For a little over six months, I’ve been working with a company in Norwalk, California — very nearly downtown Los Angeles. On paper, (or on screen, as the case may be), my commute looks insane:
5:00 – 5:15 Ride my bike to the bus stop
5:25 – 6:20 Bus ride to Corona
6:45 – 7:30 Train ride to Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs
7:35 – 7:50 Bike ride to the office.
Then, at night, it all happens in reverse.
In reality, though, it gets much more interesting.
5:00 – 5:15 Ride my bike to the bus stop. As much as I love riding, it gets a bit interesting with an ancient briefcase — stuffed with all my books, pens, and lunch — slung over my shoulder and onto my back like an overstuffed messenger bag. The bike is nearly 20 years old and very likely has 10,000 miles on it. My riding shoes have worn clear through at the heels. Oh well, when we get some money …
5:15 – 5:25 Write a note, via a series of text messages, to the love of my life, Misty. When she wakes up, I want the first text she sees to let her know that I love her.
5:25 – 6:20 Bus ride to Corona. For most of my life, I’ve gotten motion sickness at the slightest provocation. Not any more. Now I can read, write, even draw — if I don’t mind the lurching. So now I read the Scriptures and a Conference Talk. Every day. I highly recommend it.
6:20 – 6:45 Hang out at the train station in Corona. More time to read, usually a good book. I’ve gone through science fiction, essays, books by General Authorities, spiritual commentaries — even a biography of my great, great grandfather, Marriner Wood Merrill.
6:45 – 7:30 Train ride to Norwalk / Santa Fe Springs. I usually use this time to get organized for the day and to write. Most of my blog entries for the last six months were written on the train between Corona and Norwalk.
7:35 – 7:50 Bike ride to the office. This would be a whole lot more fun, except that the roads in Norwalk most nearly resemble a demilitarized zone with Manhattan-style traffic. It’s exhilarating, but definitely not for the faint-hearted.
And, of course, at night the whole thing happens in reverse. Although lately I’ve been so tired by the time I get to Corona that I mostly just try to get some rest during the final Bus ride to Murrieta before flashing through the nearly deserted streets on the bike ride home.
Now it’s all ended. The crew in Norwalk folded up their tents. No more lengthy commute. And if I want to read, write, or study, I need to schedule it in …
Merrill Family Blog 
I am glad the long commute is over. Although I totally get the appreciation of time you had to do those things you love(read, write ,study, etc.)… because the open time slots were forced upon you;)
Wow! That commute truly sounded insane. It amazes me what we can do when we really have to. It sounds like you learned to love (maybe too strong of a word) and take advantage of the time you had to read, write and draw/doodle. I am sorry it ended and I pray that you will find an even better job real soon that allows you the time to do the things you love. We love your family and will continue to keep you in our prayers!