My job requires obscure hours. Most of my shifts are 8:00pm – 4:00am. I have a very manageable, traffic-free, 40-minute commute home, but sometimes I do feel on the verge of dozing.
Drinking coffee cures the issue, but prevents me from sleeping once I arrive home. I’ve tried to put the windows down and blast some uptempo music, but that only works with varied success.
To stay awake at the wheel, I freestyle rap to myself. When alone, it works better than any other method I’ve tried.
I don’t mean shuffle The Eminem Show. Listen to an instrumental rap song and make your own verse. Trying to create rhymes before the end of the beat forces your brain to stay active and alert. The minute I rap I feel re-energized.
I’m a terrible rapper. I don’t think I’m good, nor do I care to be. But the premise is to stay safe and save lives.
Rap about anything. Usually I just rap about what I see.
“That green sign there says a mile to exit 12,
In the right lane – I’m just rapping to myself”
The raps are terrible, and I would never dare record one. But again, it gets me home safely.
Other rap topics:
How was your day? Anything interesting happen? SSDD?
What are you wearing right now?
What did you eat today?
Did that cute girl/guy at work do anything funny today?
I understand the generalities and stereotypes of rap: It’s not real music, it promotes bigotry and violence, etc. I’m not saying those are true or untrue, but don’t neglect this potential life-saving advice simply on the basis of a prejudice toward rap. I know people who would refuse this advice on that premise.
Below are three instrumental rap songs to download – no lyrics, just the beat. The next time you feel on the verge of dozing at the wheel, play one, drop a line, and let’s see your terrible rap skills. If you’re worse than I am, then all the power to ya because I’m not sure if that’s possible.
Who knows, maybe you’ll discover a new talent.
Time to Schein 