I want to ride my bicycle.

I don't know if you know this about me, but I yearn to be car-free. Maybe it's because my driving skills are under constant scrutiny (I've only driven onto a lawn once and have hit two fences-does that make me a bad driver?!) or maybe it's because I cussing hate spending money on gas. It makes my blood boil. I also hate how having a car makes me even more messy than I already am. It's another thing to clean and I don't like cleaning, therefore my car is a mess. I still haven't fully unpacked my car from Christmas break either. If there were an efficient train from Auburn (or ATL) to Charleston I would be forced to unpack! Well, I probably still wouldn't unpack the suitcase because I still haven't done that either.

Anyway, I really want to live in a city where my primary mode of transportation is the amazing bicycle. First of all I'd be in much better shape, second of all I'd be saving a TON of money. I was able to achieve this lifestyle in a somewhat limited fashion by living on Daniel Island, but Daniel Island is NOT a city and they have failed to create a good urban fabric and has very few establishments worth frequenting. I'd have been much happier living in downtown Charleston, but the bank account did not allow that and I wouldn't have had the distinct pleasure of living with Millie and Sully. I just want to be in a city with my bicycle! And I don't just want one bike, I want a whole fleet of bikes. There are just too many cool ones out there to choose only one. I could have one like this (and I'd get to build it myself, even cooler) and all of these.

So, one day when I'm rich I'll have all of these bikes and I'll travel around the world with a bike like David Byrne.

Exceptional picture of the Talking Heads frontman, no? Consequently, also a great read. Yes William, I have your copy.

All in all, I think people that ride bikes are a lot cooler than those that don't. Since I currently only ride my bike on the farm that doesn't really make me cool in my book, but I don't think I'll be cool even if I do ride my bike around my ideal city. Inevitably my klutziness will prevail and I will run into a sign/tree or car or pedestrian. Two out of the three have already happened to me, by the way. When this happens any aspirations of being "cool" will immediately be thrown out of the window and I'll just be an injured loser...much like my present state.

A video that combines bikes with my other love, beer, is seen here. Maybe my ideal city is Fort Collins? Thoughts?

Or, I could live in one of these cities.

Finally I leave you with a quote from Gang Gang: "I just can't understand them because they're speaking British." Yes, British is a foreign language. I'm sorry the film, The Queen, did not have subtitles for you.

Bye.

Fat hipsters?

Alright, day 2 of blogging. Do I really have anything to contribute to society through this? Probably not, but I'm going to do it anyway.

So, this week I decided to figure out my life but it's a little more of a daunting task then you may think. I know what I want to do, but it so happens I've chosen the wrong school to get me there. I'd transfer, but my tuition is being paid for in exchange for less than 10 hours of work a week. I'd be a cussin idiot to throw that away. Anyway, I'm trying to figure out how I can get my dream job of urban designer without really getting the requisite training. I read a lot about it and understand the basic principles for designing a good neighborhood, lot, street, etc., I just don't actually do the design part...yet. I'm still debating whether or not to pursue the dual degree in landscape architecture. The main deterrent is having to live in Auburn for an extra year and a half or God forbid, extra 2 years. The other is that I'd have to go through a bunch of b.s. I don't care about- like designing a cemetery. But, I had to learn chemistry to get my high school diploma and I REALLY don't care about that, so I guess you take the good with the bad.

If someone would like to step up and tell me what to do and why I should do that, I'd be forever grateful. I'll tell you what to do, no problem. Moving on...

Hmm, insert joke here.

Since I've decided this is going to be a blog about urbanism and living on a farm I better discuss that...I came across this article and thought it would be awesome if a developer in Charleston would do this. (Well, that link isn't working or I just don't know what I'm doing, google Vancouver 270 sq. ft. apt). I realize 270 sq. feet is extremely small, but think of how little furniture you'd need. (Not good for my mother's business though). Since I've been living on other people's furniture for about the past 5 years I don't really own anything anymore. I frequently fret over this when I imagine myself living in an apartment in some awesome downtown city somewhere. How the cuss am I going to afford to buy furniture? Well, if I only live in a 270 sq. foot an apartment I won't need much, now will I? I wouldn't be a homebody because I'd go crazy living in a glorified closet so I'd be out in my cool downtown doing stuff and meeting people. Now, this apartment would NEVER work in suburbia. In suburbia it's a pain in the ass to get anywhere so we need all of our needs met at home...i.e. home theater, home gym, home espresso machine. We don't need Main Street anymore, but we want it. The only way Main Street will stay is if we actually go there. Anyway, since I don't have internet at the farm I have to go places like coffee shops and the library to do enlightening things like write my blog. I haven't chosen one that I will go to every time. I'm still shopping around for that perfect fit. I mean, the possibilities are endless here so that may take awhile. I guess this is enough rambling for one afternoon...bye.

I wish I were here...

P.S. Have you ever seen a fat hipster?

Brave New Blogging World...

So, I've been thinking of creating a blog to chronicle my time living on a farm in Auburn while attending graduate school for community planning (and possibly landscape architecture) and here it is the end of January and am just mustering up the strength and boldness to do so! Oh, and did I mention my roommates (aside from the cows) consist of my 80 year old grandfather and 70 something grandmother?!

I have no idea where this blog will lead, if anyone cares, or if anyone will read it...BUT, it might just be the creative release I need in this land of farms, chicken fingers, and football! For those of you who know me, sharing my personal life (i.e. joys, disappointments, ANYTHING) comes as a struggle for me, so I'm going to step out of my self-made iron clad box and share my life for anyone who cares to read.

Since my passion lies in urban planning and urban design (and just urban culture in general) and I live in one of the most culture-less towns in America, I'll probably complain a lot and post things/places I wish I had or wish I could go to or do. Sorry in advance, and when I say sorry what I really mean is, I'm sorry I'm not sorry. Alright, well I've set up a task for myself with this and may or may not follow through. I don't know the proper etiquette for ending a blog, so bye.

huh?

did that first post publish? i thought this would be easy...