Jennifer Chancey, 27, teaches third grade at Bay Point Elementary Magnet School in St. Petersburg.
By LORRIE LYKINS
Published April 20, 2005
THE STARTING LINE: Northwest St. Petersburg, 38th Avenue N and about 58th Street N.
THE FINISH LINE: Bay Point Elementary Magnet School, 5800 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg.
THE RIDE: A green 1996 Acura Integra with 126,626 mile.s
APPROXIMATE GAS MILEAGE: 18 mpg.
THE ROUTE YOU TAKE: 58th Street N to 22nd Avenue N, then onto I-275 south, off on the Pinellas Point exit. Go east on Pinellas Point Drive, which turns into 62nd Avenue S, to 22nd Street S
Do you ever vary your route?
(I don't know if these apply because they have less to do with avoiding traffic accidents, delays or maximizing my drive time, but more to do with my inability to run errands on my afternoon drive due to complete exhaustion and the burning desire to get home in time to catch the last few minutes of Oprah.) The newest alternate route I've been using is the one that allows me to stop off at the new Wal-Mart Supercenter on 34th Street S in the morning to buy stuff for class or something frozen for lunch (I limit school cafeteria lunches to two per week). That route consists of getting off I-275 at the 26th Avenue S exit to 34th Street S. Then I take 34th Street to 54th Avenue S and head toward 22nd Street S.
Distance/length of commute?
About 15 miles each way, taking about 20 minutes.
What time do you normally get home after work?
I try to get home by 4:30 p.m. (Oprah's on from 4-5 p.m.)
Do you ever carpool?
Rarely . . . but if I do carpool, it's usually me who is driving someone who needs a lift.
How long have you been commuting?
Three years.
How do you occupy your drive time?
My drive time is very productive; I turn my car into a giant hair dryer, and regardless of the temperature outside, I blast the heat to dry my hair. And, yes, I am guilty of putting on makeup in my car on my morning drive. However, I do this only at stoplights and wait to curl my eyelashes and put on my mascara until I park my car and turn off the ignition (in fact, so many co-workers have spotted me doing this in the parking lot that one of them gave me an eyelash curler for Christmas). Last, and most embarrassing, I sing in the car. I used to listen to talk radio, but during the elections I became jaded, and haven't really listened since.
What do you dislike?
Stopping to get gas, sun in my eyes, and running late.
What do you like about the commute?
What don't I like? My morning drive is one of my favorite times of the day because it is the only time when I am truly alone. Matter of fact, I relish my drive time. First of all no kids, second of all no kids, and lastly no Radio Disney.
Any daily rituals related to your commute, other than those mentioned above?
I always drink a Diet Coke and shove down something from home for breakfast.
Is there anything that you do on the road that seems to annoy other drivers?
Probably everything that I've mentioned annoys others, but I've yet to encounter anyone nasty enough to call me on it.
What do other drivers do that drives you crazy?
I hate to see people smoking with their windows rolled all the way up. I also can't stand trying to get onto the interstate and the people driving in the right lane don't get over a lane or even attempt to let you merge into traffic.
Most memorable thing you've ever seen while commuting?
I've noticed lately that some drivers are adding a facsimile of a part of the male anatomy to the hitch of their trucks. I'm not exactly sure what statement they're trying to make, but isn't it enough that it says "Hemi" on the side of the truck?
