Martin's Church

Since I am engaged in sustainability, and am dedicated to a spiritual path as well, I tend to see the world through these two filters. (Actually, I see them as one lens to be fully transparent but that is another topic for our discussions.)

Martin advocated social justice.  Social justice is the view that everyone deserves equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities. Who amongst us would ever say they believe otherwise? This is one of the pillars of Corporate Social Responsibility. So, as a member of the ‘green’ community, I want to commit to action to celebrate his life and be more engaged. Typically, I  attend a concert in his honor or visit the AU complex for an event but this year moved me more than celebrations of the past. Maybe it was the students who spoke, or his great-niece, or being in his neighborhood. But I was deeply  moved.  I’m going out on a limb here and suggest the King celebration move forward as  a ‘green’ holiday as well and invite in those of us who support CSR.  

I read Maria Saporta’s column today, Sunday Suppers. She reminded us of her column 17 years ago where she suggested that we sit, commune over dinner or a meal and use this time as a way to exchange meaningful dialogue among a diverse group of citizens. Ideally, we will solve the issues raised by Martin’s initiatives and more.  So, I called the CEO of the Points of Light who is administering the Sunday Suppers Program.  I have not heard back from her but I want a seat at the (Sunday Supper) table.

Did MLK Day hit any action buttons for you?

And yes, I took MARTA to the King Station….because I am Going AWOC…Atlanta WithOut a Car!  

With my feet on the street and pedal to the metal, I enjoyed some rich and varied expressions of humanity. Having Piedmont Park steps from my front door is absolutely hands down the best part about where I live and is an unending source of unique experiences! One of my favorite parts about the Park is the Green Market that happens every Saturday, nine months a year, but the second best is all the slices of humanity that, like me, find great fun in just hangin’ in the Park.

This summer was rich with slices of all kinds of people having fun and stepping out fully into the robustness of their passion and joy – some with no holes barred! I love, love, love, when my fellow park lovers  share their essence.Take a look at some of my favorites from the summer in review. (and yes, they all agreed I could post to my blog!)

If you are an animal lover, OMG – there is a myriad of pets, pet owners and animals frolicking. I love this one. I am not sure who was having more fun on this ride. Nothing the feel of the breeze in your….fur?

Sunday afternoons the park is alive with musicians – check this out. I love going over and just hangin’…

And how about a bit of Sax in the City Park ?

Not to mention the colorful characters that are always welcomed….

This guy inspires me …perhaps one day my 2 wheeler will look like this!

And what a note to end on!!!!

If you did not wake and say,  ”Oh boy,! It’s raining”?!

then you do not have fabulous, magical rain boots like I do!

And when you have rain boots, you can go anywhere! 

]]> http://goingawocatlantawithoutacar.wordpress.com/2011/11/16/i-didnt-invent-the-rainy-day-i-just-own-the-best-rain-boots/feed/ 2 33.800255 -84.388372 33.800255 -84.388372 goingawocatlantawithoutacar I looked out my window and what did I see? Never Underestimate the Power of Fabulous Rain Boots http://goingawocatlantawithoutacar.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/so-whats-the-verdict/ http://goingawocatlantawithoutacar.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/so-whats-the-verdict/#comments Sun, 07 Aug 2011 00:16:32 +0000 Going AWOC - Atlanta WithOut a Car http://goingawocatlantawithoutacar.wordpress.com/?p=320 ]]>

“Ok, – the one year anniversary of Atlanta WithOut a Car has passed, so what did she decide? “ I’m sure you have been lost without knowing the answer!

I didn’t report in at EARTH DAY 2011, the one year anniversary of Going AWOC….Atlanta WithOut a Car, because it seems the universe decided for me.  I fell executing a  top spin, down the line, (almost a) winner on the tennis court, broke my arm and had surgery. Seems I needed some ‘internal jewelry” installed. (That’s what my friend T calls the titanium plate inserted in my wrist!)

So, what did my one year of Going AWOC...Atlanta WithOut a Car teach me? 

First and foremost, yes, you can live in Atlanta WithOut a Car. That is the obvious one.  In-town living helps – lots of community connectivity and development density. And maybe its more than just in-town that make is quite do-able. Midtown is the epicenter of it all, in my opinion. I have so many transportation options and am so close to so many businesses and personal services that are walking distance. My nail salon, my hair salon, the bank, dry cleaners, several grocery stores  - all the important things!

I am not alone Going AWOC. I met quite a few others who do this as a way of life. One of my favorite groups is Heals on Wheels, who ride monthly from Downtown to Midtown for the grins and giggles of it.

MARTA is terrific.  Yes, busses come late sometimes, but that is because they are stuck in traffic – behind CARS! Hello? The trains come like clockwork. Often, my blackberry alarm rings right as the train pulls in. Talk about being able to set your watch by it! Yup, that’s true!

I learned a lot about how helpful people are and enjoy paying it forward now that I have the hang of it. I don’t exactly know why but my mood elevates when I step on the train or bus. Corny? Maybe, but I have a few stories of how I have made the whole bus laugh! Can you say Lucy, or was it Viv? And how far can that tomato roll? Nothing like getting everyone engaged! Let’s play find the onions now!

I learned that people are interested in how to do it – like my friend Loretta who wanted to learn how to put her bike on MARTA. She does that regularly now when she meets her friend for a weekend ride. And Wendy decided she could do more MARTA if I could help her understand the bus routes. Once I got a call from a women moving to Atlanta from DC who was interested in Going AWOC. She heard about me and wanted to find out how easy/hard it would be. Happy to – no prob!

I also learned we need more connectivity between areas of the city – but you already knew that. I do have to arrange meetings according to Marta routes and sometimes I had to spread them out a bit. But, I have gotten skilled enough to be out all day taking a train, a bus, and a train then heading home having meetings in Midtown, Downtown,  Buckhead, the Perimeter and home again.  I feel like quite the urban hiker when I can do that. And tired!

I have learned where lots of coffee shops are close to the train lines. Makes getting work done between meetings easy and adventurous. I have a great idea for a revenue stream for MARTA, ‘with an app for that!’  

Did I ever screw up? Hell to the yes on that one!  I had one experience where I just couldn’t get there. It was the one year anniversary of a friend’s business and I totally screwed up. It was a new route to me. I missed a connection, had to wait at a stop with no cover. Out of nowhere the skies opened and the rain poured. I had no raincoat or umbrella because rain was not in the forecast nor hinted at by the blue skies. I got drenched! Such is the summer rains, eh?   And I was having such a good hair day!

I did miss one meeting. I overscheduled myself that day and missed a connection. In the spirit of fairness, I have done that with a car. That’s more my spirit of “yes, I can do it all!” Some lessons are never fully learned?

Once I was an hour late for a committee meeting because I went to the wrong office. Had I been With a Car,  I would not have been as late, but I still would have gone to the wrong office! Still, a big ooooppps!

I never used the excuse of “I can’t come, I don’t have a car, I can’t get there” when I didn’t really want to go to something. I am proud of that. I was honest or I rented a car. I did want to use that as an excuse sometimes, though! Really, how much fun can you have OTP? Yes, I am an in-town snob. (just teasing , Deb!)

The GA Solar meetings are tough. They meet  in a green building but it’s not an easy route to get home safely after dark.  I do my best to ride share but have missed some. Thanks to video conferencing with Sid’s new company, Learn it Live, I can watch the meeting. But, I love to socialize so that is disappointing to not always be there.

I like that people ask me about MARTA and I can be an ambassador for the system. MARTA is a terrific experience and that message needs spreading around. No, its not perfect, itsmarta and its provides lots of options.  I also wish MARTA would ask me for suggestions because I have those, too.

I like when I am out and about and see a bus for a route I’ve not traveled.  I wonder where it might take me. New adventures lie ahead.

Speaking of what lies ahead,  I am participating in the Noir next weekend. That’s where me and 1000 people show up Chastain-style, with all the fancy accoutrements for a ‘formal’ picnic. Everyone is in all black attire with tables, chairs, centerpieces, linens and food hauled in, I might add. Based on the wildly successful French foodie event, Diner en Blanc, Feast Noir aims to bring 1,000 foodies together in an as-yet-undisclosed location to enjoy dishes prepared by the participants themselves. I am the table host for our gluten-free, vegetarian table. The Flash is that you don’t know where the picnic is until the last minute, hence flash mob. Stay tuned for how I handle that one! (Please, please, please, be in Piedmont Park!!)

So, Atlanta WithOut a Car? In the spirit of transparency, it was harder than I thought to really get the hang of the transportation systems.   And, I don’t mean just the first week. I have become nimble with it now, but it takes practice and missing a few buses to understand what you can and cannot get away with. And the weather is always an issue – winter/summer = tough!   I learned when Mother Nature whispers, be prepared for her thumder! I gear up-rain boots, raincoat and umbrella!

Establishing systems takes time and creativity. Getting my days reorganized to make the commute time useful took some innovative planning. Learning how to go to the grocery store was a challenge but I figured it out. Some days were more difficult than others but I never once said to myself, “gee, I wish I owned a car” or  ”if I had a car I could…” because with  Zip Car, I did have one when I needed it.

I learned new habits are hard to create but once made, they do stick!

Would I do it again? Apparently, because I am well into year 2!

Yup, I’m still Going AWOC – Atlanta WithOut a Car!

The best gift my brother and sister have given me, is full and complete access to their kids. I get to be the fabulous, fun-loving, break-all-the-rules influence in their lives. I did all the important things like keep them up way past bedtime when they stayed at my house, take them to Six Flags and ride EVERY ride, and I was trusted to take the oldest, Benjamin, with me when he was 12 to East Berlin before the wall was down.

I take this role of  Aunt very seriously.

So, when Marcus began playing basketball, I wanted to take him to his first pro game. With calendars out, we set a date (it is amazing how busy a 6-year-old can be!)

When it was time to go, MARTA was the transit of choice! But, it was more than a ride on the bus, a train, and a transfer. This was his first exposure to getting around his hometown on mass transit. To him, trains and busses are something you do on vacation-in New York or Portland, not Atlanta;  not at home.

I am excited because this was my opportunity share my love for mass transit and to teach him about the correlation between people on mass transit and cars on the road. He already lives environmentally aware at home. He gets it at school, too. He attends the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified school in the city of Atlanta.  I love to hear him talk about the potato he grew on the roof, how he looks forward to second grade because they get to go to the green roof more frequently, how he recycles at lunch, and I know he is getting the benefits of geothermal heating and air-conditioning, daylighting, and improved indoor air quality (IAQ).

So, while sitting at the bus stop, we played a game of cars. We talked about how cars with more than one person in them are helping save the planet, and cars with only one are not doing their part.

He began to point out, ‘good car, bad car’. My heart sang! ‘But what about the hybrids like mommies car?’ Smart kid.

When we got on the bus, we talked about how the number of people on the bus equaled the number of cars off the road. He did the math and counted how many cars were not on the road. When we got on the train, same thing only this time, we thought,  ‘what if everyone on the train use to ride share with 2 in the carpool?’ Ah, the classroom teacher in me awakens and the Aunt is so proud. He counts; we divide by 2.

‘That’s a lot of cars not driving and we only counted our train!’

Can life get any better than this?

I don’t think so!

So, what’s an AWOC-er to do?

I was caught off-guard when our first real cold hit. I was getting ready to go to day 2 of the TEDx at the HUB, (an amazing event BTW) when I opened the weather app on my smart phone and YIKES – ‘31 degrees, feels like 16 degrees’. I knew right then I was not ready for the cold. I sat down and ordered more smart wool long johns!  I began to wonder if I could AWOC in winter. Oh no!

Real doubts hit me really hard. I wasn’t so sure of this adventure.  I began to doubt that I could get through the next few windy, wet, cold, southern winter months. How can this be? I have come so far-I am eight months into this and now it feels like I might give up? It is too cold.  I know this is not New York or Minnesota cold but it is all relative, right?  To me, 31 degrees, wind chill 16 –  is cold.

Many years ago, before my brother and his wife adopted their three girls, he and I use to ride horses a lot. And I mean a lot! It started when he gave me a 16-hand, rescued thoroughbred for Christmas. If you don’t know horses, 16 hands is get-on-a picnic-table-to-reach-the-stirrups tall. He was a gorgeous, magnificent animal.

My brother, Butch, lives on a 100-acre farm about 65 miles south of here, raises cattle for beef, hens for eggs, pigs for July 4^th BBQ celebrations and, sometimes has had goats for milk and to love. He raises different grasses for bio-fuel experiments with Auburn University and he and his wife, Allie, have quite a large vegetable garden. He also sells farmland and is probably one of the most knowledgeable resources in middle GA regarding land. Whether it’s tree farming, or wooded acres to build and live on, securing lots in the Flint River basin area – he’s your go to guy. He has such an appreciation for land and just loves being out on it.

Well, when we started riding, it became a regular part of my life. My week felt empty if I did not spend three to four hours each Saturday marveling at the beauty of the woods, talking with my brother from high atop Mr T. (short for Mr T of Shekinah Farms) Every Sat. morning, and many Sunday afternoons, I would drive down from Atlanta in my red Mercedes convertible. By the time I got to the barn, thanks to Butch, my horse would be saddled, ready to go. I called him my valet cowboy! When I look back, it was the best times of my life. Gratefully, I knew it then, too.

I remember once when we were riding, we stopped for lunch, snow on the ground, sky cloudless and bright blue. We used our saddle blankets to sit on and ate the picnic I had prepared. Sandwiches and hot soup for us, apples for the horses. Then, we re-saddle and off we went. Of course we talked but it was the quiet that was most poignant.  I never felt closer to him than during those precious, personal and private hours.

In the summer, it would get so hot, we would ride to the lake, unsaddle the horses (and ourselves down to  skivvies) and I’d swim bareback, holding onto Mr. T’s mane. Yes, horses can swim and Mr. T loved it and so did I. I even did back flips off Mr. T’s hind-quarters (UGA diver) and he would actually swim back to get me when I called him. Does life get any better than that?

Mr T. loved the water so much that often we would walk in the shallow streams on the 1000-acre farm we had privileged permission to enter. But watch out – when T started pawing the ground, splashing water up to his underbelly, I knew what was next. Down he would go, slowly and gently to his knees like a camel, hindquarters down, then rolling, soaking and cooling himself – and me and the leather. Not so good for the leather, but oh so much fun.

Mr. T’s birthday was in Feb and one year my Mom baked him a cake. Apple, of course.  She brought it to the barn, spread out her hand made quilt on the hood of her New Yorker (LOL at that vision, right?) and sliced cake for us, apples for the horses. We even had birthday hats - T and Apache too, and we rode that day in our party hats, horses too.

The point of all this is, we rode in the hottest of hot summers, sweat pouring off us and the horses, and during the coldest of times, even with snow on the ground.  I keep reminding myself, if we were still riding, the cold weather would not stop us. I would simply be dressed, saddle bags loaded, and prepared. We rode, together, knowing it was more than just hours of riding. That there was more to what we were doing. Something bigger was happening.

Drawing on these past experiences, I realize I can do AWOC in the winter. I will be dressed, backpack loaded, and prepared for walking through the coldest of days, keeping warm with outerwear of hats, gloves, scarves, layered with smart wool and warmed from within with the warm memories of times past.

So, yes, I will continue Going AWOC…Atlanta WithOut a Car!

So this past week, when it was time for a visit, Mr C. Mingus (named for famed Charlie Mingus-Google it, folks) took his first ride on the MARTA bus. I checked the MARTA website for animals and there is allowance for service animals, of course and rightly so. But, I could not find anywhere that said NO CATS. So, Mr Mingus was wrestled into his carrier and off we went to the bus stop.

We were supposed to be at the Vet at 8:00 am so out the back gate we go, bright and early, breeze card in hand and up rolls the number #27 right on time. I still wasn’t quite sure if we were going to be allowed on the bus. I was actually prepared to  call a cab had we been denied boarding.

But we load.  We take our seat and I peer into the cage and little Mingy is shaking. I am not sure if it is the illness or the new and different situation so, God bless my fellow passengers, I begin to sing to Mingy. “Hey bunny bun, hey bunny bun, hey bunny bunny bunny bunny bunny bun.” Much to my fellow passengers joy I am sure,  this catchy phrase with its snappy tune gets repeated over and over again. (I bet folks are humming that tune at this very moment!) I figured since Mingy is so familiar with it, when he hears it, he will calm down and he does. Whew!

We hop off the bus, visit with the vet and Mingy stays for the day. I did the same trip in reverse at the end of the day and Mr Mingus did much better coming home. I think he likes having a breeze card!

But, something tells me, that was Mingy’s last MARTA trip. I am not real sure that was legal. If so, we’ll take a cab to the vet next time because, after all, I am Going AWOC – Atlanta Without a Car!

I feel like such a kid again, too. I remember when Mom had me run errands on Saturdays before I could  play and some I could do on my bike.  I feel like that again. (Yes, I grew up in a small town where I could do that and, I did not even have to lock my bike when I went in the stores.  Of course, in my hometown, the butcher was also the Mayor, the captain of the cheerleading team married the captain of the football team, and they are still happily married, still my friends. Where I grew up,  we had a police booth-not a police station. We locked our doors mostly when we left for a vacation and we often went to bed at night with  the windows open and only the screens between us and the outdoors.)

So, the adult child still loves riding a bike. My new favorite thing is putting my bike on the MARTA bus. I have not yet taken it on the train but, I have learned how to put my bike on the bike racks that are on EVERY MARTA BUS! Thank you MARTA!

You probably see the ads on the front of the bus and think that is all it is-a panel for ads.  But, those ad panels are the base of the bike rack that drops down.  The wonderful, patient MARTA bus driver taught me how to load my bike the first time, and I can now do it all by myself. I am so grown-up!

And now, a whole new set of experiences have opened up. I bond with fellow bike riders on the bus. I hop off to help when I see someone might need extra hands. (After all, someone helped me learn. Pay it forward, ya know!) I have also experienced angry automobile drivers when I commute. Some don’t like us in the right-hand lane. Especially the guy who brushed my handlebars with his side mirror. I was bumped enough to plop my hand on the trunk of his car to steady myself when I self-corrected and he yells at me?  I marvel about that being the first day I commuted to the Arts Center Station.  There is something about the first time….

Anyway, I am really enjoying how my world feels as though I have a whole new set of options. And you know how I love options! Having a bike has given me a lot of flexibility that does not require me to rely solely on the MARTA schedule. I can now combine the MARTA bus then biking the lasts mile or so vs. timing a connection.  For example, last Saturday, my great-nephew Marcus, had his first soccer game. Of course, Great Aunt Stephanie cannot miss that! Since the soccer fields are over in Cabbagetown, and I am in Midtown, I needed to plan my train, plane and automobile commute to get there, on time, not wanting to miss one drop of this “first”.  Having a bike made it so much easier! I rode my bike to 10^th and Piedmont, loaded us on the #45 and rode MARTA all the way to the closest stop to the fields. From there, I biked the last mile or so. Because I was on my bike, I could stay longer at the game and I saw every minute, getting back to the stop with five minutes to spare. Without my bike, I would have had to leave the game early (and miss Marcus chasing the soccer ball? I don’t think so!) or spend an hour waiting for the next #45. I would have done it – because I rode by Radial Café and easily would have had lunch while I waited (love that café!). But, having my bike gave me options and there are few things more precious than options.

On my way back, we (bike and me) got off the bus at an earlier stop, shopped at Whole Foods, stuffed my saddlebags, picked up my dry cleaning  and peddled home feeling quite smug with my productive and joyful Saturday.

The other day I realized I am about 6 months into this-almost halfway. People ask me if I will buy a car. I still don’t know. Fall will be as gloriously colorful as spring; winter will be as cold as summer was hot. But, I think I am leaning towards no car. At least today. Because with my new shiny, blue bike,  I am still really loving Going AWOC – Atlanta WithOut a Car!

Sidebar: OK, I still can’t get over that. Apparently, I am still having a strong reaction to it, right?  I don’t think it’s because I was so attached to my bike, but was attached to the belief that I had done all the ‘right’ things and if you do the right things, you get the right results, right?  That topic would be a great dinner party discussion…..something along the lines of ‘who’s to say what is good or bad, right or wrong….

So now, I have a new bike and I love it! I cannot believe how much I love having a bike and how often I use it to commute. That has surprised me the most. After all, I am vain enough to care about helmet hair but, I apparently don’t care enough to stop me from incorporating commuting on my bike! Plus, I have taken business casual to a whole new level, and it isn’t upwards!

So what made me get a bike, especially since I did not seem to be missing it? Well, have you ever had such a strong feeling to do something-so much so that you don’t feel like you can stop yourself?   I had this very feeling one-day walking back from the 10^th Street MARTA Station.

At 12^th and Piedmont is a bike shop. Since they sell really, really, good bikes. (translation-expensive) I had not really seen them as a resource for a bike purchase. After all,  I had bought my last three bikes from REI where they have range of price points.  But today, I could not stop myself from going in there. It was as if a magnet was pulling me.  And POOF! There she was. A beautiful blue, ladies bike. (Clearly color is a priority to me!) And it already had the right kind of seat, handle bars and tires. It was the right size for me and exactly my price point! One draw-back-it was a 2009 model, the bike shop owner told me.  Who knew bikes had a model year? Clearly, I am not a biker, I am a bike rider. I learned the distinction that moment.

So, I added a bell, a water bottle holder, the toughest lock on the market, but my new favorite part?  Saddle bags.

Love the saddlebags. Love , love, love the saddlebags. Errands like groceries, drugstore, dry-cleaning – so much fun! Trips to the movies, yogurt shop, nail salon –all are so joyful now! But what about “Hot’lanta?” Yes, for a while there it was like riding with hot blowers pointed at me but I didn’t care. I had a bike! I forgot how much I loved riding my bike!

So now, its Bike’lanta. Because I am GOING AWOC…Atlanta WithOut a Car!

Last night, I was mapping the train, plane, and automobile route to get to her service and I realized it was going to take about two hours to get to the church in Sandy Springs. And then another 2 home, plus the service. After examining several routes and possibilities, I decided to combine walking, train, bus and taxi then reverse order to get back to the Global Headquarters of the company, my home office in midtown.

As you know, I am jammin’ with plannin’ for the C Suite and Sustainability event, and the GreenBusiness Works EXPO. Time is precious and I found myself asking if I could afford this amount of travel time – 4 hours out of my day.  I feel very sheepish mentioning that this thought entered my head. Then that country song began to play in my head;   “ You’ve got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything. “

When I look at what I stand for and how I want to live my life, I am clear about my priorities and what is important.  If I ever doubt myself, I ask ‘what will move me closer to the kind of person I want to be?” If it takes traveling four hours on a train, plane and automobile to walk my talk, then so be it. Family and friends supersede all. So, of course I am going.

Then I took my own advice but inverted it, sorta. Remember I wrote about how I  use my waiting time and travel time to be productive in other ways. I have written about how I rearranged my day to accommodate the time I spend waiting for my, bus, train and automobile journeys. I take my kindle and do my professional reading, or return e-mails from my BB. But, not today. I realized I have been given a gift of time and that time will be spent honoring Ginger, her life and how she has changed the life of so many. Otherwise, I know me. I would work like a mad woman, up until the moment I should leave, then think, worry and navigate traffic in my car without much thought given to where I am going and why.  So thank you for this gift of time. And the opportunity to really get out of my own way and reconfirm what is really important.

I had the honor of working with Ginger and GOCA on many events. So I will travel today for hours, lost in thought about this magnificent women who inspired many and how grateful I am to her for her spirit. I learned much about fortitude from her. Not just about cancer but also about surviving when life isn’t exactly what you thought it would be.

So today is not an either/or day. I still am committed to my priorities. All of them.  And I will honor the gift of time today with Ginger in my thoughts while I am Going AWOC…Atlanta WithOut a Car.