Suzanne

Week One:

Friday May 2nd: I was full of adrenaline...wanting to get to work by 7:30am...I was up and out AND at the subway by 6:30am so excited...until my coat belt hoop got stuck in the turnstyle...umm that was not supposed to happen. Composure back in tow, I managed to catch the subway...on to City Hall. I have to say I felt like I was a 5 year old..all the sights and sounds and people so early in the morning gave me a boost of energy. I LOVE the city! I was at my desk by 7:30 am....feeling very proud of myself!

Saturday May 3rd: Much to the chagrin of my colleagues, I 'cheated.' Well not really, I drove my car up to my parent's house where it will have some R & R for the month. It will also to prevent me from really cheating. I quickly realized that not having a car requires a good amount of planning. I attended my colleague's wedding in the Northeast (congrats TK) and was able to get a ride home from another (thanks CH.) I went to bed as a car-less person....

Sunday May 4th: I enjoyed a beautiful pedestrian day in the city with OFH. I picked up my FABULOUS new FREE Puma sneakers- thanks to Philly Runner for their donation to the PCS challenge. Seeing all the people out and about was wonderful-- makes me think, why I don't do this more often?!?!? Sunday night I had my first car-less epiphany....cute high-heeled shoes are NOT meant for a 10 block walk...or at least not for me....but it was worth it! Before I closed out the day, I packed up for Monday morning. It was very reminiscent of grade school: pack the lunch (check,) pick out the outfit (check,) get all the day's supplies together and place by the front door (check.) These activities are usually done the morning of, in a scramble, and often a contributing factor to my morning frenzied mind.

Monday May 5th: Needed to be at work by 8:30am for monthly staff meeting, and got here early! I am liking the discipline this commuting thing has given me thus far...and by 'thus far' I mean, 2 days. Door to door I was here in 1 hour, it is an additional 20-25 minutes more than normal, but I felt more alive/awake taking the train....now let's see how I feel about the commute home.

Week Two:

Monday May 5th pm: I took the train and subway home…from door to door it took me 1 hour. While I got a little anxious to get to the train station on time, the experience was pleasant. It takes about 45 minutes normally- so for that extra 15 minutes, I had a greater peace of mind.

Tuesday May 6th: As I walking from the train station to work, I realized that I pass three monstrosity sized car dealerships. I started thinking of the irony- I gave up my car, only to be teased by hundreds of shiny, new parked cars each day. Today I reserved a car for next weekend- a cute Mazda Miata. The good thing about PCS is that I can test drive cars that I would not otherwise have access to drive….unless I visit one of the aforementioned car dealerships.

Later that night, I stuck around the 'burbs for yoga class. I will admit that I was apprehensive about taking the train and subway after dark….but all is well. I arrived 45 minutes later than normal (normal = when I drive.) I did not mind it because I got to do some reading along the way.

Wednesday May 7th: Again I arrived to work early. It is nice that a train leaves the city every 20 minutes- sometimes I have to wait a few minutes and sometimes I get there on time. I had a lunch meeting in the city today that I carpooled with my colleague (thanks MM.) I had a 5:30pm meeting in the city. I took the train that got me into town at 5ish, so I had some time to kill. After the meeting I did some shopping for Mother's Day. When you have car, you do not really think about how heavy something or how you will get it home….without a car that becomes an issue, especially when it is breakable. Thankfully I had dinner plans with a business colleague who graciously drove me (and my Mother's Day gift) home (thanks MM.)

Thursday May 8th: As I mentioned before, not having a car requires a lot of pre-planning. I had a site meeting down by the airport. A colleague was very nice to pick me up on the way (thanks TW.) Otherwise I would have had to take the subway, to the Airport train, to a bus (I guess???)

Friday May 9th: I 'cheated' today. Well before I get crucified, let me explain. My mother came down to the city with my car (her car was in the shop) to escort me to have oral surgery. Having oral surgery is nerve wracking enough….having my mother drive me in MY car in the middle of a downpour rush hour Friday morning traffic….well, enough said. I am extremely grateful for her taking care of me and my car for the next 24 hours.

Saturday May 10th: Mom and I did some morning errands…although I was fully capable of driving at this point; she drove us around S. Philly. I spent the rest of the day recuperating from my surgery. Since I was feeling all better, I signed up for a PCS vehicle. The closest one available was 7 blocks away. I rented a Matrix.

Sunday May 11th: Happy Mother's Day! I picked up the PCS around 1:30pm. It was all very easy- except for carrying the heavy and breakable gift 7 blocks. Driving a car felt good. I would not say that I missed driving. The total cost for renting the car for 7 hours was @ $56.00. While it was more convenient to take a car to their house; if I did not have a car, I could/would have taken the train. I had another car-less epiphany yesterday. I was trying to figure out what was more exhausting- not having a car or having to explain to everyone WHY I don't have a car! I concluded the later is more exhausting. Whether it was explaining to the 75 year old man next store who thought a stranger was driving my car for May, or reading my uncle's email (who somehow correlated me/PCS challenge to Where in the World is Matt Laurer?/GE/NBC ) or explaining and re-explaining to my own family/brother's in-laws WHY WOULD I GIVE UP MY CAR .ugh it is just exhausting! The ultimate question is- well what DO YOU WIN when you finish this???

Monday May 12th: I hate Mondays and I want to shot the whole day down! I wished I had my car this morning. I overslept, I could not find my shoes (because I did not plan out the night before,) I missed my train by a minute…then I had to stop off at the store before getting to work…ironically I made it here slightly before 9am (which is when I would get here when I used to have a car!) In the end it all worked out and I have survived another car-less week!

Week Three:

Monday May 12th pm: The day ended much better than it started. My colleague had to drop a proposal off in the city and needed someone to sit in the car so she could double park. It all worked out in my favor as a.) it was raining, b.) I had less than a stellar day and c.) anything to help out AND get home a little early.

Tuesday May 13th: This morning started out as a public transport slam dunk! I got to the subway…BOOM it arrived in 30 seconds…then I get to Suburban Station…BOOM within seconds the train arrived. The afternoon the train was a little late (maybe 5 minutes.) As I am getting off the train, a guy complimented me on my new sneakers. I thanked him and said they were free. In a brief 10 words, I said I got them for free because I gave up my car for the month of May. His response was 'awesome…to reduce your carbon footprint, good luck!" FINALLY there is someone who understands without an hour long explanation. My subway ride was interesting…as it was packed thanks to both a Flyers and Phillies game. The energy was awesome- though I am not sure how either team did that night.

Wednesday May 14th: So far the last two days are making up for Monday. I arrived to the subway and it was already there. The train to work was running 10 minutes, not really an issue as I still arrived earlier than I normally do (normally = when I drive.) Today I have an unscheduled doctor's appointment. This is a snag in my schedule. IF I had my car, I could have gone to the Bryn Mawr office during my lunchtime. I did not have enough time/notice to sign out the PCS car that sits on our lot. Instead I had to leave work early to go to the Center City office. After the doc appt at Broad and Vine, I had to get to Broad and Fitzwater. However I had about an hour to kill before my 5:30 meeting. So I took the subway to South Street and did some errands. I am enjoying walking around to do my errands! After my meeting, I realized I could walk three blocks north for the next subway stop, or catch the C bus down Broad St or walk home…I chose the later.

Thursday May 15th: Things worked out well in the morning…the train was actually early. I had a meeting in the afternoon…I got a ride with one colleague and got a ride back to the office with another (thanks JG and PTB.) I had to be at Drexel by 5:30pm. The down side of not having a car is that you have to leave earlier than usual just so you can arrive on time, and sometimes that is inconvenient. I attended a very informative IIDA event where one of my bosses was a panelist. One of the main topics was LEED and its impact on the design community (www.usgbc.org.) It is great because it all ties into how we as individuals can help the planet (ie PCS challenge) but also as design professionals, we can make decisions that impact the greater whole. My boss offered me a ride home- and sure I will take it (thanks GW.) I really have to say that colleagues have been GREAT in helping me with the PCS challenge. As a side note, I did the fashionably unspeakable- I wore a dress with my sneakers to/from work. I think Harper's Bazaar is going to revoke my subscription. However I got to and from work faster in sneakers than I would have in my three inch wedges…the sacrifices we make for saving the planet.

Friday May 16th: Today as a bit of a logistical nightmare. I wish I had my car. I had a breakfast meeting in the city at 9am, an in-house meeting at work (in Ardmore) at noon, and another meeting in the city at 2pm…and it was raining. When I woke up that morning, I decided to rent a PCS car from 8:30am to 2pm. My logic was that it would have taken me twice as long to wait for trains to cart me to and from the city. I used a Prius. In the morning, I took the subway north to pick up the car. I wish PCS would give better indication on where the car is located- ie in the parking lot on the East side of Broad between A and B St. As simple as it may sound, this is not an easy car to turn on. The 'key' is not a key but more like a car opener, then press the Power button, then to park press the 'P' button. I consider myself rather smart, but apparently not smart enough to figure the Prius right way. However, I liked the way the car drives, it has good pick-up but bad blind spots. After my noon meeting at work, I drove back into town to drop the car off. I took the subway to South St. then walked 4 blocks to my final destination. Another thing that you do not realize when you have a car is that carrying materials is more difficult by foot then in your trunk. I got a ride back home from the GC.

Saturday May 17th: Today was an awesome day! From early morning to late evening I had no reason to use a car….much less leave my neighborhood. I began thinking that maybe I would do this 'Challenge' for another month…see how it goes when I am on the my own.

Sunday May 18th: Today was the day I had the Miata….today was also the day it decided to rain. I started with a quick run to Target. The Miata trunk can hold the following items: box of cat litter, 12 rolls of toilet paper, 12 rolls of paper towels…and not a ounce more. I drove (top down/ pre-rain) to Hightstown NJ to visit CR. After spending a few lovely hours helping her in the house, I drove down to Washington Crossing for a visit/dinner with extended family. Knowing I had to run one more errand and do my grocery shopping, I felt pressed for time. I had to stop off and get gas. Note to any Miata users: the lever to release the gas tank is BEHIND and IN BETWEEN the seats…ummm, it took me 5-10 minutes to figure this out. I drove to University City then to the grocery store. I have concluded that if I were to ever buy a sports car, it would be manual gear! Driving a sports car with automatic gears is like eating diet chocolate- what is the point? I was able to get all my activities completed before the car was due back.

Monday May 19th: Not much to say…or maybe I am just getting used to it!

Week Four:

Monday May 19th pm: Walking in May in fall-like weather is not something I signed up for….however, I wore a coat and dealt with it. Same ole, same ole- pottery in pm (walked,) met up w/ dear friend from days of ole JH at the Royal (walked,) hung out (sat,) went home way too late for a school night (walked.)

Tuesday May 20th: Got there in the morning no problem. I worked late and caught the 7:30pm out of Ardmore. Two shocking things happened. First, on the walk to the train station, as I passed the police station, there were not one, not two, not three, not four but FIVE police cars sitting idly with engines running, while police officers stood around kibitzing. If I were a resident of Ardmore I would be a.) happy that crime is low on a Tuesday night b.) mad as hell that patrol cars are burning $4-a-gallon gas like it was water for NO reason whatsoever. Secondly, I took the 7:28 train and was home by 8:10. Amazing!

Wednesday May 21st: I had a site survey in the city then caught the train afterwards….no problem. In the pm, a colleague was headed downtown for a meeting so I hitched a ride. I have decided to keep using public transport but keep my car. I realized it does not make sense for me to give up my car- it is paid off, has 180k miles on it, and getting beat up since moving to S Philly….the profit would not be worth it. However I called my insurance company and reduced my insurance cost by changing the policy. The $$$ I will save in reducing my insurance plus adding in the cost of the rail pass is still the same price that I was paying for insurance full-time. The way I look at it, public transport will be my new 'car' with driving my own car on an as-needed basis. Today someone asked me if I missed the 'freedom of having a car.' The answer is not really because I have gained some new unforeseeable freedoms- freedom not to worry about traffic, freedom from worrying about my car on the street, all the whole enjoying the sights and sounds along my way, and enjoying more personal interaction with the general public. So while I could see how someone who is so dependent on their car would see this Challenge as an inconvenience, for the most part, it is more convenient then I ever expected.

Thursday May 22nd: I caught a later train in but still got in earlier than I used to when I drove. In the evening, I had a work event in Fairmount. I realized that I had no idea how to get from 21st and Fairmount Ave to my neighborhood. The idea of taking a bus to the Subway was not appealing that late at night. I took the best option: a cab. I have to say the Philly cab drivers are all right by me.

Friday May 23rd: The holiday weekend is here, and with roaring gas pricings I am very glad to be sticking close to home. After an early dismissal I walked up to the near by Old Navy/ Bed Bath Beyond to do some returning/purchasing. It was really easy thankfully to the great weather and convenience of being near the Wynnwood train station.

Saturday May 24th: I met OFH for breakfast (walked,) stopped by a job site (subway then walked,) went to the hair salon (walked,) ran errands from Rittenhouse to 5th and South (walked,) then I had conundrum: do I food shop and take a cab home with my groceries OR do I walk home, rent PCS, drive back up to Whole Foods then drive back??? I decided to take the grocery shop/cab route since I was already there. However I still had to do some Delaware Ave shopping. I thought it would be difficult to get a car at the last minute (4pm on a Saturday.) Luckily there was a Mini Cooper available close to my home. I took it out for 1.5 hr. I thought that would be plenty of time to go to LinensNThings and Marshalls. Boy was I mistaken…I just got back in time. Honestly I am not impressed with the Mini Cooper, poor pick-up and weird button controls. I guess pushing a button on your car to start is the new key turning?

Sunday May 25th: I had to get to the Moshulu by 11:30. It is not easy to get to by public transport from my area. Thankfully my wonderful neighbors CH and KF took me down in their car. It was the beginning of a 24 hour bachelorette party for dear friend CR. The rest of day was spent shopping, dancing lessons of sorts, drinking, dining, more drinking and hosting 3 fab French ladies at my place. We got around either in CC's minivan or by cab. It was great- city was empty, weather was lovely, what more could you ask for?

Monday May 26th: After getting up and out, the four of us drove to the Ritz-Carlton. I would not have driven up but it made sense since everyone (besides me) was leaving the city afterwards. After a mini-spa experience and a wonderful outdoor lunch, I said Au revoir to my lovely house guests. I took the subway back to the 'hood. The subway on the weekend is sort of oddly lonely. My wonderful neighborhood was having a block party. Hanging out with neighbors and eating great food in the middle of the street was THE perfect way to end a wonderful weekend!

Tuesday May 27th: Today is this week's Monday….and like every Monday, I was wishing for Friday. However I made it in.

Week Five:

Tuesday May 27th: No problem getting home. Left work on time, caught the subway, and saw a friend on the subway. There is something to be said for taking public transportation with people that you know. It puts a smile on my face.

Wednesday May 28th: I had a site meeting in the city in the morning then caught a ride back to the office with a colleague. At lunchtime I had a meeting with a broker that I carpooled with a colleague. Back on public transport again for the end of the day. AGAIN I saw 3 police cars idle yet running their motors at the Ardmore Police station. Geez so glad my walking/public transporting is off setting their misuse of tax payers dollars.

Thursday May 29th: I had a meeting in the city today for the DVGBC (Delaware Valley Green Building Council.) The mission of DVGBC, a chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, is to advance and promote sustainable and environmentally responsible planning, design, construction and operation of the region's buildings, landscapes, cities and communities, mindful of the legacy we leave for future generations. Great organization with a great mission and super people! I took the train to and from the city for my mid-day meeting.

I attended the Devon Grand Prix Horse show in the evening.
Fortunately I was able to get a ride to and from the show.

Friday May 30th: Again took the train to and from work.....my experience is beginning to sound mundane but maybe it is just becoming routine. I had a midmorning meeting that I carpooled with my colleague. Carpooling is great on many levels- sharing gas....and sharing conversation (priceless.) In the afternoon, I took the train back home. I got off at Suburban Station, ran an errand then back on the subway. Friday night, the fun came to me and a great group of creative/intelligent ladies hit a local restaurant....and I did not need to go anywhere. One of those ladies has a scooter- she fills her one gallon of gas tank once a week- and it takes her all over the city. If I were to give up my car, I think I would consider a
scooter- why not? Philadelphia is the perfect equivalent to Paris/Rome/Barcelona for that quick urban ride.

Saturday May 31st: A busy day around my neighborhood/house/etc....then late at night wanted to get up to Fairmount. This is the second time I have realized that getting from S Philly to Fairmount is nearly impossible without transferring twice and paying a boat load of $$ in cab fare....$11 dollars later I arrived at my second party of the evening. This is where I miss my car.

Sunday June 1st: My parents brought my car down to me....all clean and shiny. Late in the afternoon my friend and I ran over to Home Depot. It was nice to carpool in MY car. While I do not drive a nice car, I still prefer it over any of the PCS cars. I think it is just a comfort thing. As soon as I got in the car I smelled something weird.

I asked my friend when he got in the car, he agreed something was not right. SO after the trip in Home Depot trying to decide how to make my urban garden pretty, I looked under the driver's side seat.

EWWWWWWWW!!!! I found a tupperware container that has been in my car for the WHOLE month. EKKKKK!

Monday June 2nd: Where is my car???? On my street....parked....while I took public transport to work :) Now I have to figure out what is the best option for me since I know there will be days that I drive my car to work. Do I get tickets in advance and buy tokens? Do I get a city pass then add on regional rail for zone 2? Do I get a monthly $112 pass for all access? Decisions, decisions, decisions. For now I will do the advance tickets/ token route as a trial....then go on from there.

In summary, I have learned some good life lessons:

1. If you have less (ie my car,) you learn to live with less. Living with less made me feel better.

2. Planning in advance is the key to successful public transporting.

Planning starts with your outfit for the day, prepacking lunch/shoes/reading material, organizing social/work schedule....in other words, it can be done as long as you think before you act.

3. To the naysayers, I say that one person can make a difference! It only takes one person to begin the change, and the participants were those people to help make the change. My difference was not only for myself, but for (what felt like hundreds of) people that I talked to about my experience, those who questioned or said it was cool or began looking into for themselves. My difference is that I did not spend $$ on gas, that I saw things I would not have seen in my car, that I am someone who has contributed her little bit to help make a difference.

In conclusion, I want to thank EVERYONE who has helped me along the way....my collegues at Meyer Design Inc., my family, my parents for looking over my car, my friends, my neighbors....it took a village for me to get through the month....and now it is part of who I am.