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The freedom of car
http://www.lifein19x19.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=582		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  LokBuddha [ Thu May 20, 2010 9:26 pm ]
Post subject:  The freedom of car
I am a college student. Back then I take bus and walk 40 minutes under the hot sun and rain, not to mention the time waiting for bus. Then last Spring semester, I got a car that is 11 years old. It is alright I guess, but car maintenance is just... :-? I just got car maintenance today for $ 650. That's a lot of money.

Even before I got the car, I secretly hate car because I know I will have to DEPEND on them. It is very uncomfortable when you have to depend on something. Because public transportation is bad, I have to go the same route as everybody else...car insurance, maintenance, the stress of parking on campus, the stress of driving, traffic.

It would be nice to have walking distance by having trains like Japan or S.Korea. I don't mind the jam but it is much better.

This is why I play Go over than ..say chess. More freedom.
Author:  Joaz Banbeck [ Thu May 20, 2010 11:45 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
Where are you?
Author:  freegame [ Fri May 21, 2010 6:06 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
get a bike... (I don't mean the motorised ones :twisted: )

much quicker than walking, and very cheap to maintain ect.
Author:  LokBuddha [ Fri May 21, 2010 6:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
freegame wrote:
get a bike... (I don't mean the motorised ones :twisted: )

much quicker than walking, and very cheap to maintain ect.


I am 20 something, too embarrass to learn how to ride one. :oops:
Author:  fwiffo [ Fri May 21, 2010 6:41 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
+1 to getting a bike.
Author:  Solomon [ Fri May 21, 2010 7:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
LokBuddha wrote:
freegame wrote:
get a bike... (I don't mean the motorised ones :twisted: )

much quicker than walking, and very cheap to maintain ect.


I am 20 something, too embarrass to learn how to ride one. :oops:

Better late than never; I didn't learn how to swim until I was 13.
Author:  tj86430 [ Fri May 21, 2010 7:15 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
Araban wrote:
LokBuddha wrote:
freegame wrote:
get a bike... (I don't mean the motorised ones :twisted: )

much quicker than walking, and very cheap to maintain ect.


I am 20 something, too embarrass to learn how to ride one. :oops:

Better late than never; I didn't learn how to swim until I was 13.

I actually learned to swim (as the definition is) 1,5 years ago at 41.

I'm sure that learning how to ride a bike will be a useful skill.
Author:  nami [ Fri May 21, 2010 7:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
embarassment about something only hinder your progress (at anything)
if it's embarrassing, then learn it already :p
Author:  fwiffo [ Fri May 21, 2010 8:10 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
Besides, once you learn it, riding a bike is one those things that's notoriously difficult to forget how to do.
Author:  rubin427 [ Fri May 21, 2010 8:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
LokBuddha wrote:
I am 20 something, too embarrass to learn how to ride one. :oops:



If you want to learn to ride a bike, drop the seat as low as it will go and imagine there are no peddles (like this guy (link)). Once you are comfortable with the idea you can put your feet down at any time, give the peddles a try.
Author:  GoCat [ Fri May 21, 2010 10:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
rubin427 wrote:
If you want to learn to ride a bike, drop the seat as low as it will go and imagine there are no peddles (like this guy (link)). Once you are comfortable with the idea you can put your feet down at any time, give the peddles a try.


And I also suggest: when you feel yourself falling to one side, turn the handlebars into that direction. That forces the bike back upright. Before you know it, you'll have the feel for keeping it upright.
Author:  deja [ Fri May 21, 2010 11:04 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
Learning to ride a bike is a piece of cake. This guy learned in just an afternoon ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o
Author:  tj86430 [ Fri May 21, 2010 11:22 am ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
deja wrote:
Learning to ride a bike is a piece of cake. This guy learned in just an afternoon ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o

That has been quoted on so many different occasions that it's borderline boring now.

Skillful guy, though.
Author:  LokBuddha [ Fri May 21, 2010 1:04 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
It's funny how we went from a car rant to bike.... Not completely irrelevant but the problems and nuisance associated with car ownership still here to stay forever.
Author:  nami [ Fri May 21, 2010 1:13 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
well if you pay 650 for maintaince ..
how much costs a cheap new car? (or 1-2yo)

As you mentioned, you don't depend on a car because there is another option: to go by public transportation (even if its bad its still possible). You don't do this because you think that p.t. sucks even more than the car.
so i assume to have a car affects your quality of life in a good way. You should be relieved ;)
Author:  deja [ Fri May 21, 2010 2:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
tj86430 wrote:
deja wrote:
Learning to ride a bike is a piece of cake. This guy learned in just an afternoon ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPah-o

That has been quoted on so many different occasions that it's borderline boring now.

Skillful guy, though.


Well, my apologies for boring you. Perhaps you could provide us with a list of oft-quoted items you find boring so we don't waste your time. :roll:
Author:  LokBuddha [ Fri May 21, 2010 3:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
nami wrote:
well if you pay 650 for maintaince ..
how much costs a cheap new car? (or 1-2yo)

As you mentioned, you don't depend on a car because there is another option: to go by public transportation (even if its bad its still possible). You don't do this because you think that p.t. sucks even more than the car.
so i assume to have a car affects your quality of life in a good way. You should be relieved ;)


actually, after I'm done the mechanics recommend doing something more which is 750 bucks. and my car still have weird sounds...
Author:  POGO [ Fri May 21, 2010 8:17 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
I have my g2 (canada) but i dont own a car. for me i bike in the morning (15 mins) to the go station then im on that train for 45 mins (from oshawa to toronto) then i bike for another 10 mins to work.

so in total a hour and 10 mins to work on avrage.

now the cost? 12.75 all day plus water. for transit.

versus a 30 min drive and around 15-23 dollers for gas + insurance + replairs + cost of car.

now i dont mind the route i take as i love trains. and sometimes during the winter i jus buss to the station and back. and with my son? well hes estatic about the bus/bike so i dont mind. and where i live there are stores all round us so everytihng is in walking distance
Author:  LokBuddha [ Fri May 21, 2010 8:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
that's nice. that's what I am going to do too!!! but no train here, just bus....but if I don't have a car now, later when I'm graduated. I need it to look for works etc.

I think the only way to forget cars is when I settle down with a stable job with my place somewhat near the work place.
Author:  schultz [ Fri May 21, 2010 11:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: The freedom of car
LokBuddha wrote:
that's nice. that's what I am going to do too!!! but no train here, just bus....but if I don't have a car now, later when I'm graduated. I need it to look for works etc.

I think the only way to forget cars is when I settle down with a stable job with my place somewhat near the work place.

I know Joaz already asked, but where do you live? That can make a big difference.

I live in Montana, and I really wouldn't be able to get to work in a reasonable time without a car (maybe in the summer, but once it gets winter and below freezing, you pretty much have to have a vehicle).

Another possibility is to car-pool with people you go to school with, or work with. You could chip in a little bit of money for gas, but you wouldn't necessarily have to have a car then. And it's a good way to meet/get to know other people.

I also do recommend learning how to ride a bike. It's a great way to get around town, and it can also be great exercise!

Back to what you said about needing a car. In the end, if it's that important to you, you'll just have to look for a job in a town that has really good public transportation. Or realize that you'll need a car of some sort, and deal with that as a part of your life. That's essentially where I'm at. :)
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