Saturday, March 28, 2009

My first wedding, on a bicycle

My first wedding, on a bicycle

My roommate was getting married on Friday. Looking at my clothes on Thursday morning, I had the thought of investing in a new jacket. I didn't really have one. The last one I bought was 10 years ago, when I was doing job interviews within an undergrad Coop program. A friend of mine told me that every guy should have at least one suit. I thought this was reasonable.

The day of Thursday went by as well as Friday morning. Time was running out and the wedding ceremony was at 5:00 PM.

2:30PM, I finally take my bike and ride downtown in the quest of finding a cheap black jacket. I go straight to a store on Pender and Granville. The vendor quickly make me understand that the full suit was going to be cheaper than the jacket only... Well new pants won't hurt as well! Let's go for the full suit then. 3:25, I found jacket, suit, tie, but alterations are needed for the pants. They will make them right away, but I needed to come back at 4:30.

I ride back home, ironed my shirt, check on the Internet how to make a tie knot, it is 4:20.

How am I supposed to get back the to store at one corner of down town, and then go to the wedding, which is in west-end, near English bay? My date is supposed to arrive in a minute and we planned to take a cab there. I don't want to miss the wedding ceremony of my roommate, which became like a sister, over the years of living together... Traffic will be terrible at that time in downtown and it was also the last Friday of the month, with the critical mass folks invading the streets in a moment. 4:22, my date called, she is late, in fact she lost of driver license and will meet me there!

Good, I'm taking my bike. 4:40, I am on the road. 4:58, pick up my suit, fit it in my back pack, hoping it will stay nice. 5:10 I am at the hotel. I had to reach the 35th floor. Got there a litle bit sweaty, but no smell, at 5:15 and the ceremony didn't started yet! Time for the washroom, removed the jeans, put pants and jacket on! Here I am! Just on time! My roommate got married, everyone cried, including me!

After 6 hours of party, it is time to go home. I am tired and I have my bike with me. You can look cool coming to a wedding on your bike, but if you plan to not come home alone, biking is not that cool. Well, I am alone that night, so it is not an issue. Also, you need to pray that no drunk drivers will not be speeding on your path.

So biking is the solution for quick wedding commute in cities? or just go shopping the week before?