The Perverse Life of the Audiobook Listener

I start a new job next week. It’s just a three-month contract, but the big downside for me is that the office is about two miles from home. What, you may ask, is the problem with that? I’m sure many of you would kill to have a commute that short.

Well, I guess you don’t listen to audiobooks. My most recent job location was just about perfect. It was about fifteen minutes to and from, and 10 minutes to and from lunch every day. That was about 50 minutes of audiobook listening per work day. When you are listening to a book as long as Doris Kearns Goodwins’ fantastic Team of Rivals, that is a decent bit of listening every day.

With the new job, I might not live long enough to finish that particular book. Unless, of course, I walk to work. That’s about 40 minutes each way. Fortunately, the job site has a gym with a shower, so my coworkers will not be subject to my sweaty aromas. If it wasn’t for Doris Kearns Goodwin, I would just drive.

One Reply to “The Perverse Life of the Audiobook Listener”

  1. I’ve got a 30 min commute each way – city streets, not fwy, so it’s a predictable commute every day. I listen to audio books as well, and that half hour is perfect to wake up in the morning and wind down before greeting the family at the end of my work day. Although working closer has an appeal, I agree that sometimes a moderate commute is better than a shorter one. Interesting thoughts, Paul. Keep up the great work! –Tom

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.