Downtown
In my last post, I forgot the best way to beat the heat: get the temperature to drop. I’m not sure how to do that, but apparently posting about how to beat the heat works. Since I did, it’s been 60 degrees at night and in the low eighties during the day.
Co-worker Ian and I took advantage of it ourselves this evening when we headed downtown to pick up wedding invitations from Twisted Limb. They carpool in to work, which is great because their office is pretty far out from town, so they brought our invitations in to town with them on the way back.
Ian and I walked the six blocks from there to the library and it seems like everyone else was out too. Along with the normal pedestrians, there were lots of cyclists, including some with pretty serious attachments to carry kids or stuff.
I’ve also been seeing a lot of scooters around. I get a kick out of watching them zoom past with a blank space where their license plate would be (scooters don’t need a license in IN).
The change in weather was good timing too, since my parents are coming up tomorrow. Here’s to some good weather times!
Andy said,
July 2, 2008 @ 8:08 am
Scooters are fun, except most all of them are just extraneous toys. Like the one you have pictured, looks like a Vespa, which runs for several thousand dollars. Unless someone is getting rid of a car and buying a scooter instead, it’s actually more efficient to just drive. Same goes with most motorcycles too. Spending more than $1k or so on a new vehicle will not make up for it’s value in saved gas!
My scooter was picked up from someone’s garage, and then given to me, so thankfully I didn’t pay for it. When I sold my car, I expected to be scooting everywhere, bu so far it turns out that I use it about 10 miles a week on average. I’m likely moving a little bit farther from work (about 3.5 miles instead of 1/2 mile) and there are some crazy hills, so I may be using the scooter more then, bu I’m still hoping to use the bike more than anything.
It is a bit chilly in here for once! The inside temp is still around 80 since this building holds so much heat in the walls, but at least near the window where it’s 54F outside, it seems much nicer.
Will said,
July 2, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
You got me! That picture is a stock photo, since I didn’t have my camera with me. Most of the scooters I see around are beat-up Hondas (although there’s definitely a minority of shiny Vespas). I can’t know for sure, but my impression is that most scooter-riders are students (and faculty) using them as their primary transportation. Bloomington is small enough (and bike-unfriendly enough in places) that it makes sense to quite a few people.
And now that I’ve talked about how nice it is, it’s gotten hotter! What did I ever do to you, IN? Still, we should get some rain tomorrow to cool things down again.
Jessica said,
July 2, 2008 @ 2:54 pm
I love scooters and wanted to purchase one once upon a time, but its not really a practical vehicle for my needs and location anymore. I hate that I need a car, but I certainly do in the winter. One day I won’t work so far from home and will be able to ditch the car forever! Except for in the winter time. I’m sorry, I don’t think I could bike in a Colorado winter. I know some people do. They’re better people than I.
I think in warmer climates scooters will soon be replacing cars. I certainly hope so, at least.
Melanie said,
July 2, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
Will, I thought you and Maggie would like these. They’re reusable bulk-bin bags! I have been trying to find something to use too so I was happy to see these.
Also, it looks like I don’t have your updated email? I’m still using your IU address! Can you send that to me? Thanks!