I’m writing this while walking from the Pattison subway stop to the Ingram Philadelphia office. It takes 12-15 minutes to complete this walk and it’s not easy to type on the iPhone while doing so.
It really feels like a waste of time, this “walking” thing. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not lazy, out of shape, or otherwise averse to exercise. I run a 6:30 mile, rock climb a couple times a week, and love the outdoors.
But right now I’m bored. I’m not able to efficiently respond to email, trees continue to jump in front of me, and my mind is racing about while thinking of the code I want to write. I’m an inefficient human right now.
The commute for me starts in Malvern. Most days I get a lift to the train station. A walk from the train to the subway at City Hall takes 5-10 minutes (walking). Then the walk from the subway to office is 12-15. Back from the office to the subway, 12-15 again. A walk through city hall, 5-10. And finally a walk home from Malvern station, 15 minutes.
My walking math is shaky, but I think that’s 49-120 minutes of walk time. I do very little for myself or others during that time.
I mentioned yesterday on Twitter that I need some rocket shoes or a long board. I’ve seen the Roth Motors scooter and Go Motorboards. Might be a good option. I haven’t seen these around Philly though.
There’s my 15 minute rant. I’m at the office and whipping out the laptop.
–written with the iPhone WordPress app.
“…walking as a cultural activity, as a pleasure, as travel, as a way of getting around, is fading, and with it goes an ancient and profound relationship between body, world, and imagination. Perhaps walking is best imagined as an “indicator species,” to use an ecologist's term. An indicator species signifies the health of an ecosystem, and its endangerment or diminishment can be an early warning sign of systemic trouble. Walking is an indicator species for various kinds of freedoms and pleasures: free time, free and alluring space, and unhindered bodies.”
Wanderlust: A History of Walking – Rebecca Solnit p. 250
just sayin' is all…
Great quote!
I'm in agreement about it being an indicator of lack of free time and a
shift in value. People's value of time is screwed up. But I actually love
going for walks <http://flickr.com/photos/solyoung/sets/72157605…
hiking <http://flickr.com/photos/solyoung/sets/72157607…>. The
problem I'm facing is that I enjoy coding, work efficiency, rock climbing,
or walking somewhere other than South Broad Street.
“…walking as a cultural activity, as a pleasure, as travel, as a way of getting around, is fading, and with it goes an ancient and profound relationship between body, world, and imagination. Perhaps walking is best imagined as an “indicator species,” to use an ecologist's term. An indicator species signifies the health of an ecosystem, and its endangerment or diminishment can be an early warning sign of systemic trouble. Walking is an indicator species for various kinds of freedoms and pleasures: free time, free and alluring space, and unhindered bodies.”
Wanderlust: A History of Walking – Rebecca Solnit p. 250
just sayin' is all…
Great quote!
I'm in agreement about it being an indicator of lack of free time and a
shift in value. People's value of time is screwed up. But I actually love
going for walks <http://flickr.com/photos/solyoung/sets/72157605…
hiking <http://flickr.com/photos/solyoung/sets/72157607…>. The
problem I'm facing is that I enjoy coding, work efficiency, rock climbing,
or walking somewhere other than South Broad Street.