Tomorrow I will face a bit of a dilemma.
No, it's not about what to do with the rest of my life, although I've been thinking (and not feeling very encouraged) about that lately. Rather, it's something a bit more mundane, though the way I resolve it might affect other things in my life.
It's like this: In the morning, I'm leading a writing workshop. It's in a business environment, so I have to look more or less professional, even though it will be a Saturday. That means, among other things, no shorts, tank tops, T shirts or flip-flops. I don't think sneakers would be such a great idea, either.
Once that workshop is done, I'm going to co-lead a bike repair workshop for WE Bike NYC (a.k.a. Women's Empowerment Through Bicycles). This workshop will be a bit different from others in that people will bring in their bikes and we will show them how to make repairs or do maintenance they need. Professional attire is, of course, not required.
The logical thing--which, believe it or not, is what I'll probably do-- would be to pack clothes I wouldn't mind smudging with grease or staining with other substances and to change--either in the bathroom of the office building where I'll be doing the writing workshop or at Smorgasburg, where the repair workshop will be held.
Then again, a part of me wants to show up for the repair workshop in a skirt and heels. I'm thinking of the day Velouria and I rode, when I switched the pedals and made a couple of other adjustments while wearing what I'd worn to work that day. Somehow I managed not to make a mess. But I don't know how long I could sustain that.
But for all of those people who are intimidated by the prospect of working on their own bikes, I could send a message by showing up as a "working woman". On the other hand, whatever I change into won't be bike clothes (i.e., no spandex), so I won't be projecting the image of a "bike jock" or "shop rat."
Or would I? I've just had a manicure and pedicure today.
Note: Photos were taken by Velouria and are on her blog, Lovely Bicycle!
