Aspies For Freedom

I have a car, but I tend to use it only for longer journeys or when I have too much stuff to carry.  I live in a city and am within walking distance of shops, doctor, dentist, library, son's school etc.  Public transport is good in my area so I take the bus or train when I'm going into city centre or uni.

Because my parents live in the countryside - no public transport - I have to use the car to visit them.

I've speculated about getting rid of the car and instead hiring a car for the times when I need it.  I'm sure that would be cheaper than maintaining, taxing and putting petrol in my car - but I've not done more than speculate about it!

I also didn't wear pressed clothes to job interviews before 1999.  I am sure somebody is going to suggest that that is a major factor why I was offered only one job for three dozen job interviews.

I think that is what I am going to do.

Even the Target mass discount department store/movie theater/Potomac Yard strip mall is not that far away, even if you walk.  There is also a bus goes there.  

I don't need to see my parents.  They're deceased, they aren't going anywhere.

I think I'll try walking more, too.  I know about that kind of tailpipe emissions :-)    (pffffftttt)    so don't follow too closely  

You get to see more interesting things, as well, when you're walking rather than zipping past in the car.  It's a much gentler, altogether more human pace (pun intended!) of life.

I need a car to run down the people who have annoyed me on the bus.  KIDDING!  LOL!  

(I take public transportation every day, at least two buses or a train and a bus to get to work, and the same to get back.  Takes me 1.5 hours to get across town.  Honestly, if I could afford it, I would drive, but parking ($200-500 a month) and gas ($4.30 a gallon) are not allowing me such pleasures.)

I should add, I would drive, as it takes only 20-30 minutes vs. 1 hour 30 minutes (unless there is a train problem or missed bus, then it can take even longer.)

You can buy one at CarolWright.com or at CVS drug store or Target or Wal Mart.  I bought one some years ago and I could go grocery shopping without the car.

Giant, Shopper's Food Warehouse, Harris Teeter, and My Organic Market are all close enough to walk to.  CVS drug store has some overpriced limited food selections as well.  We have 7-11 and 24 Express for round-the-clock emergency overpriced items.

People in the United States usually pay road tax in the form of a greater price on gasoline, as part of the price on gas goes to road maintenance.

Occasional moving and parking violations, registration fees at the state level in the U.S., property taxes at the state and/or county/city level in the U.S.  (either yearly or at the time or purchase), and tolls when traveling on roads requiring payments at gates (tolls can be paid electronically with transponder boxes on your windscreen/windshield, recognizes your car, subtracts payment from your account, and replenishes your account from a credit card when necessary)

Well, looks like there's going to be a fair number of trial separations from cars in Scotland over the next month.  The workforce at our oil refinery are going on strike so the place is shutting down its operations.  Petrol stations apparently have supplies for the next 4-7 days, after that....This will affect the whole of Scotland and the north of England.

I explained to my son that emergency services and such like will get priority for fuel and he wondered if that meant his teachers would be able to get petrol so they could get to work.  Em, no son, they'll be walking like the rest of us!