Big Truck Slalom

I have* a wonderful job that allows to me to work from home at least two, sometimes three, days a week. The rest of the time I have a two hour commute to and two hour commute “fro”.

When you drive that many miles and drive that often (it used to be even worse) several things are really important.

First you really have to have a car you like to spend time in. When you add up the hours its a quality of life issue. For me, quality of life is markedly improved if the car is what you might call a performance car (sly smirk) and actually performs (outright grin).

Now that we’ve gotten the car issue out of the the way there are other important considerations as well. What are you going to do with all that time? Looking at the road and steering in the right direction is not enough to keep any sane person awake.

My three favorite commuting activities are a) listening to audio books, b) envying other peoples even higher performance cars and c) Big Truck Slalom.

Big Truck Slalom is a game chosen for me because the highway I travel is a Big Truck Natural Habitat. (Ok – full disclosure – 495 North to the Mass Pike).

The rules follow basic game theory complete with a long skinny three lane maze, opportunities for outmaneuvering and outwitting.

Outwitting is introduced when you are outmaneuvering. You may then have to outwit the State Police (and if you lose there will be a corresponding penalty. )

You also lose big if you get stuck behind a Big Truck Going Up a Hill. The State Police don’t care about that one at all. But you will.

If you are a nervous type you also won’t like being stuck in front of a Big Truck Going Down a Hill.

Extra points if you can beat a Big Truck to a tollbooth and mega points if this involves crossing at least four lanes in front of several Big Trucks.

All great fun. I promise you.

And you won’t be a bored commuter.

* What’s the star for this time?

I started this post – early today – before starting on the daily game of Big Truck Slalom. I made it home safe – not nailed by a single Big Truck – and I made big points on the four lane cross. This is not the end of the story though. Stay Tuned for the Independence Day post. . .(dum de dum dum. .)