Commuting is something I haven't had to do for years, thank goodness. For the last 15 years, my commute has been 8 miles or less. I've even been able to ride my bike to work. (I should do that more often, of course, but the important thing is I can!)
There have been times in my life when I had horrible commutes. The worst was an hour each way on the ugliest freeway in Los Angeles, the 10, where I endured stop-and-go traffice into and out of a Wilshire Blvd highrise. I was young, though. I didn't consider it that awful at the time. I wouldn't even consider it now.
I come from Detroit. Cars are not the enemy to me as they are to many. That said, I have sampled traveling by train this last year and found it to be just delightful. Bus too - not so delightful. But I enjoy being able to read or crochet or knit while traveling. Letting someone else drive allows you to slow down, internally somehow. I like that.
Now, I have a new car that sports all the gadgets for my listening pleasure and I actually enjoy long drives. When I drive to my cabin, 3 hours away, or down to visit my daughter in Santa Barbara (4+ hours), I have a choice of listening to satellite radio, podcasts (of This American Life, my fav), audiobooks, and even regular radio. What luxury! However, what I find myself doing as often as not is to savor the silence. Or, more accurately, tune in to the chatter in my head. It's soothing somehow. So, yes, it's worth it.
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