The Best Life Money Can't Buy

By Andy Deerling


Read it. Go to the local library and get a copy. It's a page turner and it's all about learning how to focus in on what makes you happy, and filtering that out from what other people may think or expect you to be happy. But it's not written in a pretentious, nose up high in the air, sort of way. It's written through the tales of life of Andy Deerling who shares the journey he began at about age 15 to really focus on what will make him happy.

http://www.amazon.com/Best-Life-Money-Cant-Buy/dp/0595454097

Job Hunting

I am applying for a few jobs where local travel is required. This is where I will have to make my case for the convenience of public transportation, riding a bike, and using city carshare.

I am committed to this endeavor of being carless for as long as I can. Wish me luck!

don't let this be you!

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/SaveonaCar/TheRealReasonYoureBroke.aspx

I have a bike again

This past May 17, 2010 Tyler and I rode tandem (me on the back bike rack) in misty weather through North Berkeley where my next bike was waiting patiently for me.

It was love at first sight on craigslist. It was grey, Gary Fisher made, with nubby tires and shocks on the front. I sent pics to my other love, Tyler, and he agreed a meeting needed to happen asap. He arranged it the very next day in fact!

So we trekked up a few hills, and passed the lovely gardens and trees of suburban North Berkeley. Quite lovely.

We met Kelly, who set me up with a nice seat for the bike, adjusted it to fit my long legs and arms and took off the peddle grippers. Tyler payed the green bills for my bike. I guess he felt guilty about not being 'ready' to celebrate our 2 year anniversary the day before. I gladly accepted the gift from the man who inspired my carless decision and has supported me with this seamless transition from car to bike.

So, I treated him to dinner at a local Irish Pub after riding down a bike boulevard to downtown Berkeley. He shared a story of a trip to Ireland where he ordered the biggest glass of Guiness he could after golfing with his father at the age of 14.

Welcome Fisher, to your new home.

Where are you bike?

My bike was stolen right out of my backyard last week.

My trusty bike, the one that got me started on this journey towards financial freedom and health.

Oh how I miss it.

Fortunately I live and work less than a block from BART so my life is not immediately impacted or full of speed bumps. I just walk on the side walk.

Regardless, in this great weather I find myself wanting to go for bike rides. I just miss the wind in my hair, wearing my sunglasses and pumping myself along Berkeley.

I hope my bike is serving the thief well and not being sold for its parts at the flea market across the street!

I miss my bike

I have moved to BerZERkly as my new roommate Danny likes to call it. I am one block from BART in both commute directions. No need for a bike, just walk.

The convenience is deliriously simple. I don't need to two wheels to get food (one block from Berkeley Bowl), or see the doctor (3 blocks from her office), or get my prescription so I don't have any wonderful accidents (one block from Walgreens), or see a movie or eat good food (4-5 cool blocks to downtown Berkeley)... and there's a farmer's markets on Tuesdays less than 4 blocks away. There's also 2 post offices within 4 blocks of each other. There's a hardware store up the street...

This is truly a pedestrian friendly neighborhood. It has everything I could want.

But, I miss my bike.

It's raining, a lot now but I have rhythm.

Today, stepping out to unlock my bike from my detour splurge at WholeFoods, I noticed the medium sized wet drops -ping, thump, thump-on my face. I wiped my bike seat off with my hands, whiip! The rain was picking up and I figured my ass is going to sweat anyway on the seat so I don't care if it feels a little moist to begin with. I put in my ear buds and press play.

I undo my bungee cord holding my nifty bike basket flat and open the basket. I put my grocery bag in, reach around on my back pack and turn on my blinking red light. I wear no helmet. The light will save me.

The tempo of the rain picks up and I throw my leg around and start riding. My legs pump up the slight grade on Grand Ave. The ground is beginning to get wet and reflective, but there aren't puddles yet. I am glad I did not throw on my water proof pants; too hot. And I immerse myself in the music, the cool wet on my face, and the feeling of being alive as I ride to my home on a hill.

I realized today I am in a bike rhythm now. I use it to get to the gym, even in the rain. I use it to ride to BART to get to my job in SF.

I glide and churn, on two wheels every day.