"I think it's because I don't come home from work needing to rant for an hour anymore. I'm not nearly as stress-exhausted when I get home."
"... It's the hour you got back! That's what's making you bored."
I think he's right. The hour I don't have to spend in the car every day commuting (plus all the overtime I don't have to work) is really leaving my evenings awfully open.