I was driving to work today and got stuck behind a semi driving in the left lane. He stayed and stayed and stayed and stayed there in the left lane for a good long while, a good five miles before I finally was able to pass him on the right (as he still clung to that left lane), and I thought more and more about this: I used to love to drive my car. I don’t anymore. This seems pretty clear. I’ve got two routes I could take to get to work, and I don’t like thinking about either. What has happened?

I remember back in California when I would get into my car to just drive. I would drive around on 280 going up to Mountain View, down to Eastridge Mall in San Jose, or up to Pleasanton on 680. I loved my drives to work from Santa Clara up to Woodside, about 30 miles each way.

I think if I were still that age, I would have loved driving into New York City, like I have the opportunity to do these days, or go on a day trip down to Philly. But I don’t look forward to such trips anymore. I don’t look forward to driving much. I feel rushed. What’s happened, I wonder?