I made this bet.
You should be careful when you do that. The other person may hold you to it. Matt did that. Now I have to do my part. I'll explain the bet in a minute.

Dang.
I didn't actually believe he would do it. Since I can't ride a regular bike without a lot of nerve pain between my shoulder blades (already way ahead of you -I see a Chiropractor and get Therapeutic Massages when my friend Melissa wants to trade out), I will be getting a recumbent.

Enter the bet.
I bet Matt if he gave up meat I would commute to work by bike. Being that we're both inclined to keep our word because we believe that intangible substances like honor, truth, integrity mean only as much as the energy we put into them. We could be at an impasse. We're not though. We both believe that when you give your word to do something, you do it. I don't really know how to define love, compassion, truth, respect -other than through action.

I've expressed it this way. These are my expressive views, not Matt's. If you asked Matt he could have very different views on this. I don't presuppose to speak for anyone. Quoting and paraphrasing the Dali Lama, my only real religion is kindness to all beings, my god is peace, and I bring god and participate in religion by making compassionate choices. That's it for me. An example is, should something have to die painfully so I can eat? No.

How did the bet come about?
I'm vegetarian with borderline vegan tendencies. Over six years ago I gave up meat in all forms. My reasons were physical at first, then environmental. Spiritual and mental concerns followed next. Finally, as I delved into my own human nature, ethical reasons came to the surface.

Once you start digging, you can't just stop. Some people say you can; I can't. You have to know your own nature and how far you are willing to take an idea before you start. Deciding after the fact not only puts you in danger, it could put other people in danger. It's called readilism: being a realistic idealist. Or some other made up word. The point is: decide beforehand, when you can. For there may be some time when you can't; it may be the most important time in your life. How do you know when it's that time? Be ready beforehand. Yet, be supple. Thanks Renee. And Melissa.

What's next?
You take the bet. That was Matt's idea. Also we figured, I blog my commuting re-education. Matt blogs his palate re-eduction. If you're vegetarian, find a meat-person to take the challenge. You commute if they re-educate how they eat by becoming vegetarian. If you eat meat, challenge a veg-head to commute if you go veg.