Drove 624 miles today. Am so tired I am about ready to pass out. Cannot get into eBay. Will write more about a few funny things I saw on the trip tomorrow.
The usual...music. I bring along my discman and headphones (I know, it's a ticketable offence, but I'd rather stay awake and risk a ticket) and listen to CDs. Sometimes I get into thoughts about stories, which will make me sleepy, so I have to be careful about thinking about scenes. I used to sing along at the top of my lungs, but that just gives me a headache now. ;)
For the monthly trip to WI I listen to the local radio stations until I'm out of range, then I listen to the headphones until I reach Chicago, which has some awesome radio stations. Then I listen to the headphones again a little more, because WI's radio stations aren't that impressive.
For the first 2-3 hours of driving, I crank up the stereo and listen to some of my CDs - mostly lively music from groups such as Solace, Steeleye Span, Tempest, Blackmore's Night, Boiled in Lead...lots of Celtic rock with some belly dancing music for variety.
After a straight 3 hours road warrioring then my sanity keeper is books-on-tape (or books-on-CDs as it were). I'd go into sleepy road-stare zombie mode without them. But listening to the books does wonders for keeping me mentally alert. For a selection, I've listened to everything from classics like Ivanhoe and the Memoirs of Fanny Hill to the autobiography of Magaret Cho to classic horror stories to murder mysteries. I buy the audio books at a used book store where each volume costs little more than the price of a large caffeine hit at Starbuck's.
Yes, I totally understand road-stare zombie mode. I used to get "road buzz", which is when you get so hardwired into driving that when you lie down to go to sleep that night you are still going 70 miles an hour.
I cannot listen to books on tape. First of all, I am not enamored of listening to people speak on the radio. I'd rather listen to music.
Secondly, I go off on my own tangents and realize I've missed part of the story, and have to rewind.
I just don't enjoy it as much. Plus, most audio books are abridged. I'd rather just read the whole thing myself.
'Road buzz' - hadn't heard that term before but I quite understand what you're referring to.
Music...audio books...different people, different preferences. The important part is finding whatever trick or gimmick works to keep one's self awake and focused, particularly if said gimmick doesn't require massive infusions of caffeine 8-)
Caffeine really affects me. I rarely ingest it at all anymore, so when I do, it makes me quite jittery. One can of Pepsi on a trip keeps me up for hours. I can't stand the stuff, but if it keeps me going on the really late drives, so be it.
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(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 12:29 pm (UTC)For the monthly trip to WI I listen to the local radio stations until I'm out of range, then I listen to the headphones until I reach Chicago, which has some awesome radio stations. Then I listen to the headphones again a little more, because WI's radio stations aren't that impressive.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 03:52 pm (UTC)After a straight 3 hours road warrioring then my sanity keeper is books-on-tape (or books-on-CDs as it were). I'd go into sleepy road-stare zombie mode without them. But listening to the books does wonders for keeping me mentally alert. For a selection, I've listened to everything from classics like Ivanhoe and the Memoirs of Fanny Hill to the autobiography of Magaret Cho to classic horror stories to murder mysteries. I buy the audio books at a used book store where each volume costs little more than the price of a large caffeine hit at Starbuck's.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 08:55 pm (UTC)I cannot listen to books on tape. First of all, I am not enamored of listening to people speak on the radio. I'd rather listen to music.
Secondly, I go off on my own tangents and realize I've missed part of the story, and have to rewind.
I just don't enjoy it as much. Plus, most audio books are abridged. I'd rather just read the whole thing myself.
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 09:21 pm (UTC)Music...audio books...different people, different preferences. The important part is finding whatever trick or gimmick works to keep one's self awake and focused, particularly if said gimmick doesn't require massive infusions of caffeine 8-)
(no subject)
Date: 2005-05-10 09:25 pm (UTC)