Since I spend nearly four hours a day doing it (and traffic has been rocky lately), I was thinking about commuting. Everyone commutes in some fashion and for various distances. There are cars, trains, boats, buses, bikes, subways and those stupid little Segway things. But there are different types of commuters. Some spend the ride on their cell or laptop. I have watched people watch movies on their iPhones for the entire trip. There are those who always come on with a companion to chat with. When I take the bus, I know two ladies (different buses) who sit up front and jaw with the driver every day. On the boat, many just hang around the bar every evening on their way home or stand outside with the smokers.

But I realized I am of a different type – and, frankly, I think we are the majority. For me – commuting is a solitary experience. Commuting is never not miserable. So I’m just trying to get through it. The ride is about me and my iPod or me and a book or me and sleep. I am not very social when I’m commuting, I must admit. I would rather sit quietly somewhere and zone out. Let it pass. Even when I was driving in Kuwait – that was me and the music trying to find Zen amongst a few thousand, asshole drivers. Because if you are too aware (or awake), you will start to feel the commute. It will invade you space and irritation at every noise or stop or person sitting too close to you will drive you nuts.

Zen – plug in and tune out. It’s the only time I allow that in my life. Just ask my wife.

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