Last month, I started commuting a few days each week to Fairfax, a small town about 20 miles north of San Francisco. I’m working with a sustainable new media agency, and I’m happy to spend some time at their office and in the town of Fairfax–but without a car (mine is for sale!), my commute is a bit of an adventure.
By public transportation, the trip involves a brisk one-mile walk and two well-timed buses–plus many books and podcasts en route. All together it’s about 90 minutes each way. And after walking in the rain and missing the bus recently, I’m well aware that public transit is not always the easiest choice. Maps look complicated, fares get confusing, and you aren’t in complete control of your travel. Sometimes the bus is late. Sometimes you get wet.
But then I sit back in my seat as we drive through the foggy morning–and I’m reminded of all the simple benefits of transit. A dose of fresh air to start and end my workday. A peaceful morning drive over the Golden Gate Bridge. Saving money. No traffic or tolls or parking for me! Reducing our footprint. Plus small interactions with real people (riders and drivers alike!). And committing a piece of each day to reading, thinking, and watching the world go by. And all that is worth the extra effort.
What’s your favorite part of the ride?
Inspiration for February
When I’m working from home these days, I’m most often found at my desk by the windows. My workspace is slowly evolving, including functional additions like this and this. I’ve downsized my calendar from the enormous Typography Calendar by Pentagram to the wholesome illustrated calendar by Nikki McClure. It’s a good change for the new year.
My inspiration board changes with the seasons (remember it back in November?). The month of February is all about bringing love into the middle of winter–so I’m warming up and smiling with thoughts of sweet peaches and hearts and glowing suns, lots of reds and oranges. Spring will be here soon enough!