My How-To Entries are not meant to be formal or extensive but they are more a reflection of my interests and activities. I won't write about things of which I have no knowledge. Most guides will concern things I have actually done, have researched thoroughly, or am interested in doing in the future. Just writing about them might be interesting, but turning them into a simple guide might actually be beneficial to someone. Occasionally I might just write a joke entry. All of this helps clear my brain of random thoughts, gets the creative juices flowing and kills my writer's block for other projects.
Today I was on the road for awhile without a passenger to talk to, so these are some of my ideas for enjoying the drive.
Radio: An obvious choice, I know, but I have eclectic taste so I keep it on scan for a while to find the good songs. I have the Soundhound App on my phone, which recognizes and archives songs for you. I don’t text and drive like some nuts, but it’s fairly easy to push the orange button. That way, I can remember all the new songs that I heard and liked along the way. Occasionally I play CD’s, but even your favorites can get old after a long drive.
Language CD’s: I’m currently learning Chinese and learning by audio CD’s is the best way to produce an authentic accent. I don’t have time to go to a class right now, but even 15 minutes of practice in the car is enough time to learn several new phrases.
Phone: This is not recommended for everyone. Some people simply shouldn’t talk and drive. I recommend using a headset or, if your car has it, built-in bluetooth. You can even use speakerphone. Talking helps me stay alert and prevents drowsiness. I usually catch up on all the phone calls I need to make while I’m in the car.
Prayer: I’m sure that God would like for us to dedicate some time solely for Him without mulititasking all the time, but cartime can be a great time for additional prayer, especially for safety.
Reminders: If you have a recorder or your phone has one built in, you can record audio notes and reminders. I often make to-do lists, but I can’t write while driving.
Favorite snacks and drinks: Indulge a little bit and get yourself a comfort snack when you stop for gas. It will make a lonely drive much more enjoyable. I don’t drink much soda anymore and I only eat sweets on special occasions, but if ever my drive is much longer than an hour, I’ll get myself a mountain dew or coffee and laffy taffys for the road. The guilty pleasure helps offset my back stiffness.
Photography: I don’t recommend this while driving unless your camera is mounted, but if you have the time to stop along the way, look for interesting sights and then use an app like footprints to document it. I once mounted a video camera in my passeger seat and recorded the drive during a beautiful sunset, then saved it for stock footage.
There isn’t a lot you can do but drive when you’re the driver, and that should be your main focus, but for me having something small to do keeps me from zoning out or getting sleepy, which can be just as dangerous as a distraction.
Any other ideas?
Coming Soon: How to SCUBA, How to Become an Adoptive Parent, and How to Handle a Power Outage in Winter
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