I'm talking to you all who know what I mean, lives 30 minutes to an hour if not more away and traffic is a b/tch. However I have begun to notice that I.. actually look forward to those drives. It gives me a chance to get away from everyone and everything for a bit. Lets me clear my mind, listen to my podcasts. My favorite is the drive home from work because I am more awake and don't have to be worrying about being somewhere at a particular time (in most cases). Those drives to and from work is MY time, my alone time at that. If I pace myself I will always get to work on time and the family always expects me to be home by a certain time with the drive and traffic acknowledged so I always can expect to have that hour all to myself twice a day. No responsibilities, no badgering from anyone, no having to listen to other peoples problems and handing out advice (family and friends). Who else looks forward to that wondrous drive to and from work?
i enjoy it to an extent for the reasons you provided, but i'm still scared to death of all the idiot drivers out there. it amazes me that it's so easy to be able to legally control something that can so easily kill other people.
I do. I've downloaded hours upon hours of lectures on topics I'm interested in for the sole purpose of accompanying my long drives. I don't even listen to music much on my drives anymore.
My drive to work from Washington to Federal Road is maybe 20 minutes. I'm usually half asleep and don't even pay attention to the radio or my iPod. The drive home there's sometimes traffic on I-10 right near downtown, and that's when I enjoy the music and the cold 16 ounce in the cup holder. No, I do not enjoy driving at all. My car has 20,000 miles in 3 1/2 years, that should tell ya.
I used to live 25-35 minutes from work depending on traffic. Moved two months ago, now I'm within 5 minutes of work. The lack of a drive home to think about your day, or the drive to work so you're ready to go has been something I've definitely noticed. The move was strictly economical, save over a hundred a month in gas plus rent is about $200 cheaper. I find myself now just getting in the car and driving to Lake Conroe just to get out of the house and get my needed drive in.
I have the option of driving to work (20 minutes typically) or taking the bus (50 minutes). Even though it is longer, I take the bus simply so I don't have to worry about idiot drivers, reduce gas/maintenance costs for my car, and the extra hour a day I spend commuting helps me catch up on a lot of reading I've been meaning to do.
I do. Recently I've learned to do things WHILE I drive, like listen to a photography youtube video (something substantial where someone is talking, so I don't have to look at the screen), or a podcast on how to do something. We could probably earn a Ph.D. or a Master's degree WHILE on the way home or to work if we could just listen and concentrate on those lessons, then just take a quiz when you arrive at your wo... Wait a minute... Wait just a gosh darn minute... NOBODY STEAL MY IDEA!!!
I got to point where I was enjoying the drive home as well But now I pick up our 2.5 year old daughter on the way home. I started playing childrens music for herand now that's all she wants. It's getting old quick, I need to get some more music choices
That's what I'm thinking. You need to re-evaluate your home life if sitting in traffic is among the best hours of your day. I abhor commuting, though I've gotten pretty numb to it now. Next summer I'll be moving closer to work and it cannot get her any faster.
a lot of time it is hard to get alone time at home. it doesn't necessarily mean he hates his home life, but we all enjoy some alone time now and then. though, i never tire of the judgments clutchfans posters love to make on other clutchfans from the comfort of their own computer where they're making thousands of posts on a message board.
no one can ever convince me that spending an hour in traffic to and from work is a good thing. sports radio gets boring after callers spew the same stupid questions over and over. i'd rather read the book at home than listen to the audiobook. spending 10 hours in a car each week is hell.
Not really. I thoroughly enjoy my life, however just like everyone said- I enjoy having downtime from the family. I enjoy silence and being able to learn (through podcasts). I can do these things at home but I can always expect to be bugged for something by someone. Face it, in life you have responsibilities to kids, to wife, to family, to bills, to maintenance- it's constantly go go go go.. when I have free time at home I am tempted to watch sports, write or play guitar, do my workout, watch movies with family, spend quality time with family, then kids need to go to ball practice or wife wants a date. Now while those things are cherished you also want balance which is tough without that drive to and from work. Not to mention your friends want to go have a guys night out which is fun. That drive from work is a nice element in life, it's peaceful, I'm not being bugged or rushed(if your in traffic you can't speed it up). Allows me to clear my mind, learn through podcasts and think deeply focusing on my self for a change. That drive adds the perfect balance to my life, my life goes from being great to being great on steroids.
I agree with this, but still choose short commute over drive any day of the week, all else being the same. I have always prioritized where I live for as short a commute as possible... even moreso now that I have less free time to myself once I do get home. Your kids are only up so many hours a day, and adding another 30 minutes onto each end of the day would be an extra hour I don't get to see them. Growing up with a father who worked long hours, and often on weekends, I promised I wouldn't be that guy. Sometimes you can't help it with work, but can certainly try to minimize it. Moreover, as nice as podcasts are, I still find it limiting if you really want to get engrossed in a topic. Plus the added cost of gas, maintenance, etc. If I lived in a city with legit public transport, then I would be open to adding a little bit more of a commute. Then with the ipad could really get some productive alone time.
