A few of my favorite things..

Here are some of my new favorite things...

Yoga
I know, millions of people discovered yoga centuries ago--but I have been a hold out. Even back when I used to run--I was never much of a stretcher. That probably explains why my running career ended prematurely with knee pain. I love going to yoga class --I can actually feel the difference from day to day. Who knew that stretching could leave you so sore or be so much fun?

Riding the bus
Next to riding my bike, riding the public bus to work is my favorite way to get here. I feel like such a good citizen when I ride the bus. And, if you do it enough, you get to know the other folks on your bus. I feel like it gets me more connected to my community. And, I don't have to clear the snow off the car in the morning!

Google SketchUp
Holy Cow this program is awesome! Its my new obsession. So Google Sketchup is a program that lets you create 3D models and animations. It is free, fairly easy to learn--and fricken amazing. For our recent remodel we've been using it to explore kitchen layout options--incredible. It models shadows and sunlight throughout the day and the year, and you can create surfaces--so I can model my slate floors and my bamboo cabinets. Seriously--you need to check it out.

Back Scratchin'

It's city election time in Flagstaff, AZ right now. In addition to choosing a new figurehead mayor and several marginally useful council members, the good citizens of Flagstaff are being asked to vote on several propositions concerning our city bus system, Mountain Line Transit. In exchange for more frequent buses, the addition of new routes, and the switch to hybrid buses, Flagstaff voters are being asked to increase sales taxes approximately 12 cents per hundred dollars spent. This is a paltry amount for such a beneficial service, but it got me to thinking.

Folks who can afford to buy certain hybrid vehicles are given a federal and, often, state tax credit to offset the high purchase cost. (Unfortunately, for the most commonly purchased hybrids, the credit has been phased out.) A tax credit is a nice perk for those trying to reduce their carbon footprint. Herein lies the irony. Public transportation is undoubtedly the best way for Americans to reduce carbon emissions. The purchase of a Ford Escape Hybrid will earn the buyer approximately an 11% tax credit on his federal taxes while bus service will cost each tax payer (in Flagstaff) a 12% increase in sales tax plus the cost of actually riding the bus. Shouldn't we be offering some kind of tax credit to those who ride the bus? Wouldn't it be a nice incentive for those who cannot afford the price of a new hybrid? The only conclusion I can possibly jump to after spending no time researching the topic is that the powers that be don't REALLY want to reduce the number of cars on the road. We have to keep the legacy of Henry Ford alive I guess.