a great liberal arts course would interweave studying the history of cars and traffic, the public policy of transportation, and a hands-on disassembly and reconstruction of an actual automobile.
Ooh, I want to take it. Of course, I’m fascinated by traffic and infrastructure, such that I’m about to add another category to my blogroll. A friend said “I don’t know how you’ve driven across country three times—I would get so bored.”
This is me, driving:
- “Ooh, water!”
- “Is that car gonna pass the car in front, I wonder?”
- “Ooh, logs on a truck!”
- “Oh, I wanna take this road so I can go over the bridge.”
- “Ooh, river!”
- “Oh, bummer, we missed the ferry by 10 minutes.”
- “Hey, I’ve never seen that road sign before.”
- “Ooh, water!”
and so forth….
After that trip, I changed my avatar to a river valley, and set up keywords in iPhoto to make smart albums of “river”, “lake”, “waterfall”, and “water”. I also have a “peace” keyword, for pictures that make me feel happy and relaxed. Every single one of them has water in it.
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone
Totally!
I also find it vastly entertaining to compete against myself and/or the clock when it comes to mileage and time to destination over several-hour drives (say, 250-400 miles). I’m constantly calculating my overall mileage per hour, estimating how long it will take me to get there or to the next major city based on that mileage, adjusting my speed, etc. Friends tell me that that’s the most boring thing they could imagine doing, but it keeps part of my brain occupied while the rest is singing to the stereo, admiring the scenery, figuring out what’s up with that one car, etc.
And yes yes yes about water. And sky, too.
By: Flavia on 9 June 2009
at 5:29 am
Flavia, me too! to all those things. I like to try to predict what other cars will do, too.
I once dated someone who lived a summer across the Hudson from NYC, and we took the minivan buses through the Lincoln Tunnel most weekends. EVERY SINGLE TRIP, we spent the entire time discussing traffic flows, the dynamics of the private enterprise minivan bus system, etc. Never got boring.
By: dance on 9 June 2009
at 5:32 pm
Between traffic, scenery, and singing, I don’t even need audiobooks.
Sometimes I wonder if it’s a touch of Asperger’s—isn’t that a classic sign? I once knew a kid at a summer program in Boston who memorized the entire T system, and then cashed in a plane ticket to buy train tix to get home to Minnesota (IIRC).
By: dance on 9 June 2009
at 5:35 pm
Hee! It does sound a bit aspergerian, doesn’t it? And I’ve long thought that my reaction to other people’s emotions (“Huh. My friend seems really upset. I guess now I. . . hug her? Would that be right?”) is a little android-y.
The only time I’ve driven all the way across the country was at 18, with my folks, but I’ve long wanted to do it again. I can’t imagine it would be boring, even on repeat trips.
By: Flavia on 9 June 2009
at 5:47 pm
I totally recommend cross-country driving—by oneself!—to everyone I know (who likes to drive alone in the first place, anyhow). Except don’t take I-80, it sucks. I convinced one friend who was very glad he did it. Would a long-term fellowship at the Huntington be feasible for you? There’s an excuse. And there’s probably bloggers to meet on the way.
My reactions to upset friends are often to see the logic of the other person’s side. Yeah….
By: dance on 9 June 2009
at 5:57 pm
Well, my folks live in the PacNW–and I’m pretty far east–so I think next summer *could be* the summer of a cross-country drive! Have been thinking of it, anyway.
And yes: me too.
By: Flavia on 10 June 2009
at 3:57 am
Does the location inspire singing? Like everytime I drive through Memphis, I start singing Paul Simon’s “Graceland,” or “Oklahoma” for Oklahoma, and “Chattanooga Choo-choo” for Chatanooga, and sometimes I just make up stuff. Cross-country driving alone is the way to go!
By: cliobluestocking on 14 June 2009
at 2:36 pm
Driving in Arches Natl Park, we were so overcome with the beauty we started singing “This Land is My Land”. But otherwise my repertoire is not rich in place-appropriate songs.
By: dance on 14 June 2009
at 4:49 pm