Time to Ditch your Personal Car

By the time you’re 18, you probably already own – or at least use your parent’s – car. The feeling of driving by yourself, with the windows down while you listen to The National’s About Today on your way to work, school, or anything else, makes this moment, well – independent. 

But, what is independent? Is it the feeling that you’ll feel road rage as traffic makes a 10-minute commute home turn into a 40-minute one? Or that you’ll have to stop-and-go all the way home? No. 

Being independent means making decisions that are best for you. Deciding to take care of yourself by taking public transport, and avoiding all the negativity of driving is a great first step. I’m sure you’ve been wanting to finish that book you’ve put off for a while, and now is your chance. Or maybe you want to finally get into This American Story from NPR – check it out if you haven’t done so. 

My point is this. Our planet can’t take it anymore. Imagine someone stuck in a closet, with a generator on. They would be suffocating, and our planet is too. And what does “our planet mean” exactly? Well, it certainly doesn’t mean this imaginary thing we forget about. Our planet is everything. You, me, him, her, your cat, your dog, your tomato plant in your backyard. You get the idea. 

So why is your personal car so important to this discussion? If you haven’t figured it out by now, please play attention. There are too many cars out there producing too much pollution – whether it is noise, air, or car accidents. The fact of the matter is, that we have to use what’s already around us. We can’t wait for the next “big thing” to appear and save us all. 

The Guardian recently said that “self-driving cars” won’t save us, and why? Because they’re still cars at the end of the day. So my message to you is this. 

Look up your public transport system in your city. Use your bike. Walk. Share your vehicle. You’ll be surprised with what you didn’t know is around you, and how much closer you’ll feel to your home. And if the public transport system isn’t great. Well, then make it. Ok, maybe you can’t ditch your own car, but at make the effort to use it less, much less. YOU have the power to change our system. YOU have the power to make it better. YOU have the power to decide.

Getting to know San Diego: Cabrillo National Monument

After three weeks of our move from Florida in February of this year, my girlfriend and I decided to visit the famous Cabrillo National Monument. Located in Point Loma, we eagerly woke up one Saturday morning and headed over. We had seen beautiful pictures online of the magnificent view the Cabrillo offers, and couldn’t wait to see it ourselves. One thing we didn’t know we were going to see on our drive there, was the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in memory of fallen heroes. Quite a sight it was. 

 

Once we arrived, their annual membership for one vehicle of only USD 20 was a no brainer for us, and quickly found a parking spot to start exploring! Lots of tourists were taking pictures by the Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo statue, and looking in awe at the beautiful view into America’s Finest City. Off in the distance, Downtown San Diego, people enjoying their weekend with their sail boats, and the mountains as the backdrop. The historic lighthouse is a must-see as well. While we love Florida for all it offers, the natural beauty of San Diego is one of a kind.

As lovers of nature, we set out on a hike, and humorously confused huge spots of algae to possible sharks in the water. We kept on, and found a re-enacted World War II bunker as it was used almost 70 years ago. The volunteers inside were eager to tell us the history behind them, and encourage everyone to visit them when you’re in Cabrillo! They are open to the public every second and last Saturday of every month. In case you have extra time on your hands, they are looking for volunteers who love history, and enjoying telling visitors about the bunker’s importance. 

The Point Loma Tide Pools, however, are breathtaking, especially if you’re there later in the day – not too late as they close it to the public around 4 p.m. While you may walk down to the Tide Pools, it is recommended you take your vehicle. Parking can be a little hectic, so head farther down the road and you’ll find a spot. 

Listening to the waves crash and retreat against the huge rocks below us was the best way to relax after a stressful week back in reality. However, San Diegans live in this reality. Where nature is part of their lives, where society meets Earth, and the two learn to live side-by-side. While the relationship between society and nature may not be as perfect as we wish it to be, I am appreciative of our planet, and of my new city. 

The chatter in the background of those around us, the young couple sitting together on a rock as they look into the abyss of the ocean, those trying to get the best shots for their vacation album, and the group of friends who are enjoying each other’s company reflects the allure of Cabrillo, and all its glory. 

We leave happy, knowing that this beautiful landscape is in our backyard, and that we can retreat to it as we wish. The fresh air, the wonderful views, the company, made this trip to Cabrillo, and the many more as we discover San Diego and the American Southwest, worth every penny, and every second of our time.

The Joys of Adulthood: Job Hunting

 

“Searching for a job, is a job in itself.” As the old saying goes, embarking on a job search can be exhausting, stressful, but ultimately rewarding (hopefully). Maybe you too have experienced the joy of this important milestone. Or maybe you haven’t, and could use some insight into it. 

Well, as Shannon and I continue to get settled in San Diego, CA, I am job hunting myself. The usual go-to move of repetitive online searching and applying is the easiest way, but perhaps not the most effective. We all basically throw our resumes into the bottomless pit of online applications that are rarely looked at and even less frequently considered, clinging to the smidge of hope that one day someone will respond. Or you can pull the old-fashioned move of going to the organization in person and asking to speak with the hiring manager. Ballsy.

The other option is that you send your application directly to HR, follow-up with a phone call within 24h to a few days, and make a better impression that way. This has been effective for me in the past, and it could be in your future too.

Source: Hubpages.com

Things can go awry in these situations too, though.  Most recently, I accepted a job offer to work as a Fundraiser with Greenpeace. With a strong background and passion for environmental policy, I was blown away at the opportunity to work for such a powerful organization. Well, while the online job description explained one thing, it meant another and during training, I realized I was hired to canvass, meaning I stop people in the middle of the street (or mall), talk to them about a recent Greenpeace campaign, and eventually ask them to donate money.  

With canvassing in general, I learned on my first day that I am actually very capable of doing it, but not to my enjoyment and definitely not able to do so full-time. Too much stress, as many people just ignore you and brush you off. Doing this for eight hours a day, I concluded, was best suited to other people. 

So as you can see, the job hunt will surprise you. You’ll think you’ve landed something interesting, but in the end realize you don’t want to stop people as they go have lunch at the funky looking Mexican restaurant around the corner. Okay, maybe this isn’t always the case but all I’m saying is be prepared. For anything. In the end, you will learn to better explain yourself – as you interview for various positions and convince others to hire you, understand the local job market a little better, and hopefully find a job you are happy waking up for.  Or happy enough to make it work.