Here we go again. Being a jerk is an inherent part of each of my challenges, and this months is no different. During veganism, I had to announce my food preference to all I was dining with. The harmonica made me sound like a middle school student music student just learning how to play for the first time. And now, my lack of driving is making me feel like dead weight – I’m always along for the ride but never the driver.

In this scenario, I play they guy who owns and operates his own car, but refuses to out of principle. I kid you not, there is a fully fueled Ford Ranger in my parking spot fully registered and everything; but it’s going nowhere for at least a few more weeks.

While I anticipated the inconveniences on my part such as not getting to work as comfortably, being in a safer position on the roads, and so on. However, I didn’t even think of the affect this would have on those around me. Particularly my fiancé, Tiffany.

The days that this most affects her is when I don’t have work. The daily routine on my days off start with me getting up, having my morning dose of Earl Grey and taking Tiff to work downtown. It’s not a far drive, and it’s an easy thing to do if there’s nothing else going on. Sometimes my schedule will have me start work later in the day, which means Tiff gets some bonus rides throughout the week. Lucky girl!

When I proposed this challenge, she was immediately against it. “Who’s going to take me to work?”

“The bus driver,” I replied. Thus, she’s been frequenting the bus more often.

This morning was a bit of grey area that I’m probably going to catch some flack for. Tiff woke up with an ear ache that was bothersome enough to warrant a call to the doctor. “Can I ask you a philosophical questions?” she said, while dialing the doctors number. “If I get an early appointment, can you take me?”

Oh, how the internal struggle raged on inside me. Here is the woman I am going to marry who’s in pain and wants medical attention (not emergency care, mind you), and here I am having to say “no.” Which, I did say. “But it’s an emergency,” she pleaded. But I held on to my goal of not driving. I’m not a driver for the whole month. I mean it.

Needless to say I got the silent treatment for the next few minutes, but she said she understood and was able to get a later appointment that she could grab a bus ride for. After an ear cleaning, the doctor said her ear canal was a little inflamed, but that it should go away. And it has. I dodged a bullet, there. Still, was I right to hold on to my convictions on this one?

It feels like each of my challenges puts me in an awkward position, or two, that can annoy and alienate others around me. Any other month, it wouldn’t have been an issue. But these tasks change me. For better or for worse.

Maybe my next challenge should be only doing good deeds (like Elaine has pointed out) for people around me. Everyone gets a massage for a month … wait I can already see how this might backfire. I can see the headlines now: “local blogger arrested for physical harassment.” I’m pleading with the cops as they’re cuffing me, “it’s for my blog! It’s for my blog.”

Good times.

Later Days,
Matt