"To Be" Making Miles

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106 km of commuting to & from work per day

87.4 km to my boyfriends

8 minutes from the city's edge

Yeah, it is a fair bit to be putting on Vicky the Venza plus gas 'aint cheap these days. There is a lot of inconveniences about driving: the additional costs of owning one, the odd photo radar, and grueling city traffic. I am currently in a pickle with a taxi cab that I bumped into last year that is STILL in the works of being settled in court. Hmm my track record is starting to sound pretty poor. I am not proud of that moment but it happened, I learned from it, and everyone is safe. Driving is truly a privilege. I remind my self of this often, to never take it for granted. It is so important to take seriously because life is precious and driving is such high risk, especially in the winter. I am also grateful to have a vehicle, so many people cannot afford one.

My life under 16 yrs of age felt pretty limited, feeling what a teenager would call "trapped" in a small town. I craved to drive because that my friends = freedom. The idea of driving to town for a movie or the mall seemed like the high life. I saved and I saved and eventually had a car of my own when it was time. I opened the door of the Beiseker Registry during lunch hour in high school. I was so nervous in the waiting room, re-living the steps to parallel parking in my mind over and over again. I get my license, I drive to school on occasion and then work part time in Airdrie. It truly was a step up in the adulatory department. Once I got my Class 4 drivers I felt like a superhero (that could drive taxis or ambulances if she wanted) Flash forward to today and I am commuting to different towns still. I love that. I value the time it gives me to transition from different places and roles I play. All the cars I've had has always been somewhat of a sacred space (filled with fast-food wrappers and half empty bags in the back) for me. I jam to tunes and sing my heart out at full blast volume. I'll be hearing impaired by 40. I listen to the news, call my people to check in, play short meditations, and the odd podcast. Today, I started an audiobook for the first time. I am looking forward to that and will report back.

A highlight for me is driving as the sun is about to rise or set. The sky is stunning and I am blown away by how short lived that experience is. I soak it up, every time. Even though the sun returns every day each sunrise or set is uniquely its own. The clouds shape, size, and location differ at all times. That calls for a new sight each time. What a joy that is. How have I become a person to get up that early though? I never thought I'd see that day coming. I would be late for school even in University if class was at 8 am. I now get up for 5 am. I hustle for the morning and go to bed not long after children do. I took this photo last month during a morning drive up Moose Mountain Rd for a hike. It is one of Vicky's only self portraits. Oh I hope she lasts me a good 10-15 years. We shall see. There is tons of trunk space for my bike or massage table.

The internal conditional of your vehicle and the way you drive is a reflection of you in that moment. Are you an organized hot mess who is running late? Are you annoyed with someone or the universe and assume that a terribly slow driver in front of you is the most inconvenient person of all time? It pays off to make time for yourself to prep for a day and be successful so that your journey somewhere doesn't have to be so hectic and rushed. It is also a perk that it saves money to not hall A$$.

Whether you are driving to a date, an appointment, or the grocery store may your cruise be smooth and your heart full.

Lessons from my dad (and the law ahaha):

1. Make lots of time to slow down before a stop sign

2. Stop gently

3. Warm your car up and clear the headlights

4. Take your time (he drives real slow like too slow so I find a happy medium and go the speed limit atleast)

5. Be defensive - assume that people are not going to drive well essentially (be cautious and aware)

6. Hug the white line and stay away from the middle as best you can

7. Take the back way (avoid the crowds and enjoy the solitude of a quiet range road.

Have a happy day and let me know if you ever need a ride.

Love,

Zoey Fern Xoxo