The Long Commute
I’ve been busier and more stressed than usual lately and it’s started catching up with me. The other day at work I found myself completely exhausted. I could not wait to go home…
…And pass out. It was all I could think about. The second the workday was done I hopped on my bike and raced across town toward my couch.
But once I sat down I had an unexpected change of heart.
My head was clear and my energy had returned. My couch was boring. Was I really going to just stay home? And sleep? I was bummed that my commute was only 4.1 miles. Some days that’s just too short. I wanted to bike more.
I remembered I had been invited to a party across town. Seven miles across town. It was one of those parties I had no intention of going to. Suddenly it was the most appealing party in the world. So delightfully far away. With that, I was off…
More energized and less stressed than any other commuter….
I have a five-mile commute and I often wish it could be longer. But, if I’m meeting anyone and they offer to come to my office, I tell them firmly no. I make up stuff like how we have no meeting rooms (we don’t have many but I could probably get one if I put my mind to it). If I’m really lucky, they might ask to meet me in the west end of London or even Kensington (six miles away). I’m keen on meetings at Canary Wharf, too. That’s about four miles down one of the routes referenced here (http://invisiblevisibleman.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/what-have-romans-ever-done-for-us-well.html). Best trip of all is if I have to catch a flight from London City Airport, 13 miles from my house.
On a good day, with strategically-placed meetings, I can turn my 11 miles of commuting into about 30 miles of cycling. It’s often the best bit of my day.
Invisible.
I get this every night. I work about second shift hours, but I try to live a first shift life. I get home around midnight and cant go to sleep until 1 or 2 AM because I just have so much energy getting of the bike. I really do blame the bike.
My commute is plenty long enough, 22 miles round trip. But I often look for errands to do, events to attend, especially if it’s a gorgeous day.
Love the last drawing! How’d you do it? Brilliant.
Love that last panel! I’ve got my choice of the quick half mile commute or the slightly for fun 2 mile commute. I always choose the 2 miles. 🙂