Decisions, decisions

Full circle: I started this blog in September of 2010, just after returning to Bellingham from Ashland, Oregon where I had taken a one-week class, Bicycle Repair & Maintenance for Women, at United Bicycle Institute. Within a month of my return, I lost my job. Less than a month after that, the managers of my apartment building picked a quarrel with me about keeping my bicycle in the living room of my apartment. This led to five months of legal hassles until finally, in March of 2011, I was evicted. That's how I ended up living here in Ferndale, and working in the coffee shop at the Bellingham Airport. This was supposed to be a temporary arrangement, until I could get a real job and move to a nicer apartment in a better location. Instead, I lasted a bit more than two years in the job, and I've been in the same apartment for five years now. My trials, triumphs, rambling thoughts and amusements during this period have been chronicled in this blog.

On the road to UBI-Ashland in August, 2010

After I returned from my dream-tour in Montreal last summer, I didn't really have a plan for the next phase of my life. I spent another dreary winter in Ferndale, then suddenly it was spring again and I still didn't have a plan. During the early part of the summer I was taking short bike-trips around Whatcom County, but mostly I would just wake in the morning whenever I wanted to, then decide what to do with my day.

And so, somewhat impulsively, I have decided to go back to UBI's Portland school in the fall, for their full mechanic's certification course, including week-long courses in wheel-building and suspension repair. I made a list of some 2-3 day bike trips I wanted to take before I left. But then, somewhat impulsively, I put in a job application at the deli and Food Court area of the only grocery store in Ferndale, and was immediately hired for full-time at minimum wage. I figured it would be good to get a few paychecks in the bank before I go back to school, and it would be a useful work-hardening program. UBI's classes meet 8am-5pm five days a week and I was a bit worried about being able to keep to a strict schedule again - it's been a long time.

I am now convinced I cannot make a living at high-volume retail work again, even a marginal subsistence living. The job is very fast-paced, not much heavy lifting, but I'm on my feet all the time, serving one customer after another, cleaning and restocking in slow spells, with barely a chance to take breaks and lunch. At the end of the day I walk home and barely have energy left to fix dinner before bedtime. On days off I can just manage to get to the laundromat and Post Office in Bellingham. I try to get to yoga class when I can. Forty hour weeks were wiping me out, so I asked to have my hours reduced to only 24-30/week, beginning next week. I plan to give notice at the end of August so I can have some time to get organized before I leave for Portland, and also maybe take a few of those fun little bike trips I had planned.

I'm not too sure what my job prospects are post-Bicycle Mechanic School. I expect the hourly wage would be better, but jobs are probably part-time and seasonal. I don't think there's a bike shop in Whatcom County that would hire me - as a customer I'm mostly treated like a nuisance and a flake (which is part of my motivation for going back to UBI). Besides I don't really see myself as a full-time mechanic, and I definitely don't want to end up working in a sweat-shop assembly job building wheels or putting together department store bikes. But food prep and service is useful experience for working with bicyclists, who are hearty, appreciative eaters. And I have many other practical skills, plus good work habits and people skills. And I am independent-minded, creative, adaptable, nothing like a herd-animal.

No turning back from here.