So, we’ve just returned from a nice 1,600-mile round-trip to Chicago. How did we stay sane? Why with our Sirius Satellite Radio, of course! I know this sounds like a crass commercial, but this is really the greatest thing to hit long-distance driving trips since the advent of the audio book. Here’s the streams (Sirius’ version of stations) kept us occupied during the 28-or-so hours of driving:

Sirius OutQ – 24-hour gay talk radio. This just kicks butt! Their morning show is a stitch, and John McMullen is engaging. Michaelangelo Signorile provides a little name recognition, but his is the only show that doesn’t really interest me. A bit too much preaching to the converted, I think. But the real gem of this stream is Derek and Romaine – they’re bitchy, profane, and an absolute hoot to listen to! You can listen to OutQ for free from their website, though only through Windows Media Player.

Spectrum and The Pulse – Adult album alternative and “modern mix” stuff. Not too different from what you might hear on your local radio, but at least it’s commercial-free.

Octane – Fuel, Puddle of Mudd, Trapt, Saliva…you get the gist. Pop-metal, with a occasional offbeat track by Tool or Ra.

Sirius Disorder – Formerly “Organic Rock,” some nice indie and cross-genre performers. The strangest thing I’ve heard was an Italian rap-remix of Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone”. Not one of Dan’s favorites, but I enjoy it as a good place to find good stuff I hadn’t heard before.

Faction – Hard rock, hip-hop, punk. Everything from System of a Down to Wu-Tang Clan. I knew I’d like this stream when we turned it on and heard “50 Inch Nails” by 50 Cent vs. Nine Inch Nails, a remix of “In the Club” run together with “Head Like a Hole”. Damn, that rocked!

Chill – This is another new stream that I’m really enjoying. Moby, Massive Attack, Dido, Radiohead, and Groove Armada – a really great mix when you’re in the mood for it.

Add to that occasional stops by NPR Talk, NPR Now, PRI Public Radio World, and Raw Dog (uncensored comedy channel), plus guilty pleasures like E! Entertainment Radio (True Hollywood Story: Cheers got me through boring parts of eastern Kentucky) and Hair Nation (Def Leppard, Poison, Bon Jovi, aiee!) and you have a couple of extremely satisfied customers. The Audiovox unit with car installation kit was $150, plus $130 for a year’s subscription. Pricey, yes, but it was worth every damn penny as far as I’m concerned.