Car Rides

I like to road trip. It just fixes things sometimes. Sure, there's traffic, and detours, and rain, and stupid other drivers, and gas prices, and cops, and all that stuff that's annoying about driving lots. But mostly, it's good therapy. You can listen to whatever you want, the same song over and over if it strikes you right. You can sing as loud as you want to whatever part of the music you want. You can scream at other drivers without embarrassment. You can speed or not use your blinkers or go at an inconsistent pace and not worry about getting yelled at by your passenger(s). You can think about whatever you want, avoid thinking about whatever you want. Why is it that no other alone time is ever as effective or enjoyable as when I'm driving? I just like it.
I like to road trip with people, too. Some really great conversations come up in the car. Everything you feel like you can't say in public, or in a place where someone might walk in, or where something might be overheard by somebody walking by can be said. You don't necessarily have to look at the person you're talking to, so you don't have to worry about the whole uncomfortable-eye-contact thing. Stuff gets dealt with that has been avoided or suppressed or delayed, because you've nothing better to do but talk about it. It's a very safe situation in which to deal with stuff.
Cars are a great invention. It is also nice to have somewhere to drive to. And someone to drive with (in one direction at least).