Entertainment Value

So in order to commute 12-18 hours a week (328.4 miles a week, yes I calculated it), you have to be able to do two things.

First and foremost, you need to have the ability to be alone. Commuting is a solitude experience. You are ONE with your car. I sometimes am envious of carpoolers and daydream about what it would be like, but at the end of the day I think I prefer to commute alone. Mainly because I can come and go as I please and I don’t have to worry about the other person’s schedule. Also, because in the morning, the last thing I want to do is talk! Maybe that is the introverted side of me. I also think I enjoy commuting alone because it allows me time to reflect on the day, make plans for the week, weekend, and month. Hence, some of you might get calls with long voicemails between the hours of 5-6:30 pm. It’s also time I use to work out a problems I have or think through a situation to ensure I don’t over react or plan something nice for someone (although, I’ve been having more ideas then I have time for).

Secondly, in order to be a commuter you have to be able to entertain yourself. Yes, I mean even laugh at yourself. I entertain myself in many ways. The radio is an obvious one. I listen to the radio and depend on the radio a lot! Talk radio shows irritate me, so I am continually looking for stations with music. (CD’s are not an option since my infamous Reno trip in 2004 in which my CD play stopped working). I could use my IPOD, but dealing with the devices to have it work is more trouble than it’s worth. So the radio is my best friend during these hours.

The radio provides me a platform to practice my vocal talent, or lack there of. I defiantly enjoy singing along to all the stations, from rap to light rock less talk, depending on my mood of course. Some days I long to hear Ludicrous “Move Bitch”, others I want to hear “Real Love” by Mary J Bliege. I also start hearing songs over and over again and begin to analyze them and deduce the meaning of them. I do this without as second nature. One song that caused debate was Neo’s, Kayne and Kerri Hilson song about “love knocks you down”. Are they singing about when Love is good and you get knock down by it or when it’s bad and you get knock down? I’m still wondering….

I also like to dance and wiggle to songs. Currently, the song “Throw it in the bag” by someone has me ready to break out my dancing heels and show my stuff. But usually any reggae, Biggie, or club mixes get me wishing I was on a dance floor. I know you have all seen people jamming to their own beat in their car. That’s ME! I use to care about people seeing me, but not any more. I’m having fun and that is all that matters.

I often remember things that happen or stupid things I have done and start laughing to myself. If someone was sitting next to me, they might think I was a little crazy. But life is funny and you have to sit back at laugh at yourself and things that happen.

How do you guys pass the time in your commute?