why? and oh well...

So my car broke down yesterday. For the first time in the 7 years that I've owned it! I kept trying to feel stressed and overwhelmed after it happened, but I just kept realizing that I can handle it and it isn't really all that bad.

My first reaction was to consider buying a new car. Then I realized that 1) I don't have the credit for such a purchase and 2) my car isn't THAT broken down. I'm no grease monkey gear head, so I'm not going to go into details about what happened. We WILL say that I feel extraordinarily grateful for where I am in life right now that I was able to handle the situation with such ease.

I was in Germantown, about 2 miles from my apartment, and due to be at work in 30 minutes (about 7 miles from work, and 2 miles from any recognizable bus system that I'm familiar with.) Fortunately I was going to carpool with my good friend Marcy Rae, who lived about 3 minutes from where I found myself. So I was able to just call her and ask her to pick me up at my break-down locale, instead of at my apartment.

That being said, it isn't like this a concern, however I just am refusing to let it get me down. Being as how I had the wonderful pressure to take a Political Science class this semester titled, "The Politics of Oil", I'm suddenly learning the true effects of energy-dependance, and the entitled attitude of Americans in owning cars, and shunning alternative transportation as something for poor people. I'm not saying that's how I feel, I'm just saying that's the general consensus. But I definitely do feel like my freedom and mobility has been hampered, not having my car. So I'm welcoming the challenge of overcoming that feeling, and reclaiming the cheap mobility I had when I was at the University of Washington, and utterly car-less. Guess what? I was able to buy groceries, visit friends and family, and get all over town with no car. I can do it again. And our energy resources (or lack thereof) and the earth will thank me for it. Right?

That being said, I'm totally going to the mechanic, about 2 blocks from the breakdown, to try to get it fixed today, even though I can't really afford to. Hmph.

It is probably more out of concern for my poor car's well being, considering that it is in Germantown as it is anything else.  I'm worried about it!

Fall has finally hit Louisville, and I couldn't be happier.

What's that? What am I reading right now? Oh, I'm glad you asked! I gave up on the slightly too technical writing of Paul Farmer, in his "Infections and Inequalities", and am now reading Tracy Kidder's book ABOUT Paul Farmer, which is much more accesible.            

                                        Mountains Beyond Mountains

If you want to read a book about someone who actually gives a damn about the well being of others, and has dedicated his life to pursuing that concern, then read this book. It will give you a little more faith in humanity. It is easy to read, and Tracy Kidder has a very sympathetic eye and hand.

Ok. I have a French exam today on the passe compose, the imparfait, and the plus-que-parfait, all of which I'm still a little fuzzy on, and all of which I have studiously ignored all weekend. And all Monday morning so far.  Time to get crackin'.