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December 09, 2004
Running, running, running...
I haven't been riding my bike recently, due to a combination of the icy weather and my lack of a bike light (stolen about a month ago). Well, I think it's been taking a toll on me--physically and financially. Because I was of town so much over the past 4 weeks, I didn't renew my monthly bus pass--instead opting to pay by the trip. I calculated this afternoon that I have spent approximately $100 on bus fare this past month (even considering the 2 weeks I was out of town in D.C. and northern Sweden)--as opposed to paying $40 for a month pass. I will definitely be re-thinking my bus vs. bike plan--especially as I am beginning to panic a little (ok, a lot) about my finances.
Anyway, I decided to ride my bike today. First, I checked the weather report and confirmed that it would be "cloudy, but dry" and 4 degrees Celsius. Then, I bundled up (because 4 degrees is not icy, but it is DAMN cold when riding down giant hills with the wind blowing directly in your face) and dragged the bike from its resting place in my room and downstairs.
Now, I would like to point out that in Sweden, apparently, "cloudy, but dry" just means that it is not actually raining--it can be misty enough to completely soak you in a manner of minutes. Needless to say, I was neither appreciative of this fact, nor prepared.
I rode my bike downtown (7 km!!) to take care of some errands (such as paying my 10-day late rent, and unsuccessfully trying to pay my 45-day late internet bill--long story) and to get a new bike light. I managed to only be a few minutes late riding to campus to meet with my small group, but realized on the way that I forgot to bring the excel spreadsheet we needed.
I was biking up the huge hill to Minnerva when I noticed a kitten on the road. It was tiny and remarkably clean, so I stopped. It came right up to me, meow-ing and purring. I picked it up and it wriggled ecstatically in my arms while I checked that it didn't have a collar. Obviously, this was an indoor cat that had somehow gotten outside. I left my bike by the road and carried the kitten around to a couple of homes before finding the owner, who was puzzled but grateful to have her cat returned.
Having done my good deed for the day, I got back on my bike and made it to Minnerva nearly an hour late. Thankfully, my group was understanding and we were able to make good progress on our project, which involves presenting to the Tarkett Environmental Communications Manager tomorrow morning in Ronneby.
Before leaving, I had Ronan help me put the new bike light (front and back) on my bike. By "help" I mean that I stood around and watched him do it.
Then it was back on the bike for the ride back home, where I frantically finished the excel spreadsheet, send it on to my group, updated my calendar to reflect the final presentation schedule for class, and cleaned out my email inbox--which was nearly overflowing.
Now I plan on making some dinner (maybe a sandwich and soup?) and doing something productive. I'm at a point now where I can't even keep all my tasks clear in my head, and I can't seem to organize myself in a way that helps. I'm not sleeping well (waking up multiple times each night with the horrid feeling that I'm late for something) and feeling rather dismal. The weather has been alternately glorious and crappy, but it seems like I'm never free to go outside and enjoy the brief glimpses of sunshine. Instead, its just more and more group work. And then, some more group work. Before I know it, it's dark and rainy again.
So the gist of it is that I'm not having a very good time right now. I have made a point of scheduling in some fun stuff (a Handel's Messiah concert at the old church in town on Sunday night, a dinner at a Swedish family's home this coming Saturday, etc.) but it's hard to really appreciate these little bits of relaxation when I'm overcome with other stressful stuff. In short, I am counting the minutes until I get on the plane home to D.C., can pack my suitcase full of shorts and t-shirts, and get to L.A. to board the cruise ship).
I can't even imagine the cost of all the daquiris I plan on drinking that week...
