No, not the computer virus or the narsty Mountain Dew. 
I'm talking about the air quality index, thanks in part to the Hades-caliber heat we've had over the past two days.
Air Quality indexes basically fall into 7 different levels, much like the absurd minorly informative Homeland Security Threat Level system. Good (0-50) is green, moderate (51-100) is yellow, not-so-great/"Unhealthy for sensitive groups" (101-150) is orange, and so on until we've reached maroon, a.k.a. "there's been a volcanic eruption, and if you haven't died from that, you'll probably get emphysema in 10 minutes and die in another 20" (301-500).
This week is my unofficial three year anniversary of living in the D.C. area, and probably my first experience of a "Code Red" day. I knew that the combination of heat, humidity, and pollution was probably going to up the index but didn't realize that it was that bad until I saw an Arlington ART bus pass by with "Free Rides Today" flashing. That being said — it's nice to know proactive steps are being taken when the air is this unhealthy. Not only is it good for those who would otherwise be walking and breathing in tainted air, but it also cuts down on emissions. Well, theoretically. 
That being said… my goal this summer is to start biking to work again. I had a pretty good gig going when I first moved down to DC - I was living in Fairfax, so I would bike to work in Arlington, bike home, then drive to the barn to ride. Then, when I moved to Arlington and started working in the city, I'd ride to work, back home, then drive to the barn. Pattern that works with biking to work: home -> work -> home -> barn. Pattern that doesn't: home -> work -> barn -> home, which is what I doing when I went to the barn every day. 
Now that it's June, and I have no more excuses to avoid bike commuting, I need to get my ass in gear. I think I've found a route, it's only about 9 or 10 miles door to door. Stay tuned for adventures in bike commuting. 
One less car! (Three times a week.)
