I'll be the first to say that the gas shortage is taking the fun out of my favorite hobby, which is: driving around by myself. Have you ever tried it? Yes, driving with no destination in mind is quite a fun and liberating pastime. Next time you're sitting there watching Stupid TV, not doing whatever it was that you said you were going to do, how about hitting the road for some clarity? You don't have to go far, just a few miles down some winding country roads, or maybe a quick spin on the highway if there's one close to your house.

Here are some Fun Factors to Driving Around By Yourself.

1. You control the speed.

Do 80 mph in the fast lane or putt along in the turning lane... when you're the only one in the car, you can drive however you want.

2. No more bad drivers.

Sick of driving with folks who speed up behind cars that are braking? Take a deep breath and put the pedal to the metal. This is your time to drive.

3. You have your choice of radio selections.

Crank up some Led Zeppelin, pop in one of your Books on Tape, be a mad channel switcher...and don't worry about pleasing the passenger with your choice, because there is no passenger. So get crazy!

4. You can stop or not stop at any time.

Did you pass by the Target and suddenly feel the pull? Or do you have absolutely no interest in shopping OR stopping? This is your ride, Paul Revere, so do whatever you like.

5. Uninterrupted thought flow.

Really, when was the last time you were alone with your thoughts? Between the computer, the cell phone, the husband or wife and the TV, it can get rather noisy in one's head. Alone in the car, you can outline your biz plans, formulate the grocery shopping list, ponder the latest national issues... or heck, you can even switch to Old College Boyfriend Fantasy Mode.

If you have the opportunity to head out onto the Highways of America, you should take it. Who knows if tomorrow could mean a family van full of kids, work car pool full of annoying people, or God forbid the bus. Grab your keys... and if someone asks you where you're going, just say, "I have no idea."

Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.

Dina Giolitto is a copywriting consultant and ghostwriter with 10 years of experience writing corporate print materials and web content. Trust her with your next e-book, article series or web project, and make a lasting impression on your audience of information-hungry prospects. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for more details.

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