Driving Home
As I pulled out of the parking lot and into the street, headed for the for the highway, I was reminded of old times.
The times aren't so old - they were really only over the past couple of years - but they harkened back to a slower, more relaxed period of time. Nights when I couldn't sleep and had a lot on my mind I would get dressed, hop in the car, and just drive. There isn't anywhere I would go, in particular, I would just hit the web of major roads around the area. There's something about the darkness and the quiet and the glow of a single set of headlights in the night...
I would take these opportunities to think out whatever was weighing on me, to consider options, to figure things out. It's an enjoyable time, all in all.
From time to time, now that I live a little farther from work, I am asked how I like the commute. Before, my drive in only took about 3-5mins depending on the lights. Now, it takes about 20 - it will be longer once the area gets attacked by all the lake-effect snow off of Lake Ontario. It's not a bad drive, really. In the mornings it gives me a chance to get up to speed before work, and in the evenings it gives me some time to decompress a bit.
Despite missing out on the peak of the leaves, driving through the somewhat wooded, rural corridor each day does offer some great views of skyscapes and forested hills. Before, I would be lucky if I saw a bird or someone walking their dog on my way in. Now that I live where I do it isn't out of the realm of possibility that I might come across a deer or two on the foggy slopes that line the way.
Even though I spend so much time in my solitary confinement, I enjoy the time I get to myself during my daily journeys. While tangentially listening to NPR and commuting to and from a place where I actually get things done, it offers something different from my lonely life. I feel like I'm doing something instead of sitting at home wondering what to do.
From right now, I have roughly 33 hours before I have to be anywhere. I can do anything, go just about anywhere. Will I drive just to drive? Will I go do something new? What comes next? More of the same? Or something else?
