| Whenever gas prices become too high, your car | | | | thing to do about this is buy a pair of noise-cancelling |
| becomes too smashed up, or you are just too | | | | headphones. The thicker the headphones, the better. |
| scared of driving in the first place, there is always the | | | | It is also a good idea if the genre of the music is |
| option of using public transportation. However, this | | | | rock or metal. You should not compromise your own |
| option comes with a price and I am not talking about | | | | tastes just for these moments, it is just that rock |
| the two-dollar fare. Sometimes, you have to share | | | | and metal songs tend to be loud enough for your |
| the bus with some unsavory characters. Sometimes, | | | | own ears without disturbing the other passengers. |
| you have to sit next to an old man who wants to tell | | | | Second rule: do not make eye contact with the other |
| you about his seventeen hip surgeries. Sometimes, | | | | passengers. Good eye contact is the first thing you |
| you have to sit next to someone who reeks of | | | | learn when taking classes in communication because |
| cigarettes and booze. Sometimes, you have to sit | | | | that is how almost every conversation begins. If you |
| next to a chatty girl who loves her cell phone far too | | | | need something to occupy your eyes, there is a |
| much. I have used public transportation all throughout | | | | number of things you can do. Bringing a book is |
| my college days and I have run into these same | | | | always a good idea. Looking out the window at the |
| characters. If you wish to make your own | | | | scenery works as well. Or if you are not too fond of |
| experiences with the bus or ferry less painful, keep | | | | reading or the scenery of your town, keeping your |
| reading; you will thank me for it later. | | | | eyes on your shoes is not a bad idea either. |
| First rule: bring music. If you are using an MP3 player, | | | | Anywhere is fine as long as your eyes do not make |
| keep it charged often and when you are using a CD | | | | contact with the other passengers. |
| player, bring a spare set of batteries. Drowning out | | | | There is one caveat to these rules: they are not fool |
| the dialogue of the bus or ferry is sometimes the | | | | proof. I have followed my own advice several times |
| only thing keeping you from going insane. Make sure | | | | and still found myself trapped in the vicinity of these |
| the volume is cranked up loud enough so that it is | | | | strange passengers. However, these rules will greatly |
| only you and your music. But there are times when | | | | increase your chances of a pain-free ride. Your sanity |
| the driver will order you to turn down your music so | | | | may take some damage, but at least you will still |
| others do not have to listen. In these cases, the best | | | | have your sanity. Happy riding! |