The day started with hanging the clothes out to dry and a pre-noon meet up with a neighbor at the MoJoe Lounge in German Village. It was close enough to lunch time so we ordered something to eat and caught up with the neighborhood gossip.
From there it was to Pistachia Vera for some delightful treats and a quick chat with Ann while we enjoyed the new sidewalk seating. Home via City Park and Schiller Park, the clothes were dry by the time I got back.
Later in the afternoon it was the #8 that whisked me downtown en-route to the Columbus Social Media Cafe held, this month at TechColumbus. I transfered to the #2 and again to the #84 on 15th and High. On the 84 bus I ran into Jennifer who was also on her way to CSMC. She and I had an impromptu conversation with a couple other passengers about the noticeable increase in transit ridership.
Familiar friends and new faces joined us for another great evening as we continue to mould and define the role that the Columbus Social Media Cafe will serve. Visitors to this weekend’s ComFest will be able to meet a handful of the SCMC participants at the New Media Pavilion (the Goodale Park shelter-house) throughout the event.
Following the meeting it was off to High Street on the back of a buddy’s motorcycle. While the #8 came by just moments later, I decided to walk a bit and take in the sights of what seemed to be unusually active High Street, at least for a Tuesday night.
At Price and High I ran into David of DoMedia. The entire front of his office opens to the street. He and some friends were enjoying some beer and talking to a woman who had excused herself from a bad blind date at the Rossi. There was an Edward Hopper feeling about this.
I passed more cupcakes, albeit paper mache cupcakes at On Paper. Some of you may know that I’m on a cupcake strike – a little more than three months into it and I’m working tirelessly to resolve it. Ironically, Jennifer brought home-made cupcakes to the Columbus Social Media Cafe this evening and I had to politely pass the box to Suzanne.
Further south I ran into my neighbor Joe who was having a smoke between drinks at Lemon Grass. He and I chatted a bit while the #2 approached. I excused myself, boarded the bus and was off to Broad Street where I caught the #16. The beautiful evening necessitated staying out even longer, so I jumped off at Sycamore and stopped in to Cup O’Joe for a decaf and a walk home through Schiller Park.
Along my street I ran into a couple of neighbors and Pete, the bartender at Easy Street on Thurman.
And this is what I love about Columbus – the ability to head out for a walk and know that you’ll run into people that you know on any given night of the week, on virtually any street – even in the most obscure settings.
Oh how I envy your dedication to alternative transportation.
I am ashamed to admit that I do not have the patience for using the bus.
Not to mention, my issues with control also impairs my ability to utilize the bus.
This does not mean I am not a fan of mass transit, though. I definitely support light rail and a streetcar for Columbus.
I hate cars. I hate depending on my car. I like my bike … but it rarely ever gets used these days.
I want to live how they live in Europe. Everything is within walking, biking and scootering distance. You live where you work. You work where you play. Simple. Beautiful.
Great post Jeff…full of life and activity!
Having lived and worked in Europe, I’ll agree that there’s a uniqueness to the way of life there – but it’s changing for them as well. The romantic picture post-cards, which we all love, are just snapshots in time.
It is possible to live a simple, beautiful life, even here in Columbus – and I’d go so far as to say that it’s easier here than it is in most American cities. That being said, it takes a bit more planning but it is possible.
First and foremost is choosing the right place to live – a place near the things you need most. Use a grocery store as your bellwether – if there’s a sidewalk and you can walk to it, then you’re probably in the right place. After all, all hell can break loose but if you can walk to the grocery, you’ve won half the battle.
As for alternative transportation – it requires a shift in thinking, a conscious shift for the first couple of months, after which it becomes second nature. Scooters, bikes and buses can get you just about anyplace in Columbus during the three seasons. And with global warming, there’s now less snow during the winter- at least for now.
If you can shift the “patience for using the bus” into one of two things, you’ll be successful. That time can be spent productively – using your Blackberry to Tweet, surf, e-mail, FaceBook and even approve blog posts in complete comfort. Or use the time for complete self-indulgence – bring books, magazines and your iPod and an hour ride is all about you, baby.
If, in July, you’ll commit to two days a week not using your car, I’ll buy your COTA pass for you. I’ll help you plan your routes, ride along with you a time or two and we’ll have fun doing it. I want to read about Ashley’s COTA Challenge on Hazy Stars.
That’s a fantastic idea Jeff, you’re really stepping up to train some bus riders
Personally I’d say Columbus is already a 4 season two-wheel capable town but I’m a little more rough and ready than some (aka crazy). Even though I know Ashley’s place of work has moved I agree with Jeff that it is more about the mental shift than the physical limitations.
Good luck to both of you on this adventure!
It definitely requires a shift in thinking, but many of my friends are finding that it’s a welcome one once they take the leap. It’s a great time to veg out with your iPod and decompress. Many of my coworkers are also finding that they can spend 1/2 hour on the COTA Express to the ‘burbs and push emails around to everyone from their Blackberry. Turns the commute from frustrating to productive.