Comments on: 5 Items to Snap You Out of Your Daily Commuting Routine

By: Shaka

Shaka — Sun, 03 Apr 2011 01:00:52 +0000

beer

By: Matt

Matt — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 05:41:27 +0000

I take my own coffee (although, not in a Stanley thermos) and listen to a music (no radio commercials, but no traffic/weather, either), audio book (one with a good plot or interesting knowledge helps), or NPR if I need some intellectual conversations starters when I get to the office.

In addition to laying out my wardrobe (that standing valet looks nice), I lay out my toiletries and pack my lunch the night before.

By: steven jones

steven jones — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 22:56:26 +0000

A bicycle. Riding a bike to work, unlike riding a car, cannot become monotonous. You experience constant awareness of your surroundings, from bird songs to honking horns. And bad weather days are even better. When you’re wrapped in a neon yellow poncho w/ rain pouring down from the sky, wind buffeting you from all sides, when you finally do get to work, exhausted and soaked, you suddenly realize you’ve actually achieved something. You’ve met a challenge head on (literally) and powered through it. And that’s before you even walk in the door at work.

By: Stephen Bourque

Stephen Bourque — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:54:45 +0000

For the same reason that the standing valet is a time saver, I find it helpful to have the next day’s lunch ready to go in one spot in the refrigerator.

I use my Stanley thermos every day and love it, though it doesn’t really lend itself to drinking coffee while driving. I exercise patience and wait until I get to work to have my first cup!

By: Steve Ingersoll

Steve Ingersoll — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 05:46:13 +0000

I work all different hours and rarely in the same place which is a way to break up the monotony of a commute in itself, but if I find myself at the same place more than a few times I tend to get creative with my gps settings. This has allowed me to have some spectacular drives through some more rural areas where I can let the V-8 roar a little.

By: Ralph

Ralph — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 00:53:20 +0000

I can vouch for the durability of a Stanley thermos. I’ve had one for about 8 years and the thing is damn near indestructible. As for making the daily commute more endurable: it’s called NPR. National Public Radio. I tune in to VPR (Vermont Public Radio). Morning Edition followed by the BBC News Hour in the morning. On the ride home its All Things Considered followed by Marketplace and Fresh Air or The World. If it wasn’t available I would invest in one of the Great Courses.

By: Guillermo

Guillermo — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:19:57 +0000

As an alternative to the courses listed, there are a great many free podcasts available with an educational focus. For example, The History of Rome (http://thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/) is 100% free, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better way to understand this culture than to listen to this entire series, one commute at a time.

By: David

David — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 01:29:41 +0000

Music. Music makes most drives pleasurable, and any drive bearable. Stopping at shops or stores I’ve never visited before also breaks up the monotony. The whole world is out there, it’s foolish to keep going the exact same way!

By: emolina

emolina — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 00:58:43 +0000

I like to brake routine with an alternate route and or taking a motorcycle. The motorcycle can really break up the routine if the weather is not especially compatible. I find the motorcycle to be a great conversation starter. People are just amazed that someone would ‘expose’ himself to elements by choice. i just politely remark that I’m a man and i enjoy the challenges and excitement.

By: Ryan Waldron

Ryan Waldron — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 19:01:59 +0000

I go to work early (before 7), so I rarely have any problems heading to work, but when I leave work at 5:30pm, I’m jumping into the thick of things. If my commute starts to wear on me, sometimes I’ll just get off the interstate t the next exit and go exploring. If it’s going to take me more 45 min to get home I might as well take a few more minutes and have a more interesting drive.