks to the heat, I show up glowing (that’s my spin on shiny and sweaty; it’s been in the high nineties here).
But, that’s just my walk into work. The real party happens at night. It’s midnight. I’m free. I take off my fancy shoes and put on my flip flops. I put my ear buds in. And, the night is mine!
I mouth along to words, I make hand gestures, because no one is around, and even if they were, they probably couldn’t see me. Night isn’t judgmental like day, and getting caught singing along to Travis, Blue October, Aqualung . . . well, that’s a risk I’m willing to take. Last night, I had my hair down, and when I walked really fast, it was like I had a wind machine on me. Every night, I feel like I’m starring in my own music video. If I was, it would look something like this.
Walking home, well, it’s a freaking blast, and it might just be a habit I keep up even when it’s no longer necessary. Though, I should probably stop wearing all black like an assassin, unless I want to get run over. Maybe I can get a reflective vest or something. At least, that’s what a smart person would do.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I too have similar excuses for driving…I don’t know why I can’t remember that I really enjoy walking!
you are so funny Ashley! It’s great how walking can free us up to do hand gestures & such as we sing haha.
I TOTALLY feel like that when I’m walking with my music on!!!
I love to go for walks too. But since it’s midnight don’t you worry about being alone and not hearing if anyone is around? I guess considering where I work I think of all the bad crap that can happen. Not trying to ruin your walking high, but what if you only used one earbud and made sure the volume wasn’t too loud? GOD, I sound like a mother!!!
I was wondering if someone would ask that! The original ending to the post was, “Please don’t tell my parents I’m walking at midnight!” I live/work in a very safe area, and I feel completely safe. I also look around a lot, and I have my phone ready to dial. And, there are emergency call stations around since it’s a college campus watched over by a security team. Even still, it’s not the smartest thing, but I have to walk quite a ways just to get to my car, so it’s not something I can avoid completely.
That’s awesome that you can be that efficient; there’s nothing worse than living too far from work where you are limited to drive. I bet you save a good amount on gas.