Five More on Friday

from Cheesehead....

1. Driving: an enjoyable way to clear the mind? a means to an end? a chance to be quiet with one's thoughts? a necessary evil? the downfall of our planet and its fossil fuels? Discuss.

Driving is relaxing for me. I don't like driving on the interstate around here--too much traffic and everyon is insane--but I live far enough into the country that I could drive around for a couple of hours and have difficulty finding a four-lane road. In which case...crank the stereo, roll down the windows, hit the gas...and scream if necessary.

And, yes, the downfall of the planet.

If I had a horse I could do this on, I'd probably enjoy it just as much: the whole concept is escape and solitariness.

2. Do you drive the speed limit? A little faster? Slower? Have you ever gotten a ticket?

I consistently drive within 5 miles over the speed limit. That's how I stay awake on long drives, by trying to keep the speed absolutely consistent...assuming there's no cruise control to do it for me.
No tickies. Ever.
Yet.

3. Do you take public transportation? When? What's your opinion of the experience?

Assuming I'm in no huge hurry and am aware of the safe zones wherever I'm "transiting," I L-O-V-E public transportation! When we were in London a couple of years ago, I told Beast he could save on hotels by just buying me a pass on the Tube and letting me ride around all day looking at the people. I could write my novel right there!

I'm less keen on buses, just because I tend to get motion sickness.

4. Complete this sentence: _____________ has the worst drivers I've ever experienced.

It's a tie between Italy and Russia.

On this side of the ocean, Chicago, followed very closely by L.A. and Boston. I haven't been to New York, so they're off the hook.

5. According to the Census Bureau, reverendmother's fair city has the 6th longest average commute in the United States at 29 minutes each way. How does your personal commute rate?

My current commute to work (and virtually everywhere else, frankly!) is about 18 minutes. Beast's is 45-60, unless he goes at 5 a.m., when it's about 30. Which means our household is almost exactly average for our area. That's kind of creepy.

Bonus for the brutally honest: It has been said, and the MythBusters have confirmed, that cell phones can impede driving ability almost as much as drinking. Do you talk on a cell phone while driving?

Yes. Not often, and I try to use my earpiece as much as possible. But after watching that on Mythbusters (it's episode 33 by the way), I realized it's not just the hands-free part, it's the focus. It's also a bad example for Sparky, who will be driving in just under 3 years.