A 16 hour bus ride

[diablopath]

So I'll be embarking upon an epic journey at the end of October.
16 hours, trapped on a Greyhound.

So, assuming I get to keep my head, how should I pass the time?

I do not have a iPod.
My only portable device is my PSP.

What games should I take?
Possible books?

Also, there's going to be a 16 hour return trip.
I request similar ideas for that.

:|

[Zabyx]

Against The Day by Thomas Pynchon.

[astranoir]

One thing you can do is get ebooks for your PSP, it would combine a couple of your initial thoughts, and save space/ :)

[diablopath]

One thing you can do is get ebooks for your PSP, it would combine a couple of your initial thoughts, and save space/ :)

Honestly, that's not an option.
I just cannot read from my PSP. I physically need a book. Maybe it's just how it's set up. That reason alone has (thus far) kept me from getting a Kindle.

@Zabyx:
That book sounds interesting, I think I'll download the first chapter or two then make a purchase decision off that. For any other recommendations, it might help to note that my two favorite authors are Max Barry and Neal Stephenson. I've also recently begun Chuck Palahniuk's "Survivor", and I'm really enjoying that one.

[astranoir]

Honestly, that's not an option.
I just cannot read from my PSP. I physically need a book. Maybe it's just how it's set up. That reason alone has (thus far) kept me from getting a Kindle.


Well, on a similar note, if you like audiobooks, you could put those on your PSP as well, and there are a lot of free ones online, at Librivox (http://librivox.org), for example.

[Rogue_hunter]

Either load up a memory stick (the bigger the better, and that IS what she said) full of music you like, and would want to listen to alot (full albums would work, as would audiobooks). Final Fantasy Tactics, Puzzle Quest or Wipeout Pure (or Pulse, I'm not sure) would be fun games.

[Zabyx]

@Zabyx:
That book sounds interesting, I think I'll download the first chapter or two then make a purchase decision off that. For any other recommendations, it might help to note that my two favorite authors are Max Barry and Neal Stephenson. I've also recently begun Chuck Palahniuk's "Survivor", and I'm really enjoying that one.

It's truly fascinating, and I need to reattempt it. The first chapter is absolutely batshit crazy, though. Wait, most of it is. And yeah, I never finished it. I guess it was a bit too daunting.

[Zero]

so, assuming i get to keep my head, how should i pass the time?


too soon!!

[diablopath]

too soon!!
Not for me :P

[Lon Lon Rabbit]

You should pretty much just kill yourself.

I had a 3 hour each way bus ride the other day to Canberra and it was hell.

Cramped, hot, smelly, bumpy and full of crying babies and whinging old ladies.

You can't get even remotely comfortable let alone try and get some sleep.

[That Darn Kat]

I've been on a couple 20 hour greyhound rides. Not a lot of fun. Bring some headphones so crazy people don't talk to you, and definitely bring something that doesn't require batteries. A small sketch pad and a pen or pencil is nice, if that's your sort of thing. I brought a book of logic puzzles, as well. My book recommendation is one that everyone has probably already read but it's awesome so I'll suggest it anyway: World War Z. It's interesting enough that you could probably read it for most of the trip without getting bored of it.

Also, don't sit anywhere near the back of the bus. The bathrooms are super smelly. I wasn't brave enough to check them out, but most other people have no qualms about using them and go in and out the whole bus ride.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

Sleep.

We drove 32 hours straight to Vegas this summer, and 70% of the time I wasn't driving I was sleeping. The other times I was listening to podcasts or audiobook.

[Everyone vs Dinosaurs]

Start making out with your luggage --- It will provide lols.

[rinichanraar]

I once (well, I guess twice since I had to come back) was on a 16-hour flight. I slept a lot (and ate when the food came by).

What are some of your favorite books? Maybe we can come up with suggestions.

[mightbe]

Smoke and Mirrors by Gaiman

Short stories that help pass the time very quickly.

[diablopath]

I once (well, I guess twice since I had to come back) was on a 16-hour flight. I slept a lot (and ate when the food came by).

What are some of your favorite books? Maybe we can come up with suggestions.

Favorite books:
Catch 22
1984
Snow Crash
Jennifer Government
Company: A Novel
Fight Club

I haven't read too many books in my day, just recently got into the hobby.

I'm contemplating buying a iPod, then returning it when I get back (<3 walmart), but I'm not sure the battery life of them? Music will get boring (I haven't added new stuff to my library for a month, now), but Podcasts are the shit and at the very least, would lull me into sleep.

Thanks @ the warning to avoid the back.
I will show up really early as to obtain a front seat.
Fuck smelling shit for 16 hours.

Games I have now:
God of War
Final Fantasy: Crisis Core
Disgaea
...for PSP.

I guess I just need to face it.
There's not much one can really do to make a 16 hour bus ride fun.

At least when I flew to Japan they played a 007 movie.

[LordDon]

Atlas Shrugged. At the very least it will put you to sleep if you don't make it through it in 16 hours.

[rinichanraar]

Favorite books:
Catch 22
1984
Snow Crash
Jennifer Government
Company: A Novel
Fight Club

I haven't read too many books in my day, just recently got into the hobby.

Ah, you like a few of the same books I do. Catch-22, 1984, and Fight Club are among my favorites. (I haven't read the others.) In that case, I would recommend maybe A Clockwork Orange (Anthony Burgess) and Brave New World (Aldous Huxley)... unless you've already read them both. Oh, also Survivor (Chuck Palahniuk).

[Jeffool]

I recommend Douglas Rushkoff's Exit Strategy (http://books.google.com/books?id=9DoFAAAACAAJ&dq=inauthor:Douglas+inauthor:Rushkoff).

And if you ever get in the mood for something more... Terrestrial, I'm a big fan of Arthur Nersesian (http://books.google.com/books?as_auth=Arthur+Nersesian), particularly The Fuck Up (http://books.google.com/books?id=ZEthJYBocA8C) and Chinese Takeout (http://books.google.com/books?id=pjicQby3vMMC). Of course, I say 'terrestrial'... Last year he finished The Swing Voter of Staten Island (http://books.google.com/books?id=pUWdBiPfiVEC), which is an insane alternate history book about a new New York City built in the Nevada desert, and it serves an excellent set-up for his upcoming series, the first of which hits shelves later this month.

[diablopath]

Oh, also Survivor (Chuck Palahniuk).

Reading it now, I really like it.
I'll look into these other suggestions.
I figure 4 books and some video games + sleep will be just as about as good as I can get.

Thanks guys :D

[rinichanraar]

Reading it now, I really like it.
I'll look into these other suggestions.
I figure 4 books and some video games + sleep will be just as about as good as I can get.

Thanks guys :D

Oh, cool. What a coincidence! Glad you're enjoying it. :)

[Spacetronaut]

I've never been on a public bus, so I'm making a few assumptions here. Books and music are a bad idea, as they will distract you. You need to maintain a high level of situational awareness at all times, since you'll be riding in a box with the dregs of society. Huddle in a corner and scream at anyone who moves suddenly.

On a slightly more serious note I just finished "The First Law" trilogy by Joe Abercrombie and found it to be surprisingly good.

[Craigtheplague]

I pity you. I've made multiple trips in between Corvallis and Portland (in Oregon) on Greyhound. It's only about 80 miles but it takes 3 FUCKING HOURS! It makes a bunch of stops in other towns where the greyhound stations happen to be located as far away as possible from the freeway.

I myself have a 13 hour voyage to Portland coming up. The long flight will be on Northwest airlines where I have to PAY for alcoholic drinks ($5 a pop). It's too bad because alcohol makes the time pass quicker. I suggest bringing a flask of your favorite liquor.

[Ancalagon]

If you dont have short legs, I suggest a brick with which to knock yourself out. Greyhounds are hell, I used to have to take them to and from university. Nothing kills like a greyhound.

Otherwise, get whatever you can. Some headphones, if only to block the noise out, are a must, and a pillow comes highly recommended.