I am never bored. I wish there were enough hours in the day to do all I want to do.

I read the LA Times every day on my Kindle, home or away.

Consider learning a new language, or a new computer programming language.

I am an Excel VBA power user, and suggest that even a casual Excel user could benefit from learning a little Excel VBA. Start with the macro recorder and work your way up from there.

I read everything I can get my hands on, including the 70 magazines that I subscribe to. (No kidding.)

Reading the local newspaper, USA Today and the New York Times plus doing the crossword puzzle and Soduku offered in those always helped me. Plus spending lots of time on Flyertalk. And exploring the areas you are in, just going for a walk can kill a lot of time.

I get out and visit some of the local attractions, sights, etc. I visit electronic stores, sometimes catch a movie in a theater. Look for local specialty restaurants, etc.

I have a couple of very long term projects that are on all my computers that I work on whenever I travel. I never tough them at home but on the road it's a break that kills some time.

Sort pictures on my laptop.

MMORPG if I am really bored.

Practise Mandarin chinese.

Just bought a guitar. Planning to start plunking away but it is a pain to carry it on short trips.

I read a lot and try to do stuff I might never get another chance to do, unique to the place I am in, etc. I actually make it a point to NOT work on a plane -- short hauler and the downtime is needed. Wonderfule things happen when i get out and meet the peoples.

This week I was in NYC (I get there about 4-5 times per year for biz). Never been to a pro hockey game, nor to MSG, so went to see the Rangers/Ducks play and was rewarded with a GREAT time! Rangers won 2-1 in a shootout. The cool part was the people on my left were Aussies on their way home from finishing a job in Belgium, so we got to share notes on restaurants and bakeries we had found, and the folks on my right were friendly locals so got to talk NFL, etc...

My Kindle is loaded with books, streaming Netflix is my friend, and I sew. I bring a project with me when I travel.

Reading and NYT crosswords. Both good for the brain!

That's easy:

Work, work, and then work some more.

You then say, "My god, where did all that time go?"

Roadside America

If you are traveling the same place all the time, will not do you much good. But if you are often landing in new locales, recommend getting the iPhone app and subscription for a few bucks.

Box sets of Beverley hills 90210 (don't laugh... Loved it in my teens!)

Plenty of books on the iPad and chatting to friends on Facebook.

Take an online course (or courses) or even complete a degree online.

In the same vein, pursue a reading program to prepare you for your next job/career.

Any interest/ability in writing? Try writing some articles. Can start small, like the newsletter of the local affiliate of a national professional organization or a community newspaper(like a neighborhood paper, not the big name paper).

+2 from us... boredom while traveling seems an oxymoron, even if it's an obligatory business trip to a disliked destination. Downtime is a precious commodity, if only to relax with a good book, have a rare leisurely soak in a hot tub, or catch an even rarer afternoon nap. All without guilt about what we "should" be doing.

The FT mobile app is great for commuting, makes my hour train ride each way "fly" by

^ Lovely ideas.

Thanks also to others for tips on busuu.com and Roadside America.