Day 4: finance and getting around

[nyankoframe]

There aren't many pictures, because most of the morning was spent establishing my financial presence. I opened both a savings and a checking account at First Tech Credit Union, which immediately gives me access to a debit card and various ATMs around Redmond and on the Microsoft campus. While I'll have to wait about another 2 weeks to get my Social Security card number or wait about 8-10 weeks if I submit an application right now in order to get my credit card and other things, this is at least a step in the right direction. I need to deposit money though...

I also finally bought a bicycle (along with a headlight, taillight, helmet and bike chain) and took it out for some night cycling yesterday evening in traffic. It was a good experience, because I need to get used to cycling during dusk (especially when going shopping for groceries) and in traffic (when going to/coming back from work). I was a bit nervous at first, but the drivers in Redmond are generally quite courteous and gave me the right of way when I needed it (for example, turning left at intersections, and keeping a distance of about a mile few yards or so behind me though perhaps that was because of the reflector). Apparently that's not the case in cities like Boston, New York and Chicago, though...

Here's a (rather) blurred picture of the bicycle. I blame that on the lighting conditions. :P


I'm going to attempt to cycle about 3 miles tomorrow to the nearest Cingular shop that offers pre-paid payment and buy a GoPlan so that I won't be tied to a contract and I can still be contacted using my current phone (instead of getting a calling card, which doesn't help other people call me). I don't think it's going to be very cheap, though, especially not in the long run...

Comments

[relsqui.livejournal.com]

Not cheap at all in the long run, but it's a good instinct not to get tied into a contract.

I sit a few inches below the level of my LCD monitor, so dark images sometimes look a little off--in particular, that bicycle picture looks very colorful and neon. Try it! 8) It's fine when I look at it straight-on, though.

[nakaemi.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm certainly glad the drivers were nice enough not to try and trample you with their cars... ^^;; I am ith Cingular, but I do have a contract. It's all right thoughsince I never go over my limits and most of my calls are Cingular to Cingular because my family is with Cingular. :p

[haplo3k.livejournal.com]

Keeping a mile or so behind you? WTF?

When a person is riding their bike on the road, unless I see them swerving out into the road (in which case I think they're drunk,) I assume they are intelligent competent people who can handle sharing the road, and drive past them with about 2m of distance.

Creeping along a mile behind a bicycle? That is seriously messed up.

[itsacz.livejournal.com]

An expensive bicycle you've got there. :p Rawr. You need to practice climbing hills so you can cycle here. >O